Wednesday, February 13, 2008

An historic date in figure-skating


On February 14, 1984, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the gold medal in pairs ice-skating at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics with their interpretation of Ravel's "Bolero".

Not only did they gain twelve out of eighteen perfect scores for technical performance, they became the first couple in the history of the sport to obtain nine perfect scores - the maximum possible - for artistic impression.

Torvill smiled as the gold medal was hung around her neck and Dean had to fight back tears as he stood on the Olympic podium to receive his award.

"Tonight we reached the pinnacle. I don't remember the performance at all. It just happened," Dean said.

"But I think it was the most emotional performance we have ever given. What just happened out there - getting the medals - that is what we've worked for so hard for so long."

Torvill added: "I just don't believe it. I don't think we'll get to bed tonight at all . . . "


Seems to me that's a fitting memory with which to commemorate Valentine's Day . . . so here it is.





Peter

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