this was again a breathtaking competition, I felt really moved and inspired by many performances, maybe not technically perfect, but carrying huge amount of emotion, preservance and poise in them. Teams really showed a great spirit, especially Ksenia and Fedor did something special in that department - they defied mostly themselves, their issues they're battling with and really raised above it all. There was that sheer brilliance of their partnership shining again, a quality - timeless and innate and that sense of quirk/uniqueness about this modernity of style represented by that program which was so amazingly embodied by their movement. A real class shown, a grit and steely force of true competitors of top tier. Salute to them both!
I really salute also to Meagan and Eric for showing up and fighting with all they had, true champions spirit for me. It was not their prime stuff,nor it was cleanly executed stuff, but it was an unity in which I saw a lot of engagement and determination to live up the program and the music as much as they can, considering circumstances. I applaud to the courage and will of Eric,because I feel like he foremost did not want to let Meagan down - they were through a lot,thick and thin, constantly battling odds, but growing and developing together. I just hope to see them two, three times stronger regarding health next season, with great stuff, because I have no doubt that this is a pair, an unit who won't slack and lack poise of competition, because they're living for it as they already proved.
Total bow to Evgenia and Vladimir - I was a crying mess after they finished, so much strenght in fairy Evgenia, so much willingness to not let the opportunity pass. Yes, it is not my favourite program (and I seriously hope for something better next season as they truly deserve the best things as fabulous athletes they are!) and today was not its finest execution, but they still managed to produce a quality performance, pushing through it with no regrets to the finish. There was that feeling of 'adventure' and joy about them being on ice and upbeat feel of the music accentuated that. Still living for her posture, finish of movement, they're both a stunning example of that athletic pair with magnitude of their elements which can lead every program, make every performance amazing and command attention of all - they just have to find maybe better vehicle to capitalize in full on all that things they have, and stil developing. I love that confidence and almost 'stubborn' feel of that performance taken, they sure were for a medal fight, not letting anything slip! Lots of rest and health for Evgenia! And congratulations to Worlds bronze medal!
Two performances really melt my heart by the amount of emotion - Liubov and Dylan proved once again that there's a 'harmony in opposites', that his powerful frame is the perfect compliment to Liubov's delicacy, feminity and all colour she brings to the discipline, her joy so infectious. Despte that combo botched I am extremely proud that Luba did not lose her head after that and really fought for the rest of the program, which paid off generously. I really connected with the way they presented the music, the way they interacted with each other, how it translated into movement. Loved little transitions, musicality so well incorporated within the program, use of her incredible flexibility, so attractive and tastefully presented (which is quite rare!). And my biggest appreciation for Dylan's being a great support to Liubov, for all his effort and for not giving upon skating in general, because I'm a fan of his style and way of partnering.
Another teary performance was no one else than Alexa and Chris - I was clapping and cheering like crazy after they finished!!! After all that difficulty and scare, fighting to come back and effort put, I think that they really outdone themselves, considering it all and where they are now,coming fromwhat they've been through. Alexa is my hero and an inspiration - a delicate warrior, poised and determined to live out her dream and passion, and to share it with Chris. What I love the most about them and this season in general is that they came back stronger than ever, maybe not yet in technical sense, but they came with enormous hunger and strive for skating in general, for skating together. And it is so prominent in the way they're performing, they've never been so with each other. And it's great to see them making that personal space, personal signature over their skating, maybe not accesible/preferred by everyone, but very much 'theirs'. And today they really showed some guts and good fight regarding execution, I have no doubt they'll work hard to be better and achieve more, because what they produced today and yesterday was taken from sheer passion and a strong will to compete. If they have those in spades, the rest comes and will come easier.
Regarding top 2 places, I'm a bit torn, because I loved both performances and love both programs. Whereas Aliona and Bruno's skate had a resemblance of a continous novel story - very fluid, languid and with tension builing to the final, Wenjing and Han's performance was more like a poem - punctuated, with sharp, vivid feel about each part, keeping on the edge. They both were very personality-inflicted and emotional for me, but what striked me the most was this different pace, different accentuation of things in them, which was great to see - an equality in greatness describing both teams for me.
I feel like Aliona and Bruno's focus point was on perfecting elements as much as they could with an effect of performance elevation, and they very much succeeded in that area. This is still my favourite FS as choreographical/musical concept this season due to an exquisite meeting between power and feel, the modernity and fluidity of movement expressing the building of the music. Today, I felt a strong focus, commitment and understanding from that performance, especially from Aliona's side. She is a fearless creature, devoted to the sport, to the thrill of competition, she showed a true champion's spirit, so did Bruno who grown so much in this season, really re-establish himself by Aliona's side as a skater, a competitor and a partner. Loved the confidence and this continous feel of their skate, aforementioned; loved his strenght and assistance, the way he made that sure, still frame for Aliona to spread her wings. I do feel that as much he is there for her, allowing her fulfilling her dreams, she is equally there for him (despite how her expression can be taken), which makes this success foremost. It required/still require a lot of will and compromise to cooperate and produce stuff like they did, their technical elements, great execution of them did not happen miraculously by themselves.
And Wenjing and Han - to be back after sitting entire season out, to endure that much break from skating, to re-build themselves as an unit and to create a moment they did today, it takes a lifetime dedication and strenght, and to see it from such young couple it's mind-blowing for me...Their story itself is definitely an inspiration. This FS really embodied their bond and relationship they have, i reflected on what they've been through and how they feel about it. To do that in a discipline so heavily restricted by technical rules and certain directions to fulfill, to reach deeper in expression and meaning of a simple skate is very, very rare and special. The skate seemed like live expression of a lyrics through movement, it really resembled a poem, those highs and lows, quiet and loud moments accentuated. They represented such mature and engaged interpretation of it all: music, choreography, story they want to portray. And for me, they've done a lot more than just portray it - they reached with it to many people, move them by it. And this performance once again proved to myself how skilled and talented they are both separately, with that insane musicality, feel of movement, softness enclosed in power and strenght and how magnificently those individualities can unite skating together, complimenting each other in every sense. And again, like with Germans - that feel of confidence and commitment in everything they do on ice, there is that competitors spirit, but at the same a feeling lingered that it was a lot for than just competition for them. And I don't wonder why people in the audience were teary-eyed and so many with tissues - Wenjing and Han simply touched people beyond their skate, making it more of an experience than a series of elements.
Ah well, there's always YouTube
Please don't get injured in the off-season, and have a well-deserved vacation, everyone!
