I don't think P/B should be punished for stuff that happened off the ice (AKA "mouthing off"). I think they skated better than the teams in front of them in Saitama and deserved the gold. That's all there is to it.P&B probably did themselves no favors by mouthing off about the judging after the dissapointment of losing the bronze to I&K (probably stung more because of the crazy scores I&K received that indicated they had no chance, as it should have atleast probably been closer between them). I actually predicted before worlds there might be a bit of backlash for that. While it is impossible to say for sure that happened, it wouldnt shock me if it did.
I can understand C&L staying in. They only have 1 world medal to date (even if a gold) and 2 Europeans medals. I am sure they want to take the opportunity as world champions to see what they can achieve, and they atleast have the chance for now to shoot for more major medals, possibly even gold. However I think they will have a hard time staying above W&P this season, and possibly B&S depending how B&S's programs look, and if C&L stay in beyond another year or two they could see themselves passed by a variety of up and coming teams from the U.S and Russia. In short I dont see them the ones to beat even now, and think to try and stay until 2018 would be very bold on their part, but who knows. Nobody would have predicted them winning worlds either, even with V&M and D&W out.
So are Pechalat and Bourizat staying amateur? After that puss on her face at Worlds medal ceremony, I thought she was done!
I don't think P/B should be punished for stuff that happened off the ice (AKA "mouthing off"). I think they skated better than the teams in front of them in Saitama and deserved the gold. That's all there is to it.
I would've placed C/L in third place behind both P/B and W/P in Saitama... perhaps the result indicates that the judges disagree. But with the scores so close, I'm certainly not ready to declare C/L the new favoured team.
Exactly what I think.I will be surprised if C&L defend their world title. I see them probably on the podium but only with silver or bronze, and if they stay past this year they will probably drop out of the top 3 in favor of some up and coming teams. I think W&P or B&S (probably more likely W&P) will win it this year. Lets just say their surprise world title last year was not the dawning of them as the new dominant team in ice dancing IMO.
I think P/B did enough in the FD to overcome their SD deficit (it's not like they made a huge error a la I/K). However, I can see the case for W/P. I'd prefer either the French or the Canadians winning over C/L. There just wasn't any substance in C/L's FD.I would have had it W&P gold, P&B silver, C&L bronze. P&B did not perform a great SD so there was some validation for their placing behind W&P and C&L, although I understand some still thinking they were robbed. I was happy for C&L and their win, but I almost think it was a consolation choice since the judges weren't ready to crown another NA team as champions so soon after V&M and D&W retiring, and they also weren't comfortable giving it to P&B for some reason. I&K were supposed to win it in a cakewalk so I don't think the judges had even considered what to do if they had a huge problem. So they settled on C&L. I am not saying they didn't deserve it, although I wouldn't have gone with them, they did skate very well and the points went there way. However like you I certainly don't see them as the dominant team or even really the team to beat moving forwards. Contenders in the short term, but that is all.
Yes, Spindrift, that medal mix-up was hilarious. Good 'ole Cinquanta can't even get the medal color right! I'm sure he chewed out some poor little medal holder girl for not telling him he was giving the wrong medal. "Hey, leader of figure skating...give her the silver one, she's in second place..."
Who knows maybe the disappointment of last season will light a fire in them.B/S always seem to go all dramatic to cover up their technical deficiencies. That hasn't worked for them so far and isn't likely to work for them in the future, especially if other teams are working on improving themselves technically instead of choreographing coverups.
Sochi 2014. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVsL01m_ZbIThere's something about Bobrova and Soloviev that doesn't sit right with me. A couple years ago there was a Skate America practice video with Davis and White, Bobrova and soloviev and a couple others on the ice. Davis and White's music was playing and so it was there chance to have command of center ice. That's the rule. Right before Charlie lifted Meryl upside down for one of those difficult one legged super-hard balance moves, Bobrova and Soloviev cur right in front of them and, luckily, Charlie saw it and aborted the lift. It was super scary. This video has been since taken down. So, ok, maybe an accident but since then I've watched Soloviev's demeanor and there seems to me an edge, an arrogance that I'm, not liking. I'm sure his fans will disagree and say it was just an accident and it happens all the time. We'll see...
B/S always seem to go all dramatic to cover up their technical deficiencies. That hasn't worked for them so far and isn't likely to work for them in the future, especially if other teams are working on improving themselves technically instead of choreographing coverups.
Given the retirements, they are currently the de facto #1 team in the World.
That's a depressing thought, given their technical deficiencies. Two years ago they actually made technical progress (at least they weren't hunched over nearly as much), but last year, it seems they prioritized speed and Uber!Drama! and seemed to have lost any gains they made in clean technique. That's depressing.
On the other hand, I don't see them maintaining their position for long. I just don't.
I think we will find that a lot of teams have twizzle problems this year, given that there are new requirements to achieve level four. It will be interesting and perhaps a bit heart-breaking to watch.
There's something about Bobrova and Soloviev that doesn't sit right with me. A couple years ago there was a Skate America practice video with Davis and White, Bobrova and soloviev and a couple others on the ice. Davis and White's music was playing and so it was there chance to have command of center ice. That's the rule. Right before Charlie lifted Meryl upside down for one of those difficult one legged super-hard balance moves, Bobrova and Soloviev cur right in front of them and, luckily, Charlie saw it and aborted the lift. It was super scary. This video has been since taken down. So, ok, maybe an accident but since then I've watched Soloviev's demeanor and there seems to me an edge, an arrogance that I'm, not liking. I'm sure his fans will disagree and say it was just an accident and it happens all the time. We'll see...
Yes, I must say that I worry what we will see. Not in terms of mistakes, but in terms of injuries. For example the twizzles with the head bend backward - I find it very dangerous especially in time when the couple will be very nervous during important competition, loose concentration and fall without an orientation in space thanks to head bend backward.
Sochi 2014. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVsL01m_ZbI
How many pairs are breaking the 'rules'! OMG.