What you loved and what you didn't of the World Championship?

[SamuraiKike]

So lets review what were our favorite things of this championships. Overall the quality was very low and dissapointing IMO specially comparing it to previous competitions of this same season But let's see:

Best "Lights Out" Program :
Dube & Davisons. While not 100% perfect, it was the most magic moment of the entire competition.
Worst Meltdown:
Tomas Verner. A perfect example of self-destruction Honorable mention : Kiira Korpi

Most Overated Score :
Savchenko & Szolkowy. The only time I think the judges didnt have a clue. They skated their worst of this season and still got a SB. WTF!?!!?
Most Underated Score :
Sarah Meier's SP. She could have been battling for the podium had it been a bit better.

Best Surprise/Upset:
Jeffrey winning the gold. No Doubt about it.
Worst Surprise/Upset:
Yukari missing the podium after and standing ovation.:disapp:

Best Overall Discipline
Ice Dance. It had everything, from classic romantic routines to voidy coolness, with exotic folk ODs and everybody giving their best.:agree:
Worst Overall Discipline
Definetly the Ladies. So so SPs and splatfest in the final night. Laaame.:disagree:

Happiest Moment:
Delobel & Schoenfelder 's faces at the medal ceremony. Soo deserved.
Saddest Moment:
Miki's withdrawal. Hearbreaking

So tell me , what did you think of Worlds?

 

[rain]

I find myself agreeing with you totally. Being Canadian, of course the performance of the Canadian team was a huge highlight.

I was disappointed for Belbin/Agosto. I've always loved this team and to see them lose because of such an uncharacteristic mistake was a letdown. I was also disappointed for Pang/Tong, who've always been my fav of the Chinese teams.

I was really disappointed by the ladies competition overall. Nothing really inspiring, from the performances to the programs on display. I actually can't think of a ladies FS that I've enjoyed (in terms of choreography and presentation) for several seasons. It's become the discipline I'm least interested in watching.

On the other hand, dance is, as you said, becoming one of the most enjoyable disciplines to watch, where there are many programs to enjoy. In the freeskate I liked all of Del/Schoe, V/M and B/A. I even enjoyed K/N's lifts.

 

[fumie_fumie]

Honourable mentions

I want to say that I really enjoyed Kevin Van Der Perren's Bongo music/Bongo (or lack thereof dance) for his LP. Kevin was definitely making a statement to the judges "I am not an artist, and don't even want to make an fake attempt to be one". Good for you.

The other one I did enjoyed watching was the Kerrs. They deserved top 10th finish with their effort to be original and different. I did love their OD as well. Yes, ice dancing is so much fun to watch with a wide range of themes they bring to the table.

I love watching the earlier groups of no-name skaters struggling through. They may not have big tricks, but it shows through TV that they are doing their utmost best and each one of them has his/her own strength to show off.

 

[1795]

i liked:
- cap/lan! (italian dance)
- seeing someone getting pushed off the podium by less than half a point - not against B/A....just seeing someone
- abbot landing both quads (sp/lp)
- jouberts mega LP
- bebe's SP
- caro at silver
- buttle's comeback
- kiira korpi's presence <3
- M/T (russian pair) 's costume thing - bizarre moment
- zhangs' super SP
- second swedish man's - mr. and mrs. smith program- with the cantilever gun shot thing
- delobel and schoenfelder winning fair and square
- delobel and schoenfelder's new costumes, and changes on their FD
- DELOBEL /SCHOENFELDER!

i didn't like:
- seeing miki withdraw
- delobel and schoenfelder's lever spin
- tessa's mistake with minor minor deductions
- lambiel's not so good of a time in sweden
- kiira's lp
- B/A off the podium
- piano in the gala
-kawaguchi/smirnov off the podium
- not a lot of gifts form the audience

there are more but ...im too tired

 

[ks777]

I really enjoyed Yukari's programs and was sad when she didn't medal.

 

[jsteam4501s]

I totally agree that Yukari's SP and LP were the best thing about this Worlds, and her placement was the worst thing. As I said elsewhere, this was an atrocity.

 

[Big Deal]

DISLIKES::

1. Te whole ladies` event.
2. Yukari not on te podium (instead of Kostner....)
3. The overall level of the Men`s LP Last Group (ex. Joubert and Buttle).
4. The judging of the Pair`s event (not necessarily the result itself).

