Tonya Harding (USA) - 1991 Skate America, Figure Skating, Ladies' Free Skate

Oakland, California,USA - 1991 Skate America, Ladies' Free Skate - Tonya Harding of the United States landed her triple Axel here, and her solid skating moved her up from 2nd to 1st Place overall. Tonya would earn two 6.0s for Technical Merit.

[@Introvertsoul29]

The last scene from 'I, tonya' where she pleads to the judge to not ban her, saying that she has no education, she is nothing without skating. She had rather go to jail. It always gets me. It hurts so much.

[@astoerbrauck]

And hands down, it wasn't fair either, her punishment was way too hard.

[@kevinstonerock3158]

She so loves to skate and the joy comes from doing it well. That’s why her emotions were so infectious. Doing it well is also under the circumstances. Though laces break she was still happy with the outcome. The only time she was wanting to do more was when people thought she cheated. That was when she wanted to prove she deserved to be there. How can so many misinterpret youthful enthusiasm?

[@atherinenazarova8044]

Yeah, I watched it yesterday... It's extremely depressing

[@barbaras3206]

@@astoerbrauck The president of the USA pardons criminals. Tonya did NOT touch anyone in harms way. The USFSA has been bought and sold and cannot be trusted.

[@astoerbrauck]

@@barbaras3206 Exactly, it is not even certain that she knew about the attack.

[@arabellaaaa151]

I’m genuinely crying. This was HER moment and no one will take this away from her.

[@valmacclinchy]

Absolutely phenomenal 💖

[@vortice6433]

I cry everytime I see her skating. She's simply amazing :')

[@DelaniaAndTheDogs]

I love how all these years later people give Tonya love and admiration. So sorry things went so wrong for her.

[@EmilyElizabethxox]

She is just incredible. Her story resonates with me a lot. I wish her the best, always

[@lexiekrewitt1735]

It’s so heartbreaking, even here in one of her best performances, where she won, she had issues with her equipment & made a mistake due to that. It’s easy to blame her for her bad luck, but in fact she would have won a medal in Albertville, probably gold, if her skates weren’t prepared incorrectly.... She’s so stunning, I love her so much!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@leannehovell8699]

Wow she was such a great skater!! Love Tonya Harding & her beautiful costumes. I really don't know why commentators always put her costumes down. Love the movie 'I Tonya' Gold was well deserved 👍💜

[@jja8750]

My favorite performance of hers, followed by 1991 Worlds LP and then 1991 Nat LP. So powerful, so ON THE MONEY. And I just love her reactions to her scores. So sweet. Well deserved.

[@jeffreyknight3884]

Tonya, you'll always be our champion... We love you.

[@audio91000]

I'll always love Tonya. I don't care what anybody says.

[@Wesley4821]

Tonya was great! What jumps are powerful! The ride is so clean, inspired, with passion! I enjoyed it immensely! Bravo!

[@farahmoidin7801]

Dude the fact that she skated like that yet part of her skate broke on the ice is crazy !! She was truly remarkable ! 06:21

[@fandomsforever5766]

She's such a strong skater, everything from her jumps to spins are amazingly executed. The fact that she was a 'fully mature woman' when she was performing like this is truly inspiring. Girls today are doing quads, but their form and execution are nothing like her's.

[@musicalperson17]

Despite the 2 downgraded jumps, this might be her very best skate ever. What incredible power and excitement here!

[@twiligh4trinitya]

She is so fascinating to watch. Love her programs and her strength and speed!

[@darrylelkins681]

OMG.....you never get tired of watching this

[@Tom-sv2bw]

Interesting to hear that she busted an eyelet on her boot in the middle of her program on the triple flip jump. Yet, she was able to land a triple-double combination toward the end of the program, in spite of the busted eyelet. I was at this performative and she was in a zone, so focused. Even though this was not the World Championships, this long program should go down as one of the great performances of all times. Harding, along with Midori Ito of Japan, were two of the greatest jumpers of that era. Nobody came close to them!

[@PV1230]

she was very hard on the equipment.

[@preciousjey]

Finally watched I, Tonya last weekend loved it.

[@jeffreyknight3884]

Tonya harding looked excellent. I just love to see her so happy. Thank you Germany and China for giving her 6.0. No thanks to our USA judges. Tanya will always be a world champion.

[@matthew-nt3gz]

Tripple axel that one of ot hardest to accomplish in this sport. She makes it look so easy. Perfect 10

[@vintagebleachedblonde4322]

This brings me back to my childhood I always circle back to Tonya Harding to bring all the memory flood back to me

[@snpr7749]

She was an amazing. She was nothing like most of the rich skaters. Powerful natural talent with love of the sport. She broke the glass ceiling. Amazing. She was punished for not being from the right family.

