Elizabeth Manley (CAN) - 1988 Calgary, Ladies' Long Program
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- Опубліковано 1 лис 2009
- Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Ladies' Long Program - Elizabeth Manley of Canada won the Long Program to move up from 3rd Place to win the Silver Medal. Had Katarina Witt placed 3rd instead of 2nd in the Long, Liz would have won the Gold...
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This performance by Liz Manley is very special for me. On the evening of February 27, 1988 I was with my mother at a hospice facility. I remembered that the ladies’ long program was being broadcast from the Winter Olympics in Calgary. I asked my mother if she would like to watch it, and she said yes. I turned on a television, and as we saw Liz's joyous skating, we forgot the pain we were both feeling. My mother passed away the next morning. I’ll always be grateful to Liz for having given me and my mother a last moment of shared happiness.
thank you for sharing that very touching story
@@adamfirebear Thank you for your comment.
RIP your mother
That is very moving thank you for sharing your story! ❤❤
@@ripet85 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Manley came to our school for a presentation about mental illness. She recounted her stories leading up to this performance, specifically about her clinical depression. She was discouraged to perform by many Canadians, including the organization she skated for, because she had gained weight and lost hair. They doubted her, and she of course, proved them wrong. Her story was honestly so touching, and the fact that she considers this medal not as an olympic silver, but a 'life gold' is inspiring.
I still remember her long program to this day...the joy that she felt and demonstrated was the highlight of those Olympics for me. She out-Carmened all of the hype of Witt and Thomas and stole the show.
@@maryb6872 I AGREE!!! She was the best! I loved her joyfulness! She deserved the win. That annoying Carmen duel was stupid. Debi should have chosen something else.
I must have missed that back in 1988. I am so glad for her triumph. That poor girl. But how wonderful she is and hher program so inspiring. I'd like to see her life story as a movie
There should have been a movie about her life. What is interesting is she has just as an interesting life with her life coaching and teaching professional and amateur hockey players how to skate. She is such an inspiration. She is still very beautiful and cute as ever.
One of the most underrated Great Canadian Sporting Moments.
Correction: One of the most underrated Great Sporting Moments.
This is one of the highlights in sporting history and is very, very well-known. I don't think anyone is "underrating" it.
i’ve had her as my coach for a few private and group lessons, she’s such a wonderful skater and most definitely one of the kindest people that i’ve ever met!
I remember watching Liz's FS/LP in Calgary. I was so excited at the 1/2 mark, I could bearly control myself. She was absolutely spot on, fantastic speed, great ice coverage, huge solid correctly done jumps, great spins and dynamite choreography. Liz was my choice, hands down, for the Gold medal.
Thank you for posting this.
What a magical Olympic performance for Elizabeth! She skated so beautifully, confidently, and showed off her artistry. Her jumps were so high and clean! Also, her program was full of high level technical content. During her era of figure skating, four difficult triple jumps were outstanding! She almost got the gold medal, but her lower placement in figures lowered her overall placement to silver. However, her free skate was by far the very best! 🙂❤
I bought my first colour TV just so I could watch this performance! It is 2020 and Elizabeth Manley still thrills me. Best performance I have ever seen. ❤️
Elizabeth I watch your program again and it was exceptional. Your triple Lutz was amazing!!!
As Liz got off the ice, I thought let the tears roll Liz, let ´em roll. Just unbelievable. And the great Jim McKay truly was an unmatched commentator. He asked, during the standing ovation: “Wouldn’t it be great if every human being could have a moment like this once in their lives?” At least we got a taste of it, thanks to Liz.
Jim McKay always seemed to know what to say in the moment. He was a class act.
@@mikeg8375 Yesssss 🙌 indeed. We need more like him at the Beijing Olympics to get to the bottom of this Valieva scandal. The current lightweights working at NBC seem to not grasp the depth of the scandal and journalistically can’t keep up with Terry Gannon. Dick Button could keep up with Jim. When there were judging scandals, they were all over it. Here people are afraid to ask questions. A mess.
@@dmp7252 completely agree! I think the quality of coverage has gotten worse and you're right it seems they are afraid of rocking the boat.
I watch this every so often and that's the line that always gets me. So true.
She was on fire that night. By far the best performance of the three.
