I have been shocked at this thread. Have you all been following Dance at all for the past two seasons?
Davis/White and Virtue/Moir placed in the top ten at their first senior Worlds because they are extremely good and earned the placing.
Likewise, Belbin & Agosto earned another medal at Worlds because they are just that good (even with mistakes they are so much better than many of the other teams).
It's no coincidence that all three teams are coached by Igor Shpilband. All three teams are extremely hard-working, as is their coach...that's why they have had so much success.
As hard work is a habit that's self-perpetuating, the three teams can only get better through the next Olympic cycle. That does not bode well for other dance teams looking to medal in Canada. North American teams could sweep the podium.
Additionally I think Gregory & Pethukov have an excellent chance of making the Olympic team and improving their placing from Torino. They too are hard working and have excellent coaching (witnessed by the team's dramatic improvement in a single season with the new coaches).
If Denkova & Staviski stick around, I also expect them to be battling for the top spot (they are also hard working and have the same excellent coaches as Gregory & Pethukov). The Russians could sneak in there too (I find them hard working as well). My opinion on the French is that they have the most to lose. The younger teams are overtaking them on technique and the French have never been strong with performance. It's going to be tough for any team to crack the top ten of any upcoming World Championships or Olympic Games, but the ones that work hardest (with the right guidance) have the best shot.
Davis/White and Virtue/Moir placed in the top ten at their first senior Worlds because they are extremely good and earned the placing.
Likewise, Belbin & Agosto earned another medal at Worlds because they are just that good (even with mistakes they are so much better than many of the other teams).
It's no coincidence that all three teams are coached by Igor Shpilband. All three teams are extremely hard-working, as is their coach...that's why they have had so much success.
As hard work is a habit that's self-perpetuating, the three teams can only get better through the next Olympic cycle. That does not bode well for other dance teams looking to medal in Canada. North American teams could sweep the podium.
Additionally I think Gregory & Pethukov have an excellent chance of making the Olympic team and improving their placing from Torino. They too are hard working and have excellent coaching (witnessed by the team's dramatic improvement in a single season with the new coaches).
If Denkova & Staviski stick around, I also expect them to be battling for the top spot (they are also hard working and have the same excellent coaches as Gregory & Pethukov). The Russians could sneak in there too (I find them hard working as well). My opinion on the French is that they have the most to lose. The younger teams are overtaking them on technique and the French have never been strong with performance. It's going to be tough for any team to crack the top ten of any upcoming World Championships or Olympic Games, but the ones that work hardest (with the right guidance) have the best shot.
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