The media made it all about the"Battle of the Brians", but the truth is the fix was in for Orser to win no matter how he skated. The fact that Boitano won in a so-called broken tie is one of the most telling examples of the corrupt 6.0 system. For years, the media and Orser himself made his loss all about missing the triple flip. The truth is Boitano crushed Orser's program technically with two triple axels, two triple flips, and a triple-triple combination, all of which Orser didn't do. In addition to missing the triple flip, Orser downgraded his second triple axel to a salchow and had a hard two-foot landing on his last triple. With respect to Orser, there was no way his score should have been anywhere near Boitano's. The reason the scores ended up so close was revealed about 10 years after the '88 Olympics. Boitano's coach, Linda Lever, shared the story in a video on YT entitled "Brian Boitano 2016". I think her comments came in at about the 20-minute mark. She shared that she and Boitano were at a rink in Europe somewhere when they were approached by a Russian man. He wanted to meet Boitano and said he had something to share with him. It turned out this man was on the judging panel at the '88 Olympics. He said straight out that agreements were made beforehand for Orser to win. He was to be the big hero, winning Canada's first men's gold on home ice. It was to be the event of the Olympics. However, the man said that after he watched Boitano skate his flawless program, he had to vote his conscience and do the right thing. So, he scored Boitano fairly and not as low as he was expected to. It was his score that "broke the tie" and gave Boitano his rightful gold medal. He said it was one of the greatest moments of his life. Back home, however, he was banned from the Soviet skating federation as a judge. True story, and Boitano being the class act he is never spoke of it. Of course, Orser had nothing to do with this, but it just speaks to the corruption of skating federations (that still exists today) and the old 6.0 system, which thankfully doesn't.
I remember this so clearly sitting in my living room on edge watching the competition. I wanted Boitano to win so badly and he was flawless. What an amazing mens' competition!!!
Does anyone remember the absolutely atrocious interview IMMEDIATELY thereafter in the kiss and cry where David Santee says, "Brian, I've got good news for you and bad news. The good news is those are great marks. The bad news is you finished second." Unbelievably tactless and uncouth. Orser was gracious as always - and that made him a true champion in my eyes. These two Brians were both so wonderful - how nice that they were so respectful of each other.
I wonder why no one has posted BB's long program for that year. I also remember watching it on television I think Calgary will always be my favorite Olympics!!
Many of the other men skaters and narrators say the two most focused and athletically fit men skaters are Brian Boitano and Elvis Stojko. I am big fans of both and started watching them carefully and I find that to be totally correct. You can see it on their faces before they take one step. Both Brian B and Elvis are far more concerned with doing their best than w/ winning. I think thats why they are so often winners. That plus their good hearts.
Saw Brian Boitano and when he jumps into the air and does the “Death drop”, and the entire audience gasped because he jumped SO high that we didn’t think he was coming down
I watched that night and cried (and clapped) out loud after Brian Boitano's performance...he was brilliant that night and such an inspiration to everyone who watched...I miss watching him compete to this day...no one comes close to his talent...
Watch out, if Jason Brown skates in Sochi like he did at the US Championships, many people will be forgetting the Battle of the Brian's. He is the total package.
Did you watch the Battle of the Brians live? Because I haven't felt so much nevousness, excitement, pain among other emotions for any other figure skating event before or since. That to me is still the most intense and exciting rivalry of all time in figure skating and nothing will ever beat it. The hype and expectations for both Brians was off the charts and both were skating at their peak at the time. If you watched it live, you would know what I'm talking about.
Uzumaki Naruto Yes, not direct exactly, I was living on the west coast of the USA, and direct was timed for prime time East coast...There are some women's performances that enthralled me as well...Witt '88, & Lipinski 98, But I love to watch Jason Brown, he has beyond anyone on the ice with his skating. Not the jumps yet but a charm, allure, expression to the music with edges and spins unequaled.
Kevin Jewell I agree with you totally that Jason Brown may be the first in years to skate with the emotion, charm and athleticism as Brian Boitano. He's a joy to watch and it will be fun watching him grow as he matures. (But I also agree with Uzumaki Naruto here that the "Battle of the 2 Brians" was probably the most exciting skating performance in history and may never be duplicated).
