Dance - Free

[MissIzzy]

I decided to get 8 hours noninterrupted sleep for the first time in 5 days and missed the ice-dance decision. I wake up and the Russians won! But where is the controversy? Where are the wuz-robbed cries? This thread isn't even 30 pages long, what's up with you people?

We're all too depressed. When the Russians win all the *censored* time...
Though more seriously, watching on a choppy Justin.tv feed, I honestly can't say Tanith and Ben were robbed. Which just makes the whole thing more depressing, because maybe they could've won it. Maybe.
Meryl and Charlie, on the other hand...

 

[mycelticblessing]

These commenators, especially Philipe Pélissier really hate D/S (I seem as if I love them next to him...). Basicaly, he said that there were no difficulties, that artisticly they were making big gestures because they had nothing to express and because they're not good actors. He also says that it's just recylcling what we've seen for the last 30 years and that there's no originality whatsoever. They say it's heavy, that everything is just illusional (artistic and technical). He says ice-dancing is like all-in wrestling, one anounces the results before.

Thanks for the translation. It's funny, but I always assumed all eurosport commentators would be as nice as Nicky ans Chris are. The French commentator was really harsh on D/S especially in the OD and the FD. I don't understand much French, but it was pretty obvious his voice was dripping with venom.

He's pretty funny though. I was watching the French Eurosport version of D/S OD, and when they botched the dance spin, he went "oh la la la la la...."

Congratulations to D/S for skating the best they have this entire season. It's a real pity D/W aren't on the podium. I think they've got the best FD of the season. I feel so sorry for K/N. I really like them and I can't help feeling their scores here are a little too low.

 

[viv]

I decided to get 8 hours noninterrupted sleep for the first time in 5 days and missed the ice-dance decision. I wake up and the Russians won! But where is the controversy? Where are the wuz-robbed cries? This thread isn't even 30 pages long, what's up with you people?

Come to think of it, I so should have slept through the men's long program too... Might have ended differently.

Well, I also am about D&S, especially regarding the knee problems he had, and I'm happy they won, but I enjoyed both V&M and D&W as well. I hardly could believe my eyes, watching D&Ws twizzles, and I thought V&Ms program just beautiful.

B&A never did it for me, but I really loved their OD. Watching their FD, I fell back in my old dislike for them, especially her. Seeing her skate always makes me think of a Barbie doll, disguised as a skater.

 

[Buzzz]

Congrats to Domnina & Shabalin on winning gold, and also to congratulations to all the medalist.

 

[museksk8r]

B&A never did it for me, but I really loved their OD. Watching their FD, I fell back in my old dislike for them, especially her. Seeing her skate always makes me think of a Barbie doll, disguised as a skater.

I've never been a fan of Tanith & Ben either. I find them boring and unoriginal and I often cringe at their music and sometimes costume choices. Meryl & Charlie are far and away the superior US team for me. If I were judging, I would have Belbin & Agosto in 5th overall, behind Davis & White, Virtue & Moir, Domnina & Shabalin, and Pechalat & Bourzat, not necessarily in that order.

 

[LaLola]

I just watched all the FD and I'm so sad Tanith&Ben didn't win. They skated their hearts out there and I've never seen her so emotional after a performance before.
On the other hand I still think, they are back on track for the Olympics - you can see how much they've improved already and now just imagine they also get programmes that truly show their character...
Both of them have always been fighters and never gave up and that's why I'm very proud of them. I don't think they have peaked yet...so fingers crossed for the next season.

My rankings after that night would have been:

1.B/A
2.V/M
3.D/W
4.P/B
5.D/S

 

[L'amour]

On the other hand I still think, they are back on track for the Olympics - you can see how much they've improved already and now just imagine they also get programmes that truly show their character...
Both of them have always been fighters and never gave up and that's why I'm very proud of them. I don't think they have peaked yet...so fingers crossed for the next season.

Thats true

I'm sad that Tanith and Ben didin't won title, but on the other hand I'm really happy because they had 3 really good routines and had a lot of imporvements. I"m quite like their OD and FD, althou Tosca is not really Tan and Ben.
I don't like Dom/Shab OD or FD but thats ok, any conspirancy idea.

