Isabella Flores & Ivan Desyatov

[skylark]

I'm still obsessively re-watching West Side Story skated by Isabella and Ivan on Saturday.

For me, it all comes down to a comment Adam made (paraphrasing): It's all about the f.e.e.l.i.n.g.s. You want to forget that you're watching technical elements. You want to be transported to another dimension.

I was transported. And Isabella and Ivan got a marvelous standing ovation. I loved both their comments in the tweet. For Isabella, it was like an out-of-body experience. (That's what Jane Torville has said about her and Christopher's best performances.) And for Ivan ... the crowd's reactions "made you want to give more."

Love all of this. Plus ... they're actually dancing, not just doing a lot of very difficult, precise movements!

 

[skylark]

p.s. who's their coach?

 

[Jumping_Bean]

p.s. who's their coach?

Elena Dostatni and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt at WASA (World Arena Skating Academy). They also train Leah Neset/Artem Markelov, the Junior Nationals and JGPF champions.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I'm still obsessively re-watching West Side Story skated by Isabella and Ivan on Saturday.

It is such a fun program and everyone in the arena was so happy to see them rewarded. Someone who looked a lot like she could be her sister came down to ice level and hugged both of them on the way to the KnC. It was very sweet.

 

[Marirue]

Certified Fan Service:

 

[Pallavi02]

Here are links to Bella/Vanya's RD and FD at Challenge Cup (their 2nd competition together last season):

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

I'm still obsessively re-watching West Side Story skated by Isabella and Ivan on Saturday.

For me, it all comes down to a comment Adam made (paraphrasing): It's all about the f.e.e.l.i.n.g.s. You want to forget that you're watching technical elements. You want to be transported to another dimension.

I was transported. And Isabella and Ivan got a marvelous standing ovation. I loved both their comments in the tweet. For Isabella, it was like an out-of-body experience. (That's what Jane Torville has said about her and Christopher's best performances.) And for Ivan ... the crowd's reactions "made you want to give more."

Love all of this. Plus ... they're actually dancing, not just doing a lot of very difficult, precise movements!

Can u share the west side story link of that video where Adam made comment

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Hey Flores/ Desyatov fans, here's a lovely article from Claire Cloutier on A Divine Sport blog, detailing the ups-and-downs of Bella's & Vanya's 2023-24 season. Some revealing surprises and fun anecdotes:

Flores/Desyatov: A happy end to a challenging season - A divine sport

Isabella Flores and Ivan Desyatov made their international debut this season after overcoming obstacles.

adivinesport.com

 

[aroundtheworld778]

Their free dance at Denis Ten improved and I love the new ending. There are a few odd transitions but IMO this is one of the more creative programs out there and I’m excited to see how it evolves for SKAM.

 

[ZeldaJo21]

Their free dance at Denis Ten improved and I love the new ending. There are a few odd transitions but IMO this is one of the more creative programs out there and I’m excited to see how it evolves for SKAM.

Really liking this new team! I was excited as well to see them get the spot at SKAM.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

@ZeldaJo21, I'm with you re excitement over Flores/Desyatov. They are a remarkable young team. I understand your enthusiasm about them being 'new.' However, they are not actually new at this point, just new in coming up on the senior scene. They have officially been together since June 2022 (and they trained together nearly two months prior to officially partnering). This is their third season.

Isabella and Ivan truly earned the spot at SKAM by virtue of their hard work and podium achievements last season. They should have been named outright. But USfigsk is looking toward grooming new MIDA team, Morosov/Chen. Despite Flo/Des deserving the SKAM tbd and also being first on the GP alternates list, USfigsk made Flo/Des have to compete at Lake Placid against two new teams, Moro/Chen and Pham/ Spirodonov. Whichever team came out on top, would get SKAM. Of course, Flo/Des were ahead of the other two teams and, thus, knew they would get SKAM, but it was not announced until late September.

Last season, it was then new MIDA team, Wolfkostin/ Tsarevski, who were obviously favored over Flo/Des. Fortunately, Flo/Des were able to prove their worth in their debut senior internationals last season, and they skated their breakout West Side Story at 2024 U.S. Nationals to a standing ovation! They have another great FD this season in Poor Things. Both FDs were choreographed by brilliant Kaitlyn Weaver! She also choreographed their RD this season.

