They were a fundraiser for the Memorial Fund. I kept looking for GSersLOL! As it turns out, the cardboard cutouts in the seats are enlarged photos of the skaters' family members, and even some of their pets!
They were a fundraiser for the Memorial Fund. I kept looking for GSersLOL! As it turns out, the cardboard cutouts in the seats are enlarged photos of the skaters' family members, and even some of their pets!
Not everyone, although at moments it seems so. Here's my reaction, which is a bit atypical I admit and probably a minority opinion. I'm very very happy to see Alexa and Brandon both so happy to skate with each other and to have this second chance. I'm happy because they're happy that they skated well. But that isn't enough for me to really engage emotionally with their skating. I want to experience a range of emotions when I watch figure skating programs in competion. I like emotional depth and communication, and musical connection. But I'm willing to watch them with new eyes every time they skate in the future, and see what and how they develop.So I know everyone is over the moon with Alexa and Brandon.
I 100% agree with you. Their PCS was pretty boosted for what they put out on the ice. I felt nothing while watching them skate. Obviously, building an on-ice connection will take time, but Brandon was never strong at that in his last partnership. Idk if they need to pick music that better masks that weakness (kind of like Brandon and Haven's Lion King), but I think that lack of connection and depth will cost them internationally.Not everyone, although at moments it seems so. Here's my reaction, which is a bit atypical I admit and probably a minority opinion. I'm very very happy to see Alexa and Brandon both so happy to skate with each other and to have this second chance. I'm happy because they're happy that they skated well. But that isn't enough for me to really engage emotionally with their skating. I want to experience a range of emotions when I watch figure skating programs in competion. I like emotional depth and communication, and musical connection. But I'm willing to watch them with new eyes every time they skate in the future, and see what and how they develop.
They have been skating together for less than a year. In the FS, I agree that they didn't perform very much but it too much to expect from a very new team to show connection and execute difficult elements. I agree their PCS was too high, but this was essentially a domestic competition so it is expected. If they don't improve in this regard by next year, I think criticism will be warranted but it isn't yet warranted.I 100% agree with you. Their PCS was pretty boosted for what they put out on the ice. I felt nothing while watching them skate. Obviously, building an on-ice connection will take time, but Brandon was never strong at that in his last partnership. Idk if they need to pick music that better masks that weakness (kind of like Brandon and Haven's Lion King), but I think that lack of connection and depth will cost them internationally.
Not everyone, although at moments it seems so. Here's my reaction, which is a bit atypical I admit and probably a minority opinion. I'm very very happy to see Alexa and Brandon both so happy to skate with each other and to have this second chance. I'm happy because they're happy that they skated well. But that isn't enough for me to really engage emotionally with their skating. I want to experience a range of emotions when I watch figure skating programs in competion. I like emotional depth and communication, and musical connection. But I'm willing to watch them with new eyes every time they skate in the future, and see what and how they develop.
I don't think "criticism" is the right word for what I posted or what @oly2018 posted. We both said what we felt about their performances and both expressed willingness to see what will develop in the future.They have been skating together for less than a year. In the FS, I agree that they didn't perform very much but it too much to expect from a very new team to show connection and execute difficult elements. I agree their PCS was too high, but this was essentially a domestic competition so it is expected. If they don't improve in this regard by next year, I think criticism will be warranted but it isn't yet warranted.
Fair enough. I would just say that we should be reasonable in our expectations for all pairs. I know you are a fan of CG/L and I enjoy them too (and frankly thought thet deserved third at Skate America on the strength of PCS), but noting the obvious technical challenges of a pair who have been together for several years is just being realistic. I don't really see it as unnecessary negatively, it is just reality. On the other hand, expecting both artistic and technical perfection from a brand new team, is not realistic. However, I agree we should aim for positivity not discount anyone.I don't think "criticism" is the right word for what I posted or what @oly2018 posted. We both said what we felt about their performances and both expressed willingness to see what will develop in the future.
Maybe I misinterpreted your post. But there's so much negativity and pretty strong criticism of other US Pairs in this thread. It just makes me weary - some pairs are freely given all the benefit of the doubt, while others aren't given an inch. I don't think it's unwarranted for us to be honest about our impressions, and about what we saw and felt from Alexa and Brandon's performances.
I love your last paragraph! I don't think anything irks me more than seeing a lot of difficult entrances, exits, busy transitions etc. when often they don't seem to have any relationship to what is really going on in the program or in the minds and hearts of the skaters. As for Jonathan, he's almost worse than Dave when he dislikes a skater. From then on, he can't see anything new. I hardly listen to any of TSL any more, but I halfway regret it because sometimes, as you said, there are really interesting nuggets, even insights. I just can't sit through the rest.Below is a portion of my recent post in the Russian pairs thread that pertains to U.S. pairs (and to the general outlook in pairs trends and innovation):
Occasionally, I will tune into TSL, but I always have to fast-forward to find something interesting about skating. I'm not into their random, OTT chit-chat shtick. And some of their opinions are grating and snarky, but in the mix, there is sometimes interesting news and insights. In their recent broadcast, I disagree with Jonathan's knee-jerk notion that somehow the Russian pairs are showing us something so exquisite. From what I've seen so far this season, the Russian teams are simply trying to 'keep up' with the new trends, while adapting and building on creative moves and difficult lift positions, entries and exits, just as we've been seeing over the past several years from a number of pairs teams across-the-board. This is an overall evolution that has been happening for awhile and it's not unusual. Of course, Moskvina brings her unique vision, creativity, and wealth of experience, but even she is building upon a number of exciting trends in pairs that have been percolating for awhile.
