2016 US Figure Skating Championships: Dance Recap

This Senior Dance event had me on the edge of my seat for months following the Grand Prix Final. All I can say is that the judges finally got it right...

1. First and foremost, who will have the most garish costumes and music?
1. The team that did "Kung Fu Piano" has the most over the top costuming.
2. Will the judging be fair?
1. In my opinion, they finally got it right.
3. Will any of the placements have fans in an uproar?
1. For once, no! Many people would argue that Hubbell/Donohue should've finished 2nd but I don't love their free nearly as much as their short.
4. Which free skate will make cry? (eh hem, Shibutanis)
1. Yes, I sobbed while they skated to "Fix You" and I sobbed again when they realized they won!
5. Will there be any significant movements from the Short to the Free?
1. I wouldn't call it significant in terms of jumping several places, but moving from 2nd to 1st is significant in Ice Dance,
6. Will Chock & Bates be given an unfair bump by the judges because they are International favorites?
1. I would argue they got a bump in the short, but luckily, the free was scored properly. However, many would argue they got an unfair bump in the free.
7. Which coach will wear the biggest scarf?
1. My eyes may have deceived me, but I didn't notice any overwhelmingly large scarves! 
8. Will Marina combust if her Shibutanis lose, yet again, to former students Chock & Bates?
1. She did not have to combust because she won, but she did look genuinely surprised and thrilled!
9. Will Hubbell and Donohue even be in the gold medal conversation or will there be, as in the past, a clear drop off between 2nd and 3rd?
1. They were close in the short, not close enough in my opinion, but the distance between 2nd and 3rd was significant.
10. Can Hawayek & Baker step up and challenge for 3rd or will they just fall by the wayside as yet another great junior team?
1. This was a rough season for them with injury and illness. Next year is crucial for them and they will need special special programs in order to stay in the conversation and not go the way of Aldridge & Eaton as former junior champs who couldn't make an impact as senior competitors. 
11. Does Alexandra Aldridge re-enter the conversation with her new pair-turned-dance partner Matthew Blackmer?
1. They had a respectable debut and have potential, but you know she isn't happy to have placed below her former partner Daniel Eaton. 
12. Will anyone else impress us?
1. I was impressed by Cannuscio & McManus. If you had asked me two days ago, I would say that 5th was the bet they could've finished and jumping over Hawayek & Baker was crucial for them. In the past I've found their free dances over the top and maybe even tacky, but this free was elegant, sophisticated, and most importantly to me, extremely well acted.
13. What will be trending among skating tweeters after this event? (you know we won’t all be happy)
1. After taking the temperature of the twitter fans, we are unabashedly thrilled for the Shibutanis and a little bit sad for Hubbell & Donohue.
14. And most importantly, will Ann Jensen and I get our artistry and unicorns?
1. Ann and I did get our artistry and unicorns in the form of Maia & Alex Shibutani!

2016 US Championships: Dance Preview

This Senior Dance event has had me on the edge of my seat for months following the Grand Prix Final. That being said, I have so many question:

1. First and foremost, who will have the most garish costumes and music?
2. Will the judging be fair?
3. Will any of the placements have fans in an uproar?
4. Which free skate will make cry? (eh hem, Shibutanis)
5. Will there be any significant movements from the Short to the Free?
6. Will Chock & Bates be given an unfair bump by the judges because they are International favorites?
7. Which coach will wear the biggest scarf?
8. Will Marina combust if her Shibutanis lose, yet again, to former students Chock & Bates?
9. Will Hubbell and Donohue even be in the gold medal conversation or will there be, as in the past, a clear drop off between 2nd and 3rd?
10. Can Hawayek & Baker step up and challenge for 3rd or will they just fall by the wayside as yet another great junior team?
11. Does Alexandra Aldridge re-enter the conversation with her new pair-turned-dance partner Matthew Blackmer?
12. Will anyone else impress us?
13. What will be trending among skating tweeters after this event? (you know we won’t all be happy)
14. And most importantly, will Ann Jensen and I get our artistry and unicorns?

