Pairs LP

[fumie_fumie]

Free skate results:

1 Dan ZHANG / Hao ZHANG CHN 115.10 56.30 58.80 7.50 7.05 7.45 7.40 7.35 0.00 #7
2 Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV UKR 114.71 59.91 54.80 6.80 6.55 7.00 6.95 6.95 0.00 #6
3 Qing PANG / Jian TONG CHN 112.50 56.26 56.24 7.15 6.80 7.00 7.10 7.10 0.00 #5
4 Mylene BRODEUR / John MATTATALL CAN 94.81 52.41 42.40 5.35 5.00 5.50 5.35 5.30 0.00 #2
5 Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG USA 92.40 48.84 44.56 5.75 5.40 5.60 5.65 5.45 1.00 #4
6 Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG CHN 91.08 50.40 41.68 5.20 4.90 5.40 5.25 5.30 1.00 #3
7 Chelsi GUILLEN / Danny CURZON USA 65.18 34.02 32.16 4.10 3.80 4.10 4.10 4.00 1.00 #1


1 Dan ZHANG / Hao ZHANG CHN 182.22 1 1
2 Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV UKR 175.05 2 2
3 Qing PANG / Jian TONG CHN 171.86 3 3
4 Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG USA 143.88 4 5
5 Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG CHN 142.10 5 6
6 Mylene BRODEUR / John MATTATALL CAN 141.59 6 4
7 Chelsi GUILLEN / Danny CURZON USA 100.74 7 7

Zhang/Zhang are on

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Who cares about the results. The three top teams were all exquisitely skated. It was all too wonderful to watch.

Whatever team you liked as the best, I will agree.

 

[Vincero]

Well, I had to go out for dinner after Pang/Tong, so I haven't watched the top two teams yet, but I absolutely loved Pang/Tong and Brodeur/Mattatall's programs. I liked Brodeur/Matatall's program at Skate Canada and it grew on me even more here. I thought Pang/Tong pulled off Aranjuez brilliantly. It would be lovely if they do a program with only Aranjuez.

 

[quof]

This is the second competition in a row that Brodeur/Matatall have finished higher in the long program, but not been able to move up (or barely move up) because of their standing after the short. What is it about their short that is keeping them down? I don't recall there being a deduction in either short program, so I assume they were both clean. Do they simply not have the content of the other pairs?

 

[Ptichka]

Steuer must after all be doing something right - V&M are better than ever! If he can really make Morozov into a skater that can match Volosozhar - more power to him.

 

[Medusa]

Steuer must after all be doing something right - V&M are better than ever! If he can really make Morozov into a skater that can match Volosozhar - more power to him.

They were fantastic. Not even half a point behind the Chinese in the free program. What did he do to them? And the program was nicely built, their best elements - the throws and especially the lifts - were the highlights of the program, perfectly timed to the highlights of the music. I am amazed.

But the competition was good anyway, I loved Pang/Tong's program, there was a real Tango feeling to it and I bet it gets better as the season progresses.

The costumes of the Chinese were great this time. I loved Z/Z's in the short, their long program costume is also interesting. P/T's short program costume is very ugly, but their costume in the long is very nice.

By the way, what happened to Z/Z's 3T-sequence? I get that the first one was underrotated - but they did a second one, but it doesn't even appear in the protocol...

 

[fiercemao]

I haven't had the chance to watch it yet. But from the video of Chinese nationals, I found Z/Z's music is so boring. Their 3t+3t got dinged by technical controller, and got almost ZERO for their two groups of solo jumps. Z/Z have the biggest upside potential score wise if they could hammer out the solo jumps.

P/T program is very pleasant, but Tong has some injuries, so their conditions are so so.

V/M have made a big move, and they deserve it. They have the technique, especially her and artistry.

My ideal top pairs in the worlds would be S/S, P/T, M/B(US), Z/Z, V/M, and M/T(Russia), all of these teams have strength and uniqueness.

K/S are a bit weird although they have difficulty, D/D are simply blah....

The costumes of the Chinese were great this time. I loved Z/Z's in the short, their long program costume is also interesting. P/T's short program costume is very ugly, but their costume in the long is very nice.

By the way, what happened to Z/Z's 3T-sequence? I get that the first one was underrotated - but they did a second one, but it doesn't even appear in the protocol...

The link steps must be ruled as illegal, so the 3t+3t+seq was not ratified.

 

[mycelticblessing]

Pang and Tong must be pretty disappointed. Hope their next assignment turns out better for them.

I'm really happy for V/M though. I was really surprised at how poorly they performed last season, especially considering their 4th place finish in Tokyo. I'm looking forward to seeing them in the Grand Prix final!

