- Joined
- Dec 9, 2017
Why since the 1980s?
Well, I guess to artificially restrict it in a manner.
1. I, myself, don't know how to weigh the achievements of, say, Dick Button, who did push the sport with his spins and jumps, but not the kind of programs we have now. However, until recently, we were getting new quads and quad combos with the men, which can be compared to Kurt Browning's achievement, and 3As in the ladies' field are still rare, to throw some perspective on Midori Ito's.
2. I don't think the quality of programs in terms of cohesion and concept was that present before the 1980s, although a friend says choreographers and choreography became more of "a thing" for FS in the early 1970s. This mattered in trying to set a restriction, because my judgement of achievements includes delivery of programs and performances.
3. Existence of videos. Although one can argue I simply haven't tried hard enough, which would be a very fair point
I'll edit my OP though. Should be fun to see what all-time lists some come up with.