Skate America Virtual Program and Preview - Ice Dance

In the days before there was much on the internet than about how to fix, use and maintain your computer, we used to go to competitions without even knowing for sure which skaters would be skating. I'd buy a program and so often it would not tell me what I wanted to know about the skaters. Usually it would give their standings in some of their most recent competitions but not much else. I'd run out early every morning to get to the newspaper vending machine to buy a paper and avidly read the background pieces that the local reporters had done. And I'd borrow the old copies of Skating magazine that a skate fan friend of mine would bring for me.

You all know most of these skaters in the Grand Prix events, so I've tried to reproduce for you what I really would have loved to see in those old programs, newspapers and magazines. I've given you the typical bio that I did for the Juniors, but I've curtailed the competitive history of more familiar skaters to the last 2 years or so. And I've added a lot of links to videos and articles. The more well known the skaters, the more obscure I've tried to keep the videos.

If you have any favorite videos and articles that I've missed, I hope you post them!

I've added links to the fan websites of the competitors if you just can't get enough of a particular team.

So pull your chair up to the computer, make some popcorn and dilute some soda to simulate rink food. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did writing it. And if you'd want something different in a GP preview, please make suggestions!

If you're not a regular youtuber, do note on youtube, that some of the videos can be watched in higher quality and don't miss the full screen button.


The CD for Skate America will be the Viennese Waltz. Here's a reference file with videos of the great dancers of the past performing it. The Viennese hasn't been selected for the Seniors since the 1999/2000 season, so the clips are of the great dancers of the 1980's and 1990's.
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24315

IceNetwork has done a preview article to tell you about how it ranks the dancers this year:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081010&content_id=52831&vkey=ice_news

I'm going to list all of these great dancers as they appear, alphabetically by country. There isn't a team here at Skate America that isn't well worth watching. (Aren't you lucky if you are going!)


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First up
1 Kristin FRASER / Igor LUKANIN AZE 1
They were one of the first couples where the members were from different countries. Look for them to shine in the Waltz CD. Her impressive height and extension should look stunning. I don't expect them to medal, but don't miss the CD:

Coach and Choreographer: Nikolai Morozov
Igor is 32 and was born in Ekaterinaberg, Russia. Kristin is 28 and was born on leap year day in 1980.
They train in Hackensack, NJ.
They live in Montclair, NJ.
Their last year's FD was to "Time to Say Goodbye" but they are still going strong and are entered here at Skate America
OD I have no idea and hope someone else knows
FD I have no idea and hope someone else knows

Personal Bests:
Personal Best Total Score 173.95 23.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 33.02 22.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 56.35 20.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 87.26 18.03.2005 World Championships 2005

Last two years in ISU competitions:
2008 World Championships 10 11 11 11 (173.95)
2008 European Championships 8 10 10 10 (168.87)
2007 NHK Trophy 5 5 5 5 (162.15)
2007 Skate America 4 5 5 5 (167.80)
2007 World Championships 16 14 16 16 (152.10)
2007 European Championships 8 9 7 7 (157.63)

Videos:
2008 Worlds FD (Time to Say Goodbye)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsp8Pi0yJYo
2008 Worlds OD (Shatritsa Gypsy Dance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kii-CEB-Lzo&feature=related
2008 Europeans CD (Yankee Polka)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a-GLIR3c7k
2008 Worlds CD (Argentine Tango)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsMuo5yNBUM
2006 Worlds CD (Ravensburger Waltz)

Articles:
Ice Network biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38883&mode=P
Golden Skate's article about them when they first began to represent Azerbaijan:
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2002/121502.shtml
NY article about their citizenship issues for the Olympics 2006
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9402E4D9113EF932A15751C0A9609C8B63

Fan Website:
http://www.skatetoday.com/fraserlukanin/
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Next up, the bronze medallists at Canadian Nationals. Allie and Michael are a young team, and emphasize the whimsical in their skating. The choreo in their folk OD last year, Logdriver's Waltz & Newfoundland Jig was particularly exceptional. It was choreographed by Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe. I hope they have gone to Megan and Aaron for both dances this year. The OD rhythm this year should be a good fit for them.
.
2 Allie HANN-McCURDY / Michael CORENO CAN 2
Coach and Choreographer: Viktor Kraatz and Maikki Uotila Kraatz, Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe for their OD last year.
OD 1940's Swing/Foxtrot Saying Goodbye to Her Soldier Boy
FD 2 Piano pieces from Finnish composer

