Archive of newspaper articles

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
VI. WINTER SPARTAKIAD of the PEOPLES of the USSR

Figure Skating

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 12, 1986)​

Krasnoyarsk. "Yenisei" Palace of Sports. Pairs Skating
1. E. Kvitchenko — R. Kadyrkaev — 1.8;
2. E. Bechke — V. Kornienko (both pairs — Leningrad) — 2.4;
3. E. Leonova — G. Krasnitsky (Moscow) — 4.2.
Single Skating. Men.
1. V. Egorov (Ukraine) — 2.0;
2. L. Kaznakov (Leningrad) — 5.8;
3. A. Torosyan (Georgia) — 7.8.

Day by Day

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 12, 1986)​

Yesterday, the last sets of honorary sports awards were contested at the Spartakiad finals.

FIGURE SKATING. The women's gold medal was won by 15-year-old athlete from Kyiv, Natalya Gorbenko. In second and third places were Leningraders Larisa Zamotina and Inna Krundysheva.

​

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

ALPINE BALLAD

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 18, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

The Geneva ice rink "Vernets" welcomes figure skaters from 24 countries—participants in the World Championships.

The ridges of the Alps, which occupy more than half of Switzerland's territory, sleep under a perpetual blanket of snow. But there is one place in the south where the mountains seem to have halted their march and frozen before a magical canvas of water expanse. The valleys surrounding the famous Lake Geneva sparkle under the spring sun.
Here, on the waterfront near the fountain, I suddenly spotted a very familiar profile: a girl's head with a small braid. Of course, it is 14-year-old blue-eyed Katya Gordeeva. She arrived in Geneva as part of our national team. (By the way, it is the largest at the World Championships, with 18 figure skaters in it). And there are only two debutants—this is precisely Katya Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov, who managed to become the silver medalists of Europe this winter.
— "Katya, what have you managed to see on the ice at 'Vernets'?" I asked Gordeeva.
— "A lot of impressions. I watched the training sessions of European Champion Jozef Sabovčík, our World Champion Sasha Fadeev, and the Canadian Brian Orser. Sabovčík is doing quite well with a quadruple toe loop jump. And Fadeev also showed his trump card—a combination of a triple Axel and a triple toe loop. The Americans had an unpleasant surprise. Remember, Bowman came to Moscow and was a medalist at our tournament? He was preparing for Geneva after that, but he was unlucky: he broke his leg and arrived in Geneva on crutches. Now the Americans have only one hope—Brian Boitano..."
The tournament organizers suggested that guests and spectators take part in a lottery: predict who will become a medalist in all four disciplines of the program. A "Mercedes" car awaits the winner. At the draw, we met with the honored coach of the USSR, Tamara Moskvina. When we asked her to give her forecast, she threw up her hands:
— "I'm afraid the 'Mercedes' will remain with the tournament organizers. Naming the 12 best out of 129 figure skaters is a practically impossible task. I can only give a firm prediction in the women's singles. Here, Katarina Witt's chances are the highest..."
In total, 28 men, 15 pairs, 22 ice dance duos, and 27 women from 24 countries are participating in the competitions. Among the contenders named here is a familiar acquaintance—the American Caryn Kadavy, who won the Moscow tournament three months ago.
A. Fadeev performed the compulsory program better than anyone else and was awarded the small gold medal. Second place in the compulsory program was taken by J. Sabovčík, third by H. Fischer. In the top six are also B. Boitano (USA), Canadian B. Orser, and R. Zander (FRG). V. Petrenko is in seventh place, and V. Kotin is in ninth.​

A. SHELUKHIN.​

GENEVA, March 17.

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE LOGIC OF ICE DRAMATURGY

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 19, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