She should've won. The best free program, period. No faults at all, and look at that joy and enthusiasm! The 2nd best free program, Ito. 3rd, Witt. Btw. I do not like Manley's music choices at all, but that does not matter. They were her favourites, she was able to embody them perfectly.
I never tire of watching this. So awesome!
I literally came to watch this after Liz mentioned it was 33 years today! 💚
Almost 30 years on, I still say Manley should have won the gold medal. Her performance was much better than either Witt's or Thomas'.
I think they were credited for past performances, not so much for this performance, which sucks but is how it goes.
She was first in LP. She didn’t win because of the compulsory and the SP.
Totally agree. Witt played it safe and was overmarked
@@thomstephens Exactly. There was nothing technically difficult about Witt's performance.
@@georgfriedrichhandel4390 Which is why the judges placed Witt behind Manley here in the free skate. The judges placed everyone behind Manley in the free skate.
Well deserved win in the free skate portion. She hit all her programs after everything she went through, and that lutz is superb even in today's standards. Outside edge, no prerotations and great height. I'm a Katarina Witt stan, and I'm thrilled that Kati won her 2nd Olympic gold, however I believe that the 88 Worlds gold should've gone to Liz
This performance (and Wilson & McCall's FD in Ice Dancing) is what made me fall in love with figure skating.
Thomas and Witt are amazing, but I would've loved to see a podium where Ito and Manley were in the top two spots. They gave the most amazing performances here and were screwed by figures.
This is why the ISU eliminated the figures after this Olympics.
@@flywings111.....And NOW, without Figures...the sport is just a jumping gymnastic Competiton for girls.
Dang , she’s got the need for speed . She’s so fast , quick on her feet and graceful at the same time. This performance was outstanding.
one of the most electrical performances in skating. incredible to watch. thank you for all your posts
I watched Liz live and have never forgotten her remarkable performance. I remember every second of that music too! 😄. One of the most joyful skating performances ever!
This was a very, very good Presentation!😊
Still brings tears to my eyes!!
I suffer from chronic anxiety. Elizabeth skate is my go to cure, I just get lost in the her brilliance ❤️🇨🇦
This was the Olympics I fell in love with sports, and the Olympic Games! Liz performance still makes me cry when I watch it, cuz I know how BIG of a deal it was to her and all Canadians! What a moment!
How can that not make you smile?
I think the loud cheers and applause def got to Debi.
How could you ignore it with its deafening noise ?
This could explain Debi's fragile, shaky nerves by the time she was the last to take to the ice.
Nowadays you see Olympian ice skaters with their headphones on until the very last minute so they are protected from hearing any loud cheers and applause in case it might affect their confidence before they take to the ice.
Debi had the pure bad luck of skating last so that didn't help either.
I love watching this over and over
I have no cable provider just internet do I'm watching the Dive 10m by result and cheering for Tom Daley and watching skating gold moments at the Olympics. Hoping the good vibes go his way. Hugs. Pizzas here.
I believe she actually beat Katarina Witt in the free program. Still sends chills down my spine 36 years later.
I liked that part at the end, where she does the little step -- different from how you'd expect -- her program the previous year, she'd spun at the end, here, she stopped that spin and did the step.
There should have been a movie about her life. What is interesting is she has just as an interesting life with her life coaching and teaching professional and amateur hockey players how to skate. She is such an inspiration. She is still very beautiful and cute as ever.
Oh God, her face at the end of the program never fails to give me goosebumps. You can really see how elated she is
This was my favorite skate of that Olympics. She is awesome!
Me too! Loved it!
Incredible!
By now most people know had Liz not done so poorly in the compulsories she would have taken the Gold.
Katarina Witt's saving grace was always placing in the Top 3 after the school figures so she was always in contention for a medal.
Usually all Katarina had to do was finish in the top 2 or 3 to win the title bc her peers usually either messed up the short or long program.
Nice program, but no jump combination.
Even Katarina had a triple toe double toe at the beginning of her Carmen FS.
Midori Ito's FS was more goosebump inducing.
Прыжковая комбинация была в конце программы
I am British, and that young lady should have won the gold.
I’ve met her! 🥺
I don’t get it. She should have won gold and Katarina silver. Her performance was flawless in every way.
I got to know her through the book called beyond crazy.
I love her reaction. What a feeling. She should have won gold. Actually, I would put Midori 1st and Liz 2nd with Witt 3rd. This program was so good! Did she ever do a 3 flip? Her 2 axel looked really strong I wonder if she ever tried 3 axel in practice.