Personal Best Total Score 164.02 Four Continents Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 34.39 Budapest Junior Grand Prix 2004
Personal Best Score Original Dance 51.08 ISU JGP Tallinn Cup 2005
Personal Best Score Free Dance 83.76 Four Continents Championships 2008


Recent Competitions:
2008 World Championships 17 19 18 19 (153.13)
2008 Four Continents Championships 6 6 6 6 (164.02)
2008 Canadian National Championships 2 3 5 3 (173.86)
2007 Skate Canada 7 6 4 4 (152.16)
2007 Nebelhorn Trophy 3 5 3 4 (143.82)
2007 Canadian National Championships 9 7 8 8 (145.26)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 10 10 10 10 (132.72)
2006 Skate America 11 11 11 11 (131.07)
2006 Nebelhorn Trophy 7 7 7 7 (133.45)
2006 World Junior Championships 9 7 9 8 (139.55)
2006 Canadian Junior National Championships 1 1 1 1 (151.47)

Videos
2008 Canadian Nationals OD Logdriver's Waltz & Newfoundland Jig (totally charming)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaT_ywlEWgU&feature=related
Look At You Video Montage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OrmsXDTcJo
2008 Worlds CD Argentine Tango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wC_FoyzPI
2007 Lake Placid International Dance Competition FD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wC_FoyzPI


Articles:
IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=39004&mode=P
August Article 2008
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-co...og/2008/08/allie_hannmccurdy_and_michael.html
Article before Worlds 2008
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=7f5332b4-39d4-4024-9c23-e8b54dbca48c&k=63195
Golden Skate Interview with Allie and Michael October 2007:
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/102207.shtml
A preview article before 2008 Canadians:
http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=1e5bded4-f087-4c35-a823-2c031b51cbfa
A preview article before the 2004 Jr Worlds
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/FigureSkating/2004/10/17/673327.html

Fan Website
http://www.skatetoday.com/alliemichael/
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Next up, the silver medallists from France (Pechalat and Bourzat did not skate at Nationals last year). They also had a very memorable OD last year, skated to a popped up version of an old Quebec folk tune renamed Degeneration. I know a number of people who liked their Chopin number better than Belbin and Agosto. They recently won the Karl SCHÄFER Memorial competition. The Viennese was competed there, so they have a leg up on some of the other teams here at Skate America. Don't miss the Golden Skate article about their specialty, their lifts, and how they collaborate with Dubreiul and Lauzon to create them.

3 Pernelle CARRON / Mathieu JOST FRA 3
Coaches and Choreographers: Muriel Zazoui, Marie-France Dubreiul, Patrice Lauzon
OD: Basin Street Blues by Louis Armstrong
FD: Entry of the Gladiators (Clowns)
Recent Competitive History
2008 KARL SCHÄFER 1 1 1 1 (169.65)
Viennese Waltz CD 32.45 17.26 15.19 6.10 5.95 6.10 6.20 0.00 #1
OD 53.88 29.50 24.38 6.50 6.20 6.50 6.45 6.45 0.00 #10
FD 83.78 44.00 39.78 6.70 6.60 6.60 6.65 6.60 0.00 #7
Personal Best Total Score 170.62 27.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 30.15 22.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 53.52 24.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 87.13 04.11.2007 HomeSense Skate Canada 2007
2008 Masters de Patinage 3 3 3 (146.01)
2008 European Championships 11 8 8 9 (170.62)
2008 French National Championships 2 2 2 2 (182.72)
2007 Trophée Eric Bompard 5 6 5 5 (159.26)
2007 Skate Canada 4 3 2 3 (167.83)
2007 Masters de Patinage 3 3 3 3 (170.66)
2007 European Championships 14 10 8 9 (152.47)
2007 Winter Universiade 3 2 2 3 (160.54)
2007 French National Championships 3 3 3 3 (160.67)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 9 7 6 8 (151.93)
2006 Cup of China 6 5 5 5 (151.46)
2006 Masters de Patinage 3 2 3 3 (171.37)
2006 French National Championships 3 (152.40)

