Meryl Davis and Charlie White

[Olympia]

Just got off teleconference with Meryl & Charlie. They said the would be leaving for Sochi in a couple of days and are looking forward to a great competition in the Final and said that even though the bar is raised (competitively) in Sochi, they are obviously looking for a win. They were pleased with the changes they made in their FD from SA in NHK Trophy. Addition of the bells in the middle of the FD was a collaborative effort while they were looking at pulling the music together. Charlie cuts the music initially as he likes to adjust the music on the fly. He sends the music it to a professional to finish it off. They hope to improve their levels in both the Polka and their step sequences to receive all level 4s in Sochi.

Thanks for the info! This is going to be so exciting.

[deedee1]

KKonas, many 'thank you' from me, too!

Thank you KKonas!
I was wondering who thought of the bells. It transformed that program!

I loved their lift right at the rings of bells!
Best of luck to Meryl and Charlie at the Final!

[mare]

I just saw a new classroom message from D&W posted on firstpost.com. It covers the topic of "fair play" and includes how one handles a close defeat. It is delightful and ends with Meryl and Charlie's version of Gangnam style. I'm sorry that I do not have the expertise to create a link for you, but I am hoping that with this information someone more adept than I am will be able to create one. Good luck!

[semosk8tfan]

And here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TvQ_F4x-o

How wonderful is this? Just one of the many reasons I love this team.

[missysays]

And here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TvQ_F4x-o

How wonderful is this? Just one of the many reasons I love this team.

They're great- not that many other competitors handle loss that graciously. I think only Michelle Kwan comes immediately to mind.

Hahahaha- the dance clip at the end. And that's why Meryl won the dance-off during the Ice tour this summer and Charlie lost in the first round.

She doesn't take herself too seriously. You can tell he's a lot less comfortable really cutting loose.

[KKonas]

Meryl Davis, Charlie White sharpening for Grand Prix Final

By Gregg Krupa
The Detroit News
November 30, 2012 at 1:40 am
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...TS07/211300357

This excerpt caught my eye:

White said they are drawing on lessons from the recent Skate America competition.
"Most of the feedback we got for Skate America was technical because it's so important and makes such a difference," he said.
After reviewing their performance with coach Marina Zoueva, a decision was made to perfect their developing program as the season went on.
"We all decided that the program was just in its infancy and there was a lot of room to grow," said White, who is from Bloomfield Hills and attends Michigan.
"You can't keep changing things all the time, otherwise you won't be prepared to compete."

Not clear whether White is referring to their SD or FD -- in any case, is it me or is he not implying that the possibility of starting over with a new program after Skate America at least was considered (and then rejected)??

Charlie's comment was in regard to the FD. There was no indication that they were going to start over with a new FD program after Skate America. Just the opposite. It was when I asked the question about what feedback they got from SA (mostly technical) and who added the bells section. BTW Gregg Krupa was not on the conference call, but received the taped teleconference from USFS.

[golden411]

Thanks as always for sharing your firsthand reporting, KKonas.
And thanks for your thoughts on my Chobani question in the other thread.

[deedee1]

Just one of the many reasons I love this team.

Me, too!

[golden411]

Nice photo of Davis/White in Giselle costumes for GPF practice at Sochi rink:
https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/...00798143635456

[golden411]

Charlie White ‏@CharlieaWhite

Team USA looking good!! Ready for the opening reception! @USFigureSkating pic.twitter.com/bJy50QT6
7:12 AM - 5 Dec 12 ·
https://twitter.com/CharlieaWhite/st...43292961112065

The photo shows both the senior and junior American finalists.

[golden411]

Davis/White Giselle photo is featured on the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee home page at the moment:
http://www.sochi2014.com/en/

[Whitneyskates]

to D/W on their historic and well deserved 4th GPF title!

[demarinis5]

I am so happy for Charlie and Meryl. Congratulations to them for their 4th GPF title and for
their two beautifully skated programs.

[Olympia]

Just tremendous! Aren't we ice dance fans lucky to be around right at this moment?

[Mrs. P]

Fun stuff!

D/W and most of team Japan. Such a cute photo! Also love Meryl's dress!

https://twitter.com/Meryl_Davis/stat...980224/photo/1

Charlie's mom got a photo of the two of them at the gala as well:

http://pics.lockerz.com/s/267713409