Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Pairs' Long Program - Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov of the Soviet Union skated a near-flawless program to win the Gold Medal.
In my opinion, they were the most underscored skaters of all time. I have never seen a performance that was more deserving of a 6.0 than this one. And I'm an American who skated at the same rink as Peter Oppegard. My sister took from Nicks. So, our family was rooting for Jill and Peter. I remember watching this performance as a 16 year old kid. G & G won me over. They won our whole family over. We were dazzled and in awe. I had never seen skating like theirs. They were so beautiful and so in sync and so fast and they made it look so easy. I was an instant fan. I think I must have watched our VCR'd copy of this performance 100 times. I was amazed by their quality and their beauty. Plus, they were absolutely adorable. He was such a "babe" and her smile was so endearing. I knew, for sure, that they'd fall in love. For a Californian kid growing up during the Cold War, they broke down a lot of stereotypes we'd been fed. I wish the judges had given them the marks they deserved. This program (and the short) should have been 6.0s across the board. Period.
@@valmacclinchy Hi. Thank You for writing to me. Yes. I read "My Sergei" just after it was published. Then in February of this year, I suddenly thought about Sergei, after all these years, and read it again, just after his 56th Birthday. Yes, the book is beautiful. And the loss of Sergei, such a wonderful, handsome man and skater, is overwhelming. I'm grateful we have "My Sergei" and these wonderful RU-vid videos to reminisce.
A lot of people often focus on the lady in pairs figure skating, usually overlooking her male partner, but here Sergei’s extraordinary talent as a skater cannot be denied. His masculine elegance and line, keen aesthetic sense, was amazing.
Dick Button’s comment as they entered the ice : “He presents her and never overshadows her, but maintains the quality of pair”. This describes the role of the male partner. She is like a beautiful precious diamond in a ring and he is the setting that holds that diamond in place and allows it to be seen to its best advantage.
It's 2022 and I came here to see them again. After all these years, they are the pair that make my heart soar. No pair comes close to the magic of these two.
Katia! Katia! Katia! Excuse me commentators but Sergei was brilliant in how he presented her… he deserves much more credit. Katia is a beautiful skater without a doubt. Katia herself said they skated as one. Sergei is the male skater that any female would love to have as a partner! Handsome, gentle and kind he was and he will never be forgotten as a great athlete, husband and father!!!
I miss him soooo much! Everyone does. He was a gentle giant and we have never forgotten him. He lifted Katia and put her down so softly, it was amazing. Like a feather. Sergei will always be remembered.
They were so unique and knew how to capture the judges and the audience. They connected. They were grace and beauty, classical instead of forcing the elements. Their choreographer brought out the best in them.
I remember watching this in 1988 and how enthralled my mother, grandmother, and I were. They captured our hearts then, and always will be the best pairs skaters ever. Watching this takes me back and brings a tear to my eye.. they were breathtakingly beautiful. 💞
Самая красивая спортивная пара всех времён и народов. Катались стремительно, и техника, и хореография экстра класса. Обаятельные, улыбчивые, открытые, выступали на высочайшем уровне. Недосягаемые, любимые.
It's as if they're not even trying. Their speed and flow across the ice is breathtaking. It's SO effortless! Can we go back to this style of Pairs skating, when 2 skated as 1?
I still remember the day walking into my 6am skating practice, seeing the long faces in the skater lounge. When I asked what was going on it took several long moments before someone mustered up the words ‘Sergei Grinkov passed away today’. I still remember it sinking in and crying. He and Katia were my absolute most favourite pair.
Прошло более 30 лет и не перестаёшь восхищаться мастерством: красота, синхронность, сумасшедшая скорость. Это безусловно - ШЕДЕВР!!! И нет такой пары, способной повторить этот танец. Спасибо каналу за возможность ещё и ещё раз просматривать их выступления.
I love this programme. Within these few minutes, I go through so many emotions - from admiration of their speed and skating skills to being almost at the point of tears at how beautiful it is to joy at Katia's expression. Possibly my favourite pairs programme of all time.
Мне было 8, и я восхищалась этой парой, мы смотрели все чемпионаты. Как здорово, что остались видео, не могу смотреть без слез. Это лучшая пара в мире. Светлая память Сергею.
1988 was such a wonderful Winter Olympics for figure skating. Between these two, the "Battle of the Brians" and Katerina Witt, it was so wonderful to watch all these. I feel blessed to have watched all these live at 12 years old.
I’ve never seen anyone skate as beautifully as they did here and so many other times .....you just want to watch them over and over again ❤️ What a wonderful pair❤️
Одно из лучших выступлений в фигурном катании. На мой взгляд здесь все сделано идеально!!! Синхронность, скорость, техника, сама программа - все безукоризненно)
This pair will always be the best it broke my heart when he passed no matter what they wil always be my favorite thank you for sharing this special pair with the world
Какие же они оба красивые и талантливые! И безумно счастливые на тот момент!! Смотрю с удовольствием их выступления! Какая гармония! Жаль, что что так быстро Сергей ушел... Сколько могло быть изумительных моментов и выступлений...
