Kristi Yamaguchi - 1989 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Ladies' Free Skate

[anne91276]

I just think that Kristi's a better competitor than that of Tonya Harding. And she's the most competitent skater than Tonya Harding ever will be.

[russianskatingfan]

She did not deserve the 2nd spot over Harding. She should have given her spot on the World team to Tonya, but she has no class.

[ollieian]

ugly reporter couldn't wait til after the marks?

[intldawn]

You know, you watch this performance and wonder how it is that Kristi got a reputation for being mainly an artistic skater and not as strong technically, especially compared to Ito and Harding. Yes, she did grow into a great stylist, but she could always do everything they could do except the triple axel. Her technique is flawless and she is an accomplished athlete.

[nondescriptnyc]

@intldawn Of course, she was a good jumper! But I think the issue was that her jumps were really small, and they frequently seemed under-rotated toward the end of her career. Also, the inconsistency on her 3S didn't really help the perception that she wasn't as good as Ito or Harding. By contrast, Ito and Harding were both powerful jumpers, with all 6 triples cleanly and rather consistently performed (well, in Harding's case, this was true until she got a little too big).

[intldawn]

@nondescriptnyc True, Ito and Harding were such great athletes and always did big jumps. Sometimes, people marveled at Kristi's ability to complete such difficult jumps even though she looked like she was barely off the ice. And I don't think her jumps were under rotated later in her career. That's the remarkable thing. I've re-watched her performances from the '91-'92 season to scrutinize her rotations and they are always completed--except on the salchow, of course. :-)

[grafgirl27]

@intldawn plus she and Harding were both just jumpers this year and Yamaguchi still came from behind after figures to pass Harding for a spot on the team with both skating great. That in itself is telling.