Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates

[SailorGalaxia518]

Am I to say that this team good breakthrough this year?

IMO, this ice dance team has the brightest future. Already they have won their 1st senior international at the Nebelhorn Trophy beating a team that was in the top 10 at the 2008 worlds (The Zaretski's). They have a very good shot at medaling at nationals this year and making their 1st senior worlds trip.

I can't wait to see how this team does this season.

What do you guys think?

 

[lcd]

A great start to their season for sure. Results from the past year certainly support the probability that they will medal. That said, the senior event in the US is shaping up to be quite a rumble (hopefully)... so many teams who could be spoilers, including veterans and newly formed teams (Matthews/Gislason... should not be underestimated). Hopefully this will raise the level of everyone's game.

 

[dorispulaski]

As Korto Momolo said in the ad for last week's Project Runway (roughly), "someone's dream is about to be destroyed"

I wish all these teams had the options to skate for other countries. They're all great.

That said, S&B although very skilled, are my least favorite of the current crop.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Doris

 

[london_calling]

I am very excited by this team and would love for them to medal and go to Worlds this season.

It is a little sad, though, because the U.S. has so many great Ice Dance teams now and only three will get to go Worlds. I'm also a fan of Navarro & Bommentre and would be sad to see them not go.

 

[lmarie086]

Like Doris, S/B are not my favorite of the latest crop. But I do think they're very talented and can definitely vie for medals on the Grand Prix. I'm just conflicted in the case of SA, because I want to see the Kerrs on the podium more. And then in the case of US Nats, I'd love to see S/G or N/B in 3rd.
But S/B definitely have the talent and I look forward to seeing their programs this season; maybe they'll change my mind about them.

 

[~tapdancer]

I'm also not that enamored of S/B...yes, they have talent but I find them to be dry...their FD last year was ice dance 101...pretty but a little dull, costumes straight out the 80s, and I really don't see much of a connection between the two...they just skate together. They skate very well but I really don't see the excitement. I could see them getting the bronze but I'd rather it go to either N/B or S/G. I enjoy both those teams much more.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

A very very nice team, but I'm more with the Hubbells. Who will win US Nats? Can't figure that out. The USA has so many dance teams now. I'll leave it with the judges - not that I'll agree - but no point for argument when so many exist.

 

[mskater93]

Top two teams will clearly be B/A and D/W, it's 3-6 that's going to be hard to call. Who's going to be that last team going to Worlds in LA?

 

[rosee]

A very very nice team, but I'm more with the Hubbells.

I agree :agree: I don't know what the Hubbells have that I can't take my eyes off of them when they skate. They are simply my favourite North American team right now.

Emily & Evan are..nice but they do bore me.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I agree :agree: I don't know what the Hubbells have that I can't take my eyes off of them when they skate. They are simply my favourite North American team right now.

Passion or if you like Intensity.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Top two teams will clearly be B/A and D/W, it's 3-6 that's going to be hard to call. Who's going to be that last team going to Worlds in LA?

I agree that Belbin and Agosto are pretty much almost going to be impossible to touch. Davis and White has a pretty strong hold on second but are not untouchable
but its going to be an all out fight for the 3rd and final spot.

 

[lmarie086]

A very very nice team, but I'm more with the Hubbells.

ITA. I love watching the Hubbell's; they skate with so much intensity. S/B are nice, but IMO there's nothing between them on the ice if you know what I mean.

I agree that Belbin and Agosto are pretty much almost going to be impossible to touch. Davis and White has a pretty strong hold on second but are not untouchable
but its going to be an all out fight for the 3rd and final spot.

I really don't think 1st is locked up for B/A. We can't say that until we know what their skating looks like these days; we can have a pretty good idea, based on who their coach is (and by this I mean stronger basics for one thing). But we also have almost no idea what D/W have really been doing this past summer; there's been no news on them anywhere really. We don't even know their music.
I do think that 1 and 2 are between B/A and D/W though, and I do agree with you that the fight for the 3rd spot is going to be spectacular. Definitely one of the highlights of the upcoming Nats for sure.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

ITA. I love watching the Hubbell's; they skate with so much intensity. S/B are nice, but IMO there's nothing between them on the ice if you know what I mean.



I really don't think 1st is locked up for B/A. We can't say that until we know what their skating looks like these days; we can have a pretty good idea, based on who their coach is (and by this I mean stronger basics for one thing). But we also have almost no idea what D/W have really been doing this past summer; there's been no news on them anywhere really. We don't even know their music.
I do think that 1 and 2 are between B/A and D/W though, and I do agree with you that the fight for the 3rd spot is going to be spectacular. Definitely one of the highlights of the upcoming Nats for sure.

That's why I said almost...almost

 

[missysays]

I agree that Belbin and Agosto are pretty much almost going to be impossible to touch. Davis and White has a pretty strong hold on second but are not untouchable
but its going to be an all out fight for the 3rd and final spot.

