British and Irish Figure skating 2022-2023

[elbkup]

Wish wish I was going
So, everyone have a great time!!
I will be glued to TV

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

To be fair, you can get from London to Sheffield in about two and a quarter hours, if the trains are running normally...

That's not bad.

It's the "running normally" that is the problem. I feel so sorry for you guys over in Great Britain who rely on trains, but are currently getting affected by all the strikes.

I have often complained about the way the railway network here in Northern Ireland was absolutely decimated in the 50's. A very extensive network was cut down to a single line, basically running along the coast. My town alone used to have 2 train stations, which connected us to the whole of the province. Now there is no railway service in the whole of my county! And my town has become pretty isolated.

But, at the moment, I am thinking "thank goodness we are not experiencing the same disruption".

CaroLiza_fan

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Yes - some of the school parties are very noisy - it's true. However, seeing the skaters is already inspiring them. The person sitting next to me told me that on her return from the cafe, she'd seen one of the children trying to replicate the skaters' moves.

Plus, much nicer for them than double maths!

Some of the skaters are quite noisy, too. We're hoping our hotel rooms are sound proofed...

They all seem to be happy and having a great time greeting chums from all over the world. It's lovely.

 

[fzztsimmons]

I am currently on train 1 of 3 of my journey to sheffield and honestly can’t wait! To see incredible international talent on home ice, I am so excited!!

 

[La Rhumba]

Thank you everyone! On route, and already rinkside at Sheffield for the great reports, we share your excitement, albeit from afar.

@Ruthypegs I'm sure Christopher Dean and Karen Barber will be there watching, and hopefully Jayne Torvill will be invited too. Perhaps they'll ask Chris to be part of the icedance medal ceremony?

 

[La Rhumba]

If you're visiting London over the Festive period and fancy an outdoor skate, the rinks are up and ready, often buying a ticket can include a meal and drinks. Here's a list from Radio Times.

Best 8 ice rinks in London | Radio Times

It's time to dig out your hats and gloves and go ice skating! We've narrowed down the eight best ice rinks in London, including a brand-new opening.

www.radiotimes.com

 

[La Rhumba]

Just watched Pairs Short, and so great to see and hear the crowd cheering and applauding all the teams, they looked like they really appreciated and enjoyed t!

Lovely to hear Jenny Bill Announcing, though she sounded a little nervous at first.

Was surprised to see former Advanced Novice icedance Silver Medalist Stanley in the comments really criticising BIS.

Now for Men's SP.

 

[La Rhumba]

What a FUN event that was! The Fans were FABULOUS!!!!

Jenny Bill will be pleased, she loves Roman Sadovsky"s Skating.

Roll on Saturday and the Rhythm Dance!

and Goodnight!

 

[DSQ]

I am currently on train 1 of 3 of my journey to sheffield and honestly can’t wait! To see incredible international talent on home ice, I am so excited!!

Oh I think you might’ve been sitting near me.

It was a great day of skating. I know Graham and Ed might be disappointed but they did so well. Digby and V-Law were really good too. Especially after a difficult practice.

 

[fzztsimmons]

It was so amazing last night! I head that there were some issues with stream quality but everything at the rink ran smoothly as possible!

So much support for the home skaters, can’t wait to see Lilah and Lewis later! Was gutted for Graham because he landed so many beautiful 3A’s right in front of me during warm up

 

[La Rhumba]

It was so amazing last night! I head that there were some issues with stream quality but everything at the rink ran smoothly as possible!

So much support for the home skaters, can’t wait to see Lilah and Lewis later! Was gutted for Graham because he landed so many beautiful 3A’s right in front of me during warm up

Only very minor issues with sound in the beginning. Then everything was fine.
The little girls collecting the teddies and gifts were well trained and looked lovely in their matching dresses.

Ah Graham. He was doing a quad in practice years ago, its such a pity nerves get the better of him. But love that he does his own choreo and chooses his own obscure music. He skates to it with such feeling and passion.

