U.S. Ladies Olympic Gold - THE BEST?

[Lark]

If only able to do double jumps, and including everything else they can muster, which U.S. Ladies Olympic Gold Medalist would come out on top? Please give reasons, and put in order if you would like.

[Lark]

I put Kristi because I really only started watching skating in the early 90's, and I personally feel that Peggy and Dorothy's triumphs are a little bit "distorted", almost mythical.

[Samskate]

I chose Kristi because she took women's skating to a higher level, although I've always liked Peggy too and feel for her time, she was the best. However, IMHO, I think Kristi surpassed her.

[JDC1]

I think Kristi is one of the better "over all" skaters ever. She's actually not one of my top favorites but I do respect her skating and I enjoy watching her programs.

[kayskate]

It is hard to compare the ladies who did not do triples to those who did. Similar w/ figures, though I am not familar w/ how these women performed figs. Considering all of that, I am impressed w/ Kristi b/c she had to learn figs and landed impressive triples. She still lands the triples. IMO, Kristi may still be competitive if she could return to eligible competition.

Kay

[Mel On Ice]

I put in my vote for Carol, simply based on her track record. She was the original baby ballerina, almost stole gold away from Tenley, then dominated the competition until she won gold in '60.

I also give a vote to Kristi, then Dorothy, both for versatility and longevity.

[loveskating]

Aside from the jumps, they are all so different, IMHO.

If I was in front of a firing squad and had to choose, I'd pick Peggy for forever changing the sport with great artistry and technique, and then Kristi for being the most "on" skater all the time I've ever seen, which of course one appreciates, LOL!

I love them all

[Roma]

I think Kristi was one of the best combinations of artistry and technical ability that I've ever seen.

[Kabooke]

I say Dorothy when she skated well!

IMO, Kristi had the jumps but presentation wise she seemed so
dull and cookie-cutter. Even when she skated clean, artistically I was and am always left feeling cold.

[essence_of_soy]

There was a special recently, I think it was called Athletes of the Century, or something like that. It defined Hamill's star qualities as athletically powerful, yet graceful and beautiful at the same time. I can see a lot of similarities between her and Hughes.

Anyway, her spins, posture, speed and jumps were a class above anyone else at the time. Anyone lucky enough to own a copy of Magic Memories on Ice should check out her Olympic long program from Innsbruck (shown in full). It is simply breathtaking.

[Mistyeyed]

I picked Kristi because H., Hamil and Flemming didn't do the triple jumps in their day. They didn't have the same degree of difficulty as todays lady skaters. Although, one must never discredit the figures they had to perform in their time that todays skaters don't have to do. Kristi in MHO is the complete pkg. She is elegant and graceful and just lovely to watch as she glides and jumps her way across the ice and she never let her jumps get away from her even when she moved to pros she still gave us her all. Not to mention that she always performed something different on the ice. You just never knew what she was going to try next and she just won over all our hearts.

[Arsenette]

I also picked Kristi.. but then again I could have picked Carol Heiss.. there was a blip of skating I got from the "Reflections on Ice" video (that I want a DVD of at some point) that had her doing 4 singles axels in succession but what was remarkable was that she did it from both sides!! (2 one way then 2 the other way - alternating).. I mean.. She was behing Tenley for a while. I wonder if we ever had video of each what they would look like.. *sigh* C'Mon Ice Channel.. have footage!! :oops:

[Aidan]

Originally posted by loveskating
then Kristi for being the most "on" skater all the time I've ever seen, which of course one appreciates, LOL!


I like Kristi, but I would definately not call her one of the most "on" skaters, because she never skated a clean program. I don't think she ever landed a triple salchow in competition, and her loop was inconsistent.

Someone else mentioned that she would still be competitive - that is questionable, as she might contend for a medal, but her inability to do edge jumps would hold her back.