Compulsory Dance

[MissIzzy]

For some reason the ISU website isn't updating, but I managed to watch the large part of it on IceNetwork.

1. Domnina-Shabalin-38.34
2. Beblin-Agosto-37.15
3. Khokholva-Novitski-35.68
4. Cappellini-Lanotte-32s
5. Zaretskis-30s
6. Weaver-Pojé-29.91
7. Zadorozhinuk-Verbillo-29s
8. Huang-Zheng-26.82
9. Yu-Wang 25.85
10. Guo-Meng-20s

I was actually surprised D&S aren't leading by more; their performance was stunning to watch(though it was also the only performance for which my stream didn't freeze up at all, so maybe that influenced my impression).

 

[Buttercup]

I'm surprised C/L are ahead of Z/Z - I expected the Zaretskis to lead after the CD and be overtaken at a later stage (probably the FD). I wonder if their legal situation has had an effect on their preparation.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm surprised C/L are ahead of Z/Z - I expected the Zaretskis to lead after the CD and be overtaken at a later stage (probably the FD). I wonder if their legal situation has had an effect on their preparation.

It's the waltz and, unfortunately, for those with short legs, it just doesn't work. JMO.

 

[dorispulaski]

Yes, especially for a simpler waltz, like the Viennese, perhaps they should just measure the ladies' legs and avoid skating the dance at all.

If they want to have a waltz at the senior level, I'd like to see them competing in the Golden Waltz, which is very tricky.

 

[missysays]

Impressions of top 3 couples:

Khoklova/Novitski: The bright red dress and his peekaboo neckline with white tux made me crack up!! This couple does nothing but go against the norm- which you kind of have to admire. Though his hair is just looking greasy and shaggy- some people just weren't meant to carry such long hair. It was the porniest waltz getup I've seen in a while. On the skating side, I thought they had great maturity and confidence in their performance of this waltz.

Belbin/Agosto: I thought they did a really good job. They skated with proper ballroom waltz feel- yet it wasn't over the top at all. I thought of all three couples that they actually were able to project the feeling of a waltz more than any of the other couples. Nice speed and natural flow.

Domnina/Shabalin: This performance really surprised me. Stylistically from costuming to performance quality this couple seems to have really toned everything way down. It's like they've taken a crash course in the Virtue/Moir school of understated styling. Their outfits were simple, striking and modern. He wasn't wearing a tux which surprised me- just a simple black shirt and trouser. Was that on purpose or did he lose his costume? Whatever it was it was a striking match to her black and white feathery dress. But the skating oddly enough while technically smooth didn't have the normal stretch and strength that I normally see in their CDs. Was this a blip or a conscious change in style? I guess we'll see.

 

[sfgirl]

I really enjoy your interpretations. Thanks so much.

 

[dancemaster]

It's the waltz and, unfortunately, for those with short legs, it just doesn't work. JMO.

I am surprised at your comment

 

[missysays]

I really enjoy your interpretations. Thanks so much.

You're so kind. Ice dancing is so much fun- I love to watch it and then come here and see what everyone thought about it.

 

[Sackie]

WOW Godd to see Weaver/Poje ahead of the Ukr and just behind the Is team. Hope this keeps up cause usually this is their weakest part and they need to come on strong to if they still want to be considered for the #2 spot in Canada. Considering the teams that are here to finish in the top 5 would be a good showing for them and would put them into the top 12 mix!

 

[missysays]

“It’s a long and difficult story with our costumes. We were choosing them for a long time. We finished our programs late and obviously our costumes even later. We didn’t like some of the sketches and this dress Natalia Vladimirovna (Linitchuk, their coach) and I just found in a magazine. It was just very long and we made it shorter”, Domnina explained.

From ISU Day 1 report.

This might account for Dom/Shab's more streamlined costuming in the CD. If she just chose her dress, they probably didn't have time to make anything too complicated for him. I liked the simplicity though. Hope they keep it.

 

[dorispulaski]

I just finished watching the top 5 teams on the British Eurosport coverage. Nicky & Simon preferred Tanith and Ben, then Domshabs, then Capellini Lanotte. The K&N. Of course, that's not how the judges saw it.

They particularly liked B&A's waltz feel (which I could agree with). DomShabs looked quite serious and grim-and the Viennese should be light and lovely and lilting. That would be the 3 L's

And one of the 2 British commentators thought Novitski was skating with his foot flexed rather than extended as much as usual. They wondered whether his boots were quite broken in yet properly.

 

[mycelticblessing]

I really liked D/S and B/A's CD. Weren't they both at CoC together last seaon as well? I agree with the judges placements though.

On another note, I'm so glad Maxim shaved. He looks so much better without that beard he was sporting for the whole of last season.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Good job by Belbin and Agosto. They are close behind the russians. I think they might lose ground in the OD, but i hear that the Russian's OD is not great either... so who knows.