Gala Thoughts

[lutzskate]

Lysacek's performance to Ave Maria, while nice, wasn't even in the same league as the one Emanuel did at the Canadians gala. Eman's was spell-binding.

Nakano is a beautiful spinner. I like her skating. I also think she's really pretty.

I like Kimmie's dress. I would like to see her wear flowy type gowns like this more often. It was very pretty. I also liked her program to Sarah McLaughlin's "In the Arms of an Angel". It was very moving (except she fell).

Thomas Verner is quite a ham! He loves to put it on for an audience! He'll be a great tour performer one day!

The CBC commentators said "With the possible retirement of the top 2 dance teams..." - so it appears that D&L are considering retiring.

...still watching...

 

[iloveaxel]

I'm

I'm watching as well, sort of boring. But can't complain, it's the end of the season.

I still prefer competitive skating far better.

 

[lutzskate]

I'm watching as well, sort of boring. But can't complain, it's the end of the season.

I still prefer competitive skating far better.

me too.

 

[HCOSurfer]

I felt as if Kimmie felt the music a lot more than she has in the past. Besides her fall, I really liked her performance in the Gala.

 

[iloveaxel]

Lambiel

the same zebra outfit. He's stingy. Like his energy though.

 

[lutzskate]

Yu-Na's skating reminded me of Michelle Kwan's tonight. Similar spiral, similar exit with hand down on ice and into spin. Lovely, gentle performance.

 

[lutzskate]

sounds like Dubreil and Lauzon are goign tgo retire. Paul Martini didn't want to say it, but they hinted at it - "a lot of speculation" - "nothing to be ashamed of winning two silver medals at worlds quite an accomplishment..."

I really liked that routine! Very different feel from their FD - to Tina Turner "Whole Lot of Love". Awesome tricks! I guess that will be their Stars on Ice program.

 

[PAskate]

the same zebra outfit. He's stingy. Like his energy though.

On the ESPN broadcast, they explained that he had just done a TV ad that also included Ryan Bradley for Japanese TV wearing that outfit, so that's why he wore it for the gala.

 

[Spun Silver]

That zebra just won't die!

The gala was underwhelming except for Verner, D/L (loved their number), French D/S, Joubert, Takahashi and Lambiel's spins. Lambiel looked very heavy (not in terms of weight, just "air") when jumping and doing footwork, though. Maybe it was because I was missing Johnny. I bet his Japanese fans were too.

I found Joubert's routine very touching - "everyone wants to be loved," "you are loved" - I hope HE feels loved. And not just for his body! Takahashi gave the most stellar performance for his home crowd... again. What a guy.

The ladies were a bit faded - lots of stumbles and same-old. Agree re: the lemon chiffon dress of Kimmie's - now why couldn't she wear that in competition?

 

[jsteam4501s]

Could someone explain - Is there some unwritten sexist rule that singles men are allowed to do wacky numbers with personality and weird costumes, but the Ladies must be restricted to these "chiffon angel" numbers which, while certainly pretty, are a little too numerous? At least Mao's "Carmen" number was a little bit funny and entertaining - but if THAT is the most "weird" number allowed for a Lady skater - yuk!

For example - We have seen Kimmie skate to "Over the Rainbow", "Say a Little Prayer", and other similar music. Kimmie has a flippant, mischievous personality - why can't she do a number that brings that out?

Alissa Czisny's flirtatious Latin number at Nationals - now THAT was truly entertaining, just marvelous. But it's rare that you see a number that makes you chuckle or even just smile in delight, from a Lady skater.

Mao, Yu-Na, Miki, and Kimmie are all teenagers - and all of them skated exhibition numbers of a variably restrained nature. I want to see these young girls HAVING FUN on the ice when they're out there to skate for the audience.

In fact, the men, pairs, and ice-dance couples all get to do funny, weird things if they want to .

Michelle Kwan won dozens of medals, but it was always the angel-princess-swan-angel-princess yada, yada, type of number that she did in exhibitions.

Do any of these girls ever think about ROCK'N'ROLL for a skating number?

There are some cases where even the skater's COMPETITION number is more entertaining than the exhibition number!

Did you see that first gala number by a couple in Tokyo? Ha! At one point I was thinking, "Omigosh, I hope that's not Britney Spears!"

 

[bems]

Why Do MEN skate to Ave Maria?

The holy virgin is watching!

 

[enlight78]

Overall I thought it was entertaining. I thought it was odd that a found the backstage footage and the fluff pieces mor interesting than the actual skating. I like kimmi and thomas verner and joubert exhibition. I was kinda surprise by what the did. Everyone else seem to do the same o same o. I love shen and zhao. My mouth drop open during the twist. The twist was so high and delay was so long; it seem like shen forgot to start the rotation. Mao expression was priceless.

 

[gio]

Nana Takeda did a funny exhibition. The other Ladies were too serious, IMO! I would have prefered some more fun from them.
But Takahashi and Verner were extraordinary.

 

[flying camel]

I loved Kimmie's program. She actually shows some emotion in this number. Maybe she should just start picking out her own music for competition.

 

[Mathman]

Mao as Carmen -- :agree:

Takahaski was the star of the show, IMHO.

 

[emma]

Takahashi totally stole the show - loved him. The rest - was ok, seemed like the end of a very long tiring year (the post olympics not enough rest syndrome). I got tired watching the whole thing.

 

[Engwaciriel]

What a great way to end if Miki had nailed the quad at the end.. well, u cant get everything, loved her dress by the way.

 

[_Ladybug_]

Yu-Na Kim is the most precious girl to ever step on ice. Brian is hot but needs to learn not to wear awful costumes. Takahashi is getting better everyday. Mao is cuteness personified. Shen and Zhao will be missed.

 

[saltypig]

Could someone explain - Is there some unwritten sexist rule that singles men are allowed to do wacky numbers with personality and weird costumes, but the Ladies must be restricted to these "chiffon angel" numbers which, while certainly pretty, are a little too numerous?QUOTE]

I was hoping Miki would have done her "Mickey" program by Toni Basil as one of her exhibitions but I guess cause she won and they had a live singer there that it didn't really make sense.

Irina S. comes to mind when it comes to fun exhibition programs (i.e., catwoman, cowgirl, etc.) Too bad she's semi-retired (not sure if she's coming back though).

 

[cosmictears10]

I must say that I found this years Gala quite unexciting! There were no really upbeat and funny performances, I guess with all the competitions throughout the year the skaters don't really have the time to make up really great show performances. My favorite performance of the night was definately by Yukari Nakano, it really showcased how well she can spin and how elegant she can be.