Compulsory Dance - Virtue/Moir and Davis/White - Round 1

[cassieandcheetah]

Managed to see the top 3 placements...

1. Virtue/Moir- Very neat sharp distinct edges and pointed toes but it looked like they might have fallen out of synch just a tad when they reached the end of the rink before the first choctaw. Overall while nicely performed, they didn't really move the dance out. It didn't feel very free. I think perfectionist Scott knew it because he seemed dissatisfied in the Kiss n Cry but they immediately saw that they got high scores and a new personal best- so they were happy.

2. Davis/White- They were fantastic- in some ways it was even better than US Nationals because they seemed more relaxed and were having fun with it. They were fast and fleet and had this really light touch. Most other teams seem to be skating through molasses when they skate this dance- especially if they're taller or have really long legs. Meryl and Charlie were able to move quickly without seeming to strain at all. Plus, their performance of the character of the dance was perfect- light, happy, but not overly perky. I would have put them first just like I would have put them first at US Nationals. I think this is going to be the best part of the competition for them. It doesn't bode well that even with that performance the judges aren't ready to move them ahead of V/M even for one part of the competition.

3. Navarro/Bommentre- Kim in her beautifully conceived polka dot dress for the Yankee Polka. ;-) She and Brent gave a fine performance. They just weren't quite as close together as V/M or D/W. Plus, the formation of their hold wasn't as together as it could have been. But overall, good job.

Thanks so much for your commentary!!! I know...it makes me sad that Davis/White was placed second. I think strangely enough, CD is their strong suit and I know they were placed ahead of Virtue/Moir a few times after CD....I hope they do well on their next two performances though!

 

[npa]

Thanks so much for your commentary!!! I know...it makes me sad that Davis/White was placed second. I think strangely enough, CD is their strong suit and I know they were placed ahead of Virtue/Moir a few times after CD....I hope they do well on their next two performances though!

Guys, V/M have really high quality of there skating and deserve to have very high marks in componenet score
Meril and Charlie had a nice, light dance. But they didnt show really champion skating - there toes work is dirty, they dance, like tow children. Its good for this CD, but didnt mean, that they show really ice dance quality in it.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Guys, V/M have really high quality of there skating and deserve to have very high marks in componenet score
Meril and Charlie had a nice, light dance. But they didnt show really champion skating - there toes work is dirty, they dance, like tow children. Its good for this CD, but didnt mean, that they show really ice dance quality in it.

hey, that's kind of harsh. It's true that Virtue/Moir's got more polish and flair, but doesn't mean the other team should be called "dirty." And could you elaborate on your statement "they dance like two children?"

 

[dorispulaski]

I hope these CD's show up on youtube at some point! I can't wait to see them.

If Tessa and Scott were visibly pointing their toes, they should have not so great scores. In the Yankee on the kicks you're supposed to point the heels. And D&W had awesome polka character at US Nationals. I would have had them above B&A. It's a silly, bouncy dance, and you're supposed to look like you're having fun. It is not a dance about polish & flair. Plus the quick,quick steps favor shorter people. It's a very good CD for D&W, in general. The waltz, not so much.

Tessa & Scott don't enjoy doing the YP, and it shows. But hooray for a PB for them!!! And it will be the Austrian Waltz or the Argentine Tango at Worlds, and they will really do an amazing job with either of those 2 cd's.

But that is a great score for D&W. Not only is it almost 3 points above their personal best in the CD. It's 0.01 below the score for K&N in the Yankee Polka at Europeans and above F&S and P&B at Europeans. Although you can't compare across competitions, this is a huge jump for D&W.

 

[npa]

But at NHK V/M have much lower score in Argentine Tango
I saw D/W polka - it was nice, in character, but there mooves wasnt so good.

 

[dorispulaski]

For some reason, scores at 4CC's and Europeans have been much inflated over the GP. V&M and D&W are right in line with the scores at Europeans for the Yankee Polka. V&M's score would be in third place at Europeans, D&W in 5th by a hundredth.

Europeans scores:
DelShoes 41.25 (21.01/20.24)
DomShabs 40.25 (20.19/20.06)
KhokNov 37.37 (18.76/18.61)

Here
V&M 38.22 (20.07/18.15)
D&W 37.36 (19.48/17.88)

By all accounts, V&M weren't that happy with their YP here. They are capable of a very good Argentine and an even better Austrian.

 

[Tesla]

For some reason, scores at 4CC's and Europeans have been much inflated over the GP.