[@xXxXxCGPBxXxXx]

2021 and it still gives me shivers.... what a skate!!!! 💞

[@valmacclinchy]

Dec 2022 - still such a phenomenal performance!! Tonya is iconic!!

[@user-ch8bm6tw1t]

@@valmacclinchy, что уж там классного? Одна из худших американских фигуристок!

[@valmacclinchy]

@@user-ch8bm6tw1t wish your comment was translated to English so I know what you said..

[@wendystanton1856]

Loved watching her skate! Did anyone else notice,... in the video of them getting her artistic impression marks, Tonya said her left skate broke during the triple flip? That girl did all that hard core difficult skating, wonderfully with a broken skate!!?? No one would have known from her calm composure. Right when she stopped at the end she looked down at that skate and got a worried look.

[@melanienichols842]

This was 30 years ago, and I still cried happy tears for her at her scores!

[@hollycitasaysno]

I feel about Tonya and her triple axel like my Star wars fan son feels about the Kessel Run. Fucking LEGENDARY It's 2021 Worlds and I am watching Tonya skate 30 years ago to see some magic. Love Tonya forever

[@VioletJoy]

This was posted 11 years ago when KZbin was just being born! It's obvious when Tanya finishes a program and when she sees her scores that she is very hard on herself. It's nice to see her happy with her performance and marks, but sad that she's so hard on herself. This was an outstanding performance!!

[@kimberleyheadland4639]

Tanya one of the best skaters ever great to watch after all she is queen of the jumps ⛸⛸⛸⛸⛸⛸................Kimberley 🇬🇧

[@garrengroom3831]

Tanya had that one thing that put her above all others...raw talent to pro ice skate. ⛸🏋️‍♀️

[@videopokergal4194]

A fabulous performance almost 30 years ago, wow!

[@joanipicard408]

I was a Tanya Harding fan because she came from nothing unlike the other skaters who came from money.

[@CanadianMonarchist]

Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan also came from modest family backgrounds.

[@kantwinnada]

She was such a wonderful skater.

[@laurenstewart1795]

Amazing - usually when you look at skaters from 30 years ago, or any other art/sport for that matter, you can see how the sport and the athletes have progressed in that time. Tonya could easily stand up to today's skaters no probs.

[@user-ch8bm6tw1t]

Не смешите! Тяжела, не изящна, грубое не интересное катание! Самая не интересная фигуристка Америки! До японок, кореянок и тем более россиянок как до Луны!!!

[@boyasia5874]

The attack, the power, the aggressiveness, the strength..all she possesses!

[@paulaneary7877]

Very beautiful program skated very BEAUTIFULLY! So much talent!

[@aylaedip8141]

Tonya kicked serious ass on the ice. Regardless of what happened Tonya is the one with the lasting legacy.... am so happy she didant go and hide under a rock for the rest of her life. She looks beautiful today ❤

[@kyleiwalker3603]

i'm so glad to be on this side of tonya's history after watching i,tonya. she should be remembered for her talent not some murky incident

[@spunkysparks1779]

I love Tonya. Unfortunately she was a product of her circumstances. She didn't have a stable home life, she was a bit a rebel and she accomplished a lot. Even though she's been banned from skating, she still has her title as the first woman to land the triple axle in competition and no one can take that awY.

[@user-ke5ok4ok4z]

Correction. The first American to land a triple in competition.

[@flightoflightning2505]

first American woman to land a 3A in competition. Fun fact - Tiffany Chin was the first American woman to EVER land a triple axel, but never did it in competition because she injured her leg so bad she had to relearn how to walk.

[@Rose0004]

Omitting her scandals and looking at her objectively, Tonya was incomparably strong. Her jumps were so high and her legs were so powerful!

[@lexiekrewitt1735]

Every time I watch it, I love it more!!!! 😍😍😍😍

[@caroleduran5709]

That was really nice to see. Absolutely fabulous! I hope this makes her happy to see.

[@viewerabundzu6887]

this a very good visual account of Tonya at her best, inspite of all the shit that followed this is Tonya, brilliant and totally honest,truly, please don’t forget

[@Myfellonmebadgirls]

Thank you so much for giving her back her respect that she is made of. I’m dying shes so cool. Abused, poor, hated, and still I bet she’s so intelligent, quiet, sweet. We did her wrong. I did get wrong. And who the heck concentrates or focuses when on. No I’m on and that’s what I do. Thank you again for posting her. I do wish someone did her make up abd better costume and music. Cheers !

