Tonya Harding (USA) - 1991 Skate America, Ladies' Original Program (First 3A-2T Ever Completed)

[@PV1230]

The other skaters are skating to a classical concert while Tonya is putting on a Rave out there...

[@jamieleeharrison]

Surya skated to Benny Goodman (big band jazz ❤️)

[@SDoesNotKnow]

Lu Chen skated to the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" into the Beetlejuice theme. Not really classical either. As if skating to classical makes one inferior.

[@warm_lettuce473]

@@SDoesNotKnow No one's saying that I think they were just pointing out Tonya's unique choices in Music, but everyone is unique in their own way🤷🏾‍♀️

[@leonardwalletzky1411]

And Surya

[@chevalsport249]

Do you the title of the song ?

[@cloclocupcake7]

I like how Tonya won Nationals because Yamaguchi "skated a disappointing free program" rather than because Tonya literally made history

[@buffyslays5260]

Even if kristi skated clean that night,tonya would still kick her ass.

[@effsushi]

@@rolandgreen7484 but why not say something good about Tonya instead of lowkey rubbing in her face that she won because Kristi's program was disappointing that night? As if they expected Kristi to win but felt they need to commend Tonya for beating her ass

[@stanley052380]

Eff Luna i agree, its not tonyas fault that other skater fell. In general, elite athletes are expected to perform in their best for big competitions.

[@effsushi]

@@stanley052380 at the end of the day, Tonya is still better than one wardrobe Kristi and boring ass Nancy. Midori Ito is her real competition. They are both great skaters whom the judges often overlook

[@DaphneHarridge]

Not to take away anything from Tonya (I never tire of seeing her 1991 LP!), I’m guessing they were referring to the fact that Kristi was in first place after the short plus Tonya had missed her last jump, so yeah, a clean Kristi could have won. 🤷‍♀️⛸🥇🥈🥉

[@kavithashalini2799]

When you don't get credit for your hard work you lose all your self esteem..

[@12inter88]

Kavitha Shalini especially the gaslighting and toxic remarks by the elitist figure skating community. I recently saw the documentary and they were terrible to her. They KNEW she was the better skater but because she wasn’t rich and pretty they’d rather give it to C+ grade skaters.

[@ffeffashgrove]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Tonya was OBJECTIVELY very pretty. But yes, she was from the "wrong side of the tracks" (gasp! pearl clutching), which is of course a stupid and ridiculous thing to hold against anybody.

[@rachelw821]

if your self esteem is based on other peoples' opinions of you, then yes, that would be true.

[@jadieoflynn4376]

@@rachelw821 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jadieoflynn4376]

@@12inter88 That movie wasn't a documentary. It's a comedy. I literally just read this about this movie but had also noticed that it's literally in the comedy genre.

[@donut5428]

she literally danced to every beat.. on ice

[@elanacarter1787]

do nut 😂

[@jaypeterson8747]

Shes the ice queen and mother of dragons ❤❤❤

[@MyzelleJenkins]

Tonya’s song choice: “People Are Still Having Sex” by LaTour. AWESOME.

[@grumpyshoegirl]

I was 13 when she skated to this and it cracked me up. I remember turning to my (younger) sister and going, "is this song what I think it is???"

[@nowaylaowai204]

I know! I loved it, and when she skated to that, I was like, YES! I love this song!!!!

[@sidneyprescott6504]

😅🤣 she had a pair of balls

[@beepbeepbop8221]

Kaempfer M trans?

[@lyaura6148]

@Kaempfer M i-

[@effsushi]

How Kristi has beaten Tonya at this original program is still a mystery. She landed a triple-axel and it is in combination! It was legendary! That double axel shouldn't cost her that much. Still, she won in the free program, but should have also won the original

[@3Axel1996]

Well, back then, a fall on a required jump element in the Original Program was 0.4-0.5 off the Required Elements score (aka Technical Merit). More significant than falls under the IJS today.

[@sheriffburfordt.justice4488]

Eff Luna I agree. Kristie's jumps were actually very low with almost no height. I remember seeing them both at the same exhibition. I remember wondering how she got in all her rotations. Tonya on the other hand had enough height to jump over the barrier. She covered so much ice in her jumps probably 20 feet. My heart stopped waiting for her to come down. She just hung in the air.

[@thomasszymanski1107]

@@3Axel1996 Would you be able to compare today's scoring between this and Kristi? I am really curious. Now, they give credit if the jump is completed but there is a fall. So, hell. She coulda fallen on a quad something probably. Really, I would love a comparison.

