Gordeeva & Grinkov (URS) - 1988 Calgary, Figure Skating, Pairs' Long Program (US ABC)

Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Pairs' Long Program - Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov of the Soviet Union skated a near-flawless program to win the Gold Medal.

[@TheOraclesPearls]

It is 2020 and still no one comes close to the style and perfection of this team.

[@valmacclinchy]

@Farran Hill I'm reading it. What A beautiful love story on ice!

[@reneechristensen5041]

💝💝💝💝💝💝

[@eightiesbabies1980s]

It’s 2022 still no one G.O.A.T.

[@jamesyu5212]

Savchenko and Massot shit all over this pair…

[@annaliese9453]

Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze are pretty up there and I'd say even better

[@Cassie-pt7mt]

In my opinion, they were the most underscored skaters of all time. I have never seen a performance that was more deserving of a 6.0 than this one. And I'm an American who skated at the same rink as Peter Oppegard. My sister took from Nicks. So, our family was rooting for Jill and Peter. I remember watching this performance as a 16 year old kid. G & G won me over. They won our whole family over. We were dazzled and in awe. I had never seen skating like theirs. They were so beautiful and so in sync and so fast and they made it look so easy. I was an instant fan. I think I must have watched our VCR'd copy of this performance 100 times. I was amazed by their quality and their beauty. Plus, they were absolutely adorable. He was such a "babe" and her smile was so endearing. I knew, for sure, that they'd fall in love. For a Californian kid growing up during the Cold War, they broke down a lot of stereotypes we'd been fed. I wish the judges had given them the marks they deserved. This program (and the short) should have been 6.0s across the board. Period.

[@marianlizamientus3139]

Hi Cassie. Good for you! Thank You for all you wrote here. I love every word you said. And how we all miss dear, handsome Sergei.

[@valmacclinchy]

Cassie, I agree with you 💯 Still the most synchronized pair, they have yet to be matched. What they had was magical. (I'm from the US, too!)

[@valmacclinchy]

​@@marianlizamientus3139have you read her book about their story? It's beautiful.

[@marianlizamientus3139]

@@valmacclinchy Hi. Thank You for writing to me. Yes. I read "My Sergei" just after it was published. Then in February of this year, I suddenly thought about Sergei, after all these years, and read it again, just after his 56th Birthday. Yes, the book is beautiful. And the loss of Sergei, such a wonderful, handsome man and skater, is overwhelming. I'm grateful we have "My Sergei" and these wonderful KZbin videos to reminisce.

[@ukmary1968]

I’ve seen great pairs but no one will ever outshine this duo.

[@beeharbour]

What a charismatic cast of figure skaters there was at these Olympics.

[@dashoverton1963]

A lot of people often focus on the lady in pairs figure skating, usually overlooking her male partner, but here Sergei’s extraordinary talent as a skater cannot be denied. His masculine elegance and line, keen aesthetic sense, was amazing.

[@dorothygale1104]

Dick Button’s comment as they entered the ice : “He presents her and never overshadows her, but maintains the quality of pair”. This describes the role of the male partner. She is like a beautiful precious diamond in a ring and he is the setting that holds that diamond in place and allows it to be seen to its best advantage.

[@clairehassid9895]

It's 2022 and I came here to see them again. After all these years, they are the pair that make my heart soar. No pair comes close to the magic of these two.

[@sonyagarrett1842]

You got that right. They were the reason I watched. The love and trust they had made them perfect

[@paolasusanna]

in my opinion only onother one. Not in pair but in ice dance. Virtue and Moir had the same grace, timing, control and connection

[@torribroome5326]

I absolutely loved them. So amazing. Such a shock when Sergei died at such a young age.

[@ahowell7878]

They were so unique and knew how to capture the judges and the audience. They connected. They were grace and beauty, classical instead of forcing the elements. Their choreographer brought out the best in them.

[@barbarawashington4664]

Katia! Katia! Katia! Excuse me commentators but Sergei was brilliant in how he presented her… he deserves much more credit. Katia is a beautiful skater without a doubt. Katia herself said they skated as one. Sergei is the male skater that any female would love to have as a partner! Handsome, gentle and kind he was and he will never be forgotten as a great athlete, husband and father!!!

[@sweetheart8624]

totally agree

[@Cassie-pt7mt]

He did a perfect job of letting her shine.

