2013 Skate America
Ice Dance – Short Dance
Quickstep plus one or two following rhythms: Foxtrot, Charleston, Swing
Pattern Dance: Two Sections of Finnstep skated one after the other (Section 1 followed by Section 2 with Step #1 skated on the Judges’ side)
Detailed Classification
Judges Scoreshttp://www.isuresults.com/results/gpusa2013/gpusa2013_IceDance_SD_Scores.pdf
Links to other Reports:
Ice Dance – Free Dance
Ladies – Short Program
Ladies - Free Skating
Men – Short Program
Men – Free Skating
Pairs – Short Program
Pairs – Free Skating
Disclaimer: The GOE values listed next to the elements are ones I would award if I was a judge and they’re intended to give you a general impression of how each element was executed. I try to describe each of the elements but there's not always time to be as detailed as I would like and a numbers can sometimes say a thousand words.
I am generally very nitpicky, try to pay a lot of attention to detail and attempt to notice various errors that judges might have missed. I realise that I’m being very harsh but I try my best to apply the same high standard to all of the skaters.
Any questions, comments, criticisms and discussion are all very welcome.
1. REED Cathy / REED Chris /JPN/
Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz by Irving Berlin
Foxtrot: Harlem Nocturne
Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz by Irving Berlin
twizzles: arm above and catch into bent arms clockwise (a little off) into moving arms [0] - rotation speed was decent enough
finnstep 1 [-1]
finnstep 2 [-1]
midline not touching step sequence [0]
catchfoot rotational lift [0]
A competent performance. No major errors - secure and confident throughout – but nothing outstanding either.
Their basic skating looked a little heavy for elite senior ice dance standards and it really showed on the finnstep which lacked lightness and bounce.
As far as the choreography is concerned, again it was decent enough, they spent a fair amount of time in closed hold, but it wasn’t particularly original or exciting.
It was a good performance, for their standard, however and it appears they are bouncing back after the last couple of unsuccessful seasons so well done to them.
2. Isabella TOBIAS / Deividas STAGNIUNAS /LTU/
Foxtrot: A Fine Romance by Marilyn Monroe
Quickstep: Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friends by Marilyn Monroe
twizzles: arm above and catch(fast and sharp) into clockwise arms folded (a tiny bit off-synch) [0]
finnstep 1 [0]
finnstep 2 [-1] – a little scratchy
diagonal not touching step sequence [1]
split rotational lift [-1] – his footwork a little messy, a very ungainly position; throwing sacks of potatoes kind of lift, not aesthetically pleasing in the slightest (and didn’t really seem to fit the character of the music either)
A decently choreographed program with a strong concept. Very perky throughout. Tobias might be limited technically but her performance skills are fantastic. She sold it really well from start to finish. Stagniunas looked a little lost, in comparison, but then she was probably successfully directing all the attention to herself.
3. Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE /USA/
Quickstep: Mr. Pinstripe Suit performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
Foxtrot: Maddest Kind Of Love performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
Charleston: Diga Diga Doo performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
finnstep 1 [0]
finnstep 2 [0]
twizzles: clockwise arm above into arm folded and catch [1] – fast and sharp
spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position [1]
circular not touching step sequence [1] – good flow
Performed well and skated with decent power and flow. A much sharper performance than at Nebelhorn. The choreography could have used some more creativity, however. It was a fun, upbeat program but it looked like a pretty generic ballroom dance.
4. Pernelle CARRON / Lloyd JONES /FRA/
Foxtrot: De-Lovely by Cole Porter
Quickstep: Anything Goes by Cole Porter
circular not touching step sequence [0]
spread eagle curve lift with change of position [0] – a little hesitant on the position change
twizzles: three sets [-2] – first off-synch, last a little insecure, could have used more speed throughout
finnstep 1 [-1]
finnstep 2 [-1]
Strong start with quite light basic skating but the program didn’t really go anywhere. They went for a classical, ballroom look but the choreography was quite basic and the performance quickly fizzled out (really not a good idea to choreograph your own programs in an Olympic season).