To Tanith and Ben

 

[amateur]

I think if Tessa and Scott had been properly trained, they would/should have run away with this competition... they were nowhere near the level of execution they showed last year, esp in the FD

Bravo for getting through it, and skating for themselves (actually, this can be said of all the medalists, each coming back from injury and giving it all)

A real shame that D/W could not medal with such a performance... with easily the most fluid and I'd say "complete" program and performance, among the top teams. Virtually tied for bronze - that's got to hurt, and in a way it's hard to find "meaning" in results that are that close.

 

[~tapdancer]

Well here's my wuzrobbing...D/W for sure. It's just a travesty. They really deserved to be on the podium and that FD was sublime perfection. Great for them for the awesome standing O. They are US #1 and it's about time they got the acknowledgment for that. B/A did okay but they can't compare to D/W to me.

D/S winning was another travesty. Just no getting around the Linichuk politics here. I like D/S but they are simply not strong enough to be WC. I feel kinda bad for K/N...never liked them but it's obvious they were the place holders for D/S and now they are rightly dumped...which I think is where they belong but that's beside the point.

P/B and Kerrs wuzrobbed, too. Well, their placements aren't too bad really but come on...those FDs were way better than D/S and B/A.

Ice dance politics is alive and well, sad to say. Makes me wonder how the Olympic year is going to be. Exciting, anyway. At least until the actual event! It's funny...placements were all over the place during the season this year and then come Worlds...business as usual.

 

[merrywidow]

Tracy Wilson commented on the fact that Shabalin was doing a lot of 2 foot skating & I began to notice this then myself. Back in the 90's one of the complaints about Elvis Stojko's skating was that he spent too much time on 2 feet & he began working to improve & correct it. I don't keep up with rule changes so am I correct in supposing that while it is not ok for single skaters it is ok for ice dancers? And if so, why aren't any of the other top teams availing themselves of the same easier method of propelling themselves across the ice as Domina & Shabalin?

 

[lmarie086]

Just finished watching the FD via Eurosport.

I'm really proud of Tessa and Scott. They had a disastrous original but came back with a vengeance and fought back with a beautiful free dance. No, it wasn't perfect but what a huge victory for them. I thought Davis and White were fantastic and should soon overtake Belbin and Agosto. The crowd clearly chose their favourite between the two teams!

I was going to mention that but I didn't know if I should. I found it very interesting that D/W got more (and louder) applause than B/A. I didn't see that coming, but D/W's FD called for it I think.

And I'm happy for V/M. They performed well last night I thought; in fact, they, D/W, P/B and the Kerrs were the best of the field.

On a shallow note, I didn't like how Emily Samuelson had her hair. It doesn't matter much I guess, but I preferred how she had her hair the rest of the season.

 

[skatingbc]

I was going to mention that but I didn't know if I should. I found it very interesting that D/W got more (and louder) applause than B/A. I didn't see that coming, but D/W's FD called for it I think.

And I'm happy for V/M. They performed well last night I thought; in fact, they, D/W, P/B and the Kerrs were the best of the field.

On a shallow note, I didn't like how Emily Samuelson had her hair. It doesn't matter much I guess, but I preferred how she had her hair the rest of the season.

Emily's hair was just, hmm, wrong. No, never EVER again. Please, for my health.

I liked the simplicity of V/M's outfits though. I thought they allowed the dance to be the main focus. I thought the outfits enhanced the program and added that extra something special. I know I'm in the minority here though.

I think Tanith needs a new dress designer. Sorry, I dislike pretty much everything she wears.

 

[icedancedevotee]

On a shallow note, I didn't like how Emily Samuelson had her hair. It doesn't matter much I guess, but I preferred how she had her hair the rest of the season.

It did seem a strange choice, didn't it? The style certainly didn't go with her pretty dress, or with her pretty face--too harsh looking.

In keeping with the "shallow note" I do have to say that Oksana Domnina looks very lovely with her new, darker hair, which is very impressive considering that solid tone, dark hair like that usually looks severe and aging (in my opinion); big improvement over the platinum blonde. I'm finding something nice to say because I'm still fuming over the fact that they won the gold medal!

