By: Pj Kwong

If you are anything like me, there could be any number of pressing tasks calling your name and yet the call from YouTube is that much louder.  

In no particular order, this is my first of two Top 10 Lists of skating performances from Ontario Figure Skating legends. I’m letting you know why they made my list aside from the Olympic medals and representing Ontario that they all share in common.  

Donald Jackson – 1962 Worlds  – Prague, Czech Republic – Free skate 

Don’s hometown was Oshawa, Ontario from which he would go on to win four Canadian titles, a World title and an Olympic Bronze medal. He was an inspiration to a generation of skaters and is the first person to ever land a triple Lutz jump in competition. 

Elvis Stojko – 1998 Olympic Games – Nagano, Japan – Short program 

Richmond Hill Ontario’s Elvis Stojko is in my opinion the man who single-handedly put jumping and athleticism on the map. He is a three-time World champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist which is worthy enough to be included on this list but the fact that he had a severe injury at the Olympics and pushed through to the podium is phenomenal. 

Brian Orser – 1988 Olympics – Calgary, AB – short program 

Born in Belleville, Ontario, Brian Orser is a legend both as a World champion and tw-time Olympic silver medallist but also as a coach, having guided Yuzuru Hanyu and Yuna Kim to Olympic gold themselves. This program though captures the elegance, style of athleticism of Brian in his hey day AND has the bonus of Sing, Sing, Sing as part of his music which is one of my favourites! 

Jeffrey Buttle World Championships 2008 – Goteborg, Sweden – Free Program 

This is the program that earned Jeff the World title that year to add to his Olympic bronze medal from 2006. What is so captivating about Jeff’s skating is his ability to draw you in and get you to feel about his movement the way that he does. Positively magical. 

Patrick Chan – 2011 Worlds – Moscow, Russia – Short program 

There is so much that can be said about Patrick Chan and this performance is significant because it broke the world record in the short program. He went on to post the highest scores ever in the free and overall scores and earned his forst of three World titles at that event. Skating to Dave Brubek’s Take Five with his genius musicality is the icing on the cake for me. 

 Barbara Ann Scott – newsreel 1948 Olympics – St Moritz 

Known as Canada’s Sweetheart, Barbara Ann Scott charmed the nation with her looks, lovely personality and first Olympic title for a Canadian woman in figure skating. The year was 1948 and Barbara Ann had not only won the Olympic title but also the World, European and North American titles two times each. An inspiration to say the least. 

Petra Burka – 1965 Worlds – Colorado Springs, CO – free program 

If you ever get the chance to talk to World champion and 1964 Olympic bronze medallist, what you’ll notice first is her dancing dark brown eyes, soft speech and easy smile. You might not realize at first that you are in the presence of greatness and as a champion Petra carried the Canadian Olympic story forward in women’s skating and then took that experience and helped enrich the careers of those that came after her. Look for her jumping in both directions in this program – a rare treat! 

 Elizabeth Manley – 1988 Olympics – Calgary, AB – free program  

If you’re anything like me (a figure skating fan), you will remember where you were when Liz skated ‘lights out’ at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary and earned a silver medal. Born in Belleville and trained in Ottawa, Liz’s story has always been one of redemption, perseverance, sheer grit and generosity – a true role model.  

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford -2018 Olympics – Pyeongchang, Korea – Free program 

I wanted to include this pair not only because of their track record as two-time World champions, Olympic bronze pair medallists and Olympic team silver and Gold medallists but because of their willingness to put in the work to get the result. With their eyes always on the prize, their willingness to persevere is to be admired. 

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir – 2013 World Championships – Free Dance – London, ON 

I’m going to need more paper to list all their accolades, but two Olympic Gold medals and one Silver in the Ice Dance plus an additional Olympic Gold and Silver in the team event, and three World titles is a good place to start. I literally could have had a Top Ten list just for Tessa and Scott material but restricted as I am to just one program – for me: Carmen at the 2013 World Championships in London, On. If you’re looking for ‘girl power’ this, is it! 

Please understand there were so many more that could have been included! Don’t forget to follow Skate Ontario on social media and check back to the In The Loop section on the website for more great content like this.