ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Mens Free Skate

1) Grant Hochstein (USA) **
     Music: Adagio of Spartacus 

• I don't remember how old he is, but he looks young to me
• Wow that was a tough fall on that second jump, i hope he didn't injure his leg
• He has a nice expressive, lyrical quality on the ice
• Other than that fall, his jumps seem to be clean and fully rotated
• He jumps and spins to the right which only about 10% of skaters do; this makes jump identification difficult for me because everything is opposite
• I would like for his split jumps to be higher if he is going to include them in his program
• Pretty clean overall for this young skater
• FS Score: 64.54 (technical) + 61.22 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 124.67
• 56.98 (SP) + 124.67 (FS) = 181.65

2) Kristoffer Berntsson (Sweden) **
    Music: Michael Jackson Medley

• The musical transitions are very awkward
• All of his jumps seem to be a fight to land
• All the crotch grabbing is awkward and distracting
• I cannot tell if he meant to go in the direction of the judges table or if he hit the boards during his footwork
• He seems to be losing focus and really falling apart
• I don't think this program suits him very well as the rock motif is making him look thrashy and flaily
• FS Score: 55.71 (technical) + 62.64 (presentation) = 118.35
• 57.59 (SP) + 118.35 (FS) = 175.84

3) Paolo Bacchini (Italy)
    Music:

• Nice big opening jump
• That was a very wild second jump; under-rotated and hands down
• This footwork seems to flail a lot, he looks out of breath and out of control
• His jumps scare me; they look very wild
• I think he needs to breathe and relax a little more out on the ice
• He looks visibly very upset with his performance
• FS Score: 49.60 (technical) + 59. 22 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 107.82
• 59.78 (SP) + 107.82 (FS) =167.60

4) Jeremy Ten (Canada)
    Music: The Queen Symphony

• That first jump was huge
• I am trying to remember where I've heard this  music before
• He gets an incredible amount of height on his jumps height on his jumps which is amazing to watch
• A tough fall mid-program
• It appears a pant strap or shoelace broke, he approaches referee 
• Looks like he is picking up where he left off
• Something like that would have to rattle a performer
• A pretty good program for Jeremy in light of the skate/pant issue
• FS Score: 67.66 (technical) + 64.50 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 131.16
• 60.71 (SP) + 131.16 (FS) = 191.86

5) Yasuharu Nanri (Japan)
    Music: Carmen

• Every year, without fail, there is somebody who performs Carmen
• Second jump of opening combination looked under-rotated to me
• Spins look a little slow to me
• He looked very tired on the ice, everything seemed labored
• He is either under-trained or perhaps is not feeling well 
• I always wish they had better microphones in the kiss and cry to hear skaters and coaches
• FS Score: 69.56 (technical) + 58.40 (presentation) = 127.96
• 61.00 (SP) + (FS) = 188.96

6) Artur Gachinski (Russia) 
    Music: The Bolt by Shastokovich

• Looks very shaky in his warm-up before taking center ice
• Wow he really saved that first landing
• Everything this kid does reminds me of Plushenko from the jumps to the expressions on the ice
• FS Score: 73.91 (technical) + 63.60 (presentation) = 137.51
• 66.56 (SP) + 137.51 (FS) = 204.08

7) Javier Fernandez (Spain) **
    Music: Pirates of the Caribbean

• That was a huge quad to start with
• Another huge jump
• This is great music for a male figure skater
• I don't know how he saved that 3rd jump, it was very tilted
• I love to see men choose masculine pieces of music; Alexei Yagudin and Brian Joubert were always good at that
• The footwork lacked speed for me, I get the idea behind "looking drunk" but it did not work
• Popped a jump, but landed the second jump in the combination cleanly
• So far it looks liek his jumping technique is fairly solid
• Some of the later jumps were landed a little low to the ice, maybe weak legs
• Looking very tired toward the end of the program
• FS Score: 75.11 (technical) + 69.00 (presentation) = 144.11
• 66.74 (SP) + 144.11 (FS) = 210.85

8) Alban Preaubert (France) **
    Music: Piano Trio

• Three jumps in and so far, so good
• Hoping for a good skate here from a member of my fantasy team!
• Definately does not have the attack of some other men, but strong nonetheless
• More theatrical that technical from my perspective 
• FS Score: 72.98 (technical) + 66.36 (presentation) = 139.34
• 69.71 (SP) + 129.43  (FS) = 209.05

