Sochi Figure Skating Thoughts and Feelings

Where on earth do I begin? I have feelings of Olympic proportions about these Olympics we just experienced. I waited for a week to post because I didn't want to say anything I would regret in the heat of the moment. Read between the lines and you know who I'm talking about. Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

The Team Competition
What I Loved: I loved seeing the pride that the skaters have for their country and I also loved seeing national rivals pretend to like one another. I'm looking at you Diva Wagner. I liked that the top skaters had a chance to get the Olympic jitters out before the event.
What I Hated: I hated that some of the skaters felt like they weren't taking this seriously, though I think that may change in a few Olympic cycles if this event becomes more important. I also hated the points system and that the free skates barely mattered. Since IJS is all about those points and breaking records, let's just add up all the total points and be done with it. In the future, I would like to see this event at the end of the Games so the top skaters aren't conserving energy for the individual events.
What I Was Apathetic About: I found myself not caring about any team outside of Russian, Canada, and the US because they had no shot at the podium.
Feelings Meter: I was as anxious as I always am the night before the TONY awards when I can't predict how they will stage the opening number.

The Pairs Event
What I Loved: Volosozhar & Trankov in the short program, Savchenko & Szolkowy in the short program, Pang & Tong's passionate farewell free skate, and Ksenia Stolbova's facial expressions in the free. I also loved seeing Volosozhar & Trankov stand up under all that pressure. Though I was really over Russia later in the games, all seemed right with the world with two Russian pairs on the podium. I love the spunk of Kirsten Moore-Towers and hope they medal at worlds and keep going.
What I Hated: I hated the OCD flare-up I had when Tatiana Volosozhar's bun came loose in the free skate. I hated how I was bored during their Jesus Christ Super Star until the lift in the second half on the "Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ" music. You know what I'm talking about. I hated how the over scoring of Volosozhar & Trankov (a plus GOE on a throw with a hand down) made me feel dirty inside and made me skeptical that the judging would get worse and worse.
What I Was Apathetic About: I found myself not caring about any pairs outside of the top 5. None of the other performances got me excited.
Feelings Meter: I felt about Volosozhar & Trankov winning gold like I did about Bernadette Peters winning the TONY for the revival of "Annie Get Your Gun." I was so happy they won, but the win wasn't supported by great material.

The Mens Event
What I Loved: I loved Jason Brown in the short, everything about Takahashi at all times, the clean skating of Denis Ten, and the fact that it was over and eventually the falling stopped.
What I Hated: I hated that craptacualar mess of a free skate and the fact that we have an Olympic Champ who fell several times. I hated that we couldn't copy and paste Jason Brown's skate from Nationals and snag him a bronze medal.
What I Was Apathetic About: I stopped caring that Javier Fernandez wasn't on the podium because if he cannot count the jumps at this stage in his career, he doesn't belong on an Olympic podium. I couldn't bring myself to feel bad for Patrick Chan because Hanyu left the door open for him and he couldn't triple axel through it cleanly.
Feelings Meter: I felt like I was watching the women's All-Around finals in Sydney and knew disaster was upon us and could do nothing to stop it.

The Ice Dance Event
What I Loved: I loved the short dances of Virtue & Moir, Cappellini & Lanotte, the free dance of Pechalat & Bourzat, and the look in Meryl's eyes during the free. I loved the sigh of relief on the faces of Charlie & Meryl when they saw that all of their hard work paid off. I loved the Spanish team's Picasso free skate and I hope to see more from them in the future.
What I Hated: I was angered by the fact that Pechalat and Bourzat's superior skating and artistry were not rewarded and were beaten by (in my opinion) a knock-off ballet. They lost that mandatory 3 points for skating while not being Russian. I hated the nastiness directed at Bobrova & Soloviev on social media, it wasn't their fault that they've been propped up for so long and were upset when scored semi-appropriately. I especially hated Canada's inability to form an argument. Either lash out at the judging or at Marina, not both.
What I Was Apathetic About: Oddly enough, Weaver & Poje did nothing for me, though I generally love them. I didn't feel strongly about either American team, which worries me for the future.
Feelings Meter: That bronze medal decision was like "La Cage aux Folles" beating "Sunday in the Park with George" for best musical in 1984; camp was chosen over true art.

The Ladies Event
What I Loved: I must start by saying that Mao's free skate was one of the finest programs I've seen in my 20 years watching figure skating. I loved Carolina's ethereal angelic short program, Carolina's sassy nuanced free skate, and everything else that Carolina did. I loved the subtlety of Yuna's short program and the emergence of Gracie Gold as a major threat on the world stage. I loved that Ashley Wagner had no filter when speaking about the judging, and though it was a little bit of sour grapes on her part, she's saying what we're all thinking. What I loved most was how out of control and ridiculous we got on twitter during that ladies event. I'm looking at you Dave and Ann.
What I Hated: I hated seeing Julia fall, especially when I heard that reporters were stalking her family and bugging her house, and all I wanted to do was give her a hug. I hated seeing Diva Wagner's scores drop in front of her very eyes as the judges chose a new favorite American and I really hated that she cut the post-short program ponytail flip in the ladies event. I hated seeing Mao crumble in the short, because I strongly believe that she'd be Olympic Champ if she had skated that short cleanly. I hated when Sotnikova waved at me from her spiral sequence, but we will blame Peter for that and not her. I hated the judging in most events, but the judging errors really were egregious in this ladies event.
What I Was Apathetic About: I feel nothing about our ladies champion. I know I should be outraged that Carolina didn't win, but when I look back on some of our recent ladies champions (cough Tara, Sarah, Shizuka) they don't represent the best of that era of skating either, so whatever.
Feelings Meter: I wanted to throw a floor lamp out of my 2nd story dressing room window like Patti LuPone did when Andrew Lloyd Webber fired her from Sunset Boulevard.


