Scott Hamilton - 1981 US National Figure Skating Championships FS

Dick Button once said that this was Scott's first big victory but it could also have been regarded as the Norton Skate pre-Olympic test event in Lake Placid in late 1979 where he beat everyone including Jan Hoffmann, (who went on to win Olympic silver and world gold that same season). Either way this was a stellar performance and with it came his first 6.0. He remained undefeated in the amateur ranks from this event onwards until he turned professional four years later. An incredible feat!

[@paulasfigureskating5612]

floskate, thank you for sharing video of Scott's first U.S. Figure Skating Championship free skate, which was fabulous and memorable! 🙂❤

[@kkwok9]

I remember seeing this when he did this on tv.
He was a great skater and he is a good commentator

[@Fee212]

He was great and funny in the Movie "Blades of Glory"

[@williammccormack821]

Thanks very much for sharing this performance, which I have never seen before! I recall the telecast being preempted by a telethon (at least in the Philadelphia region). Interesting to see him double that triple flip, as was his wont over the years. This habit of ducking the jump cost him by the time Sarajevo (and the Ottawa world championships) rolled around, when the Zayak rule really forced him to need that jump! Still, an excellent performance here with great energy at the end! (He would do a superb triple flip at a Pro-Am event in 1992! Go figure!)

[@jennybird4126]

Despite his illness this guy became a fabulous and much loved skater! Pity his Mom didn’t get to see the amazing career he had …. His footwork was extraordinary! What a star 🌟

[@nondescriptnyc]

Thanks SO MUCH for posting this! Admittedly, while I know he is a legend, I am not necessarily a huge fan of his (and I much prefer the FS by Robert Wagenhoffer or even Allen Schramm @ ‘81 Nationals over this FS). So, I haven’t really followed his performances very closely, but I was a bit surprised to hear around 6:01 that he was apparently going for 3F here. Personally, I think the 1st time I saw him land a 3F was at the Nationals in 1984, right before Sarajevo-and I don’t remember seeing a 3F from him until that time. But, I guess he had been landing/attempting them since 1980/1981! That’s perseverance!!!

[@timothyhh]

I remember he once said he felt like he needed to add a triple flip to his repertoire to stay competitive with Scott Cramer since it looked like the 3rd spot for Lake Placid would be between them. But I don't remember Scottie doing a triple flip around 79-80 and I think Cramer retired after 1980 , so who knows.

[@QuakerLady]

So, so young!

[@ВикторАбакумов-в4з]

Цыплёнок чемпион !! помню его выступления !!))

[@Fee212]

He is amazing and so funny on the ice.

[@MistyLaneLoveConquersALL]

👏BRAVO ♥️