Skates of the ages | Golden Skate

Skates of the ages

ladyjane

Medalist
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Country
Netherlands
Perhaps not the most original subject for a thread, but having rewatched quite a few World championships the last couple of days (mostly thanks to a certain poster under the name of Labgoat who has been truly inspirational in the way loads of videos were put together) I wish to establish a list of skates of the ages. They don't have to be Olympic Golds (although they can be) or even World Champion, European Champion or 4CC Champion skates. As long as it's about skates that move you, make you remember them for whatever (personal) reason or whatever. Obviously, as the starter of the thread I have to put forward my own list. It's a bit of a travel through time though not chronologically, and I'm listing 10 in no particular order. For good order: I remember many more good skates that are memorable, but these are the ones that just happen to stay with me. I hope other posters will add their own 'programmes of the ages'. Please include comments why you think the skates concerned are' of the ages' or unforgettable.
Irina Slutskaya FS Wonderland WC 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zek69FhRfBc
This one always makes me cry. It's not about her triple lutz-triple loop, it's all about the emotional backstory. Her joy, and her coach's emotions. Sniff.

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot 2018 Olympic and WC Free skate La Terre Vue du Chiel (Olympic version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNOnXTe4Ok.
So moving, so beautiful. And again it's the backstory that makes it so moving, even though without that, you'll still love this programme because it's just so good. That triple twist is really something.

Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean, OD Paso Double 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5I27RtAuw
Most people recall the Bolero (and I haven't forgotten that one of course), but to me it's the great Original Dance where Jane is the Cape and Christopher is such a fantastic bullfighter.

Alexei Yagudin, SP Winter 2002 WC version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8O-XlPIFLQ
I may not like Alexei as a person very much because he defames friends of mine, but as a skater he is superb. That step sequence is just fabulous.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White Bollywood OD 2014 Olympic version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdhGTv5DOdM
This was just so enjoyable. No discussions about cultural Appropriation because they had ensured the support of India. And, it's really good.

Natalia Mishkutenok and Artur Dmitriev 1994 Lillehammer Olympic FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMGwRapz2do
They were second! And although I also loved G&G's programme (that won), to me this was the real thing. It moves me, because it's so powerfull.

Michelle Kwan, SP Worlds 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pQdQgxHe-0&list=PLIC-x_E8D-vbDrfHUkz9-imyktx9mEbEW&index=3&t=0s
This is one of my favourite programmes by Michelle (although she has many others that I like and adore) because she's not smiling, just interpreting the music. Oh my.

Marina Anessina and Gwendal Peizerat. FD 2000 Carmina Burana EC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt0xik9utbg
I admit that the music plays an important part here, but I like this programme so much more than the one with which they won the Olympics two years later. Also good, just not 'for the ages' to me.

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot FS Lighthouse version at Europeans 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkRKa1fA9IQ
It may not be perfect technically, but it was so beautiful choreographically and musically. It never fails to move me.

Robin Cousins 1980. LP World Championships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2tGwmZeLSg
To my (and his) regret this skate did not get him a championship despite the skate in itself being better than the one at the Olympics (which he won). But it's just so musical. I love this skate.

I realise not everyone will agree with my very personal list, as there have been so many good skates throughout the years - not even mentioning the Toller Cranstons and the John Curry's of this World (who were in a league of their own). But which ones do you remember best? Please respond! Furthermore, I suspect many of you will be surprised there's no Stephane, Yuzuru or Javier here (although I love all three), Yuna Kim or Mao Asada (again: I love them both), Tessa and Scott, Gabrielle and Guillaume (and I adore GG)...it's just that I remember the skates above better.
 

ladyjane

Medalist
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Country
Netherlands
While not technically perfect, Oksana Baiul's 1994 Olympic SP may be my favorite competitive program ever. Her artistry, polish, and poise was ahead of her time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS3kBxPAjv8

A very close second would be Shen & Zhao's LP from 2003 Worlds, because they were finally able to show passion and artistry that matched their technical ability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGv4fqMnZVw

I remember both the programmes you mention very well. Especially Shen & Zhao who moved me a lot. A lyrical Turandot programme
 

noskates

Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Not a fan of either of these skaters but their Olympic free programs were the skates of their lives. Evan Lysacek and Sarah Hughes.
 

