Skate Detroit July 23-27, 2013 | Page 4 | Golden Skate

Skate Detroit July 23-27, 2013

laceup

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Zhang & Bartholomay FS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUOUkJN6sU

They won the FS with a score of 116.87

I have a very good feeling about this team. I really think winning bronze at nationals was a huge confidence booster because they are really excluding confidence right now. Zhang, in particular, is impressive in how she held on to some of the jump landings in this program.

I like the music cuts in this program and I think this program has room for growth.

ETA: More Pair FS videos. In order of placement

2nd: Moore-Towers/Moscovitch (113.80): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqLF_5Jf1rM
3rd: Davis/Brubaker (106.84): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0CxFcco_ho
4th: Denney/Frazier (105.73): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0hzbj_xO34
5th: Leng/LeDuc (102.15): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jslay5IpG3c
6th: Donlan/Speroff (101.75): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFOJHmN37D0
7th: Kayne/O'Shea (98.49): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmwwAJp3NTg
8th: Lawrence/Swiegers (95.68): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VLl_LB9Ea4
9th: Purdy/Marinaro (94.19): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC1U1H_vIHY
10th: Rau/Rob Schultz (89.39-not available)
11th: Baga/Toth (81.63): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2j0WSQ-hSo
12th: Kemp/King (78.73): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boY-TGZ3ewc
13th: Bobak/Penasse (67.15-not available)
 

clairecloutier

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Just watched Zhang/Bartholomay. Good job with the jumps, and that reverse lasso lift is great! But I can't say I'm excited about this program. It's very basic, just standard Pairs 101 choreography, very connect-the-dots. Not much more than a framework for their elements. And, I hate to say it, but they looked really slow out there (which I also noticed last year in their LP). Hope they can improve their speed before Nationals. I think Felicia needs to get down in her knees more to create more powerful stroking. I feel like she's kind of skating on top of the ice, not leaning into it. Nate's knee action looks better to me.

I really feel these two would benefit from a coaching change next year. They're a good pair and they've got the tricks. The next step is improving skating skills and packaging. For that, I think they need another coach. I know I'm being critical. But, if they want to be competitive internationally ...
 

TontoK

Hot Tonto
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Country
United-States
^^^ These are probably valid criticisms, eyria, although the program is still a work in progress.

For whatever reason, I've just fallen in deep "like" with this pair, and I want that to grow to "love."

I really look forward to incremental improvements from them over the season, and expect an explosion of growth next year.
 

yfbg722

Spectator
Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Country
Canada
Just watched Zhang/Bartholomay. Good job with the jumps, and that reverse lasso lift is great! But I can't say I'm excited about this program. It's very basic, just standard Pairs 101 choreography, very connect-the-dots. Not much more than a framework for their elements. And, I hate to say it, but they looked really slow out there (which I also noticed last year in their LP). Hope they can improve their speed before Nationals. I think Felicia needs to get down in her knees more to create more powerful stroking. I feel like she's kind of skating on top of the ice, not leaning into it. Nate's knee action looks better to me.

I really feel these two would benefit from a coaching change next year. They're a good pair and they've got the tricks. The next step is improving skating skills and packaging. For that, I think they need another coach. I know I'm being critical. But, if they want to be competitive internationally ...

^^^ These are probably valid criticisms, eyria, although the program is still a work in progress.

For whatever reason, I've just fallen in deep "like" with this pair, and I want that to grow to "love."

I really look forward to incremental improvements from them over the season, and expect an explosion of growth next year.

They really weren't on my radar at all before but having seen their long live in Detroit, I'm a fan now. Several of us stood for them. I felt they deserved it. I didn't want to like it because I feel that Les Mis will be overused this season but they completely won me over. I'm wondering if maybe watching online just doesn't do it justice.
 

clairecloutier

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
They really weren't on my radar at all before but having seen their long live in Detroit, I'm a fan now. Several of us stood for them. I felt they deserved it. I didn't want to like it because I feel that Les Mis will be overused this season but they completely won me over. I'm wondering if maybe watching online just doesn't do it justice.

That's very possible. I always, in general, find that pairs skating is amazing to watch live. When you see pairs live, you can really appreciate the speed and power, how high the lifts are, how big the throws are. TV doesn't really show this well.

At any rate, I like Zhang/Bartholomay a lot, and I'm sure the program will improve. My criticisms are made, I guess, just because I really want our American pairs to be good and in contention!
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
They really weren't on my radar at all before but having seen their long live in Detroit, I'm a fan now. Several of us stood for them. I felt they deserved it. I didn't want to like it because I feel that Les Mis will be overused this season but they completely won me over. I'm wondering if maybe watching online just doesn't do it justice.

Sometimes a skater/pair does show up better in person than on screen/tv/online.

That said, I can see how some would not be won over yet though -- their flow isn't quite there yet--the flow that makes the top pairs stand out.

But I think I was struck by them because they are hitting the elements. We know all too well how many U.S. pair teams are held back because they can't hit the jumps. That's why D/C, despite their PCS flaws, were the top team in the GP last season and other teams (i.e. Donalan/Speroff) struggled.

I think the other stuff will come with time and as they get more comfortable with the elements in the program. We have to remember they are a relatively young team -- they teamed up just two years ago. But I think what they have, imo, is that competitive drive that will serve them well.

As for overusing Les Mis, I actually thought they did a nice job using different music cuts and arranging them differently.
 

TontoK

Hot Tonto
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Country
United-States
What struck me most last year was that there was a connection between them that showed, even on video.

