2025 Skate Canada Free Dance

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Fair podium. Piper and Paul had their glitches but I am confident they will work through these. At first I thought the dress was too literal but it grew on me through the performance with such wonderful flow. The Liths were creative and technically sharp. Well done! Tired of the Crow music but LaLa did well. Not my favorite but technically strong. Can Marjorie's personality outweigh Zachary's mechanical approach and make them an engaging team. Not sure.

I think Christina and Anthony may have bitten off too much with Notre Dame de Paris. This was a Davis/White gem and Zoueva had perfectly cut music and moves to accompany. I think the IAM team may have missed the mark with C/P's Free Dance - music does not sync well with the overall skate, imo.

Lastly, what's with the snide comments and faces, Mr. Sommerville. Wait until you watch the retake and discuss with your coach before you get snarky with the judges. Immature. Maybe you were undermarked but you won't be the first or last and if you want to keep it from happening again, keep a civil tone.

 

[msteach3]

I adore Piper and Paul’s Vincent, but this was a rough go today. It seemed to me that Piper looked a bit stiff, maybe more nervous than usual. Still, it’s a gorgeous program and I expect them to nail it next time out.

La La were fantastic. Their speed, flow and expression to this music was some of the best this season.

Allison and Saul look so happy and confident. Love both of their programs!

 

[labgoat]

I adore Piper and Paul’s Vincent, but this was a rough go today. It seemed to me that Piper looked a bit stiff, maybe more nervous than usual. Still, it’s a gorgeous program and I expect them to nail it next time out.

La La were fantastic. Their speed, flow and expression to this music was some of the best this season.

Cathy and Saul look so happy and confident. Love both of their programs!

Allison. Cathy is her older sister who skated with her brother, the late Chris Reed

 

[TontoK]

Fair podium. Piper and Paul had their glitches but I am confident they will work through these. At first I thought the dress was too literal but it grew on me through the performance with such wonderful flow. The Liths were creative and technically sharp. Well done! Tired of the Crow music but LaLa did well. Not my favorite but technically strong. Can Marjorie's personality outweigh Zachary's mechanical approach and make them an engaging team. Not sure.

I think Christina and Anthony may have bitten off too much with Notre Dame de Paris. This was a Davis/White gem and Zoueva had perfectly cut music and moves to accompany. I think the IAM team may have missed the mark with C/P's Free Dance - music does not sync well with the overall skate, imo.

Lastly, what's with the snide comments and faces, Mr. Sommerville. Wait until you watch the retake and discuss with your coach before you get snarky with the judges. Immature. Maybe you were undermarked but you won't be the first or last and if you want to keep it from happening again, keep a civil tone.

I have supreme confidence in Scott Moir. This team really gelled under him last season. Their rise at Worlds was no accident. He's the right coach for them. Sure, some tech issues to iron out, but they WILL be ironed out.

 

[lariko]

Loved seeing the Mrazkovi taking things up a notch at the end-- and relieved that Mrazkova didn't trip on her skirt, @lariko wasn't joking about its length!

I am glad she didn't trip, fall, covered D's head, or almost lost the skirt when D grabbed her leg in the lift as they did in practice, but they spent 3 days of practice figuring out what Mrazkova has to do to keep the skirt out of the way on every step. She continously holds the damn thing with her hand, her knee, her butt etc, in every position and untangles D from it. It completely steals their speed and attack. I wanted to burn this skirt after 4 days of watching it, and the skirt costing them every advantage they gained in the short. That Malagena would have exploded the stadium if they didn't have to worry about the skirt. They have the energy and speed of a volcano -- and they lost that advantage. We had 6 hour drive to Calgary and I must have spoken about my feelings toward the Damn Skirt for at least half of it. The audience gave it an aha! twice, I think, and that was not a good pay off for the mental anguish it causes them I assume. I mean, if I was on the verge of a skirt-related nervous break-down in under a week...

I am with the judging panel, R/A were wonderful in this event! We loved both of their programs. I also love the Korean's team free, particularly in practice where we could seat on second row, and see all the drama the guys acted out. So gorgeous...

For C/P, they have such a wonderful athleticism and talent, and cohesion. But literally, nobody wants to hear another Ave Maria or Notre Dame, so why did their team thought that combining the two would strike a cord? They, and La/La, I think could look at Laurialt/LeGac in terms of always keeping it fresh. The third Canadians had another free skate that was so wonderfully watchable.

Overall, save for the Czech conniption, we had a blast and were happy that Piper and Paul won their 6th title!

 

[museksk8r]

I definitely agree that the podium here is fair.