EyesOfLove

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
I've said it many times and I'll say it again: Michelle Kwan's Lyra Anglica at 98 US Nationals: https://youtu.be/kdAv4NglqvE
The joy oozing out of even those brief moves-in-the-field following the opening 3Lz-2T. I always have to force myself not to be effusive about this great performance, because otherwise I'd probably end up spending ages cudgeling my brains to no avail for a way to articulate that onrush of something every time I watch it, hence getting OCD flared up to an unbearable degree.
 

lappo

Final Flight
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
The YU triad:
Yuna's SP "Danse Macabre" at 2009 Worlds
Yulia's LP "Schindler's List" at the Olympics
Yuzuru's LP "Hope and Legacy" at 2017 Worlds

A thing of beauty is a joy forever!
 

Ballade88

On the Ice
Joined
Apr 19, 2017
Gordeeva & Grinkov's Reverie 1994 Olympics Exhibition (Poetry in motion.)

Lu Chen's The Last Emperor FS at 1995 Worlds (One of the most unique skating programs choreographed by the great Toller Cranston.)

Michelle Kwan's Salome FS at 1996 Worlds (Amazing performance that signaled the arrival of a major star.)

Michelle Kwan's Rach SP 1998 Nationals (The best Ladies short program of all time.)

Daisuke Takahashi's TechnoSwan 2008 4CC (Original and a modern masterpiece.)

Mao Asada's Rach II FS Sochi Olympics (An Olympic moment. Redemption.)

Mao Asada's Nocturne 2014 Worlds (Simply exquisite. A well-deserved world record.)
 

macy

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2011
Mao Asada FS 2014 olympics
Ashley Wagner FS 2016 worlds
Yuna Kim FS 2010 olympics
Mariah Bell FS 2020 nationals
Sarah Hughes FS 2002 olympics
Tara Lipinski FS 1998 olympics
Aljona Savchenko/Bruno Massot FS 2018 olympics
 

kolyadafan2002

Fan of Kolyada
Final Flight
Joined
Jun 6, 2019
Oh, Javier Fernandez's "Guys and Dolls" free skate at 2016 Worlds is definitely one of these.

I have a lot of bias for javi , so I'd also nominate his worlds 2017 sp, and olympic 2018 sp.

Yuzuru hanyu worlds 2017 FP, Olympics 2014 sp

Nathan chen: 2018 olympic FP (based on making history with a 6 quad program rather than the program as a whole).
Nathan chen 2019 GPF FS (5 quads plus massive artistry improvement.

Mikhail Kolyada cup of china 2017 SP (a technical masterpiece, especially with the 4Lz).

Kevin aymoz GPF SP (superb).
 

katymay

Medalist
Joined
Mar 7, 2006
Perhaps not the most original subject for a thread, but having rewatched quite a few World championships the last couple of days (mostly thanks to a certain poster under the name of Labgoat who has been truly inspirational in the way loads of videos were put together) I wish to establish a list of skates of the ages. They don't have to be Olympic Golds (although they can be) or even World Champion, European Champion or 4CC Champion skates. As long as it's about skates that move you, make you remember them for whatever (personal) reason or whatever. Obviously, as the starter of the thread I have to put forward my own list. It's a bit of a travel through time though not chronologically, and I'm listing 10 in no particular order. For good order: I remember many more good skates that are memorable, but these are the ones that just happen to stay with me. I hope other posters will add their own 'programmes of the ages'. Please include comments why you think the skates concerned are' of the ages' or unforgettable.
Irina Slutskaya FS Wonderland WC 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zek69FhRfBc
This one always makes me cry. It's not about her triple lutz-triple loop, it's all about the emotional backstory. Her joy, and her coache's emotions. Sniff.

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot 2018 Olympic and WC Free skate La Terre Veu du Chiel (Olympic version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNOnXTe4Ok.
So moving, so beautiful. And again it's the backstory that makes it so moving, even though without that, you'll still love this programme because it's just so good. That triple twist is really something.

Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean, OD Paso Double 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5I27RtAuw
Most people recall the Bolero (and I haven't forgotten that one of course), but to me it's the great Original Dance where Jane is the Cape and Christopher is such a fantastic bullfighter.