Technically it was a little subpar also. Weak twizzles and a sluggish Finnstep.
I’m afraid that despite more coaching changes (adding Shpilband and Fusar Poli to their team), they are continuing to go downhill. If Papadkis/Cizeron are in good shape this season, they should be able to beat them at Nationals.
5. Julia ZLOBINA / Alexei SITNIKOV /AZE/
Foxtrot: Pink Panther by Henry Mancini
Quickstep: Sing Sing Sing by Louis Prima
midline not touching step sequence [0] – decent speed but edges a little scratchy
twizzles: arm above and catch (she stopped moving at the end) into arms on chest clockwise (his a little insecure) into arms folded (both a little bit insecure) [-1]
finnstep 1 [0] - bouncy
finnstep 2 [1] - sharp and bouncy, very much in character even if it was a little off in places technically
rotational lift with changes of position [2] – fast, sharp, in character of the music
Fun choreography and heaps of expression as usual from those two. I wish the program had a stronger concept, however, instead of just being a series of fun movements.
It will be interesting to see how having relocated to Shpilband will affect their technical ability.
6. Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI /USA/
Foxtrot by Michael Buble
Quickstep by Michael Buble
Foxtrot by Michael Buble
twizzles: three sets [2] – solid, well-synchronised, quite fast
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [1]
midline not touching step sequence [1]
rotational lift with changes of position [1]
Strong technically and very solid throughout (although they didn’t manage to get all of the key points in the quickstep). Whilst elements looked sharp, the choreography was generic and lacked creativity and originality. They skated well and moved in time to the music most of the time but there was nothing unusual in the program and the performance aspect didn’t go far beyond pretty smiles.
Which is exactly where they have been last season. They have a really solid foundation to build on but but they need to develop a style and personality and show more depth and attack in their performances. Unfortunately, Zoueva doesn’t seem to have an idea what to do with them (Michael Buble and Michael Jackson?) and how to take them to the next level.
7. Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE /ITA/
Quickstep: 42nd Street
Foxtrot: Lullaby of Broadway
Quickstep: 42nd Street
steps to twizzles: arm folded above and catch into arm above and to the side clockwise into moving arms [1] – first and third set very fast and sharp but second a little insecure
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [1]
circular not touching step sequence [1]
split rotational lift [1]
Light and bouncy skating, very much in character of the music. The choreography was detailed and they used their whole bodies to interpret the music down to their fingertips. Great expression throughout. All technical elements were solid as well. A very good performance.
In the past they've been criticised for their skating being 'small' (shallow edges, not a lot of power) and their performances being quite introverted. I believe those criticism were fair and they still apply to an extent but it's clear that they have worked very hard to address those issues. The fast and bouncy character of the quickstep suited their basic skating well and they've shown more projection than we've seen from them in the past.
Working with Shpilband seems to have pushed them to the next level. Whilst Davis/White and Virtue/Moir are out of reach for them, barring unexpected disasters, the battle for the bronze medal at the Olympics just got really exciting.
They’ve beaten their personal best by almost two points.
8. Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE /USA/
Foxtrot: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
Quickstep: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
Foxtrot: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
not touching midline step sequence [2] – very strong
twizzles: arm above and catch (very sharp and fast) into clockwise arms behind (his a little insecure) [1]
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [2] – fast and powerful
rotational lift with changes of position [2]
Technically, they are on a completely different level to anybody else here. The speed, the power, how light they moved over the ice, how effortless their elements there - those qualities were simply unmatched. Their movement was strong and confident throughout.
The choreography itself, however, was quite generic. Again, it seemed that Zoueva lacked interesting and original ideas. It was a pretty ballroom dance, there was a fair amount of closed holds and it was performed very well but it lacked creativity and originality.
