Toller Cranston - 1972 World Figure Skating Championships FS

For so long this performance was one of the lost holy grails and I had almost given up hope of ever finding it. This was the first time Toller was placed first in free skating and it marked the beginning of an artistic revolution in the men's event. Here, Toller dares to raise his arms above shoulder height (hugely frowned upon at the time) on more than one occasion and uses more than just his skates and steps to interpret the music. It paved the way for the acceptance of great artists like John Curry and Robin Cousins later in the decade but it should not be forgotten that Toller was preceded by many skaters who also pushed the artistic boundaries of the sport, among them; John Misha Petkevich, Tim Wood, Gary Visconti, Ken Shelley, Haig Oundjian All these men were incredible skaters who managed to showcase their wonderful musicality despite the restrictions of the time. But that doesn't take away from Toller's impact and the new ground that his skating broke.
A great bit of skating history. Enjoy!

[@janyshendrickson3833]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the one and only Mr. Toller Cranston. Fabulous, intricate, skillful and artistic performance. Bravo 👏👏👏

[@t.4376]

We know about it. greetings from Russia

[@user-fe2cn4wj5k]

His Majesty Toller Cranston !!!

[@user-kj7hc8ub4s]

❤❤❤всегда помню и смотрю.,восхищаюсь его музыкальность,чувством вкуса,одаренность на высочайшем уровне!этоискусство на льду!!!Таких нет.

[@QueenVelveeta]

Wow, that choreography was full of goodies.

[@timothyhh]

In a just world Toller Cranston would be a multiple times world champion.

[@heikebohne8864]

Toller Cranston, I remember in🇩🇪🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

[@Dossen_A]

Great! Toller was the harmony of both side of figure skating, technically and artistically! I think for technical merit was also 5.8-5.9

[@TroysPop]

What a brilliant find! Thank you as always.

[@paulasfigureskating5612]

What a stunning and beautiful performance full of choreography, athleticism, charm, and elegance! :-) Floskate, thank you for sharing!

[@martypellow9908]

Thanks Floskate. Incredible that you have unearthed a piece of history that was otherwise lost to the public. I was impressed he was doing a triple loop in 1972. I only ever saw him land one in 1976 Worlds. That was cleanest I ever saw him skate. Did he ever win the LP again at Worlds?

[@Dossen_A]

Win LP in 1974, 3Loop did in 1975 (Worlds)

[@npe1]

Agree - that was the best I have seen Toller skate. He landed a triple loop in 1976 Olympics as well as 1976 Worlds, in fact in 1976 Worlds he actually landed two triple loops straight after each other.

[@783nata]

Спасибо большое за Память о выдающемся фигуристе!

[@mara8712]

Yes: the one and only. HE. Forever. Really FIGURE SKATING. Thank you floskate!

[@ursulamackinnon119]

Wow forgot how good he was this early on. Haven’t seen this performance since I was a child. It’s all been said before, but he was so special, he really was….and for the time, astounding!

[@user-no6bs9df7f]

сколько лет прошло а он до сих пор не повторим❤❤❤

[@kyrvhy]

Wow. Thank you for sharing this and your commentary. What a thrill it was to witness this performance and follow him as he continued to push the sport forward. Thanks again for sharing this with us.

[@somewhereinmontana3405]

That was beautiful!

[@boiseding8498]

Spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@irinabugaeva1044]

Вкусно!!!!!!!!

[@Marlboroboy123.]

Now if only the NBC Sapporo footage would ever be available!

[@user-vc6fl8mf7u]

Этого канадца помню

[@violettanikiforova118]

One if the names I still remember and now see again why)))

[@user-fe2cn4wj5k]

Божественный канадец с горячей и нежной русской душой! Замрите люди Танцует ТОЛЛЕР КРЭНСТОН!!

[@user-vn7xo7pg6n]

Лучший на льду навеки

[@user-kj7hc8ub4s]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-fe2cn4wj5k]

Божественный канадец с горячей и нежной русской душой!! Замрите люди ,, Танцует ТОЛЛЕР КРЭНСТОН

[@warisarot]

Amazing. Was this a 5 minute program?

[@appletongallery]

Am I the only person in comments that has never heard of this guy until now?

[@user-jg9uw9hy7o]

+++++++++++++!!!

[@sheilahard5886]

They just don't make him like this anymore exclamation mark

[@marinanikulina831]

.

[@Jeannette-op5qe]

I never liked that music genre ,it makes me feel uncomfortable.