Robin Cousins - 1978 European Figure Skating Championships Exhibition Le Corsaire

I uploaded the other performance of this program many years ago which Robin performed in the championship gala. This version - which is even better if that is even possible - was skated in the mini exhibition after the end of the ice dance event before the podium.
There really aren't enough superlatives for this sort of virtuosity. If CoP was judging this there would be +GoE all over it. And please can we start seeing flying camels like Robin did them?

[@johnatyoutube]

The most beautiful skater ever - period. No other skater has ever approached his lines and edges and spins and distance in his jumps. And his camel spins are absolutely sublime - in both directions! He didn't just skate, he embraced the ice as a medium and made it his palette.

[@johnatyoutube]

@Janet Smith John Curry was beautiful - almost ballet on ice, but he didn't have the technical skills or strength that Cousins had. They were both incredible gifts to the skating world and both advanced artistry within the sport.

[@martypellow9908]

The double axel here was more thrilling than most triple axels we see today. And the spins such simple things of beauty. And in both Directions

[@fizzao1342]

Is it because I am older now that prefer this style of skating to the endless quads and frantic jumps of the present moment? This is elegant and beautiful which precious little is of recent skating.

[@sschimel]

Reminds me a lot, in the best possible way, of John Curry. And really emphasizes what skating has lost in the quest for quads.

[@nancy-loupolk9301]

Brilliant skater. Those long legs of his make the rink seem tiny. Covers so much ice. Spins and jumps in both directions. Amazing.

[@MrHronop]

That 2A right on the beat is soooo good! Musicality is all over the place here: all the little moves, jumps, some spins, too, are skated to the music, not through. Great to see this kind of approach in the 70s.

[@npe1]

I would say that throughout the long history of our sport nobody has ever had the effortless flow over the ice better than Robin Cousins. Yes subsequently others have done more difficult jumps but nobody ever made jumps, spins, steps and general skating look as easy as Robin Cousins. John Curry once stated in a British T.V programme: "The essence of skating is glide" and whilst John had a beautiful glide over the ice even he couldn't match Robin's seamless, almost liquid, flow over the ice.

[@AT-jm4dl]

The last sequence of spins in succession was just brilliant.

[@carmacn2129]

Amazing. So effortless. And the height of his double axel is amazing.

[@davidneely5750]

Absolute perfection!!!

[@user-ow3fo5rw1g]

In any gesture a great artist! So elegant! He is unforgetable! The best! From Saint- Petersburg with a hot love!❤❤❤🎉❤❤❤

[@voices_vary]

He remains my favorite male skater. It was such a pleasure to watch him skate and when he jumped, you could see his skill throughout the jump. So much better than any skater today.

[@bltnomayo]

Thanks for uploading this to share with us all. We all have our own favourite of the skating legends and Robin Cousins was mine. Talented and creative, he was the master of this beautiful art form with his graceful lines and exquisite spins.

[@ddjr6673]

Absolutely superb... I echo what everyone says here. Two things I will add: the hold on the spread eagle is magical, as is holding the pose at the finish of the program. I often think today's skaters should hold the final pose for approx two-three bars of the music - rather than break pose almost the split second they finish. Maybe I am getting old?! In any event, thank you so much floskate for your channel. It means a lot to me (and I think many of us who love figure skating) that you spend time finding these gems, and uploading them. Thank you so much.

[@bevinboulder5039]

They can hold any one position now because they have to keep changing positions to get more points. Points, points, points! it's insane.

[@rebahensley5323]

I remember watching Robin then. An artist on ice!

[@grantnoroyan4083]

great skating thanks for sharing one of my favorite skaters :)

[@PaoloPalarini]

I never found such a true, pure athletic man. Ice looks like his true natural environment. Only few sport men, in artistic sports, send so many emoticons. Only for the hipochrisy of the separation from amateur and prof sport can't get tò him another Olympic title, at least.

[@3l3llala13]

It's amazing that GB produced back-to-back two of the greatest figure skaters ever: John Curry and Robin Cousins. My preference is for Cousins, but both were wonderful gifts to the skating world. I wonder why there hasn't been another good male skater to come of Great Britain since Cousins ?

[@Jude74]

Such a wonderful skater.

[@1ACL]

Wowzer! Perfectimo!

[@2011ruzanna]

Forever the best.

[@Yesenia694]

Felicidades bella presentación ❤

[@Yesenia694]

Maravillosa ejecución ❤

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Being a former dancer, I am always more interested in line than I am in jumps. I very much enjoyed the simple jumps. He’s a lovely skater.

[@2011ruzanna]

Finally I can see Robin Cousins , thank you for video. I was looking for him for many years in the net.

[@Yesenia694]

Líneas perfectas. Muchas fuerza en todas las ejecuciones.

[@npe1]

Another British male skater that could spin both ways - Robin and John Curry. Looking at the slow-motion of that double axel, the height, the length, the power, the speed; is it any wonder Robin's knees were in his own words: "Shot to shit" years later?

[@Positivekitten]

And could spin on the head of a pin!

[@user-cd8bm7bn7e]

Какой красивый номер👏👏👏

[@KellyeR1970]

So tall I think he was about 6ft I love the look of his long legs...but I'm biased to tall skaters being I'm 5'10" don't see many tall pro skaters .

[@edwardarckless3112]

Think that he is John Curry John was the best and we will never have one like him again. Edward Arckless

[@PaoloPalarini]

Well...l daren't doubt so...but Robin was more complete, moderno. John could be like Brunn, Nureyev, Barishnikov, but Robin could be also Bejart, Ezralow, Parsons and so on.. such like variety and musical dancer

[@PaoloPalarini]

Michael Jackson on thè top