 

[La Rhumba]

I so disagreed with the Rhythm Dance result. The winning Grace Jones routine by the Italians was dull.
I really thought LilahandLewis should've won on performance, as Mark said. Their choreography and musical interpretation was so much better. The British and Canadian Judges agreed, who put them 1st.
Boo to Natacha Pontonnier from France who had them 3rd.

But disappointed with the technical coverage today, the audience cheering was muted for the second group so we got Mark super loud. Presumably he is there live in the arena so I don't understand why they can't balance the sound properly. At times they took the atmosphere away totally.

And can someone tell the DJ enough with playing "The Common People", "You're Georgeous" (Really? Have you heard the opening lyrics?) and to change the record!

SO PROUD!!! FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE LILAHANDLEWIS!!!!

 

[La Rhumba]

Great skate by Natasha McKay!!!!!

Pity the TV coverage had more technical issues. Hope they get it sorted.

When you consider in this country we can broadcast the Queen's Funeral, the Olympics without a hitch, yet a skating comp in Sheffield shouldn't be beyond us.

 

[Ruthypegs]

I spotted Freddie Leggott volunteering - good for him.

 

[DSQ]

I spotted Freddie Leggott volunteering - good for him.

Also Jack Newberry Graham’s brother was at the door this morning.

 

[La Rhumba]

I've seen Candi Towler-Green and several other coaches, whose skaters aren't competing, stood by the barrier on TV. I don't know if in an official capacity or just there to watch?

Love this BBC Sport article with LilahandLewis

ISU Grand Prix: World number ones Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson relishing Sheffield event

Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are the world's number one ice dancers, raising hopes of Olympic success not seen since Torvill and Dean.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[La Rhumba]

A longer interview with LilahandLewis

https://olympics.com/en/news/ice-dance-lilah-fear-lewis-gibson-british-figure-skating-2022

Okay you heard it here first. My prediction is Olivia Smart is joining Dancing on Ice as a Pro next January. Mark said in commentary today she had offered her Montreal flat to the Ukrainians who have just started training there whilst she's working in the UK. It's got to be DOI.

 

[La Rhumba]

I think Alexa & Brandon can win Worlds again this season, their Lifts are incredible!

Highlight for me in the Men was Deniss Vasiljevs! Wow! It was like a Rock Star took the ice, the crowd support was amazing! Love his Dvorak Free Program, and when he was standing after the quad you knew it was going to be a Podium performance! Thank god Stephane is still creating beautiful and exciting programs for skaters like Deniss. Loved it! And so sweet to see him sign the Latvian flag for the lady he borrowed it from in the crowd after the medal ceremony. She looked like she won't sleep tonight with excitement!

Early start tomorrow.

 

[La Rhumba]

This is an interesting article from New Zealand, not only as it talks to a new Senior icedance couple on the scene who train at Novi with Igor, but also confirms that's where Joe Buckland is still coaching. It had been a mystery what happened to him after he and Robynne broke up. Why not get back together with Olivia and give it a second try? Okay they didn't always get on before but both have grown up and matured. Anyway here's the article

Ice dancing her way around the world

From small town Otautau to Michigan USA, 20-year-old ice dancer Isabelle Guise could be the next Torvill and Dean with her partner Ethan Alday. Interestingly enough, the brother of one of their skating coaches (a former Britain elite representative), plays the male lead skating role in the...

whatsoninvers.nz

 

[SnowWhite]

A longer interview with LilahandLewis

https://olympics.com/en/news/ice-dance-lilah-fear-lewis-gibson-british-figure-skating-2022

Okay you heard it here first. My prediction is Olivia Smart is joining Dancing on Ice as a Pro next January. Mark said in commentary today she had offered her Montreal flat to the Ukrainians who have just started training there whilst she's working in the UK. It's got to be DOI.

Olivia has already announced that she's doing Dancing On Ice. Her partner is Nile Wilson.