So here are the types of fans I have witnessed. Nothing is wrong with most of them, except for a few which I will highlight. Some fans even fall into more than one of these categories.
#1. The Loyal Stans/Anti-Stans
If you guys don't know what a stan is, don't feel bad. You don't know how many times I have to look things up in Urban Dictionary. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that, but anyway, a stan is basically someone who is a die-hard fanatic of a particular celebrity or sports figure. The Loyal Stans support their favorites 100%, no matter how they perform. They will often talk about how their favorite is underscored or underappreciated as well. There's a lot to respect about the Loyal Stan. They are at least not fair-weather fans. However, there is another side, or a foil, to the Loyal Stan. This is the Anti-Stan. The Anti-Stan has a skater they cannot stand, and will never give them credit for anything they do. They believe the judges overscore their least favorite and their programs lack any substance. It is quite common for someone to be both a Loyal Stan and an Anti-Stan. Usually a Loyal Stan is an Anti-Stan for someone who is a rival of their favorite, or a skater who wins everything seemingly unfairly.
#2: The Cranky Curmudgeons
The Cranky Curmudgeon has not watched or participated much in figure skating since around 2003. They hold the 6.0 system as the gold standard and are reluctant to accept any change. You will often hear them saying things like "you don't see programs like that anymore", or "figure skating is all just a jumping contest now". Rather than learn and try to appreciate the new system, they prefer to cling to the skating of the 80s, 90s and earlier. Cranky Curmudgeons do love figure skating but are stuck in the past.
#3: The Modern Traditionalists
I would say that most people who have followed skating for a long time would fall into this category. The Modern Traditionalists still love a lot of skating and how it was done in the early days, especially the 90s when figure skating was really in its heyday. However, unlike the Cranky Curmudgeons, they also embrace the changes and the skaters of today. The Modern Traditionalists see value in the IJS system while acknowledging its flaws. A lot of Modern Traditionalists also have an interest in compulsory figures and how they can be used to improve their overall skating. I have seen many modern traditionalists in the Adult Skating group. They are competing under the 6.0 system and the ordinals were all over the place. Some have expressed interest in skating under IJS, because it is at least something quantifiable, and you can see areas where you can improve. This is already done at the international adult competitions. Modern Traditionalists are a little more sensitive to the gaming of the IJS system than our next group of fans.
#4: The New-Wave Fans
The New-Wave Fans are fairly new to the world of skating. Most New-Wave Fans began following figure skating around the 2014 Olympics. But boy, have they caught up quick! New-Wave Fans are one of the most enthusiastic groups of skating fans, and they do a ton of research into previous competitions. They are always posting videos and pictures of recent World Championships, and finding interviews with today's top skaters. New-Wave Fans also have a great grasp of the IJS system, and how it's supposed to work. They are coming into the skating world fresh and with no pre-conceived ideas of how things used to be. New-Wave Fans also help many of the other fan groups regain their enthusiasm for the sport.
#5: The Trolls and their Idiot Minions
The Trolls contrast greatly with the new wave fans in their level of enthusiasm. They stir up animosity instead. The Trolls differ from the Cranky Curmudgeons in some ways. Cranky Curmudgeons are just hopelessly stuck in the past, and their criticism of the sport today comes from frustration and a lack of understanding. The Trolls' key objective is to post things just to piss people off. They are quite successful at doing this. There are a few bloggers that fall into this category, and the skating fandom rises up in fury. Yes, what they said in most instances was really screwed up, but by getting angry and blast-posting their idiotic commentary everywhere, they are getting exactly what they want. Good or bad, you're still talking about them. Another faction of the trolls are the Idiot Minions. The Idiot Minions are an additional mouthpiece for The Trolls. They repost everything The Troll says, plus try to stir up conversations with unsuspecting victims on social media. The Idiot Minions also agree with everything The Troll writes or says.
#6: Yuri on Ice Fans
The figure skating anime sensation "Yuri on Ice" has brought a lot of new fans to the sport. However, some of these fans are more pleasant than others. There are YOI fans who genuinely came to love figure skating through the show, and now watch a lot of competitions. This group is respectful of figure skaters, both as individuals and what they do on the ice. They are a cool group of people, and I'm glad they found their "gateway drug" into the sport.
Then there's the other group of fans. This group knows very little about skating, nor do they care to learn. Their main purpose is to write commentary on pretty much every figure skating video on YouTube, either comparing the skater to a YOI character, or saying something like "I'm only here because of Yuri on Ice". The worst faction of this group continues to avidly "ship" real figure skaters based on pairings from the show. This group has several similarities to the flippant Buzzfeed posts on figure skating, that only happen to show up around the Olympics. Most of these are related to a figure skating drinking game or some such nonsense, but consider the source. At any rate, it's annoying as hell. Moving on...