[@PrimeDirective101]

She never admitted to her crime; that is not admirable

[@Myfellonmebadgirls]

@@PrimeDirective101 I love the feeling of admitting to bill crap just to shut down the drag. I admit to everything and basically so did she. Losing sucks when there is nothing gained from the fight. If I mark a really good player we lose, ha ha just blame the forwards for not scoring. Just kidding. I wonder if I was a forward could I score. No way! But it sucks when the defense takes the heat for it all. And the blow by getting scored on is so hard to come back from.

[@dianakarstein7464]

Toda mi vida he querido patinar y hace poco me animé, estoy intentando com quads y ver estos vídeos de Harding me hacen mucho bien. Gracias por subirlos.

[@oceanle]

The speed into her jumps are sensational!

[@Donamtrx]

There’s no telling where that incredible talent would’ve taken her. She was well on her way to the top but she’s her own worst enemy & she squandered it all when she let her insecurities get the best of her. She didn’t know how great she was. She didn’t need to do that..she could’ve won it all fair & square. Makes me wanna shake some sense into her head. DAMNIT GIRL!!

[@marykelly1723]

I am so ashamed that I judged this beautiful talented woman back in the day. I'm so grateful for her story coming out. She a phenomenal skater.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

Perhaps not the most elegant skater of her day but most definitely a great, great athlete with very solid technique. Just imagine what Tonya could have accomplished if she'd have had the advantages of Sandra Bezic or Lori Nichols choreography, Hugo Choinard edited music and packaged in a Jeff Billings costume? She had all the physical ability and the critical competitive mindset, but lacked the positive outside influences.

[@brennenrivera4288]

Never realized how great her Lutz technique was! Her edge was GREAT on her triple Lutz after the axel! Non of her jumps underrotated...just an amazing jumper!

[@victoriapresser3569]

Such beautiful arm work in this routine too Tonya, yes, you made your mistakes, but the punishment was more than cruel. Your fans have not forgotten you xx

[@victoriapresser3569]

It was cruel, considering rhat she got the real life sentence.

[@wendystanton1856]

Love her. Beautiful skater!

[@kimkuczynski6443]

LOVE me some Tonya!

[@rileyduncan1535]

I wish she could’ve skated like this at both Olympics she should’ve had two golds under her belt

[@stacyadams3805]

I always loved Tonya she I don't believe was treated like she should have been she's a LEGEND

[@ashleewhittlesey7874]

This was tonyas best performance ever imo. Just beautiful ❤

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

I wonder what Kristi Yamaguchi was thinking when she was watching this backstage (and what competitors think in general when they are watching their competition skate)... Are they thinking something like “Mess up! Please mess up!“ Or are they generally inspired by their competition when they see them performing so brilliantly?

[@rocksane]

We remember Nancy only coz of that scandal and we remember Tonya coz she was one of the greatest female figure skaters of her time. And that being said she literally came out of nowhere and had nobody on her side. Funny thing, huh?

[@ann_kallista]

Замечательнейшее выступление Тони!!! Она на льду восхитительна!!!))))

[@carolinegoss856]

With so much negative press I forgot how good she really was!

[@angelablandino2213]

Bellissima bravissima bellissima

[@davidlima7781]

Is wonderful 👏🤩💕 Number onde!!!

[@davidlima7781]

Correction: number one!!! 😉🥰🙏🏾

[@mirjanavuletic4762]

Stunning , dance, moves, style,expression and gorgeous young women in beautiful dress👌👌👌👌

[@assilemisawesome]

Makes me cry at all that she lost bc she was truly the best of the time!

[@oksanatsygulea5275]

Как она с таким весом, ещё и прыгала. Катала чисто и без ошибок. Но чего - то не хватает...

[@iraFinharet64]

Внутреннего наполнения,души.

[@user-np7er6xe4g]

Талантливая девочка. Несмотря ни на что, она оставила свой след в спорте.

[@user-fo8bx1vd2i]

@@user-mg6ql5oo5l да, сейчас фигуристки совсем другие , таких уже не увидешь

[@user-sz2ky2pl8e]

@@user-fo8bx1vd2i да уж ну его такое перезрелокоровье

[@lanainina4375]

@@user-mg6ql5oo5l гимнастка у них тоже такая есть...видимо анаболики

[@user-tv5pl1sf6l]

Обаятельная

[@bettybane9915]

This breaks my heart. She was so good. This is Tonya in her prime.

