Katarina Witt - 1987 World Championships Short Program

[EEDiazL]

This woman was committed to her cause. Remember, she was a product of the communist machine. No bubble gum or B.Sing like her counter part Thomas. No time for complaining. It was all do or die. That is why she achieved the success she did.

[greginspace64]

. . . overdrive to bring her second mark up to match Sumners'. It also didn't help her cause at the time that she and Zayak were comparable in the figures while Sumners was stronger. What really made the two Olympic golds possible for Witt was her third place finishes in the figures in both 84 and 88; she was usually around 5th.

[greginspace64]

I believe the secret of Katarina's success is that she was a technical skater that was successfully marketed as an artistic one. If you look at her early 80's performances, it is clear she was being trained to compete with Elaine Zayak. Just look at the difficulty of her jumps and combinations at that time; she even had a triple flip attempt in the 1982 World's long. When it became clear that U.S. Figure Skating had jettisoned Zayak in favor of Sumners, it appears that team Witt went into. . .

[livuali]

her choreography is so bad...her arms...lay back spin...not up to par...5.9's so ridiculous.

[schulz1]

This was one of great ladies' competitions of all time and it could have gone in so many different directions. A number of girls could have won but Katarina had a little luck and a lot of bottle on her side and she came through.

[koolaidnhemlock]

the hair, the make up, the outfit.. this is pure 80's GOLD

[MrOu83]

@mhughes- - I was in Cincinnati as well for the '87 Worlds. I arrived the morning of the ladies' short program. I attended a couple of the ladies practices for the long program. There was a single one that was standing room only. There were thousands of empty seats at those practices. If you or anybody else stood,it was because you elected to do so, and not because of a shortage of seats.

[MrOu83]

Wtt's rendition of Carmen was hardly

world reknown." Arrtistically, it was an theatrical, over-the-top performance that lacked a real ure skating and athleticism. She spent the slow portion of the program essentially posing. Her style is more suited to ice dancing, in the same category of the Russian ice dancer Natalia Bestemianova (along with her partner Andre bukin).

[MrOu83]

@diskplaying - To follow you logic, Katarina should feel lucky that Debi thomas erred on her double axel (a jump she could normally do in her sleep) in the sp, otherwiseKatarina would not have won the '87 nationals, and Witt would have been a back-to-back loser to Thomas at the worlds.

[Chris6134]

Beautiful hair on this one ! Very sexy. Sehr gute Eiskunstlauf ! 

[karrtt1234]

@aquamarineeyes B.S. ... Bolero is a masterpiece of skating, the battle of the Carmen's was a non event ... and niether of Witt skates of Carmen at the Oylmpics or the World Championships would be considered a great skate, and niether was worlthy of a Gold medal... she was gifted both ! The only thing memorable about her skates was the fact that she go gold for both of the poor performances.. a complete debacle !

[shottut]

Drug cheat...

[mhughes72]

I was at this unforgettable competition. The day before, Katarina performed this piece at a practice session to a SRO crowd. THAT time was the best she had ever performed it-no nerves, just skating from pure joy. She tore the house down at a practice and never looked back; that single moment in Cincinnati is when she began to win over the American audience. Experts can pick apart Katarina's technical skill until the cows return, but she was truly unique and one of a kind. Mary Hughes

[heyheyheylolita]

Wedgie alert!

[ffartisan]

If Debi didn't fall on her double axle, she would of had Katarina beat in this portion of the competition.

[whammykiss1]

Her "choregraphy" is almost funny here.

What silly so-called choreographer created this routine?

But, she's so darn pretty and sexy that it almost compensates for her lack of true artistic style and line.

I'd give a 5.5 for Artistry (this is the choreography of a former champion?) and a 5.6 or 5.7 for Technical Merit.