9) Patrick Chan (Canada) **
    Music: Phantasia by Lloyd Webber

• What an odd comparison, but Chan reminds me of  Sasha Cohen in that when he is on, he is really beautiful, but when he is off, he crumbles
• A beautiful quad followed by a hard fall on a triple axel
• This is really a gorgeous program thanks to Lori Nichol
• I, however, don't agree with skaters keeping programs for two seasons as it gives them an unfair advantage
• Even with the fall, I expect very high scores as Chan always seems to be a judges' favorite
• FS Score: 83.18 (technical) + 84.18 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 166.32
• 73.20 (SP) + 166.32 (FS) = 239.53

10) Adam Rippon (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff

• What a little cutie, I just love him
• I am obsessed with that Rippon lutz with the overhead arms
• A very clean skate for Adam minus one two-footed landing
• Looks confused by his scores
• FS Score: 80.35 (technical) + 75.18 (presentation) = 155.53
• 77.51 (SP) + 155.53 (FS) = 233.04

11) Kevin Reynolds (Canada)
     Music: Strauss

• This kid is a jumper for sure
• He also is pretty artistic so what can I say, the kid has potential!
• Just popped open a jump, could definitely work on consistency but that will come
• FS Score: 70.06 (technical) + 69.50 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 138.56
• 80.09 (SP) + 138.56 (FS) = 218.65

12) Nobunari Oda (Japan) **
     Music: Piano Concerto no. 1 by Grieg

• He is on my fantasy team so I'm nervous right now
• He is looking very calm out there
• His jumps are high and strong but he does not have the showmanship of his countryman Daisuke Takahashi
• Nice solid spins, a little slow at times
• I think this footwork is really lacking, as is his expression
• FS Score: 81.87 (technical) + 74.28 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction) = 155.14
• 81.37 (SP) + 155.14 (FS) = 235.52

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Pairs Free Skate

1) Stacey Kemp & David King (Great Britain)
    Music: Sweeney Todd by Sondheim

• Very low catch on the triple twist, very clunky
• Opening side-by-sides looked futzed
• Landing on the first throw looked very much like a save
• Spins looked slow and I think he got tripped up
• I love this music for skating!!!
• I love this trend of musical theatre free skates with this, Chan's Phantom, Makarova's Evita, and Chock/Zuerlein's Cabaret
• The star lift was very slow moving and very slow rotating
• I didn't catch the ages of this team, but if their inexperience comes from age, they definitely have the chance to improve
• Second set of side-by-sides was not clean either
• This team just looks very under-rehearsed to me
• Also, knowing Sweeney Todd, I think they could have selected some more dynamic pieces of music
• FS Score: 43.86 (technical) + 38.16 (presentation) = 82.02
• 43.50 (SP) + 82.02 (FS) = 125. 52

2) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (China)
    Music: The Myth

• Opening side-by-side was clean
• I actually didn't mind that triple twist
• Spins ares pretty clean until the end where they lose speed 
• Everything looks very clean and strong here, just very slow
• They definitively have the makings of a great pair team here and I think some experience and more training will benefit them greatly
• They seem to have the discipline of Bin Yao's other great teams
• FS Score: 46.19 (technical) + 39.54 (presentation) = 85.73
• 43.53 (SP) + 85.75 (FS) =129.26

3) Britney Simpson & Nathan Miller (USA)
     Music: Moonlight Sonata

• She two-foots her double axel and under-rotates the second jump of the combo
• The entrance to the first throw was entirely too slow and she stumbles out of it
• This choreogrpahy is very elegant, but unfortunately they are not consistent in their speed as they stop and start a lot, breaking the flow of the program
• He two-foots the last side-by-side triples and she stumbles
• They just look like they are not trying hard enough out there to save their landings
• I think this musical selection was a bit too mature for them; Moonlight Sonata will always be associated with Gordeeva & Grinkov and unless another pair can live up to them, I'd stay away from it
• Moonlight Sonata in pairs is like doing Bolero in ice dance as its so closely associated with Torvill & Dean
• FS Score: 45.49 (technical) + 43.17 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction) = 87.66
• 46.39(SP) + 87.66 (FS) = 134.05

4) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (USA)**
     Music: Les Miserables

