Monday Motivation: Paul Wylie's "Carmina Burana"

This is one of my all-time favorite performances. Such passion, power, and spirit!

Robin Cousins' 1980 Olympic FreeskateE

Every time I watch this program I am in awe. The opening delayed axel and double axel are extraordinary! Is there anything not to love about Robin Cousins' skating?

Nancy Kerrigan's "Carol of the Bells" from Disney Christmas 1993

I realize it is far past the holiday season, but just found this video and wanted to share it. It may be April 23, but this Christmas piece by Nancy Kerrigan is simply pure, beautiful skating. Enjoy!

Alexei Urmonov's "Princess of Circus" Freeskate

Plagued by inconsistency and injuries over his career, Alexei Urmonov, the 1994 Olympic Champion, finally skated a solid freeskate at the 1996 Skate America competition in Springfield, MA. If you followed Alexei Urmonov's career over the years, you will understand how significant this clean skate was. In all the years I watched him compete, I can't remember too many clean performances. When Urmonov was on, you can really admire his jumping technique and athletic ability. Even though this "Princess of Circus" program isn't my favorite program, I appreciate Urmonov's technical elements in this piece. Despite being an Olympic Champion, Urmonov is one skater that the media never focused on. I can't remember seeing a single interview with him or reading any articles about him--and I watched every skating event on TV and read every article I could get my hands on, so that's saying something. Therefore, I know very little of this Russian champion. Lately, while watching skating videos from the mid-90s, I've become more curious about Urmonov and his place in history. One cannot deny his jumping abilities, but I often wonder what else he could have been capable of if perhaps guided differently from his coaches and choreographers? Of course, I don't know if Urmonov's flamboyant costumes and skating style was completely his choice, but something tells me that he was misguided, at least in part. There is much I could ponder about this oft-forgotten Olympic Champion, but for now, I'll just post this program as a tribute to what the 1994 Olympic Champion was capable of accomplishing when he was "on."

An Oldie But Goodie: Denise Biellmann's "Bachianas Brasileiras N° 5" by Heitor Villa-Lobos

What an athletic powerhouse!

Michelle Kwan's "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban

Tres Belle.

Chen Lu's "The Last Emperor"

Chen Lu, 2-time Olympic bronze medalist ('94/'98) won her first and only World title with this beautiful freeskate to music from "The Last Emperor" soundtrack. I read that "Lu-Lu" worked with esteemed Canadian legend, 1976 Olympic bronze medalist, Toller Cranston, on the choreography of this program. Cranston did a marvelous job in packaging Lu-Lu into a sophisticated, poised, well-balanced skater. Lu-Lu was always a very strong skater before but this program definitely elevated her into the realm of artistic skater. I really enjoy the musical selections and the unique choreographic elements.