I've been thinking a lot about skaters that many posters feel don't have good material this season, or have never found material that best suits them. Sometimes you can tell when a choreographer is really inspired by a skater, for instance Lori Nichol with Michelle, Carolina or Denis to name a few and yet when her a great skater and a great choreographer don't click it can feel like a wasted opportunity, or you see a skater who just hasn't found the right material yet.
SO in the spirit of going back to favorite programs of the past, but also looking at skaters of today, I thought it might be fun to see what skates (competitive or exhibition) from the past that you think could work really well on a skater today, or might be offer the opportunity to explore untapped talent. Of course I know this would never actually happen for many reasons, but it would be fun to think about!
For instance I think it would be interesting to see Gracie skate to one of Nicole Bobek's old programs. I feel they move across the ice in a very similar way, and both have powerful, springy jumps, and the sort of fast, exciting energy in most of Nicole's programs could be an exciting realm for her to explore, but still be true to what Frank and Lori like to do.
I think Bobek's '95 Short would push her performance skills but also play up her sunny personality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgfcohSFIOE
Also Bobek's '98 long feels very much like the directions Frank and Lori want to take her, but is chock full of speed and I think could push her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FblGVzjzxO0
For Mirai, I would love to see her try Michelle's Romanza. On Golden Pond is reminiscent of the quiet opening here, and it would be great to see her do a program that really uses her spirals to their fullest potential, and also the personality and speed of the flamenco in the footwork would be a great vehicle for her I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1imuQWeIi4Q
For Samantha, Chen Lu's Adios Nonino could be great. Sandra Bezic created a first class vehicle here and I think it's a style Samantha already connects to, she just hasn't gotten to do something this sophisticated yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxER4UaFxNA
I'm gonna start with just those ideas. Later on I'll try to add some non-US skaters/teams but I think this is a good start and hopefully it will inspire other folks to contribute their own program revivals they'd love to see!
SO in the spirit of going back to favorite programs of the past, but also looking at skaters of today, I thought it might be fun to see what skates (competitive or exhibition) from the past that you think could work really well on a skater today, or might be offer the opportunity to explore untapped talent. Of course I know this would never actually happen for many reasons, but it would be fun to think about!
For instance I think it would be interesting to see Gracie skate to one of Nicole Bobek's old programs. I feel they move across the ice in a very similar way, and both have powerful, springy jumps, and the sort of fast, exciting energy in most of Nicole's programs could be an exciting realm for her to explore, but still be true to what Frank and Lori like to do.
I think Bobek's '95 Short would push her performance skills but also play up her sunny personality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgfcohSFIOE
Also Bobek's '98 long feels very much like the directions Frank and Lori want to take her, but is chock full of speed and I think could push her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FblGVzjzxO0
For Mirai, I would love to see her try Michelle's Romanza. On Golden Pond is reminiscent of the quiet opening here, and it would be great to see her do a program that really uses her spirals to their fullest potential, and also the personality and speed of the flamenco in the footwork would be a great vehicle for her I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1imuQWeIi4Q
For Samantha, Chen Lu's Adios Nonino could be great. Sandra Bezic created a first class vehicle here and I think it's a style Samantha already connects to, she just hasn't gotten to do something this sophisticated yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxER4UaFxNA
I'm gonna start with just those ideas. Later on I'll try to add some non-US skaters/teams but I think this is a good start and hopefully it will inspire other folks to contribute their own program revivals they'd love to see!