2018 Olympic Season: Ice Dance

[Ice Dance]

If you do "lyrical", it's boring

I did not wish to imply that lyrical music itself is boring. It is generally not my favorite style, this is true. To stand out with a lyrical program, I need something very special (Sasha, Denis, Silverstein & Pekarek, etc). But for many people, this is their favorite musical style; and many skaters perform it very well.

But three-quarters of the field doing the same style is boring. I don't care what style it is. In 2001, it was drama/drama/drama. I love drama. But when you are watching the twelfth ice dance team skate to pounding dramatic music, the sense of excitement & intensity isn't exciting & intense. You would give almost anything for a program to soft light piano music.

Or Dirty Dancing, as was the case last season.

Just diversity. For me, that is the beauty of the free dance. The freedom teams have to skate to different styles of music. I see a lot more diversity among the FDs this season than last, and it is a blessing.

 

[Lester]

Lyrical is not boring, it's just that very few teams can do it really well and the rest is generic "pretty" (or sometimes not even pretty) characterless mush. But it is the trend now, so even teams that would stand out much better and have a chance to deliver something more worthwhile if they choose to go in another direction, suddenly turn to it. The skaters themselves, maybe they didn't intend blatant rip offs, maybe they just wanted to look graceful and gorgeous as P/C but this requires excellent skating skills and a certain intelligence in the choreography.

 

[Anyasnake]

P/C, V/M and C/B are officially qualified for GPF.

Shibs will qualify next week unless they're 5th or less and that's not going to happen.

H/D beat B/S on the tie-break. So unless G/P or C/L put respectively a 1st and 2nd place finish (with C/L having too much points), they're in. Again I don't see that happening.
C/L will go over H/D if they get more than 191.22 points in SA... might be too difficult, but only need 181.03 points to go over B/S (a 72 SD and a 110 FD will do).

Predictions : Shibs, H/D and C/L officially qualify next week, unless there is a major upset and C/L are less than 2nd or have really low marks, which would give B/S the spot.

GPF :

1.FRA
2.CAN
3.USA
4.USA
5.USA
6.ITA

 

[Astrid56]

P/C, V/M and C/B are officially qualified for GPF.

Shibs will qualify next week unless they're 5th or less and that's not going to happen.

H/D beat B/S on the tie-break. So unless G/P or C/L put respectively a 1st and 2nd place finish (with C/L having too much points), they're in. Again I don't see that happening.
C/L will go over H/D if they get more than 191.22 points in SA... might be too difficult, but only need 181.03 points to go over B/S (a 72 SD and a 110 FD will do).

Predictions : Shibs, H/D and C/L officially qualify next week, unless there is a major upset and C/L are less than 2nd or have really low marks, which would give B/S the spot.

GPF :

1.FRA
2.CAN
3.USA
4.USA
5.USA
6.ITA

Sounds plausible. I doubt the Shibs will tank. Nor do I see C/L failing. If C/L gets, at least, 181 points, they'll qualify for a spot in the GPF. Also based on the results, P/C, V/M & H/D will top the podium and barring unforeseen mishaps, the placements will be the French, then the Canadians, and the bronze will go to Americans H/D. I'm afraid C/B will either place 5th or 6th _ most likely the last spot. I really feel bad for C/B for they are great performers if only they've chosen the right music. They have certainly chosen the right theme _PEACE but the musical arrangement though lovely is hardly compelling or competitive enough for an Olympic programs. They need an impassioned arrangement to make it more compelling .... to engage or draw viewers' attention/emotions for the cause.

 

[shine]

Virtue/Moir are real artists as well :yes:.

Yes, maybe... Until I saw P/C.

 

[Anyasnake]

Tobias/Tkachenko won't go to the Olympics since he didn't get his citizenship.

Since they still qualified a spot for ISR, the 2nd ISR ranked team will go (I guess they have the TES minima ?).

 

[Ice Dance]

the 2nd ISR ranked team will go (I guess they have the TES minimums?).

They have the Olympic minimums. (They don't have the minimums for Worlds).

 

[Anyasnake]

Grand prix Final :

1.Papadakis/Cizeron
2.Virtue/Moir
3.Shibutani/Shibutani
4.Chock/Bates
5.Hubbell/Donohue
6.Cappellini/Lanotte

Predictions : GO !
(I'm kidding please don't fight over your favourites !! Be rationnal)

 

[Cherry blossom]

1. Virtue/moir (if they are clean in the FD
2. Papadakis/Cizeron
3. Shibs
4. Hubbel/Donohue
5. Cappelini/Lanotte
6.Chock/Bates

 

[Roast Toast]

No chance in hell C/L don't get last place, I think. Their TES is just not competitive. Regarding the rest, top two is ????? although I give the edge to V/M on the basis of the SD (I expect the FD scores to be closer than what we've seen if P/C are second after the SD). H/D are on the rise but the Shibs just proved they are rock solid -- they are definitely looking up and not down. They got extremely good GOEs which is honestly a better sign than H/D's slightly better levels, and if the USFA is smart it will back the most consistent team on the circuit. It looks harder for the Shibs to move up than last season though with both top teams avoiding big mistakes. P/C were a LOT more vulnerable going into the last GPF. C/B are a toss up and I think their placement will depend entirely on if H/D are clean.

