2018 Olympic Season: Ice Dance | Page 7 | Golden Skate

2018 Olympic Season: Ice Dance

I think Kaitlyn and Andrew are very committed to one another as partners and that is their biggest asset. With that commitment, they can really sell a dramatic based piece. That's why I was looking forward to Spartucus. But if they think reviving Je Suis Malade is the best move, I need to trust their instincts. I was very surprised to see them go with Morozov. The traveling to NJ and Russia must be exhausting. I wonder if going back to the previous music means they will be leaning more on Kylova and Carmelengo as coaches. This weekend will be very telling as to where they are indiviudally and as a team.
 
Can someone do an evaluation and comparison between Hubbell/Donohue and Hawayek/Baker for me?

1) How do they stack up to each other?

2) Strengths and weaknesses type thing?

3) Where will they place this weekend in Skate Canada?


I'm curious to hear what you have to say :coffee:
 
Weaver/Poje updated their ISU bio and their FD music is now listed as "Je Suis Malade" by Lara Fabian. It looks like they're going back to their 2011-2012 FD. With the rule changes since then, I'm sure it's revamped.

What what what? I basically started to falling in love in ice dance after I saw theirs Je suis malade and P/B Mummy dance at that WC. Thats making me so happy right now.
 
Can someone do an evaluation and comparison between Hubbell/Donohue and Hawayek/Baker for me?

1) How do they stack up to each other?

2) Strengths and weaknesses type thing?

3) Where will they place this weekend in Skate Canada?


I'm curious to hear what you have to say :coffee:


The teams were closer together in 14-15, when H/B were coming into seniors off the World Junior title and H/D were still dealing with Madison's recovery from hip surgery. In the seasons since, H/D have had the clear, far-and-away advantage over H/B. In their three head-to-head matchups, H/D beat H/B by 19.95 points at 2016 Nationals, 31.26 at 2017 Nationals with both teams with errors, and by 25.25 last month in Salt Lake City. H/D have made the GPF the last two seasons; H/B haven't medaled. H/D have a small medal from worlds, and without the fall in the FD, would have been on the podium. H/B haven't been yet. H/D regularly trade placements with teams that have been on the world podium. The exceptions are V/M and P/C, and they got pretty close to P/C in the SD at worlds last year. H/B are not beating teams that finish in the top 10 at worlds. H/D are considered contenders for the bronze in February.

As far as Skate Canada this weekend, H/D could very well beat W/P for silver. H/B are looking at fourth at the very highest.
 
I think Kaitlyn and Andrew are very committed to one another as partners and that is their biggest asset. With that commitment, they can really sell a dramatic based piece. That's why I was looking forward to Spartucus. But if they think reviving Je Suis Malade is the best move, I need to trust their instincts. I was very surprised to see them go with Morozov. The traveling to NJ and Russia must be exhausting. I wonder if going back to the previous music means they will be leaning more on Kylova and Carmelengo as coaches. This weekend will be very telling as to where they are indiviudally and as a team.

They said it was his idea to switch to Je Suis Malade, so I doubt it points to him being less involved. There was a fluff piece on TSN of them working on it with him. My impression is that Lori Nichols reworked the choreo for them and Nikolai also contributed.
 
The teams were closer together in 14-15, when H/B were coming into seniors off the World Junior title and H/D were still dealing with Madison's recovery from hip surgery. In the seasons since, H/D have had the clear, far-and-away advantage over H/B. In their three head-to-head matchups, H/D beat H/B by 19.95 points at 2016 Nationals, 31.26 at 2017 Nationals with both teams with errors, and by 25.25 last month in Salt Lake City. H/D have made the GPF the last two seasons; H/B haven't medaled. H/D have a small medal from worlds, and without the fall in the FD, would have been on the podium. H/B haven't been yet. H/D regularly trade placements with teams that have been on the world podium. The exceptions are V/M and P/C, and they got pretty close to P/C in the SD at worlds last year. H/B are not beating teams that finish in the top 10 at worlds. H/D are considered contenders for the bronze in February.

As far as Skate Canada this weekend, H/D could very well beat W/P for silver. H/B are looking at fourth at the very highest.

This is more about results than differences. Clearly judges right now favor H/D.

Since moving to Montreal, H/D have thoroughly embraced its style: long lines, (predominately) romantic themes skated to (predominately) contemporary music (with an emphasis on melody), a shift to a more contemporary dance style. H/D have a particular problem with skating to the melody, rather than the rhythm. I thought it very clever of their coaches and choreographers to remove this temptation in the SD (always their weaker of the two portions of the competition) by having them skate to what is essentially a rhythm track. They also have a marvelous connection with each other, a more palpable sexual chemistry than H/B, something their dance creators have also exploited (some might argue, ruthlessly).

H/B are, in some key respects, a throwback to a more classic British ballroom style. It's no surprise they won their world junior title by having a commanding lead after the SD. They are a relatively small team who skate big and with speed. They also, Baker in particular, have marvelous depth and control of edges, better knees, and a much stronger sense of rhythm than H/D. They also have a strong chemistry with each other, but it's far more romantic and playful to me than palpably sexual. In some ways, they're like the ingenue couple in a traditional musical. They also have less experience together as a team than H/D--and it takes considerable time for any dance team to gel.