As mother Evita would ask, "Where do we go from here?" I know we are going through skating withdrawal, but worlds are just a hop, skip, and a jump away. I have a love/hate with Olympic-year Worlds because many of our favorites will retire, but there are always "A Star is Born" moments too when the babies step up and reach the podium. I'm looking at you Gracie and Julia! See you in Japan!

The Casual Figure Skating Fan's Guide to Sochi 2014

I know more than my fair share about figure skating and follow it very closely every season, but I'm also aware that most people do not. Therefore, I give you "The Casual Figure Skating Fan's Guide to Sochi 2014". If I see a facebook status asking about Johnny Weir, Michelle Kwan, or 6.0, I will probably post this link on your wall to keep me from saying something catty.

General Notes:

-Figure Skating is no longer an art form, it is a math problem

-You will be confused and frustrated because the best programs rarely score the highest

-If you think all the programs look the same, you're probably right; IJS programs are very cookie cutter

-Skaters are scored on TES (the old technical mark) & PCS (the old artistic mark)

-Every element (jumps, spins, lifts, throws, footwork sequences) is given a base value and/or a level and a grade of execution mark

-There is no "best score," though the NBC commentators will likely compare skaters' scores to their own Season's Best of Personal Best

-This season will be the debut of a Gymnastics-style Team event where skaters from all 4 disciplines will combine their scores and the "top country" will win gold; this even will begin before Opening Ceremonies and conclude before the individual disciplines begin

-Here is a link to the full IJS code of points if you want to confuse yourself even further

http://www.isu.org/en/single-and-pair-skating-and-ice-dance/isu-judging-system/introduction

Ladies:

2013 WORLD Medalists: Yuna Kim (KOR), Carolina Kostner (ITA), Mao Asada (JPN)

-If anyone outside of Kim, Asada, or Kostner win Gold it will be a Sarah Hughes-esque surprise

-If we do have a Sarah Hughes moment, it will be Russian teen Julia Lipnitskaia

-If Yuna Kim skates cleanly, expect her to win a 2nd OGM, regardless of how the other ladies skate

-The US ladies have an outside chance at a medal but are in no way favored

-NBC will talk up Gracie Gold, and probably Ashley Wagner as medal favorites, but they will only medal if others make mistakes

-The fully rotated triple-triple combination is key for the ladies, expect NBC commentators to talk that to death

-You will be able to tell which skaters NBC loves because they will drop phrases like "complete package," "complete program," or "fantastic transitions"

-A US lady hasn't won an Olympic or World medal since 2006, expect to hear that from NBC commentators on repeat

-A certain 'top lady' waves during her spiral sequence, I'll let you look for it in Where's Waldo fashion

Mens:

2013 WORLD Medalists: Patrick Chan (CAN), Denis Ten (KAZ), Javier Fernandez (ESP)

-Johnny Weir has retired and Evan Lysacek is injured, neither will compete

-Patrick Chan has won the last 3 World Titles, and though he is sputtering this season, it will be an upset if he doesn't win Gold

-The Quadruple jump (Quad) is key in the mens event, it will be hard to get near the podium without one

-The elder statesman Evgeni Plushenko has returned for one final hurrah and the Russians will be doing their best politicking to get him back on the podium

-You will probably prefer Yuzuru Hanyu's more artistic programs and you'll hate it when Patrick Chan wins regardless

-US men have little to no chance of winning a medal, we haven't won a World or Olympic medal since 2010

-Jason Brown (USA) will be one of the darlings of the games and will probably rise to the occasion under pressure, but without the Quad he will have a hard tim finding the podium unless others make mistakes

Ice Dance:

2013 WORLD Medalists: Davis & White (USA), Virtue & Moir (CAN), Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS)

-There are no longer 3 phases to the Ice Dance competition, there are now only 2

-Expect to hear the phrase "Finn Step" a lot as it is the compulsory pattern that all teams will perform in the original dance

-Free Dances range from Classical and Opera to Musical Theatre and Michael Jackson

-Gold & Silver will go to Davis & White (USA) or Virtue & Moir (CAN) and it will likely be very close; they are far above the rest of the field and will take the top spots on the podium

-Davis & White are slightly favored for Gold because they beat Virtue & Moir at the 2013 Worlds and this season's Grand Prix Final and their scores have been consistently higher

-Bobrova & Soloviev (Russia) will likely win bronze, primarily because of Russian politics; if you personally feel that their performances are not deserving of a medal, you would be correct

-The other teams that have a shot at bronze are Pechalat & Bourzat (FRA), Ilinykh & Katsalapov (RUS), Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA), and Weaver & Poje (CAN)

-The top dance teams are coached by the same small cluster of coaches; become familiar with names like Marina Zoueva, Igor Shpilband, Pasquale Camerlengo, Nikolai Morozov, and Alexander Zhulin

-All 3 American teams are likely to finish in the top 10

-It's tough to tell the difference between average, good, and great ice dance programs because there are no jumps/falls; you should look for speed, overall flow across the ice, synchronization, and smooth transitions in and out of lifts

Pairs

2013 WORLD Medalists: Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS), Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER), Duhamel & Radford (CAN)

-US Pair Teams will be very fortunate to finish in the top 6 and have about a 1% chance of winning a medal

-Volosozhar & Trankov (Russia) will win Gold unless they make major mistakes

-Savchenko & Szolkowy (Germany) will win Silver unless they make major mistakes

-Pang & Tong (China) will most likely win bronze, but Canadian teams have a shot

-The pairs event directly follows the Team Trophy event; fatigue/training could play a role in this event