THREE SOVIET DUOS ARE LEADING​

A day when a short program is performed—skaters call it the "Hamlet day"—because the main question is decided: "to be or not to be" in the eyes of the judges, at the top, or to face a long path to the podium.
On the ice of the "Vernets" rink, everyone's attention was drawn to the charmingly coquettish 15-year-old Katrin Kanitz. Slipping out for the warm-up, she literally fluttered like a butterfly in her crimson dress and captivated the audience with her execution of the lift and the twist (by the way, her partner Tobias Schröter is also very confident and elegant).
— "They are trying too hard, overdoing it. Don't they want to win too much?" — I heard a remark from one of the coaches of our team, I. Ksenofontov, who knows a thing or two about the psychology of sports. And his observation turned out to be prophetic.
The hall follows the stormy finale of the GDR figure skaters' program with bated breath. Only the last element remains — the death spiral. And suddenly, the skaters' fingers unclasp, and the athletes fall onto the ice. All the advantage gained with such hard work melted away. Ratings — 5.0–5.1 for technique.
The Champions of the USA, Jill Watson and Peter Oppegard, perform a flawless step sequence, but then, at the moment of the lift, the female partner loses her orientation, flies straight into the boards, and the stunned Peter falls too. For such a clear mistake, they receive 5.1–5.3 for technique.
Perhaps never before had so many dramatic moments fallen upon the share of sports duos. The favorite of our national team, 14-year-old Katya Gordeeva, also made everyone worry. During the warm-up, she lost her balance while performing that same death spiral. Her partner Sergei Grinkov’s eyes grew large with worry. Both, frightened, rushed to the boards where coach Stanislav Zhuk was standing. "Repeat it!" — came the command.
Once again, a swift approach, and this time the death spiral goes perfectly. As it turned out, the entire emphasis in the battle shifted to the psychological aspect. Larisa Selezneva and Oleg Makarov, who returned to the team after a three-month break caused by an injury, knew no peace. Only world and European champions Elena Valova and Oleg Vasiliev walked into the hall where the press center was located, and under the flashes of camera strobes, calmly repeated their lifts, while even nodding their heads in response to greetings from acquaintances. What kind of nerves are needed to maintain such composure!
Yes, and on the ice, the champions were magnificent and made the judges be generous. What a subtle feeling of the rhythm of Raimonds Pauls' music, what a sense of style and line, what brilliant execution of all elements! "Championship inspiration," remarked Tatyana Tarasova, who was sitting with us.
Perhaps all of us had the feeling that Valova and Vasiliev, with scores of 5.7–5.9, would remain the leaders. But Elena Valova herself, having come up to the press box, reacted differently: "Oh, I'm afraid these are not ultimate scores."
Selezneva and Makarov lost slightly in lightness of skating to their teammates and, in the opinion of the majority of judges, conceded 0.1 points. A logic of ice dramaturgy required a culmination. Everyone anticipated it, waited for it. It struck when the last four pairs were called to the start. Among them were Gordeeva and Grinkov. About their original 'Charleston,' which combines both lyricism and humorous Chaplin-esque notes, specialists say: 'A rarely danceable composition.' Gordeeva and Grinkov had already performed it several times, but now, at the end of the season, it was as if they had caught a second wind.
Then followed a long ovation. And, as the final touch, the first bouquet of velvet roses on this world championship went to Katya Gordeeva. On the scoreboard, digits flared up — ten times - 5.8, three times - 5.9. First place went to Gordeeva and Grinkov. Now all three duos — the Moscow one and two Leningrad ones — closed the upper lines of the protocol. Which is to say, highest craftsmanship.
However, let's save our epithets for the final. It promises to be, oh, so difficult. In the next theatrical 'act,' there will be many new heroes. Much is expected from the strong Canadian duo of D. Benning (18 years old) and L. Johnston (25 years old). The Canadians possess a full arsenal of the most complex combinations, and their coach, Kerry Leitch, who specially came to Moscow to study the 'secrets of the Russians,' has succeeded greatly in this. His protégés could present a surprise. And, finally, two more 'tough nuts to crack' — the American duos.
The sharpest situations are developing in men's single skating. In the center of attention is the duel between A. Fadeev and J. Sabovčík. Both came to this meeting in their best form. After the execution of the "school," which was won by Fadeev, European Champion Sabovčík said: "As I expected, the competition in Geneva became much more interesting. The elite has gathered here, capable of showing miracles of complexity. And we will continue our duel in the short program."
Yesterday, another small gold medal was won by Kira Ivanova. She won the compulsory figures, ahead of D. Thomas (USA) and K. Witt (GDR). Anna Kondrashova is in sixth place.​

A. SHELUKHIN.
​

GENEVA, March 18.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. March 17. Palais des Sports "Vernets".

Pairs. Short program. 1. E. Gordeeva — S. Grinkov — 0.4; 2. E. Valova — O. Vasiliev — 0.8; 3. L. Selezneva — O. Makarov (all USSR) — 1.2; 4. C. Coull — M. Rowsom (Canada) — 1.6; 5. G. Wachsman — T. Waggoner (USA) — 2.0; 6. D. Benning — L. Johnston (Canada) — 2.4; 7. K. Kanitz — T. Schröter (GDR) — 3.2; 8. N. Seybold — W. Seybold (USA) — 3.6.
​

 

[Diana Delafield]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE LOGIC OF ICE DRAMATURGY

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 19, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

