‘94 WINTER OLYMPICS / LILLEHAMMER : NOTEBOOK : Torvill and Dean Evoke Memories of Sarajevo Glory

LILLEHAMMER, Norway —  Torvill and Dean brought their passion and perfection back to Olympic ice dancing Sunday night.

Performing a sexy rumba filled with quick steps and flowing spins, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean of Britain rekindled memories of a decade ago, when they redefined the event at the Sarajevo Games. They received two perfect 6.0 marks for presentation, from Britain and Ukraine, and set up a three-way contest for gold tonight in the free dance.

World champions Maia Usova and Alexander Zhulin were second, followed by fellow Russians Oksana Gritschuk and Evgeny Platov. Both couples had tied for first in the compulsory dance.

Heading into the free dance, worth 50% of the total score, Torvill and Dean are tied with Usova and Zhulin. Gritschuk and Platov are third. Whoever wins tonight will take the gold medal.

“It’s been a challenge,” Dean said with obvious relief. “It feels good being 10 years away and still being competitive with the best of the world.”