Ice Dancing - Free Dance (Mon. Feb 22 - 16:45)

[figuristka]

Iam so pleased. V/M were beautiful, so elegant and classical. They had this magical chemistry that is unmatched my any other couple. Makes me think of when G/G skated in pairs, how perfect and romantic they were. Its not just the emotion they project but they are truly wonderful skaters. They were always known for being great Free dancers but their OD was amazing and deserved first as well. D/W are such good skaters too, did not like their program as much but when they skate with so much speed and have those great lifts, they really command your attention. I love V/Ms music, i remember when Marina used this music for Katia Gordeeva for Sergei's memorial.

[tarotx]

I think medal placements were probably right when going by this free dance. V&M were to die for imo. I really liked Davis&White too. I think 3&4 were probably super close since prop lifts are illegal (shouldn't be) and even though I would have place B&A 3rd. Though I did predict the top 4 placements before the games and I haven't followed ice dance since 2006 until this season. I called the podium in pairs and I got all the medals wrong in men (P,L,J). I'm hoping that YuNa, Mao and Joannie medal in ladies although I would be happy to see Mirai get a medal. Any way I'm going to see if I can find V&M's free dance again. It was the first free dance that I have loved since T&D. I have liked quite a few and loved a couple original dances in the past.

[ARipp42014]

Final thoughts on Ice Dance: While a little Tanith & Ben didn't complete the NA sweep, I'm just happy that Tessa & Scott and Meryl & Charlie gave it their all. Too bad we got Merlie first and Voir 3rd. Just imagine they were the final 2 to skate? Anyway, 3 cheers all around for Team Shpilband! I do wonder if both teams will stick around for Sochi since all of them are very young (20-23 years old).

To Tan & Ben, DomShabs (yeah I'm giving them their due... I'm not that cruel), and Isa & Oli, thanks for the memories and good luck with the future.

And once again... the judging was fair for the most part.

Now off to cheer for Yuna and Joannie! I'm gonna miss giving nicknames for everyone (at least in Ice Dance).

[Cadiva]

I wonder when they will interview Maria Zoueva tonight. This is a results of decades of hard work on her part. Best team result since Katia and Sergei. For any G & G fans out there, do you notice that a part of V/M's OD music was from G & G short at 94 Olympics and the long program is the music Katia skated to, the first time she came back skating in her husband's memory? Katia wrote that Maria was saving it for something really special. This is the second time Maria has used this music.

Her choreography for the skaters she works with has been flawless. She has an amazing talent of finding just the right music, the right costume, the right choreography to suit each individual perfectly. She's a genius

Robin Cousins complete commentary was as follows:

"Dare I say the Canadians have found their own Bolero," said Cousins in a reference to the Brits' famous winning dance at the 1984 Games in Sarajevo.

"It was just the perfect love story - there was not a hair out of place."

Cousins said the dancers had been together for 13 years after Moir's mother - his coach - spotted Virtue.

And the pair made a virtue of their experience with a spendidly stylish routine.

"It was one of the highlights of my skating life to witness," said Cousins, who won gold at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.

[Lotta]

While I think V&M were exceptional, I do not think the music was the best. It wasn't horrible, just a little too subtle/flat. I did not have the same feeling when they finished as I did when Shen and Zhao (pairs) won in Washington D.C. at Worlds and I knew that I had seen greatness not to be equaled for a very long time. The audience did too and stood and applauded for a for what seemed like forever. I didn't get that feeling this time. I will state again that they were not Torville and Dean, and we have yet to see their equal.

There won't be an "equal" to T/D, never will be. I said before, V/M are V/M, not T/D. I don't like when there's comparisons to other greats. I would like it if V/M are a class of their own.

[aurora100]

While I think V&M were exceptional, I do not think the music was the best. It wasn't horrible, just a little too subtle/flat. I did not have the same feeling when they finished as I did when Shen and Zhao (pairs) won in Washington D.C. at Worlds and I knew that I had seen greatness not to be equaled for a very long time. The audience did too and stood and applauded for a for what seemed like forever. I didn't get that feeling this time. I will state again that they were not Torville and Dean, and we have yet to see their equal.

Agree, they are not T & D. But if they can ice dance like this at 20 and 22, can't you see the potential. They are squarely in T & D school of dancing, in that they like to work their edges and rythme (sp).

[Spun Silver]

Voir just looked like they skated for each other, not for a medal, not for the judges, just for each other.

I agree with that. The whole program was simply exquisite and coming right after D/W it was a relief to enter that intimate romantic world they created with the music, the costumes and the choreo. The move in the picture Desert Road linked to (it's called "the goose"?!?) was breathtaking.

Marlie was a phenom but they were trying too hard. Too high-octane to be seductive but it was certainly gaspworthy, and OSM-worthy.

I'm disgusted that Dom/Shab beat B/A. Even though B/A have never been favorites of mine and I wasn't wild about their FD, still, they did it well and honestly. The lifts with rope should have disqualified D/S. Basically, D/S won by not being shafted for their idiotic OD. I guess B/A understood then that with Russia experiencing a skating meltdown they were going to get one bone. :sheesh:

Oh, and I loved Del-Schoe's program. If only they had been able to get in Olympic shape in time! They are truly unique in this discipline. Well, at least I can be thankful for their many memorable programs. Thank God for youtube!