[nondescriptnyc]

whammykiss1, remember, it was the 80s--when aerobics was often equated with artistry in the skating world. From today's standard, this probably qualifies as horrible/embarrassing, but a performance like this was actually considered refreshing and even sansational back then. There was a lot of hopping, shaking, and sliding... GDR never really revealed their choreographers, but I am assuming Frau Mueller's team packaged Katarina.

[mhirama]

Wow. I did not know she had such a powerful upbeat program. She did not just do flying sit; it was flying axel sit spin. Impressigve!!

[hilljacknutjob]

5.5, 5.0 IMO

[Aldobrandini]

As russianskatingfan says, witt really was the ultimate competitor; she was so driven and almost always "on" when she needed to be. but this particular program is absolutely awful in terms of "artistry"; there is none. the outfit, the anti-choreography (bouncing around with a pont-tail, kicking your feet?), the hair -- the first 12 seconds alone make her look so awfully old-fashioned and silly; then you see thomas with such a modern performance, so much more sleek. BUT: witt's LP was excellent.

[libralady1010]

This was from the 1940's " In The Mood" Women wore their hair in ponytails and yes- did a lot of kicking w/jitterbugging. That's why it might look " old-fashioned."

It was in keeping w/the era, the music and the styles then. Thomas could've at least put on a semblance of a chiffon skirt the way Natalia Mishkutenok did in her LP's w/Dmitriev in '91,'92&'94. This is FIGURE Skating, not Speed Skating.

[indiatree]

I don't think she really has a good feel for this American swing/big band music and the jitterbug steps. She doesn't really connect with it. That's why it comes off as sort of stilted and awkward.

[koolaidnhemlock]

great footwork sequence!

[russianskatingfan]

You have to hand it to Katarina though. She may not have the most perfect style ever, nor the soundest technique ever, nor the hardest programs, but she was the ultimate competitor. When it comes to delivering in the clutch and rising to the occasion nobody was better than Witt, possibly in the history of the sport.

[outthehead]

this program is like aerobics on ice.. i really do not like it..

[aquamarineye]

Katarina skated well here!In her book she said that her coach Frau Muller dug her on the knee with her nails when she muffed her jump combo at 86 Worlds.I dont blame her for not wanting that to happen again!

[ANTINOUS75M]

Nice program with solid elements. Katarina always gave her best under pressure.

[PiscesMoonChild]

You never answered my question....speck.

Explain.

Why is a Salchow called a Salchow? etc., In the meantime: Please stay true to your word of no further communication with me. Use the extra time. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and learn how to spell.

[shayneinsc]

i don't want to get into your argument, but since no one has answered you, they are named after the people who invented them

[sagsagleo]

Man-If anyone sounds angry it's you. Ticking off facts like this is a term paper.Yes and if it pleases you, I'll keep on keepin on. Why is a Lutz called a Lutz? Same with an Axel, Salchow? Well...? You the FACT expert.

[sagsagleo]

Mentioned it was/IS a demanding sport.You forgot the making of Carmen on Ice with Brian Boitano,Brian Orser and other Gold/Silver Medalists? Witt won an Emmy for it,then had top tier Skaters wanting to be in HER show.Was damn near a sell-out everywhere in the WORLD it toured.Debi wanted to be a Dr.,fine.Go be a Dr.Tai Babilonia was a World Champion along w/Randy in Pairs-1979,a real contender for Gold in 1980 till Randy's injury.Tai is African-American!Ask her@"lily-white." Get your facts right.

[sagsagleo]

Debi never rec'd the kind of racism Tai Babilonia had.Yet she was ALWAYS gracious.Did I mention she and Randy won the Pairs@Worlds in 1979? You can defend Debi all you want but her behavior on the podium in Calgary was contemptible,only reinforcing the perception that Americans are sore losers.If you want to keep this going-fine. I know this Sport inside out,have gone to events, know the history of it so keep on keepin' on.Can assure you Debi dosen't care one way or another.I've met them both.

