FUCKING MAGICAL!!!!!! No one will ever forget watching this performance when it aired in 1996. I know I never will. I was literally jumping up and down in my living room with joy. How many other skaters evoke that kind of reaction?
I do not understand...will NEVER understand how this history making skater failed to make the Figure Skating Hall of Fame..came from pairs skating...earned GOLD after failing to even make the podium at prior Nats...was 26 years old when he EARNED the gold...skated last so had plenty of time to become a total wreck and instead gave us this!!!!
He was so far removed from being considered a contender here. Even 3rd place would have been a great story! Couldnt have imagined he would win the whole thing, and then finish 3rd at Worlds!!
I will never forget watching it live Jan. '96 with my friend. We both knew something magical was happening after his first jump combination. This is one of the historic men's performances. Rudy is a true champion for finally putting it all together after so much adversity.
This takes me back. I was so touched by this as a little girl. I literally began to cry while watching it. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Such elegant technique. Rudy had the ability to convey such emotion and passion. Every now and then I come back. To soak up the mesmerizing warmth and be reminded of just how amazing Rudy is!
I remember seeing this on TV back in 1996 with my mom. I was just 10, but I can remember this performance to this day (which is why I came on YT looking for it, ha). Technically he was fantastic, but it was more how he was just INTO the program that got me. The crowd was with him, he was enjoying it, and it was a joyous skate. He looked so grateful at the end. I don't think I've seen another performance that moved me like this one.
He is a wonderful example of what figure skating SHOULD be. He just never gave up and his reaction is so spontaneous and heartfelt it just brings tears to my eyes. You can tell it meant a lot to him, and after everything he went through to get there, he DESERVED that moment. Even now, you don't hear anything bad about him, and he's had so much adversity. An amazing human being.
Everything came together to create the PERFECT moment!!! A brilliant, flawless skate of his life in front of an adoring home town crowd. I LOVED his reaction when he knew he won, and how everyone was jumping up and down, just wanting to hug him, like those two women at the end. What a glorious moment. And the music was such a great choice. Very few men (or women for that matter) can skate to Swan Lake and do it justice.
A performance that could not be denied even as they judges tried to as some went down on presentation somehow and other shenanigans. Brings chills to this day
When seeing the show live on TV in Texas, I knew he was going to win when he landed his first triple combination. Rudy has been through much, and I wish him well.
I remember watching this performance in 1996. He inspired me to want to skate again, but did not live in a town with a rink. Love ya Rudy...once of the best performances ever!
The ultimate story of the local boy makes good, and such an emotional ending with the two women hugging Rudy. I believe they were just two local women who worked at the ice rink. As Dick Button said "What a triumph!".
this is historic!!! i remember perfectly watchhing this as it was happening and choking up 'til i shed some tears of joy over his brilliant performance. he would've been more expressive but he was so focused his face was super serious during the whole program. at the end, he -and everyone else- exploded. what a triumph!!!
I ws there in person to see this. I went rooting for Todd Eldredge, but got caught up in the Rudy fervor. I can tell you they almost literally had to nail the roof back on after this program! However, looking back after fifteen years with the initial euphoria having faded I can see slight mistakes that do justify him losing a couple of tenths for technical. But there is no question on that day he deserved to win, no question at all! It was an amazing performance!
Every time I watch this I see the look on Todd Eldridges face…he had clearly, like everyone else, written Rudy off and figured he had this one in the bag- Todd looked like he swallowed a toad when he realized he’d been outskated by the underdog!
talk about a wonderful cinderella story... I will never forget watching this on tv... I didnt even know who he was, but I certainly did after that incredible performance.
Although this event happened well over 10 years ago, I still get chills watching this performance! I really miss watching the "old days" of skating with the 6.0 scores!
So wonderful to see and the posture and carriage over the ice has really been unmatched since. Even a wonderful artist and skating skills technician such as Jason Brown doesn't match the brilliance. Can we talk about the flow out of the jumps?! Good gracious, the landing edges on these jumps were fantastic.
Mad Skills OK.Now that's Good You hear it from the Judge yourself.This Talented Skater Right here He is atrue Master Beadt on the Ice for sure.But they don't like Him Because He is Gay.And He was a Much Older Skater than most of the very Youthful Younger Skaters.Rudy was a Bad Ass Motherfucker on the Ice. R.i.p ! To A Bon a fide True Ass Legendary Skater.He even Knocked Todd Elridge out of his First Place Spot.For the USA.World Championship.I watch this On the Wide World of Sports.That is how Rudy made it to the Olympics to Compete.And the Judges Cheated him from Winning a Medal.He ranked 4 th.Place.I watched it.And was So freakin Mad.
