2015 Worlds Free Dance March 27

[Florencito]

Bad twizzles and huge score? They remind me of someone else Guess Fabain wasn't that far way from the truth
Neverthless, congrats kids! So happy, three years ago I would have never imagined this could happen! Now just keep improving and enjoying yourself, I hope the road ahead of you is going to be very long!

 

[4everchan]

i think D/L get "their gold" tonight... one of the two years, they should have won against the bulgarian team....

Fun fact: this is the tenth consecutive season in which Canadians placed on the Podium in dance:

2006: 2nd, 2007: 2nd (Dubreuil / Lauzon)
2008: 2nd, 2009: 3rd, 2010: 1st, 2011: 2nd, 2012: 1st, 2013: 2nd (Virtue / Moir)
2014: 2nd, 2014: 3rd (Weaver / Poje)

Also note the nice little dovetailed footnote: D/L are technically *almost* on the podium this year as well, given that they train P/C.

At the rate they're going, W/P could make it a run until 2018. They're not slowing down anytime soon and tonight was the one time they didn't make the top of the pile all season.

 

[anyanka]

At first I thought their Four Seasons was safe and traditional too, but it was the best Four Seasons I've ever seen in skating and it grew on me as the season went by. The range of emotions covered in the FD was breathtaking. I've seen people argue their Tango was boring or that Je Suis Malade wasn't difficult. Their programs in recent memory have been my favorites, as of course, is P&C's Mozart.

I haven't liked D&W's and V&M's programs in the latter quad very much, while I was absolutely thrilled for W&P and wished a Gold for them somewhere... It's not meant to be... so sad. I think this defeat will really crush them. I mean, the judges let them win the GPF and other competitions, pretty much designating them as World Champions but ultimately taking it away from them. Only, this whole build up was a tease. Talk about taunting them. I don't know what else W&P will do now... The Canadian curse was at least winning silvers, and now the W&P curse is something altogether new.

I suppose it's a matter of taste. Their Vivaldi was terrific but maybe it was not unexpected as some of their other choices.

As for the "curse", it just might be real (paging Patrick, Brian, Elvis). But so is the sophomore slump, and we'll see if P/C can live up to all of their success next year (in the meantime I'm doing a happy dance that they took the title tonight).

 

[anyanka]

i think D/L get "their gold" tonight... one of the two years, they should have won against the bulgarian team....

... in the same way Brian Orser got "his gold" in 2010 when Yuna crushed everyone in Vancouver, or when Yuzu topped the pile in Sochi ... mad respect to the Montreal dance school.

 

[4everchan]

YUP well said

It's not a bad attitude to disagree vehemently with the results. It's not about the people, but the skating. And sorry, but the quality of what was produced artistically and technically by W/P was miles ahead of what was produced by C/B. It's about judging ice dance according to the rules of the sport. And tonight, that was not what was done. Even with P/C. I think what W/P skated was more complex and difficult with excellent execution. Next to P/C, with more open holds and less complexity with excellent execution, I would have W/P ahead. On the other hand, P/C have more ease in their movements. It's pretty even. Then we go to the SD, and there I think W/P were better, even though it wasn't their best. So W/P should have won. It should have been W/P ahead of P/C, and C/B should have been farther down the list already in the SD based on what was skated. The whole point of COP is to judge individual programs according to the rules, using the same measuring stick from start to finish, the same scale of marks and leniency and harshness. The placements will be what they will be. But in many recent competitions, especially in dance and sometimes in ladies, there has been a whole lot of playing with the marks. It's wrong for the athletes. It's wrong for the sport. And unless ISU and member feds get a good grip on this problem, ice dance is at risk of being de-listed as a sport, and kicked out of the Olympics.

 

[gravy]

It's not a bad attitude to disagree vehemently with the results. It's not about the people, but the skating. And sorry, but the quality of what was produced artistically and technically by W/P was miles ahead of what was produced by C/B. It's about judging ice dance according to the rules of the sport. And tonight, that was not what was done. Even with P/C. I think what W/P skated was more complex and difficult with excellent execution. Next to P/C, with more open holds and less complexity with excellent execution, I would have W/P ahead. On the other hand, P/C have more ease in their movements. It's pretty even. Then we go to the SD, and there I think W/P were better, even though it wasn't their best. So W/P should have won. It should have been W/P ahead of P/C, and C/B should have been farther down the list already in the SD based on what was skated. The whole point of COP is to judge individual programs according to the rules, using the same measuring stick from start to finish, the same scale of marks and leniency and harshness. The placements will be what they will be. But in many recent competitions, especially in dance and sometimes in ladies, there has been a whole lot of playing with the marks. It's wrong for the athletes. It's wrong for the sport. And unless ISU and member feds get a good grip on this problem, ice dance is at risk of being de-listed as a sport, and kicked out of the Olympics.

