Skating world remembers Ludmila Protopopov
- Thread starter gsk8
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- Jul 9, 2014
This team was legendary. My teacher used to talk about them and would show us videos of their performances. At practice, We would pair up and pretend to be pair skaters and we called our mock competitions, The Protopopov-Offs. We were dorks. Rest in peace to a lovely and talented woman. I can't believe I found this but this is the first performance of this historic team that I ever saw. This is the performance that out teacher played for us back in 1980. We actually saw it on a Beta Max Machine because we didn't have VHS yet.
It was after seeing the tape of this performance that we found out that this older couple were once World and Olympic Champions. OGM performance:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tY_2eE9hv8 Professional Performance from 1984:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amlhlyKN9QE
It was after seeing the tape of this performance that we found out that this older couple were once World and Olympic Champions. OGM performance:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tY_2eE9hv8 Professional Performance from 1984:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amlhlyKN9QE
Of all the pairs skaters in history, the Protopopovs embodied "two skating as one." They truly revolutionized the sport. They continued to skate well into their seventies.
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- Jan 23, 2004
RIP Ludmilla. She was in a class all her own. My condolences to her dear husband Oleg and to her family members. 
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- Feb 4, 2017
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- Jul 9, 2014
That was so sweet and I loved the passion and genuine gratitude this couple showed for the audience....
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- Jan 28, 2013
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This is a great loss for the sport.
I urge younger fans who may not be familiar with them in their prime to watch this video of their long program from 1968.
Focus especially on the spiral work from 3:20 to about 4:00 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrL54VzA1T4
They completely reinvented the sport. The successors, Irina Rodnina and her partners, took it in a different direction with their speed and athleticism, but the Protopopovs were pure magic.
I urge younger fans who may not be familiar with them in their prime to watch this video of their long program from 1968.
Focus especially on the spiral work from 3:20 to about 4:00 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrL54VzA1T4
They completely reinvented the sport. The successors, Irina Rodnina and her partners, took it in a different direction with their speed and athleticism, but the Protopopovs were pure magic.
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- Feb 26, 2014
One of the most beautiful and elegant Pair couple I have ever seen. 
I made a video tribute for her: In Memoriam.
RIP Ljudmila.
I made a video tribute for her: In Memoriam.
RIP Ljudmila.
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- May 25, 2014
Thanks for the clips, mrrice.
Legendary often gets overused IMO, but not in this case. Their UNISON, their grace, their lines, their extension, their posture, the quality, the smoothness, the connection...nothing forced or awkward. Seamless. Perfection can sometimes come across as cold, but not in this case.
I always enjoyed seeing them in the Harvard Evening with Champions every year so I'll add this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKrB71kOaw
Condolences to her husband and all those who loved her. RIP Ludmilla.
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- Nov 29, 2015
Strange, how life is. I was just watching their 68 performance, not 10 days ago and talking to a friend about them and how magnificent and influential they had been on skating.
What a great loss but at the same time, she leaves behind a great achievement, one that'll last and how many can say that. Condolences to her husband, and her loved ones.
What a great loss but at the same time, she leaves behind a great achievement, one that'll last and how many can say that. Condolences to her husband, and her loved ones.
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- Mar 23, 2017
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Such a terrible loss to the skating world. I had the honor of skating with them for the past 3? years and she seemed fine at practice last week, but I know she wasn't fit enough to skate at an evening with champions. Skating's not going to be the same without them
Condolonces to Oleg and her loved ones.
Condolonces to Oleg and her loved ones.
One of the most beautiful and elegant Pair couple I have ever seen.
I made a video tribute for her: In Memoriam.
RIP Ljudmila.
That's beautiful, Alba. (needs her DOB edited.... I don't want to be picky though.... sorry)
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- Feb 24, 2012
I wonder what would have happened had pairs gone a different direction what would have happened. The Protopopovs were amazing but certainly skating, good or bad when tthe way of Rodina and friends. She will be missed but not forgotten.
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- Feb 26, 2014
Oh Damn!
It's not picky at all. Thanks for telling me. I missed that completely.
Thanks for telling me. :thumbsup:
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- Jul 28, 2003
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One of the most beautiful and elegant Pair couple I have ever seen.
I made a video tribute for her: In Memoriam.
RIP Ljudmila.
Alba, thanks for posting the memoriam, it was beautiful. I only saw them skate at the Harvard Evening with Champions and looked forward to it every year they did it.
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