- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
My point exactly! In order for G&P to have any chance of overtaking B&A at Nationals, they must also establish themselves as world champion contenders .
G/P have improved a lot under their new coaching. They are no longer the way they used to be---bathroom break time---but not at all compelling, as B/A are. G/P don't have the charisma and personality of B/A, and the sad fact is they never will have it.
No matter what anyone thinks about the relative merits of the two teams, B/A are the highest-ranking internationally established team and they will be top of the podium at their own nationals. Period. The USFSA would never risk dropping them down in the standings at nationals, thereby giving an excuse for the international panel to do the same.
The wonderful thing about CoP is that we actually do see movement in the placements of dance teams, and I don't see it as a given that B&A will be on top of the podium come January. This is a team that has, the past three years, had almost no pressure on them at Nationals. They knew they could count on having a comfortable cushion between them and the rest of the field. Melissa and Denis made a HUGE statement at Skate America and it may be enough to put a little doubt in the minds of B&A. And sometimes, a little doubt is all it takes. G&P are going to go into Nationals with a confidence that they have never had, and with support that they have never had and that could make the difference. Also, they will likely go into Nationals with two GP silver medals this year, much better results than they have had in the past, and the judges at nationals are going to know this. I'm not saying that B&A won't have equal or better results on the GP, but the judges are going to see the teams as a lot closer than in years past. And if they see that the international judges are responding well to G&P this year, why should they be afraid to put them in first if they deserve it?
And the primary beneficiaries have been Belbin and Agosto themselves. Instead of waiting patiently untill all the Russian and European teams retired, they zoomed ahead to an Olympic silver medal.The wonderful thing about CoP is that we actually do see movement in the placements of dance teams...
B&A are lucky that Tanith is so good-looking that it makes all their mistakes and errors ignored by everyone, including the judges apparently. No one will challenge them at US Nationals until they retire... USFSA loves them far too much.
VIVARIN??? Is that the same as Vitavegymin that Lucy was selling?
G/P have improved a lot under their new coaching. They are no longer the way they used to be---bathroom break time---but not at all compelling, as B/A are. G/P don't have the charisma and personality of B/A, and the sad fact is they never will have it.
I don't think that just "clean" is going to do it for them anymore. They need to be dazzling.
And the primary beneficiaries have been Belbin and Agosto themselves. Instead of waiting patiently untill all the Russian and European teams retired, they zoomed ahead to an Olympic silver medal.
The "zoomed ahead" to a silver medal at the Olympics because a number of teams have uncharacteristic falls in the OD. IIRC B&A were only 6th after the CD.