Mishkutenkok & Dmitriev RUS 1994 Lillehammer, Pairs' Free Program

[MsFakereality]

Masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mari260558]

Одуреть можно от такой мощи! Браво!

[uncchristine99]

This is GOLD! Nothing but their negative press hurt them here. I love that the movements weren't always perfect--I love that it feels reckless yet complete in itself. Such a gorgeous pair and a perfect skate for all the talk of perfection that was not on them. Yes, it's Passion vs Perfection... still being argued today in Davis/White vs. Virtue/Moir.

[SonnenblumeGirl]

Arguably my all-time favorite figure skating performance -- of ALL disciplines!

I know how fans get all upset about M&D vs G&G, and I remember being torn at that time, too, because I loved both teams. But now -- a whopping SEVENTEEN years later, I'd like to remember BOTH teams for their brilliance. G&G's Moonlight Sonata still brings tears to my eyes. But it's this program that makes me remember why I fell in love with figure skating in the first place. Thanks for posting!

[filipbong]

@mic2005 - Agreed. G&G won the gold because of ISU protocol. They were 'officially' the top pairs team. Oddly, Scott Hamilton agreed with the 'protocol' in Lillehammer but not in SLC.

[mlc2005]

G&G were obviously beautiful, and perhaps smoother, but they simply didn't have the technical strength of M&D. Not only were G&G not perfect, they didn't even have the same base level of technical difficulty (no triple jumps or throws). Frankly, it appeared that G&G had the gold before they arrived. And that is not to take anything away from them, as they are incredible!

[noevoe978]

@mlc2005 (1/?) This just isn't true. It just isn't. GG's program was equally as difficult, if not more. I'll start with lifts: GG had 3 lifts (a lasso, forward-toe, and a hip-star) and they were all one handed and done PERFECTLY. MD, on the other hand, had two. A lasso lift executed with two hands until the very end and an easy hip-lift with a creative dismount. Death spirals: GG had two. An easy forward inside, and the most difficult back outside. MD had one forward inside.

[noevoe978]

@mlc2005 (2/?) As for split twists: They both had 1 and GG's was higher & performed clean, while M bumped into D on the landing in theirs. Throws: All of GG's throws were higher, got more distance, cleaner, and Gordeeva held her landings longer. Step Sequences: GG had a step sequence done in unison while holding hands. MD had a step sequence done by themselves executed sloppily. Jumps: I'll give this one to you because Sergei bobbled and singled a salchow, but let's not forget M two-footed hers.

[noevoe978]

@mlc2005 (3/?) Yes, there were no triple jumps or throws in GG's program, but what good are triples if they are not performed to perfection (which they were not in MD's case). GG had, unarguably, better presentation and technical superiority. Sergei never stops when throwing Katia (which Artur does) and he still gets more distance and height. Their lifts are cleaner and technically more difficult. All their elements, other than their jumps, were more difficult and/or executed perfectly.

[noevoe978]

@mlc2005 (4/4) So in the end, MD won the crowd, but that is all. The judges know what they're doing and they knew GG had the more difficult program and they had MUCH better presentation.

I wish we didn't have to argue about this or bring down programs because in the end, GG & MD r both amazing Russian pairs & it would make much more sense 2 just remember their greatness rather than tear another pair down because you're mad about an olympic outcome that can & will never change, and rightly so.

[mlc2005]

The audience certainly chose this performance as gold, that's for damn sure!!!!

[gonzo77ffm]

@espinaca79 well i can get your point, but they never skated together, Artur was always leading and the better skater, also later with Kazakova! he was the star!!

[gonzo77ffm]

I love G&G but

Artur deserved the Gold that night

look at the last artistic ballet jump from him stellar!!!!!!!

[espinaca79]

@gonzo77ffm I actually don't like the jump being done there beacuse it overshadows Mishutenok. They don't look like skating together at that point. I like the their 1992 LP better.

[lizzydarcy72]

Thanks for uploading this video. M & D deserved the gold medal for this performance. No matter, the audience knew it too, they clapped to the music and gave them a standing ovation. Who needs the judges when the people you perform for love you over all the other competitors?

