Dude, I had no idea that they were this good. Wow. I don't know if the U.S. has ever had a pair since them that had such command of the ice. No wonder it was so hard for Rudy when they split up. Kristi became world champion the next year and it was six years before Rudy got his day in the sun. What potential they had!
No one. No one even comes close. I have never seen any other pair even think about trying triple flips. This is why they were so great to watch because they were so accomplished as singles skaters. Had they skated like this at Worlds I have a hard time believing that they wouldn't have medaled, even though they don't fit the ideal of two skaters skating as one.
I skate in the same direction as Rudi. :) I wish I could find a dance or pairs partner. They look beautiful together; I think their mirror skating compliments each other and provides a unique look.
I don't think we should judge Kristi negatively b/c she decided to leave pairs skating.. First, we don't know the whole story/circumstances, second, she and rudy remain very close, and third she's supposed to be one of the nicest people ever... I met her twice briefly and she was always really sweet and down to earth.. Saying she has a bad personality without knowing her is really in poor taste, especially when you're talking about a olympic champion.
... but Kristi's artistry really set her apart from the powerhouses. It gave us another angle to look at besides all the triple axels Midori and Tonya were performing. Plus, she was performing two triple lutz' in her program (which really helped technically). If you notice Kristi's spins, she's been changing edges in her spins back then too. Lots of difficulty there :)
I wish that Kristi didn't have to choose between singles and pairs. They were so good and I really think they could have been very competitive if they'd stayed together and developed. They had a lot of potential. Side by side triple flips?! Triple flips are hard! No pair before or since could ever conceive of doing that and they did them beautifully. Just incredible.
It says "go for the gold." Kristi would stop at nothing to achieve her Olympic dream. As for the sport, it was a right move for Kristi. During the 1988-92 quadrenium, the US was looking for another young darling to take over the likes of Debbi Thomas and Tiffany Chin. Apparently, Jill Trenary was up to the task. But injuries and the lack of technical difficulty held her back. Tonya was a powerhouse that could've matched up with Midori...
of course their sbs jumps were amazing ... but my favourite element is that drag death spiral at the end .... i am certainly not in a position to judge whether kristi was right in concentrating on singles ... but i do remember and just got reminded of how wonderful they were as a pair.
... to concentrate on her singles skills cause she believed she would have a better chance at Olympic gold if she competed in singles! I think she made the right decision ;)
3F+steps+3T and 2A :) very hard individual jumps content, it's interesting to see the marks here (at Worlds-89 was 5.5-5.7 for technical and 5.4-5.6 for artistic)
The triple-twist was always sloppily executed. This pair had all the trick but lacked the connection of skating together as one. Obviously Kristie's massive talent makes up for many weak areas in the program like when Galindo is off balance. He didn't have the look for international pairs & didn't skate with passion to match or surpass Kristie's. Kristie did the right thing in moving on. This proves what a massive talent she really is out of all the others her versatility is unrivaled.
They were a wonderful pair. Too bad they did not stay together or at least continue in pair skating. Kristi was always a great skater but I think she would have been even better if she had continued pairs.
We had the Carruthers with their great personalities and synchronization along with some inventiveness and then Watson and Oppegard with their amazing speed, artistry and creative lifts and the best ever death spiral...and then when they retired I thought we had these two to go on and make it to great heights...too bad...instead we ended up with a rather drab Kuchiki-Sand pairing and sloppy Urbanski-Marval...at least when Todd paired with Jenni Meno it got better for US pairs.
She didn't decide to skate singles the U.S. National figure skating association decided for her. They thought Rudy was too small to compete in pairs on the international level, to compete against the Russians.
Around 1:50, what is the music? I know it but I can't remember the name and it's driving me insane. Kristi and Rudi had fascinating programs and they skated really well together, it's almost a shame she moved to Singles after 1990.
Yes, I do believe that decision was too very inconsiderate of her... but that again, you can expect anything less orientals. They will do whatever it takes to get over. BTW, she has no personality and I'm still surprise she can see left or right.
First of all she's not an Oriental; she's Asian American. Again, why should she not pursue her goals and dreams which is what everyone else in this country has the opportunity to do every day. So should she be submissive and follow two steps behind. Prejudice cannot deny her talent and his. Thankfully they are still supportive of each other and haters like you, don't contribute much.
I did not know they were this good!! I can't get enough of this pair.
Dude, I had no idea that they were this good. Wow. I don't know if the U.S. has ever had a pair since them that had such command of the ice. No wonder it was so hard for Rudy when they split up. Kristi became world champion the next year and it was six years before Rudy got his day in the sun. What potential they had!
Cochtaw entrance (with exquisite edges) into a Death Spiral at the end...so beautiful! Love this pair!
Wow Kristi Yamamguci is fire on ice and her partner is great as well.
side by side triple flips and they never won worlds? who even does that today?
Still love Kristi to this day.
I actually didn't know there's mirror skating..After I search about it I was so happy that I cried...haha:P
No one. No one even comes close. I have never seen any other pair even think about trying triple flips. This is why they were so great to watch because they were so accomplished as singles skaters. Had they skated like this at Worlds I have a hard time believing that they wouldn't have medaled, even though they don't fit the ideal of two skaters skating as one.
