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Free Dance

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^^^^ What's that about? Evident on the protocalls for 6 couples

I'm pretty sure it's for a choreography lift. It's to fit the music and work choreographically, levels don't matter. I thought it got a mark though, aparently not.
 
My impressions

.......B&A - Biggest difference is there is way more going on in between the elements. In fact, for the first time ever they actually had more in between choreography than D&S. They looked rough, which is expected considering it's a Linichuk program. I'm not a fan but I think it has potential.

.....S&B - They are technical machines! The unison and leg line is unbelievable. Too bad they have such a generic freedance.

Thanks to those who provided program details.

I can breathe a sigh of relief; good to read that B&A's FD went over better than the OD. Even more good news to hear that B&A themselves are ready to work and improve the dance over the course of the season.

S&B: They are good technicians but the generic programs are one reason I haven't been able to jump on the S&B bandwagon. I watched K&K's FD from the first competition they competed at a few weeks ago and I liked it but it's true that it's not going to be the most difficult dance among the couples fighting for spots in the top ten. Sinead and John need to be spot on in order to receive good enough marks to move them up. If they don't skate well it will be easy for teams such as S&B to finish ahead on the basis of their technical merit.

I'm not too worried for K&K though as they usually are shaky at the beginning of the season. They get better as the season progresses.
 
They didn't even mention the competition's existence on NBC! :banging: Couldn't even take two seconds at the end of the ****ing broadcast!
And after watching the ladies and considering the men, I fear it may be that we'll be relying on Tanith and Ben to keep the US from leaving LA empty-handed this March. NBC needs to acknowledge that, or the sport's not going to get any more fans in this country.
 
ITA MissIzzy. The moment I read that NBC would be televising Skate America, Nationals and Worlds taking the place of ESPN/ABC I kind of knew that the ladies would get the lions share of attention and maybe the men (which is exactly what happened). Last year was the same thing; if someone watched who doesn't really follow the sport they would be left with the impression that only the men and ladies competed this weekend. Not even a brief recap. I'm disappointed with NBC's "coverage" of Skate America and the entire set up in general. :sheesh::frown:

I really miss ESPN.

Unlike ESPN, I believe that NBC is catering to the mainstream fans, those who usually only watch figureskaing every four years. I thought that B&A being the reigning Olympic silver medalists would make a difference but apparently not. Ice dance has never been interesting to mainstream fans and that doesn't look as if it's going to change. I doubt the programmers are remotelly interested in what the hardcore fans think.

Those without icenetwork will now have to wait until January to see B&A on television and in the meantime download videos from youtube if possible.
 
I loved Belbin and Agosto's freedance:love::love:. I am so happy for them, because even though they did not win, this program will be great for them. They did win the freeskate, which was very deserved... just goes to show they need a new revamped OD.

The costumes are dead on. Ben really looks the part. The choreography is great. The only problem was that Tanith looked scared to go for the new lifts, which is understandable. She will get comfortable with them in time.
 
:clap: to Tanith and Ben, I'm a big fan of them but this FD is good. I absolutely loved The Tosca from Tanith and Ben, I am so happy for them, they lock very happy at the end of the program, this is great. I just think that we need a little more time for both the OD as the FD to become more polished and fast, but it is normal that point of the season. Oh Ben ... he is very good, always liked him, but he really seems very confident. Very good for them.

I liked od D/S, but i think the Kerrs FD it is i litle borring, but i loooove their OD.

Congrats to all the teams :rock::clap:, this was a relly good competition

:love:
 
Unlike ESPN, I believe that NBC is catering to the mainstream fans, those who usually only watch figureskaing every four years. I thought that B&A being the reigning Olympic silver medalists would make a difference but apparently not. Ice dance has never been interesting to mainstream fans and that doesn't look as if it's going to change...
IMO they need to rethink what appeals to audiences. For one thing, seeing Kimmie finish 8th and the U.S. ladies champion Mirai and the World junior champion Rachael barely able to keep the podium-bound skaters in sight -- how does that build interest in figure skating in the U.S.?

Meanwhile Tanith and Ben are fighting for gold and Samuelson and Bates are skating lights out. Look how popular all those dancing shows on TV are. I think the mainstream once-every-four-years fan would be a lot more interested in the ice dance contest than in seeing Lysacek and Weir cavorting in absurd costumes.

(I really think the USFSA should put its foot down about men's costumes before the sport gets laughed off the stage. That's the advantage dance has over singles skating -- in dance, the more outlandish the better. :yes: )

JMO. :)
 
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Ice dance has never been interesting to mainstream fans and that doesn't look as if it's going to change.

During the days of Torvill & Dean, the rink was filled just to watch them skate their compulsories and the roof practically lifted off the place during the OSP and FD. This statement is just plain wrong.

IMO they need to rethink what appeals to audiences. For one thing, seeing Kimmie finish 8th and the U.S. ladies champion Mirai and the World junior champion Rachael barely able to keep the podium-bound skaters in sight -- how does that build interest in figure skating in the U.S.?

