2014 Finlandia Trophy

[Icey]

Isn't Raphael known for being a jump technician?

Ask Ashley I guess the operative word is "known".

 

[noidont]

I'm utterly speechless that Tat would endorse a dance team so rough and raw. I haven't seen a single redeeming quality about that program. The lifts are awkward looking and do not fit with the music. I can see he has good knee bend but that doesn't seem to get him any speed or power either. Maybe it's because of her, maybe not. She is too tall, skinny and stiff and her dress/packaging never helps her case. They used to have very fast twizzles but with this sit spin thing even that's nonexistent. Yanovskaya and Mozgov's FD are miles better than this.

 

[TMC]

People are just in love with Misha Ge.

On the FT Facebook page in the Men's free photo series, most others have under ten likes whereas Misha currently has 66 (!) and counting

 

[bramweld]

I'm utterly speechless that Tat would endorse a dance team so rough and raw. I haven't seen a single redeeming quality about that program. The lifts are awkward looking and do not fit with the music. I can see he has good knee bend but that doesn't seem to get him any speed or power either. Maybe it's because of her, maybe not. She is too tall, skinny and stiff and her dress/packaging never helps her case. They used to have very fast twizzles but with this sit spin thing even that's nonexistent. Yanovskaya and Mozgov's FD are miles better than this.

If this is the team she chose to speak so highly of well yes, Russian ice dance could possibly lose the three spots it earned for worlds. However I want to believe she was just playing politricks. I feel at least one of the two new pairs will be competitive this year. Just a hunch nothing concrete...Hopeful also that B/S recover well and in time.

And yes I look forward to seeing Y/M develop, but please allow the boy to take care of his knee!

 

[humbaba]

I just watched some of the YouTube vids and wow, what a great audience that was at Finlandia. It's great to see a good size crowd turn out for a FS competition. Not only that, but the audience was so appreciative of the skaters' performances. I'm impressed

 

[slider11]

Love Adam Rippon's long program. Now he needs to add some speed and consistency to the jumps but it has potential.

 

[Art&Sport]

I think Adam was the class of the men's field at this competition in terms of his music and choreography and his overall talent. Adam has a refinement and artistry that is among the best of all the men internationally. Adam's problems have been developing technical consistency and confidence in his 3-axel. Once he began to struggle with that 3-axel years ago, he began to struggle overall competitively. Adam seemed to have conquered the 3-axel somewhat under Artunian in terms of improving his technique, but then he also had to play catch up and develop the quad at the same time in order to compete for the top echelon of the men's field. This has been a tall order for Adam. He made great strides last season with excellent programs, but he actually should have/ could have won 2013 Skate America and let it slip through his fingers, then he should have placed highter at his second 2013 GP event. With his lower than anticipated placements under pressure last season, Adam has done little to securely build his reputation with the judges, who obviously would reward him if he could land all his jumps with confidence and consistency.

It seems that under pressure, Adam has been unable to muster the confidence and belief and calm to see him through to performing the way he can. Unquestionably, Adam Rippon is a much more artistically mature and refined skater than any of the guys in this competition. With a more consistent 3-axel and mastery of the quad, Adam could have run away with it here. Even without the quad, Adam should have been steadier on his other jumps in both programs. What sets Adam apart is his refined style, his musical interpretation and his overall artistry and presentation skills, so I can see why Misha Ge came behind Adam in the sp (even with Adam's technical miscues). I truly love Misha. He is quite a charismatic performer! However, Misha needs to develop more technical difficulty and much more flexibility and refinement in his lines and positions.

Voronov is to be commended for his determined journeyman doggedness. Obviously, no pro tour leaves so many of the veterans like Voronov still hungry to continue skating in the senior competitive ranks. I thought Voronov was better in his sp. His fp music to James Brown's "Its a Man's World," IMO did not suit Voronov at all. I could see a Russian like Artur Gachinski doing well with this music, but Voronov brought out none of the jazzy rhythm or character of either the music or the lyrics. The additional music selection also did nothing to enhance Voronov's fp. I was bored well before the program ended. Voronov is a determined skater, but not a refined, expressive or musical skater at all.

