Ice Dance's OD - Sunday 21st 7:15pm EST

[Cadiva]

The point of the OD this season is to take a dance that is native to some country (or country music), and skate and interpret it. Originally DomShab said it was based on Australian aboriginal music. When it was clear no one liked it, and they hadn't done any research with the Australian aboriginal community to create the OD, they said it was based on a bunch of original cultures. Not the assignment. And so many of the hand movements and positions are just really bad, politically incorrect stereotypes of native cultures. It's laziness, in my opinion, and they did not expect the kind of backlash they received, and have been back-peddling ever since. Davis/White on the other hand, did a TON of research. There was a whole piece about them at the US Nationals how and who they consulted in the Indian community to make sure the dance is as authentic as possible. It was very well received in the Indian community, and was the #1 watched YouTube right after US Nats.

I'm not disagreeing that people do find it offensive, it does nothing for me at all and I don't think it particularly evokes any kind of Aboriginal culture, my question was simply was the hoo-ha caused by the Australian interior minister justified in the context of other skaters choosing to represent cultures which also weren't their own and was it just the fact that there'd been an international stink kicked up about it which caused the questioning of their routine's origin - ie if no-one had said anything, would people be making the same comments and judgements they are now or are they (for lack of a better phrase) jumping on the bandwagon?

[ImaginaryPogue]

They should bring back fours and have the top two Shpilband teams skate together.

[Hsuhs]

As for Iso and Oli, such a huge shame they couldn't have performed their CanCan routine more but I'm sorry to say that it failed to evoke the heady atmosphere of the girls of the Moulin Rouge because it simply wasn't fast enough. Anyone whose actually see the CanCan being performed in France would be able to agree with that, it's a hideously fast dance.

I thought they used a different version of Cancan, not the Moulin Rouge dance, but a dance French country folks used to dance.

[aurora100]

The point of the OD this season is to take a dance that is native to some country (or country music), and skate and interpret it. Originally DomShab said it was based on Australian aboriginal music. When it was clear no one liked it, and they hadn't done any research with the Australian aboriginal community to create the OD, they said it was based on a bunch of original cultures. Not the assignment. And so many of the hand movements and positions are just really bad, politically incorrect stereotypes of native cultures. It's laziness, in my opinion, and they did not expect the kind of backlash they received, and have been back-peddling ever since. Davis/White on the other hand, did a TON of research. There was a whole piece about them at the US Nationals how and who they consulted in the Indian community to make sure the dance is as authentic as possible. It was very well received in the Indian community, and was the #1 watched YouTube right after US Nats.

Exactly. It's not that D/S chose to skate to australian aboriginal folk dance, it's just that they botched it so badly and the costume that puts the dance in such an undignified manner. Many ice dancers have used traditional music from all countries as a FD. I am so surprised that Linichuk could have allowed this kind of dance and costume to come anywhere near her work. I've always thought she was a woman of class and knowledge of ice dance. She is such a regal person, how has something like come into her mind? It blows my mind. And B/S's vehicle was not the best either.

[skatingfan04]

Oh my gosh! I am SO happy that this system is finally working. V/M were almost perfect technically, and their expression was bang on. I was honestly a little worried about them after what happened today with Joannie, especially since she was Tessa's roommate, but it was obvious that they didn't let that or the pressure get to them. I really hope they skate lights out tommorrow. They deserve this gold medal. I'm also SO happy for D/W. I have considered these two to be the best two teams in the world for a few years now, but this is the first time that the judging has agreed with me. D/W aren't going to let V/M win this without a fight, and I think we may just be witnessing one of the best figure skating rivalries ever with this dance competition. If these two teams aren't the top two after tomorrow night, I'll be shocked. As for D/S, I was shocked and a little offended by their OD. Not only was it pretty bad, but it seemed really imappropriate, too. I'm honestly upset that they are still ahead of B/A, who I think skated really well tonight. I'm rooting for a North American sweep of the podium tomorrow, so I really hope that B/A take their rightful places ahead of D/S. Good luck to all three teams!