2014 SKATE CANADA: Ice Dance Preview

This Ice Dance event is going to be exciting! The winners will pretty much be a given, but about 5 teams will be in the mix for the rest of the podium. I can't wait to see the new programs!

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Weaver & Poje (CAN)
Silver: Hubbell & Donohue (USA)
Bronze: Gilles & Poirier (CAN)

Weaver & Poje (CAN) are finally the top team in Canada with the retirement (??) of Virtue & Moir. They finally took a world medal last season and they should remain perennial world medalists throughout this upcoming quad. They are an innovative team, usually tending toward more contemporary or sensual programs, so the Vivaldi free skate is a huge departure for them. They will likely play with many different styles of choreography to find the perfect piece for 2018.

Hubbell & Donohue (USA) are heading into a huge season. They barely missed the Sochi team and will want to lock up the second or third spot in the US before the hot juniors come up. They will want to outscore the Shibutanis from Skate America or stay really close to them. Their Great Gatsby program should highlight their connection and their romantic style.

Gilles & Poirier (CAN) are going to look to seal up the number two spot in Canada. From 2013-2014 they made a huge jump at Worlds from 18th to 8th and this year, in a depleted field, they will have the opportunity to make another big move.

The Rest of the Field:
Paradis & Ouellette (CAN)-5th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy, 4th at 2014 Skate America
Zhiganshina & Gazsi (GER)-7th at 2014 Europeans, 11th at 2014 Olympics, 11th at 2014 Worlds, 3rd at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2nd at 2014 Finlandia Trophy
Monko & Khaliavin (RUS)-6th at 2013 Trophee Bompard, 5th at 2014 Rostelecom Cup, 1st at 2014 Ice Star Minsk
Hurtado & Diaz (ESP)-10th at 2014 Europeans, 13th at 2014 Olympics, 16th at 2014 Worlds, 2nd at 2014 Nestle Cup, 5th at 2014 Skate Canada Autumn Cup
Aldridge & Eaton (USA)-3rd at 2014 Four Continents, 17th at 2014 Worlds, 1st at 2014 US International Classic

SKATE AMERICA 2014: Ice Dance Preview

Ice Dance is my favorite of all the disciplines, but this year we will be without the two teams that ran the table for the past five years. There are about 5 teams that seem poised to be perennial world medalists throughout the next cycle, and one happens to be here at Skate America.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Chock & Bates (USA)
Silver: Shibutani & Shibutani (USA)
Bronze: Stepanova & Bukin (RUS)

Madison Chock & Evan Bates emerged as the solid number two team in the US last season and just barely missed a world medal. With Davis & White temporarily retired, they are the top team in the US. Madison Chock was anointed by Tara Lipinski as one of the next great divas in ice dance, and we all know Evan Bates has some of the best technique in the sport, so they should have a nice run over the next four year.

Maia & Alex Shibutani are a classic example of what happens when you fall out of favor with ice dance judges. They were the young phenoms in the post-Vancouver season and have been dropping steadily ever since. This year is key for them. I personally think they should've left Marina, but that's neither here nor there. That Michael Jackson program was a hot mess last year, but the Strauss should be a move back toward the classics that helped them start off so strong on the senior circuit four years ago.

Alexandra Stepanova & Ivan Bukin are one of those throwback Russian teams. They bring the drama, the pain, and anguish, and the garish costumes. I can only hope she will grow into one of those grand Russian divas who conveniently forgets to take her mood stabilizers. They won junior worlds last year and with the recent split of Ilinykh and Katasalapov, the top Russian spots are up for grabs.

