Babilonia and Gardner did for pairs skating what Torvill and Dean later did for Ice Dance. We will not see the likes of them again. Thank you for this magic. We will never forget.
I have never seen a pair like Tai and Randy before and I haven't seen once since that skates like them. They skate like one single moving unit. Neither one is a second behind or ahead of the other, they are just together! Simply beautiful...
That was what was so amazing. Tai was so strong. Something you just don’t see in women pair skaters. That is what gave them the look of a well balanced unit. She wasn’t like Ekaterina Gordeeva that was light as a feather and barely came up to her partner’s shoulder.
I'm so glad yo see this video. Tai and Randy are still my facorite American pair team. Great unison, class and artistry.. and a super throw triple salchow in 1979! And that pair Ina Bauer is so sublime...
They were absolutely so graceful and beautiful on the ice. Two of their most spectacular moves were the spread eagle into the inside Ina Bauer and the death spiral at the end of their program. The death spiral always scared the daylights out of me. Truly special skaters.
Have always loved this performance. This was their apex as amateurs: The perfect Arabian pulls, the throw double axel, the swan lift, and the Protopopov-like spiral which flows into the balletic moves in the 2nd act @ 3:25: the star lift, the spread eagle, the Ina Bauer, and of course, the death spiral. Their age of innocence ends here, as they go from this '79 win into the '80 Olympic devastation. Thank goodness this is a legacy.
I remember watching this :D ! ! ! & That last score by that last judge upsetting me so, and thinking, "Oh but it'll be thrown out!" (lowest score = OUT!) It was a breathtaking performance to be sure!!! We were ALL so proud : ) !!
Tai and Randy are one of the best all-time pair figure skaters! What a great performance to win the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships! Thank you for sharing and allowing me to relive this magical figure skating moment! :-)
Their unison and beauty was and is still unmatched. Modern figure skating is forgetting the beauty and grace of the sport. The polish of their program was sheer perfection.
I didn't see anything like this in our recent Olympics with complete grace, and compassionate movements in sync with each other. What they did we don't see anymore.
Agree. Really wanted to see a head to head against Rodnina and Zaitsev. I remember the silence that fell over the skating venue as Gardener fell jump after jump.
I used to think they had a great chance to win Olympic gold in 1980 but upon reflection after all these years I am now sadly convinced the judges would NEVER have allowed Rodnina and Zaitsev to retire without anything less than gold. It wouldn’t have mattered if Tai and Randy had skated to perfection. It was unfortunately the way political judging was especially in those days
There is enough snarking about judges with respect to who actually competes for and wins a gold medal - I cannot believe we are now snarking about a judging decision that never happened. If things had been different the skating order would have been different, Tai and Randy might have brought the house down and the Russians might have fallen. You can’t say judging would have been corrupt anyway. So strange.
B C I’m not snarking the judging absolutely was like that back then. Rodnina and Zaitsev were bulletproof they had won every world championship consecutively since 1969. The only reason they didn’t win in 1979 is because they took a year off for Irina to have a baby. They even skated their entire long program in the 1973 world championships WITHOUT music when their tape broke. Dick Button providing commentary was flabbergasted because they just kept skating. I think they should have been disqualified but they STILL WON. That would never happen today. They never fell in competition either. Not once. But I assure you even if they had it wouldn’t have mattered. I don’t think you understand the sheer dominance of this pair throughout the 70’s. The judges absolutely would have held them up in the scores because of their reputation. Even when they skated a program with no music! PS Irina’s partner was Alexei Ulanov from 1969-1972. After he fell in love with another pair skater Irina teamed up with Alexander Zaitsev and continued winning every subsequent world and Olympic gold medal until 1980.
You don't see throw salchow entrances like that anymore. Fantastic.. I love watching old figure skating videos. I didn't like her helicopter leg on her throw axel. Their flying camel pair spin was so cool! I've never seen that before.
Yes, they are allowed. The reason you don't see them is because of high risk. In pair skating, the man is twice - or more - the weight of the woman, which makes the balance extremely tricky. And these days, of course, skaters won't get any points for it aside from maybe a tenth added to for originality in the components. Not worth the risk.
