Lyra at both nationals and Olympics. It was one of the freest skates with much joy, and I love the music which I had never heard. It as about as perfect as singles skating gets.Both nights. To be fair to our other American phenoms, Sasha's debut at nationals was amazing and could easily have gotten gold were she not so green. Her 2002 SP at SLC was wonderful and full of the moves that made sasha so famous and copied. I am just thinking American ladies. Tara's performance in sp and Lp were perfect in Nagano, if a tiny bit juniorish given her size but she was amazing and I can never forget the crazy, happy, "I cannot believe this" dance in the Kand C. It was so genuine, like a child, and I guess she was. I also loved how Sarah came back from 4th, where she knew she was a competitor and threw out a free, dazzling, joyous perf. I don't know if all her jumps would be ratified under CoP scrutiny, but her music, performance and again her 'fall off the bench' 16 year old scream was unforgettable.
Seeing Paul Wylie skate to silver at Olympics and then give a string of perfect performances as a pro at gala skates or pro competitions. Paul Wylie is among the best men. I was thrilled by both Brians in Calgary. Boitano's iconic skating in Alaska in his special makes me cry. Just beautiful. I too was so happy for Rudy and his exciting skate in San Jose 1996.
Kwan's ending pose in Salome after a perfect skate still sticks in my mind on the beat and so strong. She grew up that yeaar. Lu Chen 1996 and Oly 1998 epitomizes beauty, her stature, those dimples, her beautiful, mature artistry makes those unforgettable programs. An icionic moment was when Surya did her backflip to the judges, when ending her competitive career. It may have been rude, but she was this gymnast on skates and it was pure Surya.
Joannie Rochette's Olympic SP was so good and the whole world broke down with her. Her brave smile in K and C was beautiful-those big blue eyes. Bolero was so different no one willl forget it. Oksana's SP in Norway had clips of Jane Torvill with her jaw drop. She was very pure. Both Yuna Kim and Mao Asada showing what fighters they were. Yuna had the better vehicles, but Mao was amazing, landing triple axels with those tiny limbs. I guess they were downgraded but so what. Midori Ito and Tonya must have been so happy, knowing how hard. Also people seem to forget what Kerrigan did in Norway. Beautiful, mature Sp and amazinly good LP. She was stunning, triumphant and I think robbed, but not all agree. It was still incredible what she did after the trauma she went through. A two time medalist (same ones as Mk and Irina) She does not get her due. I just loved her LP and the ending pose -it was a flawless skate, and the most beautiful skating dress of all time.
And MK doing Fields of Gold after winning bronze in SLC was the most touching gala skate I can recall, and impossible not to cry with her. Ice dance Bourne/ Kraatz exuberant Riverdance...this team was so good and so buried in the Russian dominance. I loved their step sequence. For male champions, Yagudin's Winter is unforgettable for me. This year, Patrick's Wc Aranjuez was very good, and his Elegy was the best gala skate I saw.
Daisuke Takahashi is amazing in everything and I think his Sp this year, In the Garden of Souls is haunting and will long be remembered by Dai fans. Blues for Klook is not my favorite but I willl remember it for it's uniqueness. And Ashley Wagner proved a few times this year she can be stunning and unforgettable with the right program. I loved her Swan. I wonder if she will ever have better program? I hope so.
For best Kurt, there is so much, but I love Nyah and I just am amazed at the footwork. Only Kurt, the best there ever was so far, could do Singing in the Rain. Every Kurt piece is a signature, iconic memory. For pure fun and creativity, I'll never forget Scott Hamilton doing "Walk this way." The best entertainer of his day. I always laugh at Sex Bomb. But the real deal for all time sexy guy with great feet goes to Kurt browning's "Brick House." Skate God for life. I am biased and love G&G's SOI programs by Zueva, more than their second olympics. Their first was pretty amazing. He was so tall, and she tiny, yet the joy and unison. It is still hard to watch the married couple esp post Daria as they skated together. It was always very intimate. Shen and Zhao-I can't pick one. My second favorite pair of all time. They were amazing. Hard to pick the best moment for them.
Last edited by skateluvr; 07-05-2012 at 10:32 PM.
Skateluvr if you enjoyed Lyra, you might like Janet Lynn!
Two.defining moments for me were skates that did not medal:
Tiffany Chan 1984
Denise Biellmann 1980
I love janet-sh was already mentioned in her Olympics when she gets right up. Was there a skater with more beautiful blade work than Janet? When I think of pure skating, I think of janet and Yuka Sato. I feel Yuka watched janet tapes and incorporated janet's beautiful skating. Gee, Yuka should beon my list of best skaters who never won an oly medal. I have space.
I liked Tiffany Chin but don't recall any particular performances. I guess it would be her WC gold? I love denise and remember how she kicked butt at those pro comps of the 80's and nineties. She was under rated. Long after Katt just floated around (quite well I might add, Denise would show up in incredible shape. She was an innovator and on the scene a long time. I loved watching her. Wasn't Tiffany's story marred by the mother? I'll have to look at her on Youtube. I am guessing she was the Asian skater that inspired Yama who maybe inspired Kwan and so on down the line.
While there are so many of them for me and I just can't pick up mine, I have thoroughly enjoyed each one of yours! I can picture most of them you guys mentioned.
Watching these wonderful performances via YT links now; most of which once fascinated me as a younger girl so much, I recall those days along with lots of memories of my day-to-day life; many good ones and some bad ones, and it makes me smile. Thanks a lot for that, everyone!
As for my pick, I may add a few later but how can I leave this out; one gutsy performance by the Wonderwoman who is also our countrywoman.
Midori Ito Free at 1992 Albertville Olympics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=polwvMNVgFU
Who else can throw in another 3A at 3'10"???![]()
Yagudin and Plushenkpo rivalry, Yagudin's programs in SLC 2002
Plushenko's Tribute to Nijinsky program on TEB 2003 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBQBUxMx5Q with American commentary, interesting
or on Rus Nat CHamp : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEJXkfMYTX4
I don't know wich is better
Plushenko Gipsy Dance NHK Trophy 1999, first time ever, who perform perfect 4+3+2 combo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aGZXEs4dIE
Plushenko St. Petersburgh 300 :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7WXLsJlAiw
first time ever, who perform perfect 4-3-3 combo
Lu Chen's Rachmaninov: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcT_FdX_66E
Oksana Baiul: Swan Lake in 1994 OG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDdH...eature=related
Gordeeva- Grinkov: 1994 OG LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY7HF...eature=related
etc.![]()
Last edited by plushyfan; 07-06-2012 at 02:37 AM.
Mao Asada: liebestraum, bells of moscow, clair de lune, nocturne
these are the combination of an exquisite jumper and artist on the ice, to say the least, and as a result you get these amazing performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsCZCM8AKCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpZGFBDYc2w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56hdpfuw36E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmyUwtmch9w
those for me really encapture what's so special about figure skating
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