THREE SOVIET DUOS ARE LEADING​

A day when a short program is performed—skaters call it the "Hamlet day"—because the main question is decided: "to be or not to be" in the eyes of the judges, at the top, or to face a long path to the podium.
On the ice of the "Vernets" rink, everyone's attention was drawn to the charmingly coquettish 15-year-old Katrin Kanitz. Slipping out for the warm-up, she literally fluttered like a butterfly in her crimson dress and captivated the audience with her execution of the lift and the twist (by the way, her partner Tobias Schröter is also very confident and elegant).
— "They are trying too hard, overdoing it. Don't they want to win too much?" — I heard a remark from one of the coaches of our team, I. Ksenofontov, who knows a thing or two about the psychology of sports. And his observation turned out to be prophetic.
The hall follows the stormy finale of the GDR figure skaters' program with bated breath. Only the last element remains — the death spiral. And suddenly, the skaters' fingers unclasp, and the athletes fall onto the ice. All the advantage gained with such hard work melted away. Ratings — 5.0–5.1 for technique.
The Champions of the USA, Jill Watson and Peter Oppegard, perform a flawless step sequence, but then, at the moment of the lift, the female partner loses her orientation, flies straight into the boards, and the stunned Peter falls too. For such a clear mistake, they receive 5.1–5.3 for technique.
Perhaps never before had so many dramatic moments fallen upon the share of sports duos. The favorite of our national team, 14-year-old Katya Gordeeva, also made everyone worry. During the warm-up, she lost her balance while performing that same death spiral. Her partner Sergei Grinkov’s eyes grew large with worry. Both, frightened, rushed to the boards where coach Stanislav Zhuk was standing. "Repeat it!" — came the command.
Once again, a swift approach, and this time the death spiral goes perfectly. As it turned out, the entire emphasis in the battle shifted to the psychological aspect. Larisa Selezneva and Oleg Makarov, who returned to the team after a three-month break caused by an injury, knew no peace. Only world and European champions Elena Valova and Oleg Vasiliev walked into the hall where the press center was located, and under the flashes of camera strobes, calmly repeated their lifts, while even nodding their heads in response to greetings from acquaintances. What kind of nerves are needed to maintain such composure!
Yes, and on the ice, the champions were magnificent and made the judges be generous. What a subtle feeling of the rhythm of Raimonds Pauls' music, what a sense of style and line, what brilliant execution of all elements! "Championship inspiration," remarked Tatyana Tarasova, who was sitting with us.
Perhaps all of us had the feeling that Valova and Vasiliev, with scores of 5.7–5.9, would remain the leaders. But Elena Valova herself, having come up to the press box, reacted differently: "Oh, I'm afraid these are not ultimate scores."
Selezneva and Makarov lost slightly in lightness of skating to their teammates and, in the opinion of the majority of judges, conceded 0.1 points. A logic of ice dramaturgy required a culmination. Everyone anticipated it, waited for it. It struck when the last four pairs were called to the start. Among them were Gordeeva and Grinkov. About their original 'Charleston,' which combines both lyricism and humorous Chaplin-esque notes, specialists say: 'A rarely danceable composition.' Gordeeva and Grinkov had already performed it several times, but now, at the end of the season, it was as if they had caught a second wind.
Then followed a long ovation. And, as the final touch, the first bouquet of velvet roses on this world championship went to Katya Gordeeva. On the scoreboard, digits flared up — ten times - 5.8, three times - 5.9. First place went to Gordeeva and Grinkov. Now all three duos — the Moscow one and two Leningrad ones — closed the upper lines of the protocol. Which is to say, highest craftsmanship.
However, let's save our epithets for the final. It promises to be, oh, so difficult. In the next theatrical 'act,' there will be many new heroes. Much is expected from the strong Canadian duo of D. Benning (18 years old) and L. Johnston (25 years old). The Canadians possess a full arsenal of the most complex combinations, and their coach, Kerry Leitch, who specially came to Moscow to study the 'secrets of the Russians,' has succeeded greatly in this. His protégés could present a surprise. And, finally, two more 'tough nuts to crack' — the American duos.
The sharpest situations are developing in men's single skating. In the center of attention is the duel between A. Fadeev and J. Sabovčík. Both came to this meeting in their best form. After the execution of the "school," which was won by Fadeev, European Champion Sabovčík said: "As I expected, the competition in Geneva became much more interesting. The elite has gathered here, capable of showing miracles of complexity. And we will continue our duel in the short program."
Yesterday, another small gold medal was won by Kira Ivanova. She won the compulsory figures, ahead of D. Thomas (USA) and K. Witt (GDR). Anna Kondrashova is in sixth place.​

A. SHELUKHIN.
​

GENEVA, March 18.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. March 17. Palais des Sports "Vernets".

Pairs. Short program. 1. E. Gordeeva — S. Grinkov — 0.4; 2. E. Valova — O. Vasiliev — 0.8; 3. L. Selezneva — O. Makarov (all USSR) — 1.2; 4. C. Coull — M. Rowsom (Canada) — 1.6; 5. G. Wachsman — T. Waggoner (USA) — 2.0; 6. D. Benning — L. Johnston (Canada) — 2.4; 7. K. Kanitz — T. Schröter (GDR) — 3.2; 8. N. Seybold — W. Seybold (USA) — 3.6.
View attachment 11550​

I really doubt that line about "nodding to their friends while practising lifts". A bit of an exaggeration, I think. I've had friends speak to me while they're on the ice and I'm up in a lift, and had to explain later that I wasn't ignoring them. The movement of even just diaphragm muscles in speech could upset the balance at that particular point, so I hear and see them but don't respond until I'm back down on my feet. It's my partner who shouts "Don't talk to her!" when that happens.

We've all had death spirals come apart. At least it's not far to fall, but you do feel silly, sitting down abruptly (him) or sliding down the rink on your stomach (her)

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Young "Katarinka" Captures Hearts

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 20, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov — Pairs Figure Skating World Champions​

