From Russia With Love - 2012 Off Season

[Yukari Lepisto]

First time I saw U&Z it was Europeans 1988 or so and they were skating to Indian Temple dance. Just wonderfulness!!

YESSS, and I agree with all the other U/Z posts.. dancing nowadays.. can't even compare...

[Vash01]

First time I saw U&Z it was Europeans 1988 or so and they were skating to Indian Temple dance. Just wonderfulness!!

The first time I saw U&Z skate was at a Sun Valley outdoor show in the summer of 1988, after the 88 Olympics. The announcer said this team (Maya and Sasha) is going to become superstars after the next world championships. They were right. Unfortunately they did not become as big stars as they deserved- just one world title, and Olympic silver & bronze did not do them justice.

[DaiKozOda]

Pure magic
1993 Worlds Ex 2nd encore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozeiX...hannel&list=UL
1994 OG Ex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5hxHc9SKrI

[aka_gerbil]

The first time I saw U/Z (and remember seeing them) was the 1992 Olympics. I was 12 at the time, and I still remember perfectly watching that FD in my parents' living room while working on homework. That performance made me love U/Z, it made me love ice dance, and it's what helped make me into a classical music fan. To this day, U/Z are still my all-time favorites out of all 4 disciplines.

My favorite program/performance of theirs (actually, still my favorite skating performance ever) was the 1993 Worlds FD.

[Loves_Shizuka]

U/Z

Their 89 FD to Planets is one of my fave FD's EVER.

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

I must say that U/Z are the only team ever whose exhibitions I liked more than the competitive programs.
Maybe Gordeeva/Grinkov too. And perhaps Boitano
But that's it.

[DORISPULASKI]

Here's the 1988 Indian Temple Dance FD from Euros, with the OTT :love: commentary by Toller Cranston:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qho2DLoqbZk

It was an eville thing that U&Z broke up :

[Vash01]

This has become a U&Z uber thread. but I don't mind it.

[nuge]

U/Z

Their 89 FD to Planets is one of my fave FD's EVER.

YES this is the first time I saw them on ITV Eurosport wasn't around then
I think Betty Calloway was commentating and she raved about them.

[DORISPULASKI]

Well, in the day, I was a U&Z uber...I still am, for that matter

They had the best CD's ever, IMO.

[Michalle]

Toller: "If this is the new trend in ice dancing, they'll be naked by the year 1992." Well, not by 1992, but he was sort of close - we did get dancers pretty close to naked in the '00's, didn't we?

[Moka-Ananas]

Where is esta?

[Jemestone]

^ Too busy blowing smoke in Usova's face??? lol

[Macassar88]

Where is esta?

She's coaching Pasha Grishuk for her almighty return to Ice Dance

[dinakt]

This has become a U&Z uber thread. but I don't mind it.

I have to join the U/Z worship. I loved them then and I love them now. I think that's why I am firmly on Zhulin's side after all these years, especially in coaching debates. He was a stunning skater ( and I am not talking about his looks )

"Four Seasons" were amazing, but I also love their 1991 FD. So deliciously weird and gorgeous.
http://youtu.be/94PMD_1zmNU

[nlyoung]

I also love their 1991 FD. So deliciously weird and gorgeous.
http://youtu.be/94PMD_1zmNU

I'd forgotten about this one! I love it

[DORISPULASKI]

wasn't the concept statues coming alive?

I thought they were totally robbed that year.

[Loves_Shizuka]

"Four Seasons" were amazing, but I also love their 1991 FD. So deliciously weird and gorgeous.
http://youtu.be/94PMD_1zmNU

[kwanfan1818]

"Four Seasons" were amazing, but I also love their 1991 FD. So deliciously weird and gorgeous.
http://youtu.be/94PMD_1zmNU

My favorite of their free dances. I thought they should have won Worlds in '91.

[Jammers]

Back during the 6.0 days it was all about reputation. You had to wait your turn especially if you were a Russian team. That's why it was a bit shocking when Platov/Grishuk who were the Russian and World number 2 won the Olympics in 1994 they had never beaten Usova/Zhulin. 1998 in Nagano was supposed to be their time.