[@jeungrioppa5937]

Sheriff Burford T. Justice okay? Tonyas tilted in the air so what’s your point?

[@pueraeternus111]

@@thomasszymanski1107 In today's scoring system, Tonya would have beaten Kristy in the SP by at least 10 points. However, back then, perfection was the objective of the short program.

[@Kind-hearted3564]

She was so underappreciated! She had everything against her and she never gave up. She was surrounded by malicious individuals who brought her down. I hope she's happy in her life and I wish her the best.

[@jellyjell17]

Ikr she was really really good in all honesty. The judges were trash.

[@mitchelrichardson8164]

I have been texting Tonya a message on 23/11/2021 and she replied to me a week later on 29th November at exactly 0:43am with a big surprise on my face. it was such a great pleasure to get a messaged back from Tonya. =) I am now a fan of her. she is 51 years old now. plus, she is doing fine mate. she is alot happier and back on ice.

[@mitchelrichardson8164]

@@jellyjell17 yeah it just the judges being a cunt, all judges just judged the book by its cover. its bullshit.

[@coreyadkins8775]

@@mitchelrichardson8164 yes I too have spoken with Tonya. I'm a designer of another visual sport. And wants to revamp her Olympic short with the wrong impression and jumping combos as she sees fit. As they were with the beautiful right body choreography. To replace big jumping passages with beautiful extended spins as she see fit. To get on something to be seen.

[@erika6651]

How is a former US Champion and World Silver medalist underappreciated?

[@settleforaghxst]

It's so wild to see she and Surya bonaly, the two biggest underdogs of skating were competing together. It always seemed like they were from totally different times

[@agirlwithdreams15]

Bia Diniz True! Bonaly skated later on in the 1990's, and thats where her scandal happened with the backflip. They actually knew each other and were close!!

[@chriscoyne9717]

Bia Diniz Surya was a strong athlete but wasn’t in Tonya’s level of jumping ability. Or overall skating technique. Often two footed landings and under rotated jumps. Was originally a gymnast and it shows, but the backflip was awesome

[@joccskates4497]

@@chriscoyne9717 surya was good but needed something extra to pull everything togheter

[@JustJason1977]

I loooooved Surya! That back tuck on the ice! Her taking off her medal in protest!! BOTH of these women were underrated and penalized badly by (some) judges.

[@elizagaskell7957]

Looking back at Tonya Harding's performances on youtube, there is a realisation, she loved skating and she was damn good at it........and to take skating away from her, must of hurt her more deeply than the press, the angry public, her abusive husband and her mother's taunts.

[@SpeakLife406]

I know ;( so sad

[@renee4785]

Tonya’s was better! And Tonya should have won gold!

[@katemoreland4311]

judges hated her though, that's why she didn't win

[@shanitrahan9904]

She sure did

[@louise5844]

Well yeah ur opinion

[@redd605]

I agree but once someone gets into your head ,and kind of bully and control you ,you lose confidence great skater . just had the wrong people at the wrong time in her life

[@romonopilowki4732]

Kristi was so boring. Gosh, Tonya had something special though. The judges just never really liked her, it was such a shame.

[@erictyson5947]

she brought too much drama to the industry

[@switchxzero7391]

Yamaguchi's skate was pretty slow and boring. Even with the fall, Tonya should have gotten 1st! Tonya's skating was legendary and would have been fairly judged today

[@erictyson5947]

It was judged fairly, falling on your butt is -0.5 from your score. If she landed the last jump she would have gotten gold. Story of Tonyas life, close but no cigar. She a good technical skill but bad mental discipline, you need both to be a master

[@oweneiffel3149]

Fairly judged today? With ISU nowadays? Lol r u kidding me?

[@ivanlavouras]

@@erictyson5947 not only that, probably the first 6.0 for technical score in a SP ever

[@ziondaniel7]

She is beyond amazing..Cannot believe I literally grew up and was in college during this time and never watched her phenomenal skating. I pray she still skates for enjoyment. She is simply phenomenal

[@AJ-cq5pw]

I just watched an interview with her and Margot Robbie she says she does still skate every week.

[@aspenrobinson8797]

Stacy *** She can never do so clean program. A champion wins once in awhile.