I love to watch the older videos, before they threw out the 6.0 system of judging. Now, there are so many required elements that there isn't any time for choreography of any kind. I mean, there are linking steps and transitions and jumps and spins that are slowed down and so many required changes of edge and position that "artistic Impression' just isn't possible. It's like watching the same elements over and over, in different order as each skater TRIES to make something of one big hot mess.
Not that it seems all that fantastic to me, but what I Do find impressive is the ease with which the man handles the partner practically his own height and - couldn't help noticing :)))- weight...Anyway, glad to see a bit of solid skating from a US pair.
I will never forget this. I was 20 years old watching this from my apartment in upstate ny. I was a hockey skater but always drawn to these two. The courage to take on the Russians and come away with this world championship was honestly a highlight of my life. I felt pride and admiration. I remember some difficulties they had including injury around those years but we will never forget how well you represented our country, can't imagine the pressure. I still watch the long program skate often and feel the same each time. Thank you Randy and Tai for what you gave the world. The Russians were technicians but always left me amazed but cold. You two had that plus the spark of emotion and fearlessness which I think we all felt. Sincere best wishes to you both and thank you. I need to find out if you guys have a podcast or something. Btw I agree with so many commenters. Skating lost something. In the quest for technical advancements much of what Randy and Tai possessed was lost. Ice dancing still has the opportunity to push the presentation limits but pairs to me has become mechanical. Those Arabian pulls were killer, I'm not sure I even see those anymore. Randy and or Tai if you are ever in nj dinner is on me at olive garden! Nothing high end but lots of free breadsticks.
I was always amazed how easily he seemed to lift her and throw her considering how close in size they were. Usually you see a much larger male and a smaller female partner together.
so arrogant to think that the average viewer can't tell that their skating is 'steady, mature and complete' besides naming maneuvers, fans don't need it explained when someone is skating well. too much commentary during such beautiful art....
Back then it was. Skating did not become popular until the early 1990s and, of course, the Tonya/Nancy incident skyrocketed interest in skating. Before the early 1990s, only during the Olympics would we get to see almost the entire competition. Otherwise, only the Top 3 and the top US skaters would be shown on TV, and not even live.
А иначе кому они нужны? Кстати, этот чемпионат они выиграли благодаря тому, что Роднина с Зайцевым не участвовали. А через год на олимпиаде в родном Лейк-Плэсиде Гарднер сбежал, оправдываясь травмой. И судя по оценкам, выставленным нашим спортсменам, правильно сделал. Зрители от них ждали свержения советской пары с Олимпа парного катания, а Роднина с Зайцевым укатали их уровень в их же лёд. Золото ЧМ 79-го года лучший результат американской пары. Плюс две бронзы чемпионатов мира и всё. Остальное шлак.
Technically, they absolutely lost to the program to russian pair! Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai did triple axel (!) twist, triple toeloops, double axels, and much more difficult lifts! Western countries 6 judges (USA, Canada, Australia, France, Japan and WestGermany) dragged Babylonia/Gardner into first place. Eastern countries judges prefer Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai in 1st place, but there were only three.
Eastern bloc-Soviet led countries always voted for Soviet or East German skaters. SBS 3Toes, Shakrai missed as he wasn't able to check out on the landing. Split 2 1/2 twist lift, there was bit of a collision on the exit of the lift. Shakrai was off on the 1A-1/2Lo-1/2Lo-2S, missing a jump and off unison. They had no throw jumps. Artistically, they were inferior to Tai & Randy, plus, Tai & Randy's execution of their elements were much cleaner than those of Marina & Sergey.
@@3Axel1996 Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai did 3 1/2 twist (look your video at 1: 00, three and half rev.,not two, he catch her shakely, but land on one foot! They not did 1A-1/2Lo-1/2Lo-2S, but did 1A+euler+1Lo+2F clean. Sergey land 3T at one foot with step out, jump is counted. But they did also 2A clean! They did throw 2A! Also Marina and Sergey did much more difficult lifts: back lasso (now 5B), toe lasso (5T), step in lasso (5S), and hip lift (group 3 now). B/G did only one 5 group lift - 5T, two lift group 4 (press lift), and one very simple lift group 2).
