Flashback to 1994: Tonya Harding's 1994 Olympic Programs

I would be remiss if I didn't include a post about Tonya Harding as an addendum to the 1994 Flashback from the other night.

I started writing an explanation of why Tonya Harding is important to the 1994 season, but then realized that no explanation is needed. All I can say is, love her or hate her, you cannot deny that she's one of the most interesting skaters in the history of the sport. Her athletic ability is also notable, as Tonya is the first American, and second female skater in the world, to be land a Triple Axel.

Tonya's musical choices were curious. Her short program music was, ironically, from the "Much Ado About Nothing" soundtrack. Her freeskate was to the music of "Jurassic Park." The soundtrack is a great score by the wonderful John Williams, but in comparison to the soft and classical "Swan Lake" or Broadway show tunes of gold-medal winner Oksana Baiul and the Neil Diamond medley by the Boston Pops Orchestra that silver-medalist Nancy Kerrigan skated to, the sometimes jarring Jurassic soundtrack is a stark contrast.

So what are your thoughts on Tonya Harding and her Olympic programs?


Short program to "Much Ado About Nothing" soundtrack:



Long program to "Jurassic Park" by John Williams:

1994: A Year to Remember

1994 was a pivotal year in the skating world. Skating was front-page news after the Tonya Harding/ Nancy Kerrigan saga, making the 1994 Winter Olympics-- a quote un quote "showdown" between the two skaters-- one of highest rated sports events in history. Not only that, but the quality of skating that year was second to none. With professional skating legends, such as Katarina Witt and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean reinstated as amateurs, the caliber of the competition was elevated. Although, as those of you who witnessed the 1994 Olympics will remember, with the exception of Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov winning the pairs event in both phases, the other professionals were not as dominant. The new wave of skaters hungry for gold made big waves in the competition, taking medals that many had predicted would go to the legends.

The entire Olympics was memorable--I would be remiss if I didn't mention the judging controversies. To this day I am adamant that Nancy Kerrigan should have won the gold medal, Elvis Stojko should have trumped Alexei Urmonov, and Artur Dimitriev and Natalia Mishkutenok should have worn gold over the beloved Gordeeva and Grinkov. I used to feel that Maia Usova and Alexander Zhulin should have taken gold in ice dance, since there was debate over whether or not Oksana Gritshuk and Evgeny Platov's choreography broke the rules, but now I am not as certain about who I think should have won gold. But in any case, all the performances are outstanding and I never tire of watching them.

Below are some of the most wonderful skating performances that the world has ever seen in Olympic competition. It is my pleasure to present you with this compilation of glorious skating performances that are to be treasured and enjoyed again and again.





Katarina Witt's "Robin Hood" and "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" :








Nancy Kerrigan's "Desperate Love" short program and the Neil Diamond medley played by the Boston Pops:









Elvis Stojko's short program to techno music and long program to "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" :









Philippe Candeloro's "Godfather":






Kurt Browning's "Casablanca":






Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean's "Rhumba":





Maia Usova and Alexander Zhulin's "Nino Rota" by Fellini:





Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov's "Moonlight Sonata":





Natalia Mishkutenok and Artur Dimitriev's "Don Quixote" by Minkus and "Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2" by Sergei Rachmaninoff:







Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler's classical medley freeskate:

Timeless Beauty, Grace, and Class: Michelle Kwan's "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy

Success isn't measured by a gold medal.

Scott Williams' "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Scott Williams, a 3-time U.S. medalist back in the 1980s, is perhaps most recognized, by a younger generation, as Michelle Kwan's coach for the 2003 season, standing at the boards with her as she won her 7th U.S. Championship and 5th and final World Championship that year. I do not remember Scott from the 80s, as I was too young, but when figure skating experienced an explosion of popularity in the mid-late 90s, as a result of the Tonya/Nancy scandal, Scott frequently appeared on TV in a variety of skating shows and competitions. I remember that he had a very distinct and creative style. He was definitely a skater that made you sit up and take notice. In a way, his creativity and quirkiness on the ice reminded me of Canadian Gary Beacom.

One program of Scott's that I clearly remember is "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. Not only do I love this song, as I think Nirvana is brilliant, I remember Scott's explosive and innovative rendition of this great grunge classic on ice. I have not seen this program in 16 years. I just watched it and am blown away by Scott's edge control, skating skills, and his blazing set of barrell rolls, starting at about 4:10 in the video. Very impressive. I've seen other skaters attempt that move, but it's nothing like what I see Scott doing here. As the commentator says, he's one of the "specialists" at that move, and you can see why.

Overall, Scott's skating is different and fun to watch. I can't wait to look up more of his videos! For now though, enjoy "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and see for yourself why I think Scott's skating is so, well, spirited.

Friday Inspiration: Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov's "I've Got Rhythym" by Gershwin

I have fond memories of watching this when I was 10 years old.

Friday Inspiration: Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt's Adele Freedance

Logan and Lynn dazzled the crowd in Omaha at this year's U.S. National Figure Skating Championships with this terrific contemporary freedance to the music of Adele. It just goes to show you how deep the U.S. ice dance team is ---this excellent freedance only earned 5th place. Logan and Lynn are last year's U.S. pewter medalists.

Enjoy!

Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze's "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker