Michelle Kwan 1996 Worlds SP - Romanza Eurosport

[@AxlKhan-v1f]

And this unbelievable out of this world skating from a 15 year old kid. We will never see this kinda beauty and magic on ice ever again. Truly The G.O.A.T..

[@oceanle]

I was watching 2019 figure skating and then had to come back and watch Michelle Kwan. Now that's how you skate!

[@canyoubelieve2167]

Still get chills watching her. Her artistry- otherworldly.

[@tenorsonator]

Nobody can compare with Michelle. She is legend.

[@dsfddsgh]

Love what the British commentator said after Michelle finished. " For heaven sake she's 15 years old." Michelle was indeed a special talent to be that good at such a young age. Combine that talent with a fierce competitive spirit and you have one of the greatest skaters of all time.

[@stevebbuk9557]

Probably the best female skater of all time when you look at her LP here. Maybe she continued in the sport just a little too long, as did some of her contemporaries.

[@mokah11]

We didn't know it at the time (or at least I didn't) but Michelle spoiled us in the US. She was such a complete and beautiful skater. You don't see anyone now stringing championships together the way she did. Fantastic.

[@Karamarika]

You don't see that primarily because of the scoring system and the constant rotation of female skaters from Russia. Russia is dominant now (as nearly always) and they push their women like no other country. Those girls are skating more like men now with all the quads. The scoring system also makes it a lot harder to prop up a "champion" over multiple competitions. You have to be extremely exceptional to accomplish that with this scoring system, like Nathan Chen is. Otherwise the leader board changes too much from competition to competition and year to year. Especially internationally.

[@tambam6744]

@@Karamarika Russian -women- *little girls* were never dominant until they corrupted figure skating in there fraudulent home Olympic “win” in 2014. The only notable skater before current batch of Russian girls was Irina Slutskya.

[@simplenough]

A true artist she was

[@loralenea6243]

Michelle Kwan should have a star on the Hollywood wall of fame. She is a true entertainer, she acts out every program that she skates with her heart and is emotionally vested in each and every program taking us along with her on her journey. Her joy is contagious allowing us to forget our troubles for a time.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

I was compelled to go see this magical program again from M.K. to remind me that there really used to be beauty and magic in skating after the ugliness that is transpiring in the current winter Olympics ladies skating. The most beautiful and ethereally stunning program for all time from the G O.A.T. She really is a lightning in a bottle.

[@CG68810]

When you watch this and then watch the Russian robots, you understand how hollow skating has become. This was perfection with emotion, artistry, and choreography.

[@sunnykim2793]

You can not say Russian robots. Quite rude & stupid

[@canyoubelieve2167]

Wow so true!!!!!

[@BmcC102]

Not to be overly dramatic, but that was the best damn Short Program I have ever seen. The choreography and placement of elements is absolutely perfect with the music… each element begins or ends with the phrase of music. Every new section of music has a corresponding move ! Phrasing at its best in figure skating!

[@stephenshearer2989]

The speed in the spiral sequence and the footwork....my gosh. Just breathtaking.

[@dlcc4dlng]

I would have scored this program 5.8 technical 6.0 presentation!!! Michelle’s movements on the ice matched the music 100%

[@memom2227]

Yes, it's my favorite program of hers. She WAS the music. A genius choreographer tapped into what made her Michelle Kwan. I could watch this all day.

[@TimothyBlocker]

That choreographer would be Lori Nichols​@@memom2227

[@PrinceofTroy-kx3nk]

The best that ever was and the best that ever will be. Nobody even comes close. The great Michelle Kwan 🌷.

[@lanacat26]

One of my favorite short programs ever...She was simply superb!

[@dinh5532]

The beginning spiral sequence was amazing. Who would have thought to put it at the beginning?! It was mesmerizing!!!

[@lowdaisy1]

I love the eurosport commentators! At least they dont keep talking right through the whole program!

[@jeanettebird2739]

Superb skater and one of my favorites of all time,simply the best ! She had everything and such a pleasure to watch !

[@JBlue761982]

I love how she opens this program with great elegance and artistry, rather than skating right into the lutz combination.

[@jamespayne80]

I love looking back at her programs. Such an amazing talent and deserved to have gold the first try but got silver then bronze the 2nd chance. Ive loved her since she came on the scene and shes is an amazing person and artist!

[@user-vn7sj5ig8w]

I love this SP! It is one of her best. The music and the choreography was awesome! If only they didn't change Olympics to 94. I miss MK skating.

[@Jhojsh101]

A masterpiece! By far my favorite sp not only of Michelle, but of anyone! 🌹🌹🌹

[@brianmckernan5002]

She lived her music and it always radiated in every skate.

[@oceanle]

I watch this so many times! So gooood!

[@lanacat26]

This has always been my favorite Michelle Kwan short program. The quality of this video is amazing. Thank you for posting it.

[@williamnuels1437]

The Great Michelle Kwan she made that Lay Back look like a glass of wine Beautiful

[@jrewing6836]

The most beautiful program of all time.. Timeless Masterpiece.

[@rdg___]

They don't make them like this anymore. So many of the skaters today have such difficult and impressive technical requirements but, we haven't had a 15 year old ladies skater that's had this kind of maturity and artistry since Kwan.

[@fong03]

I agree, though Sasha Cohen did display this kind of artistry at that age, but that too was a long time ago.

[@wendylindh4612]

Kwan way better than Sasha.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

@@wendylindh4612 True dat, Sasha was equally as beautiful, just a bit inconsistent. I for one is happy to witness 2 insanely beautiful and unique skaters in one lifetime.

[@Karamarika]

Kwan had a major transformation from her first season out and this one. She was overshadowed by the 1994 Olympics debacle, but she came out with a huge makeover the next year. She was insanely more mature, polished, with beautiful choreography, and very solid technically. It was amazing to see that difference. She really was a great champion.

[@koolaidnhemlock]

still one of the best short programs ever .

[@dewaynewestmoreland3773]

This to me is one of my favorite short programs ever

[@tally1604]

breathtaking! she was the best that night, and the best in the long!

[@Applesinken]

love this program, and her expression on the end ^_^

[@keeganthorpe]

THIS is artistry.

[@jrewing2383]

The most beautiful dance in FG. Courtesy of the GOAT.

[@piznoctsauo8141]

Brilliant choreography.

[@ghernan01]

Amazing homage to Spain! Beautiful Ina Bauer at the beginning! MK rocks!

[@stephenshearer2989]

Gustavo Hernandez Minetti I love a man who appreciates a great Ina Bauer!

[@tennislover08]

One of the best short programs ever

[@janek9817]

Every time I watch worlds 1996, I get so upset they changed the olympic time frame. If the Olympics were held in 1996 like they should have been, Michelle would have had gold. This was her year.

[@jorgebonilla2234]

Yeah but then by that logic, Harding/Kerrigan/Baiul might still have been around and been real threats.

[@renzy79]

We don't know that. Baiul, Sato, Kerrigan, Harding, and Chouinard may have all stayed until 1996.

[@bethanycook8430]

She would of won gold that year

[@amyallen6580]

The Very Best Skater Ever

[@vallievi]

nothing even close to this... Her grace, skating and coreographies are unique...

[@saboriana]

How I wish I could have seen her live. Art on ice.

[@cecilmary1921]

The last "American Sweetheart". Today's skaters can only think about doing the next triple-triple. They lose so much in their presentation...they need both technical and presentation marks. Miss you Michelle....

[@journalistgirl07]

Simon Reed- what a legend of figure skating commentary :) Together with Chris and Nicky the best FS commentators of the world in the last 15 yrs or more :D

[@mlc2005]

As the British Commentator said: "It just doesn't come any better than that!"

[@AnnieD131281]

Thanks so much for posting this! The quality of the video is superb and I've never heard it with Chris and Simon's commentary - I only have the BBC version. What a wonderful program from Kwan - amazing!

[@nancygreen3705]

Beautiful perfection! 🥰🥰 How can one not love this sport?

[@jrewing2383]

FnA , it does not get any better than this, a truer words could not have been said.

[@txbadgirl1]

I love watching these videos...such grace. What I hate is all the nasty comments some troll was making. Thank goodness it got deleted...

[@oceanle]

I could watch Michelle for ages.....oh wait, I do!

[@wileecoyote671]

This (along with the Salome free program) was the breakout of Michelle as a mature artist on the ice. Ive never seen a skater's complete metamorphosis like this in one year's time. She was 4th the year before in Birmingham after skating flawlessly with 7 triples but dinged on artistry. So, she went home, matured, and decided to become the most beautiful interpretive skater in the field. Her running edge was oh so good in '96 (the edge control and flow in her crossovers, spirals, the 2axel landings really showing it off in both programs). She just oozes finesse and sophistication here. There were so many subtle nuances here (versus later in her career where all the crossovers and jump setups were the same regardless of the music). The British commentary was stellar here as well, recognizing her quality and discipline.

[@mikelara8306]

Just imagine that 1996 should have been a Winter Olympic season and Michele would have been the favorite.

[@TravelingMan63]

My favorite MK SP.

[@uninstant7124]

어린나이부터 천부적재능이 돋보이네요. 힘, 속도감, 흐름이 완전히 장난아니네요. 정말 대단해요...

[@acuison1]

Tara who?

[@snopesshop1903]

Hard to believe she's the same age here as Lipinski was doing her vacuous "Anastasia" sp. just no comparison.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Unbelievable. 👍 Unreal. 👍

[@pamelapfautsch5835]

Yes, I don’t watch figure skating anymore, but do support the sport. It is just hard to watch after growing up watching Janet Lynn, Dorothy Hamill and Michelle Kwan. ❤

[@richardmandler6824]

Whats up with the American judge?

[@TT-ee4qp]

She was 15 here. She changed herself to be an artist on ice here.

[@jjh2456]

I would have preferred the 3flip as the solo jump, but that was flawless.

[@nancybreazile9648]

BEAUTIFUL

[@breanatalley1894]

I like mitchele's iceskateing outfit in this video

[@teresagarcia8279]

the best!

[@rivergirl3444]

So elegant

[@mammac4333]

Oh how I miss her!

[@marieazrak1951]

Michelle I am a huge fan of yours

[@edwardbak4459]

She was so beautiful to watch.

[@judyi8671]

What program was that American judge watching? That was a brilliant skate. Michelles breakout year.

[@mlc2005]

Wow, the American judge was the only judge who placed Kwan 2nd! Even though I felt Kwan was slightly better than Chen, it's nice to see a judge go against the grain and base his mark on his/her true feelings vs. national pride. Let's face it, have we ever seen a Russian or European judge EVER do that, even once?

[@mammac4333]

It was also an American judge(Joe Inman) who denied her the gold in 98.😥

[@metsdudenj]

Well the American judge clearly got it wrong. He gave her a 5.6 for technical which is absurd.

[@susanthacker3286]

What happened to the elegant skating? Michelle is one of the most elegant skaters ever. Now it has turned into how many jumps they can do. What a shame.

[@David7th2nd22nd]

the Kween

[@erivera4928]

this is like level 40 figure skating lol...crazy awesomeness!

[@TheOblivionfan123]

The Italian judge placed Irina Slutskaya 4th in the long program at the 2002 olympics. That's just off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure it happens a lot.

[@sgsmozart]

This is when skating was beautiful....now it has been ruined by the Code of Points scoring system...with ugly spins.. flailing arms and so many jumps...who gives a damn!