[@dmp7252]

I miss him soooo much! Everyone does. He was a gentle giant and we have never forgotten him. He lifted Katia and put her down so softly, it was amazing. Like a feather. Sergei will always be remembered.

[@MsADiez]

He was gorgeous and together they were perfection

[@user-pw4zo5rs8l]

Обалденный дуэт,такое ощущение что это одно целое.Вечная память Сергею.Жаль,что так рано ушёл.

[@thesandqueen2559]

1988 was such a wonderful Winter Olympics for figure skating. Between these two, the "Battle of the Brians" and Katerina Witt, it was so wonderful to watch all these. I feel blessed to have watched all these live at 12 years old.

[@gayle9428]

After all this time, now 2022, G&G are still my favorite pairs skaters ever! Can't watch them without tearing up.

[@valmacclinchy]

2023 - still true!

[@rainiceskates185]

Same here❤

[@sparkers70]

What I always found as amazing as their lifts, was how gently she came down from them. It was as though he was placing a precious gem on a velvet pillow. Pair skating has never been so good as when these two were together. Rest in peace, Sergei.

[@cherylannemason]

Agreed--he was very much an example of what a good partner should be.

[@themangochannel]

I love this programme. Within these few minutes, I go through so many emotions - from admiration of their speed and skating skills to being almost at the point of tears at how beautiful it is to joy at Katia's expression. Possibly my favourite pairs programme of all time.

[@dalemorris7014]

I remember watching this in 1988 and how enthralled my mother, grandmother, and I were. They captured our hearts then, and always will be the best pairs skaters ever. Watching this takes me back and brings a tear to my eye.. they were breathtakingly beautiful. 💞

[@user-mt2wq8om4d]

А ведь это было больше 30 лет назад!!!! А смотрится будто сейчас станцевали!браво!!!! Вот это скорость? Где сейчас такие пары???

[@user-ow6kj5oc9j]

Это выступление - настоящее искусство. Светлая память Сергею Гринькову.

[@user-vk2ys1si5r]

Лучше этой пары не было и не будет. Как жаль Сергея Гринько

[@janmiechan-ellis9992]

I could watch this a hundred times and it's the best i have ever seen..it should have been 6.0 across the board.

[@user-cm2ze3jk4t]

Одно из лучших выступлений в фигурном катании. На мой взгляд здесь все сделано идеально!!! Синхронность, скорость, техника, сама программа - все безукоризненно)

[@user-vu2kx3dy2t]

Какое катание! Скорость, синхронность, прыжки, полёты Кати. Единое целое. Блестяще!

[@ProgressWillNeverBeStopped]

I still remember the day walking into my 6am skating practice, seeing the long faces in the skater lounge. When I asked what was going on it took several long moments before someone mustered up the words ‘Sergei Grinkov passed away today’. I still remember it sinking in and crying. He and Katia were my absolute most favourite pair.

[@Mary-momof8]

They were a spectacular combination of athleticism and elegance unsurpassed to the present day!!! RIP SERGEI!

[@troyaturner1979]

It's as if they're not even trying. Their speed and flow across the ice is breathtaking. It's SO effortless! Can we go back to this style of Pairs skating, when 2 skated as 1?

[@user-gg7js2il1g]

Прошло более 30 лет и не перестаёшь восхищаться мастерством: красота, синхронность, сумасшедшая скорость. Это безусловно - ШЕДЕВР!!! И нет такой пары, способной повторить этот танец. Спасибо каналу за возможность ещё и ещё раз просматривать их выступления.

[@helena7840]

Мне было 8, и я восхищалась этой парой, мы смотрели все чемпионаты. Как здорово, что остались видео, не могу смотреть без слез. Это лучшая пара в мире. Светлая память Сергею.

[@olgalitvinenko4589]

Самая красивая спортивная пара всех времён и народов. Катались стремительно, и техника, и хореография экстра класса. Обаятельные, улыбчивые, открытые, выступали на высочайшем уровне. Недосягаемые, любимые.

[@raevj]

The pure speed is unmatched as well as the precision in which it is done!

[@somewhereinmontana3405]

My favorite skating performance of all time. Absolute perfection.

[@doriswaldrop5788]

This pair will always be the best it broke my heart when he passed no matter what they wil always be my favorite thank you for sharing this special pair with the world

[@olgaogurtsova6418]

Когда два как одно!!!! И какие воздушные, лёгкие. Как будто им это никакого труда не составляет!!! ВОСХИЩЕНИЕ!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-eu5wl3mz2h]

О Боже какая синхронность, какая красота! Божественно!