• That was a pretty dynamic opening sequence with the triple twist and fairly solid side-by-sides
• A very big throw triple with a solid landing
• I like the way this program is choreographed to hilight the dynamic movements on the musical crescendos
• A fall by Kirsten on the second side-by-side
• Her head is dangerously close to his skate on the death spiral
• I like the low position on the pair spin and all of the variations
• They cover a lot of ice on their overhead lift, change a lot of positions, and he even goes to one foot displaying a lot of strength and control
• Second triple throw is very strong and covers a lot of ice
• He lifts her from one knee on the ice up to standing at the end of the program
• I think this was a very strong program and I want to see how they fare at worlds if they make it that far
• This team can go far if they can stay consistent
• FS Score: 62.59 (technical) + 55.65 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 117.24
• 53.68 (SP) + 117.24 (FS) = 170.92

5) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (Canada) **
     Music: The Train 

• Wow, hello height difference
• That triple twist was actually very clean and fluid for me
• Meagan totally dropped the combination and only performed one of the three jumps
• A very low landing on the first throw triple, maybe even two-footed
• The height difference makes the lifts look really spectacular
• I don't love their death spiral position with her high free leg
• She pops her jump on the second side-by-side sequence and he seemed to wobble on his
• This music is gorgeous 
• They have some great moments, particularly in their lifts
• She almost puts a hand down on the second throw
• I like the choreography of this piece in relationship to the music very much so
• FS Score: 52.36 (technical) + 51.37 (presentation) = 103.73
• 54.80 (SP) + 103.73 (FD) =158.53

6) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (Canada)
     Music: Van Helsing

• This has some nice speed right from the top
• Paige falls on a side-by-side
• They were very out of sync on that second side-by-side combination jump with Paige bobbling the first and losing her timing for the second
• She nearly loses the landing on this throw
• I really hope that all of this inconsistency in this pairs event is either A) because these teams are young or B) because it is early in the season or else we are in for a long, dull series of pairs
• She  nearly loses that second throw too
• FS Score: 54.79 (technical) + 51.22 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction)  =105.01
• 56.14(SP) + 105.01 (FS) = 161.15

 7) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA) **
    Music:  Avatar

• This program is very cool choreographically
• This boy is tall so there is no reason for them to get amazing height on their elemetns
• She puts a hand down on the first side-by-side
• It looks like he opens up out of the first jump in combination
• She lands the throw 3A for a moment but then falls
• I know their goal was to get credit for rotating the throw 3A, not to land it necessarily, but I do not understand the mindset of throwing a trick you cannot control, its too big of a risk for injury and is unfair to a paying audience
• Messy, out of sync spins
• They are losing speed
• Second throw wasn't clean, maybe a hand down on an under-rotation
• Her front leg catch overhead lift is insanely cool looking
• I hate that high free leg position that some ladies use in death spirals
• she is only a head taller than him when he is on his knees and she is standing
• All I can say is US nationals should be interesting in pairs with a lot of mediocre teams that have the chance to be good
• FS Score: 53.82 (technical) + 50.69 (presentation) -1.00 (deduction) = 103.51
• 56.34 (SD) + 103.51 (FS) = 159.85

8) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nobari Maisuradze (Russia) **
    Music: Conquest of Paradise

• I'm expecting this team to be good so I'm not going to comment too much
• She stumbled out of that first throw but I don't know if it will count as a fall or not
• This team is very young at 19/22 so I'm wondering if Tamara Moskvina will scoop them up to try to train them to be the next top Russian pair
• They have good natural talent but can definitely use some more polish from a top coach
• They had the one fall, but with an otherwise clean program they should have no problem winning this competition
• FS Score: 56.79 (technical) + 53.89 (presentation) =100.68
• 60.72 (SP) + 110.68 (FS) = 171.40

Favorite Figure Skating Memories #2: Michelle Kwan's Lyra Angelica at 1998 US Nationals

I have loved Michelle Kwan ever since I started following the sport of figures skating in 1994. This program to Lyra Angelica by William Alwyn, her free skate at the 1998 US Nationals in Philadelphia has long been regarded as the most exquisite performance of her illustrious career. What I have always admired about Michelle Kwan is her consistency and her performance quality. It is interesting to look back on a program that excelled in Figure Skating's now long gone 6.0 system. Here we see Michelle receive eight 6.0's for presentation out of a possible nine scores. Now, with the new code of points system, skaters are able to rack up points for every element in their program in hopes that the programs will be more unique, more technically daring, and more complete. But in my opinion, the downside to the new system is that falls and mistakes do not hurt a skater's scores nearly as much as they could in the 6.0 systems. So now it is a rarity to see a near perfect performance in this day and age that Michelle Kwan was known for delivering in her prime. With a record 9 US Titles, 5 World titles, and 2 Olympic medals, Michelle Kwan is arguably the most renown figure skater that has every taken the ice and the world is still waiting for the next dynamic female skater who can combine technique, artistry, and consistency to take her place. 