Ice Dance – Short Dance
Quickstep plus one or two following rhythms: Foxtrot, Charleston, Swing
Pattern Dance: Two Sections of Finnstep skated one after the other (Section 1 followed by Section 2 with Step #1 skated on the Judges’ side)
Detailed Classification
Judges Scoreshttp://www.isuresults.com/results/gpusa2013/gpusa2013_IceDance_SD_Scores.pdf
Links to other Reports:
Ice Dance – Free Dance
Ladies – Short Program
Ladies - Free Skating
Men – Short Program
Men – Free Skating
Pairs – Short Program
Pairs – Free Skating
Disclaimer: The GOE values listed next to the elements are ones I would award if I was a judge and they’re intended to give you a general impression of how each element was executed. I try to describe each of the elements but there's not always time to be as detailed as I would like and a numbers can sometimes say a thousand words.
I am generally very nitpicky, try to pay a lot of attention to detail and attempt to notice various errors that judges might have missed. I realise that I’m being very harsh but I try my best to apply the same high standard to all of the skaters.
Any questions, comments, criticisms and discussion are all very welcome.
1. REED Cathy / REED Chris /JPN/
Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz by Irving Berlin
Foxtrot: Harlem Nocturne
Quickstep: Puttin' On the Ritz by Irving Berlin
twizzles: arm above and catch into bent arms clockwise (a little off) into moving arms [0] - rotation speed was decent enough
finnstep 1 [-1]
finnstep 2 [-1]
midline not touching step sequence [0]
catchfoot rotational lift [0]
A competent performance. No major errors - secure and confident throughout – but nothing outstanding either.
Their basic skating looked a little heavy for elite senior ice dance standards and it really showed on the finnstep which lacked lightness and bounce.
As far as the choreography is concerned, again it was decent enough, they spent a fair amount of time in closed hold, but it wasn’t particularly original or exciting.
It was a good performance, for their standard, however and it appears they are bouncing back after the last couple of unsuccessful seasons so well done to them.
2. Isabella TOBIAS / Deividas STAGNIUNAS /LTU/
Foxtrot: A Fine Romance by Marilyn Monroe
Quickstep: Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friends by Marilyn Monroe
twizzles: arm above and catch(fast and sharp) into clockwise arms folded (a tiny bit off-synch) [0]
finnstep 1 [0]
finnstep 2 [-1] – a little scratchy
diagonal not touching step sequence [1]
split rotational lift [-1] – his footwork a little messy, a very ungainly position; throwing sacks of potatoes kind of lift, not aesthetically pleasing in the slightest (and didn’t really seem to fit the character of the music either)
A decently choreographed program with a strong concept. Very perky throughout. Tobias might be limited technically but her performance skills are fantastic. She sold it really well from start to finish. Stagniunas looked a little lost, in comparison, but then she was probably successfully directing all the attention to herself.
3. Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE /USA/
Quickstep: Mr. Pinstripe Suit performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
Foxtrot: Maddest Kind Of Love performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
Charleston: Diga Diga Doo performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
finnstep 1 [0]
finnstep 2 [0]
twizzles: clockwise arm above into arm folded and catch [1] – fast and sharp
spread eagle straight line lift with changes of position [1]
circular not touching step sequence [1] – good flow
Performed well and skated with decent power and flow. A much sharper performance than at Nebelhorn. The choreography could have used some more creativity, however. It was a fun, upbeat program but it looked like a pretty generic ballroom dance.
4. Pernelle CARRON / Lloyd JONES /FRA/
Foxtrot: De-Lovely by Cole Porter
Quickstep: Anything Goes by Cole Porter
circular not touching step sequence [0]
spread eagle curve lift with change of position [0] – a little hesitant on the position change
twizzles: three sets [-2] – first off-synch, last a little insecure, could have used more speed throughout
finnstep 1 [-1]
finnstep 2 [-1]
Strong start with quite light basic skating but the program didn’t really go anywhere. They went for a classical, ballroom look but the choreography was quite basic and the performance quickly fizzled out (really not a good idea to choreograph your own programs in an Olympic season).