[sagsagleo]

Debi was less than gracious on the podium in Calgary.Afterward, she blamed her coach Alex McGowan, instead of her lack of manners for'{McGowan} "not letting her enjoy her Olmypic experience."'boo-hoo. Debi didn't concentrate on training for 1988 Worlds. Got married in between the Olympics and Worlds. Was at this 1987 Worlds. Saw Witt and she clearly outskated Thomas.Kadavy outskated Thomas. Called priorities. 1988 Worlds wasn't one for Thomas,either. Have to knock out "The Champ".No draws here.

[sagsagleo]

Debi sure liked the beauty pageant b.s. aspect when she WON the 1986 Worlds though. In 1988,it looked rude because it was rude. Witt was hounded more by the press in 1988 and speaking in a 2nd language as well.Being a humble Winner, a gracious 2nd or 3rd place is Sportsmanship.Thomas had a chance for redemption@Worlds'88 and just didn't care. At midpoint in her LP, Toller Cranston said it best-"one gets the feeling she simply does not care." She had another chance @ Witt and blew it.So sad.

[3370433704]

She skates it like a "sweating to the oldies" workout video but at least it's fun to watch.

[waddleduckie1]

Look, I have nothing against German people. I just hope they deserve to be respected in spite of what is currently happening with them. I admire Katarina Witt, the most beautiful woman in the world.

[aquamarineeyes]

is that a typo from u kanga?

[kangaroosbraun]

I do apologise for my nasty comments. Actually the rivalry between Debi and Kati in my opinion 'madé' the sport

[aquamarineeyes]

yeah I agree with u there man

[tsimshan]

IMO the short program should have been something like this.

1.Kadavy

2.Ito

3.Ivanova

4.Witt

5.Manley

6.Trenary

7.Thomas

Ivanova had a much better step sequence than anyone else in this event with better flow and difficulty. She was clean in all her jumps and by her standards her spins weren't that bad, hey she even had a good flying sit spin.

[russianskatingfan]

Those look about right to me. How did Leistner and Kondrashova skate. I didnt see them. I agree Ivanova was robbed of a higher placing, and Kadavy and Ito also deserved higher. Witt's skate wasnt great for her standards, and whiny Manley was overmarked as usual. I thought Thomas deserved to be no higher then 7th with that big mistake and if Leistner and Kondrashova had been clean I would put them over her too.

[noceramike72]

I love Witt but this was not my fav performance...she is so lucky Debi missed her double axel because after the complusories, the momentum was certainly with Thomas. She would have entered Calgary as two-time defending world champion.

[diskplaying]

Debi is lucky Witt missed her combination at the 86 Worlds otherwise Debi would be a 0-time World Champion. Who knows, if she never had a world title attached to her name she may not have even won the Oly bronze in 88 with her disaesterous long program too.

[ak0205]

Great preformance. She showed her champion heart in that program.

[zecrazygerman]

Debi never beat Witt in a free programme. In 86 she only won because Witt failed miserably in school figures. I guess there was a certain prejudice in favour of the more conventionally beautiful Witt. Debi always seemed to minimalist-sporty and not showy enough

[diskplaying]

This is not true. Thomas beat Witt in the short program at the 88 Worlds.  She also beat her in the short program at the 86 Worlds.

[kangaroosbraun]

Beauty has nothing to do with talent. Katarina Witt's life was skating ans she is now solo. Debi's life wasnt all about skating and she got kids, career, husband etc . Debi's Catwoman SP in Calgary was the only lasting highlight of those games. Who gives a shit that she didnt win the LP as long as she's happy. Witt always stared down her opponents. Debi lost because she didnt land her jumps. Witt won by default, by the way are u gay?

[aquamarineeyes]

kangarooassbandit it appears that u r the gay male here by constantly asking others on here if they are! what's wrong, do u want to get fucked up the ass by a big dick or something??? lol!!!

