I found this YouTube clip of Gabriella Marvaldi with her pairs partner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huDvFKg9yMo
I was impressed...is she competing? I was taken aback by seeing Irina again...what happened to the little girl that Dick Button wanted to pinch her cheeks? ("Oh, all the old men want to do that..." she said)Liza Kulik did a nice double axel, didn't she? She looks tall for eleven, and very strong.
I saw the family tribute (the end) with Kristi Yamaguchi and saw Ekaterina Gordeeva skating and then her youngest daughter with another girl! She's tall now, like her dad, Ilia Kulik and skates beautifully like her mom!! Did anyone see her daughter Daria skate also?! Also saw Ilia skate alittle.
You know figure skating is unpopular when a skating show focuses more on a famous person's daughter's mediocre singing than actual skating.
Liza Kulik has a national title in her future. I couldn't believe her clean double axel and was that a triple toe? Tight rotation. Has the perfect body type and is quite the little performer for only being 11. Of course - the genes are there.
And interesting that Gabriella is going by Marvaldi instead of Marvel. I bet alot of people wouldn't even know she's Rocky and Isabel's daughter and isn't she beautiful?
We attended the live show & loved it. I overall was pleased with the broadcast. I'm not a country music fan by any stretch, but I felt Sara Evans had a decent voice, and I think the skaters were shown more in this show than in the past. Favorite performances, both of Kurt's and Paul's, but everyone was wonderful on the ice. A little bonus. Our party of four was sitting behind one of the Paul Mitchell banners, and we got on TV during Ilia's first program! I do wish that both of Katia & Ilia's programs were shown. They were stunning!
I believe that Marvaldi is Rocky's actual family name, and he (or others of the family) changed it to Marvel. Gabriella seems to have chosen the original version of the name for her skating career. I actually prefer it--so melodious. It is Italian, I believe. The routine Rocky did with his "ladies" was one of my favorites, with lovely moves like the double death spiral. My other favorite routine was the charming family restaurant scene with Kurt, Sonia, and the two boys. All wonderful performers! Kurt's poignant "Cat's in the Cradle" was splendid, as well.
I never cease to be amazed that Katia Gordeyeva, surely one of the world's most beautiful women, has two daughters who both look exactly like their fathers. (The guys equally gorgeous as well, of course.)
Just watched this show. I have to agree....Annie Mae ought to maybe concentrate on soccer. I was embarassed for her. But honestly - Kurt Browning's little boys are adorable. They seem to have Kurt's personality. Agree with Mathman - Irina looked fabulous and her little boy was really cute. She had so much personality on the ice and she looks like she's in great shape.
Liza Kulik has a national title in her future. I couldn't believe her clean double axel and was that a triple toe? Tight rotation. Has the perfect body type and is quite the little performer for only being 11. Of course - the genes are there.
And interesting that Gabriella is going by Marvaldi instead of Marvel. I bet alot of people wouldn't even know she's Rocky and Isabel's daughter and isn't she beautiful?
It was an enjoyable show but have to say I'm a little tired of watching Steven Cousins. Never was much impressed with him as an amateur OR a pro. Didn't realize that Paul Wylie has 4 children. Tribute to Sochi was fun.