1993 Surya Bonaly - Skate America Exhibition - France

Surya was an early example of how the elimination of school figures would change skating. A beautiful young girl with an "out of Africa" orphan story as compelling as Oksana's, she would be hounded by the skating elite as crass and unorthodox. A gymnast by training, she put outstanding triple jumps on the ice, but connected by footwork that confounded the purists!

She worked hard to 'give them what they wanted" and I think she eventually demonstrated a mastery of artistic skating, as shown here. Ultimately, she was doomed to heartbreak as she was placed 'second' in the 1994 World Championships after years of knocking on the door. Yuka Sato took the title in one of those infamous 5-4 one tenth of a point splits! Yet another, judging controversy!!! Still, she is in good company....Brian Orser, Michelle Kwan, many others.

Unlike the Canadian pairs skaters, there was no ground swell to protest the injustice! So Surya, in one of the bravest things I have ever seen done, refused to accept her silver medal, and crying profusely, would not ascend the medals podium. (I think I should post that moment, it is of historical significance).

She would probably fit right in today, and few would complain about something as trite as 'technique'! She often included the illegal back flip in her programs, and even managed to learn how to land it on one foot when officials insisted it was not a jump because it did not land on one foot....as if that would matter!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• figure
• skating
• 1993
• Skate
• America
• Surya
• Bonaly
• France
• back
• flip
• exhibition

[LCC144]

I'm sorry...did she just do a back flip on ice? SHE WAS BOMB!!!

[k9henrydog]

YES, a back flip often landing on ONE foot! Seems like a jump to me! best wishes

[Basileus1983]

Como siempre, muy linda gala de Surya.

A mi me parece que ella es una precursora en muchos aspectos, como en los intentos de hacer cuadruples, las combinaciones 3/3, y en el donut spin, que podemos ver muy bien en este video.

[k9henrydog]

gracious! ?Como esta?? glad you found it....Surya is indeed an extraordinary skater.....best wishes

[j0han64]

lol, the salcow on the left foot! She is very strong!

[k9henrydog]

I think the huge stroking sequence right up the length of the ice is also a bit of a dig!! and brought a smile.....i think that was an intentional one foot double salchow...but who knows!! best wishes

[embrodak87]

I love Surya's personality, and her ability is astounding. She gots spunk. :)

[suraaldy]

Surya's style here is more graceful than in other performances. Very nice.

[Hylogetic]

I love everything about Surya's skating. She was a true performer

[vaudree]

Darn, she two footed the back flip.

Surya Bonaly was great!