-Expect some drama with the top two teams, they've been going back and forth in the standings for several years

-Commentators will make a huge deal about Russians retaking the top spot on the Olympic pairs podium

2013 Skate America: Short Dance Recap

What else is there to say about Davis & White (USA)? If I'm speechless, you know it's real and it's deep. This piece was really about Charlie for me. My eye went to him and Meryl was kind of there in the background. Is it just me or is his extension improving along with his performance quality? Love, love, loved it. I could have just as easily been watching the Grand Prix Final as the first major event of the season...they are in that good of shape. Short Dance Total: 75.70

Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA) put the DANCE in Ice Dance. I'm OBSESSED with this choreography! This is a perfect example of skating a full piece from beginning to end. They really told a complete story. I'm partial to a good show tune, but regardless, they are on my radar for the Olympic podium. Short Dance Total: 69.88

Shibutani & Shibutani (USA) rose to the occasion and brought it tonight. Alex is really catching my eye this year, but I want her to step it up and pull focus. I'm loving this piece and the fact that they didn't pick the most obvious Michael Buble pieces. Marina does it again, the woman can do no wrong. This piece has potential and they are going places with it. Short Dance Total: 61.26

Hubbell & Donohue (USA) just don't totally have it for me. I'm not sure why, but they are just a little B-team for me. Zach is awesome, but Madison doesn't do so much for me. She's a little cash for clunkers. He is all over my radar, and for his sake, I hope she can amp up the excitement. Short Dance Total: 60.71

I had no strong feelings about Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE) tonight. They do have a nice flow and smoothness to their work, but the choreography and themes of the program did nothing much for me. Short Dance Total: 54.53

Reed & Reed (JPN) were just meh for me. Twizzle issue aside, the whole piece just looked too calculated and not nearly dancy enough. They were too stiff and the ending just felt out of control for me. It felt like it was about to unravel at any moment...a little Roughtown USA. Short Dance Total: 54.28

Carron & Jones (FRA) had me with their musical selection, and they're delightful to look at, but the program didn't build or really go anywhere. They are charming and the piece has potential if they can build up the excitement throughout the season. Short Dance Total: 54.10

Tobias & Stagniunas (LTU) have a great look and this was a cute program, but she needs to amp up the vavavoom. That, or they need to do A Chorus Line because she's obviously Val. His posture seemed a little clunky today, as did that rotational lift. I hope they clean that up. Short Dance Total: 53.17

2013 Skate America: Ice Dance Preview

And now for my favorite event of them all...Ice Dance! I'm a dancer and a dancer dances, so obviously this is my jam. Short dance kicks of tomorrow (Friday) at 8:45 and we'll see that free Saturday night in the money spot at 9:00.

Detroit is in for a treat as hometown kids and reigning World Camps Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA) grace us with their presence. You know they are going to be in Olympic form already, so lord only knows how phenom they will look by February. Around here, we are 100% thrilled with their program choices and can't wait to see them perform the heck out of them. They haven't lost an event since the 2012 Worlds and I have a strong suspicion they will continue their winning streak all through Sochi in February.



Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA) are the

most likely silver medalists, but they are know to be streaky. Their switch to Igor Shpilband seems to have really settled them and they are forming their identity as artists. I cannot wait to see their 42nd street Short Dance! They are certainly one of the hottest Ice Dance couples around, so that's never a bad thing. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) are scaring me with their program choices this season. Michael Buble for the short is perfect for them. That is classic Shib Sib style. However, the Michael Jackson free dance? When I think of a Michael Jackson free dance I think of that epic Bourne & Kraatz fail in Salt Lake in 2002. This just doesn't seem like it will suit their classical style and elegant lines, which is a huge risk to take in an Olympic year. But, I'm an artist and I love risk here in there, and I trust Marina, so more power to them. I bet you anything that this is one of those programs that undergoes major changes in composition, choreography, and costuming by Sochi.

Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue (USA) are the bubble team in US

Ice Dance. The top three are very clearly established in Davis/White, Chock/Bates, and Shibutani/Shibutani, but if one of those team would happen to have an injury or a rough GP series, they could have a shot at the Olympics. It's an outside shot, but still a shot nonetheless. Their strength is their chemistry, which is the one thing that Marina & Igor's teams have been criticized for. The Big Bad Voodoo Daddy short seems perfect for them and I expect that their Nocturne free should be quite sensual. They have an outside shot at the podium if they are perfect and others have problems.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Davis & White (USA)
Silver: Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA)
Bronze: Shibutani & Shibutani (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE)
Carron & Jones (FRA)
Reed & Reed (JPN)
Tobias & Stagniunas (LTU)
Hubbell & Donohue (USA)

2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Short Dance Skate Order

The Top 20 will advance to the Free Dance

StN.	Name	Nation
	Warm-Up Group 1
1	Siobhan HEEKIN-CANEDY / Dmitri DUN	UKR
2	Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND	EST
3	Zsuzsanna NAGY / Mate FEJES	HUN
4	Julia ZLOBINA / Alexei SITNIKOV	AZE
5	Isabella TOBIAS / Deividas STAGNIUNAS	LTU
	Warm-Up Group 2
6	Kharis RALPH / Asher HILL	CAN
7	Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE	USA
8	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB
9	Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI	ITA
10	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP
	Warm-Up Group 3
11	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS
12	Cathy REED / Chris REED	JPN
13	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN
14	Nelli ZHIGANSHINA / Alexander GAZSI	GER
15	Penny COOMES / Nicholas BUCKLAND	GBR
	Warm-Up Group 4
16	Ekaterina BOBROVA / Dmitri SOLOVIEV	RUS
17	Pernelle CARRON / Lloyd JONES	FRA
18	Ekaterina RIAZANOVA / Ilia TKACHENKO	RUS
19	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN
20	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA
	Warm-Up Group 5
21	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS
22	Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE	USA
23	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN
24	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA
25	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA

2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance Preview

It's still exciting to think about how far Ice Dance has come in 10 years, from an afterthought to the main event. This will be a throw down of epic proportions after the top two teams in the World have gone back and forth in their two meetings this season. The dancers skate their Short Dance at 1:40 pm EST on Wednesday March 28th and their Free Dance at 2:00 pm on Thursday March 29th.