Videos:
2008 Masters de Patinage OD (their new OD)Basin Street Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XXHgVs2P6I&feature=user
2008 Masters de Patinage FD (their new FD) Clowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-j5tn10ndo
2008 Worlds Quebec Folk Dance Dégénération by Mes Aieux BBC Coverage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPUICXlk8tQ&feature=related
2008 Europeans FD Nocturne by Chopin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHzcUXXmv-U&feature=related
2007 Skate Canada Exhibition Angel by Massive Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVc1s6Lzp4Y
2008 Europeans CD Yankee Polka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzvpQZXTCA
2007 Europeans CD Golden Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuCa1LbqeMg
2008 SSG Exhibition Peter Gunn Theme / Blues Brothers Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuCa1LbqeMg

Articles:
Ice Network biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38879&mode=P
February 2008 Article from Golden Skate
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/021008.shtml

Fan Website:
http://carronjost.free.fr/
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I should have put them first, because, of course, they are not only World Champions, they have been on the skating scene so long. In researching their videos, I found their 1996 Junior World performances. In 1996, they were still doing an Original Set Pattern instead of an OD. Because their work is so familiar to everyone, the videos I chose are mostly of their exhibitions and early performances. You'll laugh perhaps, but my favorite thing of theirs was their last year's Yankee Polka with the sheriff and the saloon lady. Of course, their FD's are great too...They will be duelling with Belbin and Agosto for the win. As world champions, I expect DelSchoes to win here...except...

4 Isabelle DELOBEL / Olivier SCHOENFELDER FRA 3
Coach and Choreographer: Muriel Zazoui, Romain Haguenauer
OD: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
FD: "The great gig in the sky" by Pink Floyd.

Personal Best Total Score 212.94 23.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 41.25 22.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 67.25 20.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 110.39 18.03.2005 World Championships 2005

Recent Competitive History:
2008 Masters de Patinage 1 1 1 (159.62)
2008 World Championships 1 1 2 1 (212.94)
2008 European Championships 1 1 2 2 (205.92)
2008 Grand Prix Final 2 3 3 (163.40)
2008 French National Championships 1 1 1 1 (206.55)
2007 NHK Trophy 1 2 2 1 (197.54)
2007 Trophée Eric Bompard 1 1 2 1 (194.14)
2007 Masters de Patinage 1 1 1 1 (194.83)
2007 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 1 1 1 1 (192.52)
2007 World Championships 4 5 3 4 (195.19)
2007 European Championships 1 1 2 1 (199.47)
2007 Grand Prix Final 4 4 4 (149.00)
2007 French National Championships 1 1 1 1 (193.94)
2006 Cup of Russia 3 2 3 3 (183.53)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 2 2 2 2 (194.62)
2006 Masters de Patinage 1 1 1 1 (193.29)
2006 World Championships 4 2 5 5 (195.44)

Videos:
2008 Their New FD (The great gig in the sky) Masters de Patinage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE4k19HDdg
2008 Their New OD Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY92JiE18GE&feature=related
2007 GPF Exhibition Turn Around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLgbC7i3Eig
2006 Cup of Russia CD Golden Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Qp1vOj3g8
2006 GPF Exhibition Diego by Johnny Hallyday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ6PwQIEqD4&feature=related
2005 TEB Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jDTHxenlk&feature=related
2004 Europeans Exhibition La Notte Eterna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ-kJGYbiuM&feature=related
2004 Skate Canada Exhibition Gladiator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v8ibzUKXSA
2003 Skate American Magician themed exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMTWkv0vJ_c&feature=related
2002 Courchevel Gala The Magician with fancy staging
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2t0JwxqpYg
2001 Skate Canada Exhibition Vivre Pour Meilleur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPDMtqXro1Q
2000 Bofrost Cup Exhibition 50 Elements
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFKu7qhwBCw&feature=related
1999 Skate Canada Exhibition Vedi Maria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA169AfRols
1999 LP Clowns (Avant et apres le pluie)?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTlgxunAw0c
1998 OD Europeans Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDZ3RrdjDI
1996 Junior Worlds OSP (!) Paso Doble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XROa41y969I
1996 Junior Worlds FD Latin Medley (youtuber has mislabelled the clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AyOJ0l707A

Articles:
Icenetwork biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38774&mode=P
May 2008 IceNetwork article-Delobel and Schoenfelder aim for the 2010 Olympics
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080519&content_id=48231&vkey=ice_news
Mar 2008 IceNetwork article. Delobel and Schoenfelder talk about their world title:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080329&content_id=46700&vkey=ice_news
Interview after Torino
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2005isa&oli.htm

Fan Website:
http://www.delobel-schoenfelder.net/
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Fresh from their win at Finlandia, the Kerrs are in the best shape I've ever seen them at the beginning of the season. In fact, their previous poor performances on the Grand Prix have held them back, I think. Their Erin Shore OD was a season highlight for me last year. I expect them to take the bronze, and if B&A don't bring their A or B+ game, the silver.