metsedudenj Learn how to read...I wrote clearly, and I quote "IF", which Jason didn't do, but, for once, someone (Jason) has that potential to captivate audiences, and there are millions of television viewers worldwide that were too young or they were not born to have seen the battles of '88...This day and age people want the newest item, gimmick and gizmo on the market...it is imbedded into their bodies from an early age and reinforced through television...2 minute of show for 5 minutes of ads...kids are raised for stimulus...Jason may be able to attract viewers attention with great skates..but he does have to "HIT"
Brians long program used to be here but it was taken down, I dont know why, for those looking for it...here it is...www.dailymotion.com/video/x1onggt_brian-boitano-1988-calgary-long-program_sport
I'm a figure-skating super-fan. But it's $h!t like this that makes it hard to take seriously as a "sport." On one day in 1988, a couple judges felt slightly more inspired by Boitano's jumps, spins, or footwork. Orser skated superbly, and thus it's incredibly bizarre that he beat himself up about ONLY winning (his second) Silver for the better part of a decade. On one day on 2014, a few (Russian) judges felt particularly inspired by Adelina Sotnikova's free skate; is there anyone in the world (whose last name is not "Sotnikova") who would make the claim that Adelina is a better skater than Yuna? The subjectivity makes these rankings so trivial. Michelle Kwan has, what, 568643 World and National titles, as well as two Olympic medals, but neither are Gold.
+Jules Mekler Nonsense! You don't diminish what a life's goal means to a person just because it's a subjective sport. Boxing, Roy Jones Jr. Is boxing not to be taken seriously because of subjective scoring? When you work for years to achieve goals it means something. Every individual processes not reaching the mark differently. Try seeing past yourself.
Well I dunno $hit about boxing and now I never plan to learn. Just sayin', when there's so much subjectivity you can only take something so seriously. If you listen to Sandra's (often very dumb) comments you will hear these things... "Her music is age-appropriate, "Her program lacked sophistication," "She's everything you want in a champion skater - except for the jumps"... All nonsense. Love Scott's enthusiasm and it rubs off on Sandra, but the crap she says illuminates the idiocy of "judging."
Wasn't Boitano also in 1st after the compulsory figures? I'm not sure but I think he was ahead of Orser. So even if Orser hadn't stepped out of that jump, wouldn't Boitano still have won?
No , Boitano was 2nd and Orser was 3rd in figures , and orser was 1st and boitano 2nd in the short , going to the free skating boitano was 1st and orser 2nd , but the free skating worths I think 50% of the total score and since they were so close whoever wins the free programme will win the gold eventually
The media made it all about the"Battle of the Brians", but the truth is the fix was in for Orser to win no matter how he skated. The fact that Boitano won in a so-called broken tie is one of the most telling examples of the corrupt 6.0 system.
For years, the media and Orser himself made his loss all about missing the triple flip. The truth is Boitano crushed Orser's program technically with two triple axels, two triple flips, and a triple-triple combination, all of which Orser didn't do. In addition to missing the triple flip, Orser downgraded his second triple axel to a salchow and had a hard two-foot landing on his last triple. With respect to Orser, there was no way his score should have been anywhere near Boitano's.
The reason the scores ended up so close was revealed about 10 years after the '88 Olympics. Boitano's coach, Linda Lever, shared the story in a video on YT entitled "Brian Boitano 2016". I think her comments came in at about the 20-minute mark. She shared that she and Boitano were at a rink in Europe somewhere when they were approached by a Russian man. He wanted to meet Boitano and said he had something to share with him. It turned out this man was on the judging panel at the '88 Olympics. He said straight out that agreements were made beforehand for Orser to win. He was to be the big hero, winning Canada's first men's gold on home ice. It was to be the event of the Olympics.
However, the man said that after he watched Boitano skate his flawless program, he had to vote his conscience and do the right thing. So, he scored Boitano fairly and not as low as he was expected to. It was his score that "broke the tie" and gave Boitano his rightful gold medal. He said it was one of the greatest moments of his life. Back home, however, he was banned from the Soviet skating federation as a judge. True story, and Boitano being the class act he is never spoke of it. Of course, Orser had nothing to do with this, but it just speaks to the corruption of skating federations (that still exists today) and the old 6.0 system, which thankfully doesn't.
I remember this so clearly sitting in my living room on edge watching the competition. I wanted Boitano to win so badly and he was flawless. What an amazing mens' competition!!!
Does anyone remember the absolutely atrocious interview IMMEDIATELY thereafter in the kiss and cry where David Santee says, "Brian, I've got good news for you and bad news. The good news is those are great marks. The bad news is you finished second." Unbelievably tactless and uncouth. Orser was gracious as always - and that made him a true champion in my eyes. These two Brians were both so wonderful - how nice that they were so respectful of each other.
I wonder why no one has posted BB's long program for that year. I also remember watching it on television I think Calgary will always be my favorite Olympics!!
I enjoyed being a part of this..I was at this event as well as the closeing cermony...My Stetson off to the Brian's
Many of the other men skaters and narrators say the two most focused and athletically fit men skaters are Brian Boitano and Elvis Stojko. I am big fans of both and started watching them carefully and I find that to be totally correct. You can see it on their faces before they take one step. Both Brian B and Elvis are far more concerned with doing their best than w/ winning. I think thats why they are so often winners. That plus their good hearts.