G/P: Positives that stood out to me was their flow and speed throughout the FD and I can’t wait to see this performed completely clean with maximized levels and GOE. It was very sad to see them so disappointed about the major error. I absolutely love this program and it’s very interesting to see them perform it now as more skilled and experienced skaters and people. This program encapsulates life and the human experience; there are moments of joy, light, and beauty and also moments of sadness, suffering, and loss. The aura of emotional maturity and growth is very evident in their musical sensitivity and choreography. The program felt like it was over in the blink of an eye and they really left me wanting more.

R/A: These two just radiate fun and playfulness and they put a smile on my face. They come across as such good and charming people.

L/L: I don’t recall ever seeing this White Crow program the first season they skated it, but they did their job in the FD and moved up as I suspected they would as long as they were clean. I would like to see Zach loosen up more; he appears so serious all the time. Also, the costuming/top for Zach isn’t showing off his body line; it causes this team to lack a sophisticated polish.

 

[4everchan]

I don't know ... I mean, it's clearly connected to the Starry Night theme, but I almost think that it's a bit too... literal. I preferred when Paul wore that shirt that looks more like a painters frock and thought it connected them better. What would be really cool would be a costume that was like two parts of a paintbrush or something. I know that sounds weird, but imagine as if she's the painting, and he's the painter, so maybe instead of her entire dress looking like starry night, it could be more simple towards the top and sleeves and stuff and then kind of blossom into more color. I

I watched the French CBC coverage on TV tonight. The costumes are really beautiful on the big screen.

I heard somewhere that the first version of the costumes was indeed the sketching and the working on the painting and that this version is the final masterpiece, hence the literal costumes.

In my opinion the biggest problem is certainly not the costume but the feeling of déjà-vu with this dance. I understand what they are after but I am also not convinced that they are proposing enough that they haven't given us before. Judges like to be surprised with fun moves... There are some levels to clean up and of course, that lift was costly... but will it be enough ?

 

[viennaskater]

(Piper and Paul)
In my opinion the biggest problem is certainly not the costume but the feeling of déjà-vu with this dance. I understand what they are after but I am also not convinced that they are proposing enough that they haven't given us before. Judges like to be surprised with fun moves... There are some levels to clean up and of course, that lift was costly... but will it be enough ?

There I was, all excited to see their new FD, and it turns out they've resurrected a previous dance. I felt disappointed. Sure it's beautiful but they always seem to come up with innovative themes so why not this time? It seems they want to play safe with an old FD which they know will work, probably because of the Olympics.

I would have preferred the Joni Mitchell FD, if they really HAD to use an old program.

 

[museksk8r]

There I was, all excited to see their new FD, and it turns out they've resurrected a previous dance. I felt disappointed. Sure it's beautiful but they always seem to come up with innovative themes so why not this time? It seems they want to play safe with an old FD which they know will work, probably because of the Olympics.

I would have preferred the Joni Mitchell FD, if they really HAD to use an old program.

Oh boy, if they had done that, there really would have been complaints from some people as they used that for their FD in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Really, a 3rd time? I have no problem with Piper and Paul resurrecting “Vincent” and adding some colorful new touches to it. It’s been 7 seasons since they used this as a competitive program and they certainly have grown and developed in that period of time to perform it even better. If Piper and Paul had revealed something completely new, the response would likely be the same. Every figure skating fan forum in existence proves that you can’t please everyone, so as long as they love and believe in their material and direction, that’s really all that matters.

 

[TontoK]

In my opinion the biggest problem is certainly not the costume but the feeling of déjà-vu with this dance. I understand what they are after but I am also not convinced that they are proposing enough that they haven't given us before. Judges like to be surprised with fun moves... There are some levels to clean up and of course, that lift was costly... but will it be enough ?

See, I think it's beautiful, but I found myself comparing it to Vincent I and I sorta wish they had just reprised it in total.

So I guess I'm saying they should have changed it LESS not more. That's the fan in me, I suppose. I loved the original, and I want that same exact feeling again. I am completely unconcerned with any technical issues like the lift, and honestly that goes for all the teams we've seen. I think it just shows they're pushing themselves and have yet to master the new stuff. It's fine.

 

[4everchan]

See, I think it's beautiful, but I found myself comparing it to Vincent I and I sorta wish they had just reprised it in total.

So I guess I'm saying they should have changed it LESS not more. That's the fan in me, I suppose. I loved the original, and I want that same exact feeling again. I am completely unconcerned with any technical issues like the lift, and honestly that goes for all the teams we've seen. I think it just shows they're pushing themselves and have yet to master the new stuff. It's fine.

but rules have changed in the last 6-7 years and they have changed too... and the way judges reward skaters as well.

 

[4everchan]

Anyways : on Piper and Paul, if they had to go back to an old program, they had plenty to choose from. The last one I would have chosen is Vincent, simply because they performed it so many times in shows. My favourite program of them is Wuthering Heights. But Both Side Now, Don't cry for me Argentina would also have been good choices.

