The infamous Pink Panther Theme is a piece of music that is so well known that there may even be scores of younger people who might recognise it, but not fully understand how many iterations it has seen. The song was originally composed for the 1963 Peter Sellers film “The Pink Panther”, which featuring an animation of a literal pink panther in time with the song.
It’s illustrious, it’s mysterious and it perfectly sets the whimsical tone for a comedy about haphazard Inspector Clouseau.
It was even nominated for the 37th Academy Awards for Best Original Score award, but lost out to Mary Poppins. Bet they needed a spoonful of sugar for that medicine! Since then it has been used in countless performances, perhaps with a renewed interest due to a reboot of the franchise in 2006 starring Steve Martin.
One amazing performance of note is that of one German figure pair-skating team.
Aljona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy skated together between 2003 and 2014, in that time sweeping up international figure skating awards placing them among the best in the world. They have a flare for the dramatic, but above all else, have talent pouring out of every competition and performance.
So when they performed at the International Skating Union Grand Prix, they left the audience stunned.
Not only that, but they walked away with the Trophée Eric Bombard win. And they did it all, with a little help from the Pink Panther. They begin their routine with Aljona embodying the illustrious panther, all dressed in a pink bodysuit herself. With his blue outfit, Robin is to depict the cartoon Clouseau from the opening of the 2006 film.
As in the cartoon, Robin is depicted as searching for a sneaky Pink Panther.
When they kick into the full swing of their routine, I couldn’t believe my eyes!
I don’t remember the Pink Panther being flung several feet into the air while spinning at high speed! Aljona does however, landing as gracefully as ever.
And it’s not just Aljona who gets to do all the spinning either.
Robin and her spin, perfectly in time, and with ultimate coordination. I shudder to think of the hours it would take to get it that perfect.
Many of their moves are truly gravity-defying.
As Robin spins on the tips of his skates, he holds on to Aljona for her life as she flies outward practically horizontal. These two however, make it seem like nothing.
What did I say about having a “flare for the dramatic?”.
Among their routine, and through changes in the music, they create a narrative employing mime techniques and some Broadway level acting.
Then, it’s back to the big stunts.
You must have zero fear to be attempting the moves that these two do. I’m afraid to move at all on ice-skates, let alone dangle several feet into the air perched precariously on someone’s hand!
And being brave is one thing, flexible another.
With her ankle at her ear, Aljona exhibits some incredible flexibility. What comes as truly impressive is that she is not only incredibly limber, but strong to boot. That’s a combination that equals a winner in the world of figure skating.
At the conclusion of their routine, they strike their finishing poses and Aljona blows a big kiss to the adoring crowd who cheer rapturously.
They share a big embrace, and it’s clear that years of skating together doesn’t just make you both excellent skaters together, but it’s obvious that they both share a strong bond as well.
Watch the full video below to enjoy this jaw-dropping routine!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