[@suzannesmith8320]

Rest in peace dear Sergei.So sad watching this knowing that he died so young. Flying with the angels.

[@kerryharrison3806]

He always handled her as if she was the most precious thing in the world, and for him she was. Incomparable.

[@scottw6704]

Beautifully stated.

[@sweetheart8624]

very true

[@BE_SUEQ]

I’ve never seen anyone skate as beautifully as they did here and so many other times .....you just want to watch them over and over again ❤️ What a wonderful pair❤️

[@juliemc8460]

Unreal pair. Truly poetic

[@user-bs5tx2sb8p]

Какие же они оба красивые и талантливые! И безумно счастливые на тот момент!! Смотрю с удовольствием их выступления! Какая гармония! Жаль, что что так быстро Сергей ушел... Сколько могло быть изумительных моментов и выступлений...

[@anthonydolio8118]

Outstanding! Their style and technique is timeless. The speed with which they skated was amazing. Love them and love this program.

[@mountaingirl6479]

I never get tired of watching this performance ❤️ - I saw it live and was so impressed. Love having the chance to watch it again so many years later. Thanks for posting!!!

[@user-tf3sl4dr4t]

Браво!Высший класс.Очень красивое выступление.Вечная память Сергею Гяринькову.

[@helenatrela786]

Najwspanialsza para artystów na łyżwach na świecie. Prawdziwa uczta dla nas jak się ich ogląda, piękna muzyka klasyczna w tle i perfekcja. Sergei Grinkov był mistrzem w tym duecie.

[@shooky1803]

I remember watching this when I was younger and being so awestruck at how in sync they were, even watching it now the feeling has never been replicated, they are truly one of a kind.

[@svetlanaboldin8671]

Какой он прекрасный партнер... как бережно он обращается с Катей. Такая этергетика, такое взаимопонимание между ними

[@user-sf8fq2wd4v]

Ооооо слов нет, мастера... умнички, такие эмоции... Жаль....светлая память

[@user-vr9zy8zp5x]

The best skating pair ever.

[@user-eq8qv1bq3v]

Бесподобно. Прекрасная пара. Мы были впереди планеты всей

[@ceceliamathews7190]

In 2021, I still admire their skills on ice. Her costumes were so fabulous at the time, designed so perfectly for her personality. Gentle yet gorgeous. May he continue to rest in peace now and forevermore. Absolutely, awesome‼️👍🤗

[@xuramanakbarova2527]

Вечная память Гринкову 😔 😔 😔 🥀 🥀 🥀

[@sandrafreebairn-ur5tp]

They are gorgeous. I still remember watching them on TV at the Olympics

[@ursula1893]

2022 now.....and still.....the most beautiful, artistic skate ever. This is one for the ages - never to be duplicated. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@krystynacywinska3195]

Tyle lat minęło a wciąż są niedoścignieni w pięknie,precyzji,uroku..Każdy gest i ruch dopracowany i wykończony .Mistrzostwo.

[@scook5599]

And that folks, is how it is done! Marvelous! Holds up 33 years later.

[@ketitevdoradze1636]

Смотрю и текут слезы : слезы восхищения, уважения, радости, сожаления, гордости... и вечной любви к ним ❤️

[@user-gf7lw4un2v]

Как плавно ,синхронно, легко исполняют программу. Такая гармония, это сказка превращения в реальность.

[@susanrobinson910]

I still remember hearing about his death and being shocked beyond belief. They were wonderful together, so amazingly graceful and beautiful. R.I.P. Sergei. ❤️

[@janiceeteme5536]

Sergei and Katia...One day in heaven they will reunite. I could watch this over and over. Such love, such skill, such respect, care, strength and artistic intelligencs they displayed all throughout their career and life together...I thank God for this. Such a perfect example of divine love❤🌻🌺🌷

[@linaletsgo9466]

Всегда следила за этой прекрасной парой. Жаль, что Сергей так рано ушел. Жизнь распорядилась так увы. 25 лет нет Сергея Гринькова. Остались одни воспоминания.

[@patrizia6]

Такая ладненькая она у него в руках💕 с такой заботой выпускает на прыжок 😥но видимо и на небесах нужны такие добры люди😓💔

[@user-kj5ph2sc6b]

Трудолюбие!!!Красота!!!Гармония!!!Наслаждение!!!Любовь!!!

