Katarina Witt 1986 Copenhagen Europeans SP - Caravan

Trying to find this video was for years the Holy Grail of my Katarina Witt collection. I love the choreography of this program; it looks just as fresh and modern 21 years later as it did back then. In this Europeans version, she adds a bit of extra belly dancing as she leads into her final combination spin. The choreography of that dance sequence was changed slightly for Worlds later that year. Who cares if the double loop in her combination was grossly underrotated -- everything else about this routine and its presentation is fabulous.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Katarina
• Witt
• Short
• Program
• Figure
• Skating
• 1986
• SP
• Caravan
• European

[ak0205]

Debi Thomas pushed Witt to become a even better skater.

[HugoBossSuperModel]

What it must have been like to be Katarina? She was under immense pressure. She was objectified for her great looks. She was very scrutinized by those looking for any small mistake to undermine her skating because she was in effect a human being after all.

Through it all, Katarina was a captivating and durable champion. Inimitable!

[koolaidnhemlock]

she had to win the second gold just to secure her being able to perform as a pro. imagine that pressure.

[metsdudenj]

this was her best SP even though she never skated it cleanly LOL

[koollatter]

I remember this. It's the year she caused a lot of controversy for wearing what many thought was a g-string.

[zucarlos]

Love the program. It looks as if the Double Lutz at the end may have been landed on two feet as well. A lot of ice goes flying from her left foot on the landing. This program must have just been a jinx for her.

[zecrazygerman]

I remember from her book that according to the Stasi files, they wanted to get rid of her after the 1985 or ´86 season, as she was, apparently, too "fat", and not motivated enough. I mean it was probably difficult to find motivation after she won Olympic Gold. these days, you d stop competing straight away. at the world´s, she did this combination even worse.

[zecrazygerman]

at the worlds, she did the combination even worse, apparently? interesting, as she was usually so reliable with her trible toeloops. I guess 86 wasn´t really her year. it must have been difficult to motivate herself year after year, these days, they stop competing the moment they win an Olympic medal.

[yodabeesh]

Funny you mentioned that... Watching her circular footwork sequence, the actual footwork doesn't appear to be THAT difficult, but she does incorporate a lot of upper body movement. Nonetheless, I love her skating :) Looks like Jutta Muller decided to let her hair down for this competition.

[Chutson353]

I've never seen her jump so high - but once again the program packs all the power moves in the first 45 seconds and then she just skates around waving her arms.