This wasn't their best SD it's true. But it did the job for sure.
Winning world on the enemy territory deserves all the points
2018 Canadian Nationals Senior Free Dance
- Thread starter Mango
- Start date
This wasn't their best SD it's true. But it did the job for sure.
Winning world on the enemy territory deserves all the points
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2003
Funny, because they are the only Dance I've ever rewatched. They are reason I got into dance.
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2014
I was watching the practice videos earlier this week, and there I felt this "itsobeautifulIwanttocry" thing for Virtue/Moir when I saw them float across the ice during a chunk of their program, their ease of movement and interpretation, and I thought to myself, so it's true, they are untouchable and amazing and sublime in every way, but while I was watching their free dance during the competition, I didn't get the same feeling [and judging by the audience's and commentator's reactions I was probably the only one]. I mean they are still unparalleled in what they do and it has improved as a program since the Grand Prix competitions but I continue to find it somewhat uninspiring and one-note. Maybe not a program I'd give 120+ pts to 
I feel there is so much they can successfully interpret on the ice and I regret that they continue to put out unexceptional romantic mush like last years' FD but whatever gets them going I guess.
I feel there is so much they can successfully interpret on the ice and I regret that they continue to put out unexceptional romantic mush like last years' FD but whatever gets them going I guess.
Well it's competition. But I understand in a way. They almost became World champs at least twice (2014,2015). Surely they didn't expect to be beaten by newcomers in 2015, but the change really occured in 2016.
But really, it does feel like there was some motivation lacking. I get it, you know that's it's going to be 99% impossible to beat V/M, you were constantly in their shadow, since 2011. But unless of showing up with confidence (the one they had in 2015 that made them stand out so much), they felt less... "big". "Okay we're going to settle for Canada #2". But now they are #3.
Look at P/C : they started with a 9-point loss to V/M and finally managed to overtake them at GPF. They upgraded their technique big time since 2016. I don't think this is just a case of one team, even H/D did so, why WeaPo can't seem to do it ? They have the speed, the lines, eve the reputation, they could manage to challenge them at least a bit.
If V/M are even better skaters now, why does WeaPo feel like they gave everything and somehow cannot upgrade their tools too ?
You have to say : I'm going for World #1 spot if you want to at least get 5th in a way. Shibs always say : "we are going for OGM, we want to the best in the world". H/D say : "we want to challenge #1 and #2 big time" (according to Patrice Lauzon, H/D put some pressure on them with their skating). Mentally that's what's best for you, you have nothing to lose.
Yeah, some people can't ever get over that D/W beat V/M decisively at numerous competitions post Vancouver. How dare they! D/W were worthy competitors to V/M; hell, even V/M said as much. It's one thing if a team's style does not suit one's taste, but to dismiss any team as the weakest link in the ice dancing chain EVER, is ridiculous. Ice dancing has taken many forms over the years from classic British ballroom (Towler/Ford), to the theatrical Russian style (e.g., Besti/Buhkin. Klimova/Ponomerenko). to the ultra modern (Duschesnays). etc. Dance, even on ice, has myriad variations,
I was watching the practice videos earlier this week, and there I felt this "itsobeautifulIwanttocry" thing for Virtue/Moir when I saw them float across the ice during a chunk of their program, their ease of movement and interpretation, and I thought to myself, so it's true, they are untouchable and amazing and sublime in every way, but while I was watching their free dance during the competition, I didn't get the same feeling [and judging by the audience's and commentator's reactions I was probably the only one]. I mean they are still unparalleled in what they do and it has improved as a program since the Grand Prix competitions but I continue to find it somewhat uninspiring and one-note. Maybe not a program I'd give 120+ pts to
I feel there is so much they can successfully interpret on the ice and I regret that they continue to put out unexceptional romantic mush like last years' FD but whatever gets them going I guess.
You're not the only one.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2014
Again I feel the need to state: Tracy never said anything negative about D/W. She expressed her opinion: V/M are the best ever to her. (she even said "In my opinion"). Now V/M have the "Tracy Wilson thinks we are the GOAT" award. Big deal. Like seriously.. big deal. I'm going to give Kurt Browning my GOAT award and I'm sure that will make up for his lack of Olympic Gold.
I know probably the 100% of their interviews and they are not always saying that. I am sure they think about it and they want it, and I don´t have problem with them saying that, but I think they said it maybe once or twice in all their career, so I don´t understand why did you say that they ALWAYS say it. The most of the time they are: ¨We want to be the best team that we can be¨ a phrase that many people find boring and many skaters use it, lol.
I've heard them say that a couple of times at US Nats, that's why lol. Maybe not always
But I don't remember them saying we're going to challenge top 2, ever but like you said : ¨We want to be the best team that we can be¨.
Guys I was so emotional at the end of VM FD. Seeing it live was a dream come true. Whether they win the Olympic or not, they will always be the best to me.
Tessa and Scott, it's been such an honour to watch you guys grow. From your first nationals win 10 years ago in the very place you win your 8th and last national title, to seeing you win the Olympics on home soil, to the years of struggle and injuries, to first seeing Carmen because man do I love that program, to your absolute perfect programs in Sochi, to the off years, to the comeback, to choosing your Olympic music because it's what you want, to changing it up, to challenging yourselves, to always doing something different, to striving to be the best dancers and skaters you can be. You will be so very missed. <3
Tessa and Scott, it's been such an honour to watch you guys grow. From your first nationals win 10 years ago in the very place you win your 8th and last national title, to seeing you win the Olympics on home soil, to the years of struggle and injuries, to first seeing Carmen because man do I love that program, to your absolute perfect programs in Sochi, to the off years, to the comeback, to choosing your Olympic music because it's what you want, to changing it up, to challenging yourselves, to always doing something different, to striving to be the best dancers and skaters you can be. You will be so very missed. <3
To quote a great movie (Blazing Saddles), Kurt Browning didn't need "no stinkin' OGM" to be considered as one of the GOATs.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
You're not the only one.
