2025 Cup of China Free Dance | Page 13 | Golden Skate

2025 Cup of China Free Dance

I have watched Madi & Evan since they were in their teens - a very long time. I am a former Igor student. I am almost afraid to watch this dance. From what I know so far, I am kind of wishing they had done a traditional flamenco to emphasize their amazing chemistry - an advantage they have over the other partnered teams other than the Italians. I know they have done smouldering tango/flamencos as a RD and exhibitions. Off I go to either love it, hate it or find myself wishing for changes...
 
When I first heard Zingas / Kolesnik were doing "Romeo & Juliet," I kind of cringed. I'm glad they went classical and not a schmaltzy movie score. I liked a lot of it although do agree with you labgoat that it did get a bit ponderous toward the end of the program. A-ha! Chris just mentioned Benoit choreographed it. That makes sense. I do like this couple though and am rooting for them to get an Olympic spot.
 
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Chock & Bates - well that held my interest. Love the music cut - very cool. Hate Evan's costume - more like outer space and not enough bull - boring! Madi's skirt is way too heavy, she did a very good job wrangling it, but it definitely affected their speed and their marks. Most of my comments are going to be about her costume - wish she would do away with the epaulets and go with a more bra like bolero look. The lace panties were less visible for me, but should be dealt with. Like it more than I thought, but less than I hoped. Still wish they would capitalize on their being a married team - they can do an amazing smoulder. That would be a stark contrast to Laurance & Guillaume. Drama usually wins in ice dance. Hope it does not cost them in the end after waiting so long. Given the challenges of that skirt, I can see why they were careful, better than having a huge mishap on its test drive under pressure. Lots of work to be done, but they always seem to do this to themselves. First pancake...
 
Jammers said:
This was a devastating competition for G/P not only withdrawing but seeing there most likely domestic challenger for a Olympic spot skating so well.
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Agreed but I think this will bring out their grit and determination. Michael needs to go home, rest his injury (back?) and be ready to make a strong showing at their second GP and at Nationals. It's a tall order but my bet is on them!
 
FSFan1999 said:
At the same time, reguardless of how you rate their skating skills and ability, surely they know they didn't skate to the best of their ability?
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I am not at all knowledgeable about ice dance but to me, C/B's often looked to be skating on flat blades today. I was surprised that they won the free dance. They're such a talented team, but I didn't really like this programme, (and her costume looks awful).
 
Ruthypegs said:
I am not at all knowledgeable about ice dance but to me, C/B's often looked to be skating on flat blades today. I was surprised that they won the free dance. They're such a talented team, but I didn't really like this programme, (and her costume looks awful).
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Great point about the flat blade skating. I agree that it was quite noticeable in certain sections and one thing that the French have going for them is really nice deep edges. I think it is very very noticeable how the women in the respective teams differ in abilities.
 
This is an important observation: winning world championships with flat blading sends a message about the sport and what is really rewarded by judges in the past quad. Plenty of younger teams from 5th place onward do have the technical skills and programs: both French teams here, C/P, LaLa... A lot development has been disrupted by teams that have stayed on the circuit for years. Judges are rewarding things, but not always what's been put on the ice. So it's not a case of "get better, youngsters" because there is a notable group of top ten teams from at least three different countries who are showing up and laying it down. And ones emerging now (Z/K).

Also, this log jam has impacted plenty of younger ice dancers who have chosen college because they don't have four years to be mid-tier in their country and not get valuable international competitive experience as a junior, then senior.
 
I recently completed the Westworld series (rewatch of season 1/watch of the subsequent seasons). I know Evan's final pose is supposed to be "defeated bull", but I immediately went to "defeated gunslinger" and found myself wishing C/B had leaned more into the Westworld theme. Android vs baddie billionaire might have been an interesting program.

ETA: Sorry, context: this version of Paint it Black is from season 1 of Westworld

pesto, yes that plushy was messed up :mad:
 
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It's really interesting that an experienced camp like IAM where people know to get along with the system did not prevent mistakes like these from happening. The skirt is too heavy, too big, too dangerous to begin with. And it prevents Madison from skating more freely what slows the couple down significantly (some couples can get away with it - but not to that degree). And it creates a difference between Evan the skater and Madison (busy with the skirt and with posing). They never looked mismatched to me before (albeit the height difference) ... Evan keeps the program going, Madison sells it. But this particular "Olympic" dance manages to make me look at him first and most of the time. Apart from shortening the skirt and/or using a lighter fabric ... could they make it short on one side and quite long on the other and attach it to the pants on the long side? Another issue IAM lets happen - those "lifts" FB/C are doing. They are level 4, get the points and so on ... so there is no need to do something about it as of now (a rule change - awarding real and creative lifts would change that) ... but they are barely noticeable ... at least one spectacular lift as a climax towards the end of the program would be nice ... especially for an OGM.
 
I was underwhelmed by chock and bates. I feel like though they're usually slow starters so I am sure the program will grow a lot between now and nationals. Her dress was used in a very smart way but I think it took a bit away from the skating. I thought Zingas and Kolesnik were fantastic. What huge improvements they have made from last year. I liked them last year but wow, they're at a new level this year. Nationals will be very interesting. They are going to really threaten for a spot on that Olympic team. I actually really liked the Korean teams FD. It was really well done, beautiful story and skating. The missle plushy.. was a .. interesting choice.. I'll leave that there lol .
 
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