Skaters Play Head Games

Copyright 1992 The San Francisco Chronicle

Albertville, France - FIGURE SKATING isn't a sport, it's a psychology seminar. Last night, after the men skated their short program in the Winter Olympics, we should have put them on a couch, not behind a podium.

American Paul Wylie credited his unexpected third-place finish to falling in warm-ups. Canadian Kurt Browning said he felt great and "wouldn't change a thing," even though he fell flat on his fanny on his first jump.

Todd Eldredge of the United States accomplished his tough triples and then fell on an easy move he said he'd never missed in competition. That dropped him to ninth, and if you wondered how he felt about that, you only had to watch him grab his throat and squeeze or point an imaginary gun to his head and pretend to pull the trigger.

And Christopher Bowman, well, he's probably still over at the press center right now, offering analogies. At various times he said that "skating is like a marriage," like "a love-hate relationship." The problem was that "there was no buzz in the crowd, that people were more interested in the concession stands," he said. Or maybe the real problem was "in my head, I couldn't get my head into it."

Bowman looked listless and grim on the ice, but once the TV lights came on in the press conference afterwards he perked up and leaned into the camera. He'd have suggested a solution to the trade imbalance if someone had asked him. And since he's in seventh place going into tomorrow night's final, he'll have plenty of time to think about it.

It's a strange sport and it doesn't help that skating is set up to keep the fans in the dark as long as possible. In theory we don't even know in what order everyone finished until the evening program is done.

You conjure up a mental picture of judges tabulating results laboriously at the end of the programs. Actually, while the scoreboard shows the numbers for artistic and required moves, there is a computerized television screen -- only available in selected areas in the arena -- that immediately ranks every skater from one to 10. Every competitor knows exactly where he stands before he steps on the ice.

Wouldn't you think that the rankings would be a handy bit of information to put on a scoreboard somewhere? This way it is like putting a tent over home plate and telling spectators that "we'll let you know the score as soon as the game is over."

WHAT TO EXPECT

That said, here are a few points to make about tomorrow night's freestyle skate, based on nearly three days of intensive study:

There are only three skaters, four at most, who have any realistic chance at a medal tomorrow.

The Unified Team's Viktor Petrenko, who is in first place, is a virtual lock for the gold, unless he falls flat tomorrow. Even if he finishes second tomorrow, he still wins the overall. It's too complicated to explain, but believe me, it's true.

Bowman does not have a chance to win a medal unless there is an avalanche and the six skaters ahead of him are unable to get to the arena. Realizing that, he can be expected to dazzle everyone with one of the real mind-boggling free skates of his career.

Both Petr Barna, the Czech in second place, and Wylie, in third, had better watch out for Browning, who is not only very athletic and tough, but also a real favorite of the judges.

As for the reviews of last night's action, it went something like this, beginning with the top finishers:

Petrenko, first place, Unified Team -- Costume: Suit of lights, batteries included. Strengths: Great spins, but fell out of one jump. At this point all he has to do is keep from stubbing his blade to win. Weaknesses: Known in some quarters as the "original collapse of the Soviet Union," Petrenko has a history of coming up small in the big events. He was third in the Soviet national championships. Prediction: Safe boring program wins the gold.

Barna, second place, Czechoslovakia -- Costume: Elvis plays Transylvania. Strengths: Strong artistically. Won the European championships. Weaknesses: Surely someone will speak to the Czech judge about her scores. Second, this ain't the European Championships. He skates before Petrenko so he'll have to be spectacular to put the pressure on. Prediction: He won't.

GET A SHIRT, PAUL

Wylie, third place, USA -- Costume: I'm sorry sir, we require a shirt with a neckline like that. Strengths: At 27 he is one of the most experienced skaters in the field. He has an elegant style and is sincerely liked by nearly everyone. Weaknesses: He is the first to admit he suffers from lagging confidence. He fell two times warming up and claimed that somehow helped steady him. Weird. Prediction: He skates after Barna and Petrenko but ahead of Browning. That's good because, if Browning put the pressure on, you wouldn't like Wylie's chances. It says here he clings to the bronze.

Browning, fourth, Canada -- Costume: Son of Thor with accessories. Strengths: Only man to turn a quadruple jump. The other skaters think he may be the best in the field. Angry about his fall. Weaknesses: Hasn't been skating well. Having back problems and couldn't go in Canadian Nationals. Has to blow someone's doors off to medal. Prediction: He blows someone's doors off.

Christopher Bowman, who cares, United States -- Costume: Casual Sinatra. Strengths: Loves to put on a show. No pressure. This is his farewell. Weaknesses: May turn melodramatic. Prediction: He'll have a wonderful career in an ice show and maybe as a color commentator. Either that or he'll become a sheepherder.