Dance, Round 1 - Compulsory Dance

[gio]

Ok Piel's new ladies podium picks....

gold - Kostner
silver- Fontana
bronze- Irina

Don't laugh it could happen!

Don't be so harsh! I hope that Caro and Silvia will skate well and that they will deserve their placement. I really don't think that Silvia can win the silver, but a place in the top 10 will be good. If Carolina skates without a mistake she can win one of the medal. I wish good luck to Caro and Silvia! As for the gold medal, I think that it will be of Slutskaya. She really deserves it!!!!

 

[FauveNik]

It could always be too that the judges made a deal with the Italians to sell more tickets if there is controversy!

Fauve

 

[dwiggin3]

Yea, Tanith's face said it all. She looked like I will tear this place up!

Flying Camel - You're so right! she looked pissed!!! I've seen some harsh glares from her only when she thinks knowone is looking (I don't mean to say she's fake, but she keeps her emotions in check) but this one takes the cake. I have a feeling that this gal can really spew some fire when she's on a role - love to be a fly on the wall when she and Ben and coaches were alone....
I hope she and Ben do tear that arena up. F-P/M DID NOT deserve to be in the top 5...he might as well have been dragging around a corpse.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'd have Denkova & Staviyski in first (very fluid and flowy, great unison) , G/G, B/A, D/L, tied for second (in the same group they are now all with tiny issues) and N&K at least a point below them because of the timing faults. I'd have F/PM (bad unison, he looked clunky somehow) definitely below Drobiazko/Vanagas and Domnina/Shabalin and probably below Faiella Scali. Although speed is such an important part of compulsories that I hesitate to get on too much of a soapbox and wouldn't break up the group of 3 that really are close. We didn't get to see Delobel, so I can't comment there.

ITA, and in my own way, I can see the differences in established dances without the OD and FD.

It's just so nice to watch dancing on ice as it should be without the acrobatics and so called passion.

Joe

 

[Linny]

only a couple points

There are so few points between the teams that it really just becomes a bit of a throw-away, minus those who really screwed up. They didn't televise C&S in the USA, but if she FELL she should be behind the teams that didn't fall... or so it would seem in my book. Yet they are still ahead of MG&DP.

And, yes, Babs did look like she was dragging Maurz around. He had very little leg extension and has gained some weight since last we saw them on the world stage.

My personal opinion: Dom/Shab did the best compulsary. With each turn from front to back (not the twizzles, but the regular three turns), the lady's foot is supposed to end up directly in front of the man's And Stay There. N/K mostly did this but missed one or two, Belbin's foot would curve out and away from Ben's as she swang her leg, D&V did pretty good there...

But, naturally, I'm just focussing in on one facet. So, what the heck do *I* know?

Nevermind, it's so close as to be uncallable at this point. Perhaps not being sitting pretty will inspire N&K to a marvelous performance. Maybe we won't have to see another "phoned in" gold medal winner.

Linny

 

[Ptichka]

There are so few points between the teams that it really just becomes a bit of a throw-away, minus those who really screwed up. They didn't televise C&S in the USA, but if she FELL she should be behind the teams that didn't fall... or so it would seem in my book. Yet they are still ahead of MG&DP.

In the past, C&S's Ravesburger Waltz was about 1 point behind B&A. Even assuming that B&A have improved a lot, that should have still placed C&S no lower than 9th, just behind D&V, with let's just guess 35 points. They ended up with 31, so I guess they lost about 4 points in a fall. I don't see how that is holding anything up.

I have never seen G&P do CDs, so I can't comment on whether or not they were held down.

I'd have Denkova & Staviyski in first (very fluid and flowy, great unison) , G/G, B/A, D/L, tied for second (in the same group they are now all with tiny issues) and N&K at least a point below them because of the timing faults. I'd have F/PM (bad unison, he looked clunky somehow) definitely below Drobiazko/Vanagas and Domnina/Shabalin and probably below Faiella Scali.

I agree. Though I'd probably have both G&G and D&L slightly ahead of B&A. I loved G&G's performance; I thought they did the best job of the those three teams of "skating as one" (though what on earth was she wearing!). D&L probably did as good a job techcnically as B&A, but they really looked like they were waltzing to a greater extent than B&A. (I agree with Joe that "selling" compulsories per se is not important, but a team should really embody the spirit of the particular dance they're doing. B&A do this best of anyone in the world with polka.)

 

[clairecloutier]

Linny, I agree that Domnina/Shabalin did a very nice compulsory dance. They had a lot of speed, plus great unison and transitions. I'm becoming a fan of this team. I think they're going to be a force in years to come.