Podium Predictions
1) Virtue & Moir (CAN)
2) Davis & White (USA)
3) Weaver & Poje (CAN)


The Top Contenders


Virtue & Moir (CAN) look poised to return to the top of the podium in Nice after their victory over Davis & White at Four Continents. Both teams are phenomenal of course, but I simply prefer the Canadians' programs this season. I love the theatrics and the fact that this program truly tells a story.

Davis & White (USA) beat their Canadian rivals at the Grand Prix Final, but fell off a little bit and lost to them in the technical mark at Four Continents. The good thing about losing in the technical mark is that they know what they need to improve upon going into Nice and it's all about getting those levels up. This is a gap they can easily bridge and I wouldn't be surprised if the difference between the two teams game down to a point or less.

The battle for Bronze will be brutal and about three or four teams will be involved. Weaver & Poje (CAN) have what I believe to be the most raw, passionate, beautiful Free Skate of the season and I think that will win out. They have waited their turn for years and they are finally among the top in the World. I hope they take the Bronze, even if it's only by the slimmest of margins.

Pecahalat & Bourzat (FRA) have had the worst luck lately. They took a freak fall last year at Worlds and finished off the podium after they seemed to be a lock for Bronze. Then Fabian got sick at Skater America and they had to withdraw from Skate Canada. Now, Nathalie breaks her nose and they lose valuable training time after being a favorite again to win Bronze. I think they still could do it, but their programs just aren't World medalist caliber this season in my opinion and Weaver and Poje's are.

Shibutani & Shibutani (USA) are also in this mix and they could finish anywhere from third-sixth, even if they are near perfect as they were last year when they took home the bronze. There have been complaints that their short dance lacks Latin flavor, which they've attempted to resolve by working with a ballroom expert. They also have heard feedback that their Free Dance is too similar to last season's, which I'd tend to agree with. They are remarkable consistent, arguably the most of all the teams in the Bronze medal race, so if the others make mistakes, they could repeat as medalists.

Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS) started out with a bang, winning Gold at Cup of China, but fell off a little later in the season, finishing only sixth at the Grand Prix Final. They did win Silver at Europeans, which is nothing to scoff at, but they haven't faced a North American team in quite a while. They're programs are very high drama and passionate, white I appreciate as an actress, but I'm afraid they are a little too 2002 compared to the North American teams' programs. They are the top European team after the French, and it will take an upset for them to fall out of the top six.

In The Hunt


Ilinykh & Katsalopov (RUS) are actually one of my favorite teams. Their beauty is striking in an understated way and I, though I may be in the minority, happen to really love their programs this season. They are erratic competitors and have consistency issues. If they can go mistake free in both phases of the competition, they could finish in the top five, as they've always had the potential to do.


Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA) had a great Grand Prix, winning two Bronze medals, and barely missed the final. They came in fourth at Europeans behind a pair of Russians, but if they can skate the way they did at their Grand Prix events and come up with a little bit of luck along the way, they could crack the top six. They showed great improvements this season and they are clearly a team on the move. Look for big things from them heading toward the Olympics.

Zhiganshina & Gazsi (GER) have been making improvements all season from changing their musical arrangements to better adhere to the rules and making tiny adjustments along the way. They are a very passionate, emotional team, but perhaps a coaching change is in order to help them up their technical elements to get to the next level of the sport.

Riazanova & Tkachenko (RUS) seemed so promising last season, but they've fallen off a little bit this year. They picked up a fifth and fourth place finish on the Grand Prix, and a fifth at Europeans. They are the number three team in Russia right now, and with some impressive Juniors coming up, they need to improve fast and make a statement if they want to be on the 2014 Sochi team.

Hubbell & Donohue (USA) are the surprise US Bronze medalists. They clicked magically in their first season skating together. Their chemistry is great, and they'll keep improving technically as they progress together. Their main goal here in Nice should be to avoid the falls they had at Four Continents. Davis/White & the Shibutanis will take care of holding onto three spots for Team USA, so these guys just need to concentrate on skating clean.

The Rest Of The Field


Obrien & Merriman (AUS)
Silna & Kurakin (AUT)
Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE)
Valadzenkava & Vakunov (BLR)
Chistiakova & Lichev (BUL)
Ralph & Hill (CAN)
Huang & Zheng (CHN)
Kubova & Kiselev (CZE)
Shtork & Rand (EST)
Lindholm & Kanervo (FIN)
Carron & Jones (FRA)
Coomes & Buckland (GBR)
Nagy & Fejes (HUN)
Bugrov & Rogov (ISR)
Alessandrini & Vaturi (ITA)
Reed & Reed (JPN)
Mansour & Zhunussov (KAZ)
Pecherkina & Jakushin (LTU)
Tobias & Stagniunas (LTU)
Bruhns & Van Natten (MEX)
Zvorigina & Bernadowski (POL)
Testa & Csolley (SVK)
Hurtado & Diaz (ESP)
Elsener & Roost (SUI)
Agafonova & Ucar (TUR)
Heekin-Canedy & Dun (UKR)
Nagornyuk & Kovalenko (UZB)

