|
|
|
- A horrifying story about U.S. immigration (52 comments)
- Security: A better, cheaper lock for your luggage (25 comments)
- When good deals disappear: The old bait and switch? (41 comments)
- Girlfriend Getaways: Where are you headed? (45 comments)
- Unfair treatment on cruises? (66 comments)
Comments (5)
Print
Save/Share
Workers out in midtown yesterday afternoon may have been surprised to find Bryant Park, a popular lunchtime retreat, transformed into a scene recalling Will Ferrell's hit comedy, "Blades of Glory."
Professional skaters were decked out in characteristically sparkly costumes to perform for the grand opening of the Pond at Bryant Park, a small seasonal rink surrounded by trees and gleaming skyscrapers.
First up was a pair of lively ice dancers from the country of Georgia, Isabella Tobias and Otar Japaridze, who zipped and toe-picked to what sounded like Georgian folk music. Sinead and John Kerr, four-time British ice dance champions from Scotland, also drew on their roots. They skated to traditional Scottish melodies—including strains of Auld Lang Syne—while sporting a highly untraditional take on tartan...
Silvia Fontana, who skated for Italy at the 2006 Turin Olympics, chose a power ballad (Christina Aguilera's "Hurt"), as did Michael Weiss, the first American to land a quadruple toe loop in competition ("I could be your hero, baby"). At the Pond, whose ice can be choppy and prone to puddles, Weiss opted instead for two mid-air flips—not quite as life-threatening as Ferrell's Iron Lotus move, but close!
After a number by native New Yorker Kyoko Ina and her partner John Zimmerman, the skating concluded with the crowd-pleasing Haydenettes, a troupe of peppy synchronized skaters who would likely meet the Rockettes' approval.
It was neat to be so close to the performers, many of whom are on the Stars on Ice national tour. You can see shots of them in all their glory by clicking on our slide show.
Beyond the splashy opening ceremony, the Pond wins kudos for being the city's only rink with free admission—skate rentals will set you back $10—and for its lovely setting. As the holidays approach, more than 100 artisans set up festive stalls in the park (Nov. 17-Dec. 30).
The sooner you can take a spin, the better: In mid-January, months before rivals like Rockefeller or Wollman, the Pond closes to make way for the white tents of Fashion Week.
Photo of the dramatic Georgian duo Isabella Tobias and Otar Japaridze by Kate Appleton.
RELATED: Top 10 Ice-Skating Rinks and Trip Coach: Romantic New York City.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
"Michael Weiss, the first American to land a quadruple sow cow in competition"
The jump is a quadruple salchow, not sow cow, and Michael Weiss was not the first American to land it in competition. Timothy Goeble was the first person, male or female, to land one, the first American to land one, and the first American to land a quad of any type in competition.
Posted By Phoebe Katz on October 31, 2007, 8:56 AM
Oops! Thanks to a few readers like Phoebe who have pointed out an error in this original posting, now corrected above. Michael Weiss was not the first American to land a quadruple salchow (pronounced--but not spelled!--like "sow cow").
Rather, according to his website, he was the first American man to land a quadruple toe loop in competition. Apologies for the error.
Posted By Kate Appleton on October 31, 2007, 9:36 AM
Bryant Park is indeed a great place to catch the occasional professional display, but it's long been a my favorite myself. Euphemistically speaking, I'm "less than professional," and there's much less gawking here than at other City venues (Rockefeller Center, Central Park). I always send visitors and tourists to Bryant Park for skating . . . it's free, and less people will laugh if your quadruple salchow doesn't work out!
Posted By Kango New York on November 5, 2007, 4:41 PM
As far as I know, SalChow is pronounced Sal Cow (not Sow Cow).
Weiss's first quad - a toe loop - was two-footed, hence it should not receive credit as 'a clean quad'. I think it was in 1998. Weiss never landed - nor attempted-a quad salchow in a competition.
Tim Goebel first landed the quadruple Salchow when he was a junior, and it was cleanly landed on one foot. I don't remember the year.
Posted By Vash01 on November 23, 2007, 1:29 AM
Kate,
Thanks so much for making the corrections to your original article! It will encourage me to read your articles in the future.
By the way, the two mid-air flips you mentioned are known as Backflips in figure skating terminology. What you wrote is not incorrect, however. In fact what you wrote is very descriptive.
Thanks for the article.
Posted By Vash01 on November 26, 2007, 12:28 AM