[@elainesnow326]

I agree, I pretty much tear up whenever I see her. Such promise and exhilaration. You never see skaters with such joy in their performances any more. Sarah Hughes was probably the last of that genre to do so. Now it’s all robotic dolls that plunk down difficult jump after difficult jump with a few ugly spins thrown in between plus some footwork and an Ina Bauer or some other move or two. The joy & beauty have left the sport but I can’t blame the competitors. They are so bent upon racking up those points that they have little time to worry about anything else. Component scores indeed

[@ziondaniel7]

Elaine Snow . You said that perfectly 💗💗💗

[@elainesnow326]

Stacy *** thanks

[@christinasc7684]

If this short program was scored in the 2015 GOE point system I wonder who actually would have placed first? Tonya's skating was a lot faster, more powerful jumps and spins than the other skaters, regardless of the -1 for the fall at the end. Tonya was waaaay ahead of her time. Techno in 91? Triple Axel-double toe in the short? WTF, she's like from the future???. 2015 world champion didn't even this. What blows my mind the most is that there *aren't* any flaws - no flutzes, no oddly shaped layback, and you can't say she doesn't have artistic talent either.

[@searanch32]

+christinasc She was absolutely incredible. So very talented. It's a shame that she wasn't guided properly by the USFSA, but rather made to feel like an outsider. Oh, what could have been for her, and figure skating.

[@omg9261]

exactly my thoughts

[@Juice_Lover123]

Nobody skated like Tonya and though nobody ever said it, she didn't make the same errors that future US champions had. Her Lutz and layback spin were the best of the 1990s by a long shot. Her succesors were never as solid. Tara had no height to her jumps. Michelle never had the speed. Nicole had jump height and speed but the worst Flutz of anyone out there. Tonya was the best American female skater. Her choreography was choppy and her movements were occasionally jarring, she was a better athlete than artist, but you can never say she honestly wasn't the strongest (albeit inconsistent) competitor the US ever had. Imagine a Tonya Harding now. The current judging system FAVORS this approach.

[@Angelaius]

@@Juice_Lover123 i mean isnt muscles also matter? Tonya had beautiful muscular legs and Tara was very thin. Well i guess not always but i think in skating its matter a lot. Or not? I mean i not really see tonya legs often and people still can be world champs and olympic winners. Yet she is the triple axel girl.

[@douglasbrown5671]

It is not just a -1 for the fall. Her double axel would get straight -3s in GOE as required by a fall (or -5s now that they moved to that). Which loses a lot of points. It is possible she could still come out ahead with the triple axel combo and other elements though.

[@ConCitatoE]

I STILLLLLLL cannot believe.. she skated to the instrumental of “People are still having sex”. Lol. If those words had come in? 😂

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Ikr? The other girls are prissily skating toe loops to classical music and in comes Tonya doing a huge 3A to People Are Still Having Sex - an unspoken middle finger to the judges who wanted pretty little "ice princesses" Lol luv it

[@hadihatab3126]

Only instrumentals were allowed in competition back then.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

@Katie B Hate to break it to you, but having sex on your wedding night is actually quite common. Some people, like Tonya, even have sex with their husband.

[@addicted367]

@@chooseyourpoison5105 filming it isn't though smh

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

@@addicted367 You're wrong there, spouses taking photographs or videos for their own private use is a lot more common than you might think. But that's not really the point, is it? The point is that her husband released their private tapes for money. That is the lowest of the low.

[@samanthalee5283]

I believe she should of got first even with the fall her performance looked much more difficult than Kristi’s and you don’t have to be a professional judge to recognize that!

[@kailaleegibbons6143]

Samantha Lee you do need to be a professional judge to see what is actually important in the sport.

[@samanthalee5283]

I’ve ice skated before and took classes and I know from experience what Tonya did was more difficult and eye catching... while the sport is meant to be graceful, I still liked Tonya’s performance better.

[@aracelichely2954]

Samantha Lee eye catching is not part of the scores and difficult is relatively, I'll have to see the technique because if you do difficult things but with bad technique is not the same than do them "easy" but with better technique.

[@venuzmodeling]

Kaila Lee Gibbons I think tonya won this event because Kristi fell multiple times in her long program

[@venuzmodeling]

Tonya won this with her long program

[@rfillangi]

So many American women have landed double axels in the short program since this but in the last 22 years NO other American woman has done what she did in the first minute of this program. It's a shame she lost her focus after this event. She could have been Olympic Champion.

[@emilyhayek1132]

Yes, for sure she was on a straight trajectory to win Olympic gold. She was a great technician. So strong and a power house jumper

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

rfillangi it was a triple axel and the judge's actually prefer it be done at the END of the performance. The judge's say it shows strength and endurance.