Ehhh.... won't happen. If they didn't do it after Nagano where Balkov was caught cheating on tape, they're certainly not going to do it now. Plus the money that it generates for the IOC is ridiculous.

 

[WeakAnkles]

Nary a single negative GOE in sight. Now, I don't claim to understand ice dance, but why are off-sync twizzles given Level 4 and positive GOE? Here I thought the GOE scoring in singles was bad... this is just nuts. Even C/B's twizzles got positive GOE (albeit "only" +1s).

I don't know if the judges are want V/M to come back ("Your successors aren't succeeding!") or if they're trying to make sure they never return ("see, this young team came within two points of your personal best, and they did it with a twizzle error!")

I said this during the SD and I'll say it again. I think it's that even people who are the most casual of casual viewers can see that NONE of these teams are up to the level of Marlie and Voir. But no way are they going to admit that. So, pump up those scores and let's hope nobody notices.

Also, and I'm going to say this now. There is a DEFINITE movement to swing Ice Dancing back to a more Eurocentric, more strictly ballroom style. Kill off one lift this year. Make it virtually impossible for any team to do an extended lift. Now next year there will be a movement back to the old fashioned multipart short/original dance with the requirement of a full stop before the partial step sequence. I'm waiting for a requirement for pastel dresses for the "ladies" and the required use of Lawrence Welk tunes. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz City.

 

[4everchan]

let's go for orser with yuna never really liked sotchi's men events if you look at my username, it's obvious.. but he is coming back next year <3

... in the same way Brian Orser got "his gold" in 2010 when Yuna crushed everyone in Vancouver, or when Yuzu topped the pile in Sochi ... mad respect to the Montreal dance school.

 

[BlackPack]

All smiles but when they were giving out the medals, you could tell that they looked somewhat dejected- like hiding pain with a smile.

Of course they graciously congratulated the others gut you could tell that this was heart break.

Thanks for the info.

I thought they pulled off a Surya Bonaly or something. Their heartbreak is totally understandable. I'm really bummed too. I really thought they were going to dominate the next quad. I wonder if this defeat will hurt them so badly that they'll take a hiatus or make half-hearted attempts... I think this experience will really change them. Last year they were at least happy to be on the podium.

 

[willdu]

How far we've come in a year...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrFwokp3z48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqM6-Fh-o-0

Some ice dance therapy for you all after that last group. Why were these teams so perfect, spoiling us all.

 

[BlackPack]

I said this during the SD and I'll say it again. I think it's that even people who are the most casual of casual viewers can see that NONE of these teams are up to the level of Marlie and Voir. But no way are they going to admit that. So, pump up those scores and let's hope nobody notices.

Also, and I'm going to say this now. There is a DEFINITE movement to swing Ice Dancing back to a more Eurocentric, more strictly ballroom style. Kill off one lift this year. Make it virtually impossible for any team to do an extended lift. Now next year there will be a movement back to the old fashioned multipart short/original dance with the requirement of a full stop before the partial step sequence. I'm waiting for a requirement for pastel dresses for the "ladies" and the required use of Lawrence Welk tunes. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz City.

I don't know if D&W and V&M were that good; they also made mistakes and had some blah programs. They set the precedent and a standard that all the current teams have attempted to emulate and have done very well IMO. I definitely think W&P are living up to it, C&B are technically solid, P&C is bringing the magic in... I prefer these teams to D&W and V&M.

 

[itoja]

What a glorious day for skating - finally a piece of art is making a difference.
Other teams - watch and learn. Your safe, cookie-cutter programs may not be enough.

Congratulations to the new World Champions! They were simply breathtaking!

 

[Alba]

I know. What a strange turn of events, to see Russia dominating in singles and struggling in Pairs and Dance. Crazy times.

Struggling in Pairs? They are the only country which have the luxury of sending Pairs no.3, 4, 5 (two of them young at their first worlds, one only 1 year together) and have all of them top 10, 2 teams in top 6. Not medaling at worlds this year, after many years, it's nothing. They will be back next year way stronger. Mark my words.

 

[TontoK]

I said this during the SD and I'll say it again. I think it's that even people who are the most casual of casual viewers can see that NONE of these teams are up to the level of Marlie and Voir. But no way are they going to admit that. So, pump up those scores and let's hope nobody notices.