LIKES:

1. Te whole Dance Competition (AND its judging !!!!!)
2. Buttle, Joubert and KVP.
3. The LP of Yu-Na Kim.


Interestingly the Dance`s judging was at the same (good ) level than in 2006. World, when the Russian No1. team didn`t participated. The order was corrected in the right way compare with the previous events ( like Denkova/Stav. ahead of Belbin/Agosto that time after so many years penalty to be too good. The same this time to Del./Shoenf.after the ridiculous result of the European Champs.) It seems like not only the spectators but also judges are happy not to be predicted and pushed.....

 

[Ximena]

One honourable mention was definetely the audience. They were fantastic and so supportive, every time they see someone starting to fall apart (and unfortunately in the Men FS they got a lot of that) they will cheer for them even harder

Of the men, I absolutely love that Johnny got his medal. Yes, it was not his best FS by far but it was so hard to believe he didn't have one. The men is such a deep field, that it's very hard to tell if any podium will get a medal again since they are 4-5 six guys just as good as the podium
And Kevin and Voronov's FS were such a wonderful wonderful thing to watch. What a joy!!! That's the only COP makes me happy about, SP placements seriously mean nothing.
Worst part of the men? Tomas' FS and his face on the K&C. He'll get there for sure.

Of the ladies, I love Yukari and she was such an unexpected surprise and yes it was weird at the moment seeing her off the podium but then you read the protocols and say "oh well", but she was perfect and you can tell the crowd appreciated it.
Worst part? Miki Ando crying. Gosh that was so terrible to watch, she had such an awful season and she tried, she did try and it was terrible to see her like that.

As for the dance, I don't know because I think some people didn't like the idea, but in general (not just worlds) I love the OD, because to see 20-30-40 same type of OD to me was the worst thing ever. And I have always thought it was a bad idea since, especially ice dancers, are known for their creativity; and the folk OD allowed to show them that. I wished they change rules and make Folk OD the compulsory one or well if not, just to let skaters show the OD the want.
As for Worlds D&S was the absolutely highlight for me, that and N&K because they are so much fun to watch
Worst part? DomShabs withdrawing.

 

[Mafke]

Best:

bronze : Weir on the podium

silver : French D/S winning gold (finally!)

gold : Buttle winning gold without a quad (yay!!!!! I hate quads)


Worst:

anti-bronze : B/A off the podium (especially after weak FD by K&N)

anti-silver : pairs overall

anti-gold : Nakano off the podium (IMHO the best ladies LP in CoP history and she _loses_ a place?)


(I'm purposely not mentioning 'wish I didn't have to see that' moments out of respect/compassion for the skaters)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Definitely, Jeremy Abbott, a skater I thought would never last a season turned in the most musical program of the competition although I admit Buttle would be arguably so. The difference would be the tempos. Buttle's was basically the same, whereas Abbott had many changes of tempos.

There were some Russian fans sitting in front of me, one I would swear was a coach of someone. Within 30 seconds she was clapping to Jeremy's timing and kept nodding when he changed tempos.

I believe Abbott will be the next big thing in USFS, although I think he has a tendency for nerves. His quads are more secure than Evan's, imo.

Joe

 

[sillylionlove]

Best moment
Weir winning bronze!!!
Buttle winning gold!!
Two results that no one expected!!!!


Worst moment
Tanith falling in the short program and B/A not able to win a medal!

 

[JewelInTheSun]

I loved:
- Aljona Savchenko/ Robin Szolkowy are World Champions
- Khokhlova/Novitski got a medal
- Crown-Princess Viktoria of Sweden was at the Opening and Pairs' SP
- SP of Anette Dytrt (GER)
- The new customes of Mukhortova/Trankov

I didn't loved:
- Stéphane Lambiel wasn't on the podium
- Withdraw of Domnina/Shabalin
- Overrating in the Program Components of Zhang/Zhang
- Too high SP Score of Kawaguchi/Smirnov
- Sung versions of the National Anthems
- What happened to Mukhortova/Trankov
- The fall of Tanith Belbin at the Compulsory

 

[JewelInTheSun]

Savchenko/Szolkowy did not get a SB in SP or FS! Look at the Judges Scores at ISU and then you understand the high score of Aljona and Robin! Not they were overrated.. but Zhang/Zhang...

