2018-19 Grand Prix Final Free Dance

[Ichatdelune]

I'm just going to watch Piper and Paul's stellar FD that should've been here (and win gold, if the world was just) and ruminate on how I know nothing about ID.

 

[blue_idealist]

I have a feeling this may be the last time for some of these teams to be on the podium at a big event like this

Like who? Do you think some will retire after this year?

 

[Princessroja]

I have a feeling this may be the last time for some of these teams to be on the podium at a big event like this

Why?

 

[SnowWhite]

Well, people here may not love H/D's FD, but the judges seemed fully on board here.

 

[kevinVchicago]

Beaufhhh
My friend and I are here in the arena, and we hated that result.
Skate of the night was S/B. There's no question. Z/G were really good also. Much better live.

 

[NoNameFace]

I'm just going to watch Piper and Paul's stellar FD that should've been here (and win gold, if the world was just) and ruminate on how I know nothing about ID.

Good idea, apart from LLL, I really need to cleanse my palate...

 

[s_parks]

Well, people here may not love H/D's FD, but the judges seemed fully on board here.

Yep, not the best material, won't challenge P/C, but they (deservedly) cemented there status here. They needed a solid win in absence of the French and they did.

 

[Metis]

Beaufhhh
My friend and I are here in the arena, and we hated that result.
Skate of the night was S/B. There's no question. Z/G were really good also. Much better live.

I noticed how much the crowd was into S/B. Everything deflated after that.

 

[WeakAnkles]

Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE
Country: United States of America
Music: "Introduction to Romeo" (Romeo and Juliet soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong; "Kissing You" (Instrumental) (Romeo and Juliet soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong; "Kissing You" (Romeo and Juliet soundtrack) performed by Desree
Choreography by: Marie-France Dubreuil, P. Lauzon, G. Cournoyer
Costumes: Grey dress with beading and nice cap sleeves for her; basic black for him

Program Layout:

Voiceover of We're in Verona. You'd never know it was R&J from the costumes. Then into
Stationary Lift - with cartwheel entry. Level 4, 1.43. It was a bit wobbly in places
Choreo Char Step Seq - I found this almost nonexistant but 3.04 GOE. I guess the judges didn't
Curve Lift Level 4, 2.96. Much improved. Much.
Tempo change
Dance Spin with lunge exit. Level 2, 1.61 goe. Yes, the positions are a bit unclear and the transitions are bumpy. It looks new.
Diag Step Seq - Level 3, 3.71 goe
Twizzles - level 4 for both, 2.69. Nicely done
Choreo Twizzles 3.32 goe
NT Step Seq - Level 3 for both, 2.80 goe
Choreo Dance Lift - best thing in the program for me. 2.91 goe
And into the Sudden Death of Juliet Pose. Oy veh.

Let's just say that it was highly unlikely they'd strike gold two years in a row with their FD. But this is really a step down, and they've been trying to gild the turd, so to speak, all season long. They have SIGNIFICANTLY reworked it since SC; it is pretty much a brand new dance. Thankfully they reduced Kissing You to a reasonable soundbyte. But adding some angular arm movements to step sequences here and there doth not make this innovative or a "contemporary take on R&J."

They do, however, have fantastic skating skills. I can't see them being challenged for the silver at Worlds, though S/K may disagree with me there. The dogfight will be for bronze.


Score: 124.82 and another SB

 

[madison]

Yep, not the best material, won't challenge P/C, but they (deservedly) cemented there status here. They needed a solid win in absence of the French and they did.

I wonder how Weaver and Poje and Chock and Bates will do later in the season... and if they can challenge H/D or even P/C.

 

[ancientpeas]

I actually probably liked S/B FD the most to be honest. And H/D's the least. Not that they didn't deserve to win. But I can think that something deserves to win and still really dislike it. I'm flexible that way.

 

[NoNameFace]

Yep, not the best material, won't challenge P/C, but they (deservedly) cemented there status here. They needed a solid win in absence of the French and they did.

I feel like 'cementing the status (quo)' is the key thing there and was in their minds while picking material for the season I feel. It is rather standing in one place set by judges than dynamic progress above everything they have done. It is magical what a bit of reputation does.,never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Metis]

I actually probably liked S/B FD the most to be honest. And H/D's the least. Not that they didn't deserve to win. But I can think that something deserves to win and still really dislike it. I'm flexible that way.

I don’t even “really dislike” their FD so much as that I see ghosts of better programmes when I hear the music.

 

[SnowWhite]

I wonder how Weaver and Poje and Chock and Bates will do later in the season... and if they can challenge H/D or even P/C.

No way either one challenges P/C. As for H/D, I doubt C/B can personally since they are obviously behind schedule due to the injury and also won't have the mileage on their programs. And I love W/P, but I do think H/D are stronger technical skaters so that will be hard as well.

 

[ancientpeas]

Btw, I'm extra grouchy right now because I'm sick and tired. There has been a lot of skating this weekend and I think I'm drained. I just have to get through Pairs (my favourite) and then this marathon can end and I can shower and go to bed.

I know.. TMI but I get like that when I'm tired and sick.

 

[WeakAnkles]

I actually probably liked S/B FD the most to be honest. And H/D's the least. Not that they didn't deserve to win. But I can think that something deserves to win and still really dislike it. I'm flexible that way.

Yer A Good Egg.

 

[ancientpeas]

Yer A Good Egg.

I'm a grumpy and cranky egg at the moment.

 

[madison]

I actually probably liked S/B FD the most to be honest. And H/D's the least. Not that they didn't deserve to win. But I can think that something deserves to win and still really dislike it. I'm flexible that way.

S/B have a great program, but they are not as strong (or she in particular) as the others when it comes to SS.
I am happy that the judges took this into consideration when they scored the teams. I didn t thought they will do so before this competition.

 

[Ichatdelune]

I'm a grumpy and cranky egg at the moment.

Sending you some virtual chocolate chip cookies.

 

[NoNameFace]

I actually probably liked S/B FD the most to be honest. And H/D's the least. Not that they didn't deserve to win. But I can think that something deserves to win and still really dislike it. I'm flexible that way.

Nothing wrong in acknowledgement of someone deserving the win based on execution, but contesting its creation quality and putting it into perspective of their own trajectory and other teams. Step/Buk FD is a constant flash of oversexualized Blues, but it is doing its trick, what it was designed for. Comparing it to Hub/Donohue's FD, it at least has visible purpose and flavour to it while this RJ program is really non-defined and greyish like Madison's dress.