Tanith did look quite annoyed. I can't blame her. I would be annoyed, too, if I went to the Olympics and didn't skate my best. Hopefully this will help her and Ben get fired up to skate a great OD and FD! This teams seems to appreciate a challenge.

 

[jan]

Interesting Article found here

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...217.wicedance17/BNStory/Torino2006/Torino2006

 

[kaesie]

fp taking m through his dance test

Fusar-Poli and Margalio -
their Ravensburger Waltz reminded me of a dance test. She was
partnering him through. It was appalling at best.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Also, could we finally lose the long flourescent dresses? I'd like
to see some SKATING.

Oh, for the old days of dance

 

[soogar]

My thoughts, Ben and Tanith are lucky they were held up over the DomShabs. They were very tight in their compulsory dance and Tanith's twizzle was not fluid.

I don't care what anyone says about Fusar Poli and Margoglio, her showmanship combined with the crazy Italian crowd is going to make for an interesting competition. Yes she has an ugly dye job and looks like a tranny, but that's an ice dance diva for you. Both Italian teams skated very well and with a lot of Latin fire. Even their costumes were fiery.

Bulgarians: Thank goodness Beanie cleaned herself up. She has a nice haircut and a beautiful dye job and their skating was clean to boot.

N&K- What hideous lipliner on Navka, though it looks a lot better from a distance than up close. They were a very neat team but didn't skate as freely.

domShabs- Held down in my opinion. Beautiful eyemakeup on Oksana (love green glitter and teal and she made it work). I did not think they deserved to be placed behind B&A at all. Very fluid and comfortable dance and they were close together and expressed the music very well.

Lithuanians_ They fly across the ice. I would have had them ahead of B&A as well b/c their dance looked comfortable. Tracy remarked they were tight on the arm hold. I didn't find that a distraction as you can tell this is a very energetic team.

 

[Eowyn]

Fusar-Poli and Margalio -
their Ravensburger Waltz reminded me of a dance test. She was
partnering him through. It was appalling at best.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Agree about F-P/M.....there is NO way they had the best waltz out there. And what was up with their costumes? Ick!!!! Not sure what the judges were looking at, but it wasn't their knees or feet, thats for sure.

Also, could we finally lose the long flourescent dresses? I'd like
to see some SKATING.

Me too! All I see is those long skirts whipping around....I understand the skaters are trying to capture the essence of a waltz, but this is ICE dancing, not ballroom dancing! All that nude fabric.

 

[chania36]

Hi, I do not now for you guys, but I am very pleased with the way the Canadians, Dubreuil & Lauson skated and to be 4th is a very good placement for them, since they surparssed many teams that were placed higher then those two in the last year. But with their 2 wins in the granp prix events, and then a 3rd place at the grand prix final, this is proof taht they had better themselves, and their programs are just stunning. I just cant wait, in light of the first part, from now on, it could be anyone's guess for the next two rounds, I believe that we may have a uge surprise here in Dance. Navka and Kostomarov, everydoby and media were giving them the gold medal up front, but they did that with Michelle Kwan in 98 in Nagano, it was hers and no one would make loose the gold... that is until a little girl name Tara skated at the end and grabbed the gold... So to put on people so much pressure for the gold, it is very very tough to concentrate when there are so many expectations on you... They must be very pissed off N&K... I am not at all please with the placement of the Italians, I hope that will change with the next two skates... You know, all the skaters are working very hard to get to the olympics and possibly win a medal, and then there are couples in dance not to name them, that they took a uge break and came back for the olympics only, so they do not go through the same things since 2 years and here they are in the mix. I just hope tha the other dance team, will be strong and thenhave the italians lower, not that I wish them bad, but they do not deserve that 1st place for the compolsory dance, some teams were much better... Maybe a free gift from the judges because it is their country and then the rest will go smoothly. Let just hope and I wish D&L, the canadians, do get on the podium. They have a wonderful free skate... I just cant wait to see the grils too next week...

 

[JonnyCoop]

Interesting Article found here

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...217.wicedance17/BNStory/Torino2006/Torino2006

Thank you for posting this; I LOVE Beverley Smith and wish her reporting was more available in the States.

