Which era of figure skating was the best?

[iluvtodd]

My personal preference? - The Perfect Balance - the 1990's

 

[ladyjane]

Sorry, I'm not going to do the poll. Every age/era has its stars, in the 80s it was Torvill and Dean, in the 90s it was Phillipe Candeloro for me, followed by Yagudin in 2000-2010, Patrick Chan as well as Papadakis/Cizeron 2010-2020, it's been Jason and Denniss for quite a while now, and lots of others in pairs, men and ID. I mean, I liked the Brians, Yuzu and Fernandez too! Less interest in women, but that's never been my favourite discipline, not in the past, not now, even if I did watch Irina and Michelle (and other worthies) and watch Loena and Kaori sometimes. I like all eras, but I would like a bit more emphasis on the artistry or choreography nowadays. I've never liked skating from jump to jump be it quads, triples or doubles.

 

[Azikin]

3A + Kamila Valieva era. Though I also had a thing for Katarina Witt, so that you wouldn't think I'm so young and don't remember older times..

 

[gsk8]

I'm surprised not surprised to see so much North America bias in the posts above.

This is supposed to be a fun thread where people can opine on the decades.

It's not about biasedness, shows, etc.

 

[ladyjane]

Sorry, I'm not going to do the poll. Every age/era has its stars, in the 80s it was Torvill and Dean, in the 90s it was Phillipe Candeloro for me, followed by Yagudin in 2000-2010, Patrick Chan as well as Papadakis/Cizeron 2010-2020, it's been Jason and Denniss for quite a while now, and lots of others in pairs, men and ID. I mean, I liked the Brians, Yuzu and Fernandez too! Less interest in women, but that's never been my favourite discipline, not in the past, not now, even if I did watch Irina and Michelle (and other worthies) and watch Loena and Kaori sometimes. I like all eras, but I would like a bit more emphasis on the artistry or choreography nowadays. I've never liked skating from jump to jump be it quads, triples or doubles.

And of course Shoma....

 

[el henry]

I am so torn between the 80s and 90s (not to mention the 70s, but hey ). I need to go with the era that started with Torvill and Dean and still managed at the end to encompass Kurt, the Brians, and my personal, ill-fated fave, Bowman the Showman... Although of course they then became 90s.

From my POV, we now live in the era of Jason Brown carving his own path, and I have been (needless to say) delighted to see that.

 

[Mathman]

..., and my personal, ill-fated fave, Bowman the Showman...

He flew too close to the sun. Here he is at 1991 Skate America near the end off his career. (Toller Cranston mention at the beginning of the clip.)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Blades of Passion]

2020's are the least innovative decade of the sport, lol.

 

[Dee4707]

Shen and Zhao, 2003 Worlds. Shizuka Arakawa, 2004 Worlds. Irina Slutskaya, 2005 Worlds,

Math why did't you like 2002-2006. I thought that was your favorite season because of Michelle.
By the way I would know you anywhere by your avatar. I loved that time and was sad when it was over

 

[Mathman]

Math why did't you like 2002-2006. I thought that was your favorite season because of Michelle.
By the way I would know you anywhere by your avatar. I loved that time and was sad when it was over

Deeeeeee!!!

[For all you Johnnies-come-lately out there, any GS poster with "2003" after their avatar, this was the original crew. Although GS is actually a few years older, 2003 is when we moved to the then-new platform, and join date records start from there.]

Of course I liked 2002-2006. Didn't I just list my three favorite non-Michelle performances from that era?

 

[gkelly]

And they still all had a chance to compete together regardless of what their individual strengths and weaknesses were. As far as I know, this decade is the only period in figure skating when it's not the case.

Why is it not the case now? Because there are so many MORE opportunities to compete now that they don't all end up at the same competition?

Don't forget there was a period when skaters who were bad at school figures could get cut before the freeskate and never get to show off their strengths if that's what they were better at.

 

[lariko]

Why is it not the case now? Because there are so many MORE opportunities to compete now that they don't all end up at the same competition?

Don't forget there was a period when skaters who were bad at school figures could get cut before the freeskate and never get to show off their strengths if that's what they were better at.

I believe i am not allowed to answer this question on this forum without breaking the rules.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Each era brought its own uniqueness, personality that it is hard to decide.
I like all eras due to names, rivalries , drama , fun, jumps, and different judging systems to how shape the sport and stars.

I voted for the 1990s due to my favorite skaters and teams came from that era.
As far as bias there is none .
People voted based on medal winners and how connected to the person.

North America , especially the U.S. more victorious under the old system.
But they are winning medals under the Ijs.

The Ijs is great due to the technical content and how each judge and caller sees the skaters and teams in each individual competition.
U see the skaters growth , happy and frustration.

All eras are great. The skaters , teams emphasize and showed the wonderful job and blend of the judge system.
Each era and system had flaws but the skaters skating always show through in their musical and interpretation.
That they conveyed to audience and judges.
Whether the audience and judges got that interpretation is debatable.

 

[gsk8]

So far the 1990s have it for votes. Are we showing our age?

 

[Mathman]

I do think that the 1990s provided the best "something for everyone" big tent. In the U.S., at least, professional touring shows, professional competitions and made-for-television specials were at their peak of popularity.

As for showing one's age, it's hard to beat the era of Charlotte Oelschlagel.

 

[Diana Delafield]

So far the 1990s have it for votes. Are we showing our age?

 

[lariko]

The old folks can have their balance. We, the young demand the Revolution!

 

[reneerose]

I was really invested in the 80s (Tai and Randy, Scott Hamilton, Linda Fratianne, the Brians) and 90s but yeah there were always favorites in every era. I was very invested in all of the Olympics for sure.

 

[DancingCactus]

I have faves from every decade and I wasn't around live for most of them so I mostly know them from YT. There's something interesting in every "era".
Although I have to say that they seem to be trying to push the very high level of ID quality we had for the last 15-20 years down this quad with ridiculous RD themes and dubious judging decisions at the highest level. This is what currently makes me not enjoy myself very much.