5 Sinead KERR / John KERR GBR 4
Coaching History: Evgeni Platov (Since 2006) Joan Slater
Choreographers: Evgeni Platov, Robert Royston
OD-'The boogie bumper' and 'Minnie the Moocher' by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
FD-'Ruled by Secrecy' by Muse.

Personal Best Total Score 186.94 23.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 33.55 22.01.2008 European Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 59.86 20.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 93.60 21.03.2008 World Championships 2008

Recent Events:
2008 Finlandia 1 1 1 1 (185.95)
Viennese Waltz CD 34.54 17.24 17.30 7.20 6.65 6.95 6.85 0.00 #3
OD 56.60 29.00 27.60 7.25 7.10 7.45 7.25 7.30 0.00 #1
FD 94.81 48.60 46.21 7.65 7.60 7.80 7.65 7.90 0.00 #6
2008 World Championships 8 8 8 8 (186.94)
2008 European Championships 6 5 6 6 (182.06)
2008 British National Championships 1 1 1 1 (169.26)
2007 NHK Trophy 4 4 4 4 (172.37)
2007 Cup of China 5 5 6 5 (152.99)
2007 World Championships 8 11 12 11 (167.14)
2007 European Championships 6 6 5 5 (171.90)
2007 British National Championships 1 1 1 1 (184.49)

Videos
2008 Finlandia CD Viennese Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHgF6uvGfng
2008 Finlandia OD Minnie the Moocher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeFrU6iPN5s&feature=related
2008 Finlandia FD Muse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dmfg5OCXiE&feature=related
This link has a higher quality video of their Finlandia FD (scroll down page)
http://stll-fi.directo.fi/finlandia_trophy/video/
2008 The Ice Exhibition version of their Erin Shore/Auld Lang Syne OD
It has Sinead lifting John twice! Great version of a wonderful program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOkARjoFvHE
2008 Worlds OD Erin Shore and Auld Lang Syne Scottish Folk Dance (Great!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cizw5iOj5bo
2008 Worlds FD Enigma/Aliens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycHexSeOTs&feature=related
2007 Cup of Russia Exhibition With or Without You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c69MfCjOm2s
2006 Europeans FD Last of the Mohicans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6BgCMlnpwc

Articles
Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38877&mode=P
Golden Skate Pre Season article on the Kerrs
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2008/080308.shtml
Pre-season article 2008
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/he...63.0.Kerrs_eager_to_showcase_daring_dance.php
Interview after the 2006 Olympics
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2005kerrs-1.htm

Fan Website: http://www.sineadandjohn.com/
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This is a couple that we've never seen here in the US. However, Katherine is from Cincinnati. I first saw them at Cup of Russia (by streaming video) in 2006. I enjoyed their performances very much too. Don't miss their exhibition videos below.

6 Katherine COPELY / Deividas STAGNIUNAS LTU 5
Coach and Choreographer: Igor Shpilband
Former Coach and Choreographer: Elena Garanina, Valeri Spiridonov
(Yes, that would be the Elena Garanina that is Max Zavozin's mother)

Personal Best Total Score 164.28 23.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 29.85 18.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 51.66 20.03.2008 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 82.85 25.11.2007 Cup of Russia 2007
Videos
2008 Europeans CD Yankee Polka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ84cK0OkVU&feature=related
2008 Worlds FD Beethoven's Last Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj2seKWGrhc
2008 Worlds OD Gypsy Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXEqJsgfqqM
2008 Worlds CD Argentine Tango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jr_cmi9peI
2007 Worlds CD Golden Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TayjJEwxg_M
2007 Christmas Ice Flames Exhibition to Spend This Night With Me (good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UEz48ndFJw
2006 Drobiazko & Vanagas Tour Exhibition to Kalinka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D96WY4JoVZA

Articles:
Ice Network biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=39203&mode=P

Fan Website
http://www.ice-dance.com/copely-stagniunas/
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Rubleva and Shefer skated at Skate America last year and had a very embarrassing fall when she grabbed his sash and it came off. It was very sad. They've been trying to break through for some time. Perhaps it will be this year.