[mycelticblessing]

B/A is being affected by poor coaching and poor choreography not the D/S' hot mess. D/S is being affected by poor coaching and poor choreography too. Both teams have not been given the right vehicles. They are both better skaters than what Linichuk gave them for this Olympic year.

You're right. Linichuk was able to create some really good programmes for Denkova/Staviski when they were competing, so it's pretty disappointing that she hasn't been able to give her two teams here better programmes. The aboriginal dance doesn't suit D/S. They have the nicest and longest lines in the competition. Now why didn't she choose something that would emphasize that in the OD? I think B/A's programme suits them, but it could really do with more choreographic detail.

[lcd]

The top two have brought the sport and CoP full circle. The teams that brought it in every dimension were rewarded. That said, seems clear it would take something seismic to shake D/S off the podium. And aren't F/S nicely positioned to be standing on the podium when worlds go to Torino.

[ImaginaryPogue]

Virtue/Moir's Flamenco on CTV (for Canadians only, I think)

[Cadiva]

I thought they used a different version of Cancan, not the Moulin Rouge dance, but a dance French country folks used to dance.

They used music from the traditional Moulin Rouge style of the dance and from the piece of music entitled CanCan itself, plus Iso's costume looked like a typical showgirl style costume to me. I haven't heard of a different version of the CanCan but it's possible.

The CanCan as we know it today certainly was birthed in Montparnasse and Offenbach's music (from Orpheus in the Underworld) is the piece of music most commonly associated with it (which they used).

I think their program would be brilliant if they'd had more time to get it up to speed.

[Justafan]

B&A are being let down by their choice of music in the OD and their choreography. Robin Cousins commented that they were capable of much better interpretations and performances and he felt they lacked drive during the straight line step sequence and Ben was slightly out of time on the twizzles.

At the end of the day - taking away the technical marks - whether someone likes a program or not is completely personal and down to individual taste, no-one is right or wrong, it's just opinion on style and taste. I loved both the Bollywood inspired and the Flamenco interpretations even though the music for Moir and Virtue was really grating on my nerves. The fact that they performed their routine exceptionally took me over the fact I disliked the music intensely and that is completely down to their skill.
Same with the Russians, appreciate their skill and the technicalities of their dance, does absolutely nothing for me and I think it actually fails to show off the undoubted talent they actually have, same with Fab/Nat - by the time they danced the American Country Folk theme was becoming a bit old hat (admittedly not their fault but seeing a third interpretation of what's a limited theme to start off with really was getting a bit dry).

As for Iso and Oli, such a huge shame they couldn't have performed their CanCan routine more but I'm sorry to say that it failed to evoke the heady atmosphere of the girls of the Moulin Rouge because it simply wasn't fast enough. Anyone whose actually see the CanCan being performed in France would be able to agree with that, it's a hideously fast dance.

I agree on B/A's music...it is awful. It doesn't really have a folk flavor to me because there is so much horn music in it. (At least I think it's horns). I was thinking if it sounded more like a Russian folk song with Belalaikas(sp?) or something it would sound better. Who the heck chose that music?

[SamuraiKike]

From Protocols :

Top Ten Teams in TES :

1 VirtueMoir 32.90
2 DavisWhite 32.60
3 BelbinAgosto 30.10
4 PechalatBourzat 29.90
5 DomninaShabalin 29.80
6 FaiellaScali 28.60
7 SamuelsonBates 28.60
8 ReedReed 27.70
9 DelobelSchoenfelder 27.40
10 KerrKerr 27.30

Ouch for Delschoes, they were killed on the levels. 2 for everything. Ouch for KhokNovitski too. So great to see the Reeds here, they outdid themselves.. DomShabs were gifted .