I don't mean a romantic attraction (I have no idea about what that status might be), but more of a sense of deep friendship and genuine partnership.

I thought they were charming, and I could see they loved their time on the ice.

I said at the time... who would guess that the US bronze medalists would get me interested in pairs skating again?

On second listen, I also thought their music cuts were different.
 

yfbg722

Spectator
Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Country
Canada
As for overusing Les Mis, I actually thought they did a nice job using different music cuts and arranging them differently.

I actually didn't mind their music at all - and in truth love Les Mis. I just think we are going to hear it a lot this year! Oddly enough, the other program I really liked in Detroit was Roman Sadovsky and he also skated to Les Mis. :p
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
I actually didn't mind their music at all - and in truth love Les Mis. I just think we are going to hear it a lot this year! Oddly enough, the other program I really liked in Detroit was Roman Sadovsky and he also skated to Les Mis. :p

Ah, yes I know! Well if they skate it well, I guess it doesn't matter what the music is.

Can you share your other impressions -- what specifically did you like about Zhang/Bartholomay? What were your thoughts on the other pairs?
 

samba

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 23, 2008
Rutherford's tweet is consistent with MF's schedule. As indicated above, Rutherford tweeted yesterday (Friday) that SDs would be "tonight" (i.e., Friday night).

(Sorry, don't know either way about A/E.)

Thanks. Just wonder if H/D, A/E skated since no news on their programs. Any report or video?
 

ice coverage

avatar credit: @miyan5605
Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Thanks. Just wonder if H/D, A/E skated since no news on their programs. Any report or video?

Hubbell/Donohue did skate.

The article says that Hawayek/Baker and Lewis/Bye also skated. It does not mention Aldridge/Eaton, so my hunch (although I do not know for sure) is that they did not skate.

ETA:
As of Tuesday morning, A/E are on a road trip to Lake Placid, presumably to compete there.
 

clairecloutier

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
I got a chance to watch some of the other pairs LPs. Quick impressions ...

Moore-Towers/Moskovitch: They immediately stood out from the rest of the field with their speed, attack, and polish. Their international experience really showed. I like the program. It looks good so far, and it brings out their dramatic, athletic style nicely. I like it better than last year's Queen LP. Their lifts are--interesting. SO difficult technically, but at the same time, they lose a lot of speed. The big multidirectional/carry lift in the middle is awesome on one level, but it sort of interrupts the flow of the program. Maybe this will improve over the season. Some odd technical problems--Kirsten fell out of the death spiral, lost her edge or center completely as she went into the SBS spin, and had a big fall on a throw. Also the triple twist looked sort of low and too lateral. Maybe not fully trained yet?

Davis/Brubaker. They're looking good. A lot better than I expected, so early on. The program is nice; it keeps your attention and is sophisticated-looking while still being very much within their reach. They have a nice, mature look. Pretty good speed. They seem pretty well matched, at first glance, although Rockne outshines her a bit in line and stretch. Jumps were surprisingly solid. I could see them possibly, maybe?, doing quite well at Nationals.

Denney/Frazier. The recording only showed part of their LP. It looked okay--a little rough around the edges. Decent speed. There is something a bit unorthodox about some of their positions/jumping style. Maybe because of their roller skating background? It's interesting, though--like her sister, Haven has a certain sparky, energetic presence. She keeps you watching.

Donlan/Speroff. What an elegant pair they are. So well suited to each other, and their line and positions are just wonderful to look at. But lots of problems with the jumps, and they REALLY need more speed, attack, and energy. As I watched this Nutcracker LP, I couldn't help comparing it to Shen/Zhao's Nutcracker LP from the early 2000s. Nutcracker is balletic, obviously, but it's also big music, with lots of flourishes and climaxes; you need to skate up to it, and Shen/Zhao did that so well. Their Nutcracker was exciting--it built from strength to strength to a huge ending. Donlan/Speroff's is just pretty.

Kayne/O'Shea. Some good moments. She is quite an elegant skater, and there are some nice spots in the choreography that really highlight her. But, I think they still have a ways to go. More speed and crispness are needed, especially in this dynamic Don Quixote program. And their lifts need work--they are slow. I think he needs to improve his footwork.

Baga/Toth. I wanted to see how these two are looking now that they've switched to Bobby Martin. I like the program. They look pretty good together, pretty in sync. They struggled with some of the pairs elements, though. One lift was a complete fail and didn't get off the ice; also there was a pretty big fall on a throw. More training needed?
 

clairecloutier

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Also watched:

Leng/LeDuc. They were good too! I thought they had good unison, nice pairs quality. Good jumps, and a nice program too. Wow, we may finally be getting some depth back in the U.S. pairs program!
 

Sylvia

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Could someone provide a list of the overall scores results for the Ladies Singles?
My compilation of all results received: http://unseenskaters.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/2013-skate-detroit/

HeatherC's FS videos, as posted at FSU:

Grant Hochstein 1st place FS (134.86, 214.75 total): http://youtu.be/CB9X9j12OcE

Tim Dolensky FS (4th, 3rd overall): http://youtu.be/xNUE2OB4wqY

(Note: These videos were filmed closer up than the ones posted earlier.)

Zhang & Bartholomay 1st place FS: http://youtu.be/epA5afkLnUA

Davis & Brubaker FS: http://youtu.be/hEDBGG9RnIE

Donlan & Speroff FS: http://youtu.be/BMfzm6iisMo

Kayne & O'Shea FS: http://youtu.be/zi5IRMI0ums
 
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