2012 Four Continents Championships: Free Dance LIVE Coverage

1) Corenne Bruhns & Ryan Van Natten (MEX)
 Music: Harlem Nocturne, My Drag

• This is dragging, I feel like this team needs more upbeat music to inject some more life into their skating
• The lifts are very slow and labored
• There is no sparkle in this program
• I'd like to see more effort, that helps disguise lesser technique
• Was that a fall, or was she just on her knees?
• That upside down lift with her shoulder on his knee is kind of cool
• Oh boy, scary balance lift, her head almost on the ice
• This team has potential and he's a great performer
• They just need to drill these programs to get more and more comfortable with them

32.66 (TES) + 22.98 (PCS) = 55.64
35.93 (SD) + (FD) = 91.57

2) Cortney Mansour & Daryn Zhunussov (KAZ)
 Music: Cirque du Soleil

• Oh boy, a Morozov team
• Is it me or do they look like a mini-me of the Reeds/
• I like the whimsical quality of this piece
• This suits their ages
• That slide under his legs was very cool
• Good twizzle set, his arms were just slightly higher
• Nice back entry and position changes on the straight line lift, great speed
• I think she's a little diva in the making
• A lot of spread eagles already, but it works in this piece
• Great knee bend
• I'd love to see a little more facial expression from him
• That was a pretty weak haircutter compared to what we'll see later
• That little moment where her mussed her hair was cute, very in the character
• Lost a lot of the speed in the spin, but a cool section of the music for it
• They need to work on matching the leg line, his is slightly higher
• Good outing overall, they should be pleased

30.43 (TES) + 22.70 (PCS) = 53.13
25.53 (SD) + 53.13 (FD) = 78.66

3) Anna Nagornyuk & Viktor Kovalenko (UZB)
 Music: Cry me a river/Peter Gunn

• This costume has a major ick factor
• Those twizzles were really fast, maybe a foot down
• Those boot covers are tragic
• It's so hard to watch anything else because my eye keeps going to the boots
• This is such an odd  combination of music
• Good speed on the rotational lift

38.07 (TES) + 30.61 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 67.68
39.93 (SD) + 67.68 (FD) = 107.61

4) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (CAN)
 Music: Tonight

• They are exquisite, the definition of beautiful
• She looks like a little sylph out there
• Oh no, he falls on the first twizzle and then aborts the second
• Something is going on with them this season, the aren't clicking along like last year
• I love this music for them, it's like a modern classic
• I love that transition as they change feet on the spin, they make a moment of it
• They need the summer break to figure out where they're going and move on
• Lovely rotational lift

33.07 (TES) + 37.38 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 69.45
48.52 (SD) + 69.45 (FD) = 117.97

5) Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA)
 Music: I Put A Spell On You

• I'm buying everything he's selling, but she just gets in the way
• Good flow over the ice, very even and smooth
• That entrance to the first lift comes out of  nowhere
• Oh boy, another fall from him, didn't appear to be on an element
• Good first twizzle, got too close together on the second and appeared to have gotten tangled up
• Come on now kids, don't let go of the performance
• That little pop/lock dance break in the middle is a little tacky, it's corny
• They look wild and out of control here, and though it suits the dance, I think they're running out of steam

40.72 (TES) + 39.55 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 79.27
49.93 (SD) + 79.27 (FD) = 129.20

6) Danielle O'Brien & Gregory Merriman (AUS)
 Music: In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade

• Uh oh, somebody coming later in the event is about to do this music much better!
• Very fast and high energy, but a lot of the details are left out
• A lot of the lift positions need to be held out longer
• A little too slow in the middle section here, they're losing my interest
• This couple is really cute, I like their style, they just need more polish

34.93 (TES) + 30.88 (PCS) = 65.81
40.10 (SD) + 65.81 (FD) = 105.91

7) Xiaoyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)
 Music: Howl's Moving Castle

• Hard to tell the unison on the twizzles with all that fabric, but seemed on point
• Ohh, she was supposed to step on his boot to end that lift, but she missed it
• I don't like all the stationary movement at center ice
• Nice rotational lift, very lyrical quality overall
• They're starting to run out of steam in this step sequence
• This music suits them very well, ethereal and dreamlike

36.50 (TES) + 33.13 (PCS) = 69.63
45.42 (SD) + (FD) = 115.05

8) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)
 Music: Je Suis Malade

• This opening is beautiful, this is the most romantic of all  these free dances
• Really deep edges, good leg line
• This free skate complements their strong suits much better than last season
• I like the drama in this program
• I'm obsessed with this free dance, the emotion is real and not manufactured
• I think that was their first clean twizzle set of the season
• This is a complete program, you don't even see the elements
• That last lift is so grand
• I love the ending, it's so raw
• 47.42 (TES) + 51.61 (PCS) = 99.03

64.23 (SD) + 99.03 (FD) = 163.26

9) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)
 Music: Chattanooga Choo Choo, In the Mood

• Very quick and snappy beginning
• This is the polar opposite of Weaver & Poje
• The twizzles are more and more amazing everytime
• The strength it must take on her part in that straight line lift is remarkable
• They are masters at changing lift positions seamlessly while still hitting each
• You can see the elements in this program more than some of the older teams
• They manage to make even the slower pieces look fast
• Great balance and leverage on that curve lift
• She definitely gets to do her fair share of splits
• Oh boy, Alex doesn't look good, he's coughing and can hardly breathe
• I though he was going to pass out

47.06 (TES) + 48.85 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 94.91
63.38 (SD) + 94.91 (FD) = 158.29

10) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)
 Music: Funny Face

• I love this dance, it's so theatrical, it's perfection in my book
• This instrumental section in the middle is so clever
• That curve lift was perfectly in time with the musical nuances
• Perfect twizzles
• I don't envy the judges, there is nothing in this program that isn't exquisite
• That final lift is pretty fantastic, the control that must take is out of this world

54.07 (TES) + 57.17 (PCS) = 111.24
71.60 (SD) + 111.24 (FD) = 182.84

11) Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA)
 Music: Die Fledermaus

• I don't know how to pick this piece apart, it's so fantastic as it is
• They are perfectly at home with one another
• I keep losing my feed so unfortunately it's difficult to comment on it
• I think their twizzles are faster than Virtue & Moir
• I give the edge in performance to Davis & White, I think they include the crowd more
• However, I don't think their lifts change positions as many times as Virtue & Moir

50.01 (TES) + 57.24 (PCS) = 107.25
72.15 (SD) + 107.25 (FD) = 179.40

1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	182.84	2	1
2	Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE	USA	179.40	1	2
3	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	163.26	3	3
4	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA	158.29	4	4
5	Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE	USA	129.20	5	5
6	Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM	CAN	117.97	6	7
7	Xiaoyang YU / Chen WANG	CHN	115.05	7	6
8	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB	107.61	9	8
9	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS	105.91	8	9
10	Corenne BRUHNS / Ryan VAN NATTEN	MEX	91.57	10	10
11	Cortney MANSOUR / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV	KAZ	78.66	11	11

1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	111.24	54.07		57.17	9.46	9.32	9.71	9.61	9.71	0.00	#10
2	Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE	USA	107.25	50.01		57.24	9.54	9.36	9.68	9.61	9.64	0.00	#11
3	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	99.03	47.42		51.61	8.50	8.36	8.75	8.71	8.89	0.00	#8
4	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA	94.91	47.06		48.85	8.14	8.00	8.21	8.25	8.21	1.00	#9
5	Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE	USA	79.27	40.72		39.55	6.61	6.43	6.54	6.75	6.75	1.00	#5
6	Xiaoyang YU / Chen WANG	CHN	69.63	36.50		33.13	5.68	5.36	5.54	5.54	5.57	0.00	#7
7	Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM	CAN	69.45	33.07		37.38	6.29	6.11	6.11	6.36	6.36	1.00	#4
8	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB	67.68	38.07		30.61	5.18	4.93	5.21	5.18	5.11	1.00	#3
9	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS	65.81	34.93		30.88	5.21	4.93	5.21	5.32	5.21	0.00	#6
10	Corenne BRUHNS / Ryan VAN NATTEN	MEX	55.64	32.66		22.98	4.00	3.64	3.82	4.00	3.79	0.00	#1
11	Cortney MANSOUR / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV	KAZ	53.13	30.43		22.70	3.96	3.46	3.86	4.04	3.79	0.00	#2

2012 Four Continents Championships: Short Dance LIVE Coverage

1) Cortney Mansour & Daryn Zhunussov (KAZ)

• Oh the music selections, kill me now
• She looks like she's bent in half
• Trip and then a fall, they can't seem to get their feet under them 
• This costume is just unecessary
• 13.22 (TES) + 13.31 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 25.53

2) Anna Nagornyuk & Viktor Kovalenko (UZB)

• This costume is very European-looking costumes
• These twizzles are rough, hand down for him
• Not much free leg extension
• That was an okay performance, but nothing spectacular 
• 21.49 (TES) + 18.44 (PCS) = 39.93

3) Corenne Bruhns & Ryan Van Natten (MEX)

• This is a very slow moving piece
• There is no commitment to the piece, she looks like she's not giving complete effort
• Lack of commitment to a performance bothers me more than falling
• 20.64 (TES) + 15.29 (PCS) = 35.93 

4) Xiaoyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)

• The shoulders, the ruffles, the stripes, it's all so so so bad
• He almost ate it on that twizzle, very crooked
• As loud as the costumes are, this is a very boring dance
• Those long tails on the skirts terrify me, it's so easy to catch a blade
• 24.00 (TES) + 21.42 (PCS) = 45.42

5) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (CAN)

• Really great subtleties in the opening
• This is one of the few smooth and sultry pieces this season
• This is beautiful, very graceful and elegant
• I like her hair floating like that, it's better out of the bun
• Not as much attack on the twizzles as I would've liked
• Improved from the rest of what I've seen from them this season
• 23.71 (TES) + 24.81 (PCS) = 48.52

6) Danielle Obrien & Gregory Merriman (AUS)

• That skirt doesn't seem to match the rest of the dress
• She exits the twizzles a turn early
• Nice use of the free arm in the rhumba sequence
• This team is packaged well and they look professional, they just need some more work
• 20.64 (TES) + 20.46 (PCS) = 40.10

7) Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA)

• He is a dream to watch, he his so dancy
• Oh no, where did that fall come from
• Hey, I'd rather you fall because you're too into the movement than half-assing it
• Oh boy, she wobbles a little on the twizzle
• At least her costume is more sassy this time
• They look very dejected after the fall and the bobble
• 25.50 (TES) + 25.43 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 49.93

8) Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA)

• They are the definition of hair-ography
• So much energy in that opening 
• He always looks like he's going to spin out of control everytime on the twizzles but never does!
• I'm glad they went all JLo this season, it suits them so well
• I  love that part of the footwork that looks like they're going into a sit spin
• 34.71 (TES) + 37.44 (PCS) + 72.15

9) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)

• All those ruffles floating in the rhumba sequence is just obnoxious
• That costume is such a distraction, breaks up the lines
• The twizzle timing was perfect, but the arms are a little off
• I can only watch her in that costume because his is so boring by comparison
• They just don't look excited to be out there
• Anybody else surprised that ruffle didn't get in his face in the on that final rotational lift
• 33.92 (TES) + 37.68 (PCS) = 71.60

10) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibuani (USA)

• They look look a little slow today, other than the twizzles of course
• They arguably have the best unison of the top teams overall
• Whatever Corky Ballas did, it's working for them
• They've really come into their own this season, they're really stepping it up on this short dance
• I like their new costumes and their new aggressive attitude
• 31.86 (TES) + 31.52 (PCS) 63.38

11) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

• I feel like this isn't as spicy as it could be, I don't know why
• They look really rushed, it looks a little frantic
• Their arms look a little flaily
• Something about it just seemed off today, no major mistakes, just something a little off
• 31.43 (TES) + 32.80 (PCS) = 64.23

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE	USA	72.15	34.71		37.44	9.39	9.25	9.32	9.43	9.39	0.00	#8
2	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	71.60	33.92		37.68	9.39	9.29	9.46	9.39	9.54	0.00	#9
3	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	64.23	31.43		32.80	8.07	7.93	8.29	8.29	8.36	0.00	#11
4	Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI	USA	63.38	31.86		31.52	7.93	7.64	8.04	7.89	7.89	0.00	#10
5	Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE	USA	49.93	25.50		25.43	6.43	6.39	6.21	6.39	6.36	1.00	#7
6	Alexandra PAUL / Mitchell ISLAM	CAN	48.52	23.71		24.81	6.39	6.00	6.29	6.29	6.07	0.00	#5
7	Xiaoyang YU / Chen WANG	CHN	45.42	24.00		21.42	5.43	5.14	5.36	5.46	5.36	0.00	#4
8	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS	40.10	20.64		20.46	5.25	4.93	5.14	5.21	5.04	1.00	#6
9	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB	39.93	21.49		18.44	4.75	4.50	4.61	4.75	4.46	0.00	#2
10	Corenne BRUHNS / Ryan VAN NATTEN	MEX	35.93	20.64		15.29	4.00	3.71	3.82	3.93	3.68	0.00	#3
11	Cortney MANSOUR / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV	KAZ	25.53	13.22		13.31	3.54	3.25	3.32	3.43	3.14	1.00	#1

2012 Four Continents Championships: Ice Dance Preview

This is a picture we haven't seen in two seasons, Virtue & Moir wearing Gold while Davis & White wore Silver. To be fair, the Canadians were not at 100% last season even when they did compete, but this season the teams are on a level playing field and Davis & White won the singular head-to-head battle at the Grand Prix Final. Can they repeat here? I say...yes!

Podium Predictions:
1) Davis & White (USA)
2) Virtue & Moir (CAN)
3) Shibutani & Shibutani (USA)


It's splitting hairs comparing the top two teams but I think Davis & White (USA) have the winning free skate. It's operatic, it's beautiful, it's elegant, it's shall we say European. Virtue & Moir (CAN) have a more theatrical free skate and while I happen to prefer it, it do not feel that the judges will score it as highly as the Americans in head-to-head competition. The teams are perfectly matched in terms of technical elements and program components so it simply comes down to the judges' preferences and whether one team will make a mistake as Virtue & Moir did with their fall in the short dance at the Grand Prix Final.

Another key battle will be for the bronze medal between Shibutani & Shibutani (USA) and Weaver & Poje (CAN). The Canadians were slightly behind the Americans at NHK Trophy, but went on to beat them by 6 points at the Grand Prix Final in December. The young Americans were majorly lacking in the short dance, which they've since beefed up. The Shib Sibs almost always skate clean while Weaver & Poje are known for making mistakes in high pressure situations so I'm going with the safe bet and taking the Americans based on their penchant for clean skating and upward improvement throughout the season. For the record, I personally hope Weaver & Poje can go clean and take bronze here and at Worlds.

I'm on the fence about Hubbell & Donohue (USA) in that I like their skating and I think they bring out the best in one another and have meshed very well in under a year. However, I think they still look a little tacky in their packaging. Now that they're going to be on 4CC and World teams with Meryl Davis, Madison needs to step it up in costume, hair, and makeup department. Ice dancing is so aesthetic and Meryl Davis is all class all the say...Madison Hubbell should take a page from that book. But back to the skating, they impressed with a win at Nebelhorn, but slumped when their programs weren't received well at Skate America. They beat some good teams to take 3rd at US Nationals, but I fear they won't score as well here or at Worlds as Chock & Bates could have scored. Again, that's just my personal opinion. I hope they prove me wrong.

The biggest disappointment of the season for me has been Paul & Islam (CAN). I expected them to seize the 3rd spot in Canada with the retirement of Crone & Poirier but they had a disastrous Grand Prix and for some reason their programs aren't clicking with the judges and they finished a disappointing 5th at their Nationals. Canada truly extended an olive branch by sending them to this event. I hope they can up their stock and build some momentum for next season.

2012 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Ice Dance Preview

Podium Predictions:
1) Meryl Davis & Charlie White
2) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani
3) Madison Chock & Evan Bates
4) Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue

If there is any doubt in your mind that Davis & White will take the title here, then you are clearly not a figure skating fan. They have not lost a competition since the 2010 Worlds and haven't lost to anyone but Virtue & Moir in several years. It was close, but they edged their Canadian rivals yet again at the recent Grand Prix Final. They have no real competition here, so they'll use Nationals as a tune up for Worlds. This is more of an exhibition for them, a chance to make final improvements and give the fans a great show. It is a pleasure just to watch them skate and compete, even when everybody else is in their rear view mirror.