I agree to a point. I don't think Virtue and Moir or Davis and White and I would putP/C even a step lower are ice dance very best. it is hard to compare with different rules but the greats to me are some of the old Russian greats I don't even know their names, Torvil and Dean and Klimova and Ponomorenko. We tend to favor skaters of our times. That being said it seems the judges have favored and not necessarily on merit the French who will win the gold. I prefer their FD music and style and agree they should not be docked for a limited relatively range of programs but I prefer this year V and M skating over all. I do not think the American trio are of the same league.
I've heard W/P say they want to be the best lots of times. It takes more than the right mindset and motivation to be the best though. You need actual ability and the right coaching. W/P are like Belbin and Agosto. They can't win unless people better than them aren't at their best.
And my dislike of D/W has nothing to do with V/M. It has to do with D/W's skating and dancing.
And my dislike of D/W has nothing to do with V/M. It has to do with D/W's skating and dancing.
Well, we have people here dragging V/M too, so it is not anti-D/W at all.
Well of course you would say this. I could also point out, that your American bias presupposes you to defend D/W at every turn too, even though the criticisms levelled at them are all to do with their lack of skating and dancing abilities. And what did you think of all the times that D/W and any American ice dancing team was politicked by their own federation. Or when Judy Blumberg made horribly critical comments about V/M and then later went to be a technical specialist at international events where V/M competed?
Do you realize that Tracy Wilson is not a judge? She is a fan like everybody else. Just like you rabidly defending D/W. She is just a fan. A rabid one, of course, but I doubt international judges at the Olympics listens to her.
My American bias ?
:shocked: Where is this even coming from ? Through the years, my favourite Ice Dance teams were never American. And I'm not even from the US, I'm from Europe. And I liked D/W as much as I liked V/M back in the days, I didn't care who would win actually. I wasn't really invested. Perhaps you are mistaking me for someone else.I will defend D/W for one reason : they are NOT currently competiting, so it's easy to attack them, throwing things. They have an OGM that they very much deserved. ALso you think that anyone can throw shade at one team and get away with it that easily ? It's wrong.
I'll never get when people say : "this team has their federation politicking for them, how bad". Of course. EVERYONE does. You really think Skate Canada isn't doing the same with V/M ? Or that they are "too good" for that ?
There are many competition that have debatable results, and where V/M are taking a part, let's not pretend that either. Skate Canada president is a judge, that is not right too. Would you have liked USFS president to be a judge in Sochi ? Because that is going to happen in Korea.
I only got surprised by Tracy Wilson because in the past, she used to comment on American TV. So there was absolutely no bias from her. I just got surprised at how much she was here. Well not even biased but really pushing it. It's not that wrong, it's nationals. Like I said, she is campaigning for her skaters too.
Well I have worked in the press room with both Phil Hersh and Christine Brennan for approximately 30 years. Both of them and I have undoubtedly seen more competitions live than most commenting here. I don't always agree with Phil & Christine, but they are true sports journalists. Any one can have an opinion, but actual experience is a better judge.
My American bias ?
I will defend D/W for one reason : they are NOT currently competiting, so it's easy to attack them, throwing things. They have an OGM that they very much deserved. ALso you think that anyone can throw shade at one team and get away with it that easily ? It's wrong.
I'll never get when people say : "this team has their federation politicking for them, how bad". Of course. EVERYONE does. You really think Skate Canada isn't doing the same with V/M ? Or that they are "too good" for that ?
There are many competition that have debatable results, and where V/M are taking a part, let's not pretend that either. Skate Canada president is a judge, that is not right too. Would you have liked USFS president to be a judge in Sochi ? Because that is going to happen in Korea.
I only got surprised by Tracy Wilson because in the past, she used to comment on American TV. So there was absolutely no bias from her. I just got surprised at how much she was here. Well not even biased but really pushing it. It's not that wrong, it's nationals. Like I said, she is campaigning for her skaters too.
People are not throwing "shade" at D/W and getting away with it. You act like this is that "Real Housewives" show that you Americans watch in the USA where that term is inexplicably used all the time amongst the "housewives".
People have rightly said, that D/W were not great skaters and ice dancers in their time. Just like how you say that you hate V/M's routines, that is also your right to say. For myself, I cannot bring myself to admire a team whose only claim to fame is changing the rules of ice dancing to some hoppy, skippy, version of what they call quick and precise skating skills. I cannot come to think of great ice dancers whose edges are shallow and care little about interpretation, as is the case with D/W.
I watched some D/W's routines as of late. And boy, they don't age well. Their edges are as shallow as ever and the 2014 SD was the epitome of abominable interpretation.
You are "throwing shade" at V/M everywhere in your posts, and you think you can get away with that? Yes, you can criticize them. That is your right. But I already have made my points very clear as to what I dislike about D/W's performances and skating over the years in my many posts here. It may be hard for you to believe but people genuinely don't think D/W are among the greats skaters and ice dancers.
And it IS because V/M are now competing that much more dirt is thrown at them than if they had stayed retired. And that includes dirt from you. But that is okay since you are entitled to an opinion. Generally, and speaking broadly, insults to V/M, Tessa, and Scott individually as well as a combination of them have been subjected to far greater leniency historically on this board. V/M have been major targets of people on this board from the last Olympics and even before that, when they first won silver in 2008.
Similar threads
