Ice Dance - Free Dance

[auser]

Good point. But still, I didn't see them getting held up in CoC either. In fact they scored worse than they did in Finlandia and that was with a better FD, imo.

I didn't see Finlandia comp, but will look for a video. Did you mean that this FD was skated better there, or is it a different program?

[FlattFan]

I disagree.
Very much disagree.

You disagree with what? winners can't be held down because they won?

[Mrs. P]

Plus they lost a point for an extended lift in the SD, so the deductions were a wash. I/K were very unsteady in places and that program is waaaay too open and lacking in difficult transitions. She is gorgeous, but I feel like they depend far too much on her looks than on precision and execution.

This sounds terrible, but I can't help feeling that Nikita is sort of a prop for Elena. He just is kind of there...ready to show her off, you know?

[wallylutz]

Looking at the protocol, I note that judges gave W/P higher GOE and PCS over S/S. In other words, in the judges' minds, they had W/P first over S/S but due to the level on one element, which was the spin, a 2.00 difference in base value resulted in S/S being ahead. They were also helped by a 1.00 deduction for extended lift, which was again, not decided by the judges. To me, W/P had the performance of the night but their error on the spin was glaring, which I noticed as well - just didn't realize the penalty was that severe, a wopping 2.00 points on that element alone because elsewhere, their levels are identical to that of the Shibs.

Regarding I/K, there was no question in mind that FD is below both W/P and S/S today. It was very, very obvious - way too much SBS skating and separations. Their in-between skating lacks intricacy. The lifts weren't terribly original and at times shaky. They had a good lead yet they blew it. I like the fact that judges are calling it as they see it, this should give the conspiracy theorists a rest.

Overall, I am not sure what to take away from this competition. I feel they are all bunched fairly close together from 4th to about 8th in the world and these scores reflect that. In other words, a difference 1 or 2 points could determine a team finishing 4th in Nice or 8th instead yet getting the former vs. the latter is a big deal. Should make for a pretty exciting season to follow, I look forward to the GPF. Congratulations to all the medalists, job well done.

[katia]

I disagree with your opinion that S/S were held down.
And that S/S are sooo much better then W/P

[ImaginaryPogue]

Thanks for telling me! You don't feel the same way about him, do you?

No, almost the opposite. He tends to be a little bit of a headcase - he tends to make a mistake and then lets it get to him, thus making more mistakes. In fact, the biggest surprise for me is that he actually does well with the SD this season - he really projects a confident sexuality, something he (despite the fact that he's an obviously fine specimen of the human race) finds challenging. I've actually wanted her to give up a bit of her diva to him. He needs to be more a Peizarat or Ovsiannikov (aka, easily able to handle a scene stealer) than he is. I don't think they're necessarily mismatched, but I watch every skate paranoid he'll screw up.

But I don't really love them either. I'm happier that they made the GPF because they'll need more mileage on these programs in a competitive environment.

[FlattFan]

Technical ability as in ability to execute the technical elements (twizzles, lifts, and spins). That doesn't necessarily mean they have the deepest edges. I/K's program had more originality than that paint-by-numbers program by the Shib's.

so do IK have deeper edge? WP?

[gmyers]

Z/G were six points behind the top 3 teams in PCS. That's where the horrible crap programs of S/S should be. They PCS is losing but way too high for such crap. They are bing held up because they are a Spiliband team and train with DW and VM so they must be near their level! They are getting the benefit of the doubt even though two seasons in a row now they have delivered the exact same trash and garbage programs.

[Mrs. P]

I didn't see Finlandia comp, but will look for a video. Did you mean that this FD was skated better there, or is it a different program?

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsKuF...eature=related

They scored a 92.63 at Finlandia.

[evangeline]

This sounds terrible, but I can't help feeling that Nikita is sort of a prop for Elena. He just is kind of there...ready to show her off, you know?

Perhaps he is the stem, and she is the flower....?

Or they could be following in the grand ol' footsteps of Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio.

[Mrs. P]

Perhaps he is the stem, and she is the flower....?

Or they could be following in the grand ol' footsteps of Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio.

Hm...I'd like Elena to give the GLARE OF DEATH sometime =) Though she seems so fierce then then she totally rips that perception with all peace signs at the kiss and cry.

[jcoates]

Nikita is not as poor as Margaglio. But I do feel this team is being groomed to perform like a 90's or 00s style team, where she is the entire focus of the duo.

[Dots]

Technical ability as in ability to execute the technical elements (twizzles, lifts, and spins). That doesn't necessarily mean they have the deepest edges. I/K's program had more originality than that paint-by-numbers program by the Shib's.

lol...

In what universe were I/K more original than S/S ? The skated to Ave Maria for god's sake! and to add insult to injury they even copied one of the Shibutani's lifts And let's not talk about their OD.

[demarinis5]

@Flat Fan

S/S were held down....they should have won.
ups, but they won, didn't they?

I would say that W/P were the team that was held up in the SD, they were messy and had
more than one mistake. If the Shibs were held up please show me where. Have you looked
at the protocols? The shibs margin of victory was minuscule and they knew coming into to the FD in 3rd place
that in order for them to win it would be on TES and that is exactly what they did. Afterall this is sport.
The judges gave the edge to the Shibs and imo rightfully so.

[jChamp]

Z/G were six points behind the top 3 teams in PCS. That's where the horrible crap programs of S/S should be. They PCS is losing but way too high for such crap. They are bing held up because they are a Spiliband team and train with DW and VM so they must be near their level! They are getting the benefit of the doubt even though two seasons in a row now they have delivered the exact same trash and garbage programs.

Wait. I'm confused. Do you like the Shibs or not??