Najwspanialsza para artystów na łyżwach na świecie. Prawdziwa uczta dla nas jak się ich ogląda, piękna muzyka klasyczna w tle i perfekcja. Sergei Grinkov był mistrzem w tym duecie.
I remember watching this when I was younger and being so awestruck at how in sync they were, even watching it now the feeling has never been replicated, they are truly one of a kind.
Sergei and Katia...One day in heaven they will reunite. I could watch this over and over. Such love, such skill, such respect, care, strength and artistic intelligencs they displayed all throughout their career and life together...I thank God for this. Such a perfect example of divine love❤🌻🌺🌷
In 2021, I still admire their skills on ice. Her costumes were so fabulous at the time, designed so perfectly for her personality. Gentle yet gorgeous. May he continue to rest in peace now and forevermore. Absolutely, awesome‼️👍🤗
I never get tired of watching this performance ❤️ - I saw it live and was so impressed. Love having the chance to watch it again so many years later. Thanks for posting!!!
I still remember hearing about his death and being shocked beyond belief. They were wonderful together, so amazingly graceful and beautiful. R.I.P. Sergei. ❤️
They were so beautiful to watch. Also the commentators in those days didn't talk during the performance so you could actually enjoy it. Nowadays the commentators are all in love with the sound of their own voices and can't shut up for 4 minutes.
Всегда следила за этой прекрасной парой. Жаль, что Сергей так рано ушел. Жизнь распорядилась так увы. 25 лет нет Сергея Гринькова. Остались одни воспоминания.
Как же прекрасно исполнили все... Жизнь пролетела и оборвалась на взлете, но останутся навсегда их недостижимые выступления, эталон синхронности, выразительности и лёгкости. Эту планку пока никто не достиг.
Absolutely stunning. As near perfection as humanly possible. The athleticism, coordination and synchronicity, the artistry, everything. Truly deserving of 6.0s though they did not get them. RIP Sergei
I feel exactly the same joy watching this pair now as I did then, but I also feel exactly the same deep sadness at the tragedy of Grinkov’s death. It amazes me that these two emotions are still so strongly linked in my memory after all these years...Gordeeva’s anguish was so difficult to watch and read about at the time that I refused to watch any more, but it’s obvious I saw enough that I guess I’m not going to ever forget about it.
It's November 2022 As I watch this pair skate, I'm still enchanted by their grace, skill, talent and love. Unfortunately, Sigay has passed. I am reminded to enjoy the season of life that you are in because it does not last forever.😢
Моя любимая пара!!!!! Какой синхронизации они достигли, смотрю на одном дыхании может сотый раз!!!!!!! Скорость ... И невероятно легко исполняются сложнейшие элементы.!!!!!
I love Dick Button's words regarding Sergei. For our non-English speaking friends, I'm hoping you can hit translate, like I can to read your comments: DB: "And remember, keep your eye on him. He is a superb partner. He presents her beautifully, never overshadowing her, yet maintaining the quality of the pair." The rest of what Dick Button, Peggy Fleming and Jim McKay say is... At their 3 twist: DB: "Watch the height." At their throw 3 salchow: PF: "Oh, lovely. There's just a genuine confidence and joy in her face and in their skating." Death Spiral: PF: "That's a lovely move, only if she'd point her toe. Her freeleg." After jump sequence: PF: " I think their style of skating, even the individual jumps and spins, that they have the same body line, the same knee action and rhythm in them." Lift: Jim McKay: "They're absolutely..." PF: "...Far and above anyone else we've seen so far tonight." Jim McKay: "They are absolutely beautiful tonight." Spiral PF: "Well, I think here again this music I think really grabs the attention of the audience and holds them through so many different moods and it's just lovely to see their choreography interpreting this music." PF: "Oh...look at her joy on her face. What a smile." Jim McKay: "Was that marvelous? Little Katia. 5 feet tall. 84 lbs." DB: "It was like she was skating on air. Simply breathtaking." JM: "I agree. That was a performance to remember." PF: "The crowd is standing up in here." DB: "Very much like a ballerina. Just, up! up! up!" JM: "Just incredible. It will be fascinating to see what the marks will be for them."
Умение слушать друг друга, чувствовать в парном спорте как и в партнёрстве в жизни-очень важно. Только это позволяет достичь высот и построить что-то. Только умение слушать другого даёт такие результаты ❤️
Уникальная пара!!! Маленькая, нежная, чистая Катя и сильный, красивый, любящий Сергей! Можно смотреть бесконечно их катание!!! Невероятная синхронность, легкость скольжения, превосходное чувство ритма, абсолютная точность и безупречность движений просто потрясают!!!!! А с какой нежностью и любовью они смотрели друг на друга!! Невероятная история любви!!... Сегодня 20.11.2023... Годовщина смерти.. Покойся с миром, Сергей! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤
