2013 Euros - Ziggy's Reports | Page 2 | Golden Skate

2013 Euros - Ziggy's Reports

Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 European Figure Skating Championships
Pairs – Free Skating

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/ec2013/ec2013_Pairs_FS_Scores.pdf

Another strong event. It's been a great European Championships so far with the level of skating high and no splatfests yet (that will be provided by the Ladiezzz I guess ;)).

Some very nice improvement from a number of teams. Berton/Hotarek and James/Cipres are now (rightfully) perceived by the judges as belonging to the top couples. Kavaguchi/Smirnov on the other hand are being retired it seems. Although they did make numerous mistakes in both programs, maybe the judges would have looked at them very differently had they skated clean?

Volosozhar/Trankov were not able to replicate their extremely strong short program performance and were a little tentative today. Savchenko/Szolkowy have made some costly errors but as usually has been the case in the past, they've shown an extremely complex (although a little introverted) program that unfortunately did not get rewarded appropriately on the PCS. I have never seen any other pair team coming anywhere near them, as far as complexity of choreography and transitions goes.

1. Elizaveta Makarova / Leri Kenchadze /BUL/
Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Nino Rota
Romeo and Juliet performed by Edvin Marton

2twist with arms above – not a lot of height but solid [0]
throw 3loop – not a great deal of height and distance but landed [0]
hand-to-hand lift to change of position to one hand to difficult dismount(a little laboured) [0]
throw 3salchow – fall [-3] (it looked like he didn't throw her right)
steps towards 2loop [0]
shoot-the-duck into fids with change of hold – rotation quite slow [-1]
to pair combination spin – slow, wobbly on change of foot [-2]
choreographic sequence: front catch spiral / back Y – poor extensions [-1]
toe lasso to one hand – laboured footwork [-1]
salchow lasso to one hand hold and dismount – choppy footwork, two-footed [-1]
2flip – she underrotated, they didn't do the planned combo [-1]
camel/sit/up/change sit/up butt out – a little slow, off-synch at the end [-1]

Quite slow. Skated from one element into another without much connection to the music.

2. Magdalena Klatka / Radoslaw Chruscinski /POL/
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg by Michel Legrand

2twist [0]
2flip – she stepped out with hand down [-3]
press lift to one hand to change of position to one hand and one foot carry to difficult dismount – laboured [-1]
throw 2loop – poor flow out [-1]
2flip/2toe(she singled) [-2]
camel/up Y/change sit to pancake – poor-synch throughout [-2]
a nice highlight: spread eagle and spiral
lasso lift aborted on take-off [no value]
choreographic sequence: front spirals [0]
back spiral into throw 2flip [1]
toe lasso to one hand hold and dismount – looked like it was also going to be aborted at the start but he fought hard and managed to see it through until the end [-1]
spread eagle and catch spiral into bids – slow, position not great [-1]
to pair combination spin – slow [-1]

They lacked attack and expression but the choreography wasn't bad and they've shown some nice lines.

3. Maria Paliakova / Nikita Bochkov /BLR/
Burlesque (soundtrack)

2flip(she stepped out)/half-loop into 2loop [-1]
back spiral towards 3twist – catch a little late [-1]
throw 3salchow – bad fall [-3]
back spiral into hand-to-hand lift to change of position – almost fell at the start, struggled throughout and had to abort early [-2]
2toe [0]
catch spirals into fids with change of hold [-1]
throw 3loop – two-footed, fall [-3]
pair combination spin – not much speed, changed rotation centre quite a lot on change of foot and travelled a little [-1]
choreographic sequence: back catch and front / spread eagle and Y – extensions not bad [0]
toe lasso lift to change of position to one hand carry to change of position to difficult dismount – really laboured [-2]
star lift with change of position – laboured [-1]
flying camel/sit/up L/change sit holding foot – off-synch [-2]

They were very slow and didn't even seem to pretend to respond to the music. I guess you can't really blame them, given they're a new team and at this stage all of the elements are a struggle.

Most of his chest was on show again.

4. Stina Martini / Severin Kiefer /AUT/
Sissi and Franz
Blue Danube (An der schönen blauen Donau) by Johann Strauss
Radetzky Marsch by Johann Strauss

axel lasso to one hand hold and dismount – two-footed [-1]
dance lift to 2twist – poor height, catch not very strong [-1]
throw 2salchow [0] – mean to be a triple but she opened up early
spiral to press lift to change of position to one hand to difficult dismount – laboured, two-footed [-2]
2axel – she underrotated, landings quite weak [-2]
spread eagle and catchfoot spiral into bids [0]
choreographic sequence: back catch to spread eagle and front split – nice positions [1]
transitions to throw 2loop – had to abort the landing quite quickly [-1]
camel/sit/up/change up butt out – quite far apart, not a lot of speed, exit off-synch [-1]
pull-through to toe lasso to change of position to difficult dismount – once they had to change the position, it became a real struggle and they had to fight until the end [-2]
2flip/2toe/2toe(she didn't execute the last toe) [-2]
pair combination spin – slow [-1]

Whilst on the technical side, there were many of shortcomings, the program was well choreographed, featured a number of interesting highlights and reflected the character of the music quite well.

5. Nicole Della Monica / Matteo Guarise /ITA/
The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber

3salchow/2toe – solid [1]
2twist – quite high and solid [1]
throw 3loop – fall [-3]
catchfoot spiral into fids [1]
flying camel/sit/up/change sit/up L – well synchronised, decent positions [1]
2axel – she fell, he put hand down and stepped out [-3]
axel lasso to change of position to one hand carry to difficult dismount – a little slow on the carry [0]
choreographic sequence: very nicely choreographed, interesting movements (not only spiral but also spread eagles and a dance lift) [1]
throw 3salchow – foot down [-2]
salchow lasso to one hand hold and dismount – strong [1]
star lift to difficult dismount – solid [1]
to pair combination spin [0]

Choreography was quite generic but they've shown very good speed and decent lines and extensions. Elegant throughout and everything they did was good quality.

6. Stacey Kemp / David King /GBR/
Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar

3twist – poor height, underrotated, crash [-3]
3toe – she heavily underrotated and two-footed, he fell [-3]
throw 3flip – good height and distance, solid landing with nice extension, a little telegraphed though [1]
choreographic sequence: front coe – extension could be a little better [0]
2axel(she underrotated)/half-loop into 2toe(he singled) – not much control [-3]
spread eagle and catch spiral into fids with change of hold [0]
flying camel/sit/up/change sit broken leg [0]
ina bauer to spread eagle to axel lasso lift with changes of position – laboured [-1]
pair combination spin – slow [-1]
spread eagle and spiral towards throw 3loop – solid, good flow out [1]
flip up entry into star lift to ina bauer carry [1]
toe lasso to one hand – a little laboured [0]

Much better than in the short. They seemed to be skating with more power and the program was well choroegraphed featuring a lot of various moves in the field as transitions.

Good to see them upping up the ante by adding the throw flip and finally going for both toe-loop and axel but unfortunately Stacey keeps underrotating her jumps.

Coomes/Buckland were going mental in the stands.

7. Julia Lavrentieva / Yuri Rudyk /UKR/
The Last Samurai (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

dance lift to steps to 2twist – two-footed [-1]
throw 3loop – solid landing with good flow out [1]
spread eagle and front spiral to axel lasso to one hand – strong but two-footed [0]
2flip(he stepped out)/2toe(only she executed it) [-3]
flying camel/sit/up/change sit broken leg – well synchronised but off-centred at one point [0]
2flutz [-1]
choreographic sequence: nicely put together, their spirals could have been better extended though [0]
dance lift to star lift to one hand – strong, nice extensions [1]
pull-through to toe lasso – strong but two-footed [0]
throw 3salchow [0]
spread eagle and catchfoot spiral into bids with change of hold [0]
to pair combination spin – could use a little more speed [0]

Decent choroegraphy featuring various interesting in-character movements throughout. They could have shown a little more attack but their movements were well extended, really nice lines.

They're still young (he's 21, she's 15 and this is the first season she can compete in seniors) and there's plenty of potential here.

8. Daria Popova / Bruno Massot /FRA/
Chocca by Apocalyptica
Far Away by Apocalyptica

3twist – incredible height, solid catch [2]
3toe into 2toe – solid [1]
star lift to change of position – strong, flowed well [1]
2axel – landed but telegraphed and a little off-synch [-1]
throw 3loop – clean but over the toe on the landing [0]
flying camel/sit/up Y/change sit holding foot to cannonball/up – a little off-synch at the start but quickly got back into it [0]
choreographic sequence: front basic / front Y [0]
throw 3salchow – very high but overrotated (they overcooked it) [-2]
axel lasso to one hand – ok but looked like hard work [0]
salchow lasso to one hand to change of position(lost balance and had to abort early) [-2]
Y spiral into fids with change of hold [0]
to pair combination spin – slow [-1]

The program featured a few interesting highlight moves but other than that they just skated from one element into another and didn't really respond to the music. They had quite a lot of speed though and seemed “in the zone” tonight, showing a lot of power and attack. Shame about the silly mistake on the lift at the end because the program has been going really well until then.

9. Ksenia Stolbova / Fedor Klimov /RUS/
The Addams Family (soundtrack) by Marc Shaiman

3twist – late catch, crash [-3]
3toe/2toe/2toe – not a lot of flow out off her jumps but clean [0]
axel lasso to one hand to carry to change of position and difficult dismount – solid, nice extensions from her [1]
shoot-the-duck into fids with change of hold [0]
pair change combination spin – well extended positions, decent rotation speed [1]
flying camel/sit/up L/change sit broken leg – good positions and synchronisation [1]
backwards lasso to one hand hold and dismount – slightly two-footed, a little heavy [-1]
short entry into throw 3lutz – fall [-3]
spiral sequence: front and back catch [1]
2axel – a little off-synch, she stepped out, he underrotated and fell [-3]
flipped around dance lift to star lift (all on one hand) to difficult dismount – strong [1]
throw 3salchow – solid, nice extension and good flow out [1]

Another well choreographed program featuring an unusual, difficult element layout, with three jumping passes towards the end of their routine. They cut a really nice pattern over the ice, had some interesting connecting movements and showed quite a lot of character. Although having said that, again they could have pushed the expression more and sell the program better.

10. Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Smirnov /RUS/
February by Leonid Levashkevich

3toe(weak landing from him) into 3toe [0]
nice dance lift and spread eagle + spiral
2axel – she singled, poor landing from him that eventually became a fall [-3]
dance lift to 3twist – crash [-2]
shoot-the-duck into bids – quite weak position from her [0]
camel/sit/up var/change up L – well synchronised [1]
choreographic sequence: spread eagles / charlotte and front spiral [1]
backwards lasso to one hand hold and dismount [0]
throw 3salchow – two-footed [-2]
throw 3loop – step out, good distance covered but quite a long entry [-2]
star lift to one hand to change of position to spread eagle dismount – strong [1]
spread eagle to axel lasso to one hand to change of position to carry to one foot – laboured [-1]
to pair combination spin – quite good rotation speed [1]

The program featured a lot of detailed movement (both upper body and transitions) at the beginning, presented beautifully. The problem, however is that whilst it started really well, in the second half it was just throws and lifts crammed together to maximise the points, without anything else going on. So the choreography wasn't balanced at all.

11. Mari Vartmann / Aaron Van Cleave /GER/
Passion of the Christ (soundtrack)
Blood and Glory by Audiomachine

2twist – high and solid [1]
3toe(he stepped out)/2toe(off-synch since he did his after the step out – and it won't count anyway since his free foot touched down) [-3]
3salchow – she doubled, he stepped out [-3]
throw 3loop – fall [-3]
transitions into flying camel/sit/up/change sit broken leg [0]
choreographic sequence: spread eagle and front spiral, a dance lift, front spiral [0]
backwards lasso to one hand hold and dismount – a little heavy, two-footed [-1]
axel lasso – aborted on take off (so no value)
shoot-the-duck into fids – decent position and rotation speed [1]
dance lift to star lift to one hand to carry to difficult dismount [0]
throw 2salchow [-1] – meant to be a triple obviously, but she opened up early, not a lot of flow out
back catchfoot spiral into pair combination spin in both directions – well extended positions from her [1]

The program seemed quite well choreographed although it's hard to say much about it after a performance like this. It kept going downhill and it looked like they were just giving up more as it went on.

She's flexible and hit some lovely positions, his posture and lines on the other hand leave quite a lot to be desired.

12. Vanessa James / Morgan Cipres /FRA/
Pearl Harbour (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

3twist – high but late catch, heavily two-footed by him [-2]
3salchow [0]
3toe(weak landing from her)/2toe(she had no flow out at all and was standing still and didn't even manage to eek out a single toe) [-3]
flying camel to up var to var/change sit broken leg – well synchronised [1]
spirals to fids with change of hold – decent position [1]
spread eagle to axel lasso to one hand to difficult dismount – solid [1]
transitions towards throw 3flip – very slightly shaky on landing but held it solidly with a nice extension [1]
transitions towards throw 3salchow – slightly over the toe, not a lot of flow out [0]
choreographic sequence: front spirals [0]
backwards lasso lift to one hand hold and dismount – a little slow, two-footed [-1]
pair combination spin – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
dance lift to star lift to one hand to spread eagle carry – very impressive entry, strong throughout [2]
finished a little behind the music

Good speed and nice postures and lines but the choroegraphy was quite generic. Not a lot happened in between the elements. They did skate with a lot of power though.

They've really come far since last season and it now looks like the judges are regarding them as one of the top teams.

13. Stefania Berton / Ondrej Hotarek /ITA/
Poeta en el viento by Vincente Amigo

3toe/2toe/2toe – solid [1]
3salchow – she underrotated slightly and fell [-3]
3twist – late catch, two-footed [-2]
reverse lasso lift to change of position to carry back to rotation to difficult dismount [1]
transitions to fids – decent position [1]
to pair combination spin – could use a little more speed [0]
axel lasso to one hand [1]
choreographic sequence: lots of footwork and some front spirals [1]
throw 3loop – they had a slight stutter going into it and I thought she wouldn't land it but although the landing was a little weak, she hung on to it [-1]
throw 3salchow – poor flow out [-1]
press lift to change of position and one hand to change of position [0]
steps to flying camel/up var/change sit holding foot to cannonball – synch a little off [-1]

A nicely choreographed program which had a lot of character and expression. They are unique amongst the pair teams is that parts of their routines look more like ice dance than pair skating. They actually dance to the music.

The first bronze medal for Italy in pairs and very well deserved as well.
14. Tatiana Volosozhar / Maxim Trankov /RUS/
Violin Muse by Ikuko Kawai, based on Partita for Violin No. 2 by Johann Sebastian Bach and Chaconne by Tomaso Vitali

3twist – very high but slightly two-footed by him [1]
3salchow – slightly weak landing from him [0]
3toe/2toe – his landings not very strong [0]
Y spiral into fids with change of hold – very nice position from her [1]
flying camel/sit/up/change camel/sit/up Y – lost the synch a little bit after change of foot but regained it quickly, rotation speed could have been better [0]
throw 3loop – over the toe, both hands down, really high but no control over the landing (overcooked it) [-2]
reverse lasso to change of position – a little heavy [0]
backwards lasso lift into one hand hold and dismount [1]
choreographic sequence: mirrored front spirals, spread eagles – good speed, flow and ice coverage [2]
throw 3salchow – high but a little off-axis in the air, two-footed [-2]
flip up entry into lift to carry to change of position and difficult dismount [1]
to pair combination spin – slow at the end rotating clockwise [0]

Whilst their short program was effortless and near perfect, this performance looked like hard work throughout. Elements were not very strong.

Big question mark over the choreography. It was quite basic, there was a lack of transitions and they just seemed to skate through the music which wasn't much more than background noise.

There is no doubt that they are technically extremely capable and they have good basics but I can't understand how this program could have received 9s for choreography or transitions.

15. Aliona Savchenko / Robin Szolkowy /GER/
Flamenco Bolero by Gustavo Montessano

throw 3flip – huge, solid landing [2]
3toe into 3toe – both solid and effortless [2]
transitions into shoot-the-duck into fids – good position, nicely connected to the program both on entry and exit [2]
transitions to flying sit/up var/change sit cannonball/up – synch a little off [0]
spiral sequence: back owen / front / spread eagle and spiral [1]
dance lift to 3twist – slight crash, very short entry though [0]
3salchow – she fell, he doubled [-3]
spread eagles to axel lasso to change of position to one hand spread eagle carry to difficult dismount – strong, great extensions [2]
backwards lasso to one hand hold and dismount – a little heavy [0]
transitions to pair combination spin – good positions, decent rotation speed [2]
star lift to one hand to change of position to reverse rotation(a little laboured) [0]
dance lift to throw 3salchow – solid landing with good flow out [2]

An incredibly complex program. There were hardly any empty spots, they were constantly executing various connecting movements, almost all of the elements were woven together with transitions.

It did lack light and shade however with the music being quite repetitive and whilst the difficulty could not be denied it lacked highlights, movements which would be fun or memorable.

Still it doesn't change the fact that this program was far more difficult than anything any of their competitors shown and it's extremely unfair that the PCS did not reflect that.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 European Figure Skating Championships
Ladies – Short Program

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/ec2013/ec2013_Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

Yet another excellent event. Even the Ladiezzz who often have been the weakest event at the European Championships did not dissapoint. I don't remember ever seeing the level of skating at Euros this high.

Last year, you needed 38.14 points in order to qualify to the free skating (that was the score of Romy Bühler who placed 24th in the SP). This year the level was much higher. Thirty skaters achieved a score over 40 points and you really wished they could all make it into the free skating. Unfortunately, some skaters who gave strong performances had to find themselves out. For example, Alina Fjodorova landed 3flip/2toe, 3salchow and 2axel but could only place 26th.

Gilleron-Gorry burst onto the international scene with a strong and confident performance. But mostly it's the lower placed skaters who have delivered the best performances, in my opinion. Maxwell, Madsen and Saygi have all exceeded expectations and showed very strong routines. A special mention goes to Michelle Couwenberg who had a disaster on the jumps but who moves beautifully and is possibly the most elegant skater I have ever seen.

Obligatory complaint about judging: ;)
As usual skating later resulted in higher PCS, which was really unfair to the skaters who skated early, some of whom delivered fantastic performances. I should probably stop repeating that after every second performance but OH WELL. :p

What I said after Pairs Free Skating – the judges don't seem to use the whole range of GOE not only to reward good quality but also to penalise poor quality of execution.

One frustrating tendency that you can observe is performing a biellmann position on the layback almost always resulting in positive GOE regardless of how that spin is actually performed. And I'd much rather see fast and centred simple layback spins than laboured biellmanns.

Another frustrating tendency is giving positive GOE to triple-triple combinations even if they are not performed particularly well. The judges seem to have trouble differentiating between the difficulty of the element and the quality of its execution. Those are two completely different things.

But overall, I am positively surprised again. The placements seem OK for the most part and many judges even noticed things like lack of steps or cheated (less than 1/4) jumps, which almost never happens. So well done, everyone!

1 Kristina Zakharanka /BLR/
Russian Dance (from "Swan Lake") by Petr I. Tchaikovski

3loop – underrotated slightly, fall [-3]
3salchow(cheated over a quarter)/2toe – landings quite weak, poor flow out [-2]
camel/sit/up Y to up/change camel/sit broken leg/up(off-centred) – slow after change of foot [-1]
popped axel (no value)
layback to sideways to catch to biellmann – good extension, decent rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – quite tentative, a couple of small stumbles [-1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – not a lot of speed, off-centred slightly [-1]

She skated to the music quite well and her overall skating ability was not bad for a skater competing first. Speed wasn't bad although she needed quite a lot of (short and choppy) cross-overs to maintain it and most entries into her elements were quite long. Choreography was quite basic.

2. Anna Afonkina /BUL/
Sheherazade by Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov

3loop with arms above – underrotated over a quarter, only two three-turns going in [-1]
3lutz(slightly cheated)/2toe [-1]
2axel – solid but a slow entry [0]
flying camel to upside twist to donut to upward catch coe – good positions and rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/sit holding foot to broken leg/change up var to Y – good extensions, decent rotation speed [1]
sideways to layback catch to hyperextended biellmann (full split!) - good extension, decent rotation speed [1]

A strong spinner. Very flexible and capable of hitting beautiful positions on her elements. I wish she would show them in between as well. Her movements could have been stronger and better extended. It all looked a little cautious and I wished she pushed the expression a a bit more.

This was a very decent effort and she was really unlucky to miss the cut for the free skating. It would have easily qualified in most years.

3. Isabella Schuster-Velissariou /GRE/
Cinema Paradiso (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone

2axel – stalked the entry, didn't get much height and distance, slightly cheated [-1]
3toe(cheated)/2toe [-1]
2salchow [-3]
flying sit cannonball to coe to forward tuck(slow) [-1]
straight line step sequence – laboured, poor flow [-1]
layback to sideways to catch – slow [-1]
camel to donut/sit/up/change camel/sit broken leg/up – quite slow [0]

Poor speed and ice coverage. Her posture and lines were weak and her movements quite awkward and not very confident.

She's beaten her personal best by over 4 points.

4. Sabina Mariuta /ROU/
Swan Lake by Petr Ilyich Tschaikovsky

3toe(very slightly cheated, hardly any flow out, hesitation before second jump)/2toe [-1]
2salchow [-3]
flying camel to donut to upward catch – quite good rotation speed, decent positions [1]
steps towards 1axel [-3]
camel/up cannonball/change sit holding foot to broken leg [0]
straight line step sequence [0] – upper body movement a little messy, could use some more flow
sideways to layback catch(off-centred) to biellmann [-1]

Seemed very tense and skated through the music.

She has improved her personal best by over 2 points.

5. Alisa Mikonsaari /FIN/
Lord of the Dance by Ronan Hardiman

3lutz [-3] – cheated over a quarter, landing not very strong, hardly any steps and then a big break before the jump
3toe/turn/2toe [-2] – shame about the turn in between because the toe landing could have been saved
2axel – over the toe on the landing [-1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – good positions and rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – could use more flow [0]
sideways to layback to biellmann – very nice extension [1]
camel to illusion/sit/up/change camel/sit cannonball(not extended well)/up – a little slow [-1]

Much more speed and power in comparison to the skaters who came before her. You could see her skating is at a different level (this is the first group though, mind you).

She lacked expression however and the choroegraphy was generic. She really needs to develop some kind of style and sell her programs better.

6. Mirna Libric /CRO/
Dark Eyes (Russian Folk music)

2axel into a fan kick – solid, right at the start of the program with a short entry [1]
3toe – underrotated slightly, fall [-3]
3salchow – hand down, very long gap after steps [-3]
flying sit spin – popped the take-off, landed on two feet and just stood in place (no value)
camel/sit/up Y to up/change camel/sit leg behind/up butt out(poor extension) to up – slow after change of foot [-1]
sideways to layback with speed increase to catch – rotation speed quite good but extension lacking [0]
straight line step sequence [0]

Her basics aren't strong but the program had quite a lot of character and there was a good amount of upper body movement throughout.

7. Nathalie Weinzierl /GER/
Exodus performed by Maksim Mrvica

3flip – high and solid but a gap after steps (and she only did two) [0]
3lutz/2toe – high but not very controlled [0]
layback to sideways catch to biellmann – good flow and decent rotation speed [1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – good rotation speed [1]
2axel – turnout [-1]
circular step sequence – good speed and attack, quite pronounced edges [1]
to camel/sit cannonball/change sit broken leg/up var to up – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]

A strong, confident performance. She skated with quite a lot of power and her movement was very composed. Choreography was a little generic and there wasn't a lot of upper body movement or transitions but she sold what she had well.

She has beaten her personal best by 8.52 points.

8. Anita Madsen /DEN/
Totentanz by Maksim Mrvica

3loop/2toe – secure, with room to spare [1]
three-turns into 3salchow – solid [1]
sideways to layback catch(fast) to biellmann(wobbled) [0]
2axel [0]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – could use a little more speed [0]
straight line step sequence [1] – quite precise and skated to the music well, could use a little more flow though
camel/up L/change sit holding foot to broken leg/up – quite good rotation speed [1]

The choreography wasn't particularly original or exciting but she skated to the music very well, catching most of the highlights. She didn't hold back at all and sold the program quite well, although he skating is a little introverted, I'd like her to look up and out to the audience more.

Great OTT reaction from her team behind the boards and in the K&C. :) She's beaten her personal best by around 8 points!

9. Anne Line Gjersem /NOR/
Hey Pachuco (from "The Mask" soundtrack)

3salchow/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
three turns towards 3loop – gap after footwork [-1]
flying camel to upside twist to upward catch coe [0]
2axel – hardly any flow out [-1]
straight line step sequence [0] – edges a little shallow, not a lot of flow, skated to the music quite well though and had quite busy upper body movement
sideways to layback to catch – extension not great but rotation speed not bad [0]
camel/up Y to up/change sit holding foot to forward tuck [0]

The music maintained a fast tempo throughout but she kept up and skated to it quite well. I wish her movements were extended a little better, though. They looked a bit messy. Basic skating could use some work, she wasn't getting a lot of glide.

Either I am confusing her with her twin sister or she's lost a lot of weight since last season.

10. Sila Saygi /TUR/
Baghdad by Jesse Cook

3toe/2toe [0]
3salchow – hand down, long break after steps [-3]
flying camel to upside twist to donut – rotation speed and positions decent [1]
spread eagle to 2axel – solid [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – very fast rotation [2]
straight line step sequence – maintained speed until the end, quite fast footwork [1]
camel to var/change sit holding foot/up butt out to fast up [1]

Another strong and confident performance. Element layout wasn't bad and whilst the program was a little dull at the beginning, it really picked up towards the end. I loved how she seemed to have even more energy and attack as the program went on. The ending was the best part.

Kutay Eryoldas had pretty terrible jump technique but he always had interesting programs. Saygi's jumps aren't bad and her coach seems to be able to pass the voidiness on to his student. :)

11. Fleur Maxwell /LUX/
With our Without You by U2, performed by Two Cellos

3salchow(solid)/2toe(rushed a little, poor flow out) [0]
three-turns to 3toe – solid [1]
biellmann spiral towards 2axel into biellmann spiral – underrotated, not a lot of height and distance covered [-1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – very good positions [1]
camel/sit var(very good position)/ jump to change up Y – very good positions, decent rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – great upper body movement but could use some more speed [0]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – very good positions, could use a little more speed though [1]

Beautiful posture, lines and extensions throughout. Very elegant. Good flow from start to finish and she seemed to skate with more speed than what I remember from her.

Why a muzak version of U2 though?!! It's like double the pain.

Her axel technique is still terrible I'm afraid, she really stalks it and jumps “on the spot”.

She has improved her personal best by 0.72 points.

12. Nikol Gosviani /RUS/
Nocturne by Joe Hisaishi

3toe/3toe [0]
2axel – short entry, solid, soft landing with a nice extension [2]
camel/sit/up Y/change sit holding foot to broken leg to up – quite good positions and rotation speed but she put weight heavily on free foot on change of foot [0]
2lip [-3]
flying camel coe to donut – good positions, decent rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – smooth but could use some more speed [0]
sideways to layback to biellmann – very good extension [1]

Quite light over the ice. Her movements were soft and appropriate to the character of the music but I wish she'd extend them better. They were all a little unfinished.

13. Kaat Van Daele /BEL/
Exogenesis Symphony by Muse

three-turns into 3toe – solid landing with good flow out [1]
3salchow/2toe – secure, decent flow out [1]
camel/sit var/up/change camel/sit broken leg to up – decent speed at the start but slower after change of foot [0]
straight line step sequence – could use more speed and attack [0]
2axel – solid [1]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to upside twist to catch coe – positions and speed a little subpar [-1]
sideways to layback to catch – poor extension, quite slow rotation, totally off-centred [-3]

A fantastic job on the jumps all of which had very strong landings but the other elements weren't that strong, unfortunately. Her movement was quite composed but expression was lacking. The program could have used some light and shade.

Competing after the ice-resurfacing has really helped her marks, she was definitely overmarked on the PCS in comparison to some of the skaters who skated earlier.

She's improved her personal best by over 12 points.

KVDP sighting in the audience. Vera Vandecaye has dyed her hair dark brown and it's not a good look for her.

14. Michelle Couwenberg /NED/
The Mission (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone

back spiral towards 3toe – step out with hands down [-3]
1loop [-3]
flying camel to coe to catch – extension and rotation speed a little weak [-1]
straight line step sequence – very nice expression, decent flow [1]
2axel – step out with hands down (near fall) [-3]
camel/up bielmann to up/change sit tuck var/up [0]
layback to sideways to layback catch [0]

Stunning posture and lines. Very elegant. Fluid, impassioned movement throughout. Whether she lands anything or not, you could watch her skate all day.

I really hope that she gets some triple jumps under her belt eventually because she's just a stunning skater.

15. Inga Januleviciute /LTU/
Danse Bacchanale from "Samson and Delilah" by Camille Saint-Saens

2axel – decent height but could use more flow out [0]
3lutz – fall [-3]
3lip(underrotated over half a revolution, foot down)/2toe(won't count) [-3]
flying camel to donut to upward catch(poor extension) – slow [-1]
straight line step sequence – lacked speed and flow [-1]
sideways to layback to catch – decent extension and rotation speed [1]
camel(weak, slightly travelling)/sit/up L/change camel(weak)/sit pancake(slow)/up [-1]

In stark contrast to Couwenberg, Januleviciute is a skater who can jump (although the triples did not work for her today) but everything else is really lacking. She was slow and her movements were stiff and tentative. Posture (stiff and raised shoulders) and lines were poor.

16. Eliska Brezinova /CZE/
Tango Amore by Edvin Marton

3lutz – landing not very strong, break after steps (and there were just two to begin with) [-2]
3toe/2toe [0]
camel/up pancake/change sit holding foot/up Y [0]
flying camel(travelling) to coe to donut [-1]
1axel [-3]
circular step sequence – slow, no expression [-1]
layback to sideways to catch to biellmann(slow) – decent extension [0]

No expression whatsoever, she was just going through the motions looking very bored.

17. Tina Stuerzinger /SUI/
Tango Medley

3flutz/2toe – poor height and not a lot of flow out [-2]
3toe – slight gap after steps [-1]
flying camel to coe(barely pronounced) to donut to upward catch – extensions quite good but could use a little more speed [0]
2axel [0]
layback to sideways to catch to biellmann – could use a little more speed [0]
circular step sequence – shallow edges, choppy footwork, lacked flow [-1]
camel/sit/up Y/change sit holding foot to broken leg/up – a little slow [-1]

Kudos to her for landing all her jumps in the short, at her first European Championships, but her elements weren't of very high quality. She gets little elevation on her jumps and the performance lacked expression and attack.

18. Alina Fjodorova /LAT/
Inception (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

steps to 3flip/2toe – solid, soft landings but not a lot of speed and flow out [0]
3salchow – solid but slight break after steps [-1]
2axel – landing not very strong [0]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – decent positions and rotation speed [0]
camel/up Y/change sit holding foot to forward tuck(a little off-centred) – quite well extended positions [0]
circular step sequence – decent expression and quite fast footwork but lacked speed and her edges were shallow [0]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]

She's a decent jumper but her basics are very poor. Shallow edges, bad posture and quite clunky movements. Up until the circular steps (where she's finally shown some expression), she just skated totally through the music.

This season has been a disaster for her so far and she's finally managed to turn it around. She has improved her personal best by 0.50 points and this performance would easily be enough to qualify to the free program most year. The level has been exceptionally high this time, however. I do feel for her because she's really done her best.

19. Sonia Lafuente /ESP/
Romeo and Juliet (musical soundtrack)

3flip – solid but a long break after steps [-1]
3loop/2toe – solid [1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch(took her a while to get into the position) [-1] - extension and rotation speed subpar
spread eagle into 2axel [1]
layback to catch to biellmann – good flow [1]
straight line step sequence – could use more speed and attack [0]
camel/sit/up Y/change sit to forward tuck – decent rotation speed [1]

Decent flow and a lot of arm movements throughout but performed in the “going through the motions and sorry I am alive” style. Expression was lacking and she skated with her usual blank and disinterested facial expression. If you're competing at the European Championships, at least show that you want to be here. Jesus Christ. Choreography was quite generic.

Still, she has skated to the best of her ability and has improved her personal best by over a point.

20. Roberta Rodeghiero /ITA/
Angel and Devil by Maxime Rodriguez

3flip/2toe – solid [1]
3toe – overrotated heavily [-3]
2axel [0]
flying sit holding foot/jump to sit(off-centred, quite slow) [-1]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/up Y/change sit broken leg/up butt out – foot down coming out [0]
layback to sideways – very poor extension [-1]

She lacked speed but her movement was quite confident and in character of the music.

21. Lenaelle Gilleron-Gorry /FRA/
Tristan and Isolde by Maxime Rodriguez

3toe/3toe – high and solid [1]
3flip – solid but a long break after steps [-1]
camel to catch/change up butt out/sit broken leg/up – decent rotation speed [0]
2axel – solid [1]
flying sit side twist [0]
straight line step sequence – decent speed and attack [1]
sideways to layback to catch coe – decent rotation speed [0]

Now that's how you sell a program. Somebody play this to Lafuente on repeat, “Clockwork Orange” style. Bold, strong movements and a lot of attack throughout. Very good speed as well.

If there's any criticism to make, she could have paid more attention to her lines. But that's the kind of polishing work that hopefully will come with time.

22. Juulia Turkkila /FIN/
Firebird by Igor Stravinski

3toe(not a lot of flow out)/3toe(slightly underrotated and two-footed) [-3]
three-turns 3salchow [0]
flying camel to catch coe to donut – slow [-1]
2axel – solid, good flow out [1]
camel upside twist/sit cannonball/change sit broken leg/up Y – good positions and decent rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – quite good flow [1]
into sideways to layback to catch to biellmann – quite seemeless changes of position, rotation speed not bad [1]

Not a lot of relation to the music. There were some movements to the accents but other than that she seemed to mostly skate through it. She's light over the ice and has quite good posture and lines but she's another skater that I would like to see spice up their performance ability.

She is blonde and Finnish and the SWP bonus is evidently getting applied. ;P

23. Kerstin Frank /AUT/
Bohemian Rhapsody performed by Maksim Mrvica

3toe/2toe – high [1]
sideways to layback to catch – very poor extension [-1]
straight line step sequence – lacked speed and flow [-1]
three-turns into 3salchow [0]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to upside twist to coe to upward catch – quite slow, extensions not great [-1]
2axel – high and solid [1]
camel/sit/up Y/change camel/sit cannonball/fast up – quite good rotation speed [1]

Slow and heavy skating. Not a lot of expression and her movements were quite messy and unfinished. The high she gets on her jumps is very impressive but everything else needs work.

The PCS she has received were in no way related to her skating so late. :p SS higher than Fleur Maxwell. Right.

24. Patricia Glescic /SLO/
Crystallized

3loop/2toe [0]
3flip – fall [-3]
layback to sideways to catch to biellmann – a little slow [0]
2axel – not a lot of flow out [0]
flying sit cannonball(off-centred) to coe to forward tuck [-1]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel to illusion/up/jump to change sit broken leg(slow)/up [0]

There was quite a lot of upper body movement throughout and she was clearly making effort on presenting the program but it seemed quite random and chaotic and I don't really see how it was meant to relate to the music.

25. Carolina Kostner /ITA/
A Transylvanian Lullaby (from "Young Frankenstein" soundtrack) by John Morris
The Devil's Trill by Guiseppe Tartini

three-turns into 3loop – effortless, very solid with good flow out [2]
3toe(not a lot of flow out)/3toe(fell) [-3] (she landed a perfect one in the warm-up but here she just didn't have enough speed coming out of the first jump)
transitions to scratch butterflies to flying camel upward twist coe to catch – positions could be better extended and she could use some more speed [0]
2axel – solid, soft landing with a lovely extension but entry telegraphed [1]
to circular step sequence – skated to the music well, smooth edges, could use some more speed though [1]
camel to illusion/up/change sit cannonball/up L [1]
layback to sideways to catch – a little slow [0]

Incredible basic skating. Smooth, clean edges, very good speed and flow throughout. Rich and detailed choreography with most elements connected very well, presented beautifully.

It's amazing how Nichol who is usually responsible for empty, generic programs has been capable of creating some remarkable work for Kostner.

26. Elena Glebova /EST/
Tales and Legends by Rolando Tambin

3flutz – fall [-3]
3toe/3toe(slightly underrotated) - not a lot of flow out [-1]
2axel [1] – solid with transitions coming in and out
flying sit to pancake to forward tuck(off-centred slightly) – decent rotation speed [0]
sideways to layback catch – could use a little more extension but good rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – could use more speed and flow [0]
camel to catch/up/change sit broken leg/up L to up [1]

The program featured some nice transitions and she presented it well but the choreography was rather generic and lacked highlights.

27. Adelina Sotnikova /RUS/
Capriccio Espagnol by Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov

3toe/3toe – not a great deal of speed out and slight hesitation between the two jumps but clean [0]
3flip – solid [1]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to catch to upside twist – good positions and rotation speed [2]
2axel – solid, entry a little telegraphed tough [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann [1]
straight line step sequence – good character and attack [1]
camel to illusion/sit holding foot/jump to change sit/up Y – good positions and rotation speed [2]

All the elements were executed to a very high standard. As for the program, whilst it did feature some movements performed to the music throughout, she didn't really push the expression until the step sequence towards the end.

The problem I have with Adelina is that she doesn't seem to have any kind of style. She can move to the music but I don't feel that she is connecting with it and usually her range of movement doesn't really express the character of her music very well. Which is the problem I had with this program as well. If you turned the music off, you'd never guess what kind of music she was skating to.

She's beaten her PB by almost 6.5 points.

28. Elene Gedevanishvili /GEO/
Schindler's List (soundtrack) by John Williams

3lutz – very high, fall [-3]
three-turns to 3salchow – step out [-2]
flying sit cannonball to side twist to forward tuck – very well extended positions, good rotation speed [2]
back spiral to 2axel – landing not very strong [0]
layback to sideways – poor extension, off-centred [-2]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel coe/change sit holding foot/up var to Y(a little off-centred) [0]

This program seems to have improved since GP. What struck me back then is that whilst the music was longato, her movement was staccato and it was really jarring. Here her movement was softer and more pronounced and it fitted the character of the music better.

Having said that this was a very weak performance, I'm afraid. After the mistakes on the two opening jumping passes, she just seemed to have given up, did not sell the program well and the other elements were a little weak as well.

29. Jenna McCorkell /GBR/
Imagined Oceans by Karl Jenkins

3flip/2toe [0]
2toe – wild pop, hand down (no value because she repeated the 2toe)
layback to sideways to catch – extension and rotation speed quite weak [-1]
a lot of connecting footwork
2axel – a little over the toe on the landing [0]
camel coe/change sit var/up butt out [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
flying sit side twist(fast but off-centred) to forward tuck(slow) [-1]

She has made good effort with the expression throughout but her basics aren't very strong and her elements weren't executed very well either.

All throughout the program I imagined Lepisto's beautiful, elegant skating and it was not a particularly favourable comparison. :p

Another example of skating late having an effect on the PCS. She was almost 2 points behind Maxwell on TES but 2.5 above on PCS when it's the opposite that should be the case.

30. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva /RUS/
Adios Nonino by Astor Piazzolla

2lutz/3toe [0]
3loop – solid but slight gap after steps [0]
sideways to layback catch – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]
flying sit holding foot to coe to forward tuck – decent positions and rotation speed but off-centred slightly [0]
circular step sequence – decent expression [1]
cantilver towards 2axel with arm above – turnout [-1]
camel to upward catch/up/change sit/up butt out/sit broken leg/up [0]

She seemed a little tense and tentative and this was far from her best, I'm afraid. Elements weren't particularly strong and whilst the choreography has quite a lot of character and can work if she really sells it, expression was slightly lacking as well.

It's frustrating because a clean performance would most likely put her in the lead.

31. Mae Berenice Meite /FRA/
Feeling Good by Michael Buble

3toe(high and solid)/3toe(fall) [-2]
3flip – off-axis in the air, both hands down [-3]
sideways to layback to catch to biellmann – quite seemless changes of position, decent rotation speed [1]
2axel – solid [1]
to flying camel to sideways twist to upward catch [0]
circular step sequence – started well but speed and flow were slightly lacking by the end [0]
camel/up Y/change sit holding foot to broken leg/up – decent rotation speed [1]

I am not sure this is the best music choice for her. She is not very elegant, her posture is poor, her skating is quite heavy and laboured and a slightly languid piece only accentuates those flaws. She should be skating to something more upbeat (watch this season's Joshi Helgesson's programs and take notes, basically).

I tried hard but I wasn't really able to find anything positive to say about this performance PCS-wise. I think that skating so late has really helped her on the second mark. I mean she received over one point more on the PCS than Gosviani, for example, which is quite ridiculous.

32. Joshi Helgesson /SWE/
Mystere from "Cirque du Soleil"
Taiko from "Cirque du Soleil"

steps to back spiral to 3lutz with arm above – high and solid, very slight break after connecting movements though [1]
3salchow/2toe with arm above(step out) [-1]
camel/up Y/change sit holding foot to forward tuck/up [0]
steps towards 2axel – solid [1]
flying camel to catch to donut to upward catch – decent flow and positions [1]
to turns to layback to catch to biellmann – layback extension weak [0]
straight line step sequence – good upper body movement, well choreographed but could use some more speed and flow [0]

She used to have the same problem as Meite. Basics not great, back quite stiff, not very elegant. But this season, she was given two original, kooky programs that capture your interest, contain highlights throughout and take your attention away from her flaws. Catarina Lindgren did a really great job.

A decent performance, although I wished she pushed the expression even more.

33. Viktoria Helgesson /SWE/
Poinciana

3toe(high and solid)/3toe(cheated over 1/4) [-1]
3loop – gap after steps, step out with hand down [-3]
sidways to layback with speed increase to coe – very good rotation speed, extension quite poor though [1]
transitions to 2axel – solid [1]
flying sit cannonball to var to forward tuck [0]
straight line step sequence – deep, long edges, quite a lot upper body movement [1]
camel/sit/up Y/change camel(slightly off-centred)/jupm to sit/up [0]

Lovely, smooth basic skating, very light over the ice.

Contrary to her sister, I am not sure this music worked particularly well for her. She is quite elegant and together with her good flow, this lends itself perfectly to classical or soundtrack longato music. This piece had a strong (although not fast) rhythm throughout and I don't feel she was able to intepret it as well.

34. Valentina Marchei /ITA/
Esperanza by Maxime Rodriguez

3lutz(slightly cheated)/2toe – long entry, good height though [-1]
3salchow – solid landing with good flow out [1]
sideways to layback to catch – decent positions, good rotation speed, a tiny bit off-centred though [1]
transitions to 2axel – solid [1]
straight line step sequence - good flow and expression [2]
flying sit(slightly off-centred) to coe to/jump to pancake – quite good rotation speed, managed to centre it straight away [1]
camel/sit/up Y to up/change camel catch/sit forward tuck – fast and quite seemless changes of position at the start but slow after change of foot [0]

Tons of expression and attack throughout. Whether the jumps work or not (and here they did :)), she always skates with a real fire and sells her routines very well. She was very fast and the program had quite a lot of character.

A new personal best. She looked absolutely shell-shocked and broke into tears upon seeing her scores. She has improved her PB by almost 3 points.

35. Natalia Popova /UKR/
Pourquoi Me Reveiller by Jules Massenet

3flip – no flow out [-1]
3toe – went off-axis, slightly underrotated, fall [-3]
flying camel coe to upside twist to donut to upward catch – rotation speed not bad but weak basic camel position [0]
2axel – barely rotated, not a lot of height and distance covered [-1]
camel/sit holding foot to broken leg/change sit/up pancake to Y – positions decent but could use some more speed [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
layback to catch to biellmann [0]

I don't understand why Nina Petrenko is making her skate classical programs. She actually moved her arms well throughout, extending them nicely but her posture is poor, she has a very stiff back and she lacks speed. So this kind of music just doesn't work very well for her (but then maybe she doesn't have a sense of rhythm either so there's no better alternative :p).

Personally, I don't think this should have qualified. She got really overmarked on the PCS due to skating so late.

36. Monika Simancikova /SVK/
Tango de Amor (from "The Addams Family" musical) by Andrew Lippa

2axel – solid, nice speed out [1]
3flip – slightly underrotated, two-footed [-3]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to upside twist to catch – rotation speed not bad but extension could be better [0]
3toe/2toe – high and solid [1]
camel to var/change sit cannonball to forward tuck/up – good rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – decent speed, quite fast and precise footwork [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – could use a little more speed but she did a lot of revolutions and extensions were good [1]

Good speed and attack. Finally I've seen her really sell her program and her elements were well executed too. The best performance of hers I've seen so far.

She has improved her personal best by almost 4 points.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 European Figure Skating Championships
Ice Dance – Free Dance

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/ec2013/ec2013_IceDance_FD_Scores.pdf

1. Federica Testa / Lukas Csolley /SVK/
Lilli Marleen performed by Marlene Dietrich
Sunflower (I Girasoli) by Henry Mancini
Place Rouge from Le Concert (soundtrack) by Camille Adrien
Spellbound by Miklos Rozsa

stationary lift on one foot with her in catchfoot [0]
steps into twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arm above into arms above – quite fast and secure, decently synchronised [1]
hydrobrade curve lift with her lying down on his boot – good flow and ice coverage [1]
circular step sequence – quite good flow [1]
nice transition move to pair change combination spin [0]
rotational lfit with changes of position to one hand – a little bit laboured [0]
midline step sequence [0]
spread eagle straight line lift with her standing on his boot in a split – secure, nice positions [1]
choreographic lift [0]

A strong, confident performance. They presented the program well, maintained quite good flow throughout and executed most of their elements to a decent standard.

The program was a little open at the start but it contained quite a lot of closed holds and connecting movements later on.

I think they were a little undermarked on the PCS, maybe as a result of skating first.

2. Ramona Elsener / Florian Roost /SUI/
Autant en emporte le vent (musical comedy) by Gerard Presgurvic

footwork to pair change combination spin – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position [1]
circular step sequence – decent flow [1]
waltz jump into twizzles: catch into clockwise arms behind(he wobbled) [-1]
spread eagle curve lift [0]
one foot back straightline lift with her on his back into rotational lift with her in catchfoot(a little weak on the second part) [0]
diagonal step sequence – a little slow, edges quite shallow [-1]
choreographic rotational lift [0]

Not all of the elements worked very well and the program was a little open but they have shown quite a lot of expression.

3. Angelina Telegina / Otar Japaridze /GEO/
The Grid (from Tron Legacy soundtrack) by Daft Punk
Adagio (from Tron Legacy soundtrack) by Daft Punk
Encom Part 2 (from Tron Legacy soundtrack) by Daft Punk

difficult swung around entry into kneeling straight line lift to rotational lift with changes of position – strong [1]
straight line spread eagle lift with changes of position [1]
twizzles: arm folded in front and catch into clockwise arm above(a little weak from him) into arm above [0]
circular step sequence [0]
laboured transition movements
spread eagle curve lift [1]
pair change combination spin – decent rotation speed [1]
diagonal step sequence – slight stumble from her in the middle [-1]
choreographic rotational lift – a little messy [-1]

An underwhelming program. It was open and they mostly skated from one element into another without a lot of connection to the music (which was quite dull and lacked highlights and light and shade so I don't understand why they've chosen it in the first place).

As an aside, the costumes looked really cheap and hideous.

4. Olesia Karmi / Max Lindholm /FIN/
Southampton (from "Titanic" soundtrack) by James Horner
My Gal Sal (from "Titanic" soundtrack) by James Horner
Party in the 3rd Class (from "Titanic" soundtrack) by James Horner
My Heart Will Go On (from "Titanic" soundtrack) by James Horner

twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arm above(a little weak) into arms above(a little off-synch) [-1]
one arm reverse rotational lift – a little laboured changing rotation direction [-1]
circular step sequence – decent speed and flow [1]
pair spin – very slow after the second change of position [-1]
diagonal step sequence – quite pronounced edges but could use a little more speed and flow [0]
spread eagle curve lift with changes of position – extensions could have been better [0]
difficult entry into sit straight line lift [0]
nice choreographic lift with her standing on his boot [1]

Their overall skating ability isn't very high but they did skate quite well for their standard, with decent expression throughout.

Qualifying to the Free Dance alone is a huge success for them. Hopefully Finnish ice dancing is going to continue to develop under Margaglio.

5. Zsuzsanna Nagy / Mate Fejes /HUN/
Adagio for Strings by Il Divo

pair spin – a little weak and travelling slightly after change of position [-1]
spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position – a little heavy at the start [0]
spread eagle curve lift [0]
catchfoot rotational lift – decent extension and rotation speed [1]
twizzles: arm above and catch(exit off-synch a little) into clockwise arms behind(choppy) into arm above [-1]
sit straight line lift with her lifting him – good extension and speed, secure [1]
diagonal step sequence [0]
circular step sequence [0]
nice choreographic lift with her upside down to finish [1]

The program was quite open and the choreography wasn't balanced at all with all lifts crammed together at the start and both step sequences one after the other at the end. Their postures and lines aren't great and the elements weren't particularly well executed either. Connection to the music was very questionable.

They have skated a strong short dance but this was very underwhelming. I really don't see how this deserved clearly highest PCS so far.

6. Sara Hurtado / Adria Diaz /ESP/
Little Wing by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan

stationary lift with her lying low and him on top of her – extension not bad but they barely did half a turn slowly, I don't see the point [-2]
circular step sequence – edges a little shallow [0]
twizzles: arm above and catch into arms folded clockwise(she struggled) into sit spin twizzles [0]
spread eagle straight line lift with her upside down [1]
midline step sequence – better edges and more glide this time [1]
scratch butterflies into pair spin – quite good positions [1]
spread eagle curve lift with her laying back [1]
rotational lift with changes of position – a little insecure [-1]
cantilever choreographic lift – impressive [2]

The second part of the program was quite fun, upbeat and featured a fair amount of closed holds and connecting footwork. But the initial part (most of their routine) was skated to quite repetitive music without light and shade and not much happened between the elements.

They did make the best of what they had though. Very expressive as usual.

7. Lucie Mysliveckova / Neil Brown /CZE/
Pendulum
Challenger by Skrillex
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprinters by Cutting Edge Sound Design
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprinters remix

sit straight line lift [1]
midline step sequence – decent edges and flow but they could use a little more speed [1]
rotational lift with changes of position – very fast and solid [2]
twizzles: arm above and catch(exit a lotto off-synch) into clockwise arms behind(she wobbled slightly) into arms folded(hers a little bit weak again) [-1]
backwards curve lift with changes of position – a little insecure [-1]
circular step sequence – quite deep edges, could use a little more speed though [0]
pair change combination spin – decent positions and rotation speed(fast before change of foot, a little slower afterwards) [1]
rotational lift with her between his legs in catchfoot [1]
a similar choreographic lift to finish [1]

Whilst I am all for skaters using contemporary music (we don't see enough of it), the problem here was that the music had a fast and strong beat and they seemed to struggle to keep up with it. The program was quite open and fell short on the voids front. They had really funky music and could have done more with it. Good job on the elements though. Twizzles were a little off but everything else was well executed.

8. Alisa Agafonova / Alper Ucar /TUR/
Muhtesem Yuzyil - Magnificient Century (soundtrack) by Fahir Atakoglu

twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arms in front – quite fast, solid and very well synchronised [2]
spread eagle straight line lift with her on his boot in a split into rotational lift – strong, secure, flowed well [2]
circular step sequence – decent flow, good attack [1]
pair change combination spin – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
diagonal step sequence – could use some more speed and flow [0]
spread eagle curve lift with her on his boots and lying back – strong [1]
catchfoot rotational lift – could use a little more speed [0]
choreographic rotational lift to finish the program – quite laboured [1]

Tons of attack and power from start to finish. They really gave it their 110% and the program had no empty spots, there was conecting footwork and upper body movement throughout, maintaining your interest. Strong technical elements, as well.

They've proven that the short dance performance was no fluke. Simply incredible improvement since last season. It's like they were abducted by aliens and replaced by androids. ;)

9. Irina Shtork / Taavi Rand /EST/
A Los Amigos

pair spin – good positions, very fast rotation [2]
diagonal step sequence – edges quite deep but could use some more speed [0]
twizzles: arm folded in front and catch(she rotated a little slower) into arms folded in front clockwise(he wobbled slightly on first revolution) into arms on hips (a tiny bit off-synch) [-1]
spread eagle curve lift with her in layback into rotational lift – good positions, solid [2]
circular step sequence [0]
flip up entry into one foot straight line lift with her on his back [0] – entry a little hesitant, positions not particularly well extended
rotational lift holding her on the hips [1]
choreographic lift to finish [0]

They skated very close together and there were a lot of closed holds throughout. It was undoubtedly a very complex routine but it lacked higlights and could have used more expression. It wasn't a particularly fiery tango. In fact, if you turned the music off, you probably wouldn't be able to guess what they were skating to.

10. Siobhan Heekin-Canedy / Dmitri Dun /UKR/
Orobroy
Tango Serenato de Schubert by Franz Schubert
Orobroy
Gypsy

twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arms on hips – fast and secure, synch a tiny bit off in places [1]
sit straight line lift with her on his boot in biellmann – fast and secure, positions very well extended [2]
diagonal step sequence – he fell towards the end and it took him a while to get up so they missed the last part [-3]
one arm reverse rotational lift – strong although lost some speed after rotation direction change [1]
circular step sequence – a little hesitant (probably because of the fall) [0]
pair change combination spin [0] – decent positions and rotation speed to begin with but quite slow after change of foot
split rotational lift – solid [1]
catchfoot rotational lift with her around his neck – fast, secure [1]

Detailed choreography. A lot of upper body movement and footwork in between the elements. They've finally shown some expression too and connected to the music well. A big improvement over their last season's FD.

11. Tanja Kolbe / Stefano Caruso /GER/
Overture - Moonlight Sonata from "Beethoven's Last Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dream of Candlelight from "Beethoven's Last Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Moonlight Sonata from "Beethoven's Last Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

difficult entry into spread eagle straight line lift with her in catchfoot into rotational lift with changes of position – secure and effortless throughout [2]
twizzles: arm above and catch(exit a tiny bit off-synch) into clockwise arms on hips(she travelled a little) into arms above – good rotation speed [1]
pair spin – good positions [1]
circular step sequence – good speed and flow [1]
sit straight line lift with her in catchfoot – secure, decent positions and speed [1]
diagonal step sequence – deep edges, good flow [1]
split rotational lift – fast and solid [2]
in-character choreographic lift to finish [1]

The program flowed beautifully from start fo finish, their soft movement reflected the character of the music well and all the elements were really well executed. A very strong performance.

If there's any criticism to make, the program was quite open and mostly relied on skating apart or in open holds.

12. Penny Coomes / Nicholas Buckland /GBR/
Basement Jaxx vs Metropol Orkest

kneeling and moving their arms at the start – a nod to Torvill and Dean? ;)
twizzles: arm above and catch(tiny bit off-synch) into walk like an egyptian clockwise(a tiny bitt off-synch again) into arms folded – not a lot of speed [-1]
spread eagle straight line lift with her upside down into rotational lift with changes of position – very strong [2]
midline step sequence [0]
one foot curve lift with changes of position [1]
circular step sequence – quite smooth, decent glide [1]
pair change combination spin – could use some more speed [0]
one arm rotational lift going up and down – really strong and impressive [2]
fantastic choreographic lift with changes of position to finish [3]

Lots of attack and character throughout. Very good speed.

My 'speed skaters on crack' ;) reservations remain. The program was very open again and there were hardly any dance holds. But there's no denying they have sold this program extremely well.

13. Charlene Guignard / Marco Fabbri /ITA/
Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi

spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position – fast, quite effortless [2]
diagonal step sequence – deep edges, decent flow, could use a little more speed [1]
he stumbled just before entering twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arms behind(he struggled and fell out in the end) into arms folded (he struggled) [-2]
rotational lift with changes of position – very strong [2]
hydroblade curve lift with her standing on his boot in biellmann – a little slow [0]
arabesques into change combination spin – a little slow at the start but picked up speed after change of foot, nice positions [1]
circular step sequence – decent speed and flow [1]
kneel straight line lift with her standing on his boot [1]
choreograhic lift to finish – not extended well [-1]

Good attack and expression, they seemed to really feel the music and connected with it well.

He took a big stumble just before entering the twizzles and it must have made him lose his focus and then the mistakes creeped in.

14. Nelli Zhiganshina / Alexander Gazsi /GER/
“Two From A Grave”:
Tore My Heart by Oona
Et Maintenant by Jean-Marc Zelwer
Rama Lama by Roisin Murphy

waltz jump to twizzles: catch with both hands(a little choppy) into clockwise arms above(he struggled to maintain balance at the end) [-1]
straight line spread eagle lift with changes of position [1]
circular step sequence - deep edges, big sweeping turns and some creative movements thrown in [2]
catchfoot rotational lift – a little slow [0]
pair spin – could use a little more speed [0]
diagonal step sequence – speed and flow could be better [0]
spread eagle entry to one foot straight line lift with her upside down – effortless throughout, very impressive [2]
spread eagle curve lift [1]
fun in-character choreographic lift [1]

Fantastic character and expression. A really quirky, original, fun routine that stood out from the crowd. Having said that, this isn't show skating. It's competition. The program was really fun to watch but there was a lot of posing throughout. They didn't seem to be able to carry the theme across through actual skating. And elements did not work very well for them tonight.

I think that Kolbe/Caruso should have beaten this in the FD.

15. Pernelle Carron / Lloyd Jones /FRA/
La Chanson des Vieux Amants by Jaques Brel

one arm rotational lift partly on one foot – strong and impressive [2]
twizzles: arm extended into clockwise arms behind(a little slow and synch not perfect) into arms folded [0]
one foot straight line lift – his free foot a little shaky [0]
stationary rotational lift – very strong [2]
midline step sequence – decent flow, edges quite deep [1]
pair change comabination spin – decent rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – not very fast, edges a little shallow [0]
spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position – quite secure [1]
choreographic rotational lift [1]

Whilst all of their competitors in this warm-up group showed routines which contained some original choreography or interesting concepts and captured your attention, this program looked mediocre and dated. They was nothing imaginative or unusual about this routine. There were a few connecting mitf movements (although not executed particularly well) but the program was mostly open and it lacked style and character.

The technical elements were not executed to a particuarly high standard. No major mistakes but nothing particularly outstanding either.

Why was Marika wearing a black hat and an thick down coat in the kiss and cry? Was she about to go for a walk in the forest?

16. Ekaterina Bobrova / Dmitri Soloviev /RUS/
Man With a Harmonica by Ennio Morricone (remix by Appollo 44)
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (new arrangement)

swung around entry into catchfoot rotational lift – fast and solid [2]
waltz jump to twizzles: arms folded in front into clockwise arm above – could use a little more speed but clean [1]
circular step sequence – deep edges, good flow [2]
footwork into pair change comabination spin – could use a little more speed [0]
sit straight line lift – solid [1]
spread eagle curve lift with her upside down – a little heavy, not a lot of speed [0]
diagonal step sequence – the execution was ok but timing was totally off, music was racing like mad and they were moving very slowly in comparison [0]
one arm rotational lift [1]
choreographic lift to finish [1]

They've shown very strong basic skating, with deep and clean edges. Expression is something that was often lacking from them in the past but here both of them played their roles extremely well. They seemed a little tentative, however, and their elements weren't executed as well as they are capable of.

Insanity of a loved one that takes you over as well, in the end is a very daring and risky concept (not exactly uplifting, is it ;P). But whilst the idea is extremely interesting, I am not sure about the execution. The program had some good, memorable moments but it was quite open and overall, not a lot happened in between the elements. I wish the choreography was more detailed.

The Tosca bit at the end hasn't been integrated into the program well. It just looked tacked on without much thought given into it and even the music cut was quite abrupt (thanks Tatiana but you can retire now). It is particularly jarring on the step sequence where the music has a very fast tempo and it's very apparent they aren't moving in-time to it.

17. Julia Zlobina / Alexei Sitnikov /AZE/
Mahalageasca by Goran Bregovic
Ausencia by Goran Bregovic
Mahalageasca by Goran Bregovic

catchfoot rotational lift [1]
nice entry into pair change combination spin – decent positions but could use some more speed [0]
circular step sequence [-3] – both fell at one point (she only fell down on her knee so should get only one point deducted), a real shame because it flowed beautifully and edges were strong
twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise arm above – well synchronised, could use a little more speed [1]
straight line kneel lift with her upside down – secure [1]
one foot curve lift with her standing between his legs [1]
diagonal step sequence – decent edges and flow but could use some more speed [1]
one arm rotational lift [0]
a really fun impressive choreographic lift with her hanging down with his head between her boots [2]

Good speed, great attack and expression throughout, even after the double fall. Both the slow parts (where they've shown languid movement and nice flow) and the faster fun parts worked well although some more variation in the choreography would have been good.

It's amusing how six of the judges gave them a -2 for the circular step sequence. It was very high quality other than the fall but both of them fell which is a -6 deduction so...

18. Elena Ilynikh / Nikita Katsalapov /RUS/
The Ghost (musical soundtrack)

twizzles: arm folded in front and catch into clockwise into arms above – fast and well synchronised [2]
one foot curve lift with changes of position – fast, good flow, effortless [2]
pair change combination spin – good positions and rotation speed (although a little slow at the very end) [2]
circular step sequence - very good ice coverage, quite deep edges and good flow [2]
kneel straight line lift with her lying on his knee – good speed, solid [2]
rotational lift with changes of position – fast and effortless [2]
diagonal step sequence – good speed and flow, strong edges [2]
catchfoot rotational lift – fast and solid [2]
choreographic lift with changes of position to finish [1]

Stunning smooth basic skating, a lot of speed throughout. Fantastic quality on all of their technical elements.

As far as TES is concerned, this should be heads and shoulders above anybody else. As far as PCS go, they were fast, they had good flow and they showed a lot of expression. But the program was very basic. They skated far apart, in open holds (or apart), the connecting footwork was simple and there were a lot of cross-overs and progressives. They deserve much better than this.

19. Anna Cappellini / Luca LaNotte /ITA/
Carmen Ouverture (from Carmen Ballet Suite) by Rodion Shchedrin
Habanera (from Carmen Ballet Suite) by Rodion Shchedrin
Intermezzo (from Carmen Ballet Suite) by Rodion Shchedrin
Finale (from Carmen Ballet Suite) by Rodion Shchedrin

twizzles – perfectly synchronised [2]
spread eagle straight line lift into rotational lift with changes of position – strong [1]
circular step sequence [1]
pair change combination spin [1]
kneel straight line lift [1]
split rotational lift – nice unexpected entry, beautiful extension, quite effortless [2]
diagonal step sequence – ok but could use a little more speed and deeper edges [1]
choreographic lift to finish [1]

Their basic skating isn't as strong as I/K's and B/S'. It's quite smooth but their edges are rather shallow and they aren't generating as much speed. However this was definitely the most complex out of the top three programs, as far as choreography and transitions go. A lot of closed holds, rich and detailed movement in between the elements. Their expression was quite sophisticated, albeit a bit muted. They should have projected more and shown that they really want that gold medal. But it did look a little like they gave up from the start.

Technically, this was well skated. They didn't make any noticable errors. But their elements weren't as strong and effortless as I/K's. The judges have them lower GOE than to I/K but higher than to B/S and that was definitely right (it's the levels that were the reason for C/L getting highest TES).

20. Ekaterina Riazanova / Ilia Tkachenko /RUS/
The Godfather (soundtrack) by Nino Rota

spread eagle curve lift with changes of position [1]
diagonal step sequence [1]
rotational lift with changes of position – strong [2]
pair spin [1]
twizzles: arm above and catch into clockwise moving arms into arms on hips – solid, well synchronised [1]
spread eagle straight line lift with her upside down – solid, good positions [2]
circular step sequence [1]
catchfoot rotational lift – strong [2]
choreographic lift with her lying down and him “standing on her” - very impressive [2]

All of the elements were quite strong, a good, clean performance from them. The choreography was quite generic and repetitive, however. The program lacked interesting highlights and didn't have light and shade. They didn't push the expression enough either (which is surprising given their OTT performances of the past).

A good job but the top three teams were a class apart from them.
 

La Rhumba

Supporting All British Skaters!
Medalist
Joined
Aug 9, 2006
Country
United-Kingdom
Ziggy wrote: "Why was Marika wearing a black hat and an thick down coat in the kiss and cry? Was she about to go for a walk in the forest?"

I thought she looked very pale and almost ill in the SD K&C. Maybe she's got a cold?
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 European Figure Skating Championships
Men – Free Skating

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/ec2013/ec2013_Men_FS_Scores.pdf

Another event where the skating was of a very high standard. This definitely is the best European Championships I can remember.

Too many good performances to mention (the top 6 were all excellent) but a special award goes once again to Viktor Pfeifer who has shown an elegant, beautifully presented program and interesting spins to deservedly place in the top 10, despite not having a triple axel. Another special mention goes to Javier Raya. The jumps did not work very well for him this afternoon but he showed an interesting program and an ability to use his whole body to express the music (something you sadly don't get to see very often, it's a miracle if a skater can bother to move his arms even ;P).

Obligatory judging rant. :p

There were 22 skaters with different strengths and weaknesses. Some had programs which were well constructed, some not so much. The combinations of the different PCS abilities can be endless yet time and time again we see the judges giving out what essentially is a single mark with a little bit of variation. And that mark seems to be heavily dependent on the starting order, reputation and what jumps the skater did or didn't land. But it's the TES which rewards jumping ability, PCS is supposed reflect different skills.

To try to give an example: Tomas Verner has soft and light basic skating but he seemed to have given up on presenting his program right from the start (after the first few mistakes creeped in). So whilst he definitely deserves 7+ on the SS, I'd probably have given him something like 4.75 for PE. Now I am not saying that this necessarily is the right thing to do but I wish the judges had the courage to differentiate the marks this way.

Split judging panels would definitely help. I think that it's impossible to focus properly both on all of the elements and on what is happening between them. There's always going to be a lot that you miss. I know that it's the costly solution but if instead of having 9 judges with 2 marks being thrown out, they'd have 4+4 or 5+5 with all marks being considered (which brings more correct results statistically anyway), then the costs would remain the same.

The PE mark needs a particular mention because I often get an impression that the way the judges apply it is how successful a performance has been jumping-wise. But that's totally not what that is about. This component is supposed to reward performance ability, posture and lines and moving in a way which reflects the character of the music. You can land all of your jumps very well but if you're skating from one element into another with arms hanging down whilst being hunched, you're not meeting the criteria.

1. Manol Atanassov /BUL/
Storm from "Cirque du Soleil"
Querer from "Cirque du Soleil"
Barock from "Cirque du Soleil"
Distorted from "Cirque du Soleil"

3toe/3toe(underrotated over a quarter, hand down) [-2]
2lutz/1toe – weak [-1]
2flip – quite weak [0]
camel/sit forward tuck(a little off-centred/up/change up/sit broken leg/up – could use a little more speed [0]
camel coe/jump to change camel to catch [0]
3salchow [0]
3lutz – underrotated over a quarter, fall [-3]
3loop – cheated [-1]
2axel – overrotated heavily [-3]
straight line step sequence – a little slow, weak footwork [-1]
1axel – weak [-1]
choreographic circular sequence – weak [-1]
flying sit/jump to sit to side twist [0]

A totally empty program consisting of him stroking from one element to another. There was neither upper body movement, nor connecting footwork. He seemed very tense and his movement was really stiff.

2. Justus Strid /DEN/
Where Do I Fit In by Nicola Piovanni

long entry to 3axel/turn/2toe [-2]
3lutz – heavy step-out [-3]
3flip – very high but landing not very controlled [0]
3salchow/2toe(not a lot of flow out)/2toe – short entry [0]
up L/change up butt out to up – slow [-1]
circular step sequence – decent flow, very good expression [1]
to 3toe – solid [1]
3axel – underrotated over a quarter, fall [-3]
3toe(landing not very strong)/2toe [0]
steps to 2axel – high and solid [1]
to camel coe/sit to broken leg/change sit arms behind/up – rotation speed not bad but a little off-centred [0]
flying sit/jump to to to forward tuck – could use a little more speed [0]
choreographic straight line step sequence [0]

Quite good flow throughout and great expression, as usual. He's a real showman. Just like the short program, I wish that this free played to his strengths a little better and cointained some more entertaining movements.

He gets a lot of height on his jumps but seems to find it hard to control them.

P.S. The Danish team leader is hot. ^^

3. Pavel Kaska /CZE/
New World Concerto by Antonin Dvorak, performed by Maksim Mrvica

Withdrawn due to medical reasons (if I understood it correctly, he is down with the flu).

4. Maciej Cieplucha /POL/
Cinema Paradiso (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone

3lutz/3toe – high and solid [1]
2axel – over the toe [-1]
3lip – high and solid but clear change of edge on take-off [-1]
flying sit broken leg [0]
steps to 3salchow – not a lot of flow out [0]
circular step sequence – edges not very pronounced [0]
3loop/2toe [1]
3lutz/2toe/2toe(foot down) – strong until the last toe, he just rushed it [-1]
3loop – underrotated over a quarter, weak landing, no flow out [-3]
choreographic sequence – good speed and flow [1]
to spread eagle to 2axel – over the toe [0]
flying camel to upside twist/up L/change sit coe to cannonball [0]
camel/jump to sit/change up cannonball/sit forward tuck/up [0]

He skated with a lot of speed and power in comparison to Atanassov and Strid. Decent choreography, the program flowed well, there were a few transitions here and there and his movement reflected the character of the music quite well.

His posture really needs work though (he skated with visibly rounded shoulders) and it would make a big difference if he pushed the expression more.

5. Stephane Walker /SUI/
Atonement (soundtrack) by Dario Marianelli
Primavera by Ludocivo Einaudi

3axel [-2] – underrotated slightly, turnout
long entry into 3lutz/2toe/2toe [-1] – poor flow out
steps to 3flip/3toe [1] – flow out could be a little better
scratch butterflies to camel coe to donut to upward catch [1] – decent rotation speed
camel/sit cannonball/up/change camel(weak)/sit broken leg/up [0] – fast at the start but lost speed after change of foot
3lutz [-3] – fall, got good height on it though
3flip – two-footed [-3]
3loop [-1] – turnout
straight line step sequence [0]
3salchow [-2] – overrotated, nice entry though
camel/sit/change sit leg behind/up cross-foot(off-centred) [0] – decent rotation speed
choreographic circular step sequence [0]
2axel into 2axel [1] – solid, right at the end of the program

Upper body movement was lacking, he mainly skated from one element into another looking a bit like a deer in the headlights. Needs more power in his skating and more confidence with presenting his programs.

6. Pavel Ignatenko /BLR/
Les bateaux
Le repos d'alexandre

unextended ina bauer into 3axel/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
unextended ina bauer into 3axel – again, not much flow out [0]
3lutz – solid [1]
3toe – high and solid [1]
sit to side twist/change sit/jump to sit to var – positions and rotation speed not very good [0]
3lutz/2toe [1]
3lip [-1]
2salchow – weak landing [-1]
camel/sit var to butt out/change camel/sit forward tuck/up – rotation slow [-1]
straight line step sequence – slow [-1]
2axel into 2axel(not much flow out) [0]
flying camel to coe to donut to upward catch – very slow [-1]
choreographic circular sequence – slow, quite laboured [-1]

Fantastic job on the jumps but everything else was lacking, I'm afraid. He has weak basic skating (more akin to walking than skating), he lacked speed and his ice coverage was very poor. He also lacked expression, didn't seem to pay attention to the music and his movements weren't extended properly. Choreography was very basic, with most of the jumps were performed in the same spots.

Now this is a perfect example where a skater deserves a very high TES but should get totally hammered on the PCS.