Without a great speed, without double axels SBS, without triple twist, she got great pre-rotation on throw 2A, with so many asynchronous moments (especially 3:31)... also remember more difficult throw triple loop (done by Baess/Thierbach). Marks 5.4-5.6 - absolytely right, and 5.9 (?!) - wrong! Yes, americans could win only due to Rodnina and Zaitsew absence here.
With all due respect and no disrespect to the fine artistry of Babilonia and Gardner for the time (especially compared to Rodnina and Zaitsev), how can you say you miss the 'good old days' when we have Gordeeva and Grinkov? Just do a youtube search for G&G 1989 Barber of Seville...They are as fast or faster than Rodnina and Zaitsev & have superior ballet training, artistry,grace and unison to Tai and Randy.G&G are the best that has ever been so far for pairs technique, unison, and charisma.
I think people have their favorites from their own particular era and tend to assume that they were “the best.” I agree with you-when people here say that they had never seen such unison ever, clearly they missed pair skating in the late 80s and early 90s. But I guess the best thing to do is appreciate each skaters on their own separate video, and not get into pointless arguments about who was “the best.” No one is ever going to ever change their favorites based on a CZcams argument...
Babilonia and Gardner did for pairs skating what Torvill and Dean later did for Ice Dance. We will not see the likes of them again. Thank you for this magic. We will never forget.
they were just so perfectly matched...they make it look so easy
Greatest US pair? They are one of the greatest of all time.
Those Arabian Pulls are absolutely magnificent!
Never seen that!!
I have never seen a pair like Tai and Randy before and I haven't seen once since that skates like them. They skate like one single moving unit. Neither one is a second behind or ahead of the other, they are just together! Simply beautiful...
That was what was so amazing. Tai was so strong. Something you just don’t see in women pair skaters. That is what gave them the look of a well balanced unit. She wasn’t like Ekaterina Gordeeva that was light as a feather and barely came up to her partner’s shoulder.
@@ardishorwich4601 You can make a good comparison to Underhill & Martini of Canada, who competed against Tai & Randy early in their careers.
You Said It !!
this pair is what figure skating is all about...grace, class, elegance, style
Grace, Class, elegance, and style that's what figure skating is all about got it
Grace, Class, elegance, and style that’s what pair skating is all about got it
Not anymore unfortunately. It is now about flinging one's partner from one end of the rink to the other.
I'm so glad yo see this video. Tai and Randy are still my facorite American pair team. Great unison, class and artistry.. and a super throw triple salchow in 1979! And that pair Ina Bauer is so sublime...
Still the greatest US pairs team ever....
I was always glued to the TV when they skated
BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE! Not only is their technique superb, but the extension and balletic movements are wonderful. Thank you!
You are correct...they are the best! The fluidity and unison in their skating is without comparison.
Skating was more original back then. Miss it.
This was just simply amazing! I sat down and said I was only going to watch a minute or two. IMPOSSIBLE! I was so drawn in. Just Beautiful!
I remember this. I was 8 and totally obsessed with Tai and Randy. I wanted to skate so bad.
That spread eagle to into an Ina Baur was gorgeous, simply gorgeous.
DelusionalDarcy: Yes -- unparalleled beauty.
Got to see them in Ice Capades when I was a kid. They were amazing! 🥰
The best pair skaters ever! No one since has their style and elegance.
just as beautiful today as it was back then have yet to see as classy a pair as these two
Nothing but pure elegance and grace! I've loved them since I was a kid!
That spiral sequence is really just sublime. What artistry!! And the side by side splits at 1:51!!! Just beautiful
They were absolutely so graceful and beautiful on the ice. Two of their most spectacular moves were the spread eagle into the inside Ina Bauer and the death spiral at the end of their program. The death spiral always scared the daylights out of me. Truly special skaters.
This is mesmerising. Can't take my eyes off the screen. Perfection.
Have always loved this performance. This was their apex as amateurs: The perfect Arabian pulls, the throw double axel, the swan lift, and the Protopopov-like spiral which flows into the balletic moves in the 2nd act @ 3:25: the star lift, the spread eagle, the Ina Bauer, and of course, the death spiral. Their age of innocence ends here, as they go from this '79 win into the '80 Olympic devastation. Thank goodness this is a legacy.
