1993 Worlds Women's SP (CBC) | Nancy Kerrigan Leads, Oksana Baiul Captivates Prague

Summary: The 1993 World Figure Skating Championships Women's Technical (or Short) Program in Prague showcased one of the deepest and most competitive ladies' fields of the era, with an extraordinary run of clean performances raising the technical standard to new heights. The CBC broadcast opens by explaining the judging criteria, including an educational breakdown of the double Axel by ISU judge Jean Senft, before introducing a field featuring reigning European champion Surya Bonaly, defending World silver medallist Nancy Kerrigan, European silver medallist Oksana Baiul (Оксана Баюл), reigning World bronze medallist Lu Chen (陈露), and Canada's medal hopes Josée Chouinard and Karen Preston. Surya Bonaly opened the final contenders with a confident, technically secure performance that signalled her return after a difficult Olympic season. Commentators noted visible improvements in her skating quality and body movement under choreographer Sarah Kawahara, while a coaching change appeared to have restored her confidence. Her trademark triple Lutz-double toe loop combination earned strong technical marks and placed her firmly among the medal favourites despite artistic marks that remained slightly more conservative. Canada's Josée Chouinard answered with one of the finest short programs of her career. Having overcome boot problems and an inconsistent season, she matched Bonaly's technical difficulty while displaying greater artistry and freedom. Nancy Kerrigan followed with an elegant, mistake-free skate under enormous pressure as the United States' remaining medal contender, delivering one of the most polished performances of the event to move into first place after the technical program. The evening reached another level with the emergence of 16-year-old Ukrainian sensation Oksana Baiul (Оксана Баюл). Fresh from her breakthrough European Championships silver medal, Baiul captivated both audience and commentators with exceptional charisma, expressive body language and flawless execution, producing perhaps the loudest crowd reaction of the night despite finishing narrowly behind Kerrigan. Lu Chen (陈露) also delivered a clean program but was judged to lack the same speed and attack shown by the leading contenders, leaving the defending World bronze medallist outside the top four heading into the free skate. Karen Preston was the last of the leading contenders to take the ice, delivering an inspired performance that showcased a more relaxed and expressive side than ever before. Although her triple flip-double toe loop combination carried a lower degree of difficulty than the triple Lutz-double toe combinations performed by the leading women, she delighted the crowd with her personality and clean skating to finish seventh. After an evening in which nearly every top contender skated exceptionally well, Nancy Kerrigan emerged as the leader ahead of Oksana Baiul (Оксана Баюл), Surya Bonaly and Josée Chouinard, setting the stage for a thrilling Ladies' Free Skate. --- VHS60fps (noisy picture), Canadian coverage (commentators: Chris Cuthbert, Paul Martini, Barb Underhill) The 1993 World Figure Skating Championships were held in Prague (Sportovní hala), Czech Republic in March 1993. Women's technical (or short) program, shown here marked with (^) below: Rank Name Nation TFP SP^ FS 1 Oksana Baiul Оксана Баюл Ukraine 2.0 2^ 1 2 Surya Bonaly  France 3.5 3^ 2 3 Chen Lu 陈露 China 5.5 5^ 3 5 Nancy Kerrigan  United States 9.5 1^ 9 8 Karen Preston  Canada 10.5 7^ 7 9 Josée Chouinard  Canada 12 4^ 10 --- Chapters 00:00 Introduction & women's title contenders 01:18 Double Axel technical feature with Jean Senft 03:01 Surya Bonaly (France) 07:50 Josée Chouinard (Canada) 12:49 Nancy Kerrigan (United States) 17:19 Oksana Baiul Оксана Баюл (Ukraine) 23:01 Lu Chen 陈露 (China) 27:23 Karen Preston (Canada) 33:03 Technical Program Results --- #figureskating #フィギュアスケート #eiskunstlauf #фигурноекатание #피겨스케이팅 #pattinaggioartistico #patinageartistique #patinaçãoartística