Barbie's Showtune of the Day #15: Send In The Clowns

Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music is arguably Stephen Sondheim's most well known song. Countless singers have performed and recorded this song, but in my opinion, nobody does it as well as Bernadette Peters in the current Broadway revival of the show. Unfortunately I do not have access to a video of the full song, but this clip provides a nice glimpse at her incredible performance, not to mention her iconic voice.

Reply For Your Chance To Win A Pair Of Tickets To A Little Night Music On Broadway!

Isn't it rich? Aren't they a pair? Those of you who have been following my blog know how much I loved the current Broadway revival of A Little Night Music. Not only is the show itself fabulous, with a music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Hugh Wheeler, and direction by Trevor Nunn, but Broadway has not seen a pair of actors with the talent and onstage chemistry of Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch in some time. A Little Night Music is simply the most lovely production I've seen on Broadway in years and Bernadette Peters, in the role of Desiree Armfeldt, gives the most memorable performance that I have experienced in all my years of theatre-going.

This incredible piece of theatre has recently announced an extension of their Broadway run with a posted closing date of January 9th, 2011. If you haven't seen this production yet, or if you are like me and can't bear to let it close without seeing it again, then here is your chance. Provide the correct answer to my trivia question in the comments section of this post and you are automatically entered to win a FREE pair of tickets to the show. Be sure to also include your email address so I can contact the winner. Post your answers and email addressed by Tuesday November 9th, 2010 at 12pm and I will then chose a winner at random out of the correct responses. Good luck!

Question: Elaine Stritch is most famous for performing which Stephen Sondheim standard?

If you are not chosen as the contest winner, here is a way to save on your tickets to A Little Night Music. Use the fan code LMFAN826 at broadwayoffers.com, call 212-947-8844 and mention the code, or visit the box office at The Walter Kerr Theatre at 219 W 48th st New York, NY. This discount is good for $89 Orchestra/Front Mezzanine seats (regularly $137) or $59 Rear Mezzanine seats (regularly $97-$107) and is valid only through December 26th!

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Free Dance

1) Rachel Tibbetts & Collin Brubaker (USA) **
    Music: Tango Para Percusion

• Some loss of syncronization during the twizzle sequence
• She is showing great flexibility on the dance spin
• Very nice use of hydroblading technique in the low position
• Collin takes a fall in a fairly routine looking move, probably a loss of concentraion
• I like some of their lifts, but they could benefit from being held longer
• I think we are at the point in US Ice Dance where if you aren't training with Zoueva/Shpilband, you are behind the eight ball
• They look visibly disappointed in their performance
• FD Score: 33.10 (Technical) + 27.88 (presentation) - 2.00 (deduction) = 58.98
• 36.88 (SD) + 95.86 (FD) = 95.86

2) Sarah Arnold & Justin Trojek (Canada)
     Music: Amelie Poulain Soundtrack

• Well isn't this just a popular musical choice this year
• First lift was interesting, but very much "here I am and I'm hitting a pose"
• Mirroring step sequence was nice, but ended very abruptly, the choreographer/coaches should work out that transition
• I'm not sure how I feel about the costume, but they are definitely classic ice dance
• Position change in the dance spin also a bit awkward, this program could benefit a lot from some work on transitions
• The ending was also very abrupt, both in terms of choreography and musical
• FD Score: 36.08 (technical) + 31.49(presentation) = 65.57
• 40.07 (SD) + 65.57 (FD) = 107.64

3) Stefanie Frohberg & Tim Giesen (Germany)
    Music: La Maza

• I simply do not understand the obsession with spanish themed programs this year
• I think her costume looks tacky
• A good Spanish routine should be sassy, sexy, and exciting, but this one really lacks flair in my opinion
• The dance spin in the Bielman position was nice
• FD Score: 33.39 (techincal) + 28.71 (presentation) = 62.10
• 43.00 (SD) + 62.10 (FD) =  105.10

4) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (Canada)
    Music: As Time Goes By

• This is starting off to be a gorgeous program, from the opening strokes, they already exude grace and elegance
• They remind me of Tessa Virtue & Scott Moi so much
• If Canada sends 3 dance teams to worlds, I see this team taking that 3rd spot behind Virtue/Moir & Crone/Poirier
• They are just beautiful to watch and make everything look easy
• Their lifts show such balance and control
• Ps....is she not wearing tights?
• I would love her to point her feet a bit harder though, and really straighten out those legs
• FD Score: 45.99 (technical) + 41.68 (presentation) = 87.61
• 50.55 (SD) + 87.61 (FD) = 138.16

5) Kristina Gorshkova & Vitali Butikov (Russia)
    Music: Cha Cha, Manana de Carnaval

• How many peacocks died in the making of these costumes?
• These costumes are old-school European ice dance in a big way
• The middle part of the program is a bit slow moving
• I hate when the program comes to a standstill during a music transition; there is no reason that the skaters need to stop mid-ice
• A cha-cha should be fun and exciting, but they seemed to be concentrating too hard because there was little top no performance quality for me
• FD Score: 41.85 (technical) + 34.04 (presentation) =75.89
• 51.56 (SD) + 75.89 (FD) = 127.45

6) Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein (USA)  **
    Music: Cabaret

• I love the youthful, whimsical quality about this program & the costumes are very fitting
• Marina and Igor do a great job of pairing their teams with programs that suit them well
• I love the upside down lifts during the "Money Song"
• When skaters do musical theatre programs, it combines two of my favorite things in the world
• The musical cuts are very nice and I love the composition of this program, it built from a 1 to a 10 as the program progressed
• Not only a wonderful technical piece, but also a wonderful performance
• I see this team medaling at the US nationals this year for sure
• FD Score: 44.27 (technical) + 40.59 (presentation) = 84.86
• 54.19 (SD) + 84.86 (FD) = 139.05

7) Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (France)
    Music: Paint It Black

• These costumes are flashy too but I like them better than their SD costumes 
• I like their energy and passion, but they lack the polish of some of the top teams
• The clapping sequence reminded me of a step show, ala Stomp The Yard, but I kind of loved it
• There is something about this program that I love, I just cannot put my finger on it
• FD Score: 41.52 (technical) + 40.18 (presentation) = 81.70
• 54.33 (SD) + 81.70 (FD) = 136.03

8) Vanessa Crone & Paul Poirier (Canada) 
     Music: Eleanor Rigby

• I could never understand why teams take so long to create complicated opening poses when they are out of them in like a hot minute anyway
• This piece is very fast and very fluid which I love
• I thought these primary colored costumes would be distracting, but rather they are actually very streamlined and athletic
• This work was choreographed by Christopher Dean and he, along with partner Jayne Torvill were famous for their lines and polish, which I totally see here in this program
• The ending was very cool, I loved that walkover over the shoulder that happened
• FD Score: 45.74 (technical) + 45.73 (presentation) =
• 62.95 (SD) + 91.47 (FD) = 154.42

9) Sinead Kerr & John Kerr (Great Britain)  **
    Music: Exogenesis Symphony 3

• Now this opening pose makes sense because they hold it long enough for it to really resonate
• There lifts always look so interesting because of the height similarity 
• I loved that move of stroking in the low hydroblading position
• The parallel camel spin was gorgeous
• I love the story that they are telling in this program, a memory of when they were younger; a great example of an appropriate program for a brother/sister team
•  An unfortunate stumble on that lift; she seemed to have lost balance when she tried to stand up on his legs
• Even with the fall, I think this a gorgeous program and absolutely the perfect free skate to close out their competitive careers
• The closing pose was perfection
• Even with the botched lift, I found them better than Crone/Poirier
• FD Score: 39.36 (technical) + 47.48 (presentation) = 86.84
• 62.96 (SD) + (FD) = 149.80

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate Canada Short Dance

1) Sarah Arnold & Justin Trojek (Canada)
     Music: Waltz

• A little out of sync on the twizzles
• The mirroring footwork is nice, but again, a bit out of sync on the twizzles
• A little slow on the rotational lift
• SD Score: 20.29 (technical) + 19.78  (presentation) = 40.07