Alexander Petrov is an interesting up-and-coming skater. His body build and style of skating are reminiscent of Alexei Yagudin, although Alexei was a more explosive and accomplished jumper. Despite his solid competitive showing, I'm not really that drawn to Petrov's skating at this point. He still needs to mature and develop a unique style and more expressiveness in order to make a bigger overall impact.

I feel that Samantha Cesario is a much more engaging and better looking skater on the ice than Liza T. Sammi has more verve and style IMHO. Obviously Liza has the Russian cred, a bit more difficult technique and past accomplishments, thus more pull with the judges. Yes, Liza skated much better than she has in past seasons, but I am not enamored of her costumes or her hairstyle. What's with all the black in costumes this season!? Too much black for the men too. I hope Adam chooses something more colorful (dark navy or purple) for his fp costume as the season progresses. Anyway, I find Sammi a more exciting skater to watch than Liza. Props to Liza for overcoming her growing pain blahs to come out strong this season. She skated cleanly but I don't find her very compelling or entertaining. Even when she was younger and more competitive, I thought Liza lacked musicality and expressiveness. Yes, she's obviously improved somewhat with her maturity and reaching out to the audience, but her skating does nothing for me. I can see I am in the minority here with that view.

 

[ice coverage]

Looking forward to the protocols: Anastasia & Colin were amazing but their tech let them down

... In ice dance I enjoyed the US couple the most. They were the only ones to have some real personality on the ice. ...

... The kids at least sure loved the Americans: theyre still on the ice, giving autographs and taking pictures

I just watched some of the YouTube vids and wow, what a great audience that was at Finlandia. It's great to see a good size crowd turn out for a FS competition. Not only that, but the audience was so appreciative of the skaters' performances. I'm impressed

In the final installment of the Cannuscio/McManus blog, Colin expressed appreciation for all the love that they felt at Finlandia. Excerpt:

Finland has been so wonderful and I am sad to be leaving. The competition, the city, and the people have been so amazing. We have had gifts delivered to our rooms all week from all of the fans who have come to watch us skate. The out pouring of support from everyone in the audience was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We could not turn one corner without a group of kids asking for our autographs. This has been a wonderful experience, and something that I will never forget.
http://www.ice-dance.com/main/2014-...14-finlandia-trophy-blog-sad-to-leave-finland​

I'm so happy for them. Best to them at Skate America.

 

[silverfoxes]

Voronov is to be commended for his determined journeyman doggedness. Obviously, no pro tour leaves so many of the veterans like Voronov still hungry to continue skating in the senior competitive ranks. I thought Voronov was better in his sp. His fp music to James Brown's "Its a Man's World," IMO did not suit Voronov at all. I could see a Russian like Artur Gachinski doing well with this music, but Voronov brought out none of the jazzy rhythm or character of either the music or the lyrics. The additional music selection also did nothing to enhance Voronov's fp. I was bored well before the program ended. Voronov is a determined skater, but not a refined, expressive or musical skater at all.

No, he isn't very refined (but I rather like that about him - not every skater is the balletic type, nor do I think they must aspire to be). I disagree on the other two points...I think he is very expressive compared to Petrov or Adian Pitkeev, for example (both of whom I also like). He may not be as musical as Adam or Stephane Lambiel, but I would say he's a bit better than average ("good average"?). And this program has improved quite a bit from Nebelhorn & the Cup of Russia. It's a strange one, yes, but I think he finally managed to sell it & I expect he will improve further by the time he gets to the Grand Prix. As for Adam, I can certainly appreciate his lines, spins, etc. but his programs were not ones I would ever go back and watch again. They don't excite me at all. And I much prefer Liza's brand of expressiveness (and everything else) to Samantha. Good thing there is a skater for everyone's tastes.

I also wonder if there is such a thing as "too expressive." For example, Misha Ge can put on a great show, but there's a fine line between dramatic and melodramatic and I'm not sure if he knows quite where that is, with the "heart stabbing" motions and whatnot. I wished he would dial it down a tad.