[@amypardue4986]

SHE WAS AMAZZING INDEED .👍⛸💗

[@LennonTheBunny]

This was Tonya at her finest. She skated to non-traditional music, she wore non-traditional costumes. She might not have been the most graceful, but she was athletic, strong and out-skated everyone else.

[@lsrasr158]

Lennon The Bunny - Tonya was a strong, power skater. At the 1992 Albertville olympics, Scott Hamilton stated she was the 2nd best female technical skater in the world behind Midori. It is too bad she lost her focus after 1991, started smoking again, stopped training and fired her coach. Tonya never landed a triple axel in competition after 1991.

[@chachaforsyth]

Agree

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

Lennon The Bunny she could do things the other skaters only dreamed of doing

[@lsrasr158]

@@ewanoxborrow1024 other than Midori who was the best technical skater in the world at that time, and probably still.

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

lsr asr yeah exactly, astounding what these women could do x still blows my mind even today

[@Sunscorched]

Watching this hurts my heart. Harding was phenomenal. Just wish she had better people around her.

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

Well she didn't SOMETIMES ITS THE ONES THAT BRING US DOWN THAT BRING US UP... look at her accomplishments. She rose like a PHOENIX ! She was fast. Jumped high and had precision like NO OTHER SKATER. THE BEST AND I WATCHED THEM ALL!!!!

[@kfed2580]

She wasn’t a great person herself.

[@jakob1095]

@@kfed2580 oh so u knew her that time?

[@capricornonthetube71923]

No I think that she rather been unlucky to met that kind of man.. But she was in love and even her family situation was not the best... I saw the movie and if its all true that's sad....

[@IndigoBellyDance]

She had sooooooo much talent and strength. It’s exciting to watch her. She did lack in a few areas..... But More than made up in her jumps/strength. The world was robbed of what Harding could have become as a performer (Olympic medal or not) she could have gone on if allowed.

[@angelicam7179]

Her jumps are actually insane. They look huge on video, in person probably e even bigger. Her spins are really really good as well. Too bad she was remembered for all the wrong reasons

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

that's what i'm saying. she's fkn good. i LOVE the height she's able to get for her jumps. soooo much power but she's able to control it.

[@lakellitalakellita9506]

I make sure to remember her for the right reasons.

[@misscubic]

what reasons

[@ShadowSorcerer]

misscubic this In January 1994, Harding became embroiled in controversy when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, orchestrated an attack on fellow US Olympian Nancy Kerrigan. After the 1994 Lillehammer Games had ended, Harding ultimately pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution and was banned for life on June 30, 1994 from the U.S. Figure Skating Association. The criminal investigation and Harding's banning from the sport were the subject of intense media scrutiny, and it has been referred to as one of the biggest scandals in American sports history.

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

I remember her for good reasons. I love her so much. Great person. She has heart of gold.

[@MsJubjubbird]

The difference between her and Kerrigan is she skated with fire and passion. It's just a shame she couldn't get it together off the ice and in her head

[@jewelseasterman8328]

Who could have got it together with the media blasting lies? No one.

[@christinasc7684]

Never mind triple axel, her death drop is HUGE. All her jumps have NATURAL rotation, not forced at all. Everything just floats or flies like a bird...... this is the proper way to skate... to use the edge to get the power... not simply gymnastics. Thanks SO MUCH for posting this video; I keep watching and rewatching this video for her technique in jumps, edges and spins. Its really really amazing to see with a fully developed female body - not a stick figure so commonly seen in today's figure skating

[@yoyokum1483]

christinasc #TeamTonya all the way!!!

[@cookycandy4]

I audibly gasped at her death drop. Why wear skates when she already flies over ice?

[@amiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

kat heck hi when was the drop?

[@cookycandy4]

If I’m not mistaken, 3:46!

[@jukodebu]

whats a death drop

[@michaelbuckley]

Time to be honest with her place in history. If she had skated like this in 1992 or 1994 Olympics, she would have won. Amazing skater.

[@jondavwal13]

Actually if everybody skated their best in 1992 Midori would have won easily. Tonya was great but Midori was not just a little better. 1994 for sure. The only thing I don't understand is the huge deal about her being an outsider and it being some kind of class struggle. By the time Kerrigan was whacked, Harding had won a National Championship and beat Kerrigan every time they competed and they both skated well. Harding starting smoking again and she stopped training hard. None of it makes any sense except that she was self destructive.

[@721rena]

Michael Buckley Michael!! You're still around!! Good to see you!!!