Saw Brian Boitano and when he jumps into the air and does the “Death drop”, and the entire audience gasped because he jumped SO high that we didn’t think he was coming down
I watched that night and cried (and clapped) out loud after Brian Boitano's performance...he was brilliant that night and such an inspiration to everyone who watched...I miss watching him compete to this day...no one comes close to his talent...
B.B. is the best! Still is and he's a fabulous cook as well.
I remember this like it was yesterday. Can someone please post Boitano's long program? I can't find it in its entirety. Thanks!
Watch out, if Jason Brown skates in Sochi like he did at the US Championships, many people will be forgetting the Battle of the Brian's. He is the total package.
Did you watch the Battle of the Brians live? Because I haven't felt so much nevousness, excitement, pain among other emotions for any other figure skating event before or since.
That to me is still the most intense and exciting rivalry of all time in figure skating and nothing will ever beat it. The hype and expectations for both Brians was off the charts and both were skating at their peak at the time. If you watched it live, you would know what I'm talking about.
Uzumaki Naruto Yes, not direct exactly, I was living on the west coast of the USA, and direct was timed for prime time East coast...There are some women's performances that enthralled me as well...Witt '88, & Lipinski 98, But I love to watch Jason Brown, he has beyond anyone on the ice with his skating. Not the jumps yet but a charm, allure, expression to the music with edges and spins unequaled.
Kevin Jewell I agree with you totally that Jason Brown may be the first in years to skate with the emotion, charm and athleticism as Brian Boitano. He's a joy to watch and it will be fun watching him grow as he matures. (But I also agree with Uzumaki Naruto here that the "Battle of the 2 Brians" was probably the most exciting skating performance in history and may never be duplicated).
Yeah, Kevin that happened.
metsedudenj Learn how to read...I wrote clearly, and I quote "IF", which Jason didn't do, but, for once, someone (Jason) has that potential to captivate audiences, and there are millions of television viewers worldwide that were too young or they were not born to have seen the battles of '88...This day and age people want the newest item, gimmick and gizmo on the market...it is imbedded into their bodies from an early age and reinforced through television...2 minute of show for 5 minutes of ads...kids are raised for stimulus...Jason may be able to attract viewers attention with great skates..but he does have to "HIT"
Yes, I do, which is why David Santee doesnt do commentary anymore. Trust me, that was NOT lost by ABC
Они оба молодцы и умницы!!!💪👍👌👍
That's what would Brian Boitano do.
Interesting little bit there with Alexei Yagudin at the end
Had this judging been actually FAIR and correct, Petrenko would have been given second place in the LP.
Brians long program used to be here but it was taken down, I dont know why, for those looking for it...here it is...www.dailymotion.com/video/x1onggt_brian-boitano-1988-calgary-long-program_sport
I had a crush on bb
I love Boitano!
I'm a figure-skating super-fan. But it's $h!t like this that makes it hard to take seriously as a "sport." On one day in 1988, a couple judges felt slightly more inspired by Boitano's jumps, spins, or footwork. Orser skated superbly, and thus it's incredibly bizarre that he beat himself up about ONLY winning (his second) Silver for the better part of a decade. On one day on 2014, a few (Russian) judges felt particularly inspired by Adelina Sotnikova's free skate; is there anyone in the world (whose last name is not "Sotnikova") who would make the claim that Adelina is a better skater than Yuna? The subjectivity makes these rankings so trivial. Michelle Kwan has, what, 568643 World and National titles, as well as two Olympic medals, but neither are Gold.
+Jules Mekler Nonsense! You don't diminish what a life's goal means to a person just because it's a subjective sport. Boxing, Roy Jones Jr. Is boxing not to be taken seriously because of subjective scoring? When you work for years to achieve goals it means something. Every individual processes not reaching the mark differently. Try seeing past yourself.
Well I dunno $hit about boxing and now I never plan to learn.
Just sayin', when there's so much subjectivity you can only take something so seriously. If you listen to Sandra's (often very dumb) comments you will hear these things... "Her music is age-appropriate, "Her program lacked sophistication," "She's everything you want in a champion skater - except for the jumps"... All nonsense. Love Scott's enthusiasm and it rubs off on Sandra, but the crap she says illuminates the idiocy of "judging."
Wasn't Boitano also in 1st after the compulsory figures? I'm not sure but I think he was ahead of Orser. So even if Orser hadn't stepped out of that jump, wouldn't Boitano still have won?
No , Boitano was 2nd and Orser was 3rd in figures , and orser was 1st and boitano 2nd in the short , going to the free skating boitano was 1st and orser 2nd , but the free skating worths I think 50% of the total score and since they were so close whoever wins the free programme will win the gold eventually