2025 Cup of China: General Info and Pregame Chat

[4everchan]

Are they skating to the famous musical : The Matador and the Alien ?

 

[labgoat]

Yup, the skirt is very fine and should be stunning in the move but the rest is too distracting, not only the lace, shoulder paddings too.

Yes - first take. Raw and unrefined. The role reversal theory makes it make more sense but not my taste. First pancake? Back to predictions...

 

[Karoltyna]

Yes - first take. Raw and unrefined. The role reversal theory makes it make more sense but not my taste. First pancake? Back to predictions...

role reversal makes lots of sense, we all know who is the man in this team...

 

[Mathman]

You know, in 40,000 posts to this board I don't think I have EVER criticized anyone's costume.

But oh my.

 

[labgoat]

I like Madison's Matador costume for the most part, but the styling of the shoulder padding going all the way down past her rib area just looks awkward to me. I think that the padding should have stopped at her shoulders like a regular matador costume, with some other tasteful design down the front. That being said, the costume effect overall is rather stunning.

I agree with this. I think this costume will evolve after feedback at this event - the lace undies will likely go away. Nice to see them taking an aggressive approach to their theme and costuming. This team has done very well in the past with flamencos.

 

[Jeanie19]

I agree with this. I think this costume will evolve after feedback at this event - the lace undies will likely go away. Nice to see them taking an aggressive approach to their theme and costuming. This team has done very well in the past with flamencos.

I love your new Avatar.

 

[dorispulaski]

I found the exact dolphin/porpoise I was thinking of, The Yangtze finless porpoise, known for its mischievous smile. The Chinese government has made real efforts to help the species.

yangtze river porpoise - Google Search

 

[throw_triple_flip]

Re: The Gaga thing.

Yi Zhu had a Lady Gaga Star is Born free skate last season.

 

[Mathman]

I found the exact dolphin/porpoise I was thinking of, The Yangtze finless porpoise, known for its mischievous smile.

I like the Finlandia Trophy logo. It's an ice tracing of some kind of fancy figure, right?

https://isu-skating.com/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fisu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net%2Fisudamcontainer%2FCMS%2FFansite%2FFigure-Skating%2F2025-2026%2FEvents%2FGrand-Prix%2F5-GP%2FLogos-%26-Branding%2FFTHelsinki-logo2025-1758579582-012.png&w=640&q=75

 

[elbkup]

Yes - first take. Raw and unrefined. The role reversal theory makes it make more sense but not my taste. First pancake? Back to predictions...

Role reversal is what I was thinking too. Bet it gets refined but I don’t think it’s bad. We need to see it in action before deciding. I am curious about her RD look though

 

[elektra blue]

I agree that the lace placement on her crotch area is just.... unfortunate Looking at the twitter reply looks like I'm not the only one lol.

I do like the long skirt though, but that's the only good part of the costume. The top looks awkward, probably would've been better if the nude mesh is white or red instead.

@elektra blue I think Madi Chock deserves a nomination here

i have to see it moving, btw so far looks like something from a Victoria Secret fashion show, it might work. Evan is the most non descript bull ever, but what's new? let's wait for Mady to stab him in the back with espadrillas btw i see no gender reversal, there're women bull fighters Madison is just one of them

(i can't believe Corridas are still a thing, all the evoltion and the technology and we didn't manage to make one withouy hurting a poor animal. it could be just a show, the espadrillas could be fake and the bull trained, something like a dance, but no we have to kill it. and the animal is already injured before getting into the arena)

 

[Mathman]

It could be just a show, the espadrillas could be fake and the bull trained, something like a dance, but no we have to kill it. and the animal is already injured before getting into the arena)

They have to sever the bull's shoulder muscles, otherwise the bulls would kill all the matadors and the "sport" would disappear.

 

[saine]

Rhythm Dance costumes for Chock/Bates:

 

[Mathman]

Very pretty. Does Madison design her own dresses?

OK, so I looked up Lenny Kravitz. Here's a quote: "Success isn't measured in trophies or tours. it's rooted in the act of creation" So there you go.

 

[saine]

Very pretty. Does Madison design her own dresses?

OK, so I looked up Lenny Kravitz. Here's a quote: "Success isn't measured in trophies or tours. it's rooted in the act of creation" So there you go.

She does She's also designed for Diana Davis (her free dance costume this season) and Olivia Smart (her Dune costume from last season that won an ISU award.)

 

[midori green]

Re: Chock/Bates crazy costume. An ice dancer once told me that the male portrays the matador, and the female portrays his cape. It looks to me like she's wearing a cape (and underwear?). Maybe she IS the cape, but a bit too literally. Does he wrap those bedazzled shouder (chest?) straps over his padded deltoids and head to the fighting arena? It still doesn't make sense why his costume is so plain. I don't always watch dance, but I'll have to see how this program works.

 

[Sai Bon]

Oh no.

Um, horrid

 

[TontoK]

Re: Chock/Bates crazy costume. An ice dancer once told me that the male portrays the matador, and the female portrays his cape. It looks to me like she's wearing a cape (and underwear?). Maybe she IS the cape, but a bit too literally. Does he wrap those bedazzled shouder (chest?) straps over his padded deltoids and head to the fighting arena? It still doesn't make sense why his costume is so plain. I don't always watch dance, but I'll have to see how this program works.

In the press about this free program, she's the matador and he's the bull, and it's a flamenco. In a paso doble the man is typically the matador, and the woman is the cape. So, it's a bit of a twist on both the style of dance and the role you'd expect them to portray ordinarily.

I've never been a fan of programs that require an explanation of what is happening, so I'm just ignoring all that. They'll skate this dance well and capture my imagination, or they won't. I saw early dryland training, and it was "WOW", but then I saw some on-ice practice footage from China, and it was "OK." So, we'll see what is delivered on the day. But I bet all eyes are on her. She could skate in a garbage bag and be stunning.

 

[Karoltyna]

Hi

 

[Karoltyna]

My coffee is still kicking in but I prefered the second chinese team.