[@JavierFontana]

Opulence back in 1991 Tonya Harding put a 3 Axel Jump in combination making history in ladies figure skating. Now judges prefer that jump at the end of the performance back then it was basically insane for a woman to attempt and complete that jump. Tonya was not only jumps but also she had the speed and powerful spins. She was a long way ahead of any other female skater.

[@neoisis9373]

Opulence I think rfillangi was making a point that the double axel that Harding didn’t land here was a pretty common jump, yet in this same program she had made history by doing the triple axel in combination, 3A 2 T. In 1991 there were only 2 women (Midori Ito and Tonya Harding ) doing 3A in competitions. It was so rare that I doubt judges had yet developed a preference for when it came in a program. At the time it was just insanely amazing to try it at all! In fact, it was 10 years before any other women managed to complete a 3A in competition. and I think there have still been only 8 or so women to do it.

[@morgansmits704]

Your wrong.

[@lizbett570]

Tonya’s performances are gripping because you can see that she’s having fun unlike the other skaters who try to look as put together and graceful as they can

[@yourfriend8052]

Skating was her life, not because it was chosen for her, but because she chose it.

[@LennonTheBunny]

when Yamaguchi's performance cuts in.... YAWN....

[@conniemaheswaren554]

Lennon The Bunny but yamaguchi is good

[@Alchamei]

Connie Maheswaren She has nothing on Midori Ito.

[@conniemaheswaren554]

Alchamei also true Midori was a powerhouse when she was on point

[@OceanbornAngel]

Oh stop it! Why do you guys have to be so negative!!!! They are all great skaters in their own unique rights. Stop acting so snobby and grow up!

[@agirlwithdreams15]

True. She's great for ice capades, not for competition.

[@gutz1981]

Sad truth is, Tonya had to work her ass off extra hard to do the types of moves and jumps others couldn't dream of doing, simply because, unlike pretty princess Yamaguchi, there was no way in hell the judges were gonna let Tonya win by taking it as easy as the other girls.

[@lina93674]

Why where they like that to her?

[@erictyson5947]

@@lina93674 because she brought too much drama. Unlike today the professional sports industry use to be professional and they tried very hard to keep out the drama of athletes personal lives. Tonya was a public sob story and it brought a negative image to the industry

[@louisgrassimedium]

I always felt so bad for Tonya for missing that 2Ax in the last second because otherwise, that program was outrageously perfect.... Imagine how many pounds of force hit the ice when she landed that Axel and went into the double toe

[@katlyndobransky2419]

Honestly didn’t even look that bad, her recovery was perfect

[@slytherinnyc]

i really do miss the era of Midori-Tonya ... sheer power, technique, speed, nothing like it to this day..

[@nowaylaowai204]

I agree. I used to be big into figure skating, but not anymore. Times change ...

[@kristihardin-smith3515]

I always forget what an incredible spinner Tonya was. The speed and centering are great.

[@johncitizen3927]

It's 2024 now, saw Tonya yesterday, she's doin good

[@mistyaqua]

Tonya always has the best music. Such a likeable gal.

[@erictyson5947]

Ya she's great until she pays her boyfriend to beat you up

[@JG-kw7um]

This was probably the best she ever did this program minus the fall. And by far the best triple axel compared to the others this didn't looked forced or barely able to do. It was executed smoothly and effortlessly.

[@v.morawska6764]

jc guerrero I still think Midori Ito had the best triple axel ever! Even until this day. Tonya Harding was a powerful jumper- that is a fact- but her triple axel was messy compared to Ito’s.

[@andro7862]

@@v.morawska6764 They're both triple axel legends. Midori's has a bit more elegance, though.

[@Ramsesos]

Kostornaia, You and Kihira say hi

[@ddivincenzo1]

I will take her over Nancy any day.

[@IndigoBellyDance]

U get chills watching her jump. She had such power. U can tell she just loved skating and performing and she brought that to her performances.

[@Nerblette]

I always like how she just kinda throws one leg out behind her as a move. She isn't the most elegant but it's charming and mesmerizing to watch anyway. I've heard her outfits called Walmart-ish which makes me laugh, but again...I like them. She just had her own thing going.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Don't forget she didn't have the money to compete with some of the designer outfits of the richer girls, and at the start of her career she sewed them herself. That scene in "I, Tonya" where she says to the judge who criticises her outfit "Well then, give me $5000 for a dress and I won't have to make one," actually happened, albeit backstage, not out on the ice. Even her Olympic outfits were made by a smalltown dressmaker, not by Bob Mackie or Vera Wang.