ICON
She 2-footed the triple loop @1:30....
2023. Very few elite skaters then and definitely now have that elan, that joie, that Liz had. This was a perfect example.
She could even land a triple axle pretty easy but she dident need it in this programs because she said she already had enough triples but I wish she had
I also wish she had done a 3-2 combination
Great skate
Anyone know the name of the song she danced to?
It's from the movie called "Irma La Douce."
Is Elizabeth Elvis Stoico's mentor?
これがなぜ優勝じゃないのか不思議でしょうがない。
3ルッツめちゃくちゃ綺麗に入ってるし、スピードもエッジワークもさすがコンパル世代だけあってすごい。
4種トリプルをきれいに決めた選手が2位で、2種しかトリプルを決められなかった選手が優勝って、今なら暴動が起きるレベル。
まあこの時代は芸術点重視だったから仕方がないのかもしれないけど…。
ま、ヴィットは前評判からして別格だったからな。 芸術点って採点ちゃうやんｗｗｗ しょうがないよ。 ヴィットはフィギュアスケートはジャンプ競争じゃなくて、Eis kunst Lauf（氷上の芸術の走り）だって言い切ってたから。
Midori was in another LEAGUE technically than Katarina and Debe Thomas, and her presentation was marked too low. The speed and joy that Midori carried throughout her performance was electric and had the audience on its feet... just like Elizabeth! It was all just politics that led up to the collapse of the Berlin wall. I definitely think Liz Manley deserved the gold in this event!
Liz was my favorite skater. They go on about how beautiful Katarina Witt was.I don`t think she was so hot, Liz was the prettiest and a great skater also. I think she was the best.
Liz won the free skate, beating Katarina Witt. But silver overall! Liz won the night!
TEXT BOOK TRIPLE LUTZ the true 1988 Olympic Gold Medal in figure skating
Had there not been school figures in 1988, then she would have won the gold medal; she would have controlled her "own destiny."
If there hadn't been any school figures, I think Ito likely would've defeated Manley in the SP and LP due to her higher level of content.
I always thought if you were in the top three and skating and then you won the free skate then you won the gold, so why didn’t Liz Manley win the gold?
She was 4th in figures which was 30% of the overall score, 3rd in the SP which was with 20%. Had she placed one spot higher in figures or SP, she would have won. But since Witt was 1st in SP and 2nd in the LP, she won instead.
Great program, such a shame the first half had horrible clown music. Also I think she beat Katerina, technically at least.
The music in the last part was even worse just too...frantic.
🥇🏆 GOLD
"Wouldn't it be great if everyone could have a moment like this in their lives"
What a wonderful sentiment
Yes indeed..and as well as a moment like this, knowing you will be set for life financialy due to this moment must not feel too bad either. lol
It definitely doesn't guarantee you money for life, you should look up the bronze medalist Debi Thomas...
It's exactly what I was thinking too.
@@meggy0 exactly! Sad but true point in your remark about the current living situation and financial difficulties Debi's has been having. I am hoping that she has her mental health battle with manic depression under control, as having that contained once the available medicine or combination of meds can be a major factor is stabilizing many areas in ones life.
Jim McKay was such a class act. So many Olympic sports like figure skating owe him a great deal for bringing the casual viewer into the sport.
This is the performance that made an eight-year-old me into a hardcore figure skating fan for life.
SRPDirector TM you were 8 and I was 28 - was already a life long skating fan esp Cnd 🇨🇦 skating fan - Liz Manley is my skating hero - love her to bits 💕❤️💕
I was 16, but the same sentiment...now I never miss a competition!
That was a magical night.
Nearly thirty years later, this is still an absolute joy to watch. I saw it once on live TV that night and never forgot that adorable blonde girl in the hot pink dress that flew around that rink like a whirling dervish.
I watched every minute of figure skating from Calgary 88 on a beat up black & white tv in my dorm room - didn’t even know Liz was in pink until much later when I saw photos in magazines 😂🤣 this is my FAVORITE performance of any skater ever 💕❤️💕
I STILL remember crying, because she had done SO well! I LOVE the Olympics! Liz, did us SO proud!
Liz Manley and Midori Ito will always be the highlights of the Ladies 88 Olympics for me. Just wonderful to watch!