7. Zoltan Kelemen /ROU/
Italian Medley

3axel(high)/2toe [0]
2flip/3toe – weak landing [-1]
3lutz – weak landing, not much flow out [-1]
camel/change camel coe to catch(weak) [0]
straight line step sequence – could use some more speed [0]
2axel – solid [1]
3loop – slightly over the toe [0]
camel/sit var/butt out to up var/chang camel/sit/up L – good rotation speed [1]
2flip [0]
3salchow – heavy step-out with hand down [-3]
choreographic sequence [0]
2axel/2toe/2toe [0]
flying sit cannonball(weak landing) to broken leg to forward tuck [0]

His basic skating isn't bad but the program lacked character and the choreography was quite lackluster.

8. Peter Liebers /GER/
Resistance by Muse performed by Two Cellos
Hurt by Muse performed by Two Cellos

3lip – high and solid but off a wrong edge [0]
3axel/3toe – strong [1]
3lutz – solid [1]
circular step sequence – decent flow [1]
3axel – solid [1]
to flying sit holding foot to broken leg – good flow [1]
steps to 3lutz/2toe – had to fight for the landings [0]
3loop – slightly over the toe [0]
steps to 2salchow [0]
flying camel coe to donut/jump to sit/up var to up [0] – could use a little more speed
2axel – solid [1] (he should have added a double toe as he's only done two combos)
choreographic step sequence [1] – good flow
camel to donut/change camel(slow)/sit leg behind/sit forward tuck/up – could use some more speed [0]

This was very well skated and he maintained speed and flow throughout but expression was lacking and choreography was quite simple.

P.S. Hurt isn't a Muse song. They might have covered it but it is originally a Nine Inch Nails track.

9. Alexei Bychenko /ISR/
Inception (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

3lutz(good height)/3toe(slightly over the toe) – slight hesitation between the two jumps [0]
circular step sequence [0] – could use more speed and flow
2loop – a little weak [0]
flying sit(camel position in the air)/jump to sit side twist – off-centred a little [-1]
3lutz – high and solid [1]
camel/sit/up var to up/change camel/sit broken leg(off-centred)/up [0]
3flip/2toe/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
3flip – solid [1]
camel/jump to camel to upside twist(off-centred) – not a lot of speed [-1]
2axel/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
3salchow [0]
2axel [0]
choreographic step sequence [0]

Decent speed. Good element layout with jumps spread throughout in between the steps and spins and a lot of them performed in the second half. He did skate to the music decently enough in the second half but seemed to mostly skate through it at the start and as the beat was very strong and pronounced, it was really apparent.

He had problems keeping his spins centred again.

10. Yakov Godorozha /UKR/
Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgski

3axel – solid but not a lot of flow out [0]
3lutz – heavy step out [-3]
3loop/2toe [0]
3lip/2toe/2loop [-1]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to catch to upward catch – slow [-1]
straight line step sequence [0]
3lutz/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
2axel [0]
3loop – solid [1]
steps to 2salchow [0]
sit to coe/change sit/jump to sit to var(slow) [0]
choreographic circular sequence [0]
camel/sit/up cross-foot/change sit broken leg/up Y – could use a little more speed [0]

Skated from one element into another, not paying a lot of attention to the music. His posture and lines aren't bad but he lacks expression and his movements are quite stiff. Some more speed would be good as well.

11. Javier Raya /ESP/
Funeral for a Friend by Elton John

3axel – solid [1]
3toe/3toe – high [1]
3lutz – a little cheated but good height [0]
2axel/2toe [0]
camel to upside twist/change camel catch – decent rotation speed [1]
2flip – high and solid [1]
2loop – wild [-1]
circular step sequence – good edges and flow [1]
flying sit pancake to var – off-centred [-1]
3salchow – solid [1]
2axel/2toe(step out) [-2] – long entry
choreographic straight line sequence [1]
camel/up L/jump to sit/up butt out(poor extension) to up [-1] – off-centred after change of foot

Good flow. He made use of his whole body throughout and presented the program beautifully. Good layout and the choreography was quite busy and maintained your interest until the end.

He should get the highest PCS so far, in my opinion (but Liebers landed much more jumps so...).

12. Tomas Verner /CZE/
It Ain't Mean a Thing If It Has No Swing by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
La Vie En Rose
Sing, Sing, Sing

2toe – popped quad [0]
2lutz [0]
3axel – over the toe, hand almost touching [-1]
circular step sequence – light over the ice [1]
flying up cannonball to cross-foot [0]
1axel [0]
2loop [-3] – landed on two feet after one and a half a revolutions
3lutz [0]
2flip [0]
1salchow – wild pop [-1]
camel/sit/jump to sit/up cross-foot – decent rotation speed [1]
choreographic straight line sequence – good speed and expression [2]
sit to side twist/change sit holding foot coe to forward tuck [0]

Smooth and light skating but he seemed to have given up on presenting the program (other than during the choreo sequence) as well as on rotating the jumps. The performance has unsuprisingly fallen very flat.

Is he working with a sport psychologist? Because in recent years, it's always been the same story.

13. Alexander Majorov /SWE/
Life Begins Again by Afro Celt Sound System

3axel(not much flow out)/2toe [0]
3lutz – high and secure although flow out could have been a little better [1]
three-turns into 2loop [0]
flying camel coe(extension a little weak)/jump to sit/change camel to catch/up – good rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence [0]
3flip/3toe – solid [1]
3axel – turnout [-1]
3flip/2toe/2toe [0]
camel/sit holding foot/up butt out/change camel(extension not great)/jump to sit/up [0]
3salchow – solid [1]
2axel – high and solid [1]
choreographic straight line sequence – good speed and attack, nice cantilever at the end [1]
flying sit broken leg to forward tuck [0]
put the golden hood on for his ending pose (Jesus Christ)

Good job on the jumps. He skated to the music quite well and the choreography was decent enough with busy upper body movement throughout.

All throughout his performance I kept thinking how ridiculous that dangling golden hood looked. When he actually slipped it on at the end, the explosion of ridiculosity has threatened to annihilate our entire galaxy.

14. Viktor Pfeifer /AUT/
Breath by Audiomachine
Piano by Michael Orteta
Guardians at the Gate by Audiomachine

3toe – solid [1]
3flip – good height but a shaky landing [0]
3lutz with arm above – solid, soft landing with good flow out [2]
camel var/change camel coe – decent positions and flow [1]
3loop [0]
2axel – landing a little tight [0]
circular step sequence – nice extensions, clean edges [1]
3salchow/3toe – high and very solid [2]
2lutz/2toe/2toe [0]
3salchow [0]
camel/sit broken leg(very good position)/up/change camel var/sit/up catch – good positions, rotation could have been a little faster [1]
choreographic straight line sequence – nice deep cantilever at the start [1]
flying sit pancake to forward tuck – slow [-1]

Good flow throughout. Great posture, he cut a really elegant figure on the ice. Choreography was quite detailed, there was a lot of upper body movement throughout and he kept paying attention to the music.

Poor Priscilla Hill doesn't seem to have any skaters at US Nationals as she's here with him. FYI, she's rockin' purple highlights. Blame Johnny's bad influence.

15. Chafik Besseghier /FRA/
Freestyler by Boom Funk
Paris - Texas
Nuttin' But Stringz

3salchow [1] – high and solid (probably a quad attempt)
3axel – high but landing a little shaky [0]
2lutz – poor flow out [-1]
circular step sequence [1] – good attack, quite fast footwork (featuring a breakdancing move :D)
3loop – solid [1]
scratch butterflies to flying camel upside twist to upward catch [0]
3axel – high but overrotated [-2]
3lip/2toe/2toe – not a lot of flow out [-2]
sit holding foot/change sit to broken leg – good rotation speed [1]
choreographic straight line step sequence – great attack and expression, good speed [2]
3salchow – high but not very controlled [0]
2axel/2toe [0]
camel/sit/up L/change sit forward tuck/up [0]

Besseghier's basic skating isn't very strong and he has a poor posture (really rounded shoulders) and lines. Definitely not a classically trained skater. Choosing modern, funky, upbeat music was definitely the right move. He's shown some great attack and interpreted the music well at times. There were a lot of moments where he just skated into the elements with arms hanging down but when he was on, it was explosive.

16. Viktor Romanenkov /EST/
Prince of Egypt (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

3axel – fall [-3]
3lutz/2toe/2toe – solid [1]
3toe – clean but could use some more flow out [0]
camel/up cross-foot(fast)/change sit broken leg/up [-1] – decent speed to begin with but slow and really off-centred after change of foot
circular step sequence – could use more speed, flow and expression [-1]
3lutz [-3] – messy landing ending with a fall
3loop – poor flow out [-1]
sit holding foot/change sit to forward tuck(slow) [0]
3toe(landing a little insecure)/2toe [0]
2salchow/2toe [0]
2axel [0]
flying sit holding foot/up/change camel catch/sit forward tuck – very slow after change of foot [-1]
choreographic straight line sequence – slow, lacked energy [-1]

His basics are quite poor and he just skated totally through the music, showing no expression whatsoever. When the jumps fail, there isn't anything to make up for it, I'm afraid.

17. Kim Lucine /MON/
The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Money by Pink Floyd

3flip/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
3loop – solid [1]
spread eagle towards 3lutz – not a lot of flow out [0]
camel sideways twist/change camel to upward catch – decent rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – scratchy edges, poor flow [-1]
flying sit pancake/jump to sit forward tuck [0]
3salchow [0]
3lutz – messy turnout [-2]
3lip [-1]
2axel – poor flow out [-1]
choreographic circular sequence: deep cantilever followed by scratchy and slow steps [-2]
2axel – tentative entry, heavily overrotated [-3] (he did it in the middle of the choreo sequence)
camel/sit to coe/up var to up/change camel/sit/up cross-foot – decent rotation speed at the start but slow after change of foot [0]

He is really hunched, probably the weakest posture I remember seeing in skating, and his movements are quite wooden and clunky. Basic skating is quite scratchy. He can show great character and expression and that can take the attention away from those flaws, though. But this was a serious program with the music being quite languid and that only accentuated his deficiencies. And the choreography was quite generic and that impressive cantilever aside, lacked interesting movements.

Idora Hegel sighting in the audience. She looks even better than back when she competed!

18. Maxim Kovtun /RUS/
Casablanca (soundtrack) by Max Steiner

4toe [0] – a little off-axis in the air and not a lot of flow out but clean
4toe/3toe [1] – solid
3lutz/2toe [0]
camel/sit coe/up butt out/change sit(off-centred)/jump to sit/up(fast) [0]
circular step sequence [0]
3axel/2toe [0]
3axel – landing not very strong [0]
3lip [-1]
3salchow/2toe [0] – not a lot of flow out (fourth combination so no value)
flying up to cross-foot [0]
choreographic straight line step sequence [0]
2axel [0]
sit side twist/change sit forward tuck [0]

Good job on the jumps but he just skated from one element into another totally ignoring the music. There wasn't much in between the elements other than cross-overs/progressives.

After all of the controversy surrounding sending him instead of Menshov, TAT must feel justified now. I guess he is going to go to Worlds now.

19. Brian Joubert /FRA/
Gladiator (soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer

4toe – high and solid [1]
3axel [0]
3lutz – high and solid [1]
to sit/jump to sit/change sit broken leg to forward tuck [0]
3lutz – both hands down [-2]
1axel [0]
circular step sequence – quite good attack and speed [1]
camel/sit pancake to coe/jump to sit/up var – decent rotation speed [1]
3lip – solid but off a slight outside edge [0]
3salchow [0]
3lip/2toe – off a deep outside edge, not a lot of flow out [-2]
ugly transition move
sit var/up L [0]
choreographic straight line sequence – good attack [1]

Very strong basic skating, smooth edges and a lot of speed. Decent attack throughout but the choreography was a little lackluster.

He only had two combinations (the second being +SEQ on the lutz) and no combination consisting of three jumps. He should have added a double toe (or two) to the triple salchow which was landed ok enough.

20. Sergei Voronov /RUS/
Romeo and Juliet by Nino Rota

4toe – high and solid with good speed and flow out [2]
3axel – high but slightly over the toe [0]
3toe/3toe – solid [1]
flying camel – fell out of the landing (no value)
circular step sequence – decent flow [1]
3axel [-3] – cheated over a quarter, overrotated (he wobbled slightly going into it and you knew it's not going to happen)
2lip [-1]
2axel/3toe/2toe (no value) - solid, would be of +1 quality at least but since he's already performed two triple toes, the element will have no value
3loop – solid [1]
3salchow – solid [1]
choreographic straight line step sequence [1]
camel coe/sit/up butt out/change camel/sit/up L – could use a little more speed [0]
sit/change sit holding foot to forward tuck – a little slow [0]

Good speed and decent flow, a lot of power in his skating. But the choreography was basic and his program was really empty.

It's interesting that Morozov was not with him neither before nor after his performance and was tending to Amodio (who was skating later but not next) instead. You can see where his priorities lie.

21. Javier Fernandez /ESP/
Charlie Chaplin Medley

4toe – high, very solid [2]
4salchow(effortless)/3toe(step out) [0]
steps to 3axel – very strong [2]
sit/jump to sit/change sit holding foot [0]
circular step sequence – good character, decent flow, could use a little more speed [1]
4salchow – effortless [2]
3lutz/2toe – high [1]
spread eagle towards 3loop – landing not held long [0]
2flip/half-loop/3salchow [0]
to scratch butterflies to flying camel/up cross-foot/sit broken leg/up butt out – very off-centred from the second position until the end [-2]
choreographic straight line sequence [1]
3salchow [1]
camel coe/sit var/sit leg behind/up cross-foot – good rotation speed [1]

Lovely choreography. The program was full of character, had a number of connecting movements and flowed beautifully from start to finish. Quite light over the ice. Confident and composed movement throughout.

22. Michal Brezina /CZE/
The Untouchables (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone (new arrangement)

4salchow – hand down then fell [-3]
3axel – high and good flow out although a little skiddy on the landing [1]
skated around the rink into another 4salchow [0] – not a lot of flow out but held
flying sit holding foot coe to forward tuck [0]
circular step sequence – good speed and flow, busy upper body movement [2]
3axel/3toe – solid [1]
3flip – quite high [1]
3loop – high and solid [1]
3lutz – good height but poor flow out [0]
3salchow/2toe – poor flow out [-1]
camel/jump to sit(off-centred) to pancake/up/change camel/sit/up pancake – slow after change of foot [-2]
choreographic straight line sequence – good speed and energy [1]
sit leg behind/change sit broken leg – a little slow [0]

Good basics, he had a lot of speed and good energy throughout. His basic skating is definitely stronger than Fernandez's but choreography wasn't in the same league. The entries into most of his jumps were very long, especially into both quads which were done on the same spot and where he would need to go all around the rink to set them up.