[Peaceplatform]

It's funny; I think I prefer M&D's short program, but G&G's long program! That said, I think M&D performed theirs better (or certainly with less visible errors). They also matched the music well (no easy task), and there's lots of lovely/sublime touches choreographically too. What's interesting to see is how there's signature elements here that K&D would also perform in Nagano (and just as well I might add). In particular the pairs spin in front attitude position and the pair spin at the end.

[libralady1010]

@Fabstaire They skated to Rachmoninoff. It was written in Czarist Russia and may represent the extreme cold and poverty the majority of the population endured. Watch the movie " Nicholas and Alexandra," and the clothing the poor were wearing was almost identical to the costumes M&D are wearing. The end is supposed to represent a poor woman dying during that time.

[ond00000]

Mishkutenok and Dmitriev were definitely better than Gordeeva and Grinkov, but the judges decided not to put them in the first place.

[MrStormiskye]

Best pairs program I have ever seen. Loved the skaters, the costumes, the music, the choreo, all their moves and most of all their passion - so explosive and powerful - yet tempered with the most majestic control.

[jarwillnc]

I remember being so happy for Gordeeva and Grinkov and their win. However, looking at M&D's performance later on with a more objective eye I have to concede that M&D should have won this free program. It was technically more solid and artistically captivating. In fact this performance was far superior to their '92 gold medal performance.

[victoriaindigo]

Did they win the gold in 94?

[ja3399]

I have been offline for a time due to illness, but this is one of the first videos I wanted to see when i got back. It is just as special and unique and dramatic as i remembered it. G&G remain in the top 3 of my favorite pairs ever, and although I think this lp by M&D probably should have won gold, I'm not going to second-guess the judges. Because this program is so special, it will stand for all time. Moskvina knew what she was doing here. And her pupils did her proud.

[signorinakitty]

questa xformance valeva l'oro!

[intldawn]

Does anyone believe that if they'd skated after G & G, they might have won? Clearly, the judges had to hold back the marks until G & G skated, so perhaps the impact of this program on the judges is stronger if they know they're not going to see any better. What a difficult night of judging, when you have the last four World Champions and past two Olympic champions going toe-to-toe like this. That why I'm wondering if the order of skating made the difference here. Just a thought.

[BigdealXXIII]

Ohhh. Where is this quality and passion nowdays?

They should win ANY of the Olympics in the history, except this one in 1994. (Well, they SHOULD, but they did NOT...).

[FettesHouse]

I was very surprised to hear that they changed their music last minute. I used to think that music and choreography are meticulously matched and in no way interchangeable.

I would like to see how they would have skated to Swan Lake music which is hardly any less emotional.

[intldawn]

@FettesHouse Me, too, but whereas Swan Lake had been skated to many times in the past by other skaters, this piece was an original choice (at the time). Can you imagine if they hadn't skated to this music? Figure skating fans everywhere would have been denied one of the very best performances of all time. Although, I'm sure they could have done wonderful things with Swan Lake, too.

[bunnyrabbit9999]

@FettesHouse I think you misunderstood. They changed their entire long program, both music and choreography. This choreography was specifically for this music, not Swan Lake's moves to this music.

[plankboi]

@FettesHouse they skated this program at the beginning of the season at the same skating venue with different costumes and won so its not like they did it at the very last minute. they had all season to work the kinks out.

[mlc2005]

The gold medalists in my book. This competition, for some reason, felt like the winners in Pairs had been decided ahead of time

These two were by far the most original and unique, not to mention flawless!

[vkvandyke]

i never get tired of watching this. someone remind me why this didn't win gold? i love love love G&G, but this LP is one of the best EVER.

[Gringaalemana83]

Its Grinkov and Gordeeva!!! Not Grinkov and Corde;)

[plankboi]

@vkvandyke i'm with you. it was pure politics that won G&G the gold. first in the short sergei messed up the side by side spin, then in the long he bobbled a side by side jump bigtime and seemed unsteady the whole time yet it was ignored because they are classic beauty. M&D were flawless, powerful, graceful, beautiful, elegant and dominated with their commanding presence. you had to know it was bad if winners all made mistakes... ALL OF THEM.

