- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times - it was the times. The "skating year" is over. I know many will have differing opinions but to those who love skating we will always find some joy in the year of skating. Chock and Bates finally claiming the ID title with the bitter sweetness of the much improved and surging Gilles and POrier only to be derailed by tragedy a fight with cancer. The ascension of the Japanese in Pairs. Kaori repeating her world title after an up and down season but with some differing styles of music. Great skating by Shomo and the rise of the young and brash challenger in Malinin. The Russians not competing for whatever reason and whatever your opinion had a huge impact on skating. Can we prove it no. But other than maybe men's and even then they could still affect placements. We saw he rise of the Italians and the story of the elderly being competitive in Deanna Stellato. We saw some promise in Europe other than Russia. Although to be fair had the Russians been skating there would have probably been an impact in the results.
While I give full credit to Chock and Bates for their fight and drive a s we all know it is more than that. It was a fairytale ending for them as they looked at one point at risk to be unceremonioussly kicked off the podium. Yes , they worked hard but we also know a lot of ice dance teams work hard. The italians not my cup of tea are sticking around . Technically they might be the best but they do not have the soul and passion of others. Then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I really liked GP's freedance. I am sad that it did not get a world title. I am curious though as next year worlds are in Montreal what will happen. The Brits, the Danadians cannot be forgotten. The third American team dealign with MH issues all were key factors.
You can see the quality of the top 2 teams. I might have switched the Italians and Canadians and hope that next year we might see the Canadians on the podium but it will be tough -tougher if the russians were allowed to compete. The Americans did well earning silver as they and Japan were the class of he field. And for some reason that bronze is wide open like last year. It came to my mind that nothing against the Japanese and Americans but they both now have world gold and yet a team like Tarasova and Morozov do not have a world title and if my recollection got the agonizing position of 4th and 2nd at the Olympics.
The US has promise in ladies including their consistent and strong Isabeau Levito. She is not outstanding as to style and kind of reminds me of the many good skaters from the US but not great like Kwan, Cohen et al. Ilia has been great for men's skating in the US along with Jason Brown who continues to entertain and be a top six force even without a single quad. He is still a rock for a spot for worlds with his beautiful skating which garners praise.
Canada continues to struggle. Keegan earned Canada its two men's spots and retired. Next year two lucky men from Canada will go to Worlds and most likely lose one spot. We may have seen the implosion of Roman Sadovsky but it seems he is resolved to continue and the light has dimmed on Steven Gogolov. Dance had great hope with Piper and Paul and the Danadians. AT least they won back the third spot as Canada has a wealth of ID talent.
Pairs continues to struggle. Teams with double jumps and twists were on the world stage. I dont think I saw in throw quads and the individual jumps did not include a lot of harder triples though I give credit were due with some of the combos.
Always love skating and regardless of your position on drugs, the war etc. There is an impact not having Russia compete. I hate politics - I miss good skating. I appreciate everyone did their best but I feel we are missing a bit.
hoping people stay healthy and bodies heal.
While I give full credit to Chock and Bates for their fight and drive a s we all know it is more than that. It was a fairytale ending for them as they looked at one point at risk to be unceremonioussly kicked off the podium. Yes , they worked hard but we also know a lot of ice dance teams work hard. The italians not my cup of tea are sticking around . Technically they might be the best but they do not have the soul and passion of others. Then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I really liked GP's freedance. I am sad that it did not get a world title. I am curious though as next year worlds are in Montreal what will happen. The Brits, the Danadians cannot be forgotten. The third American team dealign with MH issues all were key factors.
You can see the quality of the top 2 teams. I might have switched the Italians and Canadians and hope that next year we might see the Canadians on the podium but it will be tough -tougher if the russians were allowed to compete. The Americans did well earning silver as they and Japan were the class of he field. And for some reason that bronze is wide open like last year. It came to my mind that nothing against the Japanese and Americans but they both now have world gold and yet a team like Tarasova and Morozov do not have a world title and if my recollection got the agonizing position of 4th and 2nd at the Olympics.
The US has promise in ladies including their consistent and strong Isabeau Levito. She is not outstanding as to style and kind of reminds me of the many good skaters from the US but not great like Kwan, Cohen et al. Ilia has been great for men's skating in the US along with Jason Brown who continues to entertain and be a top six force even without a single quad. He is still a rock for a spot for worlds with his beautiful skating which garners praise.
Canada continues to struggle. Keegan earned Canada its two men's spots and retired. Next year two lucky men from Canada will go to Worlds and most likely lose one spot. We may have seen the implosion of Roman Sadovsky but it seems he is resolved to continue and the light has dimmed on Steven Gogolov. Dance had great hope with Piper and Paul and the Danadians. AT least they won back the third spot as Canada has a wealth of ID talent.
Pairs continues to struggle. Teams with double jumps and twists were on the world stage. I dont think I saw in throw quads and the individual jumps did not include a lot of harder triples though I give credit were due with some of the combos.
Always love skating and regardless of your position on drugs, the war etc. There is an impact not having Russia compete. I hate politics - I miss good skating. I appreciate everyone did their best but I feel we are missing a bit.
hoping people stay healthy and bodies heal.