7 Ekaterina RUBLEVA / Ivan SHEFER RUS 6
Ekaterina and Ivan have been partners since 1994. They are the current Senior
Silver medallists at the most recent Russian championships where Domnina and Shabalin did not compete.
Ekaterina is 23 and Ivan is 25.
Coach and Choreographer: Alexander Svinin and Irina Zhuk
OD: 30s music
FD: Flamenco medley

Competitive History
2008 World Championships 15 15 15 15 (160.37)
2008 European Championships 12 13 13 13 (156.59)
2008 Russian National Championships 2 2 2 2 (183.75)
2007 Cup of Russia 8 7 7 7 (151.13)
2007 Skate America 8 8 7 8 (151.58)
2007 European Championships 11 13 10 12 (147.81)
2007 Russian National Championships 3 3 3 3 (169.34)
2006 Russian National Championships 6 6 6 6
2005 Skate America 9 8 9 9 (131.44)
2005 Winter Universiade 5 5 5 5
2005 Russian National Championships 5 5 5 5
2004 Bofrost Cup on Ice 4 3 3 (137.85)
2004 Nebelhorn Trophy 4 5 3 4 (135.27)
2004 World Junior Championships 5A 5A 6 6 6
2004 Russian National Championships 5 5 5 5 5
2004 Junior Grand Prix Final 7 6 6 7
2003 Junior Grand Prix - Gdansk 2 2 2 2
2003 Skate Bled 3 2 2 2
2003 Junior Grand Prix Final 7 8 8 8
2002 JGP China 2 2 2 2
2002 Pokal der Blauen Schwerter [JGP] 4 4 4 4
2002 Russian Junior National Championships 6 6 6 7 6
2002 Russian National Championships 8 8 8 8 8
2001 Salchow Trophy [JGP] 5 5 5 5
2001 Czech Skate [JGP] 4 4 4 4

Videos:
2008 Worlds CD Argentine Tango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8srSVFOVhmI
2008 Worlds OD Gopak (Ukrainian Dance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcBTTz-5sqM
2008 Worlds FD Prayer in the Night
2008 Russian Nationals CD Yankee Polka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-quVi1cKcRY&feature=related
2008 Russian Nationals Exhibition to Swan Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWvg7aCtE6c
2007 Europeans CD Golden Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ08yx4wu8c

Articles:
Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38931&mode=P
Article about the 2008 Russian National championships, where they finished 3rd overall
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080104&content_id=40071&vkey=ice_news
Here's a GS article telling about the Russian Nationals in ice dance:
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2006/010707_d.shtml
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Tanith and Ben have been rather struggling the last two years, and are hoping that Linichuk and Karponosov will be able to get them ready for the next Olympics. Often that seems the way it is with past Olympic medallists that hang around to see if they can win the gold in their second Olympics. I'm hoping that they really bring it this year. The Linichuk emphasis on CD's that Shpilband tended to neglect has got to help them. I've always admired their ODs, so the videos are mostly of OD's and exhibitions.

8 Tanith BELBIN / Benjamin AGOSTO USA
Coach and Choreographer: Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov
OD Tap
FD Tosca

Personal Best Total Score 221.26 World Championships 2005
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 44.00 Four Continents Championships 2005
Personal Best Score Original Dance 67.54 World Championships 2005
Personal Best Score Free Dance 111.54 World Championships 2005

Recent Competitions
2008 World Championships 5 4 3 4 (203.00)
2008 U.S. National Championships 1 1 1 1 (216.07)
2008 Grand Prix Final 1 2 2 (164.14)
2007 Cup of China 2 2 1 1 (195.11)
2007 Skate America 1 1 1 1 (192.95)
2007 World Championships 5 2 4 3 (195.43)
2007 Four Continents Championships 2 1 2 2 (196.98)
2007 U.S. National Championships 1 1 1 1 (202.88)
2006 Cup of Russia 2 1 2 1 (186.33)
2006 Cup of China 2 1 2 2 (187.15)
2006 Campbell's Cup 1 2 (Team)
2006 World Championships 3 4 4 3 (196.74)
2006 Olympic Games 6 2 4 2 (196.06)
2006 Four Continents Championships 1 1 1 1 (199.73)
2006 U.S. National Championships 1 1 1 1 (215.29)