The real question is how close will Maia & Alex Shibutani get to Davis and White. They have a slim chance of edging them in the technical marks, but they are no where near the presentation level of their training mates. Yes, they won their first Grand Prix gold this season and qualified for the final, but I think they're playing it a little safe. They went in a great direction with the latin short dance, making it fun and energetic, but the free dance is too similar to last season's in my opinion. I'm all for accentuating your strengths, but at the elite level, you need to show the judges that you can perform varying styles. Alex is so classy and reminds me of an old Hollywood star, but Maia is the one who really caught my eye this year. The is much more mature now and she's bringing out the Diva within!

Anyone who watches ice dance knows who will take gold and silver, but bronze is where the real competition is in my opinion. They didn't make a huge splash in their international debut, but I think Chock & Bates will be ready to go in San Jose. There are a lot of things that aren't perfect yet, as they are a new pairing, like holds, unison, leg line, etc, but they're well on their way. Their latin short dance has a fire that I didn't see with either one of them in their previous dance teams. I think this new partnership has to go through it's fair share of growing pains, but I think it will be good in the long run. Neither had the passion or chemistry with their previous partner that they needed to get to the top. I'm not saying this team has chemistry to burn yet either, but I see flashes of it and that's the most important thing. They have a long way to go, but if they avoid errors, they have a good shot at taking bronze and making the world team. They looked unsure of themselves and under-prepared on the Grand Prix, but rest assured, Marina & Igor will have them ready.

Hubbell & Donohue, speaking of chemistry, seem like they were born to dance with each other. Maddy has always been a fiery skater, but she has more of a chance to expand on that now that she's not skating with her brother. The connection is definitely there and they seem to have also taken to each other well in terms of technique. They have great unison for a new team and I suspect they've improved by leaps and bounds since I last saw them in October. They have probably the 2nd best set of coaches in the World in Camerlengo & Krylova and they'll definitely be fighting hard for the 3rd spot on the World team. My only real criticism with them is that their free dance doesn't have the difficulty and excitement factor of some of Zoueva & Shpilband teams.

Competitors:


Cannuscio/Lorello-1st at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (129.80)
Chock/Bates-4th at 2011 Skate Canada (135.10); 5th at 2011 TEB (130.94)
Davis/White-1st at 2011 Cup of Russia (179.06); 1st at 2011 GPF (188.55)
Glastris/Allison-3rd at 2011 Midwestern Sectionals (85.54)
Hoptman/Filchenkov-3rd at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (114.50)
Hubbell/Donohue- 1st at 2011 Midwestern Sectionals (140.96)
Krienkrairut/Giulietti-Schmitt-6th at 2011 NHK Trophy (126.39)
Lichtman /Copely-3rd at 2011 Pacific Sectionals (122.10)
Olson/Cowan-2nd at 2011 Pacific Sectionals (132.67)
Samuelson/Gilles-1st at 2011 Pacific Sectionals (136.86)
Schmucker/Munday-4th at 2011 Pacific Sectionals (110.70)
Shibutani/Shibutani-1st at 2011 NHK Trophy (151.85); 5th at 2011 GPF (160.55)
Wingle/McKernan-2nd at 2011 Midwestern Sectionals (111.43)
Zuber/Herring-4th at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (100.23)

Grand Prix Final: Ice Dance Preview

Comparing Davis & White to Virtue & Moir is like splitting hairs, but Davis & White have the highest score of the season and if the judges stay consistent, they should come out on top. I expect Virtue & Moir to lead after the short, but Davis & White should win the free by enough to take the overall lead. Pechalat & Bourzat are a good bet for bronze, though neither of their programs seems World Class to me this season. Weaver & Poje are the most beautiful team on the scene today and they have more chemistry and better presentation skills than anybody, in my opinion. I liked Bobrova & Soloviev last season, and I appreciate their effort, but their high-drama programs this season are very 1990s ice dance. While they won Cup of China, I think their scores will slide when compared directly to Davis & White and Virtue & Moir. I'm not sold on the Shibutanis' programs this season and I don't know how they'll hold up in this field. They have the lowest scores of this group, but they are very consistent and will be able to climb if other teams make mistakes.

Placement Predictions:
1) Davis & White (USA) Season's Highest GP Score 179.02
2) Virtue & Moir (CAN) Season's Highest GP Score 178.34
3) Pechalat & Bourzat (FRA) Season's Highest GP Score 164.56
4) Weaver & Poje (CAN) Season's Highest GP Score 161.18
5) Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS) Season's Highest GP Score 163.52
6) Shibutani & Shibutani (USA) Season's Highest GP Score 151.85


Competitive History:


Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)-3rd at 2011 Rostelecom Cup, 1st at 2011 Cup of China, 6th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Cup of China; PB: 163.52 at 2011 Cup of China (Cup of China, Rostelecom Cup)


Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA)-1st at 2011 Rostelecom Cup, 1st at 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 NHK Trophy; PB: 185.27 at 2011 Worlds (Skate America, Rostelecom Cup)


Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)-2nd at 2011 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2nd at 2011 Skate America, 4th 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Europeans, 2nd 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2011 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Finlandia Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 167.40 at 2011 Europeans (Skate America, Trophee Eric Bompard)


Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)-1st at 2011 NHK Trophy, 2nd at 2011 Cup of China, 2nd 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 3rd 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 3rd 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy, 5th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 163.79 at 2011 Worlds (Cup of China, NHK Trophy)


Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)-1st at 2011 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st at 2011 Skate Canada, 1st 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 2nd 2011 Worlds, 1st 2010 Worlds, 1st 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 181.79 at 2011 Worlds (Skate Canada, Trophee Eric Bompard)


Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)-2nd at 2011 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 2nd at 2011 Skate Canada, 5th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 160.32 at 2011 Worlds (Skate Canada, NHK Trophy, Rostelecom Cup)