Meanwhile Tanith and Ben are fighting for gold and Samuelson and Bates are skating lights out. Look how popular all those dancing shows on TV are. I think the mainstream once-every-four-years fan would be a lot more interested in the ice dance contest than in seeing Lysacek and Weir cavorting in absurd costumes.

JMO. :)

I totally agree with you, Mathman, so it's isn't just your opinion. I have to wait till tonight late to watch all this stuff as I only just got my icenetwork straightened out, plus my ISP tends to run a tad slow in the early evening.

People worrying about B&A should remember:

1. Linichuk has had them doing plain skating and CD learning stuff all summer, and they got their OD and FD very late in the season compared to their usual training schedule. It's very promising that B&A were actually quite close to DelSchoes in the CD--shows a big improvement rather quickly. In general, they are not close in the CD.

2. B&A are making major changes in their skating, as they acknowledge themselves. That they could win the FD with those kind of changes in 4 months or so is very impressive, particularly with all new lifts. The FD will only improve. B&A will have all level 4's by Worlds--I am not concerned about their base tech score. To compare, it took Joannie Rochette and Alissa Csizny 2 years to rework a jump. B&A are trying to rework everything. It must be a daunting task.

3. Igor Shpilband is superb at knocking out OD's to fit the rhythm and the era. And B&A were great interpreters of his and Marina's choreography. Linichuk? Not always so much. It sounds like that might be the case here...I'm looking forward to seeing all this stuff so I can say something. However, from youtube vids I can definitely say, I love the Kerrs OD and don't particularly love Delschores OD.
 
I fell into a deep nap and missed the Dance due to watching the Men last night. I'll catch it on Demand! But I noticed one poster noting the D&S had a bit of humor in their program. I like that. I've always thought that Dance was an action of joy and not of pathos. If B&A get to me in that potboiler, Tosca, I'll forgive them for not finding the humor in this dark tragedy.
 
wow time warp. i need to sign up for icenetwork.
i cant believe im behind in skating....
im so happy that D/S won.
congrats to the kerrs finally!

i have to see all programs before i rant. :cool:
 
Am I the only one who thinks that B/A have sufficiently established themselves now (since like 3 years ago) so it's ok for them to go back to a light-hearted FD? The heavy, over-emotional FDs they've done these past two seasons are getting a bit old. And is that final lift and subsequent collapse supposed to be Tanith jumping off a building. I have so many questions.

Even though it's early in the season and it's still rough, D/S had me mesmerized by their FD. I really want them to stick around until 2010 and win the Olympics.
 
During the days of Torvill & Dean, the rink was filled just to watch them skate their compulsories and the roof practically lifted off the place during the OSP and FD. This statement is just plain wrong.

......

I disagree.

During the Torino Olympics Tracy Wilson spoke about the popularity of icedance....in Europe. Perhaps I should have added "in the U.S." Yes in Europe people have always appreciated the skill and artistry of the icedancers especially in the days of T&D but IMO for the most part in the U.S. it's still a hard sell or at least the television programmmers seem to be operating under that assumption. Even despite the accomplishments of B&A and a very talented field against them.

If more of the "mainstream" Americans appreciated icedance I can't imagine that the networks would be as hesitant to air at least a portion of the dance event.
 
Am I the only one who thinks that B/A have sufficiently established themselves now (since like 3 years ago) so it's ok for them to go back to a light-hearted FD? The heavy, over-emotional FDs they've done these past two seasons are getting a bit old. And is that final lift and subsequent collapse supposed to be Tanith jumping off a building. I have so many questions.

Even though it's early in the season and it's still rough, D/S had me mesmerized by their FD. I really want them to stick around until 2010 and win the Olympics.

Tanith suposed to represent Tosca jumping from a castle. Here is the finel od the final act.

The soldiers fire; Mario falls. Tosca playfully compliments Mario on his marvellous acting (Ecco un artista – "There's an artist"). When the executioners leave, Tosca runs to Mario and tells him to get up (Su, Su, Mario! Su presto andiam!) . When he does not respond, Tosca realizes the truth: Scarpia had never intended to spare Cavaradossi, but had given Spoletta orders to execute him. Cavaradossi lies dead. As Tosca comes to this realization, Spoletta, who has discovered Scarpia's death, enters with soldiers, denouncing her as a murderer. He comes forward to take Tosca prisoner, but she pushes him away. She then jumps from the ramparts of the castle and falls to her death ("O Scarpia, avanti a Dio!" - "O Scarpia, we shall meet before God!"). As she falls, the orchestra restates briefly but forte the tragic clarinet theme which has introduced Cavaradossi's earlier aria (E lucevan le stelle).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tosca

they did a wonderful job telling Tosca history
 
Am I the only one who thinks that B/A have sufficiently established themselves now (since like 3 years ago) so it's ok for them to go back to a light-hearted FD? The heavy, over-emotional FDs they've done these past two seasons are getting a bit old. And is that final lift and subsequent collapse supposed to be Tanith jumping off a building. I have so many questions.

