Best Olympic pairs performance ever

[Kylen15]

I'd like to hear what everyone thinks was the best Olympic pairs long program. It doesn't have to be the winning long program -- as evidenced by the past results, we don't always agree on who should have won. I'd also like to hear your reasoning behind the pick.

So, I'll start this off with my nomination:

Gordeeva and Grinkov's 1988 program. While I think the 1994 program had more depth in terms of maturity, the 1988 performance was spot-on and so unbelievably beautiful. They showed speed, execution, exuberance and this intangible quality that I've come to recognize as the love they had for each other.

[Lynn226]

I would choose M&D's Rach Piano Concerto #2 from the 1994 Olympics. I love that program.

[loveskating]

I also think Mishketunok and Demmietriev's Rach in 1994 was about the best program performance I've ever seen pairs accomplish at the Olympics.

Despite their great performance, I don't think they won...G&G were way more difficult technically and had a great program (Moonlight Sonata) as well and Sergei's mistakes were very small ones.

However, M&D's program was magnificently and passionately performed and very, very compelling...I was really astonished and enraptured by their skating. At the end, I just turned to my daughter and said, "How do they do that?" It was as if they got me in a groove and I could not and did not want to get out of it until they finished.

On G&G in 88...perfection, yes, but I still do not see what later was clearly their love for one another. It was a highly technical performance, IMHO, magnificent, incredible, but not passionate.

My favorite pairs performance ever is Barezhnaya and Sikharulidze at Cup of Russin in 2002...that performance was amazing.

[windsor]

I have to go with G&G's "Moonlight Sonata" program. Gentle, elegant, and gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!

[Hydroblade]

I'll have to say Jamie Sale and David Peltier long program at the 2002 olympics. They skated perfect all the way through and really made the love story program work to it's true potential. I also thought it was great that Jamie was able to make a comeback after such a horrible crash in the warm-up.

They didn't win right away due to the judging scandal but the eventully got the gold in the end. :)

[skatefancan]

i agree! Sale and Pelletier at the 2002 Olympics. It was magnificent.

[Emmaly]

Hands down Jamie and David!!!! It was flawless and sooo smooth....they didnt miss a beat!!! I still watch it now and get goose bumps!!! it was sooo perfect!!

[windsor]

I was home last night and started thinking about this thread again for some reason and I suddenly remembered Sale and Pelletier in 2002 myself. I then couldn't decide if THAT may have been the best Olympic pairs performance or if I should stand by my original assertion.

Hmmmm....

The passion and abandon that Sale and Pelletier skated with that night was truly glorious.