The Rest of the Field:
Orford & Williams (CAN)-5th at 2014 Four Continents, 2nd at 2014 US International Classic, 6th at 2014 Autumn Classic
Paradis & Oullette (CAN)-5th at 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy
Guignard & Fabbri (FRA)-8th at 2014 Europeans, 14th at 2014 Olympics, 2014 at 2014 Worlds, 2nd at 2014 O. Nepela Trophy
Testa & Csolley (SVK)-12th at 2014 Europeans, 23rd at 2014 Worlds, 3rd at 2014 O. Nepela
Cannuscio & McManus (USA)-3rd at 2014 US International Classic, 3rd at 2014 Finlandia Trophy

2013 Skate Canada: Ice Dance Preview

I mean, is there even a question here? No, but we'll talk about it anyway. Virtue & Moir have owned this event forever and nothing will change here, but the other medals are up for grabs so let's get started!

Much like their American training mates, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN) have tried many different styles this quad and now they are back to old faithful for this Olympic season. The Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong short should show off that Old Hollywood glam that they showed us in Funny Face and then we have the Glazunov free which should be a bit of a throwback to the Mahler program that won them Olympic Gold in 2010. I feel that Davis & White have grown more during this quad, but so much can happen before February! 

Canada's other top team, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN) will also be here and they are a

near lock for silver. This is a huge season for them because they are one of about five teams fighting for bronze in Sochi. I can't wait to see that Latin free dance, I can only imagine how steamy it is! I, personally, prefer their more lyrical programs but I won't judge this piece until I see it.

This is a golden opportunity for Hubbell & Donohue (USA) to win a Grand Prix medal and prove to US Figure Skating that they are the real deal. I have talked a lot of crap about Madison Hubbell looking clunky and tacky, but I'm taking all of that back after Skate America. Their free is so gorgeous, lyrical, and soothing. I'm happy to stare at Zach all day, of course, but Madison is styled so well and I'm actually pulling for them over the Shibutanis for the Olympic team. They need to make that statement here at this event. If they can't medal, I think they're done.

Riazanova & Tkachenko (RUS) are the team that could play spoiler for Hubbell & Donohue. They have won Grand Prix medals before, and they could do it again, though they've never really stood out to me. I can only imagine how garish that Godfather free skate is going to be.

Stepanova & Bukin (RUS) are a dark horse to medal here, coming in as the reigning World junior champions. However, ice dance is so difficult to break into at the senior ranks and I don't think that it will happen here. Maybe it will happen in Russia

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Virtue & Moir (CAN)
Silver: Weaver & Poje (CAN)
Bronze: Hubbell & Donohue (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Paul & Islam (CAN)
Zhiganshina & Gazsi (GER)
Guignard & Fabri (ITA)
Riazanova & Tkachenko (RUS)
Stepanova & Bukin (RUS)

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)

Local Ice Dance Team, Rachel & Michael Parsons, to Perform Live in the Rockville Holiday Ice Show and Tree-Lighting on Nov. 29th

Rachel & Michael Parsons, 2011 U.S. Novice Ice Dance Champions and 2012 Youth Olympians, who train right here in the Washington area in Rockville and Wheaton, will perform in this year's Holiday Ice Show at the outdoor ice rink in the new Rockville Town Center, on Thursday, November 29th, at 7:45 pm.  The show starts at 6:30 pm with an appearance by Santa, music and dancing, and then the skating show and photo opportunity. 

Rachel & Michael, ages 15 and 17 respectively, now skate at the Junior Ice Dance level, and just returned from the US Figure Skating Association’s (USFSA) Eastern Sectional Championships, where they took home the Silver Medal.  This qualifies them, for the 3^rd consecutive year, to compete in the 2013 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, which will be held in Omaha, NE, in January. 

Earlier this year, Rachel & Michael skated for Team USA at the inaugural 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria (where they finished 4^th); at the 2012 Junior World Championships in Minsk, Belarus (where they finished 15^th); and at two international Grand Prix events in Linz, Austria, and Zagreb, Croatia (where they finished 6^th and 3^rd respectively).  They also performed earlier this year with former Olympians Michael Weiss, Mirai Nagasu, Brian Boitano and others at the Ice Champions Live ice show in Reston to benefit the Michael Weiss Foundation.  