Even though it's early in the season and it's still rough, D/S had me mesmerized by their FD. I really want them to stick around until 2010 and win the Olympics.

I don't see ANYof the top dance teams doing 'light-hearted FDs' this season. It's all sturm und drang or sticky romantic stuff. Samuelson/Bates's FD was the exception, but they are not yet a top team.

Anyway, it's different strokes for different folks. I found DelShoes' FD incredibly boring. The music is all on one level, and rather monotonous. They skate very well, but I can't get into something so one-note.
 
I don't see ANYof the top dance teams doing 'light-hearted FDs' this season. It's all sturm und drang or sticky romantic stuff. Samuelson/Bates's FD was the exception, but they are not yet a top team.

Anyway, it's different strokes for different folks. I found DelShoes' FD incredibly boring. The music is all on one level, and rather monotonous. They skate very well, but I can't get into something so one-note.

Fair enough, I just think light-hearted suits B/A better than melancholic/frustrated artist. I enjoyed their elements, I just found myself wanting to see them do a program where they could let their vibrant personalities shine through. It would be (literally) sad if all the top teams at Worlds all had depression-fest FDs
 
It would be (literally) sad if all the top teams at Worlds all had depression-fest FDs

:rofl:

They might have to offer antidepressants and free hankies or something at the concession stands to help the audience cope. ;)

[ok, sorry for the bad joke]
 
Samuelson Bates? ?????????? That Amazonic thing was depressing to me (they were not--but the music surely was-a dreary Otonal like thing with a drum machine added...SCREAM)

Stagniunas & Copely's Evita was happy compared to the rest of the stuff. And Hann McCurdy Coreno's Finnish piano music. The Kerr's Muse cuts were a lot pleasanter than Carron/Jost's though.

I liked B&A's Tosca, particularly the lift where she throws her leg in amazing extension vertically at a very high point in the music. The jumping off the tower thing at the end needs more work.

I suppose after all the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/Sing sing sing of the OD's the teams wanted something more somber and dramatick.
 
Samuelson Bates? ?????????? That Amazonic thing was depressing to me (they were not--but the music surely was-a dreary Otonal like thing with a drum machine added...SCREAM)
I loved their FD but you sure got it right about their music. The same damn thing over and over (and nowhere near as pretty as Otonal).
 
in love with D/S
i melt whenever i watch their FD
mirrored twizzles with arm movement!
i love all their pirouettes and individual twizzles within footwork.

only negatives are - their D/L influences aka swing dancey lifts and their opening lift with Isabelle reaching- though it looks nice (the support looks like its above olivier's head hmmm....)
488bf6d49611.jpg

and their spin - it doesn't feel solid.

i love the horizontal lift!

im so happy that they are relieved of that pressure to "at least win the world title"
and to the person who said they seem care free since gothenburg - good yes i know - jshows how much they love skating and they are just having fun- and look their happy:
f0c285141f55.jpg


Samuelson Bates? ?????????? That Amazonic thing was depressing to me (they were not--but the music surely was-a dreary Otonal like thing with a drum machine added...SCREAM)
yeah - but it fits them modern beat-y orchestral cliché figure skating music, like last year's luna. but i love the increased drama aka faster footwork - though the same typical matchy style. im loving their first curve lift- a modification of last year's lift but now with a cooler and unexpected entrance aka higher level. gorgeous spin! but overall....they need new LIFTS!

as for the kerrs - congrats on podium! well deserved - finally
FD - im speechless - amazing. sinead just had to mess up on those twizzles haha. music choice- perfect.
but once more: GIVE ME MORE LIFTS! im bored with "signature lifts"

B/A: sick of tosca. hate the opening. MAJESTIC TWIZZLES <3
and their lift with tanith on an arabesque à la hauteur is...jsut beautiful
beillman on boot lift - nice balance on form.
footwork overall is meh.
closing a bit sloppy. would that thing count as a lift - they did 5 if so.
tanith - nice hair. ben - stop smiling.
 
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Yeah! German Eurosport finally showed the top four FD's....:rock:

S/B really showed great speed and a lot of energy, but as the commentators said - there is still a lack of charisma and I also found this FD too generic, it was nothing special. But nevertheless the theam has a lot of potential.

Indeed the Kerrs were special, but maybee too special. This pogramme looked a little bit confusing to me and the lines wer not as clear and beautiful as from other teams. Their way of skating and choreography may fit to them but it is not really what some people might expect from ice-dancing (including me).

D/S new FD is nice, but somehow I don't think that's a winning programme. Too smooth, no real highlights, it doesn't catch the audience - as you could see at Skate America. Of course their skating is great but not outstanding enough this year. Wasn't sure if this type of music suites them.

Finally B/A - loved this team from the beginning! I agree that Tosca still looks rough and they need to work on it. The style of the programme is totally new and they have great highlights in it. Loved the lifts and the story they're telling. For me they were the only team that managed to do more than just beautiful choreography. Hope this programme will become better and better throughout the season but i think it has the potential to bring them back to gold. It was so cute how relieved they were afterwards...
 
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