- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
With so much greatness from this country who reveres this sport, what do you remember most, are impressed with? I know I will learn and enjoy so much from the GS fans, as I do in every thread. For me, I have many memories of Russian pairs skating. Somehow I remember the World championships (or a later tape of Rodnina and Zaitsez.) Not sure if it is on youtube, was maybe 1972? Thereabouts? The music went off, and they kept skating, perfectly, in unison and I think they won IIRC. If you doubt this Russian ability for "two as one in pairs" going way back, and are too young, look on youtube. It must be there. I don't think another pair could do this. Power, power, power. Superb athletes. G&G charmed me and I remember wondering why they paired this tiny girl with this tall man. The years answered it for me. Their technical abilities look easy when you see Shen and Zhou for one (greatest to me technically/artistically of the non Russians) but no one skated with whatever you call that *love* perfection for me, before or since. Sentimentality aside, and Sergei's death aside, their SOI routines were 'routinely' perfect and worth watching for eternity. (Like some of Houston's work in Music).
The Protopopovs still skate at nearly 80. And it's worth watching. Ice dance I will only say Klimova/Ponomarenko were beautiful despite the era of crazy costumes, big hair, overdone programs. I was not an ice dance fan really until the Canton crew came up, but, I know nothing re ice dance so someone else (Doris) has a treasure trove in her oh, so sharp memory. And many of you. I do not remember much focus on Russian men until the early nineties. I liked Ukrainian Petrenko when he competed, but remember no program. I do remember several as a pro and seeing him skate the Nutcracker, and a few years later, the best Michael Jackson on ice I have seen, in person, brought the house down. And he still had plenty of triples. Great guy I hear. Urmanov not for me, and not even the young Kulik despite the pure jumps in the crazy costume, though I recal two or three truly wonderful SOI pro skates. If he choreographed it, it was good, and always unique. "Casi un Bolero' is very good watching to see how he handles Gordeeva like a prize he has won. Memorable for so much is that special program.
Women, well, I grew to love the resilient Irina and my favorite skate was her joyous Cotton Eyed Joe in Salt Lake after her silver medal. I had never seen anyone skate that fast into triple jumps. I enjoyed her love and joy when she was on, which was mostly, an icon.
The best part of Russian figureskating outside of a half dozen incredible pairs was the Yagudin/Plushenko rivalry. My favorite program ever of yags was his SLC SP 'Winter." I loved the blazing Morozov footwork down the rink, and remember SOI did that with the whole cast with Yags to open the show that year he won his gold. I loved to watch him compete.
Plushenko has grown on me as an incredible comeback performer. In Vancouver I will never forget his ex. skate "Je suis malade." His European 2012 gold medal skates are among my favorite as I just can't believe what he does with trashed knees, AT 29, trying to compete under CoP and improving footwork, transitions, keeping his quad/triple combo. His heart and peerless showmanship make me keep watching, What would figureskating be without this amazing country that put ice skaters in reverence with the great ballet dancers? Evgeni Plushenko, Nadine and Seniorita inspired this thread.:thumbsup:
The Protopopovs still skate at nearly 80. And it's worth watching. Ice dance I will only say Klimova/Ponomarenko were beautiful despite the era of crazy costumes, big hair, overdone programs. I was not an ice dance fan really until the Canton crew came up, but, I know nothing re ice dance so someone else (Doris) has a treasure trove in her oh, so sharp memory. And many of you. I do not remember much focus on Russian men until the early nineties. I liked Ukrainian Petrenko when he competed, but remember no program. I do remember several as a pro and seeing him skate the Nutcracker, and a few years later, the best Michael Jackson on ice I have seen, in person, brought the house down. And he still had plenty of triples. Great guy I hear. Urmanov not for me, and not even the young Kulik despite the pure jumps in the crazy costume, though I recal two or three truly wonderful SOI pro skates. If he choreographed it, it was good, and always unique. "Casi un Bolero' is very good watching to see how he handles Gordeeva like a prize he has won. Memorable for so much is that special program.
Women, well, I grew to love the resilient Irina and my favorite skate was her joyous Cotton Eyed Joe in Salt Lake after her silver medal. I had never seen anyone skate that fast into triple jumps. I enjoyed her love and joy when she was on, which was mostly, an icon.
The best part of Russian figureskating outside of a half dozen incredible pairs was the Yagudin/Plushenko rivalry. My favorite program ever of yags was his SLC SP 'Winter." I loved the blazing Morozov footwork down the rink, and remember SOI did that with the whole cast with Yags to open the show that year he won his gold. I loved to watch him compete.
Plushenko has grown on me as an incredible comeback performer. In Vancouver I will never forget his ex. skate "Je suis malade." His European 2012 gold medal skates are among my favorite as I just can't believe what he does with trashed knees, AT 29, trying to compete under CoP and improving footwork, transitions, keeping his quad/triple combo. His heart and peerless showmanship make me keep watching, What would figureskating be without this amazing country that put ice skaters in reverence with the great ballet dancers? Evgeni Plushenko, Nadine and Seniorita inspired this thread.:thumbsup:
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