[russianskatingfan]

He is obviously also a gay male who cant even find a boyfriend on his own so is so desperate he is begging on youtube. What a loser.

[aquamarineeyes]

yeah I agree with u man

[kangaroosbraun]

Yeh, Id love you to do me....You sound like such an angry cute ass...Just the sort of faggott I could go for

[aquamarineeyes]

think my wife may have something to say about that actually kangarooassbandit! lol! as for "doing" u errrr...........wrong sex pmsl!!!

[kangaroosbraun]

Sorry, it wasnt meant to be an insault.

[aquamarineeyes]

was that a typo there? lol!

[sagsagleo]

Debi never COMMITTED to it the way Witt and others have. It's possible, as I've said before to go to College and STILL win an Olympic GOLD Medal. Dr. Tenley Albright 1956 Gold Medalist in Italy in Ladies' Singles.

[metsdudenj]

@zecrazygerman Wrong. She won because Witt fell in the SP

[aquamarineeyes]

in the past 25 years there is only 2 skating routines that are world known - 1 is Torvill n Dean's Bolero & the other is Katarina Witt's Carmen. Awesome !

[deb90566]

@aquamarineeyes How about Brian Boitano's "Napoleon" from 1988?

[kangaroosbraun]

Did she EVER fall?

[zecrazygerman]

btw, does anybody know how Ito suddenly made it to the top in 1989, scoring a couple of 6.0s? I mean she was there all this time, and did skate similarly, but did they just ignore her? I mean did they think her skating had improved tremendously from 1988 to 1989 or what? Or maybe it did improve, I don´t know

[aquamarineeyes]

Ito was by far & away the best female jumper of a generation but she lacked artistic impression & that is what brought her overall marks down. 6.0 for her? - now THAT is a laugh!!!

[bendonna]

She was 6th in figures and won the short and long, usually she was a lot lower in figures, and did not win the short.

[zecrazygerman]

I don´t like this short either, I usually prefer her shorts to her free programmes, they seem so well-structured while the frees often seemed a bit random (apart from Carmen). anway, this doesn´t really fit her persona, I mean it´s obviously a product of its time and meant to be different from the over-the-top skating costumes, but her jumping is really distracting.

[Astardis]

There are many reasons to despise this program from an artistic point of view. She did skate razor sharp clean, though. And that, after all, is the mission to be acomplished in a short program. And about the hopping around, I find just as much of that in Debi's program to that terrible version of 'Relax'.

[indiatree]

The real problem here, artistically, is that she has no real feel for the American Swing /Big Band music that she has chosen. She doesn't connect with the music, and thus just seems to be hopping around aimlessly and almost spastically.

[zecrazygerman]

is there a chance to get the LP 1987. I so like to see it but can´t seem to find it anywhere

[tsimshan]

Ivanova was robbed in this short program. She skated clean as well and had such smooth deep edges in her footwork. Witt's foot worked dragged where as Ivanova's flowed effortlessly. Ivanova should have been first in the short program and yet she was placed I believe even below Thomas.

[diskplaying]

Ivanova was placed 6th in the short. She was placed just above Thomas who was 7th but below Witt, Manley, Ito, Kadavy, and Trenary.

[sbe79]

This costume is hideous, even by late 80s European standards. Is that really Frau Mueller on her shirt? She looks dressed for the gym -- not dressed for defended a world title. The program itself has the feel of a practice session. She certainly didn't have to try very hard in those days, eh? :)

[AlexYvesMartin]

She was the best for sure, dont forget your beloved Debi screwed up on the 2 Axel, and from that point did yousee Katarinas foot work, no one can do that, its clearly not her best programme but she still was the best that year...so there you go....

[bendonna]

this was pathetic, look at her spin positions and choreography...she was the best in the long I will give her that, but this sucked

[diskplaying]

So who deserved to beat her in the short?

[bendonna]

caryn, jill, midori....

