Ice Dancing, Mixed

It was not of a question of who would win this event, but by how much. British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean had interrupted the Soviet dominance of pairs and dance skating by winning the Worlds in 1981-83. T&D, as they were called, were the most innovative dance couple ever. They restored British pre-eminence in this event, as it was almost completely dominated by British couples prior to it being placed on the Olympic program. At the 1984 European Championships, shortly before Sarajevo, they had won and received 18 perfect 6.0 scores for their free dance routine, performed to Ravel’s Bolero. In Sarajevo, they easily won the compulsory dance and optional set dance phases, taking a comfortable lead into the free dance. Skating again to Bolero, they mesmerized the audience with a stunning routine, for which they received 12 of 18 perfect 6s, and nine of nine for artistic impression. Two Soviet couples placed second and third, but they were hardly noticed in the frenzy over T&D’s skating.

There had been some complaints from other coaches, notably the Soviets, that the British free dance routine violated the ice dancing rules, which required skaters to use several different pieces of music. Bolero was one set piece, but its different rhythms and phases convinced the judges that it was legal. T&D turned professional after Sarajevo. When professionals were allowed to skate in international competition, they returned to win the 1994 European Championships and placed third at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.