A lot of innovation and excitement in pairs stems from the superb programs of James/Cipres that they crafted with ice dance choreographers over their final three seasons. Every one of their programs from 2016-2019 are memorable, with innovative moves, difficult transitions, and interesting music. In addition, the technical strengths of Duhamel/Radford, the choreo of Julie Marcotte, and as well, the collaborations of Savchenko/Szolkowy with their choreographers have pushed the pairs discipline forward, just as the exciting twists and throws of the Chinese pairs impacted the discipline in the 90s and 2000s.
Meanwhile, Jonathan is so wrong in trying to look down on U.S. pairs teams. He and Dave both need to stop with their nose-in-the-air condescension toward U.S. teams. Jonathan was marveling over how beautiful the lift positions are of the Russian pairs. IMO, the Russian pairs as usual have great desire and superb technical abilities. But they do not have a monopoly on creative innovation on lifts or lift positions. They are obviously attempting to incorporate the innovation that has been coming from other directions, while relying on their own rich balletic traditions and great technical strengths. U.S. teams in fact have been contributing to some of the pairs lift and movement innovations in recent years. Brandon & Haven always excelled on lifts. They were one of the first teams to show the circus-type lift during their 2013 Junior Worlds win. A few seasons ago, it was Brandon & Haven who beautifully debuted the exciting one-hand carry lift, where the lady looks like she's flying freely. Last season, with John Zimmerman and Renee Roca, B&H had an energetic revamp of their Lion King program in which they built to an exciting climax with three unique lifts all coming at the end of their program. It was a great program which helped them win two bronze medals on the GP.
As well, the now split partnership of Luba & Charlie developed an exciting upside down vertical lift, that I believe may have been inspired by the upside down carry lift move James/Cipres displayed in one of their programs. J/C's Sound of Silence program also debuted an exciting horizontal lift in a unique sideways position, which spurred a lot of adaptations and inspiration to explore further creative positions on overhead lifts. In addition, Calalang/Johnson had wonderful costumes, superb lifts and lovely death spirals last season, with Jessica displaying graceful, gorgeous positions. She also had a death spiral move that has been copied by other teams. This season the top U.S. pairs teams in the ISP virtual challenge displayed difficult transitions, and a number of newly inventive entrances and exits to a variety of lifts. So what the Russian teams are doing is not new or necessarily original with them.
Figure skating evolves from athletes, coaches and choreographers gaining inspiration from what they see others doing. A lot of adapting, building and thinking outside-the-box is what pushes the discipline forward. Still, I don't think a whole bunch of difficult entrances and exits and busy transitions and cramming lifts at the end of programs just for effect makes for good programs. There has to be good music selection, and thoughtful pacing of choreographic moves to the music. Plus, there should be an overall concept and goal, or a theme that involves weaving a story. Character-driven choreography is rare these days but when it fits just right for a team, that kind of approach can be groundbreaking. Pairs is such a unique and difficult enterprise, and developing a successful partnership is a long haul. I'm excited to continue witnessing further creative explorations and breakthroughs from all quarters.
I love your last paragraph! I don't think anything irks me more than seeing a lot of difficult entrances, exits, busy transitions etc. when often they don't seem to have any relationship to what is really going on in the program or in the minds and hearts of the skaters. As for Jonathan, he's almost worse than Dave when he dislikes a skater. From then on, he can't see anything new. I hardly listen to any of TSL any more, but I halfway regret it because sometimes, as you said, there are really interesting nuggets, even insights. I just can't sit through the rest.
To my surprise, I love Mishina/Galliamov's vertical lift. I didn't like Luba & Charlie's, and long before that, I was scared whenever I'd see Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman's. Maybe it's M/G's gorgeous entrance to the lift or the complexity of it overall, or maybe it just doesn't look as stiff, and therefore fragile, to me. But as far as I know, that's another kind of lift that an American pair pioneered ... under the coaching of Moskvina.
I'm sorry that Finster and Nagy have split, but I agree with everything you said about them.
Exactly. I just have more confidence in the way they perform it, like I sense that they've got a broader base of movements supporting the actual lift.Regarding M/G's vertical lift vs Luba/Charlie's, I think M/G's is more exciting in how it is executed re the entry and exit. It moves and flows more, and it seems more part of the overall program theme. As well, M/G's lift moves from entry to exit a bit more effortlessly and also unexpectedly as compared to Luba/Charlie's lift, even though both moves are surely difficult and dangerous.
Actually it was Lubov and her new partner (now retired) Charlie Bilodeau, not Dylan.^^ As it turns out Moskvina may be the original innovator of a variety of vertical lifts in pairs, though we are seeing a return of new look vertical lifts as a result of J/C's vertical stationary lift, and of Luba/Dylan's sky-high vertical overhead lift last season.