@@lisaanderson6623 Openly gay. There were other gay skaters before him. But I agree with your assessment of that. Why are you saying RIP? He's not dead.
Hé was just wonderfull to see and a fantastique artiste. Edward Arckless ex Royal Oper Ballet Covent Garden London and conservatoire de Ville de Paris.
A lot of people have criticised judge #3 for placing Rudi 2nd despite the 6.0 mark. Let me remind you that the 6.0 was for artistic merit only, which Rudi obviously deserved. But there was the issue of his flutz, the under-rotation of this two triple toes, and the empty moments in the choreography which merited a mark no higher than 5.7 for technique.
With all of the unrest and division of the races I would rather watch this than TV. I have killed both my iPhone and iPad batteries watching figure skating all day on my day off. 🥰
I remember watching this performance, and being SO happy with how well he did. He was one of those skaters that always got the short end of the stick. This performance was a major payback for all those struggles. Does anyone know what he's been up to since this performance?
I agree. There were some weaknesses in some of the elements such as the footwork being very basic, and the lack of the second triple Axel but there is no way this performance should have earned a 5.7 on the technical Mark, or the second-place ordinal.
I was here for this in San Jose. I sat right next to the kiss and cry area. I was so happy for him. Then I actually met Rudy in a gay club, he was not nice at all. Actually was kind of rude. My friends and I were kinda shocked. Oh well!
Regardless of whether or not 37 people are stupid enough to agree with you, you don't know what you're talking about. ONE judge gave him a 5.7 for TM, and it was the same judge who gave him one of two 6.0's for presentation. I would submit that is not an unfair score. Didn't do a quad (being done by Stojko at that time) and he did NOT do a second triple Axel which Eldridge was doing. As far as 5.8 - every judge but one who gave him 5.8 for PRES placed him FIRST. And the ORDINAL is what counts.
the first judge is funny ... he/she was probably going ... ok i'll be brave and place him second and then he sees that everyone else gave rudy 1st place .... and probably thought ooops
@SPTN58 Those marks of 5.7 for tech and 5.8 for presentation were accurate. In the tech merit he doesn't do a second Triple Axel, he flutzes, and his jumps in general are small and not that smooth on the landings. In terms of the presentation this program is fairly simplistic, his speed is lacking, and his arm movements are not always used to the best effect. He deserved to win this Championship but it wasn't an all-time great performance or anything.
FUCKING MAGICAL!!!!!! No one will ever forget watching this performance when it aired in 1996. I know I never will. I was literally jumping up and down in my living room with joy. How many other skaters evoke that kind of reaction?
Still chokes me up to this day. Probably the single most emotional and perfect skating performance that Ive watched over the years.
I sobbed like a baby at this performance once again. Love to see the underdog win!
I still sob like a baby. To this day my mom and I still adore Rudy Galindo.
Agreed he's the rocky of figure skating
Me too!!!!!!
I do not understand...will NEVER understand how this history making skater failed to make the Figure Skating Hall of Fame..came from pairs skating...earned GOLD after failing to even make the podium at prior Nats...was 26 years old when he EARNED the gold...skated last so had plenty of time to become a total wreck and instead gave us this!!!!
He was so far removed from being considered a contender here. Even 3rd place would have been a great story! Couldnt have imagined he would win the whole thing, and then finish 3rd at Worlds!!
This performance still brings tears to my eyes!
I will never forget watching it live Jan. '96 with my friend. We both knew something magical was happening after his first jump combination. This is one of the historic men's performances. Rudy is a true champion for finally putting it all together after so much adversity.
27 yrs later and this a thrill to watch. Rudy was amazing.
This takes me back. I was so touched by this as a little girl. I literally began to cry while watching it. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Such elegant technique. Rudy had the ability to convey such emotion and passion. Every now and then I come back. To soak up the mesmerizing warmth and be reminded of just how amazing Rudy is!
I remember seeing this on TV back in 1996 with my mom. I was just 10, but I can remember this performance to this day (which is why I came on YT looking for it, ha). Technically he was fantastic, but it was more how he was just INTO the program that got me. The crowd was with him, he was enjoying it, and it was a joyous skate. He looked so grateful at the end. I don't think I've seen another performance that moved me like this one.
I had tears in my eyes, chills and goose bumps when I watched it that night and just got them watching this MAGNIFICENT performance again. WOW
He is a wonderful example of what figure skating SHOULD be. He just never gave up and his reaction is so spontaneous and heartfelt it just brings tears to my eyes. You can tell it meant a lot to him, and after everything he went through to get there, he DESERVED that moment. Even now, you don't hear anything bad about him, and he's had so much adversity. An amazing human being.