23. Florent Amodio /FRA/
Jumpin' Jack by Sebastien Damiani
Broken Sorrow by Nuttin' But Stringz arr. by Sebastien Damiani
To Build a Home by Cinematic Orchestra arr. by Sebastien Damani

4salchow – skiddy landing he had to fight for but hung on [-1]
4salchow [1] – solid (I am surprised he didn't add a double toe at least, the landing was good and he had flow out)
2axel – wild pop, overrotated [-1]
flying camel upside twist to catch – good rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – fast footwork, clean, smooth edges [2]
3axel – strong, exit into transitons [1]
3axel(flow out not perfect)/2toe – slight hesitation between the two jumps [0]
3lutz – high and solid [1]
3salchow/2toe – double toe a little rushed, not a lot of flow out [0]
sit/jump to sit to var/sit forward tuck – good rotation speed [1]
choreographic straight line step sequence – fast [1]
camel/sit/up var to up L/change camel/sit leg behind(slight touch down with free foot changing positions)/up cross-foot – good rotation speed [1]

Beautiful soft and smooth basic skating done on deep edges but the choreography was the typical Morozovian affair with not much that could distract Amodio from the jumps. No interesting movements, hardly any transitions and no character. The music seemed incidental.

It's a real shame because Amodio's basics are very strong and he has shown some great character in his programs in the past (even if only during posing – but here there was no fun posing even :p).

A new total personal best for him. Kudos to him for giving two strong performances. And this program would easily be enough to win under most circumstances but this year, Fernandez was simply exceptional.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Ziggy wrote: "Why was Marika wearing a black hat and an thick down coat in the kiss and cry? Was she about to go for a walk in the forest?"

I thought she looked very pale and almost ill in the SD K&C. Maybe she's got a cold?

Ahh that would make sense. I might have to take my bitchy comment back then. :p

Men's FS posted by the way. Ladies might take a while, though, I'm afraid.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 European Figure Skating Championships
Ladies – Free Skating

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/ec2013/ec2013_Ladies_FS_Scores.pdf

Another event skated to an extremely high standard. Yep, definitely the best European Championships ever.

The best performance award has to go to Valentina Marchei who managed to land all of her jumps and showed fantastic performance ability as usual. A lot of spunk and a lot of character. It's incredible how far she has come as a skater, especially given her “senile” age of 26.

Special mentions to Sonia Lafuente who has given the best performance of her career, earning the 5th highest TES of the night and Kerstin Frank who showed a lot of power and big jumps. Last year she was didn't make it through to the short program, placing 12th in the preliminary round, this year she has obliterated both of her personal bests to place 12th in the actual event.

As an aside, I think I would like to see the ISU mandate that the choreographic sequence should contain at least one spiral held 3 seconds (or 2 seconds at the very least) because we're seeing quite a lot of pseudo-spiral kicks again.

1. Fleur Maxwell /LUX/
Santa Maria (Del Buen Aire) by Gotan Project
Assassin's Tango (from Mr. and Mrs. Smith soundtrack) by John Powell
PA Bailar by Dajo Tondo

3loop – long entry, underrotated way over a quarter, painful fall [-3]
3toe – decent flow out but hand almost touching [0]
2salchow [0]
camel/sit var/up Y – very good extension, quite good rotation speed [2]
3toe – cheated slightly, fall [-3]
2axel – underrotated over half a revolution, fall [-3]
3salchow(cheated slightly)/turn/2toe [-3]
popped axel (no value)
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – lovely extension, could use a litlte more speed though [1]
straight line step sequence – busy upper body movement but could use more speed and flow [0]
choreographic sequence: ina bauer / back biellmann spiral / split jump – well extended positions [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – good extension and rotation speed [2]

She's a really balletic skater, very elegant posture and beautiful lines throughout. Flow wasn't bad either. The program was very generic, however. She just skated around the ice surface and into the jumps. Hardly anything happened in between the elements.

Her jump technique really needs work. I wish she could go to a strong technical coach and try to rework her jumps because her basics are really lovely.

2. Sila Saygi /TUR/
Valse Sentimentale by P. I. Tchaikovski

3toe – quite good height and distance and solid landing but free foot touched slightly [0]
3salchow(over the toe)/1toe(eeked out) [-2]
spread eagle to 2axel – clean but landing not very secure [0]
flying camel coe/sit/jump to sit broken leg/up [0]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – good positions and rotation speed [2]
3salchow – underrotated over a quarter, hand down, turned out with foot down [-3]
2axel [-2] – seemed to have landed ok but then stepped out (she had the jump, just lost the focus)
fell skating forward (looked like the focus is going off)
2lutz/2toe(cheated over a quarter) [-1]
circular step sequence – quite fast footwork [1]
choreographic sequence: front biellmann spiral [0]
2lutz [0]
camel to illusion/up/change sit holding foot/up butt out to fast layback [0] – positions could have been better extended

There was a lot of upper body movement throughout and it reflected the character of the music well. Good performance skills, she kept selling the program even after the mistakes crept in.

3. Tina Stuerzinger /SUI/
Csardas

3lutz/2toe – not a lot of height [0]
3toe/1toe/2toe [0]
2flutz [-1]
2axel/2toe [0]
flying camel coe to donut /change sit/sideways catch to biellmann – quite good positions, rotation speed not bad [1]
3salchow [0]
3toe [0]
flying sit holding foot to forward tuck – could use a little more speed [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
choreographic sequence : back Y / front basic [0]
2axel [0]
to steps to camel/sit/up Y/change camel/sit broken leg/up – not a lot of speed, off-centred quite considerably before the change of foot [-2]

Her movement was a little stiff and she didn't show a lot of expression.

She doesn't get a lot of height on her jumps and all of them look quite tight (she doesn't really have any room to spare before the landing).

4. Jenna McCorkell /GBR/
Where Have All The Flowers Gone

3lutz – underrotated over a quarter, heavy fall [-3]
2flip [0]
3toe/2toe – solid [1]
flying camel to upward twist(a little off-centred)/jump to layback catch/sit var [0]
3flip – a little over the toe, landing not very strong [0]
1salchow [0]
2axel/2toe [0]
3toe into 2axel(weak landing) [0]
camel coe/sit broken leg/up butt out [0]
straight line step sequence – decent expression [0]
choreographic sequence: fan kick / split jump / front spiral [0]
flying sit side twist/sit forward tuck [0]

Just like in the short program, she has made good effort presenting her program despite the problems on the jumps. Quite a lot of upper body movement throughout but her posture and lines aren't great so it looked a little weak.

You gotta feel for Jenna, she's been working at it for so long, which you obviously have to respect but I'm afraid it seems she's starting to enter Fumie Suguri territory now. :/

5. Natalia Popova /UKR/
La Bayadere by Leon Minkus

3flip – flow out could have been a little better [0]
3loop – cheated over a quarter, step out with hand down [-3]
3toe/2toe/2loop [1]
flying camel coe to upward twist to donut to upward catch – rotation speed not bad but positions could have been extended better [0]
camel/sit cannonball to broken leg/change sit/up pancake/up Y – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
3toe [0]
3salchow(underrotated over a quarter)/2toe – not a lot of flow out, toe entry slightly pre-rotated [-2]
3salchow(cheated over a quarter)/2toe [-1]
2axel – underrotated over a quarter, tight landing, poor flow out [-2]
straight line step sequence [0]
choreographic sequence : front V / front catchfoot spirals [0]
layabck to catch to biellmann [0]

She landed most of her jumps but their quality was quite poor. She wouldn't get a lot of speed and flow out in most cases and rotation wasn't always completed.

Her basic skating is quite heavy and her movements quite wooden. She did move her arms a fair amount throughout but she skated with a blank facial expression and lacked attack.

6. Anne Line Gjersem /NOR/
Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens

3salchow/2toe/2loop [0]
2loop/2toe – a little weak [-1]
3salchow – landing not very strong [0]
3loop – heavy step out [-3]
camel/sit holding foot/jump to change sit var/up Y to up – rotation speed a little slow although it picked up at the end [0]
2axel – poor height and distance, underrotated over a quarter, step out [-3]
flying camel to upward twist to camel biellmann coe(decent position and rotation speed) [1]
3salchow – over the toe, slightly cheated [-1]
2axel/shaky turn/2toe [-2]
sit/jump to sit/change sit broken leg to forward tuck – quite slow [-1]
straight line step sequence – lacked speed and flow [-1]
choreographic sequence: footwork / owen spiral / more footwork – lacked speed and attack, spiral not extended very well [-1]

Her basic skating is weak, she needed a lot of pushes in order to generate speed and was quite slow throughout. There was a fair amount of arm movements throughout but she could have pushed the expression a bit more. She seemed a little tense.

Her jump technique is not very good. She jumps “on the spot”, not getting a lot of height or distance.

7. Monika Simancikova /SVK/
Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saens

2axel – over the toe, poor flow out [-1]
3flip – slightly underrotated, two-footed, step out [-3]
3toe/2toe/2loop [0]
nice curvy entry into 3loop – two-footed [-2]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – quite good extensions [1]
3salchow/2toe – good height, decent landing [1]
3toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
3salchow [0]
scratch butterflies to flying camel to upside twist/change camel coe/sit broken leg/up – slow after change of foot [-1]
straight line step sequence – a little slow [0]
choreographic sequence: back biellmann / split jump / spread eagle [0]
camel to var/change sit cannonball to forward tuck – decent positions and rotation speed but a little off-centred after change of foot [0]

Speed wasn't bad but she skated through the music and didn't show a lot of expression.

She gets decent height on her jumps.

8. Elene Gedevanishvili /GEO/
Don Quixote by Leon Minkus

2lutz [0]
2lutz/2toe [0]
3salchow/2toe [0]
circular step sequence – good attack, sharp footwork [2]
3salchow(not much flow out)/2toe [0]
2axel/2toe [0] (fourth combination so no value)
flying camel to upside twist to catch(off-centred)/change sit holding foot/up sideways to layback – off-centred slightly after change of foot as well [-1]
2axel – two-footed slightly [-2]
3toe – two-footed slightly [-2]
choreographic sequence: front basic / footwork [1]
to flying sit holding foot to side twist to forward tuck – very well extended positions and decent rotation speed but off-centred slightly [0]
camel coe/change sit holding foot/up var to Y – decent positions and rotation speed but really off-centred [-1]

A well choreographed program, featuring detailed upper body movement and some connecting elements as well. She sold it well, showing a lot of attack, despite the numerous mistakes on the jumps.

She had problems centering her spins again (and the judges failed to notice it again :p).

Her left shoulder was taped so she must be suffering from some kind of injury.

9. Kaat Van Daele /BEL/
Born on the 4th of July (soundtrack) by John Williams

3loop – cheated over a quarter [-1]
3toe/2toe – both landings a little weak and not very secure, poor flow out [-1]
3salchow – landing not very strong [0]
3salchow/step out/1toe [-2]
flying camel to catch to coe/up/change sit holding foot to forward tuck [0]
straight line step sequence – could use more speed but flow wasn't bad [0]
3toe – free foot brushed the ice on the landing [-1]
choreographic sequence: long spread eagle / back catchfoot spiral / ina bauer [1]
2axel/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
2axel – not a lot of flow out [0]
camel/sit sideways twist/up/change camel/sit broken leg(poor position)/up – off-centred quite considerably [-2]
sideways to layback to catch – really off-centred, extension not great [-2]

She was quite slow, the choreography was generic (skating around the rink into jumps done in same spots) and she didn't show a lot of expression. There was a fair amount of arm movements but she wasn't extending them properly or delivering them with enough attack and confidence.

10. Kerstin Frank /AUT/
Soundtrack Selections by Hans Zimmer and William Ross

3lutz – high but leaning forward slightly, hand down [-1]
3salchow(again leaning slightly in the air so she was a little over the toe on the landing)/2toe [0]
3toe/2toe – high and solid [1]
scratch butterflies to flying camel/sit/up Y/change camel/sit broken leg/up – slowed down after change of foot [0]
straight line step sequence – footwork quite heavy [0]
3salchow – good height but again leaning forward in the air [0]
3toe/2toe/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
2axel – high, good flow out [1]
2axel [1]
to flying camel to sideways twist to upward catch coe – decent rotation speed but the positions could have been better extended [0]
choreographic sequence: front spiral / split jump / footwork [0]
to camel/sit holding foot/change sideways to catch – off-centred slightly [-1]

Her posture and lines aren't very good but she skated this program with quite a lot of power and attack. Choreography wasn't particularly complex but she's shown a decent amount of upper body movement. She was quite stiff however and didn't seem to be able to use her whole body to express the music.

11. Mae Berenice Meite /FRA/
Abou Simbel
Hassan Prince du Desert from Zafara by Laurent Perez Del Mar
Yulunga
Serpent's Egg by Dead Can Dance
Belphegor (soundtrack)

3flip – leaning forward in the air, both hands down, turnout [-3]
3lutz – solid [1]
3loop – landed it ok but then stepped out [-2]
2axel – secure landing, good flow out [1]
circular step sequence – sharp upper body movement, good attack, edges could have been more pronounced but flow not bad [1]
camel/up Y/change sit holding foot to broken leg/up [0]
2axel/3toe(slightly cheated) [-1]
choreographic sequence: fan kick / split jump / front spiral [0]
2flip – solid, nice flow out [1]
3toe/2toe [0]
sideways to layback to catch to biellmann – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
flying camel var coe/up cross-foot – nice camel position but got really off-centred on coe [-1]

'Walk Like an Egyptian' kind of routine. She has a very poor posture and her movements are quite stiff. So giving her kooky music with a strong beat and busy upper body movement, which reflects the character of the music is the way to go. The program maintained your interest from start to finish and it took the attention away from her flaws. Spins were quite strong as well.

12. Anita Madsen /DEN/
Poeta by Vicente Amigo

3loop/2toe – solid, good flow out [1]
hard fall skating backwards
3toe – good height and flow out altohugh the landing wasn't very secure [1]
2axel/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – could use a little more speed [0]
3loop – landing a little weak, not a lot of flow out [-1]
steps to 2salchow [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – decent extension and rotation speed at the start but the biellmann was a little laboured [0]
straight line step sequence – quite weak, could use more speed, flow and attack [-1]
2axel [0]
choreographic sequence: front catchfoot / footwork – could extend her movements better [0]
2lutz/2toe/2toe [0]
to footwork to camel/up L/change sit holding foot to broken leg/up – quite good rotation speed [1]

Quite a lot of freedom in her movement and the speed was decent but she could have made better use of the music and push the expression more.

