Here are my favourite figure skating performances/programs of all time, some of which inspired me to give the sport a go myself, despite being totally uncoordinated and not in the slightest bit athletic.
10. Vanessa Gusmeroli -1998 Nagano Olympics Free Program (Batman and The Big Blue)
I'm not the biggest fan of this girl's skating style. It's very strong, forceful and not the delicate style that I love about figure skating but I love this program for the middle Big Blue slow section and particularly the amazing split she puts into the choreography. It's interesting footwork and unusual elements and I really like it.
9. Chen Lu - Adios Nonino (1998 Nagano Olympics SP)
I actually really liked Chen Lu in the 90s. I really admired her guts this particular year, given all of the set backs she had had in the previous couple of years with coaches, injury, a growth spurt, federation... the fact that she did so well in that Olympics was testament to her drive and determination.
This program's choreography is fantastic (I think it was Sandra Bezic) and the music is one of my favourites. I'm a big Piazzolla fan. This program set her up for her bronze medal overall and I really love it.
8. Yuzuru Hanyu - NHK Trophy 2015 World Record.
How can you go past this program? It is like watching history being made right in front of your eyes. I love the intensity Yuzu has in his eyes all the way through, especially when he goes right into the step sequence at the end of the program. Amazing focus! What I love the most about Yuzuru Hanyu is that he is always striving for more - he was reportedly disappointed that he didn't receive +3 GOE for the step sequence. It's worth it though just watching Brian Orser's reaction when Yuzu comes off the ice. Two legends right there!
7. Kurt Browning - Singin' In The Rain
Probably my favourite musical of all time performed through my favourite sport of all time by a figure skating legend. This is extremely clever. It always scared me a little just how much water was on the ice surface when Kurt Browning did this, especially performing those jumps.
Awesome!
6. Kristi Yamaguchi - 1992 Worlds LP
Kristi Yamaguchi was really the skater who made me truly fall in love with figure skating at the age of 13. There are so many skaters who jump, skate, jump, spin... skating from one element to the next, and that is it. Yes, jumps and spins are important but the skaters that I love are the ones who make it truly part of the choreography and that is what Kristi did. Her jumps always seemed an extension of the steps before it. Now in an age where skaters all seem to be jumping beans (I'm looking at you, Evgenia Medvedeva), Kristi was all about artistry and that's what interests me the most in skating, so I will always come back to watch her.
5. Sasha Cohen - 2006 Torino Olympics SP "Dark Eyes"
I was never the biggest fan of Sasha Cohen. Her inconsistency with jumping and uncanny ability to somewhat choke under pressure made me uneasy when watching her. I was pleased for Shizuka Arakawa to beat her in Torino overall who I had watched since she was a junior. But I must say that Sasha Cohen's Dark Eyes program was bloody stunning. Her spiral sequence is absolutely incredible for her control and amazing flexibility and there was no choking in sight in this program. She had so many good qualities as a skater. I just wish she had been able to pull them out under pressure.
4. Queen Kim Yuna - 2010 Vancouver Olympics LP "Gershwin Piano Concerto"
What a star Yuna Kim was in this program. Well deserving of a world record. She was just so cool, calm and collected in the whole competition, she made all her jumps look as easy as single jumps and earned her nickname for her almost regal performance. Truly stunning performance and this is coming from a big fan of her rival Mao Asada. It does help that I absolutely love the music she chose. Everything Brian Orser touches seems to turn to gold!
Jason Brown didn't have a quad (still doesnt consistently). Who the fuck cares! This program is, quite frankly, fucking incredible! I love this kid! He is s truly special skater because even at his young age, he understands that there is more to skating than the elements. It is a performance sport and he performs the shit out of this program. There is a real dance element to his performance and as a musician, this is oh so important to me. I look forward to every time he skates.
2. Phillippe Candeloro - D'Artagnan 1998 season
And now to another skater who was all about artistry. Probably one of my fave skaters of all time, Philippe Candeloro was all about character and having fun on the ice which is what skating should be all about! Getting the most out of the music and the story of the program. And this was my favourite of his performances for the step sequence alone. A swashbuckling sword fight on skates! Too many falls to win, having started from too far behind after the short but he still managed to clinch bronze with a very impressive presentation score. His exhibition skate on ice playing around with this program in the Gala afterwards I could just watch on a loop. Hilarious!
1. Michelle Kwan "Lyra Angelica" 1998 Nagano Olympics LP.
I get teary EVERY TIME I watch this program. It really is the most gorgeous skating I have ever seen. A beautifully choreographed program with stunning music. It is so easy to forget just how young Michelle was when she did this very mature program - just 17. I feel she was far superior to Tara Lipinski who just annoyed me. Tara may have had the technical score but the artistry simply wasn't there and her jumps were sloppy, untidy and not high at all. I really think Michelle should have won and probably could have with today's scoring due to the use of GOE.
My favourite part of this program are her spins. I dream of being able to spin like her. The beautiful lay back positions, the camel spin in the opposite direction (!) and perfectly centred sit spins. And her beautiful long spiral - wow! She cried after this program because she was so happy and I cried with her. My favourite skater ever.