Also, and I'm going to say this now. There is a DEFINITE movement to swing Ice Dancing back to a more Eurocentric, more strictly ballroom style. Kill off one lift this year. Make it virtually impossible for any team to do an extended lift. Now next year there will be a movement back to the old fashioned multipart short/original dance with the requirement of a full stop before the partial step sequence. I'm waiting for a requirement for pastel dresses for the "ladies" and the required use of Lawrence Welk tunes. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz City.

Agree with the comparison of D/W and V/M. Also with your assessment of the swing to Europe.

The old-fashioned ballroom dance template can be beautiful... D/W glorious DF Waltz program jumps to mind. But their take was very athletic.

I didn't realize about the upcoming "full stop" rule. That really sounds like it will be hard to accomplish and still maintain a sense of completeness and continuity of the program.

 

[NorthernDancers]

Ehhh.... won't happen. If they didn't do it after Nagano where Balkov was caught cheating on tape, they're certainly not going to do it now. Plus the money that it generates for the IOC is ridiculous.

And we wonder, then, why participation in the sport is declining?! To dedicate so much time, effort, and money to a sport, only to have the top prizes awarded based on "feelings", "like their music choice", who has the best hype or the best connections, who's turn it is, etc, less and less people are going to get involved at all. It's time for the sport to grow up and behave legitimately.

 

[4everchan]

I LOVE POIRIER. I am so happy for their result. I wish they were more respected as well. They usually have level 4s almost all over the board and skate with ease. But, I guess they find his butt too big? Or her hair too blonde? I don't know.

I agree that the podium is respectful and Andrew even did the selfie. I am proud of them all for that type of sportsmanship. Although not on the podium, I think the Shibs made some progress. They got a level 2 on their first lift which I don't understand. They might have been at C/L score (105) if they had kept their levels. I don't understand why their twizzles are not a solid 3 across the board. I'm also happy for Gilles and Poirier. I know she is not everyone's fav but I thought that program came along nicely. It's 40s schmaltz but I liked it! I hope they continue with the innovation next year. Pretty Elena will be back; Rusaln has got to be thrilled that it wasn't he who messed up. Only 2 Russian ice teams! What drama! I'm thinking maybe Anna and Luca might pack it in and join the European show circuit.

 

[anyanka]

let's go for orser with yuna never really liked sotchi's men events if you look at my username, it's obvious.. but he is coming back next year <3

Haha just got it. And BTW I'm Canadian too. Our man Chan WILL be back!!

 

[WeakAnkles]

I agree that the podium is respectful and Andrew even did the selfie. I am proud of them all for that type of sportsmanship. Although not on the podium, I think the Shibs made some progress. They got a level 2 on their first lift which I don't understand. They might have been at C/L score (105) if they had kept their levels. I don't understand why their twizzles are not a solid 3 across the board. I'm also happy for Gilles and Poirier. I know she is not everyone's fav but I thought that program came along nicely. It's 40s schmaltz but I liked it! I hope they continue with the innovation next year. Pretty Elena will be back; Rusaln has got to be thrilled that it wasn't he who messed up. Only 2 Russian ice teams! What drama! I'm thinking maybe Anna and Luca might pack it in and join the European show circuit.

To me, G/P's FD this year is what Marlie's tango was for them: a dance totally out of their comfort zone that will force them to stretch their abilities as performers. And it did. So good for Carol Lane and company. Mission accomplished.

 

[Mrs. P]

Well I'm thrilled for my Shibsibs with new personal bests in the FD and overall! What a way to end the season. I hope they can build from there. The levels actually weren't quite there, but the judges loved their execution! Their +GOE was actually close to W/P and C/B and above C/L.

I'm fine with the podium. I watched the FD with the music off and it made me appreciate everyone's programs so much more. It also made me realize which teams didn't stand out so much.

 

[willdu]

I don't know if D&W and V&M were that good; they also made mistakes and had some blah programs. They set the precedent and a standard that all the current teams have attempted to emulate and have done very well IMO. I definitely think W&P are living up to it, C&B are technically solid, P&C is bringing the magic in... I prefer these teams to D&W and V&M.

I do agree that DW and VM had some blah programs and mistakes. But they were sharp, crisp, clean, and *mostly* did not make mistakes on their twizzles. Plus they seemed much smoother on the ice with better speed and coverage than most teams today. Plus they were fearless, no hesitation or pause going into their elements, just well oiled machines pumping out perfect programs.