[diskplaying]

Even if she came 5th in the short behind Manley, Kadavy, Trenary, and Ito she still would have won gold overall by beating Thomas in the long.

[bendonna]

oh, I have no problem with her winning the long, that was the performance of her life, I was surprised to see how bad this short program was, and how lacking her technique really was compared to a Thomas...I think Debi's hand down caused for some strange marks in the short

[livuali]

5.9's for that program...come on...her arm are flailing...her positions just plain bad

[bendonna]

yes it was just plain bad, her landings were all shaky and she disguised them with hops, and the spins were bad...clearly they wanted debi in 7th for this reason

[aquamarineeyes]

Debi just couldn't cut it when it REALLY mattered unlike the beautiful Katarina. Now get over it ok!

[bendonna]

Katarina really cut it at the 1993 Europeans! Oh yeah and the 1994 Olympics...Why do people feel they must put down a competitor to make their favorite look better. This was not a good short program, her long was phenomenal

[zecrazygerman]

well, it didn´t really MATTER for her in 1994. unless she did fool herself into thinking that she might have a chance? we ll never know, I suppose. But you have a point there. there s no need to bash others. Truth is Debi did have weak nerves, I mean technically she was slightly ahead of Katarina, but she never got to show it in competition.

[aquamarineeyes]

very true. by 1994 Katarina had achieved everything she set out to & was just competing for fun. Was Debi better than her? - it doesn't really matter as Debi always came up second best when it really mattered!!!

[bendonna]

Debi beat her in 1986.

and they were both excellent skaters.

[aquamarineeyes]

Debi only beat Katarina once in all the majors they competed in & yeah u r correct it was 1986. both good skaters but ultimately only ONE of them will be truely remembered as an OLYMPIC GOLD medalist. there always has to be a loser at that was Debi.

[kangaroosbraun]

No the loser is you

[kangaroosbraun]

Actually Debi beat her lots of times idiot....Like in the 86 world championships

[aquamarineeyes]

I actually said that before that Debi won in 86 u diddy!

[diskplaying]

That is the only time Debi beat Katarina for an overall championship. I would not call that lots of times.

[kangaroosbraun]

are u a gay male by any chance ?

[sagsagleo]

Thomas never took it seriously when it seriously counted,i.e.1988 Calgary and again at 1988 Worlds.Instead she got married and obviously had her mind on other things. It's a demanding sport that demands total time-consuming commitment.Witt only competed in 1994 so her parents could see her compete in the Olympics for the first time in person. She knew at age 28 she was not going to win but she gave it her ALL and btw,I liked her Robin Hood OP and LP.

[spicegirlsfan1]

i have the same solo music !!! for my skating

[yodabeesh]

First time I've seen this one. Great OP as usual from Katarina, but I did find the pony tail and the blouse with the image of Frau Muller to be a little bit distracting.

[SwissMan73]

OMG...what's this?...kind of jane fonda on ice..haha, her worst choreographed short...

[shayneinsc]

great footwork

[calexsif]

did her jumps seem very low, lower than usual for her?

[indiatree]

It doesn't even seem like Katarana herself liked this program. Her face barely cracks a smile throught the entire program. She looks uncomfortable.

[plane1707]

I love Katarina too but this is a mess. The "choreography" is spastic, and don't get me started on that Wanda Beezle-style costume. Not a career highlight of an all-time great skater.

[indiatree]

I don't necessarily mind the costume....it looked better at Europeans where she wore the multicolored brow band around her head to give it a more finished look. But she received some 5.9s for artistic impression here which is just crazy. This is a 5.6 at best.

[AlexYvesMartin]

I love Katarina and i have so much respect for her,at the same time she is so lucky, she almost fell over in the beginning of the programm and on my taping of this program, which is a german version, meaning a different angle, you can see that she almost feel out of the double toe loop at the end of her combination. Luck is a part of life

[smilioti]

Wow, I never thought I'd see this one - thanks so much for posting!!