Pairs Free Program

[Sk8Boi]

The lift got no credit, and a string of dash marks on the scorecard, because one full rotation was not completed before the lift started to come down. His arms "broke" and even if he were to correct and push it up again, the lift is considered "over" when the first break occurs. This is IMHO, something that needs to be fixed in the system. A corrected press all the way up with a hitch should still count as completed and receive negative GOE. This is a subject for another time.

The first thing I thought when I saw K/S was, "She's been eating." She looks better than previously. Then I noticed the remarkable resemblance to Berezhnaya in the way she moves and stretches. He looks very much influenced by Dmitriev in the SP and Moskvina's ideas in the LP. The program is filled with shapes Moskvina has drawn into her pair book over the years and is seemless, sweet and lovely.

I think this program is a masterpiece of choreography that other Moskvina studients wished they could have. Yuka's "disconnect" is the same distant, cool beauty we saw from Elena B. and Natalia M. before her and seems similar to a dancer's disposition more than anything else. It's a performance and she never lets her guard down. It seems her personality is like others before her - shy and reserved.

Cheers!

[dorispulaski]

It was a lovely program indeed ! The best I have seeen from K&S, I think.

On Universal Sports, they credited Peter Tchernyshev as the choreographer; however on their ISU biography, their choreographer is listed as "Choreographer: Tatiana Druchinina". Does anyone know which is correct.

[3T3T]

Just watched K/S. That was the best long I have ever seen them skate. For me they were always great SP skaters but had slightly disappointing free skates. Not this year. That is my favourite free skate this year, music, choreography, technical, it had everything. If the last lift had been marked what would the score have been?

Second to fourth were very close, all the couple had mistakes (nothing major), but I do feel they were all overmarked for what they delivered. I don't think T/T deserved a 109.57 for that performance. I do like them but I would have them fourth on the free. Really enjoyed G/E they have great potential for a new couple. I wonder who will be the US champions this year? There is a bit of competition there, I would like to see Y/C get it.

[Lucky Star]

It was a lovely program indeed ! The best I have seeen from K&S, I think.

On Universal Sports, they credited Peter Tchernyshev as the choreographer; however on their ISU biography, their choreographer is listed as "Choreographer: Tatiana Druchinina". Does anyone know which is correct.

Tchernyshev created this program for them a couple of months ago. Druchinina helped them to polish it

[bigsisjiejie]

Tchernyshev needs to be creating more programs for more skaters!!!

[dorispulaski]

Tchernyshev did a lovely pair of programs for Inoue & Baldwin, the LP to Pearl Harbor/Wonders of the New World , and the SP to Cotton Club. In 2004, I think?

[Sk8Boi]

Tatiana was always one of my favorites! She is no stranger to choreography with extreme flexibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pqKp...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kryqi...eature=related

Cheers!

[ImaginaryPogue]

Just watched K/S. That was the best long I have ever seen them skate. For me they were always great SP skaters but had slightly disappointing free skates. Not this year. That is my favourite free skate this year, music, choreography, technical, it had everything. If the last lift had been marked what would the score have been?

Second to fourth were very close, all the couple had mistakes (nothing major), but I do feel they were all overmarked for what they delivered. I don't think T/T deserved a 109.57 for that performance. I do like them but I would have them fourth on the free. Really enjoyed G/E they have great potential for a new couple. I wonder who will be the US champions this year? There is a bit of competition there, I would like to see Y/C get it.

In the back half, a 5SLi4 is worth 6.6. A 5SLi3 is worth 6.05 (back half again). So about I'd say around 127, assuming negligible GOE (which is unlikely - they tend to score very well with their lifts - if they were to score straight 1s with level four, it likely would've broken 128.)

I tend to agree - they're great SP skaters that falter in the long program, but that was breathtakingly lovely. I will say I hope they change the ending - her "death" pose really doesn't quite work. Other than that this is probably a masterpiece. One thing I notice with Kavaguti/Smirnov is his ability to hit some gorgeous positions - I think this echoes Anton Sikharulidze, but Smirnov is even more flexible (which is good, considering that Kavaguti hasn't met a position she can't contort into). I'm also really liking how much this team has grown into each other. They're not quite at the "two skating as one" but their rapport has clearly improved over the years. And those little details in the choreography - just lovely. To me, it's pretty clear that the top three teams (S/S, P/T and K/S) are in completely another league from the rest of the pairs.