[@user-wn5ld9ny1i]

@Michael Buckley well and that teensy problem of trying to take out the competition. Which is insane.She had the talent to win on her own.

[@robjuddas3650]

You could do that what ifs for a lot of skaters. Kwan would have won the 98 and 2002 Olympics if she duplicated her Nationals performances there. Slutskaya would have won the 2002 and 2006 Olympics doing most of her long program performances those seasons, and would have won the 2000 and 2001 Worlds instead of Kwan if she did her performances from GPF (2000) or Nationals (2001). Browning would have won the 92 and 94 Olympics if he skated as well as he did at worlds the previous years. Urmanov would have won the 97 worlds and maybe defended his Olympic gold in 98 without his groin injury. Bonaly would have medaled at the 92 and 94 Olympics doing her skates from Europeans, and Kerrigan could have won the 92 Olympics with her skates from the 94 Olympics, and should have won in 94 too. And onwards we go. All that matters is what actually happens.

[@robjuddas3650]

Harding had declined massively by 94. She had not done a triple axel in years and she rarely did more than 3 triples in a program. She was never a top artistic skater, and her reputation had plunged. By that point it made sense she felt she needed a little boost. Part of that is her own fault for letting herself go and decline. As for 92, yes if everyone did their best Ito would likely have won, but the reality is Ito and Yamaguchi were both not at their best at these Games. Kristi did pretty well but worse than she did at Nationals or worlds. Harding at her best as above would have won easily given the other skaters, which is all that matters. A huge opportunity missed. 94 was much less of one despite the competition being weaker since she simply wasnt the same skater anymore. Her best by then was 4 or 5 triples, no triple axel, and mediocre artistry.

[@broadwaymelody33]

This makes me really sad. None of that shit with Kerrigan needed to happen because Tonya was just so good. She lost focus completely.

[@johndoe4783]

broadwaymelody33 It didn't matter that she was good. The judges still screwed her over for not being "graceful."

[@dianarussell2731]

Nancy was heavy competition. She was threatening to Tonya

[@johndoe4783]

Diana Russell Nancy Kerrigan was not competition. The judges were just biased against Tonya Harding because they thought she was white trash.

[@NoelCSpaso]

Exactly right. Nancy may have been a "beautiful" skater, but she lacked any real power behind her jumps and was pretty boring to watch as far as I was concerned back then. The simple fact that Tonya did have the same type of familial support that other skaters had behind her breaks my heart. Do I believe she had anything to do with the hit on Nancy? No, I have seen the films of that crazy "bodyguard" and the guy was a complete and total joke and believed he was so much more important than he was.

[@damontitus]

broadwaymelody33 she didn’t do shit. It was her body guard and piece of shit ex husband.

[@insight176]

Now THIS is figure skating at its best. Just gotta love her power and speed. What an athlete! Definitely one of the best ever.

[@christaray2966]

Yes, what a waste, too bad she smoked, ate fast food, got lazy, conspired to take out her competition, and just basically let herself go!

[@balagtas1020]

Mezza176 she makes it looks so easy

[@gisazurnieden9058]

@@christaray2966 If she was self-destructive and self-sabotaging at times, the Trauma she suffered through the abuse by her mother and later Jeff Gillooly is probably the reason for that. Trauma sometimes makes you act irrational and self-destructive (e.g. some People cut themselves (like I did for a Long time), some People, like Tonya, smoke in spite of Asthma). Also her rebelliousness (e.g. with her Coaches) has its reasons. When she was a Teenager, (According to her former choreographer, you can hear it in the "Truth and Lies" documentary here on KZbin) they tried to strip her of everything that made her Tonya (Looks, behaviour etc.) except for her Talent. No wonder she was rebellious. This is not About excuses for everything that went wrong in her life, but About explanations. And she wasn't the mastermind behind the attack. I believe her recent Admission that she overheard some vague Statements not definitely enough to go to the Police with (or to the USFSA People who didn't like her anyway) and afterwards she must have been afraid of Gillooly. (sorry for possible mistakes, English isn't my native language).

[@desiqueer]

Look at the expression on the German judge's face: it's pure joy. That's how I felt watching this breathtaking performance.

