2025 Skate America Rhythm Dance

[theblade]

I know. I saw it live. It is all that. I just want them to change costumes so they actually look like a senior team at the high point rather than the unassuming costuming they have. They need to come on ice as the team ready to be Canada's number 1, not these jerseys. It just doesn't look like a statement.

Edit: I mean, look at the Americans. They might not have the best dance ever, but they look the part of a senior team with champion ambitions.

I am in total agreement with you!

I was using "you" in a general sense since not everyone on this board is into this program and I was just giving some insight as to why it works (at least, for me!).

 

[sam99]

While I hope that is not true, I have to say this RD '90s theme is not really working for me so far.

100% agree

 

[sam99]

Technical calling has been strict this year with the exception of the GP of China and selected teams at GP France. However, this competition was the harshest yet. Browns had the highest BV which is not surprising given their very strong SS and good edges. Judges still just managed to use GOE to put whoever they wanted in front since basically everyone got low scores. I think C/B were a lot better here. As normal for them, they do difficult choreo and holds and it takes time to be really smooth out the program. It will score higher by

GOE Rules

 

[humbaba]

not sure about CB... this dance is also quite flat... if it weren't for the HUGE goe given to them, they wouldn't be in first place.

crazy stuff... even on a pattern deemed level B the judges just are so generous... pattern B means that TP didn't give them ANY turns... yet, judges think it's a good element

oh well... glad dance is over now.. I will be less grumpy

Just looked at the protocols and C/B got level 1 on the PSt, not level B. Feel better?

As Gabby, Johnny, and others have pointed out, the calling in the RD here was very harsh.

 

[Sai Bon]

Just looked at the protocols and C/B got level 1 on the PSt, not level B. Feel better?

As Gabby, Johnny, and others have pointed out, the calling in the RD here was very harsh.

Have been meaning to ask, what does level B mean in PSt?

 

[discodisco]

Madi and Evan also look low energy and slow to me. Gabby pointed out a wobble by Madi.

Where is Gabby commentating?! I would absolutely love to hear what she has to say! I love Mark Hanretty's commentating because he can comment on dance with intelligence and expertise as well has the other disciplines, which is so rare for a commentator.

The Americans are definitely precise, I'll give them that. But I remember the days when speed was everything. Back in 98 the Russians were like rockets going around the rank, which is what brought them victory over the Canadians and others. Ice coverage was King. Not anymore.

Love the team who skated to Kris kross. I know their twizzles were slow as molasses and they messed up on their lift, but they were really invested and I thought it's probably my favorite Rhythm Dance of the year.

 

[discodisco]

The highest level of pattern steps was 2 and only two teams got it (LB and Browns).
Bock is the only team who got levels 2 for both skaters in MiSteps, the rest got 1+1 or 1+2.
Harsh.

I know, it's really harsh judging, but they've been harsh on the step sequence all year. For whatever reason, the teams are not giving the tech panels what they want. Kind of odd seeing as the top teams typically are able to manage hit in other years.

 

[discodisco]

Have you ever seen them live? Their problem is that they do not havs live presence at all. Or at least they didn't when I saw it.

That's I really interesting perspective, and helpful to hear. On tv, they were awesome, and he really looked like he was totally selling the program. Do you think it's because they're smaller and don't have as long lines as some of the other teams?

 

[museksk8r]

Where is Gabby commentating?! I would absolutely love to hear what she has to say! I love Mark Hanretty's commentating because he can comment on dance with intelligence and expertise as well has the other disciplines, which is so rare for a commentator.

Gabby commentates for NBC/E! Network during the ice dance discipline streaming on Peacock for Skate America, along with Johnny Weir and Terry Gannon. ITA about Mark Henretty! I believe he will be covering commentary for Finlandia Trophy next week on the Peacock broadcast.

 

[auser]

Have been meaning to ask, what does level B mean in PSt?

From what I can discern level b includes 50% of the pattern completed and at least 1 dance hold.

Footwork for Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence: Footwork, includes 4 different Difficult Turns in total – with 2 different Difficult Turns per one partner and 2 different Difficult Turns per the other partner from the following: Back Entry Rocker, Counter, Back Entry Bracket, Forward Outside Mohawk (Only the first two attempted Different Difficult Turns selected from those above per partner are considered for level). Two of the Different Difficult Turns from those above may be performed at the same time.

https://www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/ISU%202716-ID-Levels---Requirements-for-Technical-Rules-2025-26.pdf

 

[lariko]

That's I really interesting perspective, and helpful to hear. On tv, they were awesome, and he really looked like he was totally selling the program. Do you think it's because they're smaller and don't have as long lines as some of the other teams?