Videos:
2007 Skate America OD The first version of their Appalachian Hoedown OD. The judges didn't appreciate, but I did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWGLO4UjO7g
2008 Worlds OD - Now a Texas Hoedown. I did not like it nearly as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_pvNGdsPmo&feature=related
2008 Worlds FD Chopin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhjtMrkqlc4
2008 Worlds EX Justin Timberlake Exhibition Sexy Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_hpwDQ0pik&feature=related
2007 Worlds OD Tango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg2XoRdmWtI
2006 Olympics OD Rhumba, Salsa (Let's Get Loud, Los Suenos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewIqfjh1qvY&feature=related
2005 Worlds OD Cabaret and New York, New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vijCniM93co
2004 Worlds OD Jitterbug, Blues, Swing (Five Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days & Why Don't You Do Right)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sr3hCoZyqA&feature=related
2005 Worlds FD Shadritsa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HmNYt6vfGk
2007 US Nationals Exhibition Latin Medley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OqjLTPU0Qs
2003 Worlds Exhibition Elvis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wG4s0sS1Wk
2001 Worlds OD More and Girls,Girls, Girls (a 40's OD ) Quickstep & Foxtrot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6FZeJU_s2Y

ARTICLES
Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38006&mode=P
Published On 10-14-2008 , 2:52 PM
http://www.skatetoday.com/insideedge.php?blog_id=59

“Ice Works is a great facility with four sheets of ice including an Olympic sized sheet.
We were used to the NHL sized rink and now everything is much larger and stronger.
The competitive atmosphere is great too,” Agosto replied.

Click to expand...

2005 US Figures Skating Article
http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=29326
Icenetwork June interview with Tanith
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080615&content_id=48681&vkey=ice_news
Icenetwork June interview with Ben
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080616&content_id=48753&vkey=ice_news

Fan Website:
http://www.tanithandben.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Emily and Evan just won Nebelhorn, so the Kerrs aren't the only team with a great finish in a recent competition. And the Viennese Waltz was danced there, too. They are also the reigning Junior World Champions. This is their Grand Prix debut, so be sure to clap extra hard for them. Sadly, there are not a lot of videos out there of them. These young US skaters tend to have their competition videos that don't make US television stuck on icenetwork.

9 Emily SAMUELSON / Evan BATES USA 7
Coach: Juri Tchesnitchenko, Jaroslava Netchaeva
OD Swing: Let Yourself Go by Irving Berlin
FD Amazonic by Tonci Huljic

Best scores
Personal Best Total Score 181.66 02.03.2008 World Junior Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Compulsory Dance 35.11 26.02.2008 World Junior Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Original Dance 57.84 28.02.2008 World Junior Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Dance 88.71 29.02.2008 World Junior Championships 2008

Recent Competitive history

2008 NEBELHORN 2 1 1 1 (176.15)
Viennese Waltz CD 34.53 18.38 16.15 6.58 6.25 6.54 6.50 0.00
OD 53.36 27.77 25.59 6.63 6.58 6.83 6.83 6.83 0.00 #7
FD 88.26 47.54 40.72 6.79 6.63 6.79 6.92 6.92 0.00 #10
2008 World Junior Championships 1 1 1 1 (181.66)
2008 U.S. National Championships 4 4 6 4 (175.16)
2008 Junior Grand Prix Final 3 2 2 2 (171.85)
2007 Vienna Cup [JGP] 1 2 1 1 (171.84)
2007 JGP Lake Placid 1 1 1 1 (155.42)
2007 World Junior Championships 4 2 - W
2007 U.S. Junior National Championships 1 1 2 1 1 (167.65)
2007 Junior Grand Prix Final 3 2 2 2 (151.98)
2006 Chinese Taipei Cup [JGP] 2 1 1 1 (153.71)
2006 JGP Mexico 1 1 1 1 (155.75)
2006 World Junior Championships 10 10 11 10 (134.16)
2006 U.S. Junior National Championships 2 2 2 2 2 (160.24)