I second the sentiments of your post.

Belbin and Agosto have the most mature presentation and polish of all of the teams as of end of last season. Unless their new programs are complete duds which I can't imagine that they would be, their accumulated years of performance and technical ability should carry them through to the national title again. Plus, the USFSA know that B/A are still their best bet for a World medal. This season is going to be pivotal for them. Either they turn it around in a big way or they will be one of the teams that were great but never internationally speaking top of the world.

Davis and White while vastly talented in terms of technical prowess still have a little ways to go in order to completely put an artistic vision/program over. There's a high command of the music that they don't quite have yet. Of course, this may be something that they will have improved over this past summer. Since they're my favorite team, I wish for them- to learn the ability to really own the piece of music that they're skating to and really hone the control and focus of their performance quality. With that they will finally be able to take over the national top spot and move up internationally. Having said that though, they could also very easily not move beyond the point that they are at right now- this season and the next will be crucial to see if they will move into not just prominence but dominance at least nationally.

The 2 teams that are the most dangerous at this point are the 2 Ann Arbor teams- Samuelson/Bates and the Hubbells. The Hubbells have more excitement in their skating but they tend to fluctuate a bit technically. Samuelson/Bates have the edge right now (plus Evan has such a great personality and presence on the ice) but both teams have been exceedingly well developed and trained. They have a unison of technique and body line that is beautiful to watch. They could both threaten Davis/White this season and possibly challenge B/A next season and beyond.

While I enjoy, appreciate and get pleasure out of watching Navarro/ Bommentre, Wester/Barantsev, and Summerset/Gilles, and appreciate all of the hard work and boundary pushing that they do, I think that for different reasons (natural technical command for some and finesse of body movement for others) that none of them will ever be the top of the podium- even nationally. Which is not to take away from their outstanding effort and contribution to the sport.

Wow- I can't wait for the new senior dance season to start. And who knows I may be completely wrong in my thoughts and what fun that would be to get that surprise.

 

[chuckm]

I think that after 2010 Olympics and Worlds, several teams (B/A, N/B, B/W) will retire and then you will see a battle royal for supremacy among D/W, S/B, H/H and watch out for the Shubutanis who could soar above them all.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think that after 2010 Olympics and Worlds, several teams (B/A, N/B, B/W) will retire and then you will see a battle royal for supremacy among D/W, S/B, H/H and watch out for the Shubutanis who could soar above them all.

How true, and that goes for all the disciplines. Skaters who have been around for a while, and who continue to give it one more try, really never make it. Best they go into coaching. American dance teams have improved a lot since the Russian coaches became so prominent in their coaching. I should think that technique could be tought in the future for American wannabees by Americans.

 

[lmarie086]

That's why I said almost...almost

Ooh gotcha; haha I missed that key word lol!

 

[Nadine]

Am I to say that this team good breakthrough this year?

IMO, this ice dance team has the brightest future. Already they have won their 1st senior international at the Nebelhorn Trophy beating a team that was in the top 10 at the 2008 worlds (The Zaretski's). They have a very good shot at medaling at nationals this year and making their 1st senior worlds trip.

I can't wait to see how this team does this season.

What do you guys think?

You took the words right out of my mouth. I love this team!

Ironic, at first I was a fan of Meryl Davis & Charlie White in 2007 & 2008. That's until I saw Samuelson & Bates skate for the first time at 2008 US Nationals. They have that extra special something that has always been missing in Davis & White's skating (most notably in Davis, not White) ~ connection, passion, emotion. It still needs to be developed more in Samuelson & Bate's skating, but at least there's a hint of it there, not so D&W. Of course, that's JMHO, but I'm sticking to it, as they remind me of my all-time favorite ice dance team ~ that of Marina Anissina & Gwendal Peizerat ~ still green, just like A&P were at the beginning, but give them a few more years together & WOW!

Love their long lines & flexibility & *look* on the ice...

 

[Buttercup]

I was pretty impressed with their OD at Skate America - a very fun, energetic performance. I didn't catch their FD but I look forward to seeing more of them. They can definitely go far. I'm not sure they're up to D/W's level technically but with D/W there have been times when I felt they were not skating to their music at all, and like Nadine I think the problem lies with Davis more than with White. I think they need to work on that or they will become vulnerable.

Already they have won their 1st senior international at the Nebelhorn Trophy beating a team that was in the top 10 at the 2008 worlds (The Zaretski's).

Kind of O/T, I read somewhere today that the Zaretskys are suing The Ice House and possibly Nikolai Morozov, citing discrimination and harassment; they claim Morozov and Oksana Baiul have tried to ban them from the rink, and that they were told they would not be able to train there. I'm not sure if there's merit to the allegations but it can't be good for their preperation for the season.