How do Moir/Virtue fit into the mix?

[slutskayafan21]

After seeing Moir/Virtue at Skate Canada, what are your early projections on how they fit into this dance mix this year with Delobel/Schoenfeldner, Domnina/Shabalin, and Belbin/Agosto. Imparticular how you feel they compare to Belbin/Agosto at this point in the season just based on watching their skating and programs, forgetting about the scores for a moment.

 

[chuckm]

I'd like to see V/M's results when they're not skating in Canada.

 

[oxade21]

Too early to tell, NHK will give the picture. But I would put them in the top 6 teams in the world at the moment in alphabetical order.
B/A
D/S-France
D/S-Russia
F/S
K/N
V/M

 

[cassieandcheetah]

I'd like to see V/M's results when they're not skating in Canada.

Even though I was reserved about their prospect this season, I have to say they've improved tremendously. I think their placement here is well deserved here, even though there might have been a bit of a home-turf advantage. I really woudln't be suprised if they beat D/S in Japan. Just watching their performances on TV, I can't stop marvelling at how much faster they skate now. I had to hold my breathe at times during their FD because Scott was lifting Tessa in such dangerous positions and yet so quickly at the same time. I feared he might drop her any minute, but before I knew he would put her down and they would be gliding across the ice once again. Yes, I wanted to be a skeptic but they've improved so much I can't believe my eyes!

 

[netnuts]

I generally don't care about dancing. But I did watch their program and B/A's at Skate America. I think V/M have an excellent chance for gold medals at worlds...


Don't bet on it though since I know little about ice dancing...

 

[rain]

It's really hard to say. I don't think we'll have much of an answer to this question until the GPF where most of the top teams will be (yes, looking at their assignments, I do think they will make it quite easily, barring unforseen disaster).

There are many teams we still have not seen skate yet this season, including Delobel/Schoenfelder and Domnina Shabalin. I'm not even sure what the judges would do with them against B/A.

I think they are closer to this elite group than they were last season, certainly.

 

[discoduck]

I definitely think it will be interesting. We can speculate all we like but a lot can happen between now and March. Even if V/M win the GPF, that certainly doesn't guarantee them the gold medal at worlds.

With that being said, it's great to see ice dancing be exciting again! I don't see any clear favorites and it's going to be a real horse race in Sweden.

 

[Winnipeg]

I think they have a good chance for a podium finish at worlds. I thought their OD and FD were both excellent (although I admit I don't know a lot about dance). I do know, however, that I liked watching them skate. :chorus:I also liked the young Italian team.:chorus:

I used to dislike dance because: a) you always knew who was going to win regardless of how they skated, and b) the skaters always had too many frenetic hand gyrations and such, & sometimes costumes that were 'over the top' in my humble opinion (sometimes even ludicrous ).

I am glad to see dance is changing and I much prefer the style we are seeing in VM and others today.

 

[zephyrskates]

am i the only one bothered by the V/M's music choice? although, i do think that so their fluidity makes them beautiful to watch..

 

[all that]

am i the only one bothered by the V/M's music choice? although, i do think that so their fluidity makes them beautiful to watch..

No, you're not -- I'm not a fan of the music from "Umbrellas" either, but I am definitely a fan of their skating. Their abilities kept the program from being annoyingly saccharine, and turned it into something beautiful.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

What I've seen so far at SA and SC, Virtud/Moir are a very special team. They do not really need a medal to prove that although I hope they do get one in 2008 and 2009 Worlds.

The other 'hot' teams are, of course, Carron/Jost: They look like Heathcliffe and Kathy dancing on the Moors, and their edges! Increible. That's what I call technically special as well as PCS special. Cappelini and LaNotte, too, are very special. He's a bit of a ham with story telling, and she wears all that 1940 REDlipstick. It's a hoot. Luv them.

I believe these three teams are bringing in some fresh air and as Kathrine Murray would say: Put a little fun in your life and try dancing.

BTW. The comments around the arena were: I never thought I would be enjoying Dance the most in a competition.

Joe

 

[Antilles]

The other 'hot' teams are, of course, Carron/Jost: They look like Heathcliffe and Kathy dancing on the Moors, and their edges! Increible. That's what I call technically special as well as PCS special. Cappelini and LaNotte, too, are very special. He's a bit of a ham with story telling, and she wears all that 1940 REDlipstick. It's a hoot. Luv them.Joe

I agree. I loved both the French and Italian teams. V&M were breathtaking. It's not often I love all three podium finishing FDs. This was a great competition.

I think V&M can challenge for the World podium this year, but anything can happen between now and then.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I have yet to see them this season, but I felt that last year they deserved a much higher placment at worlds. they have beautiful edges and great maturity for thier age.

 

[Saundy]

No, you're not -- I'm not a fan of the music from "Umbrellas" either, but I am definitely a fan of their skating. Their abilities kept the program from being annoyingly saccharine, and turned it into something beautiful.

I love their music choice. Annabelle Langlois and Patrice Archetto skated to this same music (minus the vocals) back in the 01-02 season and that's when I fell in love with it.

 

[emma]

Joe,

thanks so much for sharing your obervations - they made me smile. sounds like you enjoyed the comps so far, and that's great! I was so disappointed that we couldn't see the live feed here in the US for the FD - but look forward to what comes to YouTube and any more observations you share!

 

[all that]

I love their music choice. Annabelle Langlois and Patrice Archetto skated to this same music (minus the vocals) back in the 01-02 season and that's when I fell in love with it.

I think it's the vocals in V&M's music that's turning me off.

 

[slutskayafan21]

I am genuinely interested to see how they fare at their next competition when they go up against Delobel/Schoenfeldner. A number of reasons:

1)To see if they can keep their OD and FD at the exceptionaly high level it was at Skate Canada, if not grow it even slightly more (as hard as that sounds).

2)To see how they are scored outside of home ice.

3)To see how they compare head to head to one of the contending teams.

 

[kittycat26]

I think they will be fighting with Belbin/Agosto for the bronze at worlds this year. I honestly think the French and Russians will be the top 2 teams this year. We will see though.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Joe,

thanks so much for sharing your obervations - they made me smile. sounds like you enjoyed the comps so far, and that's great! I was so disappointed that we couldn't see the live feed here in the US for the FD - but look forward to what comes to YouTube and any more observations you share!

emma - I did enjoy the comps especially when I see new blood making a mark. It's nice when a skater or team win a medal but, it's not for me. The ESPN will probably only show V/M so one will have to rely on a scratchy youtube for C/J and C/LN. I do hope you get to see Ashley Wagner's LP. She just jumps all over the place wearing a Wonder Woman like dress. She's good too. In the Men's division I kind of liked Vaughan Chippeur who wore a la cost shirt over neatly pressed trousers. He seemed like he remembered he had to skate a competition and showed up at the last minute. He's good too. Unfortunately, Kawagucha and Smirnov did't do as well. Her dress must have been Japanese modesty and it took away from her line, btw, she is not balletic like like Smirnov who should be dancing the Prince on stage at the Maryinski. Jmo.

Joe

 

[all that]

I think they will be fighting with Belbin/Agosto for the bronze at worlds this year. I honestly think the French and Russians will be the top 2 teams this year. We will see though.

Have you seen Domnina and Shabalin skate this season yet? I've seen one clip of them doing their OD, but it was in a rink that was too small, so I had a hard time seeing what they look like this year. Didn't Maxim spend a lot of time off ice this summer recovering from surgeries?