Judging by everything, the pairs figure skating final at the Geneva World Championships will be remembered as unique in the history of world championships. On the eve of the event, no one could have predicted the podium setup. Even experts did not anticipate that young Soviet figure skaters E. Gordeeva and S. Grinkov, debutants of the world championship, students of coaches S. Zhuk and S. Leonovich, would win a convincing victory. Just a year ago, this pair was competing in the junior category, and today they embody a very elegant, aesthetic style of skating.
At midnight, the press conference hall at the Les Vernets rink was packed to capacity. With massive bouquets of flowers, the new world champions Gordeeva and Grinkov, and silver medalists E. Valova and O. Vasiliev, were welcomed. The applause greeted not only the athletes but also their coaches, Honored Coaches of the USSR S. Zhuk and T. Moskvina. Over the last 20 years, it is they who have done a great deal to establish the traditions of the domestic school.
"You ask how Gordeeva and Grinkov made the leap to gold medals within a year?" said Stanislav Zhuk to the journalists at the press conference. "But our school remembers a similar case. In 1973, A. Zaitsev received twelve 6.0 scores at the European Championships in Cologne just ten months after pairing up with I. Rodnina. This means the experience has been accumulated..."
Of course, the local public fell in love with the blue-eyed schoolgirl Katya Gordeeva right away. Spectators affectionately called her in their own way, "Katarinka." At just 14 years old, she is not afraid of any questions and gives completely sincere answers:
"About dolls, I have already forgotten how to think. I am interested in more than anything electronics and computers. Maybe I will learn to work on a display screen to write school essays on it..."
And she will learn!
Inevitably, one recalls that just as rapidly as they broke into the elite of world figure skating, so did their senior teammates from the national squad: Valova and Vasiliev, who debuted in 1983 at the World Championships in Helsinki. Back then, they also won gold medals.
"Stars" break out periodically like fireworks on the Geneva ice. A year ago, no one knew the American figure skaters Debi Thomas and Caryn Kadavy, and now they are competing with recognized virtuosos Kira Ivanova, and Katarina Witt — this is another main event of the tournament.
However, the path of young figures to the podium is far from a triumphant path. Roses are handed out for painstaking, titanic work and the will to win. It was enough for Gordeeva and Grinkov to falter in the short program, and a heavy price would have to be paid to make up for lost ground. After all, the competition in modern pairs skating is unusually high. It seems that the class of our pairs skating is embodied in the brilliant compositions of E. Valova and O. Vasiliev, A. Selezneva and O. Makarov.
We emphasize that the credit of the coaches, spouses Tamara Moskvina and Igor Moskvin, in the art of leading their students in various artistic directions is immense. One duo maximally dramatizes their compositions, while another emphasizes an athletic, sporting foundation.
A few words about how the battle unfolded. First in the leaders group came Gordeeva and Grinkov. Their free program, combining a gentle melody of old classical jazz, was flawless in execution technique. Not a single mistake! And as a result, 12 scores of 5.8, and three scores of 5.9 points. After this, the battle unfolded mainly for second and third places. Valova and Vasiliev skated with just as much temperament as at the European Championship, but made several mistakes. Selezneva and Makarov lost the bronze medals in a fierce battle to pairs champions from Canada: 20-year-old Cynthia Coull and 27-year-old Mark Rowsom.
The culmination in the men's event is near. The prediction of the multiple world champion E. Danzer from Austria was completely confirmed. On the eve of the event, he promised a grand spectacle and noted that at least ten athletes would participate in it. And so it turned out. Aleksandr Fadeev, Vladimir Kotin, and Viktor Petrenko set the tone in the dispute. They do not lack courage—in the short program, they fought with maximum dedication. As a result, Fadeev took second place with scores of 5.8 and 5.9. Kotin was third with scores of 5.6 and 5.8, and Petrenko finished sixth with scores of 5.5 and 5.6. The short program was won by 25-year-old Canadian Brian Orser. In technique he was inferior to Fadeev, but in the scores for artistry he had one tenth of a point more. The overall leader remains world champion Aleksandr Fadeev, followed by Jozef Sabovčík from Czechoslovakia, and in third place is Orser.​

A. SHELUKHIN.​

GENEVA, MARCH 19.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. Rink "Les Vernets". March 18.
Pairs Skating. Overall Standings. 1. E. Gordeeva and S. Grinkov — 1.4; 2. E. Valova and O. Vasiliev (both USSR) — 2.8; 3. C. Coull and M. Rowsom (Canada) — 4.6; 4. L. Selezneva and O. Makarov (USSR) — 5.2; 5. D. Benning — L. Johnston (Canada) — 8.4; 6. J. Watson and P. Oppegard — 8.6; 7. G. Wachsman — T. Waggoner — 9.0; 8. N. Seybold — W. Seybold (all USA) — 11.2.
​

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

A Day Full of Wonders

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 21, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

