2015-16 Grand Prix Final Pairs Free Skate
- Thread starter dorispulaski
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After seeing Stolbova/Klimov program live, I'm a total fan. I liked it before, but that performance was absolutely AMAZING, downright magical. Considering the music, it was only appropriate. Their choreo is fantastic, it had the feel of kind of avant garde, introspective magic. An out-of-the-box program, and perfectly executed. Standing O all around, deservedly so! 
Why all these Chinese teams go for quads when they are never succesful?
Oh, don't you know the answer to that question? It is called "developing the sport", according to Duhamel. Apparently without the quads it has been stagnant for 20 years or something in those lines. That is what I learned from her press conference yesterday.
I really like that description. That's exactly how I felt watching it. I appreciate it from a very academic level. The quality was top notch and the overall program looked great. But I have to admit that Duhamel and Radford's program gave me more of the feels. I guess it's like enjoying a shot of intense espresso v. a vanilla latte. I drink both!
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- Dec 10, 2015
Stolbova/Klimov's win here reminded me of Totmianina/Marinin winning in Turin.
They definitely deserved to win. They were by far the cleanest. They had the difficulty. I could appreciate the athleticism and quality of their elements. But the programs were just kinda meh for me, and there was such a coldness and methodical nature to their free program and their skating in general.
I am, however, thrilled that this isn't a cake walk for D/R anymore as many seemed to think. Rivalries are good for the sport, and make it way more interesting. I'm also glad that Stolbova/Klimov seem to be genuinely happy again (haha, and Fedor lives another day, lol...).
At least there is still one judge is clear that their poor quality of twist deserves none GOE and only 8.75 for their TR... No problem for the winning, but such a ridiculous score...
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- Nov 19, 2013
It really does! And it takes a lot to make me feel intelligent, haha
Stolbova and Klimov have not ever really been my cup of tea until today. They really drew me in and have won me over.
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- Jan 25, 2013
I think the 0 was a bit harsh for the twist... although there's nothing remarkable about it, and that's about as good as they can do it. I'd have given it a +1. Definitely not the +2's they were showered with though. Although they also gave +2s to that rather tight 3-jump combination.
But yes, the TR mark shouldn't have been higher than 9... certainly not higher than Kav/Smirnov or Duhamel/Radford. One of my issues with Stolbova and Klimov's programs is that they don't really have any memorable highlights.
Thank you for the explanation of the man chasing his shadow - it makes more sense now. But it's still bleak. I don't get intensity from it, although other people seem to frequently use that word when describing it. Then again, multiple people also describe it as cold. So maybe it's that fine line which makes the program polarizing. Although this performance of this program is leagues above what they've done with it so far this season, and not just from a technical standpoint.... they looked like they were trying to compete and win, not just go out there and skate because it's their job.
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- Feb 25, 2014
Good scoring, I think. Judges finally got PCS scoring somewhat correct. Ksenia's +3T was under-rotated. All in all, the program was great. Kav/Smir, great attempt. PCS should be a little greater compared to what D/R got. Speaking of them, nice to see it was less of a mess than usual. Lift positions still are not improved. She needs to stop with the quads before she hurts herself and focus on the other things. They're sssslllloooowwwwllllyyyy improving but it certainly isn't close to "pair" skating.
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- Aug 21, 2013
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Back to the hotell from the arena! Stolbova, Klimov where just out of this world amazing, they created magic, everybody in the audience stood up, well deserved win, that program is superb! and waay better than Duhamel, Radford.
Also really enjoyed watching yu, jin minus that horrific fall...
Also really enjoyed watching yu, jin minus that horrific fall...
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- Dec 10, 2015
If their twist deserves 1 in GOE, other pairs definitely deserve more, how much the Chinese pairs who could a quad-twist deserve? more than 3?
The so-called and highly praised "intensity" mainly derives from the speed they maintain throughout the performance, I have no problem even if they issue them 9/5 for the skating skills since they are really good, but they have never shown anything more special than others apart from the SS. But that is only one component in PCS...
I have no intention of being picky on them, just a little curious how much they may score if they are not the only hope of Russia in continuing to dominate this sport?
