Rudy Galindo 1996 US National Championship Long Program

I really admire Rudy for his amazing resilience, for refusing to let that image of his ideal self die.
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There was no high profile coach or choreographer. Vera Wang did not make his costume, and the powers that be had already groomed a champion to their liking.

All he had was undeniable talent and faith that something so far fetched could happen that the odds would have been better to see true magic after wishing upon a star.

---Bardtoob

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Rudy
• Galindo
• 1996
• figure
• skating

[MTVMANN]

I am so suprised that during his spread eagle sequence Dick Button didn't say "Shades of Brian Boitano!" as he always seems to say the same thing about Peggy Flemming when she is beside him.

Also, his note about Ruby having more flexibility than ANYBODY in skating at that time...weren't Michelle Kwan and Nicole Bobek skating at that time? I guess he meant of all the men skating today.

It is a shame that Rudy didn't continue on to the 1998 Game. He really opened the door for Johnny Weir!

[bardtoob]

Rudy had to make a tough choice.

Unfortunately, he had reason to believe that the politikal powers that be would not allow him to do any better than what he achieved during the 1996 season, particularly after the 1996 Worlds SP.

[StewNWT]

God if I ever hear Dick Button and his 70 y/o ass orgasm like that again (after the triple axel combo) someone please shoot me. Distubing.

Incredible moment for Rudy though.

[bardtoob]

I think Uncle Dick's commentary is one of the broadcast's best features. I hope Uncle Dick is with us for a long time. He is an American Legend: 1x US Novice National Champion 1x US Junior National Champion 7x US Senior National Champion 3x North American Champion 1x European Champion 5x World Champion 2x Olympic Champion 1st Double Axel 1st Triple Jump (Loop) 1st Flying Camel Spin Friend of Ulrich Salchow BA, Harvard JD, Harvard ... as for his career after the 1950's . . .

[mrparke007]

Whoever choreographed the hand movement at the stops in this program should be shot. They're so spastic and arrhythmic, especially at the first introduction to the the theme of the piece. Terrible! And his skating is so wonderful! What a shame.

[bardtoob]

He along with his sister, who where living in a trailer park in East San Jose, choreographed his program, did his coaching, made his costume, bought his equipment, and bought ice time at the now defunct Eastridge Mall Skating Rink. He only had his talent, no high profile coach, choreographer, or fashion designers to get him to a National Championship and World Medal.

This is hardly a shame and more like a MIRACLE.

[lonman80]

that was awesome. I haven't seen that since I was 16 and it brought tears to my eyes all over again watching it 12 years later.

[ferency98]

Sixteen years later and still the most emotional men's program I have ever seen at Nationals. How could he have not received all 6.0's???

[LesPumps]

What a spectacular moment in figure skating, yet, very sad too, as one of the biggest rip offs in the history of the sport. There is no doubts he skated way better than the others...

[NorthwoodsWi]

As someone else here said, 15 years later, and this brings tears to my eyes.  I remember a story about Rudy on 20/20, or 60 Minutes, and he had to overcome so much, and work so hard. I cannot think of a better skating performance by an individual skater ever. Amazing performance Rudy!

[twilliger123]

@MTVMANN Like he and Johnny Weir are the only gay skaters out there! The rest of them are/were closet cases, just like alot of the judges!

[BarleyJack72]

Miss you Rudy!

[WheresMyKoppy]

@bibi24 What's Johnny Weir got to do with it? He's Johnny and Rudy is Rudy.

[WheresMyKoppy]

@caseyphx

I believe that was one of his skating students who was sitting in the audience in that section.

[WheresMyKoppy]

I ws there in person to see this. I went rooting for Todd Eldredge, but got caught up in the Rudy fervor. I can tell you they almost literally had to nail the roof back on after this program!

However, looking back after fifteen years with the initial euphoria having faded I can see slight mistakes that do justify him losing a couple of tenths for technical. But there is no question on that day he deserved to win, no question at all! It was an amazing performance!

[nolaughingmatter]

@bardtoob I agree... though based on '98's results, Rudy would have done very well at the Olympics and Worlds. But he knew the game well enough to know that if you don't retire yourself, the judges will retire you. He did better than he ever did and ran with the medals.

[christest15]

Did he bring the house down that night or what?