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.