Evora/Ladwig were lovely, but the music was a little too big for them. The transition/entry into their pairs spin was gorgeous though. Amanda's ebullience wins me over every time.

[burntBREAD]

T/T are hilarious in their K/C

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkXwCuGj4KQ

"My feet are tired."
And Takahashi's on some sort of sugar high...

[mousepotato]

The lift got no credit, and a string of dash marks on the scorecard, because one full rotation was not completed before the lift started to come down. His arms "broke" and even if he were to correct and push it up again, the lift is considered "over" when the first break occurs. This is IMHO, something that needs to be fixed in the system. A corrected press all the way up with a hitch should still count as completed and receive negative GOE. This is a subject for another time.

I'm sorry, just either don't see what happened or I don't get the rule. I never saw where his supporting arm was ever bent. I saw his arm bend when he was switching hands but she was fully supported (and his was arm fully extended) before he pulled the other arm away. The only imperfection I saw was at minute 4:14-4:15 where his arm should have been closer to his ear but it wasn't bent. If that is what happened it would explain his quote:

"You know, I have just gotten an idea of what might have happened, but if I am right, I think the penalty was too hard," said Smirnov.

I would agree, a 7 point deduction can take you from 1st to 5th.

[FlattFan]

K/S has the best LP this season. Bar none. That's a choreography masterpiece. I think if they're clean this year, S/S and P/T have no chance of catching this program. Especially S/S's tacky Pink Panthers program. If they skate back to back, the judges will put them in their places.

[pangtongfan]

K/S barely scored over 60 for a clean short program. They have a long way to go before they look like the probable winners of Worlds this year. As much as I would like to see Pang & Tong win again I have to say Savchenko & Szowkoly are clearly the favorites at the moment. They looked excellent at their first outing and posted some huge scores, especialy considering the dropoff in scoring this year. I dont think anyone will touch the Germans this year if they keep it together.

If Kavaguti & Smirnov skate cleanly maybe they could win Worlds but given their history that would be a minor miracle. More likely they will do well enough making few enough mistakes to get silver for the first time.

[mycelticblessing]

K/S looked so good in this new program. I think this is the first program from them that I really enjoyed. They were always really talented, but they have finally found something htat really suit them and make them look great! And they finally get good costumes too! They are both so gorgeous, but I always wondered why they were always so strangely dressed in the past. I am looking forward too seeing this program grow the rest of the season!!!

[dorispulaski]

I totally love K&S's LP, but I can't say the same for their SP, which features Smirnov in unflattering Persian pants/Jodhpurs.
However, if they rework the SP (and especially the unattractive costuming), I can see them winning Worlds!

[colleen o'neill]

I was so amazed by K/S's FP..It's really the best piece of choreography they've ever had. No costume tricks , no ugly positions to speak of ( she does grab the toe of her boot in one long side extension but it's only one position , when there are often a number that break the spell ). And without a doubt, this was the best costume she's ever had. I was so thrilled to be able to really enjoy them without being irked ... I really think S/S are could be on shaky ground coming up against this .
Their SP also had very nice choreo. in a more spare, powerful style , but his pants were distracting ( unfortunately ,not in a good way ). Still , I think I could even be satisfied with the design, if the fullness at the thigh was reduced by about half. But a good pair of fitted pants would be best.Then they would still be among their better costumes. her layered look was a bit ..?.. but ok.

Whichever choreographer did which program, they've really given them a couple of excellent vehicles ( esp. LP ).

I like S/S's SP costume ,except for the addition of the gold headband thing...they were better without. Aliona can't seem to hold back from adding unnecessary details. And if you just stand her Pink Panther effort next to K/S's Lp costumes..K/S win hands down . Compare the choreography and I think , overall , the result would be the same.