Videos:
2008 Jr World Championships FD Luna by Alessandro Safini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azoyfCrL4GQ
2008 Jr World Championships OD Kalinka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWCO4Tpe7sQ&feature=related
2008 Jr World Championships Exhibition Bittersweet Spell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwuxci5QDag&feature=related


Articles:
Icenetwork biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38008&mode=P
2008 Icenetwork Article about their performance at Nebelhorn (bottom of page)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=52175&vkey=ice_news
2008 Goldenskate Article when they won Jr Worlds
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/030908.shtml
2008 Goldenskate article about their coaches!
2008 Ice Network Article when they won Jr Worlds
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080229&content_id=45027&vkey=ice_news
2005 US Figure Skating Article when they won the US Novice Championship (S&B details are 1/2 way into the article)
http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=28447

Fan Website:
http://emily-evan.ice-dance.com/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jane and Todd are a recent pairing. Chris Dean and Tom Dickson choreograph for them, so their programs are very interesting, choreographically. They finished third in their international debut at Nebelhorn, so don't go out for coffee when they're skating. And they won all their events at the Lake Placid International Ice Dance competition, which is why US Figure Skating gave them the host country third team invitation here.

10 Jane SUMMERSETT / Todd GILLES USA 7
Jane and Todd have only been skating together for a year.
Coaches and Choreographers: Patti Gottwein, Tom Dickson, Christopher Dean
OD - "I'd Rather be Blue, Thinking of You" (Foxtrot) & Charleston from the movie "Funny Girl"
FD - "La Scala" choreographed by Tom Dickson
This is their first ISU elite level championship, so they have no 'personal bests'
Recent competitions
2008 Lake Placid IDC
CD First (based on 3 CD's) 95.60 2 1 2
OD First 52.90
FD First 81.73
2008 NEBELHORN 3 2 3 3 (163.53)
Viennese Waltz CD 30.54 16.65 13.89 5.71 5.42 5.50 5.58 0.00
OD 48.99 26.77 22.22 5.79 5.79 5.92 5.88 5.88 0.00 #8
FD 84.00 46.86 37.14 6.21 6.00 6.21 6.38 6.29 0.00 #12
2008 U.S. National Championships 10 5 4 6 (166.86)
2007 Golden Spin of Zagreb 6 6 6 6 (141.95)

Videos:
2007 Lake Placid IDC FD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l0L8fHtoZk
If you have an icenetwork subscription,don't miss their US Nationals OD to Brother Where Art Thou?

Articles
Icenetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=39073&mode=P
2008 Icenetwork Article about their performance at Nebelhorn (bottom of page)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=52175&vkey=ice_news
2008 Icenetwork Article about their 2008 Lake Placid dance competition performance that won them a Skate America slot
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080801&content_id=49904&vkey=ice_news
Icenetwork article on the skating Gilles family (including Jane)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080207&content_id=43520&vkey=ice_news

Fan Website:
http://www.ice-dance.com/summersett-gilles/

So let the season and the games begin! And please comment. If you'd like something more/different in a preview, please tell me.

Fabulous job on the preview! You took a lot of time, this was a lot of work to compile and I sure do appreciate it! :thumbsup:

I'm excited to see the changes that B&A are going to bring to us this season from Linichuk! Here's an article link on what's to come from Tan and Ben:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081019/SPORTS/710199956

Thank you BBI*CEO!

That was a great article you posted . And I definitely feel all warm and fuzzy toward Tanith & Ben for these comments.

"We really feed off of that energy," Belbin said. "Being a skating fan myself and from watching other skaters in those moments when they capture the audience, you can feel it. There's a different atmosphere when those great skaters take the ice and give that special performance. And when we connect with the audience on that level -- and it's only happened to us a very few times in our competitive career -- you can feel it and the judges feel it."

"One of the most important aspects of skating for us is the interaction we have with the audience," Agosto added. "The audience plays a really, really large role in our performance, and it's kind of give and take. The more we can give to the audience and the more that they respond, that gives us even more energy to work with.

"While we're required to perform our elements for the judges, I think for our own satisfaction we really want to perform for the fans," he said. "So we're excited to come to Everett. We've skated there a few times on Champions on Ice, and we've always had great crowds. There's a lot of knowledgeable fans in Everett, and they seem to have a great time and really enjoy the competition."

Click to expand...

I love you for doing this!!

