2016-2017 Programs by Discipline

[IceVampire]

Have you seen Torvill and Dean's 'The Hop', 'Rock & Roll', 'Cecilia', and other fast numbers? Christopher Dean's the right choreographer for C/B's "Under Pressure" routine. I'm sure with Dean's choreographic touch, C/B will rock this routine and regain what they lost (if they did lose?). Funny, how consistently getting a silver in a competition translate to "losing ground". Given the choreographic changes they did to their FD, they managed to rise to the top now ranked #1. If the World's were done elsewhere, I doubt they would end up 3rd. The Shibs had a great run but if you analyzed their World's scores, C/B didn't lose much. Evan had a twizzle problem and that cost them a little over 2 points (just 2.24 points despite the Shibs' flawless SD), but in the FD, the Shibs barely edged them out _ a mere .42 points (even less than a half point). The season has yet to begin and some are already predicting gloom and doom for C/B, geez!

I don't doubt Dean's choreography, what I doubt is the music itself. It's horrible. They are notorious for picking bad music which is half their problem. If being passed by a team you have dominated for 3 seasons isn't losing ground, I don't know what is. Miss Hubbell get ready!

 

[IceVampire]

Wait a minute.. Wasn't this the same team that picked that version of Les Miserables with chorus wailing and hollering in the background? So this actually make 3 out of 4 years they picked horrible music. They need to hire that coaching staff in Montreal just to listen to music for them. Now they have great taste!

 

[Astrid56]

I don't doubt Dean's choreography, what I doubt is the music itself. It's horrible. They are notorious for picking bad music which is half their problem. If being passed by a team you have dominated for 3 seasons isn't losing ground, I don't know what is. Miss Hubbell get ready!

The Shibs lost big time after winning bronze in 2011 Worlds and it took them FIVE (5) years to catch up. At least, C/B managed to get bronze despite your socalled 'losing ground' Oh, Hubbell? Hmmn .... Well, the future will provide the answers. Will the Shibs keep the momentum? Will C/B catch up .... My bet is on C/B regaining their status. They're both talented, hardworking, and _ more importantly _ versatile.

 

[Astrid56]

Wait a minute.. Wasn't this the same team that picked that version of Les Miserables with chorus wailing and hollering in the background? So this actually make 3 out of 4 years they picked horrible music. They need to hire that coaching staff in Montreal just to listen to music for them. Now they have great taste!

Proud to say YES, Lol! And despite the music and less than 3 years together, they managed to outrank the 2011 Bronze Medalists. Ain't that amazing ?

 

[IceVampire]

Proud to say YES, Lol! And despite the music and less than 3 years together, they managed to outrank the 2011 Bronze Medalists. Ain't that amazing ?

Yep! And just imagine had they picked good, or even decent music, they may have been world champions by now. Looking back at the history of teams who have won the top prize at Worlds and Olympics, they don't fool around with clownish music choices like, "Under Pressure" performed by Queen. That's not what a champion team would pick. That's music for second-to-last group, middle of the pack, 7th place finisher, low budget, out of ideas type teams. What they need is sure fire winners for the next two seasons. And it starts from picking good music. Weaver Poje has almost the same problem. Past two seasons they keep picking bad music.

 

[Astrid56]

Yep! And just imagine had they picked good, or even decent music, they may have been world champions by now. Looking back at the history of teams who have won the top prize at Worlds and Olympics, they don't fool around with clownish music choices like, "Under Pressure" performed by Queen. That's not what a champion team would pick. That's music for second-to-last group, middle of the pack, 7th place finisher, low budget, out of ideas type teams. What they need is sure fire winners for the next two seasons. And it starts from picking good music. Weaver Poje has almost the same problem. Past two seasons they keep picking bad music.

Well, I guess we just have to wait and see. Perhaps, they need your much-needed advice :think:

 

[lyndichee]

Yep! And just imagine had they picked good, or even decent music, they may have been world champions by now. Looking back at the history of teams who have won the top prize at Worlds and Olympics, they don't fool around with clownish music choices like, "Under Pressure" performed by Queen. That's not what a champion team would pick. That's music for second-to-last group, middle of the pack, 7th place finisher, low budget, out of ideas type teams. What they need is sure fire winners for the next two seasons. And it starts from picking good music. Weaver Poje has almost the same problem. Past two seasons they keep picking bad music.

I wouldn't say their music choice completely determines how they perform. I think great teams define the music, not let the music define them. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Ice Dance]

They need to hire that coaching staff in Montreal just to listen to music for them. Now they have great taste!

Please, no. Enough already with the soft & flowing music. There are quite ENOUGH teams already in Montreal using it.

Let's not ream any of Igor's teams for choosing to skate to something that isn't a warhorse or recycled.

The Shibs lost big time after winning bronze in 2011 Worlds and it took them FIVE (5) years to catch up.

The Shibs have never lost "big time" to Chock & Bates in their entire careers and we all know it. Double enough already.

 

[Mrs. P]

The Shibs have never lost "big time" to Chock & Bates in their entire careers and we all know it. Double enough already.

Technically, until this season, the Shibs were beaten in every face-to-face matchup with Chock and Bates other than 2012 U.S. Nationals.

But to be fair to the Shibs, there was a lot at play. Maia went through a major growth sprout shortly after they won 2011 Worlds bronze and Alex had at least two seasons of back injuries, which really impacted them (though they kept quiet about it).