 

[Mrs. P]

I liked both Liza's and Samantha's programs. For different reasons. I think Liza clearly has more speed and bigger jumps. Samantha has nice ice coverage. Both offer musicality.

I liked Adam's FS but I think I like his FS from last season a bit better. The FS certainly highlighted all of Adam's best attributes, so it's definitely a classic Adam program. Which I think is why it doesn't quite stand out to me. For that reason, I like his SP a lot more. I feel like the SP highlights all his great attributes (struggles on jumps aside) -- his lines/maturity, but the 1930s swing music gives it a bit of a twist, something different. His FS, I feel like is so similar to his other FS. That said, he skated it well, I liked the spread eagle in the middle and thought there were some nicely executed spins. It will score well if he is clean and gets the jumps.

 

[Snow63]

I'm utterly speechless that Tat would endorse a dance team so rough and raw. I haven't seen a single redeeming quality about that program. The lifts are awkward looking and do not fit with the music. I can see he has good knee bend but that doesn't seem to get him any speed or power either. Maybe it's because of her, maybe not. She is too tall, skinny and stiff and her dress/packaging never helps her case. They used to have very fast twizzles but with this sit spin thing even that's nonexistent. Yanovskaya and Mozgov's FD are miles better than this.

Sadly, but I have to agree with you. Their dance is no good. Too slow, too many empty spots, bad twizzles and their outfit doesn't look good. Overall I don't like it.

 

[dorispulaski]

I quite like S&B's SD though, other than twizzling in sit spin position. It is an interesting thing to do, but a disaster waiting to happen getting up for the next set in a smooth way-the exit was ungainly here, but at least they received credit for the twizzles. Tat should have sent them back to do the twizzles without the sitspin position after the Russian test skates.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1iNLf9XsH08

btw I have added video links to the first post.

 

[TMC]

In the final installment of the Cannuscio/McManus blog, Colin expressed appreciation for all the love that they felt at Finlandia. Excerpt:

Finland has been so wonderful and I am sad to be leaving. The competition, the city, and the people have been so amazing. We have had gifts delivered to our rooms all week from all of the fans who have come to watch us skate. The out pouring of support from everyone in the audience was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We could not turn one corner without a group of kids asking for our autographs. This has been a wonderful experience, and something that I will never forget.
http://www.ice-dance.com/main/2014-...14-finlandia-trophy-blog-sad-to-leave-finland​

I'm so happy for them. Best to them at Skate America.

They were the sweetest! I chatted with them for a bit - I usually don't approach people since I'm both easily starstruck and I always fear I'd just be bothering them, but they sat down near me to watch the ladies free and looked happy and relaxed so I thought what the heck, I'll just go tell them how much I liked their SD. Colin especially was quick to laugh

ETA The audience at Finlandia is a good sign that Helsinki 2017 is going to be awe-some!

All I complained about was that people were clapping rhytmically (i guess encouragingly) when a Finnish skater was on the ice while someone else was waiting for their marks. But I just realised that that could be interpreted also as encouragement/appreciation for the skater waiting for their marks - even if it isn't meant to be - so I'm ok with that now At least nobody chanted "Suooooomi - Finland" which is my pet peeve

 

[TMC]

I quite like S&B's SD though, other than twizzling in sit spin position. It is an interesting thing to do, but a disaster waiting to happen getting up for the next set in a smooth way-the exit was ungainly here, but at least they received credit for the twizzles. Tat should have sent them back to do the twizzles without the sitspin position after the Russian test skates.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1iNLf9XsH08

btw I have added video links to the first post.

Alexandra's skate did catch on the ice in their warmup and it looked scary as anything! I appreciate the difficulty, although the position is about as attractive as that bum-spin many of the men do... Still, they pulled it off with some pizzazz!

