Duchesnay & Duchesnay (FRA) - 1988 Calgary, Ice Dancing, Free Dance

[operagirl84]

I miss Dick Buton's commentary.

[cleicsioluek]

Isabelle is soo pretty! (:

[blitzkanone]

One more reason why I will always love the 80's :)

[RigoLikes]

I liked it but it looked a little sloppy. Or maybe it was supposed to look that way, I don't know.

[jafalad]

Says as much that T and D apart, the only ice skating performance I ever remembered was this one. Although it wasn't reflected in the marks, the Ds created a whole new boundary for ice skating. It was more than edgy and different: it was what the future of ice dance could become. Still infuriates me years later that the judges' marks failed to recognise their performance that day.

[accw]

@jafalad It is a very entertaining dance but keep in mind that the judges are supposed to look at the whole picture. If one partner has inferior technique the judges shouldn't be expected to sweep that under the rug.

[jafalad]

@accw Well of course-it still has to be skated well but many professionals expressed their bewilderment at the marks awarded. The width and polarisation of the judges' marks reveals all: brilliant for some; skating anathema for others.  A seminal moment in the sports' history.

[OapostropheC]

New Moves!!! :)

[crnchygranola]

whats the name of this music

[matju2]

@crnchygranola : i would like to know.

[cman80]

The real shame to me was Paul doing all this real skating and Isabelle was just there little more than a prop. He truly is an amazing technical dancer; smooth and fluid even in unorthodox moves. She never could hold a position of any type and is always stumbling through programs. 

[Junon999]

@cman80 For once in ice dancing, both technically and aesthetically, you eyes are on the guy and not the girl. He really did all the work in this skate!

[anitac4]

I saw this performance on TV in 1988, and it has stayed in my mind all these years. Thanks to You Tube I can relive the power of it again and again.

[quafer]

paul duchesnay has got to be the hottest male ice dancer ever.

[10Dec1971]

@quafer YES indeed! So sexy!!

[iiiphoto]

They was robbed by da judges! One of my all time favorites. Especially for artistic merit.

[amandabenger]

I absolutely agree. Watching a lot of these 2010 Olympics and just can't get into it. The sport seems too stuffy and void of true expression like there was in the days of the Duchesnays.

[young95]

I disagree, amandabenger. :) If anything, the ice dancing performances of the 2010 Olympics were the fulfilment of all that people like Torvill & Dean and Duchesnay & Duchesnay had been seeking to do while it was held captive by an ice dancing establishment that seemed to think endless renditions of the Paso Doble were endlessly exciting. The sheer artistry of the dancers in Vancouver was absolutely amazing. About all they lacked was someone yelling "freedom" at the top of their lungs. :)

[CarlyLynda]

I *SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO* agree!!!

[hutteldorfh]

By far the most original choreography of the '88 Olympics--maybe ever. Also the most technically difficult. I thought that it was outstanding--not sure what the judges were thinking, unless they already had their favorites picked, or just couldn't wrap their heads around something different.

[Dansktex]

This was the greatest ice dancing performance ever! Even though I was at home, I jumped up hooting and clapping after having seen it. I was so disappointed when the federation changed the rules because they were too conservative to accept such modern ideas and trends. I tried watching ice dancing through the next couple of years after that, but I have to tell you that I never found it entertaining enough after having seen this performance!! Thank you Duchesnays and Dean!!!!!!

[drguffey]

I remember watching this live. Awesome. Thanks for posting !