[@JasonSmith-my7ug]

The looks on the Chinese and German judges' faces make me cry EVERY TIME! THEY saw what WE saw! It was PERFECT!!! That smile on the German judge just gets me :D

[@victoriagill3337]

Fantastic performance but don’t understand how she can get a sixes for technical when she popped a planned 2A into a single

[@tuxtommy69]

@@victoriagill3337 In the "Technical Merit" score you get evaluated for what you DID, not for what you DIDN'T do. Also, if a judge determines that you outskated a previous competitor who that judge had awarded a 5.9, (s)he has no alternative than to award you 6.0 ... That is why you often see outstanding "perfect" programs earlier in the competition marked a little lower than you would expect to "leave room" to mark potential superior programs higher.

[@grantdavis1912]

Probably THE most well executed jump in the history of figure skating. Incredible height and accuracy and perfectly timed to the music. She sails through the air effortlessly-her finest performance.

[@lsrasr158]

Grant David, probably Tonya's best performance. But not the most well executed jump in the history of figure skating. Take a look at Midori Ito's 1990 triple axel at the Worlds in Halifx or the one she did the 1989 NHK in Japan. However, when you take in the venue and timing in the program being skated, the triple axel Midori landed in the 1992 Olympic Games at Albertville at 3 minutes and 10 seconds into her long program is probably the greatest most well executed jump in figure skating history. The Olympic Channel has honored that jump as one of its impossible moments in the Olympic Games.

[@thesupremediva]

She's such a powerhouse. No American woman since has this much height, speed, and power in their jumps. Hers is still the most explosive, impressive 3A ever done in the ladies discipline. American women today wish they had her jumping ability.

[@lsrasr158]

Meghan Elizabeth there is a video you can watch on you tube called "ladies triple axels". it features the 7 women (now 8) who have landed a triple axel in international competition. the author in the 2nd half of the video rates the women in order of best triple axel. watch it. then give me your opinion on the most impressive triple axel in the ladies discipline.

[@blueboobutt8532]

A Shame she didn't realize how good she really was. She didn't need to take out the Competition. That idiot she was married to was her biggest downfall.

[@mesmer3780]

I don't think she tried to take out Kerrigan. I think the truth is somewhere in between. I think she very strongly suspected what her ex was planning, but 1) didn't actually think he'd go through with it, and 2) didn't say anything because she didn't think it could come back on her. She wasn't going to actively try to "take out the competition", but she wasn't going to try and prevent injury coming to her- to the point, perhaps, of "depraved indifference."

[@AJ-cq5pw]

Mesmer ASMR I agree. And seeing how determined she was and how confident it just doesn't make sense to me why she would feel intimidated by Nancy or anyone. She KNEW she was a great slater and you could tell by how her face lit up on the ice.

[@CloudLightify]

I think you got this right. And that she never did apologise was likely because she did not see herself personally responsible - she was not the one who physically attacked Nancy. All the more she would not apologise if she did not participate in the planning.

[@calamityjane6437]

She apologized twice. Once in the Portland media which was nationally broadcast, and the other on a nationally broadcast show where she apologized to Nancy. Both of which can be seen here on YT.

[@mazatano]

Dartist Girl...Yeah, if Tonya had never met that greedy douchebag ex-husband none of that stuff with Kerrigan would have ever happened. Prior to him there was no criminal behavior from Tonya. After him...no criminal behavior from her even to this day. IMHO, Tonya's story is a very good example of how getting involved with the wrong people can seriously mess up your life.

[@bunelladunella]

So much raw talent, strength, and grit. No one can take that away from you, Tonya.

[@karenrodrigues101]

Say what you want, but she is just so much more fun to watch than Nancy, you are literally drawn in when Tonya skates.

[@auntiechercher4266]

Agreed . . . when Tonya was on - like she was here - she was so great to watch. Jumps are really beautiful.

[@vandapietrantonio9956]

Nancy was very boring to watch.

[@gisazurnieden9058]

Yes, Tonya was (and is) never boring... and she was so much more than her (great) jumps...

[@23Josilee]

Nancy was pathetic. In retrospeck, wonder if that problem might have been something other than what was shown to the public.

[@ravenel2]

Why do people tear down Nancy when they watch Tonya? Why can’t they appreciate both? Disparaging Nancy for looking like an ice princess is just as sexist and misogynistic as disparaging Tonya for looking like a small powerhouse. People have to rip apart Nancy in order to appreciate Tonya.

[@kholawaddy-jones3242]

I always thought TH was ahead of her time. She was a power skater, a great one, but back then it was all about grace & artistry, moreso than power. Now? If you can't nail multiple difficult jumps, forget it.

[@vandapietrantonio9956]

I agree. Tonya had her own artistry but she was a power skater and could out skate the men. Back then it was more an image of what a figure skater should look like.