 

[skatingbc]

In keeping with the "shallow note" I do have to say that Oksana Domnina looks very lovely with her new, darker hair, which is very impressive considering that solid tone, dark hair like that usually looks severe and aging (in my opinion); big improvement over the platinum blonde. I'm finding something nice to say because I'm still fuming over the fact that they won the gold medal!

I agree about the hair. I think she looks so much younger and more beautiful! I usually think brown hair does look better on most people who dye their hair blonde. It just warms up the face so much! I'm a biased brunette though!

 

[icedancedevotee]

I liked the simplicity of V/M's outfits though. I thought they allowed the dance to be the main focus. I thought the outfits enhanced the program and added that extra something special. I know I'm in the minority here though.

If you are, then I'm in the minority with you. I thought those costumes were fabulous! When I first heard they'd be skating to Pink Floyd, I honestly was imagining in my head very simple, stark, black costumes, so I was disappointed with the original "flower" dress and velvet bodysuit. I thought Tessa and Scott looked great last night (all their costumes for Worlds were beautiful, I think). I'm all for simplicity--I wish more of the men in singles would ditch the gloves and chiffon and just put on a nice pair of black pants and a black shirt.

 

[Buttercup]

Oksana would probably look even better if her hair were a shade or two lighter, but it's definitely better than platinun blonde for her.

Emily's hair was unflattering, and the dress wasn't great, either. Especially in contrast to how wonderful she looked in the OD.

Nathalie Pechalat looked great, and that's a look that would have seemed ridiculous on quite a few of the women. I thought Pernelle Carron also looked nice. Not crazy about Meryl Davis's costume - it's nice from a distance but looks tacky in the closeups.

Tessa and Scott's new FD costumes are a huge improvement over what they wore at 4CC. So the minority is growing already!

 

[skatingbc]

If you are, then I'm in the minority with you. I thought those costumes were fabulous! When I first heard they'd be skating to Pink Floyd, I honestly was imagining in my head very simple, stark, black costumes, so I was disappointed with the original "flower" dress and velvet bodysuit. I thought Tessa and Scott looked great last night (all their costumes for Worlds were beautiful, I think). I'm all for simplicity--I wish more of the men in singles would ditch the gloves and chiffon and just put on a nice pair of black pants and a black shirt.

I think I read earlier in this thread that a lot of people didn't like them when they first went out on the ice. I dislike most ice dance outfits because I prefer simplicity. I find that a lot of them can be distracting and can make it hard to see the shapes and lines that the skaters are creating.

OT: I live in Joanne McLeod territory. What I wouldn't give to see her male skaters who dominate the regional competitions turn up in something more simple. One of her promising young skaters has an absolutely ridiculous costume complete with antennae and the judges were concerned about sending him on international assignments!

 

[Danale]

Didn't read all the thread but I had to say that I just loved loved loved Pechalat & Bourzat FD. And he was sooo funny in the K&C.
And of course I always enjoy the Zaretskis.
Congrats to Domnina and Shabalin

 

[viv]

In keeping with the "shallow note" I do have to say that Oksana Domnina looks very lovely with her new, darker hair, which is very impressive considering that solid tone, dark hair like that usually looks severe and aging (in my opinion); big improvement over the platinum blonde. I'm finding something nice to say because I'm still fuming over the fact that they won the gold medal!

Actually I think she is a natural brunette, like Navka was. And it's always better IMO to stay close to your natural hair colour as it goes better with the colour of skin. Both Domnina and Navka look much better brunette.

 

[icedancedevotee]

Nathalie Pechalat looked great, and that's a look that would have seemed ridiculous on quite a few of the women.

I totally agree. There's always something just a little bit different, but always so chic, about the way she's looks. Maybe it's a little bit of the French je ne sais quoi? I love how she pins the side of her hair so it doesn't flop around when she skates. If I tried that, I'd look like I was twelve years old, but it looks beautiful and sophisticated on her. It's nice to see Nathalie and Fabian distinguish themselves from everyone else with their funky-but-chic costumes. Their lovely skating doesn't hurt either!