Cup of China: Free Dance LIVE BLOG

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SD	FD
1	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	169.73	1	1
2	Ekaterina BOBROVA / Dmitri SOLOVIEV	RUS	159.46	3	2
3	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	158.97	2	3
4	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	149.54	4	4
5	Charlene GUIGNARD / Marco FABBRI	ITA	137.58	5	6
6	Victoria SINITSINA / Ruslan ZHIGANSHIN	RUS	137.46	6	5
7	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	121.01	7	7
8	Xiaoyang YU / Chen WANG	CHN	106.42	8	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	100.58	48.83		52.75	8.71	8.58	8.88	8.92	9.04	1.00	#8
2	Ekaterina BOBROVA / Dmitri SOLOVIEV	RUS	95.14	44.50		50.64	8.33	8.13	8.58	8.71	8.71	0.00	#6
3	Kaitlyn WEAVER / Andrew POJE	CAN	93.38	44.25		49.13	8.13	7.96	8.33	8.33	8.38	0.00	#7
4	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	90.28	45.92		44.36	7.25	7.17	7.54	7.58	7.63	0.00	#5
5	Victoria SINITSINA / Ruslan ZHIGANSHIN	RUS	82.37	41.45		40.92	6.75	6.58	6.92	7.00	7.04	0.00	#3
6	Charlene GUIGNARD / Marco FABBRI	ITA	82.01	42.42		40.59	6.75	6.58	6.83	6.92	6.88	1.00	#4
7	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	74.25	36.89		37.36	6.21	6.08	6.42	6.33	6.21	0.00	#2
8	Xiaoyang YU / Chen WANG	CHN	63.45	31.00		32.45	5.42	5.21	5.46	5.71	5.38	0.00	#1

1) Xiaoyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)
  Music: The House of Dancing Water

• This is definitely last year's program or I'm losing my mind
• They love this fairtytale theme for sure
• They both have wonderfully expressing upper bodies
• I feel like this piece of music pretty much stays in one place all along; it doesn't develop a lot
• That change of position lift was lovely
• It is hard for them to hit an ugly position
• I want to see more in the way of expression to add drama to the piece, it's very emotionally flat
• 31.00 (TES) + 32.45 (PCS) = 61.45
• 42.97 (SD) + 61.45 (FD) = 106.42

2) Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN)
  Music: LOVE, At Last, Crazy Love

• I love these costumes
• I like the flow over the ice in this opening sequence, the twizzles fit very will with LOVE
• Great ice coverage on that rotational lift
• This is a very well composed program, the best I've seen from them
• I see Krylova & Camerlengo choreographed this program, that shows
• I basically love everything so far that I've seen in this program, it's very sophisticated
• That was the best I've ever seen from them; the upgrade at choreographer made such a huge difference
• 36.89 (TES) + 37.36 (PCS) = 74.25
• 46.76 (SD) + 74.25 (FD) = 121.01

3) Victoria Sinitsina & Ruslan Zhiganshin (RUS)
  Music: Splagge Iontane

• Very good speed at the beginning, they are definitely comfortable with one another
• They have a good blend of artistry and athleticism
• They hold onto the speed throughout the program
• I am not getting a through line in this program, I want something to carry the drama across the program for me
• This has been a very solid senior debut for them, very nice 
• 41.43 (TES) + 40.92 (PCS) = 82.37
• 55.09 (SD) + 82.37 (FD) = 137.26

4) Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA)
  Music: Four Seasons

• Her dress is divine
• This choreography is ver postmodern; interesting when set to such a classical piece
• That straight line lift was gorgeous
• I wish I'd chosen them for my fantast team, this piece is gorgeous
• Great ice coverage, I could tell that form the overhead shot
• I love pretty much everything about this program
• They are maintaining their speed throughout the program, yet it hasn't gotten frantic
• 42.42 (TES) + 40.59 (PCS) = 82.01
• 55.57 (SD) + 82.01 (FD) = 137.58

5) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
  Music: Dr. Zhivago

• I'm so excited to see this piece, it was phenomenal at Nebelhorn
• Normally white costumes look too much but these hav enough contrast that they stand out, especially with her dark hair
• This suits them so well, much better than that elevator music last season
• I feel like I'm in  winter dream when I watch this program
• Igor has really taken advantage if the height difference to design some stunning lifts
• I love that little transitional move in the dance spin, just a little abrupt in the position change today
• Her positions on the curve lifts are great; she looks so elated to be doing this dance 
• For all the hype that this dane has received, it does not disappoint
• Very nice job, they should be so happy with that
• 43.93 (TES) + 44.36 (PCS) = 90.28
• 59.26 (SD) + 90.28 (FD) = 149.54

6) Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)
  Music: Man with a Harmonica & Tosca

• They get so deep in the knees that they almost look hunched over; there's a fine line
• The beginning of this program is very subtle, that's a new look for them
• These costumes aren't doing much for me, they are drab
• Her hair is very 1990s ice dance for me
• I am at a loss for words really with this program, I just really can't put my finger on how I feel about it
• 44.50 (TES) + 50.64 (PCS) = 95.14
• 64.32 (SD) + 95.14 (FD) = 159.46

7) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)
  Music: Humanity in Motion

• This piece is so unlike anything else I've ever seen in ice dance
• I would love to know the process of how they took this from a modern dancer and put it onto the ice
• Their upper bodies are so expressive, this is divine
• Slight unison issue on the 1st twizzle set; never got them perfectly back together
• This program is so aesthetically pleasing
• The music builds and the story follows it, his looks like a world medalist program to me, I hope it happens for them this year
• 44.25 (TES) + 49.13 (PCS) = 93.38
• 65.59 (SD) + 93.38 (FD) = 158.97

8) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)
  Music: Rolling Stones Medley

• This reminds me of something Lobcheva & Averbukh would've done circa the late 90s
• I'm glad they went for the hippie theme and not an all-black, punky theme
• That curve lift was so cool, very innovative
• The straight line lift too, I love that they hit the positions quickly and then ride them out; their lifts don't take an hour to develop
• I thought this program would be really tacky, but I actually like it a lot
• That was a very abrupt ending, it was like the music just cut off
• 48.83 (TES) + 52.75 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 100.58
• 69.15 (SD) + 100.58 (FD) = 169.73

Cup of China: Short Dance LIVE BLOG

1) Xioyang Yu & Chen Wang (CHN)
   Music: Oh Susanna & Twilight Waltz

• Oh boy, a Chinese team doing a cowboy theme?
• I've always loved her facial expression
• This his very zippy
• He was a little crooked on the twizzle, they could've held them out longer
• They are losing energy in the Tennessee Waltz segment
• Oh boy, Cotton Eye was a surprise
• 20.58 (TES) + 22.39 (PCS) = 42.97

2) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
 Music: Quidam

• Her costume is absolutely to die for
• They need to kill this!
• She is perfectly in character, I love it
• Their posture and flow over the ice is gorgeous
• This Cirque piece suits them, she can use all of her flexibility to her advantage
• Nice unison on the twizzles, though the arm positions weren't always matching perfectly
• From what I know thus far of the Yankee polka, they seem to be doing well, the rhythm is there
• I particularly like the teams that have bought into the whimsy of the Yankee Polka
• She is divine
• 30.90 (TES) + 28.36 (PCS) = 59.29

3) Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA)
 Music: Buonglorno a Te & Tritsch Tratsch 

• We are seing such beautiful, light programs in the short, it's a breath of fresh air
• He is very smooth with great upper body carriage, but she seems to flail a lot
• That rotational lift looked a little reckless
• That all looked so frantic to me
• 29.17 (TES) + 26.40 (PCS) = 55.57

4) Victoria Sinitsina & Ruslan Zhiganshin (RUS)
 Music: Tennessee Waltz & Country Polka

• Another Tennessee Waltz? 
• This team is divine, let's see how they translate as seniors
• Very smooth so far
• He looks like a senior man, but she looks like a junior lady; could be the costuming
• I like the mirroring patterns, but they weren't executed quite perfectly
• The choreography in these "country" pieces is offensive to people from the south
• 28.25 (TES) + 26.84 (PCS) = 55.09

5) Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN)
  Music: Waltz & Polka

• This is the most understated costuming I've ever seen on them
• They usually score quite well in the short dance so we'll see
• They are never afraid to go to a "costumey place" you'll never see him in all black
• Nice speed off the bat, but synch issues in the twizzles
• I love how expressive they are with their upper bodies
• I don't like the disconnect between the waltz an the polka, it just looks sloppy to me
• His arms are getting so sloppy in this second section of the piece 
• 21.99 (TES) + 24.77 (PCS) = 46.76

6) Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)
  Music: Put in a Good Word for the Poor Hussar & The Crew

• This is the best I've ever seen her costumed
• Very fast opening, great use of the musical nuances and intricacies
• Very quick work of the polka, clean crisp steps
• This music is so charming
• You can tell this is their second event, the look so well trained and rehearsed
• That lift seemed terribly out of place for this program
• Very nice program, I think that is my favorite short dance that I've seen
• 31.50 (TES) + 32.82 (PCS) = 64.32

7) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew (CAN)
  Music: The Sound of Music

• Gorgeous musical selection from such a classic-looking team
• I'm missing some of the expression that I've come to love from them
• Okay, they are coming more into the performance here in the 2nd part
• Twizzle synchronization issues, Andrew was a little slower
• That was a wonderful straight line-no touching sequence 
• That was delightful and so enjoyable to watch
• 32.83 (TES) + 32.76 (PCS) = 65.59

8) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)
  Music: Gaite Parisienne & Sous le ciel de Paris 

• I just love the costuming
• Very playful, their showmanship is always fantastic
• Very good speed at the beginning, a little frantic in the twizzles
• I have difficulty tracking the skaters when then do the mirroring sequences
• I love the idea of that straight line lift, but it loked very labored
• I love the quickness of the last section, but it is a very abrupt transition from the middle piece of music
• I like this program but it's not at it's best, I can see it being stellar by the end of the season
• 34.00 (TES) + 35.15 (PCS) = 69.15

Cup of China: Ice Dance Preview

Pechalat & Bourzat (FRA) keep reinventing themselves and they finally won their world medal last year. Normally I'd wonder how judges will receive their Rolling Stones free skate, but if they won a world medal with the mummy routine, they can do well with anything. Aside from any major mistakes, look for them to win there though their training partners will be hot on their heels.

Weaver & Poje (CAN) placed 3rd at Skate America behind the Russians, but I personally believe that was a fluke. I find them to be the most enjoyable team to watch with the most genuine passion and chemistry on the ice. One day I know that will pay off and get them a World medal. This could be the year if they set up their training so that they peak at the right time.

Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS) are an old school ice dance team. They go for that unbridled passion and high drama that the judges loved in the 1990s, but for some reason it is working for them. They tend to be hit or miss and their scores vary a lot from event to event depending on the judging panel. The judges' opinions will be the X-factor in this event. These 3 teams should make up the podium, but the specific order is up for grabs.

Chock & Bates (USA) have an outside chance of making the podium depending on the panel and if any of the top teams make mistakes. Their programs last season were awkward and I struggled to get used to them as a team. This year their programs are gorgeous and I think they are ready to make a name for themselves and be that 3rd US team at Worlds. I think that moving to Igor was the best decision they could've made. At least now that have a fighting chance. You know they would've been pushed aside if they would've stayed with Marina as her other top teams all have World and/or Olympic medals.

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Pechalat & Bourzat (FRA)
Silver: Weaver & Poje (CAN)
Bronze: Bobrova & Soloviev (RUS)

The Rest of the Field:
Huang & Zheng (CHN)
Yu & Wang (CHN)
Guignard & Fabbri (ITA)
Sinitsina & Zhiganzhin (RUS)

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)

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)

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Free Dance LIVE BLOG

1) Sara Hurtado & Andria Diaz (ESP)

     Music: Tristan and Isolde

• I love her braid but hate the rest of this ensemble
• They are very athletically built skaters
• Nice speed in and out of the curve lift
• This is very 1990s ice dance, very high drama
• Interesting counter-balance move, the exit was very scary though, I thought he was going to tep on her head or hand or something
• He falls on the twizzle
• Interesting twizzle variations
• Kind of sloppy overall

FD Score: 26.71 (TES) + 33.33 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 58.04
Total Score: 45.71 (SD) + 58.04 (FD) = 103.75

2) Kristina Gorshkova & Vitali Butikov (RUS)
     Music: Tango

• These are equally heinous costumes, just as in the short
• They start right off with their dance spin
• Everything is very choppy and stiff
• Pretty good twizzle set
• I don't understand these costumes at all
• This whole thing is very messy
• Very slow through the footwork
• I just can't get into this program because nothing is crisp and clean, its all very muddled
• This high drama nonsense is very 1990s Ice Dance

FD Score: 34.71 (TES) + 35.00 (PCS) = 69.72
Total Score: 48.77 (SD) + 69.72 (FD) = 118.48

3) Xintong Huang & Xue Zheng (CHN)
     Music: Libertango

• Slight unison issue in twizzles
• A few awkward transitions the the big lift
• Some of their transitions are a bit strange
• Very slow in the dance spin
• That haircutter lift is very common, lacks creativity
• This program just isn't doing it for me today, there was no spark

FD Score: 38.03 (TES) + 37.95 (PCS) = 75.98
Total Score: 50.71 (SD) + 75.98 (FD) = 126.69

4) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
     Music: Prelude in E Minor by Chopin