Their artistry, technical elements, chemistry....you just cannnot even compare to anyone else out there. Just pure magic.
Tai and Randy had the best synchronicity I’ve seen of any pair skater.
Thrilling to watch, even after all these years. :)
Totally beautiful!!! So simple by today's standards, but then it is more about big stunts rather then the skating anymore.
Thanks for posting.
I remember watching this :D ! ! ! & That last score by that last judge upsetting me so, and thinking, "Oh but it'll be thrown out!" (lowest score = OUT!) It was a breathtaking performance to be sure!!! We were ALL so proud : ) !!
Lowest (or highest) score is never thrown out in figure skating.
Still stands up today. Grace & Style.
Beautiful, Lovely and a very powerful skating program!!
WOW beautiful just beautiful!! (tearing) yes even after all these years!!!
Tai and Randy are one of the best all-time pair figure skaters! What a great performance to win the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships! Thank you for sharing and allowing me to relive this magical figure skating moment! :-)
I have always wanted to see this performance again....it gave me chills then and still does! Thank you for posting it!!
Chills is Right !
I would love to see the
Short program one day
Those magnificent Arabian pulls and superb Ina Bauer sequence make up for the horrendous music cuts. Can't believe its been almost 30 years!
Oh my goodness! After all these years, this is still so beautiful. Thank you so much for uploading this video. :')
So inspiring and lovely
Their unison and beauty was and is still unmatched. Modern figure skating is forgetting the beauty and grace of the sport. The polish of their program was sheer perfection.
I didn't see anything like this in our recent Olympics with complete grace, and compassionate movements in sync with each other. What they did we don't see anymore.
Loved these 2!!!!!!!!!!
so sad about what happened to them at the olympics
Agree. Really wanted to see a head to head against Rodnina and Zaitsev. I remember the silence that fell over the skating venue as Gardener fell jump after jump.
I agree too poor Randy
Just Awesome ! Dazzling !
Tai Babilonia, my first celebrity crush.
I used to think they had a great chance to win Olympic gold in 1980 but upon reflection after all these years I am now sadly convinced the judges would NEVER have allowed Rodnina and Zaitsev to retire without anything less than gold. It wouldn’t have mattered if Tai and Randy had skated to perfection. It was unfortunately the way political judging was especially in those days
There is enough snarking about judges with respect to who actually competes for and wins a gold medal - I cannot believe we are now snarking about a judging decision that never happened. If things had been different the skating order would have been different, Tai and Randy might have brought the house down and the Russians might have fallen. You can’t say judging would have been corrupt anyway. So strange.
B C I’m not snarking the judging absolutely was like that back then.
Rodnina and Zaitsev were bulletproof they had won every world championship consecutively since 1969. The only reason they didn’t win in 1979 is because they took a year off for Irina to have a baby.
They even skated their entire long program in the 1973 world championships WITHOUT music when their tape broke. Dick Button providing commentary was flabbergasted because they just kept skating.
I think they should have been disqualified but they STILL WON. That would never happen today.
They never fell in competition either. Not once.
But I assure you even if they had it wouldn’t have mattered. I don’t think you understand the sheer dominance of this pair throughout the 70’s. The judges absolutely would have held them up in the scores because of their reputation. Even when they skated a program with no music!
PS Irina’s partner was Alexei Ulanov from 1969-1972. After he fell in love with another pair skater Irina teamed up with Alexander Zaitsev and continued winning every subsequent world and Olympic gold medal until 1980.
Class of their own
I love the way Thai stacks each move with such musicality.
Beautiful!❤🎉
Why hasn’t anybody skated to this music again. This music is way better than Carmen.
I saw them in 1979 in Boston and she would land so softly it was like a feather dropping.
You don't see throw salchow entrances like that anymore. Fantastic.. I love watching old figure skating videos. I didn't like her helicopter leg on her throw axel. Their flying camel pair spin was so cool! I've never seen that before.
Probably one of the very few teams that could stand up to the Soviets
She went to my school today 👌
so graceful
Extensions and Araian pulls are suberb!
Happy Birthday Tai xox
🥳🎊🎉🍰🎁🎁🎈🎈🎂🌷🌷🌹🌹💍🦋💐💎
Such a magical performance
WOW!! My litte sister is named after her!