[@DeezynNinja]

Tonya makes me feel like I could do something like this, because she wasn't elegant, she was powerful. I have the same body type, and when I dance I look like a football player trying to dance, but seeing her power is encouraging.

[@gisazurnieden9058]

@@DeezynNinja She was powerful, yes, but IMHO she had just her own Kind of grace and style. But it's good if she encourages you to Dance :)

[@DeezynNinja]

@@gisazurnieden9058 she encourages me to skate :)

[@gisazurnieden9058]

@@DeezynNinja even better :)

[@tomkroh2712]

This program is awesome. Tonya's death spirals are huge. She generated such immense force. She will always have my heart.

[@lakegirl239]

First victim of cancel culture before it had a name because the ISU didn’t like her. She was a champion despite a wretched home life and abusive bus who had to change his name after his crime. First woman to do a triple. She was The Best. And she accomplished it all with the help of one other person, her coach. No cadre of an entire production team as the others had. She was the best. The skater with the golden blades.

[@Ruru-vb1cn]

I watched the movie about Tonya and can I just say I sobbed. Because here was a women who had, had everything against her and she still managed to do something amazing. And when she was banned from ever skating agian I felt so sad because it was her hole life and it was just riped from her.

[@nowaylaowai204]

Great movie, and showed what Tonya was up against. Gave me a new perspective on her. Doesn't change how amazing she was.

[@loreeclarymusicvideos9545]

I felt the same way. That judge was cruel.

[@galaxygirl7122]

I wasn't born at this time but I'm binge watching her videos and gotta say I'm a fan

[@robb6823]

A triple axle is tough enough to land, but to do it in combination is absolutely amazing. Tonya never got the credit she deserved.

[@snovy121]

She won the competition and won nationals earlier in the year. Her silver medal at 1991 worlds was fair and quite an achievement. She could have easily won gold in Albertville had she stayed focused with training and bothered to get to Europe early enough to recover from jet lag. She lost momentum after 1991 Skate America, which is sad. She could have had multiple world and olympic medals, probably at least two golds.

[@Scaarfii]

If she was skating like this in modern day she'd be so loved.

[@erictyson5947]

Nobody is loved today

[@alisondavies458]

Tonya was amazing, how did people not recognise this at the time, she was the most incredible skater the best jumper and spinner and the most entertaining.

[@averyvolk3355]

I never get tired of watching her. She's such an inspiration.

[@edelford1602]

The best thighs in skating...ever.

[@sheriffburfordt.justice4488]

Ed Elford You got that right.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

The thing is, Tonya was always getting snarky comments about her 'chunky' thighs. They weren't chunky, they were pure muscle, and they were what enabled her to do those fantastically high jumps in the first place. It reminds me a bit of tennis player Martina Navratilova being praised for her powerful serves and simultaneously criticised for having "unfeminine" muscled arms. I mean, like, WTF did they think enabled her to serve a tennis ball at 260 km/hr, wet noodles?

[@ABC-nj1jn]

ChooseYour Poison uhm...no, that’s not “pure muscle”, she was a little bulky, that’s true. If you wanna see pure muscle look at Russian or English ballerinas, not Americans. Americans are way too bulky in any sport/dance like ballet, gymnastics, ballroom dance, ice skating etc. Why not admit it?

[@Schuylerureiko]

You can tell she has muscle in her thighs. Russian ballerinas can jave pure muscle but they just have a slim physique

[@TheArchitectOfDreams]

There is differences between a Yak and a Ox for legs.

[@leskeith4314]

Damnit I wished she'd have stayed away from Jeff gillooly.

[@grantholmes3615]

It’s stupid that Tonya came in third. So stupid

[@shanitrahan9904]

No Tonya Harding came in 2nd place it's not so bad

[@madtingz2288]

Tonyas a legend

[@erictyson5947]

A criminal legend

[@just2245]

are you ok your knee?

[@Gedevanishvili]

I love this program. Music, coreography, the pink dress and of course the triple axel - double toe combination. I missed this skater.

[@mellio9077]

I forgot how phenomenal Tonya was. This is great to see again after so many years. Thanks for posting it. Looking back it really is tragic that the scandal broke her career. She was truly a protege. And she’s not arrogant in her interviews either. Looking back, it was Nancy who came across as bratty and self-congratulatory when interviewed. The irony.