[@br-dh1lp]

This is so beautiful. The way they dance doing what they love, how they look at each other, the passion what a wonderful pair

[@user-qz4tg9fg3g]

Боже мой, какая ангельская чистота и совершенство!

[@elankhamanicastillo]

i always come back to this video every once in a while

[@user-xy2mb9kt8q]

Уникальная пара!!! Маленькая, нежная, чистая Катя и сильный, красивый, любящий Сергей! Можно смотреть бесконечно их катание!!! Невероятная синхронность, легкость скольжения, превосходное чувство ритма, абсолютная точность и безупречность движений просто потрясают!!!!! А с какой нежностью и любовью они смотрели друг на друга!! Невероятная история любви!!... Сегодня 20.11.2023... Годовщина смерти.. Покойся с миром, Сергей! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤

[@maryatvintagegemz7907]

2022, still best pair program I have ever seen.

[@user-xr2yv1dj3u]

Как же прекрасно исполнили все... Жизнь пролетела и оборвалась на взлете, но останутся навсегда их недостижимые выступления, эталон синхронности, выразительности и лёгкости. Эту планку пока никто не достиг.

[@tatiyanaguba4416]

Мне кажется, что это самая красивая пара за всю историю существования фигурного катания,Катя-прелесть,Сергей -красавец

[@Nigelsmom2136]

They were so beautiful to watch. Also the commentators in those days didn't talk during the performance so you could actually enjoy it. Nowadays the commentators are all in love with the sound of their own voices and can't shut up for 4 minutes.

[@user-id5in1mx8y]

Невозможно наглядеться на это выступление и на эту бесподобную пару!!!

[@user-lg9sy1ck5c]

Лучшие и неповторимые,на все времена !!!

[@zelmabotha1880]

It deserves full marks in my books. Brilliant performance

[@carmelhelen5102]

Simply lovely, 2023, still so exquiste, ❤❤❤

[@user-ib2in8qc3n]

До слез... Шикарная пара

[@TheSlw531]

2024 and they are still perfection. I never forgot this performance. Breathtaking.

[@user-cy6gi7uy7h]

Это выступление-пик мастерства и совершенства в спортивном парном фигурном катании,которого никто до сих пор не достиг.

[@juliabuzina6773]

Это точно! Сейчас так никто не катается, а прошло уже более 30 лет

[@user-tb5jq4qu4h]

Господи, каждой клеточкой чую их единство

[@user-ty9ns1ui8q]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@dariyagarshina3009]

Моя любимая пара!!!!! Какой синхронизации они достигли, смотрю на одном дыхании может сотый раз!!!!!!! Скорость ... И невероятно легко исполняются сложнейшие элементы.!!!!!

[@trishemerald2487]

You cannot argue with perfection.

[@samsungs2985]

Можно смотреть бесконечно на эту красоту исполнения

[@user-ts9yp1fi2t]

Да. Бесконечно. Даже спустья столько лет.

[@FfFf-qi8ze]

Почему Бережная Сихарулидзе ничуть гехуже там тоже мелодия на льдк

[@user-by3kv2jb9y]

Какие же умнички!!! Юная Катюша просто прелестна и Сергей красавчик. Ни помарочки, ни ошибочки... Восхитительно !!!

[@user-we8kj4ge2b]

Екатерине желаю счастья. Спасибо ей за память. Очень красивая пара. Вечная память Сергею и царствие небесное.

[@user-cz5tq7il4t]

На все времена лучшая пара!

[@selena9295]

Моя самая любимая пара!!!! Великие!!!!

[@user-eh3yu6mr2m]

Ах,незабвенные,разве забудешь какую гордость мы испытывали за вас в той огромной прекрасной стране,которой больше нет.

[@nc11000]

Мозги промойте себе. Страна была, есть и будет.

[@coletterobichaud3465]

What country?

[@user-uk7wp7lg3e]

И хорошо, что нет той страны. Навешали на неё розовых ярлыков. Пьянство, бедность, серость. Я жила, я знаю

[@stephaniek1076]

@@coletterobichaud3465 The former USSR (Union of Soviet Sicialist Republics)

[@carolwickham5764]

Still get chills watching this performance! I've watching figure skating for a long time and this has to be one of the best pairs in skating!

[@AnnaViola3]

Настоящее катание навсегда в истории!