[gingerclove]

M&D's program has a great energy, great choreography, and it's exciting. I understand why people love it. But G&G's program was much more technically difficult, and although they made a couple of mistakes, the quality of their execution of every other element made up for it. M&D have smaller throws, easier lifts, not as many jumps, and poorer height & unison on the jumps they did do. And they are so violent and ungraceful. You can always hear their sloppy, noisy skate blades.

[gingerclove]

Dick Button once said watching M&D was like watching the students of Rider's Hockey School, because they moved around the ice like hockey players - unlike G&G who oozed noiselessly and gracefully around the ice in perfect unison. Everything G&G did was so polished and finished - that's why Scott Hamilton kept saying they were "perfecton" even though they made mistakes.

[plankboi]

@gingerclove which program were u watching. m&d were flawless and so captivating i never noticed any sound from blades. g&g were pretty but he bobbled 2 jumps, their side by side spin ended out of unison, she landed the throw double axel forward, they both did throw sals so how were m&d's throws smaller? not to mention m&d did side by side tripletoes and a double axel. g&g did all double jumps. no one was complaining in alberville about their skating and they skated worst there. go figure.

[plankboi]

@plankboi not to mention katia is 90 pounds so sergei could do whatever he wanted with her in the air so i dont consider those lifts to be any more difficult than artur lifting natalias big butt around. sergei could have twisted her around 50 times without breaking a sweat she was so light. i'd love to have seen him do it with the same ease using natalia instead.

[oravaskvirel]

@plankboi Artur had same difficulties with lifting Kazakova who had "a much smaller butt". Moskvina was rather successfully hiding this with spectacular dismounts but the judges could not be deceived. Regarding their noisy blades: listen to this video once again.

[plankboi]

@oravaskvirel lets see, artur was much older & umm they weren't together very long yet still made tremendous strides in spite of this. artur won the gold with kaz doing the same tricks but to different music as m&d did with the exception of kaz's wierd off the wall leg wrap. clearly m&d's program cant have been as bad as you say. their style won artur 2 golds with the first one having mistakes. oh & i have listened & listened but dont hear any such noisy blades.

[plankboi]

if m&d had missed any elements, if they had messed up one bit I wouldn't protest the victory of g&g. i love g&g. i just dont feel they skated well enough to have won. they shouldn't have won the short program either with that major bobble on the side by side spins. that right there set the tone for what was to be. it was clear proof to me that the judges predetermined who was going to win via favoritism.

[beckylink]

I too am disappointed to see that the Russian pairs have dropped down in quality. The artistry of this pair, led by Artur, is, to quote the announcer, "breathtaking".

They WERE the best pair ever. I didn't realize at the time, with Oksana Baiul, and these two, how RARE and special a time it truly was. it is gone now... so sad. I MISS this!

Thank God for YouTube!!!

[mom232000]

This is stil my FAVORITE figure skating show/pair and I have been watching since 1976. I love their passion, their music, their choreography. I wish the Russians still turned out skaters like them.

[dalaire]

This is my all-time favorite skating performance (pairs, singles, and all). It leaves me mesmerized every time I see it, and everything I compare pairs skating to for quality, artistry and commitment this many years later. Thanks so much for posting this!

[beckylink]

WoW - They SO should have won. This was so beautiful there are no words to describe..

The favorite pairs these days are not even close. G&G tho excellent weren't on this level either IMO. This is Oksana Baiul great. Where sport becomes total art. Brings tears and chills... unparalleled. They are without peers.

[unicorn315]

Thanks for posting...this was also my favorite pairs performance and I thought this pair was truly marvelous. I also used to have it on VHS until it finally wore out.

[mom232000]

I too had them on VHS and watched them over and over in 94/95. Thank god for youtube!!!

[c8mnyc29ved]

My all time favorite skating performance. They are magnificent. Should have won gold. Tks so much for posting. Had it on VHS for many years but lost it long ago. This is an all time classic!!!