 

[oleada]

I absolutely loved the Ukranians; their program was fantastic. There is no way they should have lost it to the Zhangs. It had both the artistry and the technical. And their program, unlike the others, had transitions

I also liked P/T's program but it wasn't performed here as well as it could be. However, the composition of it - throw after throw, lift after lift - left something to be desired.

 

[Wrlmy]

Wow, my prediction was actually correct til the end. I used to dislike Zhang/Zhang, but they grew on me this year. I want z/z to overtake the Germans if they keep messing up.
I'm really impressed with the Ukranians as well. They are presenting themselves like real contenders.
P/T are my sentimental favorite. I'm sure they will be back on track once Pang heals from injury.

 

[fiercemao]

Pang & Tong LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pok5OioFkhw

GUILLEN & CURZON LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1QMrfVbYko

 

[KwanFan1212]

This is the second competition in a row that Brodeur/Matatall have finished higher in the long program, but not been able to move up (or barely move up) because of their standing after the short. What is it about their short that is keeping them down? I don't recall there being a deduction in either short program, so I assume they were both clean. Do they simply not have the content of the other pairs?

From what I read about their SP in China, she doubled the sbs jump and they were off on their spins so it really wasn't a clean SP for them and that's why they didn't move up much overall.

I wish IN would get the videos online so I can watch Amanda & Mark's LP. It sounds like they skated much better than they did last week (although they weren't horrible or anything) and I'm excited to see their LP from today to compare the two performances. I'm very happy that they were able to stay in fourth place.

 

[Hsuhs]

Looks like my prediction is partially correct. I did have Zhang and Zhang in 1st. I started to pay attention after seeing them live (been to the official practices, 2008 worlds). They looked so much better in person.
The Ukranians were indeed impressive. Well-dressed today, too. Still not a fan.

 

[melodies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0kMH_Gk8cw
zhang/zhang 's lp

 

[fiercemao]

all pairs long programs are here:

Pairs long programs:

BRODEUR & John MATTATALL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFWsbkawhM

Amanda EVORA & Mark LADWIG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIocnwz5ZFM

Zhang & Zhang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0kMH_Gk8cw

Zhang & Wang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV9zBkc57aw

VOLOSOZHAR&MOROZOV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1P_3xiW3IY

Pang & Tong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pok5OioFkhw

Chelsi GUILLEN & Danny CURZON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1QMrfVbYko

Just finished all.Wow, Volosozhar & Morozov were very very impressive. They used to have excellent and difficult elements but little transitions. This program seems to add more transitions.I prefer world medals to be awarded to V/M, Zhang/Zhang and S/S if they skate relatively clean. These three teams' technique content is spectacular, and almost all of elements are good.

V&M, Zhang&Zhang have lots of original and very complicated lifts this season. I especially like how the female partners of both team constantly shift air positions in their lifts. Very original.

It amazes me how D&D could advance to the top pairs with their bland choreography, little transitions and very limited and stale technical content. K&S have all the difficulty but each of their element is so ugly.

Overall, it's a well skated pairs event at Cup of China.

 

[casken]

The biggest difference for me with V/M is his confidence. He's jumping better, his lifting technique, which was always good to start with, has improved, and his overall sens of presentation is better.

After stagnating for a while, Z/Z have shown some noticeable improvement, but I find that their long programs are still not compelling enough all the way through.

 

[lmarie086]

I haven't had a chance to see all the LPs but I did see V/M and boy, what did Steuer give Morosov?!

Much improved and Iove the program; it's exquisite and suits them very well. I hope they keep it up throughout the season!

 

[fiercemao]

The costumes of the Chinese were great this time. I loved Z/Z's in the short, their long program costume is also interesting. P/T's short program costume is very ugly, but their costume in the long is very nice.

...

Z/Z's costumes were designed by their coach Bin Yao. P/T's costumes were designed and made in Russia. They found the color of their SP costume was completely screwed up when they got it only a few days ago. It has nothing to do with the mood of 'blue'.

 

[fiercemao]

After stagnating for a while, Z/Z have shown some noticeable improvement, but I find that their long programs are still not compelling enough all the way through.

The music is key. The lp music is horrible. I think Z/Z's artistry has improved a lot this season, but the LP music is very boring and it's hard to keep your attention on. They need to find some new music next season.

V/M's choice of music is excellent. P/T's first half is excellent, but the last half is bizarre. S/S is good, but the adagio part is quite disjointed.

 

[Fruit Loops]

I only caught the last two LPs on CBC's streaming video but I have to say: why haven't I heard of the Ukranians before? They were amazing and shoot into my favourites' list!

I also didn't hate Z/Z which is a huge improvement (though they got boring again towards the end) and I really liked DZ's unitard. It was pretty! And they both seem much softer. Dan Zhang is still as skinny as ever but her movements now seem graceful whereas I used to think she moved so ackwardly that her limbs seemed to poke the air.