Alexei Yagudin, SP Winter 2002 WC version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8O-XlPIFLQ
I may not like Alexei as a person very much because he defames friends of mine, but as a skater he is superb. That step sequence is just fabulous.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White Bollywood OD 2014 Olympic version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdhGTv5DOdM
This was just so enjoyable. No discussions about cultural Appropriation because they had ensured the support of India. And, it's really good.

Natalia Mishkutenok and Artur Dmitriev 1994 Lillehammer Olympic FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMGwRapz2do
They were second! And although I also loved G&G's programme (that won), to me this was the real thing. It moves me, because it's so powerfull.

Michelle Kwan, SP Worlds 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pQdQgxHe-0&list=PLIC-x_E8D-vbDrfHUkz9-imyktx9mEbEW&index=3&t=0s
This is one of my favourite programmes by Michelle (although she has many others that I like and adore) because she's not smiling, just interpreting the music. Oh my.

Marina Anessina and Gwendal Peizerat. FD 2000 Carmina Burana EC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt0xik9utbg
I admit that the music plays an important part here, but I like this programme so much more than the one with which they won the Olympics two years later. Also good, just not 'for the ages' to me.

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot FS Lighthouse version at Europeans 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkRKa1fA9IQ
It may not be perfect technically, but it was so beautiful choreographically and musically. It never fails to move me.

Robin Cousins 1980. LP World Championships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2tGwmZeLSg
To my (and his) regret this skate did not get him a championship despite the skate in itself being better than the one at the Olympics (which he won). But it's just so musical. I love this skate.

I realise not everyone will agree with my very personal list, as there have been so many good skates throughout the years - not even mentioning the Toller Cranstons and the John Curry's of this World (who were in a league of their own). But which ones do you remember best? Please respond! Furthermore, I suspect many of you will be surprised there's no Stephane, Yuzuru or Javier here (although I love all three), Yuna Kim or Mao Asada (again: I love them both), Tessa and Scott, Gabrielle and Guillaume (and I adore GG)...it's just that I remember the skates above better.

Midori Ito, 88 Olympics. Ushered in a revolution for women and athletic ability, and provided the nail on the coffin for school figures. She was too far down to medal thanks to figures, but it was an amazing thing to watch. So long school figures. (And good riddance, although it came too late for me)
 

fzztsimmons

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Virtue/Moir 2018 Moulin Rouge FD. Returned to competition after a two year break, a World Record FD score set minutes before, last to skate and the last competitive performance of their career. I will never forget the roar of the crowd on "Roxanne" or the performance that led them to be the most decorated figure skaters in olympic history.
 

Blades of Passion

Skating is Art, if you let it be
Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Country
France
Midori Ito, 88 Olympics. Ushered in a revolution for women and athletic ability, and provided the nail on the coffin for school figures. She was too far down to medal thanks to figures, but it was an amazing thing to watch. So long school figures. (And good riddance, although it came too late for me)

Ito could have won 1988 Olympics even with the Figures factoring, had the judges scored the competition as such:

Ito: 10th in figures, 1st in SP, 1st in LP
Witt: 6th in figures, 5th in SP, 2nd in LP
Manley: 4th in figures, 6th in SP, 3rd in LP

Given all the testimony about how Witt's figures were overscored, and the overscoring of these two SP's when other competitors had more difficult elements and gave strong performances, these rankings are completely within the realm of possibility for what could have happened if the judges were more objective.
 

ladyjane

Medalist
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Country
Netherlands
Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze Lady Caliph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enegcJGB4NY -the classic pair skating :love: the best short program ever!

Oh yes...it was beautiful. I recall that at the time I thought that during the whole scandal the SP should have been the determining factor when the judging of the LP turned out to be debateable because of the French Judge. For good order: I still think the judging of the LP was faulty, but if one took away the marks of the French judge, the LP would have had the ordinals be the same for both couples. The better SP should have made the difference in the end. It didn't. But it really was the best SP of the Pairs event. No discussion about that. It was the LP which made the headlines.
 

TontoK

Hot Tonto
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Country
United-States
Brian Boitano, Calgary, 1988.

I think the general feeling was that the judges would like the winner to be Orser. It would have been a very popular win.

Instead, Boitano delivered one of the greatest men's Olympic performances... maybe since John Curry.

Even so, it was a very close split decision. I re-watched that competition to see how it played out across decades. Really, it wasn't close. Not nearly as close as ordinals indicated.
 
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