My personal wish:
1. P/C
2. V/M
3. Shibs
4. C/B
5. H/D
6. C/L

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

IMO, seeing Cappellini/Lanotte skate was sort of a throwback because the ice dance field has really moved on technically from the time when C/L backed into their World title in 2014.

 

[Alex D]

I miss Hip Hop so much... What a delight this was last season and now it´s all back to the usual stuff.

I understand, it´s an Olympic season so it must be like that, but... with a different style, Ice Dance might would have won more fans... so The first competitions I saw were a bit tough for me, I did miss the modern parts in the performances, you know the stuff that is not your every day dance.

I am so happy that there are Madi & Evan, but also Madi & Zachary, they just light up those dances and keep them in the current time. Given I did not see everyone yet, only were at three GP events and two other, but ya. I mean, I know that Melbourne Shuffle is probably not realistic, but I would have thought that after Hip Hop, the ISU saw the positive feedback and rolled in another new style.

The FD performances are much more my thing this season and the EXH of Madison and Evan is pure bliss.

I also feel that Evan looks fantastic this season, very positive and agile. Madi is of course

 

[LittleLotte29]

IMO, seeing Cappellini/Lanotte skate was sort of a throwback because the ice dance field has really moved on technically from the time when C/L backed into their World title in 2014.

It did, but C/L have regressed as well. Their technique is far from that sharpness they had with Shpilband. He might be not the most creative coach in the world but in terms of teaching the proper technique I believe there's no one better.
Niw they are they are what they used to be in the past - the typical PSC pair. What is IMO very depressing.

 

[Barb]

It did, but C/L have regressed as well. Their technique is far from that sharpness they had with Shpilband. He might be not the most creative coach in the world but in terms of teaching the proper technique I believe there's no one better..
Niw they are they are what they used to be in the past - the typical PSC pair. What is IMO very depressing.

Igor's teams are having serious problems with levels this season. Chock/Bates and Penny/Nick

 

[bramweld]

Igor's teams are having serious problems with levels this season. Chock/Bates and Penny/Nick

Poor Igor is probably going through a serious midlife crisis career-wise. He really really needs a good choreographer and a technical expert to help him with the number of teams in his rink. He's not getting any younger and the demands of ID are only getting steeper and steeper. Deep down, I know he misses what he had with Marina. If only they could have worked things out, he was the one who really helped to hone the technique of the Shibs, and to be an outsider now, must really hurt. I honestly believe that barring a major disaster Shibs are the odds on favourite for that bronze, they've just got nerves of steel.

 

[ChanClan]

All this talk about the GPF and OGM winner already been decided (because to me it feels like a fix and not a competition) has started bringing down my enjoyment of this sport, so I want to get this thread talking about the things we love about the teams we love and nothing negative about teams we do not love. I'm just going to talk about the 6 that are going to GPF right now

1) I didn't like H/D's programs at the beginning of this season but after 3 competitions, I love them. Especially their FD. I don't really have good reasons that I can explain why I love them and their programs so much, I just do

2) I'm a huge classic rock fan so when VM came out with their Latin Rock program I was immediately in love. I know people think that Moulin Rouge is beneath them but I love the program so I guess I'm in the minority. Oh well, nothing new.

3) Shibs, i don't even know where to start. I love their FD program even more after SkAm. SD is great, although not the biggest fan of their costumes.

4) P/C, not the biggest fan of the music in the SD but it's a good program. FD is not as good (in my mind) compared to previous ones but still magnificent.

5) C/L, so glad they are going to GPF. I love their programs this year.

6) C/B, honestly I was a little disappointed when they announced that they weren't going to use La La Land music but I do love their FD so not too disappointed now. SD is good but not in love with it yet. I'm sure it will grow on me by the time the Olympics comes around

Basically I just love everyone's programs

 

[Roast Toast]

I must say I really, really don't get the doom and gloom about V/M. They have literally never lost a competition since their comeback. They still have the overall best technical skills in the field. They have the advantage in the SD, which usually translates into an advantage in the FD as well (by which I mean, it's easier for the judges to give P/C a zillion 10s when they are first by a wide margin after the short). Yes, now that P/C seem to have finally gotten their **** together and aren't losing levels stupidly, V/M likely will have to be foot perfect instead of the essentially one mistake buffer they had last season. But I don't think it's asking too much of the Olympic gold medalists to skate clean. I guess my point is: have a little more faith in your faves, jeez.