[@voraciousreader3341]

I feel exactly the same joy watching this pair now as I did then, but I also feel exactly the same deep sadness at the tragedy of Grinkov’s death. It amazes me that these two emotions are still so strongly linked in my memory after all these years...Gordeeva’s anguish was so difficult to watch and read about at the time that I refused to watch any more, but it’s obvious I saw enough that I guess I’m not going to ever forget about it.

[@CJLOVE23]

Anytime I don’t want to get out of bed, I’ll just think of this video and this skater

[@liubovserebriakova794]

ВЕЛИКОЛЕПНО!!!ВОСХИТИТЕЛЬНО!!!СУПЕР КЛАСС!!!

[@benp3485]

Never seen anything like this with present pairs...this to me IS THE GOLD Standard in pairs. Made me Happy watching it for the first time in FEB 2021!

[@stonew1927]

Absolutely stunning. As near perfection as humanly possible. The athleticism, coordination and synchronicity, the artistry, everything. Truly deserving of 6.0s though they did not get them. RIP Sergei

[@misschanandlerbong5918]

If they would have skated last, they would have gotten all 6.0’s - they absolutely deserved them !

[@user-eg1km4jk3e]

Умение слушать друг друга, чувствовать в парном спорте как и в партнёрстве в жизни-очень важно. Только это позволяет достичь высот и построить что-то. Только умение слушать другого даёт такие результаты ❤️

[@user-wk8mr3iy4s]

Браво!!!Чудесное исполнение! Прекрасная пара!!

[@miyumiyu12]

It’s strange that although Sergei is no longer on this earth, we still get to see him like this. Death and life are such a mystery 😢

[@erikas6429]

Still the most beautiful performance ever🥰🥰

[@alicel3992]

It's November 2022 As I watch this pair skate, I'm still enchanted by their grace, skill, talent and love. Unfortunately, Sigay has passed. I am reminded to enjoy the season of life that you are in because it does not last forever.😢

[@Cassie-pt7mt]

I love Dick Button's words regarding Sergei. For our non-English speaking friends, I'm hoping you can hit translate, like I can to read your comments: DB: "And remember, keep your eye on him. He is a superb partner. He presents her beautifully, never overshadowing her, yet maintaining the quality of the pair." The rest of what Dick Button, Peggy Fleming and Jim McKay say is... At their 3 twist: DB: "Watch the height." At their throw 3 salchow: PF: "Oh, lovely. There's just a genuine confidence and joy in her face and in their skating." Death Spiral: PF: "That's a lovely move, only if she'd point her toe. Her freeleg." After jump sequence: PF: " I think their style of skating, even the individual jumps and spins, that they have the same body line, the same knee action and rhythm in them." Lift: Jim McKay: "They're absolutely..." PF: "...Far and above anyone else we've seen so far tonight." Jim McKay: "They are absolutely beautiful tonight." Spiral PF: "Well, I think here again this music I think really grabs the attention of the audience and holds them through so many different moods and it's just lovely to see their choreography interpreting this music." PF: "Oh...look at her joy on her face. What a smile." Jim McKay: "Was that marvelous? Little Katia. 5 feet tall. 84 lbs." DB: "It was like she was skating on air. Simply breathtaking." JM: "I agree. That was a performance to remember." PF: "The crowd is standing up in here." DB: "Very much like a ballerina. Just, up! up! up!" JM: "Just incredible. It will be fascinating to see what the marks will be for them."

[@samtyson9348]

Sergei deserves more credit.. the commentators completely ignored his strength and skating

[@user-qc5hx1nf7b]

Восхитительно идеальное выступление! А идеал не превзойдён по определению ✨✨✨

[@user-ts9yp1fi2t]

Эта пара уникальная в истории фигурного катания. Со своей историей светлой любви. Светлая память С .Гринькову

[@olesyaiii4991]

Самая красивейшая пара!!! Профессионализм на высшем уровне, который заставляет вставать и аплодировать даже американцев💥💥💥💥

[@sweetheart8624]

это было в Канаде но американцы там тоже конечно были

[@stephaniek1076]

@@sweetheart8624 Yes, Calgary, in the province of Alberta, Canada

[@VioletJoy]

My favorite, and no doubt many of our favorite, pair ever. It's bitter sweet to watch them skate. They were simply exquisite.

[@kristannestone1748]

I still get chills watching this. My favorite. Forever.

[@indaybrady]

Its 2023, I loved this pair.RIP Sergei.