Though, Carron & Jost are actually French silver medalists, since Pechelat & Bourzat didn't compete at the last French Nationals.

Wow, what a great preview! How did you do all the research?
I'll definitely look forward to more previews.

Doris-- wow what a wonderful pre-competition guide.

It makes going into the first Senior grand prix so much more fun- especially with the links to articles for skaters that I don't know that much about.

:yes::yes:

(One quick feedback point- Carron and Jost are skating to Muse for their FD. The "clown" FD is Pechalat and Bourzat.)

Wrlmy-teh google is wonderful, particularly the advanced search and translate features!

missysays-fixed to reflect the corrections on Carron and Jost :blush:

Thanks for the link to the new Tanith/Ben article. This part of that article really speaks to me.

Weeks passed, in fact, and Belbin and Agosto were beginning to wonder when they would start choreographing new routines for the coming season.

"We were very, very nervous about the difference in the timing of our preparation," Belbin said. "But our coaches just said, 'Trust us, you need this. We can't just cover up your weaknesses in choreography anymore. We have to fix them.'"

It was a sobering message, but one Belbin and Agosto came to understand and appreciate.

"Without doing that," Belbin said, "we'd be just trying to get lucky like we always have. We needed to fix the problems so that we can stand on our two feet confidently on the ice, and really feel that we are the best skaters out there."

Click to expand...

Their honesty and get-down-to-work quality has always been something that I've admired about them. I hope it pays off for them this season.

Mathman posted this article in the Belbin and Agosto thread in the Edge, but it belongs here too.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810190483

It's a huge article about them from the Detroit Free Press. Tanith and Ben both talk about the move, about their training, and what it's meant to them.

Wow! What a great preview! I do have one correction for you though. The little summaries at the end of each team's section seem to be one team off. The one for Tanith & Ben is actually at the end of the one for Rubleva & Shefer, the Evan & Emily one is at the end of Tanith & Ben's section, etc. You might want to fix that for the anal people like me who notice that sort of thing, LOL

Thanks for the great preview!

Thank you Doris, great preview. Can't WAIT to see the Kerrs kill it. I really hope they challenge or beat the top 2!

Kwanfan1212, Please tell me explicitly what you would like to see, because I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm guessing here, but there are no summaries, there are previews, and they come before the team name, not after the fansite entry. Is that what you're asking about?

I've added lines of ++++++++++++++++as pagebreaks. I hope that makes things more clear for you.

DorisPulaski, I would like to volunteer to help with these previews for future ice dance events, so if you tell me what you need done/due dates, I'd like to help you to keep this kind of thing going!:yes:

So many skating fans are giving up on skating with minimal TV coverage (I have to admit even my interest has waned recently) and not enough collated resources, this could make it "enjoyable" again. I think with the You Tube videos and this kind of collated information, perhaps skating fans may once again feel connected to the sport they love(d).:yes:

Thank you so much for the offer, BBI*CEO

I have 2 outstanding needs:

1. Ladies' event previews. It is my least favorite event, but it is the one that most fans probably want to see. Maybe pairs as well. I always do the dance first, because it is my favorite I do men's second (it's almost done).

2. Previews for events that run at the same time as the GP and the JGP-I didn't have time to do Finlandia, Karl Schaeffer or Coupe de Nice, for example. And there are the national championships later in the year. Coming soon are the NRW Trophy (dance only) in Dortmund. Also there is a dance event at Golden Spin of Zagreb and at the Nepala Memorial Event in November. I think writeups on all those might be interesting.

So tell me which kinds of things you'd like to do. If it's dance only, how about doing NRW or Nepala or Zagreb?

I will be happy to tell you how I get this stuff, but mostly it's just lots of typing into search boxes.

How about you let me know what you need done as you require, and I can PM you the research and links for you to post in your previews...for instance, if there are certain skaters/teams that you don't have time to compile in advance of a competition, let me know! PM me with your preference in how I can be of assistance!

Will do! BTW, I just posted the Men.

I'm very anxious to see those two American couples doing their tap dancing routines.

Doris --

Absolutely fabulous preview. Thank you so much for posting the annotated bibliography of the youtube links -- it was really, really helpful. I'm looking forward to seeing the CD at Skate America, and for once I feel at least a little prepared!

Doris wonderful job!!!

Doris- you amaze me every time.
Wonderful work!