It's so stupid they disallowed "pulls" - they're stunning.
While the music itself was dramatic, Dick Button’s commentary made it super dramatic. “There it is. This is it!”
My far the best US pair skaters ever. No team since Peter and Kitty Carruthers comes remotely close to their skills and elegance.
Are Arabian fulls still allowed? Never seen them before and they're amazing!
Yes, they are allowed. The reason you don't see them is because of high risk. In pair skating, the man is twice - or more - the weight of the woman, which makes the balance extremely tricky. And these days, of course, skaters won't get any points for it aside from maybe a tenth added to for originality in the components. Not worth the risk.
Does anyone know where i can watch the movie "on thin ice",based on these two? it was a movie in 1990....
I love to watch the older videos, before they threw out the 6.0 system of judging. Now, there are so many required elements that there isn't any time for choreography of any kind. I mean, there are linking steps and transitions and jumps and spins that are slowed down and so many required changes of edge and position that "artistic Impression' just isn't possible. It's like watching the same elements over and over, in different order as each skater TRIES to make something of one big hot mess.
One thing about Randy and Tai. They were more equal in size. Not like now, 2020, little woman, larger man.
Sooooooooooo good.
They are so majestic strong yet graceful. Their height and long limbs give them an expansive quality that is thrilling.
Death Spiral is to die for !!
I remember seeing them at Disney on ice when I was young.
My favorite American pairs.
Уж очень медленый прокат!
Wow!
Too bad they were injured to compete at the home Olympics next year. They might have pulled an upset.
Not that it seems all that fantastic to me, but what I Do find impressive is the ease with which the man handles the partner practically his own height and - couldn't help noticing :)))- weight...Anyway, glad to see a bit of solid skating from a US pair.
gala s she's nowhere near his height or weight...but ok 🤷🏽♀️
It would at least be nice to see another US pair that is at least a medal contender someday
Good ole nicks
What is the music? I love it
wow...who perform the Music?
Holst-goes-Disco?
I will never forget this. I was 20 years old watching this from my apartment in upstate ny. I was a hockey skater but always drawn to these two. The courage to take on the Russians and come away with this world championship was honestly a highlight of my life. I felt pride and admiration. I remember some difficulties they had including injury around those years but we will never forget how well you represented our country, can't imagine the pressure. I still watch the long program skate often and feel the same each time. Thank you Randy and Tai for what you gave the world. The Russians were technicians but always left me amazed but cold. You two had that plus the spark of emotion and fearlessness which I think we all felt. Sincere best wishes to you both and thank you. I need to find out if you guys have a podcast or something. Btw I agree with so many commenters. Skating lost something. In the quest for technical advancements much of what Randy and Tai possessed was lost. Ice dancing still has the opportunity to push the presentation limits but pairs to me has become mechanical. Those Arabian pulls were killer, I'm not sure I even see those anymore. Randy and or Tai if you are ever in nj dinner is on me at olive garden! Nothing high end but lots of free breadsticks.
1980 😢
7:00 that's a Torval & Dean move!
I was always amazed how easily he seemed to lift her and throw her considering how close in size they were. Usually you see a much larger male and a smaller female partner together.
Correction: little
so arrogant to think that the average viewer can't tell that their skating is 'steady, mature and complete' besides naming maneuvers, fans don't need it explained when someone is skating well. too much commentary during such beautiful art....
Back then it was. Skating did not become popular until the early 1990s and, of course, the Tonya/Nancy incident skyrocketed interest in skating. Before the early 1990s, only during the Olympics would we get to see almost the entire competition. Otherwise, only the Top 3 and the top US skaters would be shown on TV, and not even live.
Ну что, кто тут после новости о Камиле Валиевой?)
А иначе кому они нужны? Кстати, этот чемпионат они выиграли благодаря тому, что Роднина с Зайцевым не участвовали. А через год на олимпиаде в родном Лейк-Плэсиде Гарднер сбежал, оправдываясь травмой. И судя по оценкам, выставленным нашим спортсменам, правильно сделал. Зрители от них ждали свержения советской пары с Олимпа парного катания, а Роднина с Зайцевым укатали их уровень в их же лёд. Золото ЧМ 79-го года лучший результат американской пары. Плюс две бронзы чемпионатов мира и всё. Остальное шлак.