 

[WeakAnkles]

The Stepanova/Bukin program is just a mess, but it did make me appreciate anew just how good Crone & Poirier's program to the same music really was. Frankly, this is now the second S/B FD in a row that is simply yawn city. They have lovely lines and good edges, but otherwise there just doesn't seem to be any there there, know what I mean?

And those costumes are beyond hideous.

ETA: I agree, Doris--the SD is MILES better. The camera work was shaking and a bit out of focus, but that looked like the strongest of the paso patterns I have seen so far. Thanks for posting the link.

Cannusio and McManus. There's some really interesting choreography in the last third of the FD program. But their execution...grrrrr. He in particular doesn't seem to finish any of the moves, or hold them long enough to make an impact, so everything looks rushed and RAW. The beginning is particularly egregious to me in that respect: all those flailing arm movements don't seem to add up to much. The second lift though is spectacular, the twizzles have the potential to be as wow for them as the twizzles in the Shibs's program, and this could really be a must-see of a program if they would clean up the execution (and perhaps cut the last 10-15 seconds out of the program--I think the ending would have more impact if they end on a crescendo, a pow rather than pow-then-wind down).

 

[WeakAnkles]

I think Adam was the class of the men's field at this competition in terms of his music and choreography and his overall talent. Adam has a refinement and artistry that is among the best of all the men internationally. Adam's problems have been developing technical consistency and confidence in his 3-axel. Once he began to struggle with that 3-axel years ago, he began to struggle overall competitively. Adam seemed to have conquered the 3-axel somewhat under Artunian in terms of improving his technique, but then he also had to play catch up and develop the quad at the same time in order to compete for the top echelon of the men's field. This has been a tall order for Adam. He made great strides last season with excellent programs, but he actually should have/ could have won 2013 Skate America and let it slip through his fingers, then he should have placed highter at his second 2013 GP event. With his lower than anticipated placements under pressure last season, Adam has done little to securely build his reputation with the judges, who obviously would reward him if he could land all his jumps with confidence and consistency.

It seems that under pressure, Adam has been unable to muster the confidence and belief and calm to see him through to performing the way he can. Unquestionably, Adam Rippon is a much more artistically mature and refined skater than any of the guys in this competition. With a more consistent 3-axel and mastery of the quad, Adam could have run away with it here. Even without the quad, Adam should have been steadier on his other jumps in both programs. What sets Adam apart is his refined style, his musical interpretation and his overall artistry and presentation skills, so I can see why Misha Ge came behind Adam in the sp (even with Adam's technical miscues). I truly love Misha. He is quite a charismatic performer! However, Misha needs to develop more technical difficulty and much more flexibility and refinement in his lines and positions.

Voronov is to be commended for his determined journeyman doggedness. Obviously, no pro tour leaves so many of the veterans like Voronov still hungry to continue skating in the senior competitive ranks. I thought Voronov was better in his sp. His fp music to James Brown's "Its a Man's World," IMO did not suit Voronov at all. I could see a Russian like Artur Gachinski doing well with this music, but Voronov brought out none of the jazzy rhythm or character of either the music or the lyrics. The additional music selection also did nothing to enhance Voronov's fp. I was bored well before the program ended. Voronov is a determined skater, but not a refined, expressive or musical skater at all.

Alexander Petrov is an interesting up-and-coming skater. His body build and style of skating are reminiscent of Alexei Yagudin, although Alexei was a more explosive and accomplished jumper. Despite his solid competitive showing, I'm not really that drawn to Petrov's skating at this point. He still needs to mature and develop a unique style and more expressiveness in order to make a bigger overall impact.

I feel that Samantha Cesario is a much more engaging and better looking skater on the ice than Liza T. Sammi has more verve and style IMHO. Obviously Liza has the Russian cred, a bit more difficult technique and past accomplishments, thus more pull with the judges. Yes, Liza skated much better than she has in past seasons, but I am not enamored of her costumes or her hairstyle. What's with all the black in costumes this season!? Too much black for the men too. I hope Adam chooses something more colorful (dark navy or purple) for his fp costume as the season progresses. Anyway, I find Sammi a more exciting skater to watch than Liza. Props to Liza for overcoming her growing pain blahs to come out strong this season. She skated cleanly but I don't find her very compelling or entertaining. Even when she was younger and more competitive, I thought Liza lacked musicality and expressiveness. Yes, she's obviously improved somewhat with her maturity and reaching out to the audience, but her skating does nothing for me. I can see I am in the minority here with that view.

