Torvill & Dean Bolero FD debut 1983/4 British Championships

Chris & Jayne's debut performance of their revolutionary Bolero Free Dance, as Commentator Alan Weeks says it was the first time an FD had been skated to one tempo throughout. This was their first version, every Championship they entered that season they skated a different version, from British, Europeans, Olympics and Worlds. Natalia Bestemianova said she was mesmerised by this dance, Filmed at the old Nottingham Ice Stadium, from the days when British Championships were rotated around the country and got big audiences. November, 1983.

[@PeterDale-bm5xq]

The most amazing ice dance skaters ever

[@kaseemwilliams1054]

I just want to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for uploading this! I have been searching for this specific routine, I caught it in a clip on a documentary but the first 2 minutes are AMAZING. I now see how the dance evolved from this to the Olympic routine. I still say that I wish they used more of the elements from this routine in their Olympic routine. Because I love some of the difficulty. it made their Olympic routine seem almost too easy even though it was flawless. thank you again!

[@larhumba4233]

You are most welcome! Thank you for your interesting comments and I do agree.

[@jools01]

i wish they would have kept the move at 2:25 i’ve always loved that move. i don’t know why.

[@bethannesperring3482]

Jayne Torvill is forever my idol and inspiration. She is so beautiful ❤️ and seems like a sweet caring person

[@victoriagill3337]

Wow, how much this changed even just between British and Europeans! Thank you for posting

[@jankessler9482]

I like this version better than the Olympic version!T and D are the best!

[@memoir4you]

Thank you so much for uploading the original version of Bolero. Its absolutely superb. 💯

[@ddjr6673]

Thank you yet again for your incredible channel. Ice Dance has changed so much over 40 years, I am not sure in some aspects for the better. Two main remarkable things (of many) about this program: 1) every move was something no one had seen before b) there are virtually no simple forward or backward cross overs (I counted 3-4 forward and 3-4 backward cross overs) - these are used to gain momentum across the ice (Bestemianova and Bukin used so many). Jayne and Chris gain remarkable momentum without the use of them. Truly awesome!

[@larhumba4233]

The most striking difference is TorvillandDean never left eachother's side. They were in constant hold, changing holds throughout (apart from a couple of seconds at the beginning). So much of icedance today is shadow skating apart. It's why so many former Singles Skaters can switch to Dance and do well, I know Lewis found the Pattern Dances the most uncomfortable aspect to adjust to, just skating in such close proximity to your partner, and the ISU are doing away with them for Seniors. TorvillandDean had to perfect 6 different Compulsory Dances for the 83-4 Olympic season, and 3 would be drawn on the eve of each event. They were disappointed the same 3 were drawn at all their competitions, as they would've liked to showcase them all. Thank you for your interesting and wonderful review.

[@ddjr6673]

@@larhumba4233 Yes, yes and yes to all you say - agree with it all (I'm guessing You Tube comments like conflict?! Well, no conflict here!). The fact they are in hold all the time is Incredible. I was smiling when you said "had to perfect 6 different Compulsory Dances" - and from the three we saw "perfect" was exactly what they were!

[@larhumba4233]

@@ddjr6673 The only Compulsory Dance they didn't perfect was the Yankee Polka, and who can blame them? It just wasn't their style.

[@musicloverlondon6070]

Wow! Over 40 years ago! It seems rather tame compared with today's stuff but at the time they were really innovative and I remember being enthralled by their routines. When you think they were holding down ordinary jobs at the same time as training for this where some other competitors had the full support of their skating associations and could train full-time. Great video, thanks for uploading.

[@larhumba4233]

You're welcome! They worked full time up until 1980 Olympics, then received a grant from Nottingham Council to take them up to 1984. There were 4 versions of Bolero, this was the first. In those days each couple had to perform 5 Dances, 3 different Compulsory Dances, an Original Set Pattern Dance and a Free Dance. Today couples only perform a Rhythm Dance and Free Dance.

[@sandradee131]

Thank you so much for putting this video up ive looked for a long time to find a much earlier version of this routine and i havent been able to find it on here up until now , the dance moves have changed quite a lot since this performance but still is Perfect !

[@larhumba4233]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed. 🥰

[@lisablackler9145]

Love it would be so great if there was a split screen to compare with the Olympic version

[@user-kf6zg1pq3u]

Ноябрь 1983 г и первое исполнение "Болеро" на чемпионате страны. И прически,цвет костюма с хореографией иные чем на Олимпиаде в Сараево. Количество 6.0 не повторило успех на ЧМ 1983 г в Хельсинки. Но проект будущего шедевра уже есть.