In the Ice Dance Competition, Three Soviet Duos Take the Lead​

The Geneva lake has wrapped itself in a shroud of fog. A light, persistent rain is drizzling. It is gloomy on the narrow streets. The weather, in a certain sense, matches the mood...
The Japanese skater Midori Ito wept, having started poorly in her short program. The reigning Olympic champion, Katarina Witt, who had lost her leadership, smiled sadly at autograph hunters. American figure skater Caryn Kadavy was escorted by the arms to a car, having suffered a painful, minor injury during her performance. How many hopes were dashed on this day! And how hard it is now for the coaches to rebuild the competitive spirit of their students. Perhaps, for the first time at this championship, we witnessed such an unprecedented cocktail of flights and falls.
But let us recount everything in order. In the group of strongest contenders, Natalia Lebedeva was the first to start—an athlete of powerful, athletic style. The judges are well familiar with her composition to the melody of the czardas (with which Natalia took 4th place at the European Championship) is familiar. She was close to a high result again, but at the last moment, a difficult element let her down—a combination with a triple jump. This unfortunate landing cost her dearly: only tenth place. Lebedeva was bypassed by very strong athletes from West Germany and Canada: Claudia Leistner and Tracy Wainman. They had scores at the level of 5.3–5.5.
The psychological tension in the tournament reached its highest peak when our Kira Ivanova, the leader of the championship, stepped onto the ice. A thunder of applause accompanied her as she flawlessly executed a cascade with a triple toe loop and spins to a lively Russian dance melody. And suddenly, on the next jump—a double Axel—Kira falls. The referees immediately lower her score: for technique—5.2, 5.3, and for artistry—5.5, 5.7.
What will be the response of the 19-year-old US Champion, Debi Thomas? The tall, slender African-American skater is master of all elements of the short composition. True, she consciously slows down the tempo of her skating, but all her movements are calibrated to the millimeter. And her double Axel and lutz, executed deep and easily, are particularly impressive. The American had the highest scores both for technique and for artistry—5.7, 5.8. For now, she leads the tournament.
But a challenge to her was thrown by our charming 20-year-old Muscovite, Anna Kondrashova. The sounds of the familiar 'Kalinka' at the beginning of the track stirred the entire audience. The Genevans passionately supported the figure skater, and she flawlessly made it through all the difficulties of the tough program. She perfectly executed a cascade of jumps and a dashing path of steps. Ten scores of 5.7 points propelled her to second position.
Both the American Caryn Kadavy and Olympic champion Katarina Witt made attempts to catch up with Kondrashova. However, both of them suffered a failure in the jumps. Kadavy received 5.1 (9th place) from the judges, and Witt received 5.2–5.3. However, Witt mesmerized the judges with the striking fluidity of her Oriental dance. At that moment, their hearts softened. They flashed two scores of 5.9 on the scoreboard, which ultimately secured fourth place for Witt. However, in the overall standings, she fell behind three skaters at once—Thomas, Ivanova, and America's T. Chin. And Kondrashova practically caught up with Witt: Anna's total score is 4.4, while Witt's is 3.4.
An express-commentary from the multiple European champion, Karol Divín (Czechoslovakia):
"I am amazed by the high level of mastery in the women's tournament. The best performers demonstrate an example of a synthesis of virtuoso technique and great artistic expression. I would like to highlight the programs of the leaders—Thomas, Witt, Kondrashova, Chin, Leistner. I do not remember a championship where so many original styles were presented."
And here is what the former world champion, Vladimir Kovalev, emphasized:
- I think that we will soon witness a new surge in women's singles skating. Right now, about ten female athletes possess the entire repertoire of complex jumps. Therefore, we will soon see figure skaters of a new formation, ready to perform even a triple axel. And it is not ruled out that such an athlete will appear as early as the 1988 Olympic Year."
Yes, the third day of the championship turned out to be rich in surprises. They were also present in the ice dance events, where 22 duos demonstrated the rumba, pasodoble, and Westminster waltz. Viewers greeted the ice miniatures performed by world and European champions N. Bestemianova and A. Bukin, as well as world silver medalists M. Klimova and S. Ponomarenko, with an ovation. The lead was taken by the most decorated couple, but Klimova and Ponomarenko managed to achieve the best scores of the day in the waltz. So the struggle between the two magnificent duos is in full swing. Our third couple —Muscovites H. Annenko and G. Sretenski—also brought joy; they managed to overtake Canadian champions T. Wilson and R. McCall (by the way, they are coached by world champion Bernard Ford).
Observers from Swiss newspapers continue to animatedly comment on the sensational outcome of the pairs competition. Many praises were sent toward world champions E. Gordeeva and S. Grinkov. Newspapers emphasize that the Soviet school of figure skating possesses a vast creative potential; practically every year it brings forward new bright talents.
In the lobbies of the Sports Palace, Olympic champion Peggy Fleming, a "star" of 1960s figure skating, appeared. She arrived in Geneva specifically to commentate on the two singles skating finals for television. Let me remind you that among the men, our A. Fadeev, J. Sabovčík (Czechoslovakia), and Canadian B. Orser have the highest chances for the world champion title.​

A. SHELUKHIN.​

GENEVA, March 20.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. "Vernets" Sports Palace, March 19.

Women. Sum of compulsory and short programs. 1. D. Thomas (USA) — 1.6; 2. K. Ivanova (USSR) — 3.0; 3. T. Chin (USA) — 3.2; 4. K. Witt (GDR) — 3.4; 5. A. Kondrashova (USSR) — 4.4; 6. K. Leistner (FRG) — 7.4; 7. T. Wainman (Canada) — 7.4; 8. C. Kadavy (USA) — 7.8; 9. N. Lebedeva (USSR) — 8.8.
Ice Dance. Compulsory program. 1. N. Bestemianova and A. Bukin — 0.6; 2. M. Klimova and S. Ponomarenko — 1.2; 3. N. Annenko and G. Sretenski (all — USSR) — 1.8; 4. T. Wilson and R. McCall (Canada) — 2.4; 5. S. Semanick and S. Gregory (USA) — 3.0; 6. R. Roca and D. Adair (USA) — 3.6; 7. K. Beck and C. Beck (Austria) — 4.2; 8. A. Becherer and F. Becherer (FRG) — 4.8.

​

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Duel with Oneself

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 22, 1986)

Soviet Ice Dance Couples Continue to Set the Tone on the Geneva Ice​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