Interesting about Dubreil/Lauzon, how some would have put them 2nd in the CD, given how much flack they've gotten in the past about their technique and "fundamentals". This really indicates how much they've stepped up to the plate this season, and I'm so glad. It would be rather ironic if they end up with something that Shae-Lynn & Vic never got. (And I'm not going to say what that is out loud because I don't want to jinx it!!):agree:

However, I have to rant again about this one more time. Margaglio was quoted as saying "We are in front, and the others must do better." (This wasn't in the above article, but in the SD paper this morning) If SHE had said it, I wouldn't have been half as irritated, but HE, who is the PROBLEM, has the nerve to say it. Under the circumstances, I don't care if the damn thing IS in Italy, it is really not cool to get SMUG about the whole thing. Just because three years of convoluted deal-making is putting you here, THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE THE SECOND COMING OF TORVILL AND DEAN. And not even Captain of All Egos Christopher Dean, at Torvill & Dean's peak, would EVER have thought of saying something that unsportsmanlike.

 

[EvanLysacekFan]

I can rarely tell the difference between the top teams... and with all the scandals of the past, I tend to think the only difference is, at best, judge's bias and, at worst, outright corruption.

I do know that no team should win as often as the Russians do.

 

[sarahmistral]

She and Margaglio were ambassadors for the Turin Olympic committee and Margaglio had been working as a technical specialist in the new judging system, but they gave it all up after they saw the world championships in Moscow last March.

"I think technically, we have no problem,'' Margaglio said. "I think if anybody doubt, I don't think he is right because we were in the top of the world. And we are still amazing skaters. Technique is there. Compuslory dance especially. It is something we have bene doing since we were born. No problem about hat. We are satifiseid with atha the judges gave us a good technical mark.''

what a joke

 

[eliza88]

Embarrasing really that Margalio was EVER the technical specialist! I think my jaw dropped clear to the floor when I heard that! I have never been a fan of this overrated team...she is extemely good, and he is extremely awful (wooden comes to mind).

Oh this Olympics! Tsk tsk...

eliza88

 

[Ryan O]

Surprised to see B&A in 6th. Wouldn't it be ironic if they don't win a medal after all the fuss it took to get her there with the US passing a citzenship bill in Congress and everything? Glad to see D&L in 4th and it will be too bad if they miss a spot on the podium because of F-P&M. They are a horrible team and I don't mind saying so at all since I am Italian myself!

 

[EvanLysacekFan]

Surprised to see B&A in 6th. Wouldn't it be ironic if they don't win a medal after all the fuss it took to get her there with the US passing a citzenship bill in Congress and everything? Glad to see D&L in 4th and it will be too bad if they miss a spot on the podium because of F-P&M. They are a horrible team and I don't mind saying so at all since I am Italian myself!

No. I think it would be a small upset if Belbin & Agosto win a medal, and most of the American media understands this. They should get to go to the Olympics, and I'm so happy for that. But expecting them to win or even medal is asking a lot. Ice dance is less about talent and more about establishment. The established teams win. Look for Belbin & Agosto to challenge for the 2010 crown.... but if they don't give this one to the Russians it will only be because they fell 20 times and people would get mad if they got better than silver.

 

[soccer6]

My thoughts, Ben and Tanith are lucky they were held up over the DomShabs. They were very tight in their compulsory dance and Tanith's twizzle was not fluid.

I don't care what anyone says about Fusar Poli and Margoglio, her showmanship combined with the crazy Italian crowd is going to make for an interesting competition. Yes she has an ugly dye job and looks like a tranny, but that's an ice dance diva for you. Both Italian teams skated very well and with a lot of Latin fire. Even their costumes were fiery.

Bulgarians: Thank goodness Beanie cleaned herself up. She has a nice haircut and a beautiful dye job and their skating was clean to boot.

N&K- What hideous lipliner on Navka, though it looks a lot better from a distance than up close. They were a very neat team but didn't skate as freely.

domShabs- Held down in my opinion. Beautiful eyemakeup on Oksana (love green glitter and teal and she made it work). I did not think they deserved to be placed behind B&A at all. Very fluid and comfortable dance and they were close together and expressed the music very well.

Lithuanians_ They fly across the ice. I would have had them ahead of B&A as well b/c their dance looked comfortable. Tracy remarked they were tight on the arm hold. I didn't find that a distraction as you can tell this is a very energetic team.

Am I the only one that liked Barbara's hair? I know she's not "conventionally beautiful", but I thought she looked prettier and more youthful. She did sell the program. (I love Tracy's commentary.) At first I thought it was nice, Barbara and Maurizio skating for the home crowd. I never would've thought they would come out of retirement to be in the mix for a medal. No, I don't think they should be in first.

 

[Linny]

Post count

Lotsa posts in this thread. Veerry cool to see all these ice dance lovers come out of the wood work.

Re neon costumes: for compularies, the color of the day was white.

Linny