It's so nice to see a true lutz
Thomas Sutherland, watch Midori's Calgary LP before Liz's. The US commentators' excitement over Midori's triple lutz was extraordinary.
@@lsrasr158 exactly! it almost appears as if Midori's jump goes so high in that lutz that the top half of her body (it may just be an illusion though from that angle when you watch the first time and then when they re play) is above the boards!
@@Parker528 Watch Midori's 1990 worlds' LP, the Canadian version. After her skate, Toller Cranston cannot contain his excitement reviewing her triple toe triple toe and her triple axel. On the triple axel replay, Midori's skates are at the top of the boards!
@@lsrasr158 will do!!! its available here on you tube, I presume? So the year Trenary won Worlds, and the year BEFORE Midori misjudged her skate and actually went out and nearly collided with a cameraman, whom she promptly bows to in apology and goes on to finish that program? Which I think allowed the US ladies to sweep the medals? thank you for that tidbit, cant want to hear Toller's play by play! namaste
@@Parker528 midori's 1990 worlds LP is available on youtube in 3 versions, US UK CDN. Trenary won the 1990 worlds because Midori had an awful compulsories. Even though Midori won both the OP and LP she finished 2nd. And yes 1991 worlds is the year Midori fell out of the arena into the camera. you can watch that on youtube as well. The US ladies swept the medals at the 1991 worlds. Midori did get revenge at the 1991 Lalique tourney which she won.
25 Years Later - and I still get weepy watching this performance. Her skating for the sheer joy of it touched me then and has been a motivator for half my life.
I wish I could find the bio the network did on her that delved deeper into her journey with the sports psychologist.
Thanks, Liz!
One of my favourite Olympic skates ever! Her reaction at the end makes me cry every time.
I am not an expert to say who should have won anything. I only know that I watched this event live, knowing the story of the crap she had gone through. When she was finished, having done everything she wanted to do just as she wanted it done, the look on her face just brought tears to my eyes. To see someone exorcise her personal demons in less than 5 minutes like that was awesome. She could have skipped the "kiss and cry" stuff; she had already won.
Tears in my eyes....I watch this to pump myself up, to remind myself to never give up. Thank you Elizabeth, for this precious minutes of joy and beauty.
This was such a pleasure to watch and I remember seeing this live. I watch this whenever I want to be inspired. I always thought Witt got by more on her looks than ability. Manley and Ito OWNED this night and made it worthwhile to watch.
You sound bitter. Katarina’s was stronger in the compulsory’s and short program, she deserved to win
I just met her today, and I can tell you all - I am just so humbled by meeting someone so inspiring. What a GREAT story she has come from to make it this far - and continues to do great. BRAVO LIZ! xo
love, love, love this performance - go canada!
Honestly, one of the greatest free skates in Olympic history.
I remember watching that and crying! I was so proud and happy for her! She was so overlooked, and she kicked some serious ass! Good for you! Whoo hoo! You nailed it, girl!! I still remember 22 years later!!
@ihatedfigures Contrary, she did win the Long Program. It was her 4th place finish in Compulsory Figures that cost her the Gold here, not to mention more than generous scoring for Katarina Witt in the Long Program.
That lutz. Wow. Technically superb. Unmatched even today. The spring and height on the jumps. Along with Midori Ito and Tonya Harding, best jumpers ever.
Derrick Oates, Liz was terrific that night. But when it comes to jumping ability, no one matches up to Midori. Watch Midori's 1990 Worlds in Halifax LP. The triple axel she did there was rated by all 3 broadcasts, US, Cdn, Uk, as probably the best one in the competition including the men. Or the 1992 Albertville olympics 3A Midori did at 3 minutes and 10 seconds into her LP. The olympic channel honored it as one of the impossible moments at the winter olympics. Liz Manley was great that night in Calgary. But when it comes to technical, Midori is in her own league (Toller Cranston comment at the end of her 1990 Halifax LP).
@@lsrasr158 Yes and while the quality of the jumps liz did this night (besides the triple loop which looked slightly two footed) was superb, the difficulty was not that amazing, even for 88 standards. She did only 4 triples, none in a combination at all. Same as Witt who only did 4 triples although they were all toe loop and salchows, and atleast did a comibination or two. Granted one was a lutz, which was rare at the time but other than that. Compare that to not only Ito who did 7 triples, but many of the other girls were attempting more difficulty, even Leistner, although Leistner's jumps were done nowhere near as well this night she was still attempting much more. She tried 6 triples including flip, loop, toe, sal, and various jump combinations.