• This is a very romantic program
• The technique and the connection between them has improved with every event
• She has fantastic upper body carriage as does he
• The height difference bothers me less and less each time I see it
• That lift with Evan in an arabesque is fantastic
• I still don't know if I like this muzak feel in the middle section
• Nice speed
• Same speed in and out of the straight line lift, very good
• They get way too close on the twizzles and Madi sits it down, too bad about that
• I love the speed and positions of the rotational lift
• Her upside down camel position is very nice in the dance spin 
• Aside from the freak twizzle fall, a very nice outing for them
• I'm obsessed with her hair, I have no idea how she gets it like that, its's very Romeo and Juliet

FD Score: 39.29 (TES) + 40.64 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 78.93
Total Score: 52.01 (SD) + 78.93 (FD) = 130.94

5) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)
     Music: Ave Maria

• She always crosses herself going onto the ice
• They carry very nice speed
• I love how deep they get into the knees
• I'd prefer her hair down and flowing
• I really like the twizzles facing one another, it's nice visually
• Sometimes he looks really unsteady lifting her, but she's so small
• I love the position on that dance spin, but the speed is nearly gone by the end
• The pace is so fast, that they always look a little wild by the end trying to keep up
• I do believe that was better than at NHK though

FD Score: 37.65 (TES) + 44.50 (PCS) = 82.15
Total Score: 58.17 (SD) + 82.15 (FD) = 140.32

6) Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)
     Music: La Strada

• This program was gorgeous at Skate Canada, if they just do it the same way
• This character piece looks lovely on them
• I love that headtap lift, it's very unique
• Very good speed throughout
• That hand in the crotch lift is just awkward all around
• That straight line lift takes so much strength
• Tanith lift, I don't know the man has any idea where he's going when she is right in his face like that
• They'll get very high marks for that skate

FD Score: 42.43 (TES) + 46.71 (PCS) = 89.14
Total Score: 64.62 (SD) + 89.76 (FD) = 153.76

7) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)
     Music: The Feeling Begins, Passion, In The Garden

• Very nice opening lift
• I still don't htink that the costuming looks World Class, but I don't know how else you make somebody look like a Mummy
• He is fantastic, I could just watch him all day
• This is a very complete program, it tells a story from beginning to end and they carry the theme throughout
• I don't think you could get more of a contrast from thsi to Virtue & Moir
• All of the music goes together so well, nothing is choppy
• They  have fantastic speed, I think the home crowd is really propelling them and this is a piece that the audience can really get into
• And they end the way they started
• They loved that at home and they should be proud

FD Score: 47.33 (TES) + 50.71 (PCS) = 98.04
Total Score: 66.52 (SD) + 98.04 (FD) = 164.56

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

• They are the class of the field
• This piece is classic Virtue & Moir
• A little problem with that overhead lift, choppy transitions
• They make this look so easy
• Its so classic old Hollywood
• They take a lot of risk with these lifts
• Very nice, clean program
• They're very happy with that

FD Score: 50.96 (TES) + 55.79 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 105.75
Total Score: 71.18 (SD) + 105.75 (FD) = 176.93

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SD	FD
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	176.93	1	1
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	164.56	2	2
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	153.76	3	3
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	140.32	4	4
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	130.94	5	5
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	126.69	6	6
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	118.48	7	7
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	103.75	8	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	105.75	50.96		55.79	9.32	9.00	9.43	9.46	9.50	1.00	#8
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	98.04	47.33		50.71	8.39	8.11	8.61	8.71	8.71	0.00	#7
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	89.14	42.43		46.71	7.75	7.46	7.96	7.93	8.07	0.00	#6
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	82.15	37.65		44.50	7.57	7.04	7.61	7.54	7.57	0.00	#5
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	78.93	39.29		40.64	6.86	6.54	6.64	7.04	6.93	1.00	#4
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	75.98	38.03		37.95	6.46	6.07	6.43	6.57	6.25	0.00	#3
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	69.71	34.71		35.00	6.21	5.46	5.89	5.93	5.86	0.00	#2
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	58.04	26.71		33.33	5.68	5.25	5.50	5.93	5.61	2.00	#1

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Short Dance LIVE BLOG

1) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
   Music: Chick Chick Boom, Doom Diggy Diggy

• This opening section has smoothed out a lot since they debuted at Finlandia
• Good twizzle set, I'm impressed their timing is so on in their debut season
• Madison's facial expressions are the best
• They are nice and close in the holds
• Their speed has improved drastically
• Their connection to one another is so much stronger than it was earlier in the season
• That straight line lift is fantastic, great position changes
• This music is very well edited, no strange cuts between pieces
• Very specific hand gestures in the step sequence
• Very nice dance from them!