#7: The Lifetime Members
The Lifetime Members are just as their name implies. They have been fans of the sport for most of their life. Most Lifetime Members came to figure skating with the enthusiasm of the New-Wave Fans, and then settled down over time. This does not mean that their love for the sport has faded, however. Lifetime Members' love for figure skating is similar to that in a marriage. Some days it's full of passion and it's all you can think about. Other days aren't that great, as you're angry and frustrated, but you know you're in for the long haul. Hopefully that analogy makes sense. Lifetime Members can be an encyclopedia of figure skating once you get them going. They've seen a lot, to include the judging system changes, and all the scandals. Lifetime Members often don't get caught up in the details of competitions because of this. They see figure skating at a different level.
#8: The Die-Hards
The Die-Hards are the most dedicated group of fans. This group of fans travels all around the world to see their favorite skaters compete and perform in ice shows. Ice Network just wrote an article dedicated to the Japanese skating fans, showing their dedication to their skaters. They are the best example of Die-Hards now. This is a fan group that I would like to be in, but my bank account, and getting that much time off from work, are 2 very significant limitations toward this goal. But, you know, if I happen to win the Powerball one day...
#9: The Rage-a-holics
The Rage-a-holics are constantly on the lookout for figure skating news or information to get outraged about. Now, you're probably wondering how this is different from a Cranky Curmudgeon, or a Troll. Well, here's the difference. Rage-a-holics do genuinely love the sport, and they are current fans. In some cases, the are a Loyal Stan (or Anti-Stan) gone to extremes. Rage-a-holics are also prone to reacting to The Troll's postings, as they are designed to enrage. Not only do Rage-a-holics constantly go on about under and over scoring, they also look for any articles they can call out for being stupid and ridiculous, even from obscure sources. At their heart, the Rage-a-holic is an idealist for the sport, but their antics and constant ranting can be off putting.
#10: The Actual Factuals
The Actual Factuals know every rule and all scoring for IJS and 6.0, often calculating the base value of programs. They are very knowledgeable, but sometimes arrogant. They will throw the book at anyone who posts or says anything incorrect. If there is one thing to admire about Actual Factuals, it's their objectivity. They will quickly point out the good and bad of any skater without holding any personal bias.
#11: The Every Four Years Fans
As the name suggests, Every Four Years Fans only tune into figure skating during the Olympics. This gives them limited insight to the sport and everything leading up to it. However, they are needed as part of the figure skating fan base. Figure skating is the most popular sport in the Winter Olympics because of this group of fans combined with all the regulars. I am an Every Four Years Fan of luge myself. Luge looks like the most fun thing ever! And of course I watch speed skating, the second cousin to figure skating. I love most of the Winter Olympic sports, but I typically don't watch them outside of the Olympics.
#12: Screaming Fangirls/Fanboys
We have all been one a time or two. Don't try to deny it. A prime example of this is Jimmy MacElroy's fan/stalker in Blades of Glory. The Screaming Fangirls and Fanboys enthusiasm is contagious. In day-to-day life, when they are not watching their favorite skaters, they post pictures and videos of them online and talk about them nonstop. This doesn't bother me in the least. Keep on with your enthusiasm for your favorites and skater crushes!
Well folks, that's a wrap. Please keep in mind that this post was meant for satirical purposes. I'll catch you next time!
Icy Trails ⛸
#2: The Cranky Curmudgeons
The Cranky Curmudgeon has not watched or participated much in figure skating since around 2003. They hold the 6.0 system as the gold standard and are reluctant to accept any change. You will often hear them saying things like "you don't see programs like that anymore", or "figure skating is all just a jumping contest now". Rather than learn and try to appreciate the new system, they prefer to cling to the skating of the 80s, 90s and earlier. Cranky Curmudgeons do love figure skating but are stuck in the past.
#3: The Modern Traditionalists
I would say that most people who have followed skating for a long time would fall into this category. The Modern Traditionalists still love a lot of skating and how it was done in the early days, especially the 90s when figure skating was really in its heyday. However, unlike the Cranky Curmudgeons, they also embrace the changes and the skaters of today. The Modern Traditionalists see value in the IJS system while acknowledging its flaws. A lot of Modern Traditionalists also have an interest in compulsory figures and how they can be used to improve their overall skating. I have seen many modern traditionalists in the Adult Skating group. They are competing under the 6.0 system and the ordinals were all over the place. Some have expressed interest in skating under IJS, because it is at least something quantifiable, and you can see areas where you can improve. This is already done at the international adult competitions. Modern Traditionalists are a little more sensitive to the gaming of the IJS system than our next group of fans.
#4: The New-Wave Fans
The New-Wave Fans are fairly new to the world of skating. Most New-Wave Fans began following figure skating around the 2014 Olympics. But boy, have they caught up quick! New-Wave Fans are one of the most enthusiastic groups of skating fans, and they do a ton of research into previous competitions. They are always posting videos and pictures of recent World Championships, and finding interviews with today's top skaters. New-Wave Fans also have a great grasp of the IJS system, and how it's supposed to work. They are coming into the skating world fresh and with no pre-conceived ideas of how things used to be. New-Wave Fans also help many of the other fan groups regain their enthusiasm for the sport.
