RIP Toller Cranston

[Ben Hogan]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/figureskating/toller-cranston-figure-skating-innovator-dead-at-65-1.2930759

Undoubtedly the most exciting free skater I have ever seen. RIP Toller.

 

[Kailani]

He definitely was fun to watch as well as his commentary

So sad! I always loved watching his flower child like figure skating on Youtube R.I.P

 

[Insidious Von]

I'm not surprised, his life wasn't easy.

His formative years came at a time when gays were routinely persecuted and/or lynched. He probably should have won the gold medal at Innsbruck but no one rewards someone attempting to break a barrier. The stress of breaking the colour barrier eventually caught up with Jackie Robinson who died at 53. At least Toller made it past 60.

RIP brave soul.

 

[SkyRider]

Rest in peace. 65 doesn't seem that old anymore.

I use to watch figure skating (for the women). So, I saw Toller skate on occasions as well. Not sure if being gay was the only reason that he didn't get the scores he deserved. Europeans cheat and the Eastern bloc voted as a block at the time.

 

[Ben Hogan]

Rest in peace. 65 doesn't seem that old anymore.

I use to watch figure skating (for the women). So, I saw Toller skate on occasions as well. Not sure if being gay was the only reason that he didn't get the scores he deserved. Europeans cheat and the Eastern bloc voted as a block at the time.

In the era that Toller skated, compulsory figures were part of the equation and it certainly affected his chances and those of skaters such as Karen Magnuson. The Europeans always did well in this area.

 

[Celticman]

In the era that Toller skated, compulsory figures were part of the equation and it certainly affected his chances and those of skaters such as Karen Magnuson. The Europeans always did well in this area.

Exactly

 

[Olivia Gracexo]

Toller a true original from skater to painter living in San Miguel

 

[GameBoy27]

Certainly one of the best. RIP

 

[nobody123]

I'm not surprised, his life wasn't easy.

His formative years came at a time when gays were routinely persecuted and/or lynched. He probably should have won the gold medal at Innsbruck but no one rewards someone attempting to break a barrier. The stress of breaking the colour barrier eventually caught up with Jackie Robinson who died at 53. At least Toller made it past 60.

RIP brave soul.

The general assumption (correct or not) is that an absurdly high percentage of male figure skaters are gay. So much so that it was something of a trope even when Cranston was in the sport: if you were gay you were either a hairdresser or a figure skater. Cranston wasn't "out", nor were any other gay skaters at the time. So... no. He wasn't attempting to break any barriers. Still a hella skater though, and by all accounts a great person off the ice. RIP

 

[SkyRider]

The general assumption (correct or not) is that an absurdly high percentage of male figure skaters are gay.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/19...006_1_mccall-figure-skating-sport-of-figure/2

Figure skaters are true athletes, especially the pairs. We use to occasionally share our hockey practice ice with the figure skaters. A few times I tried to lift the female skaters up over my head (like in pairs) and couldn't do it.

 

[nobody123]

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/19...006_1_mccall-figure-skating-sport-of-figure/2

Figure skaters are true athletes, especially the pairs. We use to occasionally share our hockey practice ice with the figure skaters. A few times I tried to lift the female skaters up over my head (like in pairs) and couldn't do it.

How does this in any way relate to the assumption I mentioned?

 

[spankingman]

Always wondered why gays seemed to gravitate to figure skating and ballet.