[@777lucifero]

The fact that Nancy may have been arrogant/bratty has nothing to do with the horrible thing that happened. And she knew what was going on, sure of course later her only card is crying and saying how terrible she feels. Go and watch again when she wins, what she says. She knows what happened. Look at the lies she says. Ok, the other guy was influencing her. Even still. A lot of times I may come across as patronizing/annoying. That doesn't mean I'm inherently wrong (most times, it's probably the opposite... just the attitude/angle makes it annoying. Now try to abstract all narratives and re-play the main facts. I don't care about her tears later honestly

[@mellio9077]

@@777lucifero Well I agree with you…to be patronizing IS annoying, and it also detracts from whatever point you’re trying to make. I don’t see that you’ve outlined any specific facts to support your viewpoint on this one. It sounds like just your personal feelings on who is good or bad or worse- Nancy or Tanya. Which you’re entitled to feel however you want. But you’re also telling me to go re-watch this or that so presumably I’ll agree with you in the end. And I don’t. I’m not following your logic at all. It’s up to you to make your own points clear.

[@777lucifero]

@@mellio9077 For example, she pretended like she knew nothing for 25 years. she kept lying and saying she knew nothing about it. Then she confessed that she actually knew, from earlier attempt even, if i remember correctly, or anyway -earlier-. She could have sent an anonymous tip, she didnt. she, de facto, played along and is complicit. She could have avoided it. These are people that She brought into the scene. You are sort of responsible for the people you bring along with you at the party. So what i mean is, abstract yourself from her tears and justifications... Look at the bare facts.. even just this one... and realize that in good faith, if she wanted, she could have avoided. Maybe she didnt intervene because she was scared (though anonymous tips are anonymous), but regardless she knew about the plot and she did 0 to stop it. She also apparently never even apologized in person. Again, these are people she ''brought to the party''. I don't buy the whole narrative that she's innocent, because if you are: you would have done something. Even just the fact that you have done nothing, makes you guilty by defauly. It's like not stopping to help someone that had an accident on a german highway: you are then complicit , because you could have helped. I understand that circumstances made it such that she was scared and whatever else. Again, that does not change the pivotal facts.

[@janellekirkland3023]

TONYA MADE HISTORY... What a winner 🌹🌹🏅💫🌹🏅💫🌹🏅💫🌹🏅💫🌹🏅

[@JohnSmithNE3478]

Despite her fall, I haven't seen any ladies do a triple axel in combination except her. Probably her best short

[@cats9311]

Tonya made style actually made figure skating interesting to watch

[@catastrophe3021]

That double axel at the end kills me!!!!!! This was such a great program and she aced it right up until the last 2 seconds! She always performed better with faster, more exciting music. You could see she was more comfortable and just let loose on the ice. That's when she did her best.

[@laurielynne2006]

I love Tonya’s excitement/expression when she lands the Triple Axel!! Sheer joy! She might not have been the most “artistic” but I’d take her over Kristi any day🤷🏻‍♀️

[@audio91000]

I don't care what anybody says about her, she was just amazing. I'm so mesmerized every time I watch her. Even to the day. Her and Rory Flack were my favorites. Still are❤️

[@LaurenThompsonIsMyRealName]

That step sequence - amazing. They don't skate like this anymore.

[@Silvercentipede]

She's like a rockstar on ice 😍

[@patwhit8414]

Tonya Harding was so amazing! Too bad those men ruined her career. She didn't need them! She was fantastic all on her own.

[@EEDiazL]

I wonder if Yamaguchi's dress designer knew any other dress models she could have worn. It seems Yamaguchi wears the same design at every competition, just a different color.

[@Jhojsh101]

Incredible Mann the only one she ever wore that was different in anyway was her black and gold puffy dress she wore in her Olympic LP

[@Schmoityface]

She was always far stronger than Kerrigan or Yamaguchi, just never a judge favourite. Yamaguchi was so mediocre ... no height to her jumps, just kind of weak.

[@Minerva-sv2zv]

Exactly! She was a great skater but just didn´t fit in. The judges didn´t like her. She was SO MUCH better than Kerrigan!

[@gutz1981]

Say what you want about if Tonya did it or not. But I will say this, the Skating commission and the judges have a heavy hand in the situation that led up to the incident. So much in that had they done what they are SUPPOSED to, and give the best athlete (Whoever that may by) the scores they deserve and NOT cause an environment where simply "Doing your best" is overlooked by the idea of CLASS and social positioning. Then something like what happened might not even need to cross an athletes mind.