All I can say is that this is the most beautiful pair skating I have ever seen. I just wish they would skate again.
they were excellent, and probably would have won bronze in 1991 worlds and bronze in 1992 olympics
I skate in the same direction as Rudi. :) I wish I could find a dance or pairs partner.
They look beautiful together; I think their mirror skating compliments each other and provides a unique look.
I'm a clockwise skater too! Yay for us!
awesome. wish there were more pair skaters like this. it's so cool to watch.
Remembering coach Jim Hulick.
Still the best pair skating I have ever seen up to now.
That is exactly what I have been trying to say just gold.
*sigh* sour grapes. kristi made the right decision. she made watching professional competitions exciting and wonderful during her pro era! i agree.
I don't think we should judge Kristi negatively b/c she decided to leave pairs skating.. First, we don't know the whole story/circumstances, second, she and rudy remain very close, and third she's supposed to be one of the nicest people ever... I met her twice briefly and she was always really sweet and down to earth.. Saying she has a bad personality without knowing her is really in poor taste, especially when you're talking about a olympic champion.
WOW.
They must be the best side-by-side jumpers in pair history!
GO! GO GO!
... but Kristi's artistry really set her apart from the powerhouses. It gave us another angle to look at besides all the triple axels Midori and Tonya were performing. Plus, she was performing two triple lutz' in her program (which really helped technically). If you notice Kristi's spins, she's been changing edges in her spins back then too. Lots of difficulty there :)
I wish that Kristi didn't have to choose between singles and pairs. They were so good and I really think they could have been very competitive if they'd stayed together and developed. They had a lot of potential. Side by side triple flips?! Triple flips are hard! No pair before or since could ever conceive of doing that and they did them beautifully. Just incredible.
It says "go for the gold." Kristi would stop at nothing to achieve her Olympic dream. As for the sport, it was a right move for Kristi. During the 1988-92 quadrenium, the US was looking for another young darling to take over the likes of Debbi Thomas and Tiffany Chin. Apparently, Jill Trenary was up to the task. But injuries and the lack of technical difficulty held her back. Tonya was a powerhouse that could've matched up with Midori...
of course their sbs jumps were amazing ... but my favourite element is that drag death spiral at the end .... i am certainly not in a position to judge whether kristi was right in concentrating on singles ... but i do remember and just got reminded of how wonderful they were as a pair.
... to concentrate on her singles skills cause she believed she would have a better chance at Olympic gold if she competed in singles!
I think she made the right decision ;)
WHOA i didnt know kristy did pairs!!!!!
3F+steps+3T and 2A :) very hard individual jumps content, it's interesting to see the marks here (at Worlds-89 was 5.5-5.7 for technical and 5.4-5.6 for artistic)
@trojanrob24 Thanks! I knew I'd heard it. Now I feel silly for not being able to place it. *shakes head*
I was just wondering why Kristi did not resume the pairs after winning the olympic.
Like what I had said before, yes she won gold and everything what does it say about her personally?
The triple-twist was always sloppily executed. This pair had all the trick but lacked the connection of skating together as one. Obviously Kristie's massive talent makes up for many weak areas in the program like when Galindo is off balance. He didn't have the look for international pairs & didn't skate with passion to match or surpass Kristie's. Kristie did the right thing in moving on. This proves what a massive talent she really is out of all the others her versatility is unrivaled.
I actually like it better.
Would thses two skate again as pairs even just for exhibition?
@mlc2005 trust me, just because some one is an olympic champion doesn't mean they have a good personality... examples: evgeni plushenko, kim yu-na.
They were a wonderful pair. Too bad they did not stay together or at least continue in pair skating. Kristi was always a great skater but I think she would have been even better if she had continued pairs.
We had the Carruthers with their great personalities and synchronization along with some inventiveness and then Watson and Oppegard with their amazing speed, artistry and creative lifts and the best ever death spiral...and then when they retired I thought we had these two to go on and make it to great heights...too bad...instead we ended up with a rather drab Kuchiki-Sand pairing and sloppy Urbanski-Marval...at least when Todd paired with Jenni Meno it got better for US pairs.
She didn't decide to skate singles the U.S. National figure skating association decided for her. They thought Rudy was too small to compete in pairs on the international level, to compete against the Russians.
She made the right decision, alright, but what does it say about her?
Around 1:50, what is the music? I know it but I can't remember the name and it's driving me insane.
Kristi and Rudi had fascinating programs and they skated really well together, it's almost a shame she moved to Singles after 1990.
Jessica Lim that was the nino rota version of Romeo and Juliet from the film
All I can say is "What if....?"
I doubt he was enjoying it "like that", Rudy Galindo is like the most out guy in skating
No deduction. Actually more difficult.
Her decision to drop Rudy, was indeed, very inconsiderate.
Yes, I do believe that decision was too very inconsiderate of her... but that again, you can expect anything less orientals. They will do whatever it takes to get over. BTW, she has no personality and I'm still surprise she can see left or right.
First of all she's not an Oriental; she's Asian American. Again, why should she not pursue her goals and dreams which is what everyone else in this country has the opportunity to do every day. So should she be submissive and follow two steps behind. Prejudice cannot deny her talent and his. Thankfully they are still supportive of each other and haters like you, don't contribute much.