:agree:

Yup.

 

[TMC]

Skating time for men SP can't be no longer than 2 min 50 s. It doesn't matter if the music ends earlier but if you keep going on moving after 2 min 50 s, you get the time violation. The counting starts from the first movement, not necessarily when the music starts. Misha Ge was ready to skate after 32 seconds, that's why the late start time violation.

Oh I didn't really phrase my question as well I could have, sorry I meant do they have any leeway after the 2 mins 50 secs is up? They do usually time it so that when the music ends, the movement ends, even if there's 10 seconds of music before the first movement. So the music may be 3 minutes, but the 1st movement happens at 10 seconds, and both music and movement stop simultaneously at 2:50.

I was wondering if they could go to 2:51 or even 2:53 without repercussion, or if the rule really is that exact. Also, do they get more deductions if the keep going for even longer? Like if they go 5 seconds over they get another deduction, and 10 seconds brings another, and at 15 over time they're just outright disqualified or something

TMC, we've must been sat in the same section (208)! I sat at the latest row. In front of me there were a punch of small kids who made lots of noice with those paper things during the programs. My poor ears. hwell:

Yes I was there! I didn't notice the kids but that was probably because I was the shouty obnoxious one myself

 

[dorispulaski]

Protocols

Ladies SP
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

Ladies LP
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_Ladies_FS_Scores.pdf

Men's SP
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_Men_SP_Scores.pdf

Men's LP
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_Men_FS_Scores.pdf

Ice Dance SD
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_IceDance_SD_Scores.pdf

Ice Dance FD
http://www.figureskatingresults.fi/results/1415/CSFIN2014/CSFIN2014_IceDance_FD_Scores.pdf

 

[ice coverage]

Oh I didn't really phrase my question as well I could have, sorry I meant do they have any leeway after the 2 mins 50 secs is up? They do usually time it so that when the music ends, the movement ends, even if there's 10 seconds of music before the first movement. So the music may be 3 minutes, but the 1st movement happens at 10 seconds, and both music and movement stop simultaneously at 2:50.

I was wondering if they could go to 2:51 or even 2:53 without repercussion, or if the rule really is that exact. Also, do they get more deductions if the keep going for even longer? Like if they go 5 seconds over they get another deduction, and 10 seconds brings another, and at 15 over time they're just outright disqualified or something ...

AFAIK, all ISU competitions use the identical wordings in their announcements.

The official wording re the SP:

Duration: max. 2 min., 50 sec., but may be less.​

In contrast, the official wording re the FS:

Duration: 4 min., 30 sec., +/- 10 sec.​

http://isuprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/148048/finlandia-trophy-announcement.pdf (nine pages; see Page 2)​

Time violation – for up to every 5 sec. lacking or in excess -1.0 point deduction

http://static.isu.org/media/156264/sandp-deductions-deductions-who-is-responsible.pdf (emphasis added)​

 

[Skater Boy]

I am not sure anyone really"owned it" at Finlandia. It ws nice to see that Liza is regaining her confidnece and some consistency; scores a bit low. Still not sure what to make of voronov or Cesario as to what direction theya re going in. Interesting to see Stephanova and Bukin - just where do they rank in the Russian stable with injuries, spliots and new teams in dance - I agree russia could lose their third team and this nicely plays into benefitting the Americans who now will probably win a medal and ensure themselves of three spots for 2016 world's It is highly unlikely now that the Americans will go home medal less at 2015 world's it would appear at this point with ice dance thugh Isuppose the ladies have a shot at a medal - I am not Sure Aaron or Brown are able to win a medal but you never know on a bad day for others and good forhtem they could steal a medal.