I loved them on TV as well at the time, and they looked incredible with edges and performance. But on live ice, the stadium swallowed them. It is not their stature, imo, as the Korean team is not statuesque either, but their live grab is incredible. Actually most dancers despite looking tall on TV are quite diminutive live, so what they produce on ice is amazing. I don't know what specifically they lacked, as i am not technically apt, but that was one aspect I felt they needed to improve the most. Again, this was my impression from when I had seen them live, and it was before this season. However, I think in Browns' case specifically one has to see them live to understand the judges, particularly if the panel is strict. Given what i saw of Mrazkovs free skate disaster, though, Browns should advance ahead of them. Unless Mrazkova took scissors to the skirt. Or found a new skirt. I'll shut up about the skirt.

 

[readernick]

I know, it's really harsh judging, but they've been harsh on the step sequence all year. For whatever reason, the teams are not giving the tech panels what they want. Kind of odd seeing as the top teams typically are able to manage hit in other years.

John Luc Baker mentioned on the practice stream that they changed the way turns were judged this year. He said, and take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember exactly what he said that they used the allow the teams to have retrogression on both the entrance to a turn and an exit. However, now they are only allowed to retrogress on the exit or entrance not on both. This is making it hard to get clean turns even for teams like C/B who are known for doing their turns well.

 

[demarinis5]

Caught up with the RD. I, like so many others really don't care for the 90's music theme and it has put be off the RD this season.
That said Madi and Evan clearly deserved first place, I would have had Lopavera/Brissaud in second, not a fan of Car/Pon but I believe they were underscored here. The Browns have improved and they have a youthful energy in their RD that I enjoyed.

 

[museksk8r]

Have been meaning to ask, what does level B mean in PSt?

LOL, when I saw the “B” show up on the tech box next to PSt, Madi Hubbell’s voice exclaimed in my brain, “Stationary Lift BASE?!?!?!?!”

 

[discodisco]

John Luc Baker mentioned on the practice stream that they changed the way turns were judged this year. He said, and take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember exactly what he said that they used the allow the teams to have retrogression on both the entrance to a turn and an exit. However, now they are only allowed to retrogress on the exit or entrance not on both. This is making it hard to get clean turns even for teams like C/B who are known for doing their turns well.

That's very interesting and useful. I'll have to do a little bit of research today on YouTube to get I better visual understanding of all that.

 

[museksk8r]

John Luc Baker mentioned on the practice stream that they changed the way turns were judged this year. He said, and take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember exactly what he said that they used the allow the teams to have retrogression on both the entrance to a turn and an exit. However, now they are only allowed to retrogress on the exit or entrance not on both. This is making it hard to get clean turns even for teams like C/B who are known for doing their turns well.

Fascinating that the ISU would make such a change in the all important Olympic year. This is the kind of rule change that normally takes place at the beginning of a new quad.

 

[Ares]

100% agree

yeah, it is bad. Most RDs are pretty awkward this season and that includes top teams. And I dislike those extra requirements for the music to be ''upbeat all the way through'' and also IIRC with a rigid BPM, it makes it stiff and renders some songs and a lot of dances artificial/unnatural. I miss old compulsory step sequence being featured. This was something where you could usually see a real difference between the best of the best and the other teams.

 

[Ares]

John Luc Baker mentioned on the practice stream that they changed the way turns were judged this year. He said, and take this with a grain of salt because I don't remember exactly what he said that they used the allow the teams to have retrogression on both the entrance to a turn and an exit. However, now they are only allowed to retrogress on the exit or entrance not on both. This is making it hard to get clean turns even for teams like C/B who are known for doing their turns well.

Is that the likely reason for mostly low levels for steps this season? Can we see some more detailed tech panel sheet anywhere or is it something that just skaters/coaches have access to?

 

[saine]

Is that the likely reason for mostly low levels for steps this season? Can we see some more detailed tech panel sheet anywhere or is it something that just skaters/coaches have access to?

2025-26 Ice Dance Requirements for Technical Rules. They cover the PSt on page 3 with the rules on retrogression.

 

[moonvine]

Who is the guy doing the interviews