Vladimir Kotin stepped onto the ice and immediately began circling left and right, testing his edges, twirled his straw-blonde hussar-style mustache, and smiled at his teammates sitting in the stands. Our skaters gave him a warm round of applause. They understood that while the jumps and even the gestures had long been rehearsed down to the smallest detail, a mindset cannot be created in advance. Competition in singles skating is a kind of duel between the performer and their own emotions.
Kotin understood that so much depended on the very first minute of the performance. The strategy of the top masters is quite obvious—while their strength is still fresh, they must storm the most difficult elements. Kotin succeeded brilliantly, flawlessly executing a double axel, a triple lutz, and a cascade with a triple toe loop in a row. True, he made two mistakes in the middle of the program, but they did not trigger a chain reaction, and the athlete managed to compose himself.
For the first time at the World Championships, Kotin was awarded two scores of 5.9 for presentation (they were flashed on the scoreboard by the judges from Switzerland and Poland). Looking ahead, we note that our figure skater achieved the third-best result in the free program, ultimately finishing in fourth place overall. As a reminder, he began the competition from ninth position.
Alexander Fadeev fully experienced the psychological burden of leadership. For three days, he topped the standings and, defending his World Champion title, fought off fierce attacks from his rivals. He had two options: either simplify his free program to avoid falls, or take a risk and include elements such as a 3.5-revolution Axel (triple Axel) and a 4-revolution toe loop (quad toe loop). During practices, Fadeev performed fragments of his program with total commitment. But that was just a rehearsal, and on the fourth evening, everything changed.
The first minute. The most difficult one. Fadeev excellently performs a combination with a triple lutz, then attacks a triple axel, soars into the air, but touches the ice with his hand upon landing. He goes on to storm the four-revolution toe loop—another inaccuracy. This was immediately followed by a fall after a triple jump. What a shame! He skated stiffly, and although he executed the final part of the composition flawlessly, it became clear to everyone that he would unlikely remain in the lead. Scores for technique: 5.5 - 5.8; for presentation: 5.4 - 5.8.
Under modern judging, the clean execution of the entire program is valued especially high. At times, it creates the impression that the judges do not care whether the figure skater managed to demonstrate true complexity. They focused their main attention on showmanship, on the athlete's ability to present themselves. This manifested itself most clearly when the US champion Brian Boitano stepped onto the ice. The 22-year-old figure skater had already been competing in the World Championships for four years. Last season, he became the bronze medalist, and now he was determined to fight for the highest award. For him, the first minute was also decisive. Within it, three triple jumps executed with great amplitude, effortlessly and artistically, became the highlights. The culmination of the American's program was the central part of the composition set to the music of Gershwin. For 15 seconds, he executed a common element—the 'spread eagle'. But how much grace and taste there was in those beautiful glides! The audience was captivated. And here are the scores: for technique, seven scores of 5.8 and two of 5.9. For presentation, again 5.8 and two scores of 5.9.
Another attack on the pedestal was made by the European champion Jozef Sabovčík (Czechoslovakia). He, by the way, had significant chances for the world title, as he held the second position before the free skate. But this time the figure skater was out of luck: even during the warm-up, he landed awkwardly on his injured leg, and during his performance, he was mostly concerned about how to avoid a more serious injury. Naturally, his jumps failed. He struggled to finish his program and, with scores of 5.2–5.5, ended up in sixth place.
The 25-year-old Canadian champion Brian Orser lost confidence after a fall on his triple Axel. The fear of making new mistakes affected his skating speed.
One part of the Canadian's program was titled 'Optimistic,' and he tried to convey a feeling of cheerfulness and the thrill of the struggle. However, too much had already been lost. His first marks for technique (which is considered fundamental in figure skating) were mostly 5.7–5.8. As a result, the Canadian lost to the American Boitano by a narrow margin, with a 5:4 judges' split. Winning the free skate ultimately propelled the American athlete to first place overall.
The 17-year-old Viktor Petrenko can rightfully be called the hero of this championship. Just two years ago, he won the World Junior Championship. Last season, Viktor made his debut on the world stage and took ninth place. This season, Petrenko's preparation was focused on clean skating and the flawless technique of triple jumps. The figure skater significantly improved in power and amplitude of movement. All of this was vividly reflected in his current program set to melodies by Tchaikovsky. This time, Viktor brilliantly executed a unique element—the triple Axel—and a combination that included a triple toe loop. He literally soared during a highly difficult triple Salchow.
Petrenko delivered the fourth-best result in the free skate and ultimately took an honorable fifth place. Thus, the men's singles event at the World Championship was truly graced by the two Brіans from the USA and Canada, and three Soviet athletes: Fadeev, Kotin, and Petrenko....
The climax is also near in the ice dance tournament. Twenty-two duos competed in the original dance set to the rhythm of the polka. After the European Championship, Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin arrived in Moscow and risked taking a highly bold step. Together with their coach Tatyana Tarasova, they created a new version of the polka, one even more high-spirited and fast-paced than the first. This was the routine they brought to the ice of Geneva's Vernets rink. The judges highly praised the new dance, but here too we witnessed supreme competition. World and European silver medalists Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko challenged the leaders by demonstrating virtuoso technique and a sense of rhythm. One of the referees gave them a score of 6.0. As a result, Klimova and Ponomarenko placed first in this segment of the competition, while Bestemianova and Bukin came in second. Our third duo, Natalya Annenko and Genrikh Sretenski, also brought joy. The Soviet couple earned the third-highest scores of the day.​

A. SHELUKHIN.​

GENEVA, March 21.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. "Vernets" Sports Palace, March 20.

Men. Final Standings. 1. B. Boitano (USA) — 5.4; 2. B. Orser (Canada) — 5.4; 3. A. Fadeev (USSR) — 6.4; 4. V. Kotin (USSR) — 9.6; 5. V. Petrenko (USSR) — 10.6; 6. J. Sabovčík (Czechoslovakia) — 11.8; 7. H. Fischer (FRG) – 14.6; 8. D. Doran (USA) — 15.6.
Ice Dance. The combined score of the compulsory and original dances. 1. N. Bestemianova and A. Bukin — 1.4; 2. M. Klimova and S. Ponomarenko — 1.6; 3. N. Annenko and G. Sretenski (all — USSR) — 3.0; 4. T. Wilson and R. McCall (Canada) — 4.0; 5. S. Semanick and S. Gregory (USA) — 5.0; 6. R. Roca and D. Adair (USA) — 6.0; 7. K. Beck and C. Beck (Austria) — 7.0; 8. A. Becherer and F. Becherer (FRG) — 8.0.
​

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

SOMEONE LOSES, SOMEONE FINDS

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 23, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

...And a change of champion occurred in the women's tournament.

