Have you ever skated before? I sure have, I grew up passing the cold winter months laced up in skates. Either on a rink, in an arena, or on the rink my best friend’s dad made for us by standing outside in the backyard in below zero temperatures with a hose in hand, different times of the day and night. I learned how to skate from a young age.
At first, it was on figure skates. But, when I was falling over the pique more than I was gliding across the ice, I realized I might be better suited for hockey skates. Besides, I liked the cool way I could lean back, angle the blade and make a mist of shaved ice when I stopped.
Yes, hockey skates were easy for me, but it showed me just how much skill is required to put on a pair of figure skates and dominate the ice. Elegance, grace, beauty, agility, these are all terms that failed me but are stunningly brought to life by Chinese pair skaters Sui Wenjing and Han Cong. They are nothing short of captivating.
Not to mention, they’re kind of a big deal – the pair brought home silver from the 2018 Olympics, they are 2017 world champions, and 2016 and 2015 world silver medalists, as well as two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalists in 2014 and 2010. Let me also mention that they are four-time Four Continents champions, three-time World Junior champions, Junior Grand Prix Final champions and two-time Chinese national champions. Simply, wow.
With that amount of impressive awards and accolades, you can expect a formidable performance from the pair. Everyone knows that when these two grace the ice, they’re able to set it on fire. Their routine at the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeong Chang is to KD Lang’s version of the Leonard Cohen classic, “Hallelujah,” and it’s fabulous from start to finish.
Their power of control and tight economy of movement gives them the speed and accuracy to reach all their required technicalities. Plus, their grace and fluid movement give way to a gorgeous performance that is literally art in motion on ice. Even their triple flip is “…absolutely glorious…” It’s a tricky maneuver for any seasoned professional. They are so in sync, mirroring each other’s every move while showing off their trust and hard work in every whip, lift, twist and turn. From the moment they start to the moment they finish, their impassioned performance leads the judge to say, “…and that is why they are the world champions…”
Click on the video below to watch this stunning pair rule the ice with a sharp, award-winning performance.