2026 U.S. Nationals Senior Rhythm Dance

[Lamente Ariane]

Wellll... I was not super on board with some of the scoring here, but it was pretty as expected for better or worse. I love C/B but this RD just doesn't feel Olympic. I loved Green/Parsons' program the most, and liked the Browns and Pate/Bye's material too. Need to rest before men because I kinda feel on the edge of a headache from some of these music choices...

 

[labgoat]

As much as I love Chock- Bates I feel Zingas- Kolesnik where better. And does anyone out there bugged by the fact that it takes years for foreign born skaters in the USA to get their citizenship while Laurence B got French citizenship within months just to compete with Cizeron.

People wait years for citizenship and are getting deported at their citizenship hearings.
It is a very precious thing - It is frustrating to see it being handed out so glibly.
Nothing against the teams that are lucky enough to get it - more about frustration for normal folks who have no such special advantages.

 

[labgoat]

Zingas and Kolesnik were amazing. Their energy in that RD is so fun. Their FD is my favorite this season. Really looking forward to it.

Mine is Reed/Ambrulevicus

 

[sk8dc]

People wait years for citizenship and are getting deported at their citizenship hearings.
It is a very precious thing - It is frustrating to see it being handed out so glibly.
Nothing against the teams that are lucky enough to get it - more about frustration for normal folks who have no such special advantages.

I totally agree. So sad

 

[labgoat]

Congratulations on the lead Madi & Evan.
Another full circle. They were poised in 2015 to be the World Champions winning the Short Dance only to lose to - you guessed it - Papadakis & Cizeron. They have been chasing the dream ever since. and who must they beat but Cizeron & Fournier-Beaudry. To be continued...

 

[labgoat]

Now I am going to leave this thread for the men's event - Jimmy Ma needs my cheers as do a few others

 

[Joan1940]

Different countries have different proce

France is not USA. Different countries have different procedures and rules. It' like apples and oranges. Not comparable

Looked it up & there is an exception requiring no 5 year rule for French citizenship if you fall into a category under exceptional service to France as talent which winning skating medals for France would apply.

 

[Skatingcat]

Really liked C/B tonight and I truly thought they deserved the win.

But- my most honorable mentions:

I think my favorite skate of the night the pair that danced to Nirvana. They didn't skate the best, of course, but I loved their zip and I will always have a soft spot for Nirvana.

And next the the pair that had to restart their program- twice- due to a musical snafu that was not their fault. They kept a cool head and really finished their dance strong.

 

[bramweld]

I lurved C/P tonight the most. I get the energy of Zin/Kol, but I much preferred the sophistication, expression and extension of C/P. But I guess, it's not really required for the theme. I felt like the judges didn't feel they could reward them for turning the program around. I did not blink during their 3 minutes; it just flew. Also, I'm really liking Gabby's commentary. On to the FD!!

 

[labgoat]

.

 

[bramweld]

Is their video of Bratti/Sommerville? Looks like they were also very good.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Anyone wanna explain how the Shibs can get positive GOE on their twizzles when he does an extra rotation? I think that happened to another top team (Capellini/Lanotte?) years ago and they weren’t dinged for something so obvious.

 

[el henry]

The Shibs are tenth. USFS is sending them a message loud and clear, twizzles or no twizzles.

 

[museksk8r]

The Shibs are tenth. USFS is sending them a message loud and clear, twizzles or no twizzles.

Their placement was deserved. It was not wise to show up to Nationals with a brand new RD, just like it wasn’t wise to make a comeback in the Olympic season after being away from competition for 7 years. They have no body of work argument to justify their selection on the team and they have been really sloppy this entire season.

 

[readernick]

The Shibs are tenth. USFS is sending them a message loud and clear, twizzles or no twizzles.

I think the message is that they are unprepared and slow. They really would have needed to come back last year or the year before to have a chance to get comfortable competing again. As it is, they just aren't comfortable enough with the elements and programs to skate with the freedom and speed needed for success.

IMHO, the team that was sent a message was Green/Parsons. I thought they absolutely outskated C/P here and yet they were given lower PCS. Early season mistakes are hurting them and that makes me sad because they along with the Browns and B/S are really the best technical skaters here and they have unique choreo and are good performers, too.

 

[skylark]

Except for the technical snafus, I really enjoyed this RD comp.

I think perhaps my favorite dance -- because I really enjoy being surprised -- was Isabella Flores and her brand-new partner, Linus Jepsen. Their music wasn't like anyone else's. Their dance wasn't like anyone else's. And their dance didn't look like any of her previous skates with her previous partners.

Their RD reminded me of an expression I heard years ago. It was either about writing or music or one of the other arts, but it applies. "We can fix technique, but you can't put the 'juice' in where it isn't." Actually, I disagree. I think you CAN diagnose lack of juice and then re-paint, re-write, re-choreograph to put some juice in.

But what I really want to say is that I'm very impressed with this new team. Also so impressed with Flores. As someone wrote after her last forced team break-up, she cannot get a break. But she's determined to keep on. At the same time, she hasn't lost something flexible, something adaptable in her skating and in her response to her partner. It takes faith to retain such mental and emotional suppleness.

 

[dorispulaski]

JLB recognized that in his practice commentary.

 

[labgoat]

With all due respect, Johnny, Ian and Emily are not direct competitors to Laurence and Guillaume, so why make such an absurd comment critiquing their RD music choice?

I enjoyed Emily & Ian more, but I love them and am proud of my bias

 

[labgoat]

Is their video of Bratti/Sommerville? Looks like they were also very good.

probably not from the event but they were great in practice

 

[danceblade]

I think the message is that they are unprepared and slow. They really would have needed to come back last year or the year before to have a chance to get comfortable competing again. As it is, they just aren't comfortable enough with the elements and programs to skate with the freedom and speed needed for success.

IMHO, the team that was sent a message was Green/Parsons. I thought they absolutely outskated C/P here and yet they were given lower PCS. Early season mistakes are hurting them and that makes me sad because they along with the Browns and B/S are really the best technical skaters here and they have unique choreo and are good performers, too.