Best moment in figure skating history in my opinion. I cry like a baby when I watch this. The underdog wins.
This remains the best skating program performance I've ever seen. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.
Absolutely stunning! Still makes me cry tears of joy for the guy!! :)
Everything came together to create the PERFECT moment!!! A brilliant, flawless skate of his life in front of an adoring home town crowd. I LOVED his reaction when he knew he won, and how everyone was jumping up and down, just wanting to hug him, like those two women at the end. What a glorious moment. And the music was such a great choice. Very few men (or women for that matter) can skate to Swan Lake and do it justice.
It’s 2018, and when I need a cheer-up I come here to share the joy.
A performance that could not be denied even as they judges tried to as some went down on presentation somehow and other shenanigans. Brings chills to this day
Sweet memories. I vividly remember watching this back in 96. Amazing then and amazing now.
Definitely on my list of the best moment in sports.
When seeing the show live on TV in Texas, I knew he was going to win when he landed his first triple combination. Rudy has been through much, and I wish him well.
Awwww! Lovely to see such unbridled joy.
That 3axel was so perfect. Also that layback position in that combination spin is to die for.
I remember watching this performance in 1996. He inspired me to want to skate again, but did not live in a town with a rink. Love ya Rudy...once of the best performances ever!
The ultimate story of the local boy makes good, and such an emotional ending with the two women hugging Rudy. I believe they were just two local women who worked at the ice rink. As Dick Button said "What a triumph!".
This was fantastic.
I will never forget watching this performance live. By the end of it, I was on my feet, with goosebumps, with tears streaming down my face.
This is my favorite men's fs of all time!
one of the greatest skating moments ever. he must relive this moment over and over again. amazing!!!!
Wonderfully artistic and creative talented man who was always greatly underscored!
I agree! I still get teary eyed and chills when I watch the program and the reaction he has in the kiss and cry area! I LOVED LOVE ITTT!!!
Absolutely brilliant what a stunning performance definitely deserve to win very talented skater Love him definitely one of the best⛸⛸
An absolute triumph in every sense of the word!!!! This has to make even the most disgruntled person have a smile on his face and a tear in his eyes.
this is historic!!! i remember perfectly watchhing this as it was happening and choking up 'til i shed some tears of joy over his brilliant performance. he would've been more expressive but he was so focused his face was super serious during the whole program. at the end, he -and everyone else- exploded. what a triumph!!!
Watching in 2020... Still inspiring!
I ws there in person to see this. I went rooting for Todd Eldredge, but got caught up in the Rudy fervor. I can tell you they almost literally had to nail the roof back on after this program!
However, looking back after fifteen years with the initial euphoria having faded I can see slight mistakes that do justify him losing a couple of tenths for technical. But there is no question on that day he deserved to win, no question at all! It was an amazing performance!
That delayed roar from the crowd after releasing Rudy had officially won really was amazing!!!
Every time I watch this I see the look on Todd Eldridges face…he had clearly, like everyone else, written Rudy off and figured he had this one in the bag- Todd looked like he swallowed a toad when he realized he’d been outskated by the underdog!
talk about a wonderful cinderella story... I will never forget watching this on tv... I didnt even know who he was, but I certainly did after that incredible performance.
Spectacular skate. A name to remember.
Can we say "presence"? This man's command of the ice is amazing!
one of my favorite performances of any sport of ALL time!!!
This is so inspiring to watch!
Although this event happened well over 10 years ago, I still get chills watching this performance! I really miss watching the "old days" of skating with the 6.0 scores!
One of the Greatest performance!!! amazing!
So wonderful to see and the posture and carriage over the ice has really been unmatched since. Even a wonderful artist and skating skills technician such as Jason Brown doesn't match the brilliance. Can we talk about the flow out of the jumps?! Good gracious, the landing edges on these jumps were fantastic.
I've been watching skating since 1986 - I've NEVER seen anything like this - ever.
Oh, this makes me cry. Does anyone have his short program? I cant find it anywhere.
A joy to watch
HE WAS REALLY GOOD AND UNDERATED HE DESERVED THE TOP AWARD!🤗 THIS KID WAS AMAZING! ⛸ 🇺🇸
Can someone please upload if available the ending competition when Rudy and the other guys get their medals. I'd love to see this. Thank you!
