Katarina Witt (GDR) - 1987 World Figure Skating Championships, Ladies' Long Program

[WestsideMaria]

Grandios! This Program is my favorite from all of her programs on ice. I'm love it. She is so wonderful: her dress, the music, her style, the move on the ice. Katarina in Cincinnati is the best! Thank you for this movie an the memories 25 years later. :-)

[CarlD2]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I don't watch a lot of figure skating but was reading about Katarina Witt and was so drawn into this performance.

[premierrules]

@redredredtoo Has this been proved or was it hearsay? Had it been proved then surely she would have been stripped of all her titles?

[TheBob1901]

Beautiful long program skated by Katarina Witt! Great jumps (including the triple loop - the only time she landed it cleanly in int'l competition), nice spins, terrific footwork, and good speed throughout the program. Beats me why she felt she had to dump this type of freeskate - perfect blend of athleticism and art - and go for a technically-watered down Carmen freeskate routine the next season.

[dsfddsgh]

@TheBob1901 I agree. For all her Olympic and World titles she didn't have as many great iconic performances like this as some of the other all time greats. She had it all here. Great speed big jumps and of course her charisma and performing abilities.

[mlc2005]

Am I the only one surprised that, of all the cities in the world, Cincinnati Ohio hosted the World Figure Skating Championships???

[3Axel1996]

@mlc2005 Not as much as when Hartford, CT hosted it in 1981. It is interesting how Worlds have never been hosted in the major cities/attractions of the US (with the exception of, finally, Los Angeles) and Canada (with the exception of Vancouver),

[sneeyize45]

@3Axel1996 Well, Washington, DC did host the World Championships back in 2003 -- the last one of the world championships that was won by Michelle Kwan.

[dsfddsgh]

Makes you wonder why if Katarina could do as technically a difficult program as this in 1987 why in 1988 at the Olympics she was conservative and didn't seem like the same skater especially with her jumps.

[premierrules]

@dsfddsgh This was her best routine EVER. She wanted her World title back and took Debi Thomas on in her home country. Much preferred this to the well choreographed but rather 'posey' Carmen routine.

Katarina was literally handed the World title in 1988 when it should have gone to Liz Manley. Saying that, Leistner should have got Bronze over Thomas but reputation was all that mattered in the late 80;s.

[koolaidnhemlock]

@dsfddsgh she had a knee injury - also she was nervous as hell trying to defend her olympic gold

[gonzo77ffm]

I've never seen a toe-loop like in 3:30 ever again

what a program! The best

[mlc2005]

Debi Thomas's coach, after this performance, shook his head and told a reporter that "only Witt could pull that off."

[IQ20000Berta]

She got through the sport hanging shoulders, and a long neck. She tried to conceal by the clothing. so I have to smile always.

[koolaidnhemlock]

@IQ20000Berta she didn't "get through the sport" - she thoroughly dominated it with her command, speed, centered spins, charisma, athleticism, and ability to compete like no other skater.

[snowballwannabe]

A bow to the Ultimate Queen of Fierce on Ice: Fräulein Katarina Witt

[barkingtree88]

Way to go, Katarina!!!

[mlc2005]

I was never a huge fan of hers. but this program right here is one of my all time favorite: The music, the costume, the choreography.. it all blended so well. I really got into this one!

[saturnfiverocket]

I loved this dance - I even taped it on my Betamax recorder and watched her quite a few times - Loved Katarinas interveiw at the end.

[rickram1961]

Katarina was such a fierce competitor!

[koolaidnhemlock]

she skated with no fear

[pieldeoliva81]

Yes, after 1987, just like at Olympic games in Canada, she started to play safe and maybe a little scare.

[koolaidnhemlock]

@pieldeoliva81 the pressure was greater

[premierrules]

Brilliant. I actually remember staying up late to watch this live on ITV (until they stopped showing skating a few years later). Much preferred this to her Carmen routine. She knew here that she HAD to land the triple loop to win and did not bottle out unlike 1988 where her poses and artistry were very generously rewarded. Manley should have won in 88 in my opinion but here, no doubt about the winner. Kati - Ich liebe dich!

[sneeyize45]

@premierrules I agree this was Katarina's best performance of all-time. Although I still love the heart she gave to her long program at the 1994 Winter Olympics.