 

[Anyasnake]

C/L : They have a very fun SD and very different in a way, the music is so cheeky ! Their FD is much more emotionnal than their previous and I really like the powerful ending. It's nice to see they're in the GPF since they didn't get to go last year (they had tough competition on the GP).

H/D : this might be their best programs ever, both SD and FD. Madison has that new confidence and they both improved so much on both the artistic and technical side. I really enjoy watching them everytime they take the ice.

C/B : Not going to lie, I'm a bit disappointed with the programs. I liked the music selection on the SD at first, but they lack something (that they shouldn't : they usually do sass so well). The FD is a bit bland too for now, even with their big lifts. I'm going to need a bit more from them and I hope it'll be there at GPF.

Shibs : They own their SD ! These music selection when they were first announced I was afraid that it will be too "childish" or even bland, but it's working so well. I really like the FD too, however for now I prefer the SD (good surprise). They skated so well at SkAm.

V/M : I was really into the "animalistic" concept for the SD at first (I want a costume change though) and it really works for them ! But it did came across as somehow forced at NHK (happens when you try to hard). They just need to have fun and let their natural chemistry work. I love the music selection (classic rock always rocks) ! I'm not a huge fan of the FD though for now, I guess I just don't want their last one to be MR. It might come together way more at GPF.

P/C : I love the SD ! It actually looks very organic and fresh. Gaby just rocks that SD it suits them really well, and I'm very pleased with the music selection (I also think that it's a very smart choice). The FD is magnificient, I like that they came back to classical music after 3 years. It really showcase all their strengths, yet again, organic and great use of the music.

Well, I pretty much love every program too even if I have some reserve on some of them but the GPF is coming. Just a few things :

-I like how both Shibs and P/C rock their SD this because so many people were waiting for them not to suceed on this portion, because they were siblings (Shibs) or because it's not "their style" or "they don't do SD well" (P/C).
-Also, I'm more than happy to have this type of music selection - From Cuban street music, to Ed Sheeran, to Rolling Stones, etc. The diversity in these Latin SDs is unprecedented, fun, and crowd-pleasing. The only requirement anyway is the rythm (the beat), more like ballroom-Latin (which is honestly not proper Latin at all).
-I also like the diversity in the FDs (classical, blues, theatrical, pop-rock...)

For me it's a great season so far Let's all support our faves... and everyone else too. And fair judging.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I honestly think technically speaking and even PCS wise, Hubbell/Donohue have pulled away from teams like Cappellini/Lanotte, Weaver/Poje, Chock/Bates, Bobrova/Soloviev, and Stepanova/Bukin who are also in the medal hunt. Watching their rhumba pattern and comparing it with W/P’s at Skate Canada IMO made it clear. I think both them and the Shibs have made clear cases that they are a step above.

Also, the Shibs at Skate America were only 0.41 behind V/M in GOE and were less than a point away from them in PCS at NHK FD . Also interesting to note that H/D received GOEs less than a point (0.89) away from V/M's FD as well in the same comp. I don't know if it'll be that way once the Shibs compete head-to-head with all of the top contenders (I'm including all of the GPF qualifiers here). I know V/M were skating "away" at NHK while the Shibs were skating at home, but the judges did not have to give them those GOEs and PCSs to give them a win at SA, but chose to do so anyway and they never enjoyed GOEs like that before. If they had a base value that V/M received at NHK, they would have scored in the mid 116 range. My brain is telling me that the Shibs won't receive such close GOE and PCS at the GPF, but I've been surprised before. Like when their GOE and PCS stayed high after 2016 Nationals.

P/C are running away with the GOE battle though getting like 17.37 and 18.12 plus hitting their base values more consistently.

 

[beki]

Lyrical is not boring, it's just that very few teams can do it really well and the rest is generic "pretty" (or sometimes not even pretty) characterless mush. But it is the trend now, so even teams that would stand out much better and have a chance to deliver something more worthwhile if they choose to go in another direction, suddenly turn to it. The skaters themselves, maybe they didn't intend blatant rip offs, maybe they just wanted to look graceful and gorgeous as P/C but this requires excellent skating skills and a certain intelligence in the choreography.

One team that I feel is doing a beautiful job with it is Guignard/Fabbri. I wish they were rewarded more. To my mind they've clearly passed C/L. But not with the judges. Still, I take your point—maybe they would've stood out more with something else.