- Joined
- Jan 15, 2010
Dance events were also quite interesting. Had a look at some of the Novice teams. All in all, a decently judged event. I personally would have put Bruser/Lum further ahead. Not a fan of kermit the frog as a program for Novice, to be honest. (And I'm feeling sort of the same way about some of the other show programs at the top.) Although Edwards/Pang are young, and I'm all for age appropriate programs, this one seemed a little too young for Novice. If they actually win Novice at Nationals, which is very possible, will they suddenly "grow up" to do well at Junior Grand Prix next year? I also noticed that Edwards has really grown taller over the last year. I really hope she does not outgrow Pang. There is a risk there. Interesting how BC has taken the top spot in ALL the dance events, and a few other spots as well.
In Junior, I don't think it was deserved. I would have put at least 2 of the Quebec teams ahead of Orford/Williams. Their program was skated with a lot of power and speed, but it seriously lacked finesse. Bit of a "bull in a china shop" approach. In my opinion, I think ice dance should be about a lot more than power and speed. Finesse, edges, pointed toes, musicality, subtle touches were missing with Orford/Williams, but present with at least 2 of the other Quebec teams. I have to say the whole Junior event was a little odd. On close inspection, I don't think the judging itself was wrong, but the technical calling of the event was just bizarre at best. The marks for SD were extremely low, and perhaps not really accurate. Just thinking logically, it would make sense that some teams would have had a Level 0 at their first competitions. We saw this for a couple of teams at Minto. By this point, with at least a few more competitions under their belts, technical feedback along the way, and a few months more of development, anything lower than a Level 2 should be rare. Instead, Level 0, 1, 2 were everywhere, and from teams that looked pretty good to me. Just doesn't make logical sense. On the FD, the calling also seemed a little odd. Perhaps there were more levels on lifts than were called, and more levels on footwork for more than a few teams. Last year's bronze medalists, who also had 2 JGP events, finished in 15th and hardly qualified for Nationals this year. Here's hoping Skate Canada gets the technical calling sorted out by Nationals.
The Senior event was pretty predictable. No questionable calls here. Harvey/Gagnon were good, and remind me a little of the Kerr's. She actually lifts him at the end as well. Ralph/Hill had a good showing. Yes, they need new packaging for their SD. Their costumes just look horrid. While the FD is "african themed" in some ways, I actually really like the arrangement of Summertime they used. I'm not sure about his costume. It does suit the music, but it really does look like he is skating in his undershirt. The quality of skating is quite good, and would win Junior this year, but not sure it is enough to stay ahead of Paul/Islam. In a different competiton, I still think it will be a 3-way race with Ralph/Hill, Arnold/Trojek, and Harvey/Gagnon.
In Junior, I don't think it was deserved. I would have put at least 2 of the Quebec teams ahead of Orford/Williams. Their program was skated with a lot of power and speed, but it seriously lacked finesse. Bit of a "bull in a china shop" approach. In my opinion, I think ice dance should be about a lot more than power and speed. Finesse, edges, pointed toes, musicality, subtle touches were missing with Orford/Williams, but present with at least 2 of the other Quebec teams. I have to say the whole Junior event was a little odd. On close inspection, I don't think the judging itself was wrong, but the technical calling of the event was just bizarre at best. The marks for SD were extremely low, and perhaps not really accurate. Just thinking logically, it would make sense that some teams would have had a Level 0 at their first competitions. We saw this for a couple of teams at Minto. By this point, with at least a few more competitions under their belts, technical feedback along the way, and a few months more of development, anything lower than a Level 2 should be rare. Instead, Level 0, 1, 2 were everywhere, and from teams that looked pretty good to me. Just doesn't make logical sense. On the FD, the calling also seemed a little odd. Perhaps there were more levels on lifts than were called, and more levels on footwork for more than a few teams. Last year's bronze medalists, who also had 2 JGP events, finished in 15th and hardly qualified for Nationals this year. Here's hoping Skate Canada gets the technical calling sorted out by Nationals.
The Senior event was pretty predictable. No questionable calls here. Harvey/Gagnon were good, and remind me a little of the Kerr's. She actually lifts him at the end as well. Ralph/Hill had a good showing. Yes, they need new packaging for their SD. Their costumes just look horrid. While the FD is "african themed" in some ways, I actually really like the arrangement of Summertime they used. I'm not sure about his costume. It does suit the music, but it really does look like he is skating in his undershirt. The quality of skating is quite good, and would win Junior this year, but not sure it is enough to stay ahead of Paul/Islam. In a different competiton, I still think it will be a 3-way race with Ralph/Hill, Arnold/Trojek, and Harvey/Gagnon.