I’ve gone back through about 20 years of skating and here are my top ten favorite short programs. Beware, this is very biased.
10. Carolina Kostner — 2013 World Championships: A Transylvanian Lullaby
The performance she gave at the 2013 European Championships was probably better. Carolina came into the scene as a skater known for her athleticism yet today, we fawn over her gorgeous long lines, deep edges [listen from 0:30-0:36], perfect air positions, and of course THAT POINTED TOE! This girl has competed in the senior ranks for more than a decade — now that’s grit.And despite the fall here … well, you have to admit: this dress is everything. Plus, I’m a sucker for the ending spin that’s timed perfectly with the music. Would have ranked this higher if she had brought it more in the face and been less bipolar in the emotions between 1:40 to 1:55.
9. Sasha Cohen — 2005 World Championships: Dark Eyes
Sasha Cohen: the ballerina on ice. If you are going to skate to a Russian folk song, it only makes sense to have a Russian choreographer, and to perform it in Russia. Dark Eyes [choreographed by Nikolai Morozov] is one of the most iconic Sasha performances. Evidently, she thought so too since she kept it [and nailed] for the 2006 Torino Olympics. Sasha’s innate sass + the nuisances of Dark Eyes = why she is one of my all time favorites. She rocks those flailing, meaningless arm movements going into the triple flip and shaky landings. This is the only Dark Eyes program I approve of.
8. Kristi Yamaguchi — 1992 Olympics: Blue Danube Waltz
Who cares if Kristi Yamaguchi flutzes? Or that she did a double flip? Loving the simplistic Sandra Bezic choreography. Kristi has the look of the “postcard figure skater” and this just happens to be one of her Olympic gold winning performances.
7&6. Lu Chen — 1994 Olympics: Clair de Lune by Debussy & 1998 Olympics: Adios Nonino by Astor Piazzolla
Two-time Olympic bronze medallist: Lu Chen. The skating world is lucky to have had her artistry and Sandra Bezic’s choreographic mastery. Lu’s performance to Adios Nonino is one of the most memorable of all time; it was the epitome of her artistic maturity, grace and comeback from a 25th place finish at the 1997 World Championships. Again, + points for posture, speed, pretty skating, and wearing my favorite color on ice in 1994.
5. Michelle Kwan — 2001 Nationals: East of Eden by Lee Holdridge
How many times have we criticized skaters for their intentions for skating? But we have none of those for Michelle — the absolute joy of her skating is more than evident in her performance to The East of Eden. One of the greatest of all time, without a doubt. God bless Frank Caroll’s OCD for gifting us with Michelle Kwan’s artistry.
4. Mao Asada — 2010 Olympics: Waltz fromMasquerade Suite by Khachaturian
Can we discuss Mao Asada? Who in the right mind lands 3 triple axels at the Olympics? It’s been said before- Mao really comes alive in the performance aspect after landing the 3A, and this is by far one of the cleanest and most powerful performances she has ever given. Personally, I think Mao has the best lines out of today’s competitive skaters.
*thank you Scott for the screaming, but for the next Olympics, I’ll pass.
2. Yuna Kim — 2009 World Championships: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns
This should be the world-record holder, over Yuna’s Bond Medley IMO. I mean, when I see Mirai skate to James Bond I’m like NOO NOT AGAIN but when people skate to Danse Macabre the immediate reaction is “Yuna wannabe…” with a pair of side-eyes. This is only second due to a sad/awkward spiral sequence. Nonetheless, let’s take a moment to applaud David Wilson for helping Yuna developing “the best arms in the industry” [quoote Jeff Buttle] and choreographing eye movements to the music. I don’t care that she does zero transitions into the triple flip-triple toe — that combination covers 1/3 of the rink alone. Yuna makes “wooden mallet feet” [quote Dick Button] and flexed extensions look great. Love her.
1. Mao Asada — 2014 Nationals: Nocturne No. 2 Op. 9-2 in E Flat Major by Chopin
Half the skating world still hasn’t adjusted to the new IJS skating system since it was implemented over 10 years ago. “There’s no more artistry in skating”, they said. You want artistry? Here’s Lori Nichol’s remake of Mao’s signature Nocturne program. That pull she does before taking her first running steps, the soft knee bends and foot flick [Gracie Gold, take note here], and movements that bring out the subtly of the music… Mao does not miss a beat in this program. In one skate, Mao and Lori have summarized the hardships and sorrow of Mao’s up/down career, as well as the bittersweetness of her success. Initially, I wasn’t sure if Yuna’s Danse Macabre should be first instead but Mao got a few more points for “important” skating. Bravo.
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