@@richardross4677 Accurately stated. Had Midori come 2nd in the LP ahead of Katarina, Liz would have won gold. I think Midori with her 88 Calgary LP started the movement that changed ladies skating and pushed it forward to more athleticism. Watch Midori's 1990 world's LP on CDN tv on youtube. Toller Cranston just raves about her.
@@lsrasr158 While I think Ito probably should have won the 88 long program, if I were a judge I would have placed Manley 1st and Ito 2nd in the LP in order to drop Witt from the gold. I like Witt but her winning her historic 2nd Olympic gold with that skate, which paled in comparision to her 87 worlds winning LP in everyway, was kind of cringy. Amazing to think many years later Yu Na Kim could not win a historic 2nd Olympic Gold with a light years superior skate (well one of the biggest controversies ever but that is another topic).
I agree Ito was the one who permanently raised the bar in jumping in ladies skating, pushing for ladies to do all the triples and 7 triple programs. And while she was decades ahead of her time, it took years for ladies to even start doing triple axels again (besides the odd one from erratic Tonya Harding) but atleast the women suddenly began doing 6-7 triple programs with all 5 other triples which was unheard of back then. And it was all because of Ito and her influence. I mean like I said it telling that Manley's program with only 4 triples, no triple combination, not even a triple-double, and no triple flip, was considered an amazing technical skate for the time. It is why I kind of laughed when Manley in her book spoke of her thinking of coming back for the 94 Olympics saying "and many of the top ladies weren't doing jumps I was doing". I was wondering if she were in a time warp and thinking it was still 88, by 94 everyone was doing a triple lutz and triple flip, even the nobody skaters as I learnt when they televised the entire womens short from the 94 Olympics. Even journeyman girls finishing 15-25 were attempting a triple lutz-double toe combo in the short program.
@@richardross4677 I agree with your 88 Calgary analysis that Liz should have placed 1st with Midori 2nd in the LP. I don't believe Midori received the credit she was due for moving the bar forward in ladies skating the way she did. Scott Hamilton acknowledged it in her 89 world's exhibition skate at the end when he said "witnessing the birth of a new age in figure skating". And the CDN announcer in the beginning her 90 world's exhibition skate "she has added an entirely new dimension to ladies free skating". Watch the CDN version of the 90 worlds LP of Midori. I have never heard a skater praised the way Toller praises Midori. Do you think if Midori stayed amateur, she would have won in 94? I think she was smart to turn pro to earn money skating while she could.
When I need some 'happy', I watch this video. Thanks Liz!
She DID bring tears to my eyes, and STILL inspires me! Awesome job, Liz\!!! Canada was and IS so proud of you!!
So hard to believe this was nearly 30 years ago, but its also lovely to watch when a performance on the ice was so less complicated than it has to be today with the point scoring, and while I agree the current system is a lot more fair on the skaters performance, rather than reputation and judges biased, we lost a little something.
That was amazing! I'm not crying I'm not..really!
She was perfect. My husband and I remember this performance all these years later. The music, the program, the costume and the sparkle in her eyes -- she was like some magical little pixie-sprite. I love that the program was fun rather than heavy and serious. Unforgettable.
remcat03 as I’m watching this again 😃🤗 in Sept 2019 am so glad Liz didn’t have “a character program” - by Calgary I’d had enough of the battle of the Carmens - who cares - pick your music and show us you can skate - use exhibitions to become characters - love how Liz skated in Calagy and that she showed everybody what she could do (damn those figures - so glad they’re gone)
@@ej3016 I know, if not for the school figures, Liz would have won gold.
I cried after watching that. I was SO proud of her! She made the whole COUNTRY proud! (especially, since she was "overlooked", during the build up to the Olympics!
Electric! This, and even more, Ito's skates, made this one of the most memorable and exciting olympics of all time! Incredible, and such a sweet person too!
Watched this on the night it went down, on a new "giant" tv I bought early in my years living in NYC. Was blown away by her performance. Now, some 30 years later, I still am. One of the best ever. Sets my heart a-flutter every time I watch it.