[@nancycarpenter4160]

Frankly I am tired of the arms over the head move. It was great for Boitano as he fit it to the choreography. Now the girls jump, throw their arms up with no style, no beauty, just sticking their arms up to get points. It looks ridiculous. I wish they would change the rules that you can get those points only once in a program.

[@acuison1]

People remember Michelle. Tara who? LOL

[@dinh5532]

Or Sarah...lol

[@Spac3bab3]

Lmao true

[@테스트테스트-u4v]

Love her

[@KurtiMaria]

Respect great

[@annecohen8927]

Most figure skaters try to copy other figure skaters. But not Michelle Kwan! She tries to be the original, an individual with a unique program that sets herself completely apart from other figure skaters which should be her signature style and arrangement, not some copy cat or carbon copy of someone else.

[@theprinceoftides6836]

That is why MK will always be remembered, she was unique, special.

[@aliceabasolo4901]

Great skate❣️🥳

[@acuison1]

I think the American judge just didn't want to put her in first so as not to show some form of bias but knew that her program was that good for the others to put her ahead of Chen Lu.

[@chrisjacobsen5558]

Legendary

[@KurtiMaria]

I like it

[@xuezhang9944]

Careful examination would tell the lutz was flawed. At takeoff, her edge changed to inside edge and she used edge instead of toepick for the takeoff.

[@skatefan9495]

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

[@KurtiMaria]

Wooonderful

[@mitchellsouphasith3763]

The artistry has disappeared since kwan left.

[@JoeDiPasquale]

Who was the US judge?

[@enchantedella6495]

Leave it t the US judge to try and screw her over

[@irmelitammilehto3167]

The most softly scating of all history of scating.

[@oceanle]

Who is the American judge? lol

[@attnMoFo]

Boss.

[@bojohns77]

The moment Michelle said I have arrived 3:10 😏

[@Alexchen456]

RIP Frank Carroll , I read that he lost his coach and two daughters in a plane crash. 😢

[@sgsmozart]

I just finished watching the 2021 US National women's short program which was TERRIBLE compared to this artistic masterpiece. When the ISU approved " vocal " music, it was another nail in the coffin for figure skating. Now most skaters choose pathetically vapid songs and any one of them could be interchanged with another skater's choreography...

[@skatefan9495]

It’s the fault of the scoring system. No more spirals, over-emphasis on technical elements, labored footwork sequences and ubiquitous Biellmanns. Artistry not valued, so not pursued.

[@jimmyseraphin7314]

5.7 and 5.9

[@singsongeric]

What was with the American judge??? 5.6!?!?

[@rickowen.k3725]

콴은 확실히 초기 작품들이 더 볼만하다.(로만짜,라흐마니노프,리라 안젤리카) 그런데 후반작품들은 갈수록, 스피드는 느려지고, 안무실종.

[@esteboner]

Soon to be ambassador kwan!!

[@lorigbasmajian3843]

Did kwan's coach get into trouble for something?

[@mlc2005]

Totally!!!

[@JBlue761982]

I certainly will never forget the incredible Tara Lipinski. In particular, I shall always remember how she defeated Michelle Kwan in Nagano with two amazing triple-triple combinations--that's the stuff Olympic champions are made of! Kudos to Tara for winning her well-deserved Olympic gold medal.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Tara was overrated and Michelle was robbed. Tara didn't really make a correct 3+3 ,so she didn't 100% deserve the Olympics gold. Tara had a kid's body and weight so easier to jump, nothing more. Tara retired because she couldn't stop grow up and everything changed.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Michelle's artistry and technique were better than Tara, Tara should go to the kid's Olympics.

[@BmcC102]

The American judge was trying too hard to hide bias.

[@ladysalad9501]

I bet she's only 98 lbs

[@marieazrak1951]

I miss when the Olympics professional Olympics was competition for everybody of every different color race culture gender. Having the Olympics be only for white people is boring