 

[MissIzzy]

Best Moment: Jeff winning
Worst Moment: Miki withdrawing
Most delightful close call: The top three ladies. Not two points between Mao and Yuna.
Least delightful close call: Tanith and Ben missing the podium by less than three tenths, especially when K&N were visibly less than their best
Most unsettling trend: Overzealous technical caller in the singles. Not only did it make the reaction to both segments of the ladies event painful to read-the overnationalism and anti-European, anti-Asian, anti-whatever most suited each poster to be again was ugly, and all together exacerbate the problem of the audience not understanding what's going on, but I think it damaged the skaters' confidence and that it had a lot to do with why the long programs caused such trouble.
Most grateful for: The audience. Such support. They deserved so much better than half the skaters delivered!
Best results for one of my favorites: Not counting Jeff? The Kerrs! A standing ovation for that OD, John seriously putting his twizzle demons to rest, and a good last visit from the aliens.
Worst result for one of my favorites: Oh Tomas...
At least: Johnny medaled. Though it seems he needs more nerve training and I'm not sure what's to be done about that.
Highest held in my esteem: Miki. Knew what she wanted and wouldn't give up until she truly had to.
Lowest held in my esteem: Brian! :boohoo:

 

[SamuraiKike]

Savchenko/Szolkowy did not get a SB in SP or FS!...

Ok Fine, but they did gain an SB's total score,. And achieving your Personal Best with that flawed SP and that sloppy and messy FS, is just wrong!!

 

[yelyoh]

Definitely, Jeremy Abbott, a skater I thought would never last a season turned in the most musical program of the competition although I admit Buttle would be arguably so. The difference would be the tempos. Buttle's was basically the same, whereas Abbott had many changes of tempos.

There were some Russian fans sitting in front of me, one I would swear was a coach of someone. Within 30 seconds she was clapping to Jeremy's timing and kept nodding when he changed tempos.

I believe Abbott will be the next big thing in USFS, although I think he has a tendency for nerves. His quads are more secure than Evan's, imo.

Joe

Agree with this totally. I was watching the Men's LP yesterday at my mom's place and she loved Jeremy. She said (she has a dance background) he used the music and his body better than any other man, I also agree that his quad is better's than Evan's. The latter has to fight for it so and JA is better on the takeoff, in the air and on the landing. If he can get more consistent on the jumps he will be the best US male skater next year. I also thought he was underscored in the PCSs.

 

[dutchherder]

Thrills:

1. Johnny medaling.
2. That Paul Wylie finally grew a pair and disagreed with Uncle Dick! I love Dick Button, but I don't always agree with him, and I'm glad that finally someone shot him down.
3. Virtue and Moir's free dance. Beautiful.
4. Brian Joubert's lp. Is it me, or does he finally know there's music playing while he skates?
5. Kimmie's sp.
6. Davis and White's sizzle twizzles.
7. Dube and Davison's lp-- my favorite by far.
8. The US maintaining three spots for dance and men for next year's Worlds.

Chills
1. Miki's withdrawal.
2. Wondering how the men's competition would have come out if Evan had skated.
3. A thoroughly boring, anticlimactic ladies' competition, with all three medalists making major mistakes.
4. Tanith's fall.

What the....?
1. Costume woes of the Russian pair.
2. Davis and White's low placement.
3. Yukari Nakano being shut out of the medals. Is a leg wrap worse than expressionless skating, falling down, and/or cheating jumps?

 

[ukicefan]

Best moments
Dube and Davison's free skate - beautiful
Virtue and Moir's free dance
The Kerr's Scottish OD
Jeff's freeskate

worst
Miki withdrawing
Verner's meltdown
Takahashi missing the podium - I love his SP & thought this would be his year

 

[dlkksk8fan]

Definitely, Jeremy Abbott, a skater I thought would never last a season turned in the most musical program of the competition although I admit Buttle would be arguably so. The difference would be the tempos. Buttle's was basically the same, whereas Abbott had many changes of tempos.

There were some Russian fans sitting in front of me, one I would swear was a coach of someone. Within 30 seconds she was clapping to Jeremy's timing and kept nodding when he changed tempos.

I believe Abbott will be the next big thing in USFS, although I think he has a tendency for nerves. His quads are more secure than Evan's, imo.

I have to agree with you Joe. Jeremy Abbott is my favorite skater. I love his short program that Kurt Browning choreographed.

 

[georgia]

Definitely, Jeremy Abbott, a skater I thought would never last a season turned in the most musical program of the competition although I admit Buttle would be arguably so

I think some of the credit should go to Tom Dickson for his awesome Long program choreography.:thumbsup:
I think Tom is the most underrated choreographer around. He gave us Matt Savoie and Ryan Jahnkee and some other memorable programs.
I am surprised more skaters don't not ask for his help.