Michael & Rachel will be debuting a new program just for this performance, their last performance in the DC area this year.  The skaters both attend Magruder High School in Montgomery County.  For more information on the skaters, visit:  www.teamparsons.us    Here is the link to the event page as well.

My Favorite Program of the Season!

This is the best new program of the figure skating season in my opinion. It is so effortless and dreamy. It is so smooth! When I watch it, I feel as though they are floating through snowflakes and feathers.

Skate Canada: Ice Dance Preview

Friday October 26th at 9:10pm-Short Dance
Saturday October 27th at 4:40pm-Free Dance
I should be Live Blogging both of these events!

Every year we have this debate. Will it be the year of Davis & White or Virtue & Moir (CAN)? My question is this, is a sport like ice dance that is all about innovation, should you really win a World title skating to Carmen? We'll see, but it's going to have to be a pretty spectacular Carmen for me to get behind a musical selection like that. I cannot wait to see how the lack of Igor's presence changes the look of both top teams.

Cappellini & Lanotte (ITA) are now being coached by Igor Shpilband which could make all the difference for them. This looks to be a breakout year for them. They could become contenders. Igor's old team Virtue & Moir and his new team are both skating to Carmen for the free. Coincidence? I think not.

The real battle is for bronze. I give the edge to Hubbell & Donohue (USA) as they have a full year under the belt and already have a top-10 finish at Worlds. They have really steamy chemistry and that will only get better with time. Look for them to up the technical ante and avoid some of the silly errors that they made on twizzles last season.

The team hot on their heels for the bronze will be Gilles & Poirier (CAN). They are a new team and oddly enough, Piper used to skate with Zach Donohue. They skated together last season as well, but not Internationally as Piper had to wait a full year to be completely released from USFSA. They have such energy and a great look together. I think Paul is a beautiful ice dancer, but he never looked quite right with Vanessa Crone for me, so hopefully this new pairing will do the trick.

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Virtue & Moir (CAN)
Silver: Cappellini & Lannote (ITA)
Bronze: Hubbell & Donohue (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Zlobina & Sitnikov (AZE)
Ralph & Hill (CAN)
Carron & Jones (FRA)
Riazanova & Tkachenko (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 Qualifying Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	FD
1	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	92.40	1
2	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	79.69	2
3	Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND	EST	79.17	3
4	Penny COOMES / Nicholas BUCKLAND	GBR	79.09	4
5	Julia ZLOBINA / Alexei SITNIKOV	AZE	77.80	5
6	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	76.26	6
7	Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI	ITA	73.96	7
8	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS	71.37	8
9	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB	70.88	9
10	Zsuzsanna NAGY / Mate FEJES	HUN	70.84	10
11	Gabriela KUBOVA / Dmitri KISELEV	CZE	70.39	11
12	Federica TESTA / Lukas CSOLLEY	SVK	68.42	12
13	Henna LINDHOLM / Ossi KANERVO	FIN	68.42	13
14	Alexandra ZVORIGINA / Maciej BERNADOWSKI	POL	68.29	14
15	Ramona ELSENER / Florian ROOST	SUI	66.29	15
16	Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR	TUR	64.61	16
17	Ksenia PECHERKINA / Aleksandrs JAKUSHIN	LAT	62.15	17
18	Corenne BRUHNS / Ryan VAN NATTEN	MEX	61.11	18
19	Ekaterina BUGROV / Vasili ROGOV	ISR	60.81	19
20	Cortney MANSOUR / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV	KAZ	58.92	20
21	Barbora SILNA / Juri KURAKIN	AUT	57.78	21
22	Alexandra CHISTIAKOVA / Dimitar LICHEV	BUL	55.22	22
23	Lesia VALADZENKAVA / Vitali VAKUNOV	BLR	53.00	23

