Domnina/Shabalin reportedly withdraw

[lerei]

According to FSU, Shabalin's knee needs more time to heal. Best of luck to him in his recovery.

Original FSU page
http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57535

Article.
http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?155371

 

[1795]

oh mon dieu! (oh my god en français)

get well soon my caveman!

effect on predicted podiums?

 

[1795]

can anyone translate?
i cant go in FSU...

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

That's heartbreaking. Trust me, it's not easy to skate on a bum knee. Hope he is getting the best of care for that. Also hoping, all goes well and they are back on the ice as soon as possible. 2009 Worlds is next year.

Joe

 

[demarinis5]

Sorry to hear about Max's knee and D/S withdrawal from Worlds. It won't be the same without them in the mix. Get well soon.

 

[Hsuhs]

Oh it's too bad. Hope Maxim will get well soon.

 

[npa]

http://www.allsport.ru/index.php?id=12952
They didnt withdraw yet and maybe will skate

 

[MissIzzy]

Can we have a more full translation here? Exactly what condition is he in? What are their chances of making it at this point?

 

[dancemaster]

Can we have a more full translation here? Exactly what condition is he in? What are their chances of making it at this point?

none they have named a replacement team

 

[sillylionlove]

Wow. That's a surprise. I bet Belbin/Agosto and the other teams are breathing a sigh of relief since they were their main competition. It's anybody's to win now I guess.

 

[chuckm]

I don't think the other teams are 'sighing with relief'. The title doesn't mean quite as much if not all the top teams compete.

What I think will be interesting will be the battle for bronze.

The judging panel is going to be heavy with Russian/Russian-favoring judges, and that puts the focus squarely on Khokhlova/Novitski, who have become the #1 Russian team with DomShabs' withdrawal. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them on the podium, magically passing V/M (even though they were behind V/M at the GPF).

Shpilband does have influence, but I'm not sure he has enough influence to get two of his teams on the podium---not with that panel.

 

[efreedman]

Sad Commentary

I don't think the other teams are 'sighing with relief'. The title doesn't mean quite as much if not all the top teams compete.

What I think will be interesting will be the battle for bronze.

The judging panel is going to be heavy with Russian/Russian-favoring judges, and that puts the focus squarely on Khokhlova/Novitski, who have become the #1 Russian team with DomShabs' withdrawal. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them on the podium, magically passing V/M (even though they were behind V/M at the GPF).

Shpilband does have influence, but I'm not sure he has enough influence to get two of his teams on the podium---not with that panel.

Your last statement sums up that which is a sad commentary on how ice dancers are judged. Or is it judging at all????

 

[perlla]

Here is link for articule about D&S on icenetwork
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080312&content_id=45612&vkey=ice_news

 

[Pikachuusb]

I hope he gets better soon, poor guy. They will be missed.

 

[dorispulaski]

Yes, they will be missed, and most especially by Piseev, who can't be expecting to qualify 3 pairs for Worlds again next year. He is sending Bobrov & Soloviev, who finished third behind Rubleva and Shefer at Russian Nationals in addition to K&N and R&S.. R&S went to Europeans and finished only 13th there. I don't see either R&S or B&S placing high enough at Worlds to qualify three teams.

To qualify 3 teams for Worlds next year, the sum of K&N's and R&S's (or B&S's) placings needs to be 13 or lower.

Here's how Bobrova & Soloviev finished this year:

Skate Canada 151.97, (5th behind H-M/C, who scored 152.16)
COR 161.51 (4th, barely ahead of Copely & Stagniunas)


At Europeans, the 11th place skaters were Zadorozhniuk & Verbillo, with a score165.11, significantly ahead of Rubleva & Shefer in 13th.

At 4 continents, HM/C 164..02 finished 6th.

So at Europeans and 4 Continents there were 17 teams who finished significantly ahead of Bobrova/Soloviev's or Rubleva/Shefer's best total score for the year. Granted Grand Prix scores are depressed with respect to European and 4 Continents socres. However, Z&V finished ahead of B&S at COR, with B&S having home ice advantage, so to speak.

Even if through some unprecedented occurrences, Khoklova & Novitski finish first, the second Russian team would have to finish at least 12th. I can't see either R/S or B/S finishing higher than about 15th unless some miracle occurs.

For one of these 2 teams to penetrate the top 10, they would have to beat at least two of the following teams: Belbin Agosto,Delobel Schoenfelder,Virtue Moir,Davis White,Pechalat Bourzat,Faiella Scali,Kerrs,Zaretskis,Capellini Lanotte, & NavBoms. That's not counting Zaretskis, Zadorozhniuk & Verbillo, and Fraser & Lukanin whom I also expect to finish ahead of both Russian teams. Additionally, NavBoms and Weaver and Poje should finish ahead of them. Hann-McCurdy & Coreno, Stagniunas and Copley, and the Reeds are about equal to the 2 Russian teams, and it could go either way.

As I said, I find it hard to see how either team could finish 12th, let alone in the top 10.

If I were Piseev I would be praying for a miracle cure for DomShabs, for sure.

 

[Tesla]

I've actually grown to like Dom/Shab (mostly because of him), but I'm glad they won't be going to Worlds. Better for Maxim to rest and take care of his knee for the future than blow it out right now.

 

[calica]

Russia send Bobrova & Soloviev. I dont know them, I hope that the judges don´t send to the podium

http://www.allsport.ru/index.php?id=12950

 

[Hsuhs]

Bobrov & Soloviev.... the first male duo in the history of ice dance!

 

[chuckm]

Bobrova / Soloviev were the 2007 World Junior Champions and the bronze medalwinners at the 2006-2007 GPF.

In the GP this year (teams in italics are competing at Worlds):

Skate Canada:
1. 197.07 Virtue / Moir
2. 171.57 Cappellini / Lanotte
3. 167.83 Carron / Jost
4. 152.16 Hann-McCurdy / Coreno
5. 151.97 Bobrova / Soloviev
6. 148.77 Weaver / Poje
7. 140.64 Zhiganshina / Gazsi

Cup of Russia:
1. 205.24 Domnina / Shabalin
2. 184.38 Pechalat / Bourzat
3. 161.64 Zadorozhniuk / Verbillo
4. 161.51 Bobrova / Soloviev
5. 161.36 Copely / Stagniunas
6. 160.72 Grebenkina / Azroyann
7. 151.13 Rubleva / Shefer
8. 143.69 Zhiganshina / Gazsi
9. 139.14 Hajkova / Vincour

I don't think Bobrova / Soloviev have any potential to medal, but given the number of Russian / Russian friendly judges on the ice dance panel, they may have an outside chance of making the top 10 (which, IMO, Rubleva / Shefer have no chance to do).

If Khokhlova / Novitski manage to win the bronze, B/S placing 10th would save 3 places for Russia at Worlds 2009. So I wouldn't be overly shocked to see both of these things happen, given the judging panel.

 

[Olderbear]

Does this mean the gold is B & A's to lose?