#5: The Trolls and their Idiot Minions
The Trolls contrast greatly with the new wave fans in their level of enthusiasm. They stir up animosity instead. The Trolls differ from the Cranky Curmudgeons in some ways. Cranky Curmudgeons are just hopelessly stuck in the past, and their criticism of the sport today comes from frustration and a lack of understanding. The Trolls' key objective is to post things just to piss people off. They are quite successful at doing this. There are a few bloggers that fall into this category, and the skating fandom rises up in fury. Yes, what they said in most instances was really screwed up, but by getting angry and blast-posting their idiotic commentary everywhere, they are getting exactly what they want. Good or bad, you're still talking about them. Another faction of the trolls are the Idiot Minions. The Idiot Minions are an additional mouthpiece for The Trolls. They repost everything The Troll says, plus try to stir up conversations with unsuspecting victims on social media. The Idiot Minions also agree with everything The Troll writes or says.
#6: Yuri on Ice Fans
The figure skating anime sensation "Yuri on Ice" has brought a lot of new fans to the sport. However, some of these fans are more pleasant than others. There are YOI fans who genuinely came to love figure skating through the show, and now watch a lot of competitions. This group is respectful of figure skaters, both as individuals and what they do on the ice. They are a cool group of people, and I'm glad they found their "gateway drug" into the sport.
Then there's the other group of fans. This group knows very little about skating, nor do they care to learn. Their main purpose is to write commentary on pretty much every figure skating video on YouTube, either comparing the skater to a YOI character, or saying something like "I'm only here because of Yuri on Ice". The worst faction of this group continues to avidly "ship" real figure skaters based on pairings from the show. This group has several similarities to the flippant Buzzfeed posts on figure skating, that only happen to show up around the Olympics. Most of these are related to a figure skating drinking game or some such nonsense, but consider the source. At any rate, it's annoying as hell. Moving on...
#7: The Lifetime Members
The Lifetime Members are just as their name implies. They have been fans of the sport for most of their life. Most Lifetime Members came to figure skating with the enthusiasm of the New-Wave Fans, and then settled down over time. This does not mean that their love for the sport has faded, however. Lifetime Members' love for figure skating is similar to that in a marriage. Some days it's full of passion and it's all you can think about. Other days aren't that great, as you're angry and frustrated, but you know you're in for the long haul. Hopefully that analogy makes sense. Lifetime Members can be an encyclopedia of figure skating once you get them going. They've seen a lot, to include the judging system changes, and all the scandals. Lifetime Members often don't get caught up in the details of competitions because of this. They see figure skating at a different level.
#8: The Die-Hards
The Die-Hards are the most dedicated group of fans. This group of fans travels all around the world to see their favorite skaters compete and perform in ice shows. Ice Network just wrote an article dedicated to the Japanese skating fans, showing their dedication to their skaters. They are the best example of Die-Hards now. This is a fan group that I would like to be in, but my bank account, and getting that much time off from work, are 2 very significant limitations toward this goal. But, you know, if I happen to win the Powerball one day...
#9: The Rage-a-holics
The Rage-a-holics are constantly on the lookout for figure skating news or information to get outraged about. Now, you're probably wondering how this is different from a Cranky Curmudgeon, or a Troll. Well, here's the difference. Rage-a-holics do genuinely love the sport, and they are current fans. In some cases, the are a Loyal Stan (or Anti-Stan) gone to extremes. Rage-a-holics are also prone to reacting to The Troll's postings, as they are designed to enrage. Not only do Rage-a-holics constantly go on about under and over scoring, they also look for any articles they can call out for being stupid and ridiculous, even from obscure sources. At their heart, the Rage-a-holic is an idealist for the sport, but their antics and constant ranting can be off putting.
#10: The Actual Factuals
The Actual Factuals know every rule and all scoring for IJS and 6.0, often calculating the base value of programs. They are very knowledgeable, but sometimes arrogant. They will throw the book at anyone who posts or says anything incorrect. If there is one thing to admire about Actual Factuals, it's their objectivity. They will quickly point out the good and bad of any skater without holding any personal bias.
#11: The Every Four Years Fans
As the name suggests, Every Four Years Fans only tune into figure skating during the Olympics. This gives them limited insight to the sport and everything leading up to it. However, they are needed as part of the figure skating fan base. Figure skating is the most popular sport in the Winter Olympics because of this group of fans combined with all the regulars. I am an Every Four Years Fan of luge myself. Luge looks like the most fun thing ever! And of course I watch speed skating, the second cousin to figure skating. I love most of the Winter Olympic sports, but I typically don't watch them outside of the Olympics.
#12: Screaming Fangirls/Fanboys
We have all been one a time or two. Don't try to deny it. A prime example of this is Jimmy MacElroy's fan/stalker in Blades of Glory. The Screaming Fangirls and Fanboys enthusiasm is contagious. In day-to-day life, when they are not watching their favorite skaters, they post pictures and videos of them online and talk about them nonstop. This doesn't bother me in the least. Keep on with your enthusiasm for your favorites and skater crushes!
Well folks, that's a wrap. Please keep in mind that this post was meant for satirical purposes. I'll catch you next time!
Icy Trails ⛸
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