2) Stephanie Frohber & Tim Giesen (Germany)
      Music: Waltz Tanz der Hofdamen

• Their coach Rene Lohse was a great ice dancer with partner Kati Winkler a few years back
• Its so interesting to look at the coaches of these young skaters/teams and remember them when they were competing
• I feel like they are cheating a lot of their positions in the golden waltz portion, they could be a lot deeper into their knees and the edges
• The ending rotational lift looks clunky to me
• This was an average program overall, not much of a performance and a lack of commitment to the golden waltz segment
• SD Score: 24.07 (technical) + 18.93 (presentation) = 43.00 

3) Alexandra Paul & Mitchell Islam (Canada)
     Music: Waltz & Tango

•  Skategate has already made this comment, but I feel that tango is a bad idea for the second dance in this new short dance format as it is so hard to blend with the golden waltz, we'll see how this team does with it
• A bit out of sync in one of the opening twizzles
• A loss of a hold there for a moment
• The shoot the duck position could have been a bit deeper
• She seems to be bobbling a lot on some simple elements
• I did nitpick them a lot, but overall it was a decent performance
• It seems to me that Canada has a lot of up and coming pair and dance teams, so we'll see who rises to the top at their nationals and makes the world team
• SD Score: 27.42 (technical) + 23.13 (presentation) = 50.55 

4) Rachel Tibbets & Collin Brubaker (USA) **
      Music: Waltz

•  This piece is very sweet, I love it very much from a presentation standpoint
• She had a nice low position in the shoot the duck but I thought her leg was a little bent
• Rotational lift was nice, but again, Rachel needs to straighten her legs
• Out of sync on ending twizzle sequence; I know twizzles are difficult to perform well, but they are required elements so ice dancers have no excuse not to do them well
• Awww Collin looks like a little Rockne
• SD Score: 18.92  (technical) +  18.92 (presentation) - 1.00 (deduction) = 36.88

5) Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (France)
      Music: La Valse a Mille Temps by Brel

• These costumes remind me of the old days of ice dance where you had to ask yourself what they were thinking when they got dressed 
• When I saw them I was expecting a piece about the French Revolution
• Very out of sync on the opening twizzle sequence
• Nice fluidity in the golden waltz sequence, but a little slow moving across the ice
• I liked their rotational lift a lot
• SD Score: 28.71 (technical) + 25.72 (presentation) = 54.43 

6) Kristina Gorshkova & Vitali Butikov (Russia)
      Music: Russian waltz

•  Nice speed and fluidity across the ice in this golden waltz
• I loved the flexibility demonstrated in that rotational lift and the exit was smooth too
• These costumes are unnecessary, they are flashy to the point of being distracting
• SD Score: 27.87 (technical) + 23.69 (presentation) = 51.56

7) Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein (USA) **
      Music: Foxtrot: Milford Waltz: Padam, Padam

•  This team is moving fast, I love the speed, it makes the team all the more exciting to watch
• Beautiful deep knees and edges in the golden waltz sequence
• The first set of twizzles looked a bit off to me
• The positions on that rotation lift were fantastic and led into a very exciting ending for this shot dance
• They should easily go into 1st place
• I guess Marina is on coaching duty this weekend after Igor did NHK with Davis/White and the Shibutanis last weekend
• Madison's hair looks like a mess
• SD Score: 28.51 (technical) + 25.98 (presentation) = 54.19

8) Vanessa Crone & Paul Poirier (Canada)
       Music: Fallin' by Alicia Keys

• That opening upside down lift was fantastic, and it looked so incredibly easy
• I like the mix of contemporary music with the golden waltz and the classical costuming
• Paul looks very dapper, but that costume is too tight on Vanessa for a white dress
• Normally in ice dance the man is supposed to frame and shape the woman, but I cannot take my eyes off of Paul
• The last lift was pretty, but I wanted Vanessa to point her foot harder
• The ending twizzles into the final pose were very nice
• SD Score: 34.00 (technical) + 28.95 (presentation) = 62.95

9) Sinead Kerr & John Kerr (Great Britain) **
       Music: Waltz, Quickstep

•  They have great speed and such nice long lines, probably because they are both so tall
• I thought that was a nice transition from waltz to quickstep
• I really like the choreography and the edge work on the midline step sequence
• SD Score: 31.92 (technical) + 31.94 (presentation) = 62.96