A new personal best for her by around seven points.

Extremely handsome Kalle Strid and the Danish team leader were going totally mental behind the boards again. :)

13. Juulia Turkkila /FIN/
Sheherazade by Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov

3toe/3toe(landed forwards on two feet and fell) [-3]
three-turns into 3loop – underrotated over a quarter, fall [-3]
2salchow/2toe [0]
2axel(two-footed slightly)/2toe/2loop [-1]
straight line step sequence – quite fast footwork but not a lot of flow of speed over the ice [0]
choreographic sequence: front Y / ina bauer / back spiral – lovely extension, decent flow [2]
footwork to flying camel upward catch to donut – good extension, decent rotation speed [1]
3salchow – two-footed [-3]
1axel [0]
2loop [0]
camel/sit holding foot/change sit var/up Y – good positions and rotation speed [2]
sideways to layback to catch to biellmann(a little laboured) – decent rotation speed but off-centred throughout [-1]

Good posture and lines, she's very elegant. She was quite light over the ice but could use more speed and power in her skating (she is very tiny and slightly built though, so that can at least partly explain it). She didn't make very good use of the music and seemed to mostly skate through it.

In the warm-up, she stepped out of a 2axel and then fell, which has set the scene up for her program, I'm afraid.

14. Elena Glebova /EST/
Black Magic Woman by Carlos Santana

1flutz [-1]
transitions to 2axel – solid [1]
3loop – telegraphed slightly, fall [-3]
3toe/3toe [0]
to sideways/layback catch – good rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – could use more flow [0]
3salchow(messy landing)/turn/2toe [-2]
3salchow/1toe/2toe [0]
2axel – landing not very strong [0]
flying sit to pancake(good position and rotation speed)/jump to sit forward tuck(slow) [0]
choreographic sequence: footwork / front spiral [0]
camel to donut/up/change sit broken leg/up L to cross-foot [0]

Skated with a lot of speed and flow and had a fair amount of upper body movement which reflected the funky character of the music quite well. Most of the jump entries were quite long, however.

15. Nathalie Weinzierl /GER/
Havana by Dave Grusin

3lutz – high but landing not very controlled [0]
2axel – fall [-3]
3lutz(leaning backwards in the air)/2toe – weak landings [-1]
flying sit cannonball to broken leg to forward tuck – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
3toe – fall [-3]
straight line step sequence – could use more speed and flow [0]
3loop – quite high but flow out could have been better [0]
3salchow/2toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
3salchow/2toe/2toe – no speed out [0]
layback to sideways to catch to biellmann – could use a little more speed [0]
choreographic sequence: front biellmann spiral / footwork [0]
to camel to upward catch/change sit/up var to up – good rotation speed [1]

Good speed and power but she mostly skated through the music and her choreography was quite generic.

A very good job fighting until the end and rotating and landing all her other jumps despite two falls in the first half of her program.

16. Sonia Lafuente /ESP/
West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein

3flip [0]
3lutz [0]
3loop [0]
camel/sit/up Y/change camel/sit broken leg/up – not a lot of speed [0]
3toe/2toe – good height on the toe but not a lot of speed out [0]
curvy entry into 3loop/turnout/2toe [-2]
layback to catch to biellmann [0]
3toe – solid but quite a long, cautious entry [0]
2axel/2toe [0]
flying camel coe to donut/up/change sit holding foot – could use more speed [0]
straight line step sequence – quite slow, quite poor flow [-1]
choreographic sequence: Y spiral / spread eagle [0]

Great job on her jumps, this probably was the best she has ever skated. The quality of her elements was not particularly strong, however. Most of the jumps had quite tight landings and steps and spins could use more speed.

The program flowed quite well and she did seem to move to the music most of the time but her movements weren't extended very well and lacked confidence and attack. And she sported her usual distant facial expression. I would really like her to get sent to a performance skills coach. More attack and expression would make a big difference to the way her programs are carried across.

A new personal best and her first top 10 placement at Euros. Sadly Spain doesn't have a second female skater at competitive senior level.

17. Nikol Gosviani /RUS/
Berlin Concerto by Vladimir Cosma

three-turns to 3flip/3toe – secure landings although could use a little more speed out [1]
3loop – not a lot of flow out, landing not held long [-1]
3salchow – not a lot of speed out [0]
2lutz – overrotated [-3]
camel/sit/up Y(great extension)/change sit cannonball to broken leg – a little slow after change of foot [0]
turns to 3flip – solid although landing could have been better extended [1]
1axel – landed on two feet [-3]
circular step sequence – decent flow, nice upper body movement [1]
3toe/2toe [0]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – fantastic extension, could use a little more speed though [1]
choreographic sequence: front split spiral / spread eagle [1]
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch – good positions and rotation speed [2]

Quite good speed, her skating was light over the ice. Great posture, elegant and composed movement throughout. I wish she accentuated and extended her movements a little better, just give it a little bit more, but that's nitpicking.

A very promising skater with the whole package. Sadly, given the level of Russian skating at present, it's likely her first and last European Championships even though she would easily win Nationals in most of ISU member states.

18. Lenaelle Gilleron-Gorry /FRA/
Memoirs of a Geisha (soundtrack) by John Williams

3lutz – high but landing not very strong [0]
3loop – landed deep in the kne, didn't manage to hold it and stepped out [-2]
2flip [0]
sit to forward tuck/change sit broken leg – quite slow [-1]
3flip – high but leaning forwards in the air slightly both hands down [-2]
back spiral to 2axel [1]
ina bauer towards 3toe – not a lot of flow out [0]
camel coe/sit/up butt out(not extended very well)/change camel to upward catch/sit var/up – two last positions very slow [-1]
circular step sequence [0]
3toe/2toe – landings not very strong [0]
choreographic sequence: front catch spiral / ina bauer [0]
to flying sit side twist – could use a little more speed [0]

Quite good speed throughout but her posture and lines aren't very strong and a big question mark over how the program related to the music. The fast parts had a rhythm which she just couldn't keep up with and the slow languid part did not suit her very well, given her movement isn't particularly elegant or balletic. Something like her SP music (upbeat track with a strong – but not so fast – rhythm) would work much better.

She gets very good height on her jumps but she should work on her spins, which could definitely use more speed.

19. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva /RUS/
Dark Eyes

3lutz/3toe – solid [1]
3lutz – high and very solid [2]
3flip – poor flow out [-1]
sideways to layback catch – good rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – good attack, busy upper body movement, decent flow [1]
2axel/3toe – solid [1]
3salchow/2toe/2loop – solid [1]
flying sit holding foot to coe to forward tuck – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]
3loop – solid with good flow out but telegraphed [1]
choreograhpic sequence: back Y spiral / footwork / back catchfoot spiral – good positions and speed, great attack [2]
2axel – solid [1]
to jump to camel to upward catch/up/change sit/up butt out/sit broken leg/up – quite fast but really off-centred at the end [0]

Quite good speed and great attack throughout. Almost all of the elements were executed to a very high standard.

This program works very well for her. She has slightly rounded shoulders and doesn't have a balletic style but her lines were decent and she is quite spunky and has good energy. The program had busy upper body movement and she sold it really well.

Once again Tuktamysheva has faltered in the short but delivered an excellent free program. And it proved very costly. Despite winning the free with an outstanding performance, she could only settle for the bronze.

20. Joshi Helgesson /SWE/
Burlesque (soundtrack)
Express
Blues in Night Quincy Jones
Show Me How You Burlesque (from Burlesque soundtrack)

steps towards 3lutz(high)/2toe with arm above(after a lot of hesitation, underrotated over half a revolution) [-1]
3salchow – solid [1]
3loop – telegraphed, cheated over a quarter, overrotated [-3]
camel to catch to donut to camel biellmann coe – good positions, decent rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – very good uper body movement, quite fast footwork, she could use more flow though [1]
back spiral towards 3lutz – underrotated over a quarter, two-footed, step out [-3]
3toe/2toe/2loop(cheated over a quarter) – not a lot of flow out [-1]
choreographic sequence : back spiral / sweep / Y spiral / footwork [1]
2axel – solid [1]
turns to flying camel/jump to sit holding foot/change layback catch to biellmann(a little slow) – [0]
2toe/turn/2toe – messy [-3]
sit holding foot/jump to change sit holding foot/up Y [0]

Another well choreographed program, full of character and featuring busy upper body movement. She showed performance skills throughout and performed her showgirl routine with a lot of attack.

It really is incredible how much she's turned around from quite a mediocre and boring skater into one with fun, entertaining programs that stand out from the crowd.

Her posture still isn't very good, though, he back is really stiff. And the program could have used some more transitions.

Underrotations have plagued her again.

21. Carolina Kostner /ITA/
Bolero by Maurice Ravel

3lutz – long entry but solid landing with a lovely extension [1]
2axel – solid, very good extension [2]
3flip/2toe [0]
flying camel/jump to sit broken leg/up cross-foot – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]
scratch butterflies to camel sideways twist to upward catch – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
3loop – very solid but entry a little telegraphed [1]
3toe/2toe – high and solid [1]
2salchow/2toe/2loop [0]
camel to illusion/up/change sit cannonball/up L – quite good flow and rotation speed [1]
straight line step sequence – great expression, deep edges, good flow [2]
choreographic sequence: front spiral / footwork [1]
to 2salchow – weak landing [-1]

Beautiful deep and clean edges throughout. Elegant and composed movement with stunning posture, lines and extensions.

This program is far from her best work, however. It lacked transitions and most of the jump entries were very long. She showed some very good expression and skated to the music well at the end of the program but has mostly skated from one element to the next, not paying much attention to the music prior to that.

She certainly deserves very high marks for her skating skills but I don't think that similarly high marks for her other components are justified.

Strong, solid jumps in the warm-up.

22. Valentina Marchei /ITA/
The Artist (soundtrack) by Ludovic Bource

3lutz – very high and solid [2]
2axel/3toe – solid [1]
2lutz – high and solid [1] (apparently it was planned and replaced the triple flip which she just couldn't land at all in practice)
flying sit to broken leg/jump to sit pancake [0]
circular step sequence – great character, good flow [1]
3salchow [0]
back catchfoot spiral to 3lutz(weak landing with no flow out)/1toe(barely eeked out) [-2]
choreographic sequence: spirals and some footwork – nice extensions [1]
2axel [0]
sideways to layback catch – good rotation speed [1]
3salchow(cheated over a quarter)/2toe/2toe [-1]
camel/sit/up Y to up/change camel catch/sit forward tuck – good rotation speed [1]

Good speed throughout. A fun program, full of character, with a fair amount of transitions. Fantastic attack and expression from start to finish. She is an incredible performer who always gives it her 110%.

Her skating has really improved under Yuka and Jason's tutelage and the Detroit team has given her very good overall packaging as well. It was definitely a very good decision to move to the US. She's “already” 26 and it's a shame she hasn't done it earlier.

23. Adelina Sotnikova /RUS/
At Last
Burlesque (soundtrack)

3flutz/3toe(underrotated over a quarter, foot down quickly) [-3]
1flip [0]
3loop [0]
to scratch butterflies to flying camel catch coe to donut upward twist – good positions and rotation speed but off-centred on the final position [1]
2axel(not a lot of flow out)/3toe(slightly cheated) [-1]
3flip/2toe/2loop – solid, good height [1]
2axel – landing not very strong [0]
3salchow – solid [1]
sideways to layback catch to biellmann – good rotation speed(although slowed on biellmann), great extension [1]
straight line step sequence – good character, fast footwork [1]
camel to illusion/sit holding foot/jump to change sit/up Y [0]
choreographic sequence: front split spiral / cantilever / back Y – good extension [1]

Quite a lot of upper body movement which was extended well but I had the same reservation as after her short program. The program lacked style and character. You'd never guess what she was skating to if the music was off.

24. Viktoria Helgesson /SWE/
Spellbound Concerto by Miklos Rozsa

1flip [0]
3toe – solid [1]
3loop into 2axel – solid [1]
camel to upward twist to upward catch – decent positions and rotation speed [1]
circular step sequence – busy upper body movement, good expression, nice flow [1]
3toe – slightly over the toe (didn't do the combo) [0]
2axel/2toe/2loop [0]
3loop – solid, nice flow out [1]
camel coe/sit/up Y/change camel(weak)/sit var/up – off-centred after change of foot [-1]
choreographic sequence: front spiral / footwork [1]
1salchow – long entry [-1]
flying sit holding foot to broken leg to forward tuck – quite good positions and rotation speed [1]

Smooth, light basic skating. Soft and languid, elegant movement that fitted the character of the music well.

Quite long entries into the jumps, however. The program could use more transitions.

She did a high and solid 3salchow in the warm-up (in the program it looked like she stalked it too much).
 

hanca

Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Wouldn't work either. In order to be a judge in the UK, you have to be a former skater who landed at least 1axel and 2salchow.

Whilst I do a little adult skating every now and then, there's no way I'll ever get to this level. :p

Are you sure about that? I know you have to be NISA L6, but do you have to be L6 in elements, or would field moves be enough? Alternatively you could be tech spec instead of judge. I don't think there is any requirement for your skating to be tech spec.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Thanks for the reports. Big job :thumbsup:

Thank you. :)

Are you sure about that? I know you have to be NISA L6, but do you have to be L6 in elements, or would field moves be enough? Alternatively you could be tech spec instead of judge. I don't think there is any requirement for your skating to be tech spec.

That's what a British judge told me. So I would guess that you have to be Lv6 in everything. But yeah, worth checking if I move back to the UK.

Tech panel people have to be former competitive skaters.
 
Last edited:

hanca

Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
That's what a British judge told me. So I would guess that you have to be Lv6 in everything. But yeah, worth checking if I move back to the UK.

Tech panel people have to be former competitive skaters.

I don't think so. A friend of mine, an adult skater (never competed at any level, not event at adult level) is preparing for the tech spec exam!

And the judging, it is definitely worth looking into it, because I know for sure that one bloke who used to skate at our rink became a judge, and I have never seen him jump! (Although he he may have become ice dance judge, which is possible). But doing NISA L6 pattern dance and free dance would be more doable for adult skater than doing L6 elements and free skating program. I wonder whether the rule is that you have to be L6 NISA (any test L6), rather than all tests L6. Field move would be easiest to pass.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Thanks for all the info, once I'm back in the UK then I will definitely look into it. Hopefully my skating will eventually be good enough to pass some kind of L6 test. ^^
 

hanca

Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
if you get to the UK, get in touch, I will send you what you need for L1-6. (you may have to pass all six levels of FM, not only L6)
 
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