ICE DANCE - Short Dance

[CassAgain]

Geez....I rarely hear Americans being overmarked, especially since I used to read so much about "how Meryl and Charile were robbed of a medal in 2009," and/or "how the Shibs should have won a medal the last year but they didn't," etc.

Judges are humans. And enthusiastic fans inevitably complain about unfairness of scores for the skaters they are looting for. But it is what it is.

If you ask me, it's refreshing to read posters complaining about the American being overmarked....hey, it's about time

P.S.: Go, Meryl, Charlie, and the Shibs.

I know! The bitterness in this thread is inversely related to the bitterness in the men's long program thread.

[dwiggin3]

While I have not seen any of the dances yet, I often find that D/W skate to music that is too big for them or to mature/somber. I felt that way about Belbin/Agusto when they were around - but to a lesser degree. I have this odd thought that B/A could get away with that kind of music because she was to tall and a bit more mature looking, but White can't because she appears much younger, is shorter or her body portions are not as equal. Of D/W's programs thus far, I adored the Beatles medley and their Bollywood from last year. I really disliked their OD last year.

But of course, I wish them all well!

[KKonas]

Yeah, and a high GOE as well..... They did get dropped from a level 4 to a level 3 though.

Re D&W. Charlie messed up his twizzle in the warmup which probably spooked him. They have been doing a huge jump into the twizzles and left it out today, which is why only a Level 3 instead of a 4 - also slightly off sync. Always a mistake to change anything in your program at the last minute.

[CARA]

This might be a side note, but based on today's results, there is a very good chance that US, Canada, and Russai all could send 3 dance teams to the next year's worlds.

Personally I would be thrilled to see if France can also send 3 teams to worlds next year since it will be held there. Currently PECHALAT / BOURZAT is in the 3rd place and Carron/Jones is the 11th. If P/B hold the 3rd place and C/J pull up to the 10th, France can very much send 3 teams. I really hope it can happen.

[Tinymavy15]

Barred major disaster, I think we have our podium in exact the same order. While the battle below 3rd place raises questions, I don't think it really matters in the end.

I think Marlie can move up. Its really close and Voir have never even skated their program all the way through yet. Nobody even knows if she is capable of doing so. They claimed they were fine at 4CC and skated a great short dance.

I just hope they both skate well but Marlie comes out ahead. They have been too awesome this season not to get the final prize and that program is just crazy hard and crazy amazing.

[Antilles]

Just a note on the skating order question. PJ Kwong reported that the listed orders we first saw for C&J and the Russians were incorrect. They skated today according to the actual draw results.

[CARA]

Just a note on the skating order question. PJ Kwong reported that the listed orders we first saw for C&J and the Russians were incorrect. They skated today according to the actual draw results.

Thanks for the info.

[KKonas]

So then why are some posters talking about 2 US judges??

I think some consider the Technical Controller as a "judge." There are never two "judges" from the same country on the panel, however, the technical panel is not considered a "judging panel" so there are frequently two members of the entire official panel from the same country. The Tech Panel is announced way before the actual event. The judging panel itself is picked just 30 minutes before the particular event from a prescribed list of judges for the competition.

[Joesitz]

I really enjoyed Weaver and Poge doing that Fox Trot. It's a great dance for Happiness and Technique. They had that in spades.

I am so tired of watching sturm and drang or even sad couples breaking up.

[wallylutz]

I think Marlie can move up. Its really close and Voir have never even skated their program all the way through yet. Nobody even knows if she is capable of doing so.

Almost sounds like you are hoping she will have an accident and unable to finish her FD again so that D/W can win by default.

[Serious Business]

I think some consider the Technical Controller as a "judge." There are never two "judges" from the same country on the panel, however, the technical panel is not considered a "judging panel" so there are frequently two members of the entire official panel from the same country. The Tech Panel is announced way before the actual event. The judging panel itself is picked just 30 minutes before the particular event from a prescribed list of judges for the competition.

To clarify, the 3 person technical panel must also, if possible, be composed of people from different ISU member nations. And that is certainly the case here, the tech specialist (one who calls the levels) is Ayako Higashino of Japan. The technical controller (the one who issues corrections to the tech calls if necessary) is Linda Leaver (Boitano's long time coach!) of US. And the assistant technical specialist (he votes on whether to let a correction from the technical controller stand) is Sergei Ponomarenko (Olympic winner!) of Russia. I think all three talk to each other nonstop during each performance, calling and assessing levels.

I am of the opinion that nothing untoward or biased happens with tech calls most of the time, including this short dance.

[Ravensque]

My thoughts are that V&M delivered like they always do.......smooth, effortless (at least they make it look that way), exact, attention to line and detail.......they are awsome. D&W always look like they're working so hard or late for something, they're good skaters, but I don't get their marks.......never have, but especially this year. Shibs were smooth but very juniorish, W&P were elegant as usual, and I didn't see any mistakes so I hope they can keep it going for the FD. I don't see what's so special about I/K except they're pretty good and nicely matched (she's very pretty). I hope P&B can deliver a good FD tomorrow and get themselves a bronze.

I can't wait to see V&M's FD..........I hope they can retain their championship. If the marks are handed out for actual skating, they should be able to.

[chuckm]

Could you tell me who are the two US judges?

There is only ONE US judge (Sharon Rogers). The Technical Controller (Linda Leaver) is American, but her role is to serve as the tiebreaker if there is a dispute between the Japanese TS and the Russian ATS.

By the way, there is also a CANADIAN judge (Clark), and there are 5 European judges on the panel (FRA, EST, ISR, AUT, GBR).

All the wuzrobbing is hilarious. No one seems to recall that the Shibutanis beat both W/P and C/P at 4CC. S/S won two bronze medals in the GP, one of them beating I/K at NHK. They've been gaining ground on the competition little by little this season, so I wasn't the least bit surprised that they scored so well at Worlds.

I thought both D/W and V/M skated well and deserved their high marks; however, IMO P/B were way overmarked---their SD was better performed earlier in the season than it was in Moscow. W/P's SD was good, but not really much improved over earlier efforts and that's why their marks didn't go up. Unfortunately, W/P's FD has never been as well received by judges as their SD, in part because the program just doesn't suit them as well, and partly because they've yet to turn in a clean FD internationally. C/P (who have two of the most boring programs ever this season), got dumped because their SD is a snooze and Vanessa badly messed up the twizzles.

I/K were more exciting to watch than B/S, but both teams are a bit unbalanced: in both teams, the lady WAY overemotes while the guy is stolid and slightly disconnected. IMO, I/K will soon pass B/S, if not this Worlds, then next season.

BTW, for those indignant at the Shibutanis' upward trajectory, take a look at the protocols. You will see why their TES is so high. And remember that NEITHER of the tech specialists is American.

[demarinis5]

Did not get a chance to watch the SD live, but will watch on Univ Sp TV at 6:00 p.m

Congrats to V/M, D/W and P/B. Good placement for the Shibs, I really think this team will be the one
to beat at Sochi.

I will be rooting for D/W to take the Gold tomorrow.

[Spun Silver]

Almost sounds like you are hoping she will have an accident and unable to finish her FD again so that D/W can win by default.

Please don't put words in people's mouths. Tiny Mavy said nothing of the kind and I don't recall her ever posting anything offensive about anyone. This is simple speculation. Maybe she wants Marlie to win? So?

(FWIW, I prefer V&M and hope they win with a wonderful skate, but I can understand why someone would wonder if Tessa will make it through the FD after what happened at 4CC.)