Best step sequences in figure skating

[Mathman]

Maybe they forgot because they were not done so well for quite some time... basically never since....

That's the trouble with GOATs. The next guy is just the next guy.

 

[Karoltyna]

It is interesting to me that these step sequences are remembered with affection long after other aspects our favorite skating programs have been long forgotten.

Candeloro: Twenty-five years later, do we remember a single thing about his skating except the sword fight?

Yup, I remember quite many things, like his iconic spin and his reaction when they tried to ban it. Cheesy exhibition programs. Godfather. That he didn't have any quads.

 

[maofan]

To me, the thing about Hanyu, and also Patrick Chan, was that his whole program was a step sequence. He didn't have to stop in the middle of a program and say, OK, now I will do my step sequence -- it just...happened.

As for Kurt Browning, some of his finest work was as a pro or at exhibitions.

Totally agree with you!
Regarding your last sentence, my favourite footwork (which is actually the entire program, with the epic final part, where the audience applauds) is from Kurt Browning’s Nyah - 2001 World Ice Challenge:

https://youtu.be/e4aYgU-4H3c

 

[Anna K.]

Philippe Candeloro's "fencing/sword" footwork in his D'Artagnan program. Easy, maybe, but still so effective!

This is actually a very good question: would Candeloro's "fencing" go down as a step sequence or rather as a choreo sequence when put in today's measures? There are not many steps indeed but he used his whole body to build the image and tell the story.
If anyone wanted to recreate it today, I would definitely recommend to do it as a choreo sequence with full use of vertical space (decorating your "fight" with a split jump and/or going par terre at some point).

 

[Karoltyna]

This is actually a very good question: would Candeloro's "fencing" go down as a step sequence or rather as a choreo sequence when put in today's measures? There are not many steps indeed but he used his whole body to build the image and tell the story.
If anyone wanted to recreate it today, I would definitely recommend to do it as a choreo sequence with full use of vertical space (decorating your "fight" with a split jump and/or going par terre at some point).

yup, now it would be a choreo sequence, also his move that looked something like kazachok would fit a choreo sequence

On the other hand and from similar period - Elvis Stojko in his Conquest of Paradise had stsq that would pass on a decent level after some adjustments - but this was one of these programs with many mini stsq and choreo sq instead of transitions.

 

[ajingmarg]

It is interesting to me that these step sequences are remembered with affection long after other aspects our favorite skating programs have been long forgotten.

Candeloro: Twenty-five years later, do we remember a single thing about his skating except the sword fight?

Yagudin: Yes, he was one of the founding fathers of the Quad Revolution, but ask any fan what was special about him and that fan will immediately bring up that Winter step sequence,

By the way, the narrator in this vid praises the choreography of Tatiana Tarasova, but in fact the step sequence was constructed by Nikolai Morosov -- presumably after watching old footage of Sonja Henie.

Plushenko: He was an all-time-greatest GOAT of all time. But... do we remember anything particular about any of his programs (except Sex Bomb)?

I guess the moral of the story -- if you want lasting fame, put your effort into your dancing feet.

Of course candeloro is remembered for his Godfather programs!!

 

[ladyjane]

Patrick. So many to list. Especially when skaters needed to perform two.
Jeff Buttle as well. I am too busy to provide examples and honestly, I am not sure I'd be able to choose just one for each.

On top of my head
Patrick : take five, 4 seasons, journey
Jeff : Ararat

Terrible. Forgot Patrick and Jeff who both made my mouth water with delight!