And no other team has done what the Shibs did, so they deserve credit for that -- they could have given up years ago, but they didn't.

 

[Astrid56]

Technically, until this season, the Shibs were beaten in every face-to-face matchup with Chock and Bates other than 2012 U.S. Nationals.

2012 was the first year C/B competed as a team in US championship. Would not expect them to win that soon having paired up mid 2011. They overtook the Shibs in 2013 when they took silver in the 2013 US Nationals behind Davis and White and continued to win over the Shibs until 2016.

 

[Mrs. P]

2012 was the first year C/B competed as a team in US championship. Would not expect them to win that soon having paired up mid 2011. They overtook the Shibs in 2013 when they took silver in the 2013 US Nationals behind Davis and White and continued to win over the Shibs until 2016.

I know the history, thanks! So does nearly everyone on this board. However, it's important to note the context of the Shibs' struggles -- that it was more than them "lacking something." They went through some major struggles in their career and to their credit fought through them.

No need to put down the Shibs to defend Chock and Bates. They are both solid teams -- two-time world medalists -- and I look forward to seeing their new programs.

 

[dorispulaski]

Me too!

If you want to know why teams might choose warhorses, look to this severe criticism of Chock and Bates for using Queen's Under Pressure.

I have never seen a program done to that music, so of course I am looking forward to it!

 

[Astrid56]

Well, everyone knows the history and is trying correct a misinformation [perpetuated by a number of posts on C/B and Shibs rivalry] a put-down? I think not.

 

[Mrs. P]

Well, everyone knows the history and is trying correct a misinformation [perpetuated by a number of posts on C/B and Shibs rivalry] a put-down? I think not.

YMMV, which is clearly the case here. Let's move on.

 

[Astrid56]

YMMV, which is clearly the case here. Let's move on.

So you say, by all means let's move on

 

[Mrs. P]

So you say, by all means let's move on

Okay, let me reword it: There's no need to put down EITHER TEAM. Both teams have achieved great things for Team USA and let's just stick to talking about their upcoming programs this season, which I'm looking forward to.

Is that better?

Me too!

If you want to know why teams might choose warhorses, look to this severe criticism of Chock and Bates for using Queen's Under Pressure.

I have never seen a program done to that music, so of course I am looking forward to it!

I don't think one really vocal poster should speak for the general reaction, IMO. When it was announced a few days ago, I thought the reception was generally positive. I personally think it will be a good shift for them and I'm curious to see what a Christopher Dean program looks on them.

Also, I'm generally glad to see that Christopher Dean is doing more choreography in general. It did feel like he was Gilles and Poirier's choreographer for sometime (though he did Manta/Johnson's program's last season) and so it's cool he's widening his net a bit.

 

[IceVampire]

I wouldn't say their music choice completely determines how they perform. I think great teams define the music, not let the music define them. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Based on their history... I'm not

 

[Ice Dance]

Technically, until this season, the Shibs were beaten in every face-to-face matchup with Chock and Bates other than 2012 U.S. Nationals.

Yep, lurking in their rearview mirror.

My point is the same as yours. We are looking at two teams from the same country who just stood on the World podium. They were ready. They were in shape. And they were solid all week. The Shibs skated up to the pressure of skating with the national title in their hands. And C&B defied many predictors assumptions that they would fall off the world podium after losing that national title. And Hubbell & Donahue became the highest ranked third place U.S. dance team since at least 1976. (I simply do not have time to dig back further than that. I can say that the Shibs' eighth place result in 2013 is as high as any third-ranked U.S. dance team had done prior during the same forty-year time period)

 

[WeakAnkles]

Okay, let me reword it: There's no need to put down EITHER TEAM. Both teams have achieved great things for Team USA and let's just stick to talking about their upcoming programs this season, which I'm looking forward to.

Is that better?



I don't think one really vocal poster should speak for the general reaction, IMO. When it was announced a few days ago, I thought the reception was generally positive. I personally think it will be a good shift for them and I'm curious to see what a Christopher Dean program looks on them.

Also, I'm generally glad to see that Christopher Dean is doing more choreography in general. It did feel like he was Gilles and Poirier's choreographer for sometime (though he did Manta/Johnson's program's last season) and so it's cool he's widening his net a bit.

Dean spent quite a few years with his television ice dancing show. The show is kaput so he probably has more time for competitive programs now.

I am for C/B going with a more contemporary piece of music. I'm just not sure that Under Pressure is the best choice. Funnily enough, I was thinking they should skate to Fleetwood Mac's Tusk.

 

[IceVampire]

Me too!

If you want to know why teams might choose warhorses, look to this severe criticism of Chock and Bates for using Queen's Under Pressure.

I have never seen a program done to that music, so of course I am looking forward to it!

Not really. Miss Papadakis always has unique and beautiful music that's not a warhorse. V/M have had good non-warhorse programs. Miss Gritchuk had originality in music too. Even Weaver Poje USED to have great, original music choices before they picked up Shae Lynn Bourne syndrome and started skating to bland music. Chock and Bates simply always pick atrocious music, but hey, if their willing to embarrass themselves and skate to this, all I can do is watch and throw my bottle of meldonium at the screen (empty of course).... But I will be back in 9 months to say "I told you so"