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

i'm not mad at this rave music tho...

[@searanch32]

The music is People Are Still Having Sex by La Tour. Not everyone liked her music choices, but I absolutely loved it. Exciting and not afraid to take risks.

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

tide32athlete it’s a dope song. It’s nice that it’s not another lyrical instrumental or some ballet-ish orchestral piece lol.

[@searanch32]

Ditto. And the choreography during this particular competition was spot on. I love how she hits the beats while spinning, but just wish there was a raw version without Scott and Verne talking over it. She never performed this program with the same precision and excitement again, but I loved it.

[@reubenkeyz5131]

With those legs, I would not be surprised if she can pull off a quad jump.

[@ginnundso]

Yep. Her legs are what gave her the power to reach such an incredible height. With that much power and that much height I bet she would have really achieved a quad jump if she had continued.

[@ZinziSchneider]

I sitll love the spirit of Tonya Harding, she was so unique and on fire

[@jerome2022]

Never seen such hatred for a 5 foot woman.

[@valcorton]

She had so many people who hated her guts. Even the judges. For whatever reason. And here she is, people still watch her 10 year old video, and it took another 12 years for another person to land a triple axel. She proved so many people wrong. Most badass person ever.

[@margotalmanzar5210]

Tonya and Surya were the real badasses of figure skating

[@PV1230]

they were good friends.

[@Laffingrl]

All these years later and Tonya is fascinating to watch!

[@grumpyshoegirl]

When she was on she was ON. That's the tragedy of the whole thing-- had she just committed to serious training through to the 1992 Olympics she probably would have won bronze, maybe even silver (I do think that Yamaguchi's program was far and away one of the best ever-- even with the issues with the loop and salchow at the Olympics, it was so well-constructed that it would have been hard to beat). Kerrigan, Bonaly, and Hubert made enough mistakes in the LP that a clean performance from Tonya, even without the triple axel, would have been more than enough to medal. She would have been the favorite going into 93, never mind 94. Her deep edges, fast and beautifully centered spins, and gorgeous jumps set her apart. I've always been a big fan of Yamaguchi, but looking back almost 30 years later it's obvious that Harding's pure skating quality-- speed, edge control, jumps, spins-- were far stronger than any other American at the time.

[@GaryGarlic]

I wish Midori, Tonya, and Kristi all skated clean at the Olympics. They were all nervous and it showed. Midori had the most pressure but for me, her LP should have been ranked 1st. She landed the 3 axel at the end of her program and performed toe and edge jumps whereas Kristi only did 3 different toe jumps. Midori was under marked for presentation receiving a 5.5 and a couple 5.7's even though at Lalique she got 5.8's and 5.9's. Tonya had the most exciting programs but she did horribly in Albertville. It's unfortunate.

[@GaryGarlic]

@@rolandgreen7484 I saw Tonya doing amazing 3 axels in 94 in practice and it's just bizarre how she only landed that jump 4 times in 1991 and it was never seen again. I would have loved a Midori and Tonya battle for gold in 92

[@randyrandall8274]

Tonya was robbed

[@PV1230]

if she didn't miss the double axel, this would have easily been her best performance.

[@ezgisevindi98]

TONYA HARDING IS INCREDİBLY POWERFUL AND INSPIRING WOMAN.

[@shanitrahan9904]

She sure is I love her sparkling pink outfit she looks very pretty in pink

[@annk8855]

She’s actually amazing to watch..such a shame she missed that last one

[@searanch32]

The positioning of the spins, jumps and choreography were timed so perfectly with the music, especially the combination spin at 4:25. Though as the season went on, the choreography changed a bit and the timing wasn't quite as on with the music. Same can be said for her long program. What the heck happened between here and Albertville? Lack of training time? I know she had an ankle injury the week of Nationals, but whatever it was, she never competed either of these two programs again with the same precision as she did here.

[@USA-qm2bk]

tide32athlete she and her hubby reconciled and she wasn’t training due to spending time with him

[@dashoverton1963]

Kristi Yamaguchi didn’t have the big jumps like Tonya had, but she was more consistent as a jumper. That’s why Yamaguchi won the gold in the Olympics.

[@wildbrad]

No one skated clean in Albertville. It's curious that Kerrigan who was in 2nd only held onto 3rd ahead of Harding coming back from 6th after the short by such a short margin... judging in the ordinal system was strange that way... some could say unfortunate...

[@NettieKay]

Love this program, that triple axel and the music is perfect for her style. Love Tonya.

