2012 Cup of Russia Free Dance

**Mrs. P** · 11-10-2012, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by missysays

I agree with you that Carmen is a really special FD but I don't agree that the Shibs FD isn't just as special- I think we just didn't get a chance to see it fully realized. It's not as dramatic and in your face for sure but its beauty (from what I could see) was in its fine details and elegant complexity. Of the 3 FDs from Canton, I like Meryl and Charlie's the least. (Which hurts me to say since I like them the best.)

I'm not sure I believe though that V/M are in a league all their own- I think they had a FD that is a legend in the making but their SD is only so-so for me. I think D/W's SD is the epitome of the polka/waltz concept- it's only unfortunate that their FD isn't on par with it or they would be difficult to beat.

As for I/K, unfortunately, I think their scores at Rostelecom Cup won't discourage them at all- I think they'll think they have a really great FD score and continue on with their FD. They got some deductions but not enough- it was still a really good score- even above W/P's FD scores so far this season if I'm not mistaken.

The good news for D/W is that we won't seem them until NHK; they will have had six weeks to refine it. I am not in love with their FD (yet), but I actually enjoyed seeing it live at Skate America, there's a lot of good things about it, but I think people were expecting a DF-type program right off the box; given that it's their second FD (again), they had less time to train it, while Carmen has been in the works for quite a while now. I think the program will be similar to their tango from the 2010-2011 season -- it basically took all season to get it to where they wanted it to be.

I think like people saying "Carmen is a cliche, why bother to do it?" and then realizing that V/M had a great concept for it (though it needs work technically), the Shibs got the "You already skated to this music, why bother?" For one thing they skated to this music as NOVICES in 2007 and Maia was only 13 years old. They are not going to approach this FD the same way they did when they were just building up in the sport. I think this time around they wanted to do the music justice, hence hiring the Japanese dance choreographer (Maia actually got a grant from the Women's Sports Foundation to do this!). As I said, it has potential to be great -- give it time.

I/K as a team drives me nuts. I really want to like them, they have great packaging, but then they do the worse FDs ever. As I said in the SD thread, I feel Mozorov put all his energy in the SD then just put a whole bunch of random things together for the FD then said, "Let's do isomething different" and put random music to it.

**missysays** · 11-10-2012, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

I think this time around they wanted to do the music justice, hence hiring the Japanese dance choreographer (Maia actually got a grant from the Women's Sports Foundation to do this!). As I said, it has potential to be great -- give it time.

I/K as a team drives me nuts. I really want to like them, they have great packaging, but then they do the worse FDs ever. As I said in the SD thread, I feel Mozorov put all his energy in the SD then just put a whole bunch of random things together for the FD then said, "Let's do isomething different" and put random music to it.

I think that's great- I had forgotten that Maia won a grant to pay for the special dance training. They are so motivated- love that about them.

As for I/K, she has so much charisma but I didn't like either their FD or SD. Frankly, the music in both numbers give me a headache.

**Mrs. P** · 11-10-2012, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by missysays

I think that's great- I had forgotten that Maia won a grant to pay for the special dance training. They are so motivated- love that about them.

As for I/K, she has so much charisma but I didn't like either their FD or SD. Frankly, the music in both numbers give me a headache.

You didn't like the SD? I actually like it. I feel they are always into skating in funeral attire, so I actually appreciated the fact they were joyful and were dressed in bright colors....
The thing that I don't understand about I/K is why Elena is such a showpiece in their dances, when Nikita is a really good dancer as well. They aren't as bad as they were in their first senior season -- let's face it that FD was about showing Elena in a cute tutu. :P -- but I still feel that it doesn't come across that he's just as good -- if not better-- as a dancer.

**missysays** · 11-10-2012, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

You didn't like the SD? I actually like it. I feel they are always into skating in funeral attire, so I actually appreciated the fact they were joyful and were dressed in bright colors....

No, unfortunately, I didn't find it appealing. I found the music a bit jarring and while I thought her expression was fresh and joyful I didn't really feel that it went with the music.

**heyhey** · 11-10-2012, 01:22 PM

With regards to the Shibs - they will regroup and depending on Alex's injury - they will compete at NHK...the FD is solid and the SD is a work in progress.
With regards to I/K - I also agree with Mrs. P that the packaging of both dancers should be equal. I feel lukewarm about these programs and I prefer B/S's FD...
With regards to V/M - all eyes were on them and they delivered two solid performances. Maybe not great performances but considering that they had to deal with Igor at SC and then the Russian crew here - I think psychologically they must have been stressed. Hopefully all the teams will receive productive feedback and work on their levels...

On a sidenote - after the next olympics - I think the SD will be scrapped and the ISU will go back to the OD....

**golden411** · 11-10-2012, 01:32 PM

Alex Shibutani had a leg cramp -- at least according to this article (in Russian):
http://uarunews.ru/u-aleksa-shibutani-svelo-nogu/

**Mao88** · 11-10-2012, 02:11 PM

FREE DANCE - VIDEOS & RESULT

1. Tessa VIRTUE & Scott MOIR (CAN) - 173.99 Free Dance
2. Elena ILINYKH & Nikita KATSALAPOV (RUS) - 158.46 Free Dance
3. Victoria SINITSINA & Ruslan ZHIGANSHIN (RUS) - 145.08 Free Dance
4. Maia SHIBUTANI & Alex SHIBUTANI (USA) - 140.91 Free Dance
5. Nelli ZHIGANSHINA & Alexander GAZSI (GER) - 140.54 Free Dance
6. Ksenia MONKO & Kirill KHALIAVIN (RUS) - 135.84 Free Dance
7. Penny COOMES & Nicholas BUCKLAND (GBR) - 126.66
8. Nicole ORFORD & Thomas WILLIAMS (CAN) - 124.96 Free Dance

**100yen** · 11-10-2012, 02:11 PM

Maia just tweeted that Alex's injury was a strained quadricep which caused a muscle spasm during the program.

**nippy** · 11-10-2012, 04:41 PM

I really like V/M Carmen !!

**A.H.Black** · 11-10-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

Actually, you should watch the SD again --- Maia's arms movements there (Alex's too) is quite interesting. I am 50/50 on the SD, but I too hope I could be proven wrong because after seeing it a few times, I could see some diamonds in the rough in that program -- namely their step sequence, faces (as noted by IP) and the arm movements....

I, too, am 50/50 on the SD. I quite like the program. However, I don't see it as an effective vehicle for a Short Dance that includes a Yankee Polka. I also agree with the comments about Maia's hands. There was a close-up of Maia's hand resting on Alex' shoulder at the beginning of the Free Dance and I thought how lovely that one hand looked at rest.

**Mrs. P** · 11-10-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by A.H.Black

I, too, am 50/50 on the SD. I quite like the program. However, I don't see it as an effective vehicle for a Short Dance that includes a Yankee Polka.

The lullaby polka part, definitely does not work. But that could be a matter of changing the cuts...
Part of me is hoping they have Mary Poppins costumes in their luggage...

**chloepoco** · 11-10-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mao88

FREE DANCE - VIDEOS & RESULT

4. Maia SHIBUTANI & Alex SHIBUTANI (USA) - 140.91 Free Dance
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When did Maia turn into such a beauty?!

I really love this program!!

**missysays** · 11-10-2012, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by chloepoco

When did Maia turn into such a beauty?!

I really love this program!!

Maia's wonderful! She looked gorgeous. Her dress was also beautiful- when they showed the closeup of her sleeve you could really see the detail of the floral design. Hope they have many more great competitive outings for this FD this season.