Brian Boitano of Sunnyvale, Calif., leaps in the air, touching his skates during the free skating competition in Calgary, Canada on Saturday, Feb. 20, 1988. Boitano won the Olympic men's figure skating championship, giving the United States its first gold medal in the XV Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/John Redman)
Brian Boitano won the 1985 United States Figure Skating Championships….which was the first of his four titles. At the first World Championships of the post-Hamilton era in 1985….when USSR Alexander Fadeev won….with CAN Brian Orser finishing 2nd….and USA Boitano 3rd. He had injured tendons in his right ankle a few weeks before the 1986 U.S. Championships….but went on to win his 2nd U.S. national title….then at the 1986 World Championships, Boitano took the title…. while Fadeev had a disastrous free skate despite having been in an excellent position to win….and Orser finished 2nd once again.
In this video herewith, CBS John Misha Petkevich interviews Boitano after he completes his long program at the 1986 World Figure Skating Championships….which he eventually won gold…..and we at ImaSportsphile are delighted to have this interview of one of America’s greatest male figure skaters in our treasure chest of vintage memories.
