Klimova & Ponomarenko 1987 Worlds FD

I didn't make this vid (I actually don't know who did but whoever you are, thanks a million!) but this a very charming FD to Hungarian Rhapsody. I agree with the commentator (Toller Cranston) that this should've won by a mile.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Klimova
• Ponomarenko
• 1987
• Worlds
• free
• dance
• Hungarian
• Rhapsody

[brunozaid]

Have you ever seen B&B´program in 1987? Their interpretation of Cabaret was incomparatively more brilliant and interesting that this program of P&K.

And from 1988 on, there were the Duchesnay and Usova-Zhulin, both couples who were fare more inventive than boring K&P. Yes, they are very elegant and skilfull.... but that´s it! (apart from their beautiful programs in 1985 and 1992, I´ll give you that).

[gk891]

B&B were very dramatic but they were always trying to make the easy look difficult (although they couldn't really fool a semi-trained eye). These 2 made the difficult look so smooth and effortless.

Both D&D and U&Z had passionate and dramatic FDs but technically, they weren't in the same league as these 2. Ice dance is a sport and thus, technical abilities and skills should be considered more important than expression (although expression is by no means to be ignored).

[libralady1010]

I never understood what was so outstanding, what stood out @ B&B other than the fact they 'stood in line,'for 4 years behind Torvill & Dean, waiting their turn. Such rubbish they [B&B] were even World Champions let alone Olympic Champions. This team, K& P w/such a seamless interwoven beauty and presentation. Sergei P.,is absolutely-along w/Chris Dean-the best male Ice Dancer we'll ever see in a long time. He presents his partner so well. Perfection. No other word for it. Simply perfection.

[libralady1010]

I was at this competition and though there was polite applause for B&B this pair should've won. There was FAR more applause and a very knowledgable crowd. You could barely hear their skating and edging was superb. That whole business @ giving B&B roses-nice though it was- by Michael Siebert was pre-arranged, just like the placements in this competition.

[libralady1010]

@lambielkwanfan What hurt Blumberg&Siebert leading up to the Olympics most was 1) too many falls in World Competitions;2)Russia's dominance til Torvill &Dean so THEY-judges-had to throw B&B a bone &3)changing horses in midstream,skating to a single piece of music like Torvill&Dean.Only they weren't Torvill&Dean.The judges couldn't knock Torvill&Dean down, they were THAT good but there was no way they were going to reward yet another innovative program on the podium.One was enough& T&D were it .

[lambielkwanfan]

@libralady1010 In fairness to Judy Blumberg I do think she was robbed of a medal in 84 though, probably even the silver. Klimova & Ponomarenko were already very good, but definitely new and not near their 86-88 or even 85 level yet, while B&B are one of the most overrated teams ever. Still as a commentator she should not be using it as a means to vent her own frusterations. If anything if she must show bitter on air she should be more bitter towards B&B who questionably beat them many times.

[libralady1010]

@lambielkwanfan An apt observation.I couldn't agree w/you more. We were at this event.Even during the practices,you could not hear a whisper from K&P's blades...they were that perfect.And that whole silly thing w/Michael Siebert 'spontaneously' coming down to give B&B roses was so rehearsed.It took up almost as much time for them rehearsing to be in the correct spot,getting their flowers as it did practicing their program.

That resentful venom in Judy Blumberg's voice-she won't forget 1984.Wah!

[lambielkwanfan]

@libralady1010 B&B deserved to win in 1985 but every year after that K&P should have been World and Olympic Champs until they retired. Well except for maybe the 1991 Worlds which Usova & Zhulin (but definitely not the Duchensays) should have won.

[libralady1010]

@brunozaid as a matter of fact...yes. B&B did the same thing at least 3 times over and over. It was tedious to say nothing that Bukin looked like Frankenstein!

[brunozaid]

Can I ask you something.... are you an ice dancer yourself?