- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
I don't understand. Why would they copy Scott and Tessa's music so blatantly? I mean, just one of them could have easily been a fluke, but the opening song and ending song are the same... Seems strange to me.
I'm.. so far.. underwhelmed.
I decided to pull this thread up, as the discussion about the Canton teams dances are continuing, and I would like to see some debate in the context of comparioson with the top russian teams, we have seen a while ago. Plus we just got today P/B Fd as well, so this would be the right moment to reignate the chat of all we have seen so far this season.
The first striking comparison is between V/M and I/K SD. The only difference in the music is the second section, V/M using "Tempation" for the rhumba steps and I/K a samba "Mas Que Nada".
I just watched the 2 dances back to back. The russians will suffer big time, if they will be compared with V/M, because they seem to lack the swagger, speed, and their technique is poorer too. It strikes me how far apart I/K dance, very uncomfortable with each other many times. Even if the execution will get more polished, still will be falling way short. Of course, nobody should expect I/K in their second year in seniors to challenge the Olympic champions, but a smarter choice of music at least should have been beneficial, not to trigger immediate comparisons.
They're not the only ones to use V/M's music, or a portion of it. Hubbell/Donohue use La Mujer Latina as the beginning of their SD. Although they are brand-new and aren't considered one of the top three teams in the US at the moment, I prefer their skating to I/K.
http://youtu.be/_tr-83ZjuzA
Among Chock/Bates, Hubbell/Donohue, Samuelson/Gilles, ANNUSCIO/LORELLO, and KRIENGKRAIRUT/GIULIETTI-SCHMITT, the 3rd place at US nationals will be a real dog fight.
Probably ice dance field in US never was this deep, and considering the top teams scored the country's best results ever in 2011, it is actually normal.
Same goes for Canada, since Vrtue ad Moir are on the top, they pulled every team below up a notch.
Canada never had two teams in the top 5 in the world before as far as I can recall.
I am surprised Ralph / Hill got away with the music for their SD, without a penalty. Harlem Nocturne is not latin rythm.On the subject of what will ice dance bring us this year, from looking at the protocols, I would say, we will be seeing a lot of deductions. In previous years, you would see deductions for falls and extended lifts, and maybe costume if a piece of it fell off.
So...
I understand that people are looking for greater choreographic range from the Shibs. I just don't see the rush for it to be so immediate. I see them as a much more long term team, a bit like Klimova Ponomarenko were. That team was at or near the top largely on the basis of their technique for most of their (very long) career. Their iconic image as a high drama team is mostly the result of their 1991 season, 3rd Olympic season and subsequent pro career. Before that, they had much more tame themes. In retrospect those programs have been much more appreciated by skating fans, but while they were competing, they received much of the same criticism the Shibs are getting now. "Too conventional" "Old fashioned" "Lacks passion and drama" Etc Etc. Yet they were no worse than second at Worlds for an astounding 8 consecutive years. Given that as well as the relative similarity in their ages to K/P's career arc and the pure technique, I'm not at all worried about them for the long term. They will develop a choreographic range of their own at their own pace, not ours.
I should refine my comment about trends to prefer heavy drama and romance, but I definitely think the trend to wish for heavier programs from longstanding teams is a real one. In fact, its been a trend since Bolero. (most of B/B's career, the Duchenays, late K/P, Usova and Zhulin even in 93 when more upbeat themes were being pushed, most of G/P even before 94, A/P, late B/K, D/V etc.)
I detest the idea that the Shibs or any team would have to lose out on a deserved medal or placement in order to deflect or end some sort of backlash. That sort of treatment is more appropriate in a beauty pageant than a sporting event. If they outskate the teams around them, then they should beat them regardless of where they train, who their coaches are or any other extraneous reason.
I understand your love of narrative. It's perfectly human to feel that inclination. But I would rather see the very best possible performances from all concerned and let the chips fall where they may, like 2010 Vancouver between D/W and V/M. I preferred Meryl and Charlie, but could not argue with the result. That to me is the best and longest lasting source of narrative and drama. The fairytale ending is nice but not necessary for me.
I am surprised Ralph / Hill got away with the music for their SD, without a penalty. Harlem Nocturne is not latin rythm.