16 episodes

Blind Landing is an award-winning independent documentary podcast. The series goes behind the scenes in the world of elite sports. Season one, which looked at safety in gymnastics. was named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021 and was a 2022 Webby Awards honoree. Season two, an anthology about identity and discrimination in figure skating, was a 2022 AIPS Sports Media Awards nominee and won the 2023 Ambie Award for Best Independent Podcast. Blind Landing has been featured in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture and Elle.

Blind Landing Ari Saperstein

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 1.5K Ratings

Blind Landing is an award-winning independent documentary podcast. The series goes behind the scenes in the world of elite sports. Season one, which looked at safety in gymnastics. was named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021 and was a 2022 Webby Awards honoree. Season two, an anthology about identity and discrimination in figure skating, was a 2022 AIPS Sports Media Awards nominee and won the 2023 Ambie Award for Best Independent Podcast. Blind Landing has been featured in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture and Elle.

    Out On The Ice: Part 1

    Out On The Ice: Part 1

    From the outside, figure skating might look like a queer haven, a space where LGBTQ+ athletes can be out and open… but inside of the sport? That couldn’t be farther from the reality.
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    • 38 min
    Out On The Ice: Part 2

    Out On The Ice: Part 2

    For decades, skaters have been pushed to play into narrow gender stereotypes on and off the ice, leaving queer athletes feeling like being themselves wasn’t an option –– but not everyone was going to stay silent.
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    • 38 min
    Out On The Ice: Part 3

    Out On The Ice: Part 3

    “Out On The Ice” concludes with the story of Adam Rippon, the first out skater to represent the US at the Olympics, and a new generation of queer skaters determined to change the culture of their sport.
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    • 38 min
    Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge

    Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge

    Mabel Fairbanks changed figure skating forever. As a Black figure skater in the 1940s, Mabel made a name for herself skating in ice shows all over the world — but was barred from entering competitions because of the color of her skin. Mabel made it her life’s mission to get Black skaters into the sport and to reach the highest peaks. Using excerpts of interviews with Mabel never before heard by the public, we’re bringing you not just the story of Mabel Fairbanks, but Mabel herself — her voice, in her own words.
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    • 49 min
    Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World

    Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World

    On this special episode of Blind Landing, we're stepping away from figure skating and going back to the world of gymnastics to bring you Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun. Illia tells us about what it's been like to compete during the invasion of Ukraine and the story of how politics found it's way onto the competition floor.
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    • 18 min
    Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol

    Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol

    For many Asian Americans, seeing Kristi Yamaguchi win the gold in women’s figure skating at the 1992 Olympics was everything. She was more than a famous athlete — she was one of the few Asian Americans on TV, period. Yet for Kristi, the polished, glamorous image that we all saw was very different from her experience on the inside. From her choice to skate solo to seeking endorsements in an anti-Asian climate, reporter Stefanie Ritoper looks at the moments that almost stopped Kristi from becoming the Kristi Yamaguchi that we all know.
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    • 52 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
1.5K Ratings

1.5K Ratings

Wwtttt1 ,

Bingeperfect

5am. Couldn’t sleep. Found it. Started and didn’t stop until I listened to the whole 1st season. I’m grateful they made this series for us, thank you!
As a child gymnast, the topic interested me. And as a parent of an elite athlete, ditto. The series is interesting and thorough, and the injustices stick with me still.

Caddy Compson ,

Well-researched and compelling

I don’t even care much about sports, but this podcast made me cry multiple times, which is the highlight praise imo.

Monreed ,

Love this podcast!

Just listened to to Rebbecca Andrade’s story with my daughter who is a gymnast and had two ankle breaks and surgeries this year. Truly inspiring to hear Rebecca’s story. Thank you for telling it!

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