I don't think it's so much inflation as the programs are much better after having a lot more practice.

Guys, V/M have really high quality of there skating and deserve to have very high marks in componenet score
Meril and Charlie had a nice, light dance. But they didnt show really champion skating - there toes work is dirty, they dance, like tow children. Its good for this CD, but didnt mean, that they show really ice dance quality in it.

Yeah, we get it. V/M are the Bestest in the World. D/W aren't fit to be in the same arena.

I think D/W are fantastic, maybe a hair behind V/M. I think D/W's free is so much better than V/M, but I think that's music choice on V/M's part. I find it to be very boring and very similar to last year's program, whereas D/W are skating to something very different. Plus, I just adore D/W's theme. I think both pairs are phenomenal, but I don't think V/M are that much better than D/W.

 

[npa]

Yeah, we get it. V/M are the Bestest in the World. D/W aren't fit to be in the same arena.

I think D/W are fantastic, maybe a hair behind V/M. I think D/W's free is so much better than V/M, but I think that's music choice on V/M's part. I find it to be very boring and very similar to last year's program, whereas D/W are skating to something very different. Plus, I just adore D/W's theme. I think both pairs are phenomenal, but I don't think V/M are that much better than D/W.

I think, D/W can lose to Kh/N, F/S at WCh.

 

[riceplate]

Yankee Polka CD

Davis and White

Virtue and Moir


You need VLC Media Player to view videos in their entirety (DivShare player stops midway)

 

[Tesla]

I think, D/W can lose to Kh/N, F/S at WCh.

Maybe, maybe not. During the Grand Prix, D/W were still dealing with losing training time from Charlie's injury. At Nats, they were fantastic. Lightyears better than during the GP, and I thought they were great in the GP. Anything can happen at World's.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Yeah, we get it. V/M are the Bestest in the World. D/W aren't fit to be in the same arena.

I think D/W are fantastic, maybe a hair behind V/M. I think D/W's free is so much better than V/M, but I think that's music choice on V/M's part. I find it to be very boring and very similar to last year's program, whereas D/W are skating to something very different. Plus, I just adore D/W's theme. I think both pairs are phenomenal, but I don't think V/M are that much better than D/W.

Thank you so much! I totally agree with you!!!

Maybe, maybe not. During the Grand Prix, D/W were still dealing with losing training time from Charlie's injury. At Nats, they were fantastic. Lightyears better than during the GP, and I thought they were great in the GP. Anything can happen at World's.

I know! I noticed their improvement too! I noticed how during GP their OD had tiny errors here and there, but they were absolutely perfect at Nationals. Other than their technical perfection, I appreciated how they seemed to give their heart out at Nationals; I was completely blown away at the end of their FD, whereas during GP I was a bit underwhelmed and even disappointed. Everyone loves Virtue/Moir because of their chemistry, but I just hope people come to appreciate Davis and White just as much. I think they have a much more cerebral and intellectual style than V/M (even Marina Zoueva admitted that they're the smartest skaters they've ever worked with!). Moreover, I think they're getting better at wearing their heart on their sleeves as performers too.

 

[Tesla]

Everyone loves Virtue/Moir because of their chemistry, but I just hope people come to appreciate Davis and White just as much. I think they have a much more cerebral and intellectual style than V/M (even Marina Zoueva admitted that they're the smartest skaters they've ever worked with!). Moreover, I think they're getting better at wearing their heart on their sleeves as performers too.

I hope so too. D/W's free at Nats is my favorite this season, and I'm a huge B/A fan. I think they get better and better. The emotion in their free just moves me to tears. It is such a devastating, fantastic program.

 

[merrybari]

D/W are a delight! Not only connected to each other but joyful! I wish them all the best for the rest of the competition. Go Charlie - Go Meryl!!! :agree: Loving your skating!!

 

[npa]

. Everyone loves Virtue/Moir because of their chemistry, but I just hope people come to appreciate Davis and White just as much. I think they have a much more cerebral and intellectual style than V/M (even Marina Zoueva admitted that they're the smartest skaters they've ever worked with!). Moreover, I think they're getting better at wearing their heart on their sleeves as performers too.

