A new video from Emotions on Ice 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwQ2HOk9g_k
They're the main reason why I'm looking foward to EC (aside from P/C in ID). They have to show that it's not only about Russian pairs (as much as I like V/T), they have what it takes to podium and show that the world have yet to see all the best pairs this season.
Germany's Savchenko and Massot were greeted with an incredible ovation as they stepped onto the ice. They skated first in the second group, an hour and a half before the last group took the ice. They delivered an exquisite program, carved to "Creature from Siam" from Cirque du Soleil. Their opening triple twist was impressively high, seeming almost delayed. They followed with a throw triple flip and a side-by-side triple toe loops, which he two-footed.
"It feels good to be here again," a relieved Massot said afterward, "And to feel the atmosphere of the greatest events. The way we were greeted by the audience was just exceptional, and it gave us a lot of energy throughout. We made a small mistake on the toe, but we're really happy with this first outing at this level."
"And we're very happy to skate together!" Savchenko added.
Their program was quite emotional as well -- very soft and subtle -- in a style that will now belong to them and only them. Their spin, lift and step sequence were rated Level 4.
Savchenko and Massot were, again, warmly and loudly applauded after their performance. It was, however, not the routine they were hoping for, as they endured major mistakes on their last two lifts. Massot could not hold his partner on the first one and bent his arm during the second, and each was invalidated. The two errors cost the duo at least 14 points, but it was not enough for them lose the silver medal. Their program did start quite well, however, with what was arguably the highest triple twist of the field, followed by side-by-side double toe-triple toe combinations and side-by-side triple salchows. Their death spiral was a delight to watch. They received 125.24 points for their free skate, the third-best segment of the evening behind Tarasova and Morozov.
Their silver medal felt like a near miracle.
"It had started rather badly," explained Jean-François Ballester, who coaches the team with Alexander König. "Last Monday, Aliona got a bad lumbago (lower back pain) while landing a triple lutz. She had to go to the hospital as an emergency, and she got an injection. Things have improved since, fortunately."
"I was really surprised," a disappointed Massot admitted afterward. "Usually, I never miss a lift. I was so sad, but then realizing the overall result made me pretty happy."
"We tried to fight," a comforting Savchenko said. "We are really happy with that first medal. We always learn from our mistakes. It's actually really nice to come back."