Clip of the week - Judy Blumberg & Michael Seibert

I didn't know much about ice dancing, but I'm making a commitment to become learned this coming season. What I did know years ago was that I loved watching it, simply because there's nothing prettier than watching two people close together dancing on ice. When I became more knowledgeable about the actual discipline of ice dancing, I realized how difficult it was and how much more creative the skaters had to be.

Several years ago at Sky Rink in Chelsea Piers (which is where I skate when Rockefeller Rink closes), I used to see a woman at the freestyle sessions teaching and/or skating by herself, and thought, "Wow, if I can skate 1% like her, that would be my dream." Wouldn't you know it, why did I have to pick a Judy Blumberg to aspire 1% to? When I was told who she was, of course I read up on her and realized that I should shoot for skating .000001% like her, which is far more realistic. I'm gettin' there!

Judy Blumberg and Michael Seibert were five-time (1981-1985) U.S. champions in ice dancing, three-time (1983-1985) World bronze medalists, and two-time (1980 & 1984) Olympians. After "retiring" from competitive skating, Judy was involved in numerous projects, including being the Ensemble Director for Ice Theatre of New York. I heard from others that she recently adopted a baby girl from China (named Etienne - how pretty!) and is a busy mother so I'm not sure how involved she is now with all her endeavors. Michael has been busy as a choreographer for skaters and skating shows.

Below is their free dance from the 1982 World Figure Skating Championships where they came in fourth. I think if Fred and Ginger were skaters, they would skate like Judy and Michael...

Comments

[Deena]

I used to look forward to Judy performing with Ice Theatre as well. She was still striking to watch even though she was not in the same physical condition as she was in her lean years, but who is???

[Lal]

LOVE Blumberg and Seibert. I know Belbin and Agosto deserve a lot of praise but Judy and Michael were the true originators of ice dancing in America.

[BEBE PARKER]

I REALLY LOVED WATCHINGJUDY AND MICHAEL GLIDE SO BEAUTIFULLY ACROSS THE ICE.THEIR "CRAZY/ARE YOU LONEAOME TONIGHT" WAS PURE ROMANCE.I WAS ENTRANCED BY MADAM BUTTERFLY.THE JUDGES DEEMED IT TO THEATRICAL.IT FAR SURPASSED TORVILL AND DEAN IN ARTISTRY AND APPEAL.JUDY AND MICHAEL WERE UNDER MARKED.I NEVER COMPARED THEM TO OTHER ICE DANCERS,BUT I HAVE COMPARED ALL ICE DANCERS TO THEM.THEIR WONDERFUL, STYLE THEIR ELEGANTLY,SIMPLE COSTUMES,THEIR MUSIC!WHAT CLASS, UNDER RATED BY JUDGES. TODAYS SKATERS ARE ALL ABOUT MOVES THAT AREN'T DANCE AND COSTUMES THAT ARE RIDICULOUS ANDRARELY RELATED TO THE MUSIC.BRAVO JUDY AND MICHAEL.MERLE AND CHARLIE ARE THE NEW YOU.