Mad Skills OK.Now that's Good You hear it from the Judge yourself.This Talented Skater Right here He is atrue Master Beadt on the Ice for sure.But they don't like Him Because He is Gay.And He was a Much Older Skater than most of the very Youthful Younger Skaters.Rudy was a Bad Ass Motherfucker on the Ice. R.i.p ! To A Bon a fide True Ass Legendary Skater.He even Knocked Todd Elridge out of his First Place Spot.For the USA.World Championship.I watch this On the Wide World of Sports.That is how Rudy made it to the Olympics to Compete.And the Judges Cheated him from Winning a Medal.He ranked 4 th.Place.I watched it.And was So freakin Mad.
@@lisaanderson6623 Openly gay. There were other gay skaters before him. But I agree with your assessment of that. Why are you saying RIP? He's not dead.
I remember loving this performance and totally getting into the excitement. He was a wonderful champion.
What is he doing now I wonder ?
Hé was just wonderfull to see and a fantastique artiste. Edward Arckless ex Royal Oper Ballet Covent Garden London and conservatoire de Ville de Paris.
It says a lot about this performance that it would have even won a medal at the 2014 U.S. Championships! :)
+Andy Simmons absolutely - another triple axel and he would have won the Olympics in 2014
+schulz1 this is 96 what r u talking about boo
Andy Simmons g
A lot of people have criticised judge #3 for placing Rudi 2nd despite the 6.0 mark. Let me remind you that the 6.0 was for artistic merit only, which Rudi obviously deserved. But there was the issue of his flutz, the under-rotation of this two triple toes, and the empty moments in the choreography which merited a mark no higher than 5.7 for technique.
With all of the unrest and division of the races I would rather watch this than TV. I have killed both my iPhone and iPad batteries watching figure skating all day on my day off. 🥰
i remember watching this with my mom!!!!
I remember watching this performance, and being SO happy with how well he did. He was one of those skaters that always got the short end of the stick. This performance was a major payback for all those struggles.
Does anyone know what he's been up to since this performance?
He is a skating coach -now working with Kristi’s daughter
GLORIOUS. ❤️
Wow absolutely beautiful Best Swan Lake 🦨 ever absolutely phenomenal 💙💙⛸⛸…………….kim🇬🇧
So very Unsung.
When you made Dick Button babble incoherently, you did good. 😀
Wow!
i miss this kind of reaction in the Kiss and Cry!!! The feeling of pure happiness after winning the championship.....
That was dumb of judge number 3 to give Rudy a 6.0 mark and place him 2nd. Really?
I agree. There were some weaknesses in some of the elements such as the footwork being very basic, and the lack of the second triple Axel but there is no way this performance should have earned a 5.7 on the technical Mark, or the second-place ordinal.
In the spirit of the 100 year anniversary if
I mean of the us championships this was a triumph
Greatest of all in men's us champs
Greatest of all in men's us champs
Rudy forever!!!!!!!
That 3axel was so perfect.
search "Rudy Galindo - 1996 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Men's Short Program"
I was here for this in San Jose. I sat right next to the kiss and cry area. I was so happy for him. Then I actually met Rudy in a gay club, he was not nice at all. Actually was kind of rude. My friends and I were kinda shocked. Oh well!
Regardless of whether or not 37 people are stupid enough to agree with you, you don't know what you're talking about. ONE judge gave him a 5.7 for TM, and it was the same judge who gave him one of two 6.0's for presentation. I would submit that is not an unfair score. Didn't do a quad (being done by Stojko at that time) and he did NOT do a second triple Axel which Eldridge was doing. As far as 5.8 - every judge but one who gave him 5.8 for PRES placed him FIRST. And the ORDINAL is what counts.
Don't forget that Michael Weiss was also attempting a Quad in competition.
the first judge is funny ... he/she was probably going ... ok i'll be brave and place him second and then he sees that everyone else gave rudy 1st place .... and probably thought ooops
Wow He Queened Out @ 6:51 LOL
5.8 and 5.9
@ballinagra13 Thanks I found it :)
@OapostropheC That judge had him second overall.
I was a Senior in high school I remember being proud cause he was Gay he did that
@vontrappster ummmm........YEAH
I feel that his performance at the Worlds was better than this one. But this was GOOD!!!!
Dick Button literally couldn’t even :)
@SPTN58 Those marks of 5.7 for tech and 5.8 for presentation were accurate. In the tech merit he doesn't do a second Triple Axel, he flutzes, and his jumps in general are small and not that smooth on the landings.
In terms of the presentation this program is fairly simplistic, his speed is lacking, and his arm movements are not always used to the best effect.
He deserved to win this Championship but it wasn't an all-time great performance or anything.
The presentation score I understand. This was not a good artistic program. The technical score is crap.
Absolutely brilliant just brilliant⛸⛸⛸⛸
@vontrappster ummmm........YEAH