Technically it was a little subpar also. Weak twizzles and a sluggish Finnstep.
I’m afraid that despite more coaching changes (adding Shpilband and Fusar Poli to their team), they are continuing to go downhill. If Papadkis/Cizeron are in good shape this season, they should be able to beat them at Nationals.
5. Julia ZLOBINA / Alexei SITNIKOV /AZE/
Foxtrot: Pink Panther by Henry Mancini
Quickstep: Sing Sing Sing by Louis Prima
midline not touching step sequence [0] – decent speed but edges a little scratchy
twizzles: arm above and catch (she stopped moving at the end) into arms on chest clockwise (his a little insecure) into arms folded (both a little bit insecure) [-1]
finnstep 1 [0] - bouncy
finnstep 2 [1] - sharp and bouncy, very much in character even if it was a little off in places technically
rotational lift with changes of position [2] – fast, sharp, in character of the music
Fun choreography and heaps of expression as usual from those two. I wish the program had a stronger concept, however, instead of just being a series of fun movements.
It will be interesting to see how having relocated to Shpilband will affect their technical ability.
6. Maia SHIBUTANI / Alex SHIBUTANI /USA/
Foxtrot by Michael Buble
Quickstep by Michael Buble
Foxtrot by Michael Buble
twizzles: three sets [2] – solid, well-synchronised, quite fast
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [1]
midline not touching step sequence [1]
rotational lift with changes of position [1]
Strong technically and very solid throughout (although they didn’t manage to get all of the key points in the quickstep). Whilst elements looked sharp, the choreography was generic and lacked creativity and originality. They skated well and moved in time to the music most of the time but there was nothing unusual in the program and the performance aspect didn’t go far beyond pretty smiles.
Which is exactly where they have been last season. They have a really solid foundation to build on but but they need to develop a style and personality and show more depth and attack in their performances. Unfortunately, Zoueva doesn’t seem to have an idea what to do with them (Michael Buble and Michael Jackson?) and how to take them to the next level.
7. Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE /ITA/
Quickstep: 42nd Street
Foxtrot: Lullaby of Broadway
Quickstep: 42nd Street
steps to twizzles: arm folded above and catch into arm above and to the side clockwise into moving arms [1] – first and third set very fast and sharp but second a little insecure
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [1]
circular not touching step sequence [1]
split rotational lift [1]
Light and bouncy skating, very much in character of the music. The choreography was detailed and they used their whole bodies to interpret the music down to their fingertips. Great expression throughout. All technical elements were solid as well. A very good performance.
In the past they've been criticised for their skating being 'small' (shallow edges, not a lot of power) and their performances being quite introverted. I believe those criticism were fair and they still apply to an extent but it's clear that they have worked very hard to address those issues. The fast and bouncy character of the quickstep suited their basic skating well and they've shown more projection than we've seen from them in the past.
Working with Shpilband seems to have pushed them to the next level. Whilst Davis/White and Virtue/Moir are out of reach for them, barring unexpected disasters, the battle for the bronze medal at the Olympics just got really exciting.
They’ve beaten their personal best by almost two points.
8. Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE /USA/
Foxtrot: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
Quickstep: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
Foxtrot: My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe
not touching midline step sequence [2] – very strong
twizzles: arm above and catch (very sharp and fast) into clockwise arms behind (his a little insecure) [1]
finnstep 1 [1]
finnstep 2 [2] – fast and powerful
rotational lift with changes of position [2]
Technically, they are on a completely different level to anybody else here. The speed, the power, how light they moved over the ice, how effortless their elements there - those qualities were simply unmatched. Their movement was strong and confident throughout.
The choreography itself, however, was quite generic. Again, it seemed that Zoueva lacked interesting and original ideas. It was a pretty ballroom dance, there was a fair amount of closed holds and it was performed very well but it lacked creativity and originality.