I am wondering if Flo/Des will be announced soon for NHK to replace Laurance/Nik? There are three other U.S. teams already assigned to NHK, but Flo/Des are first on the alternates list.

 

[aroundtheworld778]

@ZeldaJo21, I'm with you re excitement over Flores/Desyatov. They are a remarkable young team. I understand your enthusiasm about them being 'new.' However, they are not actually new at this point, just new in coming up on the senior scene. They have officially been together since June 2022 (and they trained together nearly two months prior to officially partnering). This is their third season.

Isabella and Ivan truly earned the spot at SKAM by virtue of their hard work and podium achievements last season. They should have been named outright. But USfigsk is looking toward grooming new MIDA team, Morosov/Chen. Despite Flo/Des deserving the SKAM tbd and also being first on the GP alternates list, USfigsk made Flo/Des have to compete at Lake Placid against two new teams, Moro/Chen and Pham/ Spirodonov. Whichever team came out on top, would get SKAM. Of course, Flo/Des were ahead of the other two teams and, thus, knew they would get SKAM, but it was not announced until late September.

Last season, it was then new MIDA team, Wolfkostin/ Tsarevski, who were obviously favored over Flo/Des. Fortunately, Flo/Des were able to prove their worth in their debut senior internationals last season, and they skated their breakout West Side Story at 2024 U.S. Nationals to a standing ovation! They have another great FD this season in Poor Things. Both FDs were choreographed by brilliant Kaitlyn Weaver! She also choreographed their RD this season.

I am wondering if Flo/Des will be announced soon for NHK to replace Laurance/Nik? There are three other U.S. teams already assigned to NHK, but Flo/Des are first on the alternates list.

I understand that Flo/Des cannot get NHK because the US is maxed out in ice dance entries for that event.
Edit: looks like Dupayage/Nabais from France were assigned the NHK spot.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I understand that Flo/Des cannot get NHK because the US is maxed out in ice dance entries for that event.
Edit: looks like Dupayage/Nabais from France were assigned the NHK spot.

Oh, phooey. (Well, congrats to Dupayage/ Nabais. They must be second on the alternates list). I wondered if there was a country max. Laurance and Nik were assigned to SKAM for one of their assignments, but that won't work either since Flo/Des are already on the roster there. I suppose if one of the three U.S. teams have to WD from NHK, then Flo/Des could get the open spot. But only if the WD is done well in advance of the event.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Another possibility for Flo/Des could be if any team WD from the China GP. There are only two U.S. entries there at the moment, if I'm looking at the latest schedule. Again, any substitutions would need to happen well in advance of the event. As good an FD as Flo/Des have, I would think TPTB would want to see it competed more than once on the GP circuit.

 

[aroundtheworld778]

Another possibility for Flo/Des could be if any team WD from the China GP. There are only two U.S. entries there at the moment, if I'm looking at the latest schedule. Again, any substitutions would need to happen well in advance of the event. As good an FD as Flo/Des have, I would think TPTB would want to see it competed more than once on the GP circuit.

Yeah, I'm just happy they got the SKAM which was already a plus for them, since initially they had no GP assignment at all. I'm excited to watch them set themselves up for two GP assignments next year. They aren't aiming for the 2026 Olympics, so I feel like there's time to develop.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Another possibility for Flo/Des could be if any team WD from the China GP. There are only two U.S. entries there at the moment, if I'm looking at the latest schedule. Again, any substitutions would need to happen well in advance of the event. As good an FD as Flo/Des have, I would think TPTB would want to see it competed more than once on the GP circuit.

So I guess I could be wrong if each team on the alternates list is given the chance to accept any newly open spot first. In that case, the only chance Flo/ Des might have is for a U.S. team to pull out. But in that possible scenario, USfigsk will more than likely give Morosov/Chen the nod.

P.S.
I am simply confused about how the alternates list works, as I see now that Fabbri/Ayer have been placed at the top due to their score at DTen Memorial. While F/A skated well, it was definitely a mix of politics for them to be placed first in the RD over established teams. I do not think that F/A's FD is memorable, but sure, they have polish and good skating skills. I was unaware that the alternates list is constantly changing based on this season's Challenger results.