The 20-year-old Katarina Witt, a student from Karl-Marx-Stadt, surrendered her title to the new world champion—an athlete from the USA, Debi Thomas. It is interesting that in different years, female athletes from the GDR had already been awarded the title of the strongest at the world championships seven times in this discipline. Even now, Katarina Witt said that until the very last second, she believed that her hopes for success would be justified, although catching up with Thomas in the all-around total was practically impossible.
"I am happy that at the World Championships in Geneva I received two 6.0 scores," added Witt. " The new program, titled 'Black Flower' and set to the music of Bernstein, received unanimous acclaim. And this is inspiring..."
She spoke about her emotions, but tears glistened in her eyes. Although, even after losing, Witt proved that she remains the best in her crown discipline—the free skate.
A brilliant waltz opened her routine, and in this unique flight over the arena, Witt’s jumps sparkled like tiny diamonds. Later, Witt admitted that on the eve of the world championship, a thought had flashed through her mind to leave the sport. Now, however, her plans are changing. 'I will still challenge Thomas,' she noted.
On March 25, the new world champion Debi Thomas will turn 19 years old. She is from Los Angeles and has been figure skating since the age of six. At seventeen, she set a goal to become the strongest in the world, which she achieved with extraordinary speed—in just two seasons.
Debi's natural gifts are magnificent: she is slender, physically well-prepared. Here at the championship, she easily withstood full run-throughs of the program at all practices. I will add that Debi grew up in a very athletic family – her parents are fond of many sports.
Regarding the free skate of the champion, which earned four 5.9 scores, we can say that it was practically flawless. The Black athlete's every edge, every step were mathematically precise. At the press conference, Thomas noted that she does not consider her composition perfect and that she needs to enhance expressiveness and artistry. 'I hope to use the experience of the Russian ballet, which I adore,' Debi said. 'And I am very glad that Katarina Witt is not leaving the sport. Our duel, I hope, will bring a lot of joy to fans of figure skating.'
For now, it is difficult to explain how our two strongest athletes—Kira Ivanova and Anna Kondrashova—receded into the background. Perhaps the main reason is that the barrier in mastering difficult triple jumps has not been overcome. For example, Canadian figure skater Elizabeth Manley moved from tenth place overall to fifth. Moreover, she had chances to bypass Kira Ivanova as well. Achieving success helped her first and foremost due to her ability to master the entire arsenal of triple jumps. Manley, furthermore, very easily withstood the high pace of the program from beginning to end and received scores at the level of the world champion—5.7–5.8 points.
Once, our coaches set a task for the female figure skaters to master combinations of two or three elements. Elena Vodorezova was the first to do this successfully. However, many athletes who came to replace her still execute combinations with a very small amplitude, timidly and stiffly. As the saying goes, their hearts sink before a difficult task. But this is exactly what must not be shown to the judges and the public. And, receiving 5.3–5.4 points for the free skate, they lose very advantageous positions gained with such great difficulty in the first two 'stages' of the all-around.
It is no coincidence that Witt, Thomas, and Manley became the strongest in the free skate. They demonstrated high jump technique, which is so highly valued by the referees. The judges severely, and at times ruthlessly, penalized many athletes who made mistakes in jump combinations. And conversely, they very energetically supported those who freely master all triple jumps...
And here is how the Honored Coach of the USSR Stanislav Zhuk explained the vexing failure of Aleksandr Fadeev in the free program:
'Sasha built his tactical plan incorrectly. In a situation where six to eight athletes contend for medals, one needs to be able to choose the only correct technical arsenal and give the judges no reason to doubt one's stability. And this comes from the fact that athletes sometimes allow a lot of subjectivism in their own assessment of training, although this is best seen precisely from the outside...'
The competitions in the ice dance tournament are concluding. Here, the tension of the struggle is also great. Especially in the dispute for medals. A small amusing touch—during the last practice, world champions Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin executed one of their combinations with such a sweep that the partner caught the board with his skate and bent the blade. Urgent measures had to be taken to straighten the skate. Let us recall that Bestemianova and Bukin lead in ice dance, having a minimal advantage over the silver pair of the previous world championship, Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko.​

A. SHELUKHIN​

GENEVA, March 22.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Geneva. Palace of Sports "Les Vernets". March 22.
Women. Combined Final Overall Standings 1. D. Thomas (USA) — 3.6; 2. K. Witt (GDR) — 4.4; 3. T. Chin (USA) — 7.2; 4. K. Ivanova (USSR) — 11.0; 5. E. Manley (Canada) — 12.4; 6. C. Leistner (FRG) — 13.4; 7. A. Kondrashova (USSR) — 13.4; 8. C. Kadavy (USA) — 14.8; 9. T. Wainman (Canada) — 18.4; 10. N. Lebedeva (USSR) — 18.8.

Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin are on the top step of the podium.

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 23, 1986)

Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko were awarded the silver medals.​

The World Figure Skating Championships in Geneva concluded with the performance of the ice dance duos. On the final evening, Soviet athletes performed brilliantly. Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin proved to be the only ones who managed to defend their world championship title on the Geneva ice. Just like a year ago, 'silver' success fell to our other duo—Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko.
We should also note the successful performance of Natalya Annenko and Genrikh Sretenski, who took fourth place, although in a fierce struggle, our young figure skaters yielded the 'bronze' to Canadian athletes Tracy Wilson and Robert McCall.
​

 

[Walt FSHunter]

1986
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

AND TERPSICHORE APPLAUDS THE "STARS"

(the article published in russian 'Sovetskiy Sport' on March 25, 1986)​

Our special correspondent reports from Switzerland

The world ice dancing championship title belongs once again to the Soviet duo Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin

"I think Terpsichore, the goddess of dance, is also applauding these beautiful masters of the ice at this very moment," concluded her report Austrian television commentator Ingrid Wendl, a former European champion, when the Soviet ice dance couples finished their performance with such triumph.
This season was remarkably difficult for our leaders Natalya Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin – the female partner was plagued by injuries. They were forced to withdraw from starting the national championship. And after the conclusion of the European Championship, where they achieved victory in a most difficult dispute, the figure skaters continued their search to determine the optimal version of the new original dance. That is exactly how a champion's character is tested!
They endured everything. Throughout the entire season, firmly believing in their chosen path. I asked Natasha: "After the dance 'Carmen' you turned to the complex music of Rachmaninoff. Was this dictated by a desire to form a new style?" She answered: 'No, our style will not change. A dramatic, emotional beginning remains the main thing in our dance. We always look for a path to the hearts of the audience.'
And indeed, the reaction of the audience in the Palace of Sports "Les Vernets" to the world champions' performance was amazingly ardent. However, the dialogue of ice artists always touches upon the most sacred strings in the human soul. A huge impression was left by the celebratory finale, where the female partner is all impulse, a cluster of feelings, dramatic gestures. Three judges lit up on the scoreboard the highest mark for artistry—6.0.
The coach of the figure skaters—Honored Coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova added:
"The competitions ended just half an hour ago, but we already live for tomorrow. We have music for a new free composition, new exhibition dances. I hope that for everyone this will be a big surprise. I will not name right now what works these are. After all, in creativity there are its own secrets.”
I think, the silver medalists of the world championship Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, pupils of Honored Coach of the USSR Natalya Dubova, also possess their own secret of charm. The public welcomed them with a standing ovation when they came to the start. And when the immortal melody of a Strauss waltz began to play, silence fell over the arena. Everyone was enchanted by this almost magical picture of astonishing harmony, purity of lines. Klimova and Ponomarenko create in their fireworks of waltzes an unrepeatable mood of lyricism, conveying the music of gestures.
If in previous years we saw in them executors of the artistic intent of the coach, faithful to what and in what form was proposed to them by the choreographer, now they appeared before the audience at the Geneva ice as artists with a capital letter.
The artistry of the silver duo was also fairly assessed by the scores: the judges in Geneva gave them eight 5.9 scores and one—6.0.
After the competition Natalya Dubova said:
"My students are inspired with success. They had a victory in the original dance, where they already received a 6.0 score. And now a full recognition in the free program."
In comments and disputes caused by the past world championship, there is no shortage. At a press conference lasting twenty minutes, the multiple world champion in ice dance Bernard Ford spoke. Of course, he was very pleased with the success of his students—Canadian figure skaters Tracy Wilson and Robert McCall, who won "bronze". Ford—an Englishman to the core, who now trains the Canadian national team, continues to develop the traditions of the old English school of ice dance. Ford asserts:
"For the past twenty years, Canadians have achieved success for the first time by receiving bronze medals in ice dancing. This is due to the fact that they adopted the experience of the English school. And it preaches a classic principle — to show the art of mastering the entire variety of rhythms, synchronized execution of dance elements."
Ford is a supporter of technicism in dancing. But even he is forced to admit that the Soviet school is developing in several directions at once. And it is no coincidence that now every duo of our national team possesses its own zest. In particular, Ford spoke very flatteringly of our third couple — Natalya Annenko and Genrikh Sretenski, emphasizing their virtuoso technique.
But if we look objectively, this duo stands out not only for technique, but also for an original approach to the music of Shostakovich works. Here we see not only a combination of rhythms, but first and foremost the performers' desire for reincarnation. At first they showed a dance in the style of a Russian fair, and then brilliantly executed fragments in a lyrical, grotesque, and dramatic manner. The plastic pattern is very diverse, and in this, of course, is a great merit of the program's choreographer, Olympic champion Lyudmila Pakhomova.
Pity that the judges did not fully appreciate the originality of the composition. With scores of 5.6–5.7, our duo took fourth place.
Thus, on the Geneva ice, the Soviet national team won two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. There is no such discipline of competition where our figure skaters would not have chances for medals. But these opportunities were not realized in the best way. The leaders of our team in pair skating rapidly attacked the pedestal. The victory of young E. Gordeeva and S. Grinkov is the main sensation of the competition.
At the same time, the ice of the 'Vernets' rink also reflected our mistakes in women's singles skating. A clear step backward has been made here. The focus on mastery in European championships, where our figure skaters quite often set the tone, does not give an idea of the real balance of power. And only a comparison with the best athletes of the USA, Canada, and Japan made it possible to fully understand how much has been missed in the preparation of our figure skaters, both in technical and psychological terms. This applies not only to those who competed in Geneva, but first and foremost to the athletes participating in our national championships.
The example of Debi Thomas, who managed to rise from a debutant to a world champion in just two seasons, speaks of a lot. This means it is necessary, in the process of selection, to search for and find female athletes capable of showing maximum results in a competitive environment. And, finally, under no circumstances should one forget that women's figure skating is, first and foremost, aesthetics. The Swiss television commentator called our Anna Kondrashova a model of elegance. And this quality was also very highly valued in the performances of the Olympic champion Katarina Witt.
In a word, the formula of a future Olympian is the highest stability of mastery plus elegance.​

A. SHELUKHIN.​

GENEVA, March 24.

TECHNICAL RESULTS​

World Figure Skating Championships. Palace of Sports "Les Vernets". March 22.
Ice Dance. Combined Final Standings. 1. N. Bestemianova and A. Bukin — 2.4; 2. M. Klimova and S. Ponomarenko (all — USSR) — 3.6; 3. T. Wilson and R. McCall (Canada) — 7.0; 4. N. Annenko and G. Sretenski (USSR) — 7.0; 5. S. Semanick and S. Gregory (USA) — 10.0; 6. R. Roca and D. Adair (USA) — 12.0; 7. K. Beck and C. Beck (Austria) — 14.0; 8. A. Becherer and M. Becherer (FRG) — 16.0; 9. K. Garossino and R. Garossino (Canada) — 18.0; 10. I. Micheli and R. Pelizzola (Italy) — 20.0.
​