[@chesterhardy3153]

And that's how Tonya influenced the sport, forever left her mark on it

[@lsrasr158]

actually it was Midori Ito who was ahead of her time and influenced the sport. Tonya was competing in the 1990 NHK in Japan and was astounded watching Midori do a double and then a triple axel in the warm up. Midori won the event. Tonya went back to the US to learn the triple axel jump which she first successfully completed at the 1991 US Nationals.

[@Cmc995]

It’s true, but once the early 90’s hit, it did become more about triple jumps, skaters that were scored higher than Tonya(who totally outskated them) in the 80’s(Jill Trenary, Tiffany Chin, Katarina Witt etc) some of them couldn’t keep up and retired

[@mideygar3766]

They are giving Alexandra trusova the Tonya treatment. These skaters are ahead of their time, just as tonya was

[@SamKintz]

The US gave her 5.8 while other countries were 5.9 & 6.0? Shows the snobbery that plagued Tonya from the start. Those US judges hated her and never gave her the marks she deserved. Criminal, when she was one of the best skaters the US ever had.

[@danacorbett-riffle5246]

I would like to apologize to Tonya for my statements of negativity. I have explored your journey and I admit you are the most incredible woman skater in this sport. God bless

[@7curucusis]

The only person who could defeat Tonya, was Tonya herself and she did...

[@searanch32]

7curucusis Yep. It's a shame the United States figure skating association didn't get behind her like they should have after seeing her insane talent and potential. Imagine what she could have been with more structured and supported (emotionally and financially) training. Of course, Tonya had a little bit of that with her coaches, but obviously pushed them away at times. Maybe things would have been different with a better upbringing and non-abusive mother. She could have been the Simone Biles of the skating world: Untouchable when she hits. Argh. I get so frustrated at knowing what talent she had that never fully developed.

[@7curucusis]

tide32athlete In Russia they do support athletes better financially, at least coaching and training is almost free when they are young, this during communism, I don't know how it is now. On the other hand Tonya didn't need to send the bad guys to win, she was already a winner, oh well, the FSA learned a lot from this.

[@AnkitaSingh-qh3yr]

wow what a comment!!! sums it all

[@Uhohlisa]

Yeah it's not their fault she was abused by her mother and husband!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@WhathappensinMaine]

She was her own worst enemy - if I had that kind of ability and talent, I'd have ignored everyone and everything else. Eventually, the naysayers would have conceded. I don't think she ever got the chance to show anywhere near her full potential. Like her or not, she owned the ice when she was focused.

[@surge2k7]

I'm sorry but when Tonya was on, no one could compare!

[@vanyastaleva415]

+surge2k7 so true!

[@jorgebonilla2234]

Two bad she was only “on” twice in her lifetime.

[@3Axel1996]

At least 3 times. She skated really well at the 1989 US Nationals but got edged out for the Silver and for the 2nd spot on the World Team to Kristi Yamaguchi.

[@byronlin9982]

surge2k7 im sorry but she did not have nice jumps or choreography. her thighs were too big, not aesthetic at all.

[@RachelDavisMatthews]

Agreed, too bad the 91 nationals or this program wasnt at the Olympics in 92 or 94

[@alanpeterson6224]

Wonderful to watch. Back in the days when everybody liked her.

[@JavierFontana]

Tonya Harding was a long way ahead of any other female skater of her generation. That triple Axel is INSANE! the speed on her spins!. She was the Queen of the Lutz jump. Someone who was not afraid to jump going thru with an extraordinary speed and power. So confident and at the same time so vulnerable.

[@lsrasr158]

Actually JavierFontana it was Midori Ito who was way ahead of any female skater of her generation. Tonya was just trying to catch up. Midori was the 1st to land a triple axel in competition, at the Worlds and at the Olympic Games. Tonya developed triple axel jump after she competed against Midori in the 1990 NHK in Japan. She came 2nd Midori, could not believe the triple axel Midori did and came back to America to learn and add the triple axel to her routine. Tonya became the 1st American lady to land the triple axel at the 1991 Nationals which she won.

[@valmacclinchy]

@@lsrasr158 Tonya Harding was the first woman ever to land a triple axel in combination. People sometimes forget that important fact.

[@lsrasr158]

@@valmacclinchy that's true. Tonya did it in 91 in combination with a double toe loop. Was matched by Midori. There is a video of Midori practicing at the lalique tourney where she does a triple axel triple toe loop combination. I don't believe Tonya ever did that combination even in practice.

