Signature Programs

[janetfan]

With my favorite skaters it is not so easy to define a signature program. With Michelle it is almost always the last program I watch that is my favorite and stays that way until I watch another one. Too many great moments and impossible to narrow it down to one.

With Sasha it is about her qualities more than a program. I still have never seen another skater who moves like her, with such beautiful posture, lines and stretch.

Something about Chen-Lu's skating always made such an impression on me. In '98 she was not technically quite her best and still she managed to absolutely mesmorize the arena crowd and viewers around the world with the beauty of her skating. There was a gentleness and quiet dignity about her skating that made a powerful impression on me.

 

[Tonichelle]

Usova & Zhulin
I just loved them at first sight-this Indian Temple Dance FD in 1988
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMNozY4jyNw

Love the commentator's rant on the costumes! LOL I actually really like the costumes, way better than a lot of what we see now!

 

[cornell08]

Pang & Tong's 2004 LP "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgeLH5nrq9s

IMO theirs' was the best interpretation of this music by any skater or skating pair. Part of me really hopes they'll go back to this for 2014.

 

[Ituriel]

Their glory... their curse

Brian Joubert - Rise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtpa...9D7B1A63&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=21

Khokhlova/Novistki - Night on Bald Mountain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmztA5iMUSA

 

[Layfan]

Michelle has so many amazing programs that it's hard to pick a signature. That is what sets her apart from other skaters.

I would not be able to limit myself to one in your DVD I'd include Salome, Rachmaninoff, Lyra Angelica, East of Eden, Tosca, Aranjuez, and throw in Fields of Gold for good measure.

I'd not forget Irina Slutskaya, Her signature without a doubt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvBSI97Vuw8

And Tara Lipinski:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZhIs6OIJ-I

 

[Wrlmy]

ITA with both! so difficult to choose for my favorite skaters though. I will have to think this through.

 

[Dee4707]

Alexei....Man In The Iron Mask

This is the competition I love the best. It was won with heart & soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=nSxRt6guaqE&feature=related

beating Plushenko .... I was on the edge of my seat.

Plushenko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztAA0GpCCKg

 

[jenaj]

Michelle-Rach '98 and EOE (World Pro '98 and others)
Sasha-Romeo and Juliet
Shizuka-Violin Fantasy/Turandot
Toville & Dean -Bolero
Oksana Bauil-Swan Lake and The Swan
Johnny- The Swan
Mao-Chopin Nocturne in E-flat
Yu Na-Gershwin Concerto

 

[dorispulaski]

Love the commentator's rant on the costumes! LOL I actually really like the costumes, way better than a lot of what we see now!

It's even funnier when you know the commentator is Toller Cranston, infamous in his eligible days for getting criticized by other commentators for his costumes.

 

[pista04]

Virtue and Moir
Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Completely agree, as well as Joubert's Rise program.

And, Castile and Okolski's Requiem for a Dream LP (especially at Nationals)

 

[Tonichelle]

It's even funnier when you know the commentator is Toller Cranston, infamous in his eligible days for getting criticized by other commentators for his costumes.

I couldn't tell who it was but OMG TOLLER?????

 

[princess9]

Did anyone post Brian Boitano's skate in Alaska? Don't have a link. Even more than his Olympic LP, I think of that special where he is skating outside in someplace Toni probably has been or may live there for all I know. I see him in his long underwear doing those spread eagles. Well, they looked like long johns, LOL.

 

[Tonichelle]

Did anyone post Brian Boitano's skate in Alaska? Don't have a link. Even more than his Olympic LP, I think of that special where he is skating outside in someplace Toni probably has been or may live there for all I know. I see him in his long underwear doing those spread eagles. Well, they looked like long johns, LOL.

I'm not sure which Glacier he skated on, I believe the program was called "Fountain"??? It is definitely a signature performance, but as far as I know I've not been to that lake that he was on.

 

[iluvtodd]

I'm not sure which Glacier he skated on, I believe the program was called "Fountain"??? It is definitely a signature performance, but as far as I know I've not been to that lake that he was on.

I think it's called "Water Fountain," by David Foster (the music producer who has done a lot of neat instrumentals, too, including the "Winter Games" (Can't You Feel It?) theme song form the 1988 Calgary Olympics).

 

[dorispulaski]

Brian Boitano's Water Fountain on the glacier program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVccf6Mzs4

And what I always think of his signature piece-the boy with bravado skating to Les Patineurs, skated at US Nationals in 1988, when the rest of us who didn't get any GP coverage were shocked at what Sandra Bezic had made of Brian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah3Fmy7hAn0&feature=related

I always get a kick out of the the 19th century "grapevine" footwork after the camel spin.

Not to mention the nods to the posture and frilly shirt of the Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddin
http://www.artofskating.com/khxc/me...-Walker-Skating-on-Duddin-Print-C10082695.jpg

And of course his Olympic LP, a classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEYNskBniw0

Although even more classic in the Canadian coverage, which I couldn't find on youtube. Brian skated first. And Johnny Esaw (the Canadian Terry Gannon of the era) went nuts-"where are the 6.0's????" The other commentators tried to calm him down, saying, "Johnny, the judges have to leave room for "SOMEONE ELSE".

 

[skatesindreams]

Toller Cranston:

1975 Moscow News Ex - "Vesti"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AGzo1lrl4M

1977 - The Ice Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglCaWXULZs

 

[Mathman]

Gary Beacom, "I'm your man."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjHpnsI9Xh8

 

[Kwanford Wife]

For me, of course its gotta be Michelle at 2004 Nationals. From the skating to the attitude - this is one person who knows just how sick they are... I love Michelle Kwan, the athlete, but her swag is what kills me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzcUIuD4xfo&feature=related

 

[janetfan]

Is it possible that a signature program is one that was never performed?
Maybe not - but I still remember the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics and the night Tai and Randy had to withdraw.

Here is a look back at how it unfolded:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxR0mqVQnAo


Here are Randy and Tai winning the World Championship in 1979.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRoQ9I5kYog&feature=related


I still have trouble at times appreciating teams where the guy is a foot or more taller and a 100 pounds heavier than the girl. I typically think there is something visually awkward by such a large size difference no matter how well they skate.

 

[MFarone]

Wow what a fabulous trip down memory lane! My favorite is Michelle Kwan EOE World Pro - link has already been posted. I've really enjoyed Paul Wylie, Brian Orser, Kristi and all the others. Haven't seen most of these programs in a very long time. I remember a program from Brian Orser called Ebbtide and it was wonderful. Can't find it on youtube. Does anyone have a link they can post?