1988 Natalia Bestemianova Andrei Bukin Olympics CD

While I insist on writing only "positive" things in my churlish chronicling, there are two Russian ice dancing couples that truly "try my patience"! While I spent a lifetime enduring countless coaches cramming my hips forward and insisting I dance in a most uncomfortable "tucked under" hip touching style, this girl managed to win World and Olympic titles presenting the antithesis of that theory of movement! In America, this is called "A-framing" and you wouldn't pass the 14-step with it; yet, here it is in the Olympics, accentuated with some of the most outlandish skirts ever attached to a female skater. Not to diminish their talent, they were strong skaters who never fell down! (isn't that the Prime Directive for Ice Dancing?), but it's like my mom used to say about broccoli.......eat it, and like it!

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  Sports

[k9henrydog]

6.0 or NO for YO........2010!!!! UGH!!!!!!!

[muscleboi4use]

I do like this couple. I still think she's been the best "Carmen" on ice ever. BUT in CD I always thought Marina Klimova & Sergei Ponomarenko had better technique, line, edge work etc.

Doesn't mean I don't appreciate B&B's strengths, & indeed influence on ice dance.

[muscleboi4use]

who are your favourite ice dance teams?! You've made me curious!

[nolaughingmatter]

They are tall... it's inevitable that they're hips are farther apart than others... longer legs need more room

[skaterlz]

They were brilliant and I always loved their speed and dynamism,but they are skating a little far apart I think.

[gk891]

I guess we have to agree to disagree. I think their edges are mediocre, their handholds a little tense and open, and their speed came from a ton of stroking and the occasional toe-pick (which is a no-no). My 2 favourite ice dance teams are Russian so please don't think this is coming from anti-Russian sentiment. These 2 just didn't do it for me. However, please don't think I'm trying to say you can't like them because you're free to admire anybody you want!

[k9henrydog]

Yes, you are probably right! We Americans just have a lot of aniosity towards them because they always managed to place ahead of our beloved Blumberg and Seibert!!! While they sometimes gave just cause for that, many times we feel a different outcome was appropriate!! best wishes though...thanks for extending the debate here!!!!

[gk891]

These 2 also tried my patience as well. IMO, their outlandish expression was an overcompensation for their lack of technical skills. If I had been a judge, I would've this couple 3rd with Klimova & Ponomarenko in 1st and Wilson & McCall in 2nd.