exception to confirm the rule
I couldn't agree more. I didn't love either V/M or D/W's free dances in 2014 (I thought they were both pedestrian and uninspired), but V/M's rhythm dance was utter, utter genius and was just so superior to anything else in either program at that Olympics that it was so obvious the fix was in when they didn't even win that segment.
I enjoyed Bourne/ Kraatz, but some knowledgeable ice dance observers feel that B/K's winning Worlds FD was overrated. Notably, The Skating Session guys who know a lot about ice dance, praise Shae Lynn for her exceptional career as a choreographer, while also expressing their opinion that her ice dance partnership with Kraatz was not very good, especially in terms of the content of their famous Riverdance FD.
V/M notably won the 2010 Olympics, even winning the OD over Davis/ White who had that brilliant East Indian-themed OD. Both teams had great programs and were exceptionally talented. Tessa had surgery on her legs and was able to come back in the second half of 2010 - 2011 season. I thought Tessa/ Scott should have won because they had better programs at 2011 Worlds than D/W, but I guess the consensus was that V/M had won the 2010 Olympics and had been out with injury the first half of 2010 - 11, so D/W got the nod for 2011 World gold. I think winning the gold at 2011 Worlds helped D/W's confidence and hurt V/M's confidence.
I guess there's no accounting for brilliant, nuanced performance then, superior skating skills, and masterful creativity.
Fear/ Gibson's flashy, energetic U.K.-themed FD, in my opinion is entertaining, but not actually superior to PiPa's Vincent. Albeit that Evita or Wuthering Hts., might have been better FDs for PiPa to recreate for this Olympic season.Lajoie/ Lagha are exceptionally talented. But their choices the past two seasons, while okay and safe material, simply has not stood out nor enhanced or fully expressed their unique personalities. When L&L have had creative programs that showcase their skills and unique personalities, they have been noticed, praised, and rewarded over a number of other teams, that have recently shown notable improvement. For e.g., Zingas/ Kolesnik have impressed judges and fans with their programs and performances this season. At CoC,
LaLa didn't compete at Cup of China. They had their mistake at Skate Canada which benefitted Alison and Saul. You've got things mixed up here.
Fear/Gibson's programmes this year are aimed at the home crowd at Euros (and those in the crowd who don't follow skating all the time will be very disappointed when Fournier-Beaudry/Cizerone win!).I guess there's no accounting for brilliant, nuanced performance then, superior skating skills, and masterful creativity.
Yes, I understand what you mean. There are a lot of subtle nuances and creative moves in the program, but the music and subject matter are softer, quieter, more reflective and sentimental than what is probably needed to grab attention during a highly contested Olympic season. Again, if they wanted to bring back an oldie but goodie, I would have chosen Evita or Wuthering Hts., or have been thinking and planning for something else creatively captivating and upbeat for the Olympic season.
two things. Yes, Lala lost a 5-6 points with their mistake and may have lost the tiebreaker anyway. But one thing though is that they didn't benefit from the generous Cup of China tech panel.
Maybe you don't know and that's fine : Lauriault Le Gac just moved to IAM London, Ontario, to Scott Moir. They were feeling stale last year and wanted a change. They are now very happy in their new environment and it shows in their skating. So, is this renewed passion for skating enough to keep them around for another cycle ? I don't know... but it's a possibility. However, in my opinion, they will never be contenders for major medals. They are not at the level of teams like LaLa and others mentioned earlier in this thread. They are one of my favourite teams to watch because they always have great programs and fantastic lifts. But speed and skating skills, and perhaps also, height difference are not helping them to get the best scores. Can they improve enough to change that perception and get rewarded enough to climb in the rankings ? I doubt it. I think younger teams will pass them. As a matter of fact, Fabbri-Ayer passed them last year when L/LG didn't have great programs. I can see Hensen Lickers knocking on the door too in the future
Yes, I already referenced in an earlier post that Lauriault/ LeGac made the move to Moir/ Hubbell and came out this season looking much more refreshed and with better programs than the stale ones they had been doing for a while.
Let's just say I disagree, even if someone who knows more about ice dance than I do says something else. I still think of their Riverdance FD as the iconic one (next to one in the Men's discipline), while their worlds FD in 2003 I liked a lot. It was pretty close with the Russians (who ended up second in 2003). So, I may not be knowledgeable but Joan Haanappel
at the time was really enthusiastic. And she was knowledgeable.Yes. I do not know a lot about ice dance. I was surprised by this negative opinion of B/K's Riverdance which I recall fondly. Perhaps for some observers, they were either ahead of their time, or the Fear/Gibson of their generation. And that's obviously not a negative, as Fear/Gibson have their strengths. Some of F/G's earlier, popular programs are, in part, what influenced and led us to the current state of 'decade' themes for the RD in ice dance.Let's just say I disagree, even if someone who knows more about ice dance than I do says something else. I still think of their Riverdance FD as the iconic one (next to one in the Men's discipline), while their worlds FD in 2003 I liked a lot. It was pretty close with the Russians (who ended up second in 2003). So, I may not be knowledgeable but Joan Haanappel
I'm not saying that I completely disagree. But, P&P are better ice dancers and their Vincent program is actually more creative and intricate, even if it comes off as quieter, subtler and more sentimental. Perhaps you are seeing it as boring or not rousing enough against the flashier, crowd-pleasing performances of the less blade-skilled teams you mention.
I wonder now if our best bet for an Olympic medal is in the team event or ice dance
My prediction is fourth place for both of these events.
Chances are higher in Ice Dance though…
I think the issue is that whilst it is a nuanced and creative programme, both are too subtle. The nuances and creativity are getting lost because the programme isn't communicating as well as ones they have had in the past. This isn't a criticism of their actual skating - it is the programme itself which is letting them down.