Both teams have problems with lifts and twizzles. Both are relatively equal sized (in relation to each other), so developing lifts has apparently been challenging (with the result that both teams have recycled lifts throughout their careers). Both teams appear to be prone to nerves--which leads to mistakes particularly with twizzles.

Size does count in paired skating. H/D have a bigger presence on the ice because of it. And I'm not sure yet if H/B have fully developed a signature style, though they're getting closer to it.

YMMV of course.
 
Weaver/Poje updated their ISU bio and their FD music is now listed as "Je Suis Malade" by Lara Fabian. It looks like they're going back to their 2011-2012 FD. With the rule changes since then, I'm sure it's revamped.

No! What the? I really thought their Spartacus FD had potential explode! Who needs this recycled dance? I really hope they at least re-do choreography.
 
No! What the? I really thought their Spartacus FD had potential explode! Who needs this recycled dance? I really hope they at least re-do choreography.

My question though is if the memory of Domnina and Shabalin's "Spartacus" from 2009 worlds is still too "fresh" in people's minds. Ice dance has progressed since then and D/S's limitations are more apparent now, but it also made a very strong impression and was probably their career performance. Perhaps W/P just want to get away from being compared to them?

I do love the "Je Suis Malade" program but they had their moment with it at 2012 worlds, when they brought the house down in front of a French audience. My only hope is that they deliver on the performance aspect and at least have the satisfaction of delivering their best with it at the Olympics (and possibly get a team medal if they are allowed to share the dance assignment).
 
IF W/P can control their nerves and do justice to this revamped SD come February AND bring an equally revamped JSM, then they are one of the favorites for that Bronze because there are some truly outstanding SD this season. My favs are W/P, V/M, P/C, H/D, Shibs. The top 5 is looking crowded so if anybody is gonna bust into it they have got to raise their game and raise it fast. The games are less than four months away. Whoohoo!!
 
Tessa and Scott's SD today at Skate Canada was fire!🔥
World record SD. 82.68😱❤️

True, but I've got to say I love the subtle sophistication and vibe of W/P's SD. It is sublime. While I take issue with Morozov as a human being (I think he should be behind bars or in solitary confinement), I must say he did himself proud with the choreography here. It just needs milage and more fluidity and more confidence. They will have it in February given what they've been able to do in a very short time. I hope their fans are equally impressed with the FD.
 
I wonder if Coldplay's Viva La Vida would have created a better Olympic moment than Paradise for the Shibutanis. On the other hand I'm sure they've also thought of it.
 
I wonder if Coldplay's Viva La Vida would have created a better Olympic moment than Paradise for the Shibutanis. On the other hand I'm sure they've also thought of it.

If it was my decision, I would chosen In my place or A Sky full of stars added to Paradise. I think their new program has more similitude with Evolution than Fix you, I think Maia and Alex prefer Evolution than Fix you, it was more them.
 
Tessa and Scott's FD was so touching and beautiful! What a couple! i was floored and their SD is unbeatable this season.
 
My apologies to their fans but I do hope C/L are nowhere near the OG podium. I want three original programs on that podium. I am sort of annoyed by all this recycled material; Shibs, C/L, W/P, blah, blah, blah. I thought I would enjoy JSM the second time around but instead it fell flat for me. I'm all for V/M and P/C having the first two spots but I'd like some original choreo to take the bronze. These tired retreads are driving me nuts and I don't like it. :mad:
 
My apologies to their fans but I do hope C/L are nowhere near the OG podium. I want three original programs on that podium. I am sort of annoyed by all this recycled material; Shibs, C/L, W/P, blah, blah, blah. I thought I would enjoy JSM the second time around but instead it fell flat for me. I'm all for V/M and P/C having the first two spots but I'd like some original choreo to take the bronze. These tired retreads are driving me nuts and I don't like it. :mad:

I think Stepanova and Bukin have the most original choreo that we've seen so far. :p
 
I think Stepanova and Bukin have the most original choreo that we've seen so far. :p

You must be kidding me. :palmf: Let's wait till we see Ch/Ba. Right now I would even want to see Co/Bu win that bronze. If only Penny wasn't recovering from injury. I really like both of their programs.
 
My apologies to their fans but I do hope C/L are nowhere near the OG podium. I want three original programs on that podium. I am sort of annoyed by all this recycled material; Shibs, C/L, W/P, blah, blah, blah. I thought I would enjoy JSM the second time around but instead it fell flat for me. I'm all for V/M and P/C having the first two spots but I'd like some original choreo to take the bronze. These tired retreads are driving me nuts and I don't like it. :mad:

Shibs is far from being recycled.
I actually think that as of today : H/D, Shibs, P/C and V/M are distancing themselves from the rest (even if WeaPo won against H/D at SC). We just haven't seen Chock/Bates yet.
 
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