SD Score: 26.15 (TES) + 15.86 (PCS) = 52.01

2) Sara Hurtado & Andria Diaz (ESP)
   Music: Mas Que Nada, Magdalenha

• My eyes, these costumes!
• She does not have large hips, but that costume is doing her no favors in that area
• The headpiece is too much
• The costumes distract from the actual skating
• That straight line counter balance lift was very cool
• I'm having trouble focusing on anything but the costumes
• She goes down to her knees right before the end, he pulls her up
• That was a decent program, but unfortunately I hardly watched the skating

SD Score: 23.28 (TES) + 23.43 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 45.71

3) Kristina Gorshkova & Vitali Butikov (RUS)
   Music: Rhumba, ChaCha

• Did she borrow this costume from Alena Leonova?
• I love that twizzle variation
• They have nice speed
• Very flamboyant gestures to match the costumes and the music
• Again, these over the top costumes pull my focus and keep me from paying my full attention to the skating

SD Score: 24.72 (TES) + 24.05 (PCS) = 48.77

4) Xintong Huang, Xun Zheng (CHN)
   Music: Mambo, Rhumba, Samba

• This costume is bad too, but I'm almost slightly used to it because I saw it in China
• She was slightly behind on the twizzles
• Nice positions in the lift
• Good speed throughout
• I love a good hydroblade move
• The choreography in the step sequence fits the music quite well
• Love the ending, but is that necessary?

SD Score: 26.43 (TES) + 24.28 (PCS) = 50.71

5) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)
   Music: HipHip ChinChin, Mas Que Nada, Mujer Latina

• I wonder how Virtue & Moir feel about hearing this music when they're not out there skating to it
• They look so nice together 
• She has her stank face on
• I love this opening section
• Their twizzles look better than usual today
• I feel like I want them to be so much better than they actually are
• The pace of this music is almost too fast for them to keep up with it without looking wildly out of control
• Nice rotational lift, but sloppy exit

SD Score: 27.78 (TES) +30.39 (PCS) = 58.17

6) Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)
   Music: Volveras, El Chupacapra

• Not as fast as other teams, but very clean synchronized twizzles
• Very smooth through the rhumba, very clean edge work, oops there's some snow!
• She pulls her face as well as anybody
• I love that even though she is such a diva, he still stands out too

SD Score: 33.78 (TES) + 30.84 (PCS) = 64.62

7) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)
   Music: HipHip Chin Chin, Temptation, Mujer Latina

• This is the real HipHip Chin Chin
• Is this opening section different?
• So much speed going into the 1st rhumba sequence
• Just a hair off from one another on the twizzles
• I wish they'd bring a little more heat
• Scott is totally the star of this team
• Amazing curve lift
• I'd like to see more face from Tessa
• outstanding footwork section
• For some reason I feel like she's not giving 100% today, not sure why I feel that way

SD Score: 34.64 (TES) + 36.54 (PCS) = 71.18

8) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)
   Music: Mas Que Nada, Batacuda, Real in Rio

• Huge applause from the home crowd
• I like this short dance a lot because it's different from a lot of the others
• They look a little wobbly on this rhumba sequence
• Fabian's kick over her head was a little rough looking
• Nice shimmy at the end of the twizzles
• I totally forgot about his back walkover
• They are pleased, and to do it at home!

SD Score: 33.43 (TES) + 33.09 (PCS) = 66.52

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SD	FD
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	71.18	1
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	66.52	2
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	64.62	3
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	58.17	4
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	52.01	5
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	50.71	6
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	48.77	7
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	45.71	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR	CAN	71.18	34.64		36.54	9.00	8.93	9.18	9.21	9.29	0.00	#7
2	Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT	FRA	66.52	33.43		33.09	8.36	7.89	8.39	8.36	8.32	0.00	#8
3	Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE	ITA	64.62	33.78		30.84	7.54	7.36	7.86	7.79	7.93	0.00	#6
4	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	58.17	27.78		30.39	7.64	7.32	7.64	7.75	7.61	0.00	#5
5	Madison CHOCK / Evan BATES	USA	52.01	26.15		25.86	6.57	6.11	6.54	6.50	6.54	0.00	#1
6	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	50.71	26.43		24.28	6.25	5.79	6.04	6.39	5.89	0.00	#4
7	Kristina GORSHKOVA / Vitali BUTIKOV	RUS	48.77	24.72		24.05	6.14	5.82	6.07	6.11	5.93	0.00	#3
8	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	45.71	23.28		23.43	5.82	5.64	5.89	5.96	5.93	1.00	#2