[@valmacclinchy]

@@lsrasr158 I don't know for certain if Tonya did a triple triple, but it's likely. Her 3As in practice are the best I've seen a woman do..

[@lsrasr158]

@@valmacclinchy there are no videos or mention that I have seen of tonya doing a 3A-3T combination. Tonya's 3A in practice was better than in competition. At the Albertville olympics, Scott Hamilton rated Tonya the 2nd best technical skater in the world behind Midori. Watch the 1990 worlds free skate of Midori's. The 3A she did was rated the best in the competition including the men.

[@jpizzle990]

Triple Threat Tonya!! Man she was amazing.

[@countrydream]

This is my all-time favorite performance of any skater. Perfection!

[@zona999]

Wasn't perfection. She missed a jump at the end.

[@valmacclinchy]

@@zona999 she didn't need that end jump. No one else could come close to Tonya at that time.

[@AllenMQuinn]

It's jaw dropping to see her in this and then watch her at the Olympics in 1994. It's like an entirely different skater.

[@JonathanBickford]

Right!? Looking at her here you could think she could have easily won the gold at the Olympics.

[@jgilc2691]

Agreed. At that point, she was a hot mess on cold ice!

[@Vitaluv]

Karma and guilt are a heart combination. She was hated and Nancy had the support of almost everyone

[@kiransuz8226]

agreed!

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

I think in the end, it all got to her, she knew everyone was against her, and her chances of her making the podium after the Nancy Kerrigan shit, were shattered

[@WHATTHEBUCKSHOW]

That 3 AXEL- WOW!!!

[@3Axel1996]

It takes a good deal of upper body strength in order to do the 3 1/2 revolutions and good lower body strength to build up the tremendous speed that both Harding and Ito have been able to generate before the take off of the triple Axel. Granted, there has been 4 other ladies since who have successfully landed it in competition, none of them get the speed, power, height, explosiveness as Ito and Harding did.

[@scottw9318]

I miss her skating so much. It was Tonya that got me hooked back in ‘89-90 and I’ve yet to see anyone that rivals her athletic ability and strength. I’ll always be a huge fan

[@tarantulabunnydog]

One of the most fierce and inspirational competitors of all time. Not everyone does everything in life perfectly, especially when they are dealt a crappy hand. She's tough.

[@elizabethdacosta5601]

That is what pains me. She was punished with a life sentence. To have been banned from competitive skating might have been justified, but to ban her from ALL skating for the rest of her life was outrageous.

[@johnbarker95]

Beautiful and powerful performance!!!! This is better than anything kerringan ever did. So sad things turned out the way they did for you, Tonya. You deserved better. Live your life and be proud of your accomplishments.

[@LDVTennis]

I have a theory about why US Ladies FS lost its edge. It started with the lack of support Harding received from USFA. Harding was the future of FS, but the Association bet its future instead on the Kerrigan-type, pretty skaters who weren't very daring or athletic. USFA did it again when they tried to promote Kwan over Lipinski. Unlike Harding, Lipinski did not self-destruct, though she thought about it. By the time Sasha came along, the Kerrigan-type was so institutionalized that Sasha felt the overwhelming pressure to fit in. Sasha could have been a more daring and athletic skater, but she felt she had to beat Kwan (the darling of USFA) at the Kerrigan-game. Meanwhile, USA gymnastics under Marta has never played favorites like this. Look where they are with Biles, et al..

[@christinasc7684]

LDVTennis Sounds about right. Sad but true. Harding's technique is solid, even in 2015 the US Ladies can't really match this.

[@sallymatthews729]

John Barker Kerrigan was an excellent skater as well. Tonya just lacked the confidence I believe. She was definitely a powerhouse on skates. No doubt about that.

[@kirstyi7860]

How warped can one be? To praise the women who attempted to permanently injure her competitor is beyond words. 😳

[@johnbarker95]

@@kirstyi7860 How warped can you be when you wasn't even there and don't know what really happened? The guy who hit Kerrington said he never met Tonya Harding. You need to just let go of the hate. Let it go, Kirsty.

[@emilygraham1153]

Stunning routine. Her jumps are sensational and she can spin!!!!! You can see the pure joy that Tonya got from the freedom that figureskating provided her with. Kudos to her coach. Much RESPECT to you Ms. Harding from a National title holder in figureskating (roller) Australia. p.s I think your costume was LOVELY!!!!!

[@Pack.Leader]

Wow. We need to remember THIS Tanya Harding. This was a beautiful thing.

[@TressBraga]

TONYA HARDING is an American legend!

[@buseask1378]

I love you Tonya, this made me cry