I think. a lot off people hate V/M, because they cfn take medals very soon.
And a lot off people love D/W - because they think, that this poor guys deserved more

 

[Tesla]

I think. a lot off people hate V/M, because they cfn take medals very soon.
And a lot off people love D/W - because they think, that this poor guys deserved more

No. I think a lot of people like D/W because they are good. And getting better. I don't dislike V/M. I think they are very good. But I detest their programs because I find the programs boring. I'm sure V/M deserve the accolades, but I don't see why D/W can't be considered almost as good. Why must it be either V/M or D/W. Unfortunately, I don't see D/W beating V/M this year, but who knows? D/W might beat them in the future. And maybe some people don't like V/M because they are getting shoved down everyone's throats. I don't think V/M or D/W are the best in the world.

 

[dorispulaski]

No. I think a lot of people like D/W because they are good. And getting better. I don't dislike V/M. I think they are very good. But I detest their programs because I find the programs boring. I'm sure V/M deserve the accolades, but I don't see why D/W can't be considered almost as good. Why must it be either V/M or D/W. Unfortunately, I don't see D/W beating V/M this year, but who knows? D/W might beat them in the future. And maybe some people don't like V/M because they are getting shoved down everyone's throats. I don't think V/M or D/W are the best in the world.

Now DelSchoes or B&A? They might be the best in the world on any given day , both of them. I love all of both teams' programs this year.

And I am just thrilled at D&W's improvement in presentation this year. And at V&M's improvement in technique this year. D&W improving doesn't mean they are better than V&M. They're not. Yet. But they could be some day.

Back to the skating, I saw the three clips, and how funny! That is the most somber group of Yankee Polka costumes I've ever seen!

 

[Tesla]

Now DelSchoes or B&A? They might be the best in the world on any given day , both of them. I love all of both teams' programs this year.

ITA! I want B/A to win Worlds, but I do love Del/Schoes free dance. I'm sorry they didn't win Euros. I do love both of their programs, and I do think those two pairs are the best in the world.

I also agree that V/M are a bit better than D/W right now, but if D/W keep improving like they have been, I think D/W can start beating V/M.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

ITA! I want B/A to win Worlds, but I do love Del/Schoes free dance. I'm sorry they didn't win Euros. I do love both of their programs, and I do think those two pairs are the best in the world.

I also agree that V/M are a bit better than D/W right now, but if D/W keep improving like they have been, I think D/W can start beating V/M.

I want Del/Shoes to win. I want them to win because I think they're the most creative team right now, and I appreciate how they're of the old "era" while being able to keep up with the younger teams and a new scoring system. I just love their free dance. It's the most lyrical and meaningful program this season, and I admire them for making that effort toward artistry at the expense of the technical . I like B/A too, but their program just seems a bit more formulaic and doesn't move me the way The Piano does. I know I kind of got into a heated argument about this previously , but even though I must acknowledge Del/Shoe isn't the strongest team technically speaking right now, their maturity and experience show in their thoughtfully unique choreography, and I do hope they get rewarded for that.

 

[npa]

Will see.
Why some people want, that D/W bit V/M? Why not B/A or Dom/Shab?
What is bad in V/M? There programs? If you cant understand somethig you start saying, that it "boring"? And the same liftes from D/W during 3 years - its nit boring?
I think, that Kh/N, F/S, Capelinni/Lanotter, Kers is more interesting teams and i cant understand, why D/W could bit them

 

[Pikachuusb]

Will see.
Why some people want, that D/W bit V/M? Why not B/A or Dom/Shab?
What is bad in V/M? There programs? If you cant understand somethig you start saying, that it "boring"? And the same liftes from D/W during 3 years - its nit boring?
I think, that Kh/N, F/S, Capelinni/Lanotter, Kers is more interesting teams and i cant understand, why D/W could bit them

npa was Charlie or Meryl mean to you before? Why is it you have such a hard time with someone giving them a compliment? They are an entertaining and good team. If you dont like people giving them a compliment you might not want to read and skating boards, because they get compliments on several of them.

The reason people compare them is because they pretty much entered the scene at the same time. So they are comparable. Theyve also competed together for awhile. People dont compare them to Belbin & Agosto or Delobel & Schoenfelder because they have been in the scene alot longer. Its all about when you burst onto the scene. Not to mention the fact that the rest arent competing at the Four Continents.

I personally like Belbin & Agosto, Delobel & Schoenfelder, Domnina & Shabalin, Davis & White, Khoklova & Novistski, Faiella & Scali, the Kerrs, Navarro & Bommentre, Pechalat & Bouzat, Capelinni & Lanotte AND Virtue & Moir. It is possible to like more than one. Unfortunately I like them all. Which makes it very difficult to pick a fav for the podium at Worlds. LOL Or for any competition for that matter.