I never like it when skaters return with old programs, even revisited versions as I always prefer new material... especially with them, a creative team of that caliber. At the same time, I think it's a smart move to invest as much as possible time on the RD, which is what has set them back in the last couple years. The Free Dance has always been their forte. I hope this plan works out for them. I really hope they get a podium finish at the Olympics. I still haven't digested that Bourne and Kraatz nor Weaver Poje, nor Dubreuil -Lauzon all have medals from worlds but never medal at the games... I don't need Piper and Paul to join that way too long list.

 

[theblade]

Ugh, yes. All those Canadian teams of stellar caliber and such a paucity of hardware for them.

I hope Piper and Paul can grow their momentum this season. I also am nonplussed about the top teams remaining in the sport because other teams I like (just at this event: LaLa, CPom, Saulison too) have been skating with great programs and skills the past few seasons and have had some lower results than they should. Over reputation skating, and not what was laid down on the ice.

With this event, the race (of the current season) is really starting to pick up pace!

 

[Ares]

Not what they wanted. But fair.

But I think the Lithuanians were vastly overscored for that dull mess.

I don't think they were dull but I can see how one can find them overscored, especially on one PCS component (skating skills) - I'd not give them 9s for that. But they're certainly in a very high form early this season (which definitely makes sense as they had to do qualifiers for the Olympics early on).

 

[4everchan]

I don't think they were dull but I can see how one can find them overscored, especially on one PCS component (skating skills) - I'd not give them 9s for that. But they're certainly in a very high form early this season (which definitely makes sense as they had to do qualifiers for the Olympics early on).

They are in shape. The programs are ready. That's why they score well. But I agree. Presentation should be high. Composition, I am not so sure.. .Some of it is cool, some of it is posing/arm movements... considering that we are talking about ice dance, I wouldn't reward them for armography. Skating skills : I agree with you.

It's sad to say but other teams will catch up come GPF and they will most likely be dropped. In the meantime, I am happy for their successes and wish them well but I hope that pill won't be too sour to swallow if the judges turn their back on them later in the season. I don't think they will pass Piper and Paul nor Charlène and Marco at the Olympics... ad perhaps not even LaLa and CPOM

 

[jersey1302]

Even with the mistake i thought G/P scores were very low. I expected at least 123-125. thought C/P were low too but in comparison to Piper and Paul's score I did agree with the separation. Thought LaLa was a fantastic FD. They can build on what they know with it and have a masterpiece on them. I dont mind them going back to it.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Piper and Paul were rough around the edges with this new version of "Vincent" but I love the costumes and have no doubt this program will be gorgeous by the end of the season. I do wish though, if they were going to bring back a program from the last several years, that it would have been "Evita." Because I don't feel like it ever got skated to it's worth.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Piper and Paul were rough around the edges with this new version of "Vincent" but I love the costumes and have no doubt this program will be gorgeous by the end of the season. I do wish though, if they were going to bring back a program from the last several years, that it would have been "Evita." Because I don't feel like it ever got skated to it's worth.

Totally agree. Loved her "Vincent" dress, and they didn't do anything silly with his costume this year. (Although I have to confess I didn't see what connection their RD costumes had to do with their music?)

And I still love Evita best of their past programs and would like to have seen it used again.

 

[rain]

Totally agree. Loved her "Vincent" dress, and they didn't do anything silly with his costume this year. (Although I have to confess I didn't see what connection their RD costumes had to do with their music?)

And I still love Evita best of their past programs and would like to have seen it used again.

See, of their programs, Evita is only about 6th or 7th on my favourites list. I'm glad they did not go back to it. I would have been thrilled to see a brand new concept, but given their terrible track record of programs in the Olympic year, I completely understand why they went with one they already knew was going to be a hit. The only other one of the their programs I would have considered for a reprise is the one that put them on the map back in the day: Hitchcock. It would have been very interesting to see what they could have done with it with their current skating and performance skills. Not sure how the dark theme would have played though, in an Olympic year.

 

[Diana Delafield]

See, of their programs, Evita is only about 6th or 7th on my favourites list. I'm glad they did not go back to it. I would have been thrilled to see a brand new concept, but given their terrible track record of programs in the Olympic year, I completely understand why they went with one they already knew was going to be a hit. The only other one of the their programs I would have considered for a reprise is the one that put them on the map back in the day: Hitchcock. It would have been very interesting to see what they could have done with it with their current skating and performance skills. Not sure how the dark theme would have played though, in an Olympic year.

I'll take your word for it about the Hitchcock program, since I have to confess I don't remember that one. The Evita I loved because I got to sing in a stage production of it in summer stock one year (in the chorus, not as the lead -- well, OK, one matinee, as the lead's understudy, and then it was back to the chorus in the evening ). Loved what they were able to do acting the characters on the ice, making it a performance that stands out in my memory.