Top Ten Teams in PCS :

1 VirtueMoir 35.51
2 DavisWhite 34.48
3 DomninaShabalin 33.04
4 BelbinAgosto 32.40
5 DelobelSchoenfelder 32.28
6 FaiellaScali 31.58
7 PechalatBourzat 30.09
8 KhokhlovaNovitski 29.47
9 KerrKerr 29.46
10 ZaretskiZaretski 27.94

DomShabs shoul be below the Kerrs. Faeilla Scali should be actually third IMO. Their program is not half as exciting or difficult as the top 2 teams but by far the most authentic and they had the best interpretation of what a folk dance should be.

Top Ten Teams in GOE:

VirtueMoir 7.20
DavisWhite 6.10
DelobelSchoenfelder 5.00
BelbinAgosto 4.40
PechalatBourzat 4.20
DomninaShabalin 4.10
FaiellaScali 3.40
KhokhlovaNovitski 3.00
SamuelsonBates 2.90
ZaretskiZaretski 2.60

I feel bad picking on DomShabs again and again since they so deserved first place in the CD but this time they were just weak. 4 points in GOE is beyond me. The Zaretskis were far from outstanding intheir elements too.

[ARipp42014]

When will the draw for the FD take place?

I dunno Miki but will find out shortly!

Final thoughts before moving over to FD: Wow what a great night of dancing. Just when I thought there will be massive "politiking" going on and with the many Eastern Euro judges, the NA teams are now in striking distance to win gold. Voir was easily the best of the night. Say all you like about getting a hometown bonus but those scores were well deserved. Not only they were technically great, but you can see the passion in their dance. Merlie also skated the best I've seen this season and deserved to be ahead of DomShabs. As for Tan & Ben, I kinda wished they never left left Team Shpilband. Sorry but I just don't get their OD this season. And don't get me started with their FD.

I'm also glad Rica & Massi, Nat & Fab, SamBates, and Shanay-Nay & Johnny (minus Johnny's mistake on the twizzle) skated well. Isa & Oli skated well too but I wished they had a warm-up like Euros to polish up their OD. And finally DomShabs... the only thing I liked about the whole OD was the eskimo kiss in the end. Thought they were overmarked.

Overall, to the judges for once again being fair. Let tomorrow be one for the ages. GO TEAM SHPILBAND!!!

[Justafan]

Those costumes were absolutely absurd, and their scores were way high. 9 for interpretation? Give me a break.

All I could think about were those ferns growing out of his knees and her chest.

[jcoates]

I'm not disagreeing that people do find it offensive, it does nothing for me at all and I don't think it particularly evokes any kind of Aboriginal culture, my question was simply was the hoo-ha caused by the Australian interior minister justified in the context of other skaters choosing to represent cultures which also weren't their own and was it just the fact that there'd been an international stink kicked up about it which caused the questioning of their routine's origin - ie if no-one had said anything, would people be making the same comments and judgements they are now or are they (for lack of a better phrase) jumping on the bandwagon?

The reaction occurred simultaneously around the world thanks to the first outing at Russian nats being posted on youtube. Skating boards, blogs, newspapers and news websites all commented on it between Christmas and New Years. Australian ice dancers who used an Aboriginal theme in 2008 reacted negatively as well b/c they had taken the time to do extensive research for their own program. By the time Euros came around a month later, big time news and sports reports about it were everywhere. This was around the same time Aborginal leaders started commenting on it publicly.

The response from Linichuk began at that time and only led to more questions. So, it's an issue that never went away.

[Hsuhs]

I checked it with wiki:

The cancan first appeared in the working-class ballrooms of Montparnasse in Paris in around 1830. It was a more lively version of the galop, a dance in quick 2/4 time, which often featured as the final figure in the quadrille. The cancan was, therefore, originally a dance for couples, who indulged in high kicks and other gestures with arms and legs.

In dance, the galop, named after the fastest running gait of a horse, a shortened version of the original term galoppade, is a lively country dance