[persimmon]

I know it's a bit early, but have V/M said anything about Sochi? I'd hate to see them retire.

[Olympia]

How amazing that the least adversarial skating competition so far is the ice dancing, of all things. That friendly chat while the three top couples were waiting for the medals ceremony was such a delight to watch.

I can't believe Virtue and Moir's program. What a gorgeous creation! I couldn't believe some of those lifts. When she stood on his back and then flipped over into his arms--how'd they make that deal with gravity so it wouldn't pull her down? I loved the smoothness from one move to the next. By contrast, I felt that Davis and White's program was a bit hectic, with a lot of arm flailing. I'm glad they're on the podium too, of course, but that program is not one of my favorites of theirs. I don't think anyone can complain that the wrong couple won the gold in this competition!

What a satisfying competition. Everyone I saw looked wonderful. F/S's program was simple and affecting, both narrative and revealing of character. Belbin/Agosto did a splendid job. They have a medal from 2006, so I don't feel they're deprived. Whether they should have bronze in place of D/S--well, that argument ensues after every Olympics. I remember when Blumberg/Siebert lost bronze by a hair in 1984, and of course people are still arguing over Tara and Michelle...the nature of the game, pretty much. After seeing Virtue and Moir, I'm so happy I can't be disappointed over anything. And I'm not Canadian.

[Cadiva]

While I think V&M were exceptional, I do not think the music was the best. It wasn't horrible, just a little too subtle/flat. I did not have the same feeling when they finished as I did when Shen and Zhao (pairs) won in Washington D.C. at Worlds and I knew that I had seen greatness not to be equaled for a very long time. The audience did too and stood and applauded for a for what seemed like forever. I didn't get that feeling this time.

Cadive, I will say again that they were not Torville and Dean which means they were not the Canadian equivalent of Torville and Dean either. We have yet to see their equal. Torville and Dean had a maturity these teams do not have. So we are really comparing apples and oranges.

You're totally missing the point. NO-ONE has said they ARE Torvil and Dean. Robin Cousins simply said he felt their routine tonight equalled that of T&D winning the 1984 Olympics with Bolero in terms of its performance and intensity. It's not the same thing, he isn't saying they ARE Torvil and Dean or that they're as good as they were. Only that tonight, the performance reminded him of their Gold winning display.

[rain]

I am beyond thrilled for V/M. They are my favourite dance team and have been for several years. It was so hard to watch them struggle at last year's worlds with undertraining due to Tessa's surgery. But it was all worth it to see this transcendent moment from them. That is a gold medal skate that will be remembered for a long, long time.

Davis and White were brilliant as well. It is so exciting to see ice dance with two such extraordinary teams, so young. I liked B/A, but found, much like their OD, that their program looked somehow old-fashioned compared to V/M and D/W. I do hope they stick around and find themselves again, because I do think they've improved technically. D/S were just kind of lacklustre. I thought the lack of training showed for them, unfortunately.

[ImaginaryPogue]

I don't think anyone can complain that the wrong couple won the gold in this competition!

Oh, you don't know us at all

[aurora100]

Was glad to see Crone and Poirier move up the standings tonight.

Yes, that was. They need to work on OD, so that they don't start so far behind.

[mishieru07]

Though I'm sure they were feeling some pressure, Tessa and Scott just looked so completely relaxed during all 3 skates, like they had nothing to lose and not a care in the world. I think that, to me, helped make the difference. Voir just looked like they skated for each other, not for a medal, not for the judges, just for each other.

Absolutely. V/M always seem to be in their own little bubble. Their chemistry is impeccable. Methinks they'd make good actors too; most people I know who watched them are convinced they're a couple.

The magic was in full force tonight. There's just something so very special about them. They always skate with sincerity and from the heart imo. Nothing feels forced or contrived; it just flows like one beautiful piece.

Torvill and Dean they are not. V/M and D/W both bring their own styles to the ice. And I'm glad they do; no two dancers have exactly the same style.

I'm thrilled for the Shpilband teams. What an achievement; two young teams 1, 2! We'd never see this under 6.0.

CANADA GOLDEN BABY! I wish I could have been there to see them live!

[Saundy]

OK, first of all...WOW. This was the most amazing night of figure skating I have ever watched. No one can deny that V&M deserved the gold. They were STUNNING. I honestly can't say anything else...

Second of all, D&W...AMAZING. Never really was a fan until tonight. I'm even more of a fan after they came over to congratulate their friends and training buddies on their gold and were so excited for them. Genuinely excited. They are the shining example of true sportsmanship. So kudos to these classy Americans!

Lastly, the North American drought is over! We as Canadians and Americans should be very proud of each other for that. TWO North American teams on an ICE DANCING Olympic podium. This is HUGE! If someone had said that would happen 10 years ago I would have laughed in their face.

So congrats to all medalists and especially our North American teams! Woooooooo!