It was great to see this with no mistakes. Elizabeth Manley deserved this skate,
but she also deserved the gold Medal. If I was judge, I would have given a 6.0. Being from America, I was rooting for Debi Thomas, but when I seen this program,
I fell in love with Elizabeth Manley. After all those years of falling and seeing her
in tears, it brought a happy smile to this American skating fan to see her doing
great. She brought joy to this competition. I
Such an inspiration and what the Olympics are about. Rochette did the same in 2010, a great performance coincidentally at home like Manley, but Rochette's had a tragedy around it. If the judging was based 100% on what happened on the ice, Ito would have been 2nd in the long, Witt third, thus Manley winning. Same with the 1988 World's. Manley and Ito were just ahead of the pack and are not really dated, especially Ito in technical.
Question how tall is Manley again compared to the others?
Gold: Elizabeth Manley Silver: Midori Ito Bronze: Ekaterina Witt THE TRUE STANDINGS
Lyrical, graceful, yet incredibly athletic. With a dollop of pixie dust. One of my favourite "Olympic Moments".
I don't 'like, how he, 'condescendingly", says, she could even, win a Bronze medal... whatevs.... WE know, she was GOLDEN in our eyes!
It wasn't condescending. Jim didn't know skating like Dick or Peggy. He only knew the hype between Katarina and Debi. So he thought no one was going to beat them two.
@@zigzaggyp746 Plus Manley had a history of struggling to keep it together at all in big skates. He probably figured she would do well to survive the performance with few enough mistakes just to hang onto 3rd given her history.
I so miss this type of skating. It's just so different now. More complicated but less exhilarating and energized. Hm, i wonder how that can be. I want this type of skating back.
So do I.
I don't watch near as much skating on tv now. I keep going back to watching the skaters I grew up watching.
I am a figure skater and I don't like where the sport heading. Too much focus on quads.
REALLY great to watch this again. Such an energetic performance all the way through, fun, controlled fast. Her triple lutz was outstanding, perfect edge, lovely spins and terrific personality. Her and Midori Ito made this Olympics for me.
wow...it was wonderful
That was a great performance; her LP win was well deserved. By the way , considering what you said about Katarina Witt ("she was lucky enough to skate well enough"), Liz Manley was even LUCKIER to put away her past inconsistencies and deliver this performance. To bad you didn't talk about that up there.
My fave skate ever, and just watching it always cheers me up, the british judge placed Witt 3rd in the free behind Liz and Ito, a right decision, if every judge did that Liz would have won the gold. Thomas was lucky to get the bronze, Trenary and Ito were far more deserving.
Considering the night was a whole bunch of yuck, I was so thrilled when Liz seized the moment.
@@lilbatz what happend
SO AMAZING!!!! WOW.
She's such a sweetheart :-)
JUST wonderful. I SO agree with mlc2005 Liz Manley and Midori Ito's free skates are still highlights over 20 years later. Thank you so much for posting.
I HATED it that Katarina Witt wont this! The long program was totally Liz Manley and Midori Ito. I remember watching this with my mom and getting all emotional. Mom wondered why the hell Ito didn't get in the medals and I remember having to try and explain to her.
Wow, this place sure is full of bitter Katarina Witt haters!! She won having delivered what to me and millions of others all around the world was the most mesmerizing performance of all times in female's figure skating history! I admit that Liz Manley was better technically, but guess what?! The figure skating is NOT just about jumps and skating from one end of the ice rink to the other end with high speed, it is ALSO about ARTISTRY and it was there where Katarina was head and shoulders above all the rest!! She truly put her whole heart and soul into the tragic story of Carmen and moreover, she WAS Carmen that night!! Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion and so are you, but this is mine!! And very obviously, the judges thought the same that night in Calgary!! PERIOD.
Yes, it is a wonderfully uplifting bit of skating. I remember watching at the time and I was so pleased for Liz - it really does touch you.
These games were OWNED by Midorit Ito and Liz Manley. They were the only two to get standing ovations. The audience made up their minds; these games effectively cemented the need to END school figures, as brilliant programs like this and Ito's kept getting shafted for mediocre ones.
I don't know a lot about the technicalities of judging, etc... BUT, I CLEARLY remember her wonderful performance, and tearing up with happiness for her! I remember them ignoring her COMPLETELY, leading up to the games. What a fabulous performance!!
As a Canadian, I was, and am STILL so proud of her!!