 

[curvedstraightline]

So I guess I could be wrong if each team on the alternates list is given the chance to accept any newly open spot first. In that case, the only chance Flo/ Des might have is for a U.S. team to pull out. But in that possible scenario, USfigsk will more than likely give Morosov/Chen the nod.

P.S.
I am simply confused about how the alternates list works, as I see now that Fabbri/Ayer have been placed at the top due to their score at DTen Memorial. While F/A skated well, it was definitely a mix of politics for them to be placed first in the RD over established teams. I do not think that F/A's FD is memorable, but sure, they have polish and good skating skills. I was unaware that the alternates list is constantly changing based on this season's Challenger results.

USFS doesn't choose who goes to the Senior GPs (in Junior they do choose) it's all based on the replacement list, so M/C would be below F/D. Yes, the replacement list can be updated based on Challengers. I am also annoyed about F/As score, but F/D didn't help themselves with the RD. I hope they skate better at SKAM to get back up to the top of the list. But even then, unless Green/Parsons are as injured as some on another site say (and I don't believe it considering they said the same about Bratti/Somerville and they looked physically fine), I don't see F/D getting another spot. They also need to try and get a really good score at SKAM or at Zagreb (if assigned there) to get on the Season's Best for next year. Otherwise they likely won't have a spot at all especially with the added junior teams and no retirements.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

USFS doesn't choose who goes to the Senior GPs (in Junior they do choose) it's all based on the replacement list, so M/C would be below F/D. Yes, the replacement list can be updated based on Challengers. I am also annoyed about F/As score, but F/D didn't help themselves with the RD. I hope they skate better at SKAM to get back up to the top of the list. But even then, unless Green/Parsons are as injured as some on another site say (and I don't believe it considering they said the same about Bratti/Somerville and they looked physically fine), I don't see F/D getting another spot. They also need to try and get a really good score at SKAM or at Zagreb (if assigned there) to get on the Season's Best for next year. Otherwise they likely won't have a spot at all especially with the added junior teams and no retirements.

Yeah, I know USfigsk does not select who goes to GPs aside from SKAM. I misspoke in my prior post. A brain freeze or something! My bad. It is definitely true, though, that U.S. fed is intent on grooming and supporting Morosov/ Chen, as best they can.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

F/D didn't help themselves with the RD.

Yep, it's very obvious that Flo/Des were rushing and a bit shaky in the RD (for different reasons, I think, i.e., Bella recovering from jet lag and a cold; Vanya a bit emotional with family and friends in the audience whom he hadn't seen in-person for over two years). The RD costumes are too much turquoise, too, despite them each looking very cool individually. Combined, it is too much of the same bright color. Probably they will make some slight costume changes for the RD at SKAM and hopefully come in calmer and more in control of the changes they made to the RD since Lake Placid.

Flo/Des' fab FD to 'Poor Things' soundtrack, is the bomb! Their FD costumes are so on point. Simply perfection! And the choreo is genius. Bella Flores IS Bella Baxter.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I don't see F/D getting another spot. They also need to try and get a really good score at SKAM or at Zagreb (if assigned there) to get on the Season's Best for next year. Otherwise they likely won't have a spot at all

Yeah, it seems like they won't get another GP. Bad luck, due to the depth in U.S. ice dance. Flo/Des would have gotten NHK, if not for three U.S. teams already assigned there. Too true that it is not reliable to suspect that other U.S. teams coming back from injury won't be prepared to compete. As it stands, Flo/Des are currently second on the alternates list, and there's always hope. Realistically, I am looking for them to perform well at SKAM and to get a spot at Golden Spin, in Zagreb, which was a lucky charm for them last season.

Ice dance is so tough, especially right now due to the tremendous depth coupled with the ramping up of ubiquitous political scoring in recent years. In any case, this is a time for Flo/Des to learn as much as they can and to skate their best. They did very well in their debut international season last year against tremendous obstacles. I will never count them out.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Ivan's costume designer Tatiana Grig indicates on IG that a performance outfit worn by singer Tom Jones is the inspiration for his RD costume. LOL!