[KageZX10RRonin]

I vote M&D all the way. I've always loved them . It is based on personal taste though, and the program has a gothic appeal that I love , plus their overall appearance. Grinkov slightly bobbled a side by side camel, and the judges overlooked it. No disrespect to G&G,but watching M&D in their prime is mesmerising.I love her death spiral, it showcased her sensual shape.

[nephertiti77]

I love this comment. It's true this performance has got something very gothic!!!

[KageZX10RRonin]

Ha ha ! Why thankya Nephertiti and thank you for posting that performance. I haven't skated in a long time and seeing that made me want to lace 'em up and start practicing again !

[nephertiti77]

That sounds like a great idea to me :)

[ja3399]

@KageZX10RRonin Lace up those skates again! There are some 'Tubers here who have done the same. They are not hard to find. And they skate again for many reasons but, most important, because they absolutely love it. Go for it K.... You will have a lot of encouragement and support here.

[eltubotijuanero]

They got robbed. That was a masterpiece.

[Gerilu40]

You are right. It was a great drama: drama on the ice, performance of life an death; drama with biased judges: Moscow had to win,I think.

[MTVMANN]

This time the "bad" judge was the U.S. judge!

[libralady1010]

Thank goodness the judges made a decision,stood by it and awarded ONE Gold Medal.M&D skated perfectly-they were happy and didn't throw a fit about " only " a silver.G&G were technically superb. He really presented her quite well. And above all-everyone in THIS Olympics showed good manners, great skating and class.Too bad we will never see these kind of free skating LP's-at least for awhile.

[koolaidnhemlock]

beautiful - i've always thought this was the superior free skate that night - but looking back it was very cold and formulaic. like they were skating for a gold medal, not for the love.

[koolaidnhemlock]

i take it back - that was ridiculously intense.

[filipbong]

M&D delivered the "golden" performance of the night , but G&G won the gold because of IFS "protocol".

It's interesting to see Hamilton going with "perfection" (per his biased standards) over "passion" in '94 and reversing himself in '98.

Apparently, as a commentator Hamilton's standards are based not on merit but on friendship.

[filipbong]

I meant 2002 - in SLC where B&S were exactly in the same situation as G&G in Lilehammer.

This time Hamilton could not contain himself over the "passion" of the Canadians.

[libralady1010]

I just wish he'd quit yelling out who the winner(s) is/ [ are ] when the rest of the field hasn't even skated yet.

He did it in 1990 @ Worlds', he did it with this apples and oranges baloney here.

Of course the worst one was in 2002 w/ramifications still being felt today with the pairs event-yelling after S&P skated ' What HAPPENED?! They won that program,' and theChinese pair hadn't even skated yet. He did it again at 2010 National's w/the Ladies event this year, too.

[mlc2005]

I agree that this program is the program by which I have judged all pairs skating... I remember being absolutely floored by this masterpiece of art.

[BillF1967]

I remember watching this live and being the moment I learned that I would never understand figure skating. This was THE performance of that evening- Athletically bold, perfect synchronicity, and artistically powerful. And yet, they didn't win.

[Nevelstraum]

Woah...okay. I just actually saw the recorded marks for this. Anything lower than a 6.0 is absurd. I remember watching this pair here for the first time and afterwards judging all who came after by this performance. The communication between these two was simply magnifincent, especially starting at 2:16. At times I wasn't sure who was leading who and it was just fine! It's normal for the woman to be as strong as the man. They are as one and not as one. This is what partnership is!

[Nevelstraum]

Gold! Period! Thank you for this. =-)

[libralady1010]

Yes. How wonderful this is to see again!

My everlasting thanks. Laura tells me you are an exceptional individual. I trust her judgement because she's always spot on.But that's a secret...don't tell her ;-)

Thank you for uploading this again! Treasure this. I treasure this, treasure it , treasure it.

[if1byland]

I am curious. I know we have opposing viewpoints about 2002, but do you think this program deserved the gold over G and G? I feel it is so good. I think it did deserve the gold.

[bunnyrabbit9999]

Perfection! Thank you nephertiti77 for taking the time to upload this masterpiece!