[@just2245]

are you ok your knee?

[@averyvolk3355]

0:42 I still don't understand how Kristi got first when she fell and Tonya landed that perfect triple.... I know Tonya fell in the other program but. Still.

[@RamonAlfonsoOMAR]

Triple axel double toe..speechless Tonya

[@IndigoBellyDance]

I don’t get these judges.... they don’t like strong women w/ thighs for some reason. Tonya Harding And Suria Bonaly were strong women who rocked a show who skated differently than others.

[@spartyutube2020]

I really like Tracy Wilson as a commentator but it's really infuriating that Tonya does the first ever Triple Axel in a short program, and the first question out of the commentator's mouth is - What happened on the double Axel? And in the Long program, Tonya does a brilliant program, gets two 6.0s for technical merit and the first thing out of Tracy's mouth is "You left out some jumps". And you can see that every time Tonya does a brilliant program and she's gonna get interviewed, there's so much excitement in her face and the commentator always points out the tiniest bad stuff. And Tonya's face looks hurt. Geez can't the press talk about POSITIVE things??? If I had been the one interviewing her, I'd have said "TONYA! FIRST TRIPLE AXEL in a short program! HIGH FIVE!!! And let her speak about that." Way to go Tracy Wilson. :-(

[@picklerick7953]

Say what you want about Tonya but that women could skate like no other

[@Panda-zq2zj]

Under today’s scoring system Tonya would have received so much credit for her triple, the fall on the double wouldn’t matter. Kristi never would have gotten higher marks today.

[@janedoll3237]

I wish I was capable of this strength and grace. It must feel amazing to accomplish this level of athleticism.

[@emilysalce6491]

She woulda got first

[@venuzmodeling]

She won this competition

[@matthewcoleo]

Triple Axel, Double Toe. Way ahead of her time. Speechless. If only Tonya skated like this modern day. Nonetheless, a legend.✨

[@chesterhardy3153]

Her hand movements, especially at 3:55, judges had to love that

[@sadiedeveau9318]

Chester Hardy And at 3;00 her bobbing her ponytail around like a stripper. I knew she would fall after the triple axel because she ALWAYS does.

[@johnmorales4328]

Sadie Deveau you probably would, too, after attempting a single lmao

[@gisazurnieden9058]

I love her hand movements and that she bobs her ponytail around… makes me wonder why the ice doesn't melt around her ;)

[@TheDaveIAmm]

I honestly think that ponytail is what make her jumps spectacular...

[@omg9261]

I love the way she bobbed her ponytail. it looks like she is actually dancing on the ice.

[@alicexirou1125]

Wtf. It's obvious that Tonya was way better than kristi

[@dontfeedmethatbullshit.447]

She was a very strong, talented skater.

[@jeffreyknight3884]

Tonya harding will always be gold in our hearts. She is a true skater. Thank tonya for the beautiful memories. You are a champion..

[@nikkibeacth]

I could watch her all day

[@mmills5951]

With all the turmoil in Tonya’s, her freedom was the ice. To bad it was taken from her.

[@rochellemurrell4146]

Tonya was such a power house skater. Really underrated.

[@2snowgirl520]

Tonyas costumes were the best. She looked great in that pink.

[@fabricatedreality8218]

Tonya was such a great skater. i She didnt realize how special she actually was

[@oddflacko5063]

Tonya is doing all these wicked moves. The other girl comes in and it's the most yawn inducing show lol.

[@doxasophosmoros]

What a badass 💖💖💖💖

[@pamelabirrell1744]

I remember this. Harding could skate CIRCLES around her. No comparison. There was no reason for Harding to do this. Harding was an amazing powerful skater. Maybe the boyfriend or whoever... but I will never believe Harding did it. She had no reason to. There was no comparison I'm their skating Harding was soooooo much better.

[@Tfontaine209]

Still one of the best skaters ever♥️

[@nick92zim]

it's the 90s house song to her routine for me, what a badass

[@buccXA]

I always liked Tonya

[@leannatallmeister8143]

HER DEATH DROP THOUGH

[@xavierharding8938]

I loved her then and still love her now. She was by far the best women's figure skater the USA ever had !!!!

[@9206156175]

I feel like we dont talk enough about surya

[@hollyjolly2066]

She's stunning, too!

[@ivanlavouras]

3:14 I just wanted to see it again and again 3:15

[@faisalakbar5154]

Tonya's routine is very digferent, unique n impressive

[@miawallace2306]

That death drop though.....