V/M could not skate at their peak given their old ages (28/30) in both events. This is older than when G/P won their second Olympic gold. And unlike G/P, V/M had 8 years in between their first Olympic gold and second. Lifts and spins and whatnot I cannot imagine to be easy for them. But they made the most of it and their hard work along with talent was richly awarded by the judges.
I do not see the relation between the age of V/M and the problem of P/C during the short dance. It's sure that skating with a dress that threatens to fall is very easy
As for the presence of the Canadian President and her marks :disagree: it's incredible that no one finds this situation absurd: the conflict of interest seems obvious