One must be really pressed to only see the skating skills as the only PCS component S/K are good at. They arguably one of the very few pair skaters who actually skate like true pairs team. Whether one like it or not, they have original and unique programmes that hard to dance to. One may say more original than a catchy tune of the day by Adele. That's all adds up to high PE/CH scores. Could they have more fancy TR moves that are distracting and affect other PCS like some of their competitors do, perhaps, but that does not mean they do not have the minimum required by rules.
So yeah haters....http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC7KIUljH2I/T_m8BfKB0eI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Jbwoq06GwV4/s1600/bitter+bus.jpg
So yeah haters....http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bC7KIUljH2I/T_m8BfKB0eI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Jbwoq06GwV4/s1600/bitter+bus.jpg
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- Jan 25, 2013
I don't think anyone is hating on S/K or thinking they don't deserve the win.
You, however, loooove hating on D/R. Although you seem to think Hometown Glory is a catchy tune of the day, and that their lack of fancy transitions is an asset to their skating, so to that I say... "whatevs".
S/K at their best get 229 (whereas D/R far from their best still got 216), so the real question isn't whether or not D/R can potentially match that, but if S/K can continue to replicate this level of cleanliness (or have another Skate America-esque disaster).
You, however, loooove hating on D/R. Although you seem to think Hometown Glory is a catchy tune of the day, and that their lack of fancy transitions is an asset to their skating, so to that I say... "whatevs".
S/K at their best get 229 (whereas D/R far from their best still got 216), so the real question isn't whether or not D/R can potentially match that, but if S/K can continue to replicate this level of cleanliness (or have another Skate America-esque disaster).
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Huh, Huh... I think you had a typo. Corrected for you.
https://media.giphy.com/media/qpitPlijxVX8Y/giphy.gif
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- Jan 25, 2013
No, I know what I said. D/R got 216 here with a fall, a stepout, a scratchy throw quad, and a two-foot. So many errors and they're still not even 13 points behind S/K at their very best.
Although I suppose if S/K continue to get tech specialists who ratify a 3T+3T<+2T as clean, and judges who give them +GOE for turning out on their SBS 3T like in their SP, they'll continue to pull scores like that. Point is, D/R shouldn't be worried by any means -- people thought the same about V/T prior to Sochi when S/S beat them at the GPF.
Still a lot of season left, gurl. https://media.giphy.com/media/t1SsaWuOZb3y/giphy.gif
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- Jul 26, 2003
S/K remind me why I love Russian pairs skating so much. In this LP competition, they were a sight for sore eyes.
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- Jan 9, 2014
Congrats to Stolbova/Klimov! They were nearly out of the Worlds podium conversation entirely but now they're very much back in. I wonder if they and Duhamel/Radford will have the opposite trajectories they had last season. But honestly, I hope Meagan and Eric are really pleased with their comeback today. I honestly don't know how you can see the look and the hug they gave each other at the end of the program and still say they have no connection.
And, most happily to me, congratulations Seguin/Bilodeau! I hoped they would have a successful first season in the senior ranks, but I honestly wouldn't have predicted two Grand Prix medals and fourth at the GPF, beating two Chinese teams in the meantime. I can't wait to see them continue to grow.
And, most happily to me, congratulations Seguin/Bilodeau! I hoped they would have a successful first season in the senior ranks, but I honestly wouldn't have predicted two Grand Prix medals and fourth at the GPF, beating two Chinese teams in the meantime. I can't wait to see them continue to grow.
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- Mar 23, 2014
Stolbova/Klimov obviously deserved to win and deserved a huge score, too, but their programs do nothing for me, sorry. It was clean, it was interesting, it was admirable, but it didn't even come close to excite/entertain/thrill/make me fond of it
Basically agree. A lot of admiration for them, the program was very interesting and well-choreographed, but it didn't do anything for me emotionally. I get that the theme they're going for is something more complicated than "joy" or "fun" or "tragic" but it might be more complicated than they are able to express, IMO. Despite all of the beautiful things they are capable of on the ice, I think the theme of their program is just too difficult for expression by most couples (though maybe K/S could do it. Just look at Manfred, come on.)
And before anyone accuses me of "not getting it," well, I'm really happy you got what their program was saying, and if you could explain it that would be wonderful. But I admit I admire S/K for taking on such a complicated theme to express, even if they aren't successful. They should be able to sell the sexy in their SP better, however.
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