Pl.	Qual.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CC	IT	Ded. -	StN.
1	Q	Elena ILINYKH / Nikita KATSALAPOV	RUS	92.40	43.00		49.40	8.25	7.93	8.39	8.36	8.46	0.00	#14
2	Q	Xintong HUANG / Xun ZHENG	CHN	79.69	41.07		38.62	6.54	6.29	6.36	6.61	6.46	0.00	#21
3	Q	Irina SHTORK / Taavi RAND	EST	79.17	42.78		36.39	6.21	5.93	6.04	6.07	6.14	0.00	#23
4	Q	Penny COOMES / Nicholas BUCKLAND	GBR	79.09	39.49		40.60	6.82	6.61	6.79	6.82	6.89	1.00	#20
5	Q	Julia ZLOBINA / Alexei SITNIKOV	AZE	77.80	38.85		38.95	6.50	6.29	6.46	6.64	6.71	0.00	#19
6	Q	Sara HURTADO / Adria DIAZ	ESP	76.26	39.06		37.20	6.18	6.04	6.29	6.32	6.29	0.00	#22
7	Q	Lorenza ALESSANDRINI / Simone VATURI	ITA	73.96	36.50		37.46	6.36	5.96	6.36	6.29	6.43	0.00	#15
8	Q	Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN	AUS	71.37	38.78		32.59	5.39	5.18	5.57	5.50	5.71	0.00	#13
9	Q	Anna NAGORNYUK / Viktor KOVALENKO	UZB	70.88	38.91		32.97	5.57	5.21	5.75	5.50	5.64	1.00	#12
10	Q	Zsuzsanna NAGY / Mate FEJES	HUN	70.84	38.34		32.50	5.57	5.29	5.46	5.46	5.36	0.00	#18
11		Gabriela KUBOVA / Dmitri KISELEV	CZE	70.39	38.71		31.68	5.46	5.04	5.39	5.32	5.32	0.00	#17
12		Federica TESTA / Lukas CSOLLEY	SVK	68.42	36.35		33.07	5.61	5.32	5.64	5.54	5.57	1.00	#8
13		Henna LINDHOLM / Ossi KANERVO	FIN	68.42	38.42		30.00	5.14	4.75	5.18	5.04	5.04	0.00	#6
14		Alexandra ZVORIGINA / Maciej BERNADOWSKI	POL	68.29	38.36		29.93	5.21	4.79	5.07	5.04	4.93	0.00	#11
15		Ramona ELSENER / Florian ROOST	SUI	66.29	34.43		31.86	5.39	5.07	5.39	5.36	5.50	0.00	#16
16		Alisa AGAFONOVA / Alper UCAR	TUR	64.61	37.56		27.05	4.61	4.39	4.50	4.68	4.43	0.00	#3
17		Ksenia PECHERKINA / Aleksandrs JAKUSHIN	LAT	62.15	34.99		27.16	4.96	4.14	4.71	4.54	4.46	0.00	#1
18		Corenne BRUHNS / Ryan VAN NATTEN	MEX	61.11	36.21		25.90	4.29	4.11	4.50	4.46	4.39	1.00	#10
19		Ekaterina BUGROV / Vasili ROGOV	ISR	60.81	33.31		27.50	4.68	4.43	4.54	4.79	4.57	0.00	#9
20		Cortney MANSOUR / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV	KAZ	58.92	34.13		24.79	4.25	3.82	4.29	4.32	4.18	0.00	#7
21		Barbora SILNA / Juri KURAKIN	AUT	57.78	31.64		27.14	4.61	4.32	4.54	4.64	4.64	1.00	#2
22		Alexandra CHISTIAKOVA / Dimitar LICHEV	BUL	55.22	31.20		24.02	4.07	3.86	4.07	4.14	3.96	0.00	#4
23		Lesia VALADZENKAVA / Vitali VAKUNOV	BLR	53.00	29.57		23.43	3.93	3.89	3.96	4.11	3.64	0.00	#5