Technically, they absolutely lost to the program to russian pair! Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai did triple axel (!) twist, triple toeloops, double axels, and much more difficult lifts! Western countries 6 judges (USA, Canada, Australia, France, Japan and WestGermany) dragged Babylonia/Gardner into first place. Eastern countries judges prefer Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai in 1st place, but there were only three.
Eastern bloc-Soviet led countries always voted for Soviet or East German skaters. SBS 3Toes, Shakrai missed as he wasn't able to check out on the landing. Split 2 1/2 twist lift, there was bit of a collision on the exit of the lift. Shakrai was off on the 1A-1/2Lo-1/2Lo-2S, missing a jump and off unison. They had no throw jumps. Artistically, they were inferior to Tai & Randy, plus, Tai & Randy's execution of their elements were much cleaner than those of Marina & Sergey.
Canada scored B & G low. 5.4 and 5.7.
@@johnorlando9839 no - high, Cherkasova/Shakhrai 5,5+5,5=11,0, Babilonia/Gardner 5.4+5.7=11,1
@@3Axel1996 Marina Cherkasova and Sergei Shakhrai did 3 1/2 twist (look your video at 1: 00, three and half rev.,not two, he catch her shakely, but land on one foot! They not did 1A-1/2Lo-1/2Lo-2S, but did 1A+euler+1Lo+2F clean. Sergey land 3T at one foot with step out, jump is counted. But they did also 2A clean! They did throw 2A! Also Marina and Sergey did much more difficult lifts: back lasso (now 5B), toe lasso (5T), step in lasso (5S), and hip lift (group 3 now). B/G did only one 5 group lift - 5T, two lift group 4 (press lift), and one very simple lift group 2).
5.4?? Must be an Eastern bloc judge at the time.
Wow, Tai was super tall for a female pairs competitor. She looks about 5'8 or so.
She looks tall, I agree, but several sites list her as being 5'3" (!). I can't find Randy's height. I'd guess 5'5" to 5'6".
Пара скатанная , синхронная . В то время на это и был упор. Но прыжков мало , и партнёша, как бревно : спина не гнется, и ноги не поднимаются.
As far as I know they were the only American world pairs champions.
Meno and Sands won once, didn’t they? 1995 or 96?
Meno and Sands won only silver or bronze.
Americans won in 1950 and in 2022.
They were so much better than the robotic Rodnina and her plethora of partners!
Им до Родниной ,как до Луны. Они как увидели Роднину и не смогли кататся.
RUSSIAN SCHOOL IS THE BEST.STUDY IT.
Without a great speed, without double axels SBS, without triple twist, she got great pre-rotation on throw 2A, with so many asynchronous moments (especially 3:31)... also remember more difficult throw triple loop (done by Baess/Thierbach). Marks 5.4-5.6 - absolytely right, and 5.9 (?!) - wrong! Yes, americans could win only due to Rodnina and Zaitsew absence here.
Ужасное катание!!!! Дутые чемпионы
Never forget when they lost to Irina Rodnina and Alexander Zaitsev USSR.By the way Garner tan away from the competition.
Mr.Gardner ran away from the competition and this is the fact that nothing can change.
@@oa494 ignorant comment. And a lie. He was injured! You are ridiculous.
With all due respect and no disrespect to the fine artistry of Babilonia and Gardner for the time (especially compared to Rodnina and Zaitsev), how can you say you miss the 'good old days' when we have Gordeeva and Grinkov? Just do a youtube search for G&G 1989 Barber of Seville...They are as fast or faster than Rodnina and Zaitsev & have superior ballet training, artistry,grace and unison to Tai and Randy.G&G are the best that has ever been so far for pairs technique, unison, and charisma.
I think people have their favorites from their own particular era and tend to assume that they were “the best.” I agree with you-when people here say that they had never seen such unison ever, clearly they missed pair skating in the late 80s and early 90s. But I guess the best thing to do is appreciate each skaters on their own separate video, and not get into pointless arguments about who was “the best.” No one is ever going to ever change their favorites based on a CZcams argument...