Ice Dancing - Free Dance (Mon. Feb 22 - 16:45)

[mycelticblessing]

Thank you for the clarification!
Some journalists seem very eager not to let the judging controversy die.

Some journalists just love digging up controversy for the sake of it. Those articles are sometimes sickening to read.

I haven't seen any of the dances, but it seemed like a well-skated event. I can't wait to see V/M's free dance. They looked so beautiful on the podium. How is Marina Zueva ever going to choreograph another program better than this one?

 

[Alatariel]

Well I fell asleep lol Was bound to happen for one of the events!

Have no idea how any of them skated, but congrats to the medallists!

And what is with the brouhaha on sites and the Russians and Europeans again? I wake up and all hell's broken loose. Again.

 

[screech]

I read a different article (can't remember where) but Maxim said they were happy with their bronze IIRC.

They were asked about it in an interview I saw earlier tonight and they said they have never been a couple up until now, but they aren't ruling out the possibility entirely for the future.

Haha that sounds like maybe they'll 'settle' for each other. Maybe they have an agreement like 'if neither of us is married by the time we're 30...' Isn't he with Jessica Dube and her with Fedor Andreev right now?

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/newsmakers/story/2010/02/23/sp-virtue-moir-newsmaker.html
This article says they dated for a bit as teenagers.

The connection they have on the ice goes beyond the show they regularly put on for the judges. In their teens, they started dating for a short period, but the off-ice romance nearly derailed their careers before they reached their first major international competition.

After they decided to break up socially, they actually started communicating better with each other on and off the ice.

Yet this one http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/760877--dimanno-moir-and-virtue-make-elegant-tandem claims they never dated.

Truth is, they are not now and have never been romantically involved, though expressively looking the part in sensuous programs that capture both artistry and athleticism, taking the sport to heights of dazzling contortion never quite seen before.

Kind of makes me think of the whole Evan Lysacek/Nastia Liukin thing - she 'confirms' they're a couple, he insists he's single. Contradictions everywhere!

 

[NatachaHatawa]

What an amazing night! I hadn't imagined that I would see two near-to-perfect FD's (and OD's) in htis Olympic ice-dancing competition. Such beauty on the ice is rare, but twice in the same competition? It's so hard to chose between V/M and D/W - they are so similar, yet so different, both of them amazing. I have a slight prefernce for D/W. It's great how both of them had the competition of their lives at this very competition. Their performances were so divine that I won't comment them as I won't do them justice.

Dom/Shab's bronze medal disguts me. Granted they didn't get gold (thank God!), but still. B/A were blatantly robbed of their medal. They have so many qualities, but usually they don't seem to fully understand the music they're skating to. This time there was none of that. They had one of their best FDs ever and their OD was fantastic. How can two such accomplished skaters with those programs be beaten by a pair whose OD shouldn't even be displayed in Disney on Ice, and who during their FD, don't interpret, use music as a background sound, don't have choregraphy and whose general quality of skating is inferior to that of B/A? This is just a joke.
Congrats to B/A on their performance though - they have nothing to regret.

I was sceptical about F/S's FD at Euros. however they have worked on it andd they had a beautiful performance last night.

Del/Schoes's 6th place was disappointing. It wasn't unjustified (apart from the fact that they were beaten dy Dom/Shabs, but they're not the only ones), just disappointing. I believe that there were several strategic mistakes. They wouldn't have been able to beat V/M and D/W, but they could have scores higher.
The first was not going to Euros. They should have a) to get feedback b) to get people to know and appreciate their programs prior to Olys
The second was their OD. Firstly, dancing can-can was a mistake as it is not a folk dance and cannot be compared to other dances, although the way they managed to create that folksy atmosphere of cabarets was wondeful. Secondly, although it's thankful that they didn't use "that" piece of can-can music for the whole program, it's a shame that when they did, they weren't a bit more crazy - Isabelle barely used her skirt.
The third was their FD. It had qualities but was not the kind of program that should have presented at Olys. Firstly, it was too French and not necessarily the kind of program that people from all around the world could appreciate. Secondly, as it was choreographed by D/L, it was too dancy and not original enough. They are known for originality and there aren't any memorable momments in the program.

P/B were as great as ever - nothing to say.

K/K's program was great but they didn't skate or work it to it's full potential.

 

[BigJohn]

That was the best O Canada I've heard in a long time!

Along with the top two programs, one of the highlights of the night!

 

[screech]

Rewatching the FD. The female Aussie commentator admitted that from The Goose onwards she was in tears during V/M's performance and that it's 2 people connected, dancing together, and that it's a priviledge to be invited to watch them dance. She barely spoke and when she did you could hear in her voice that she had been crying.

She also loved D/W, saying how both teams are amazing, though V/M are a more graceful/romantic style whereas D/W are a more athletic style (and still calling Charlie the Twizzle King, which I think sounds like an elite licorice making machine, or something that gives him his luscious curls).

She stated that this was one of the greatest ice dance competitions she had ever seen.

Anyone else notice the insane 'man hug' that Scott and Charlie gave each other when V/M went to get their medals - the insane 'back slap' kind of hug. That made me laugh. So 'the straight man's hug'.

 

[dgel]

One thing about this result- there's lots of complaining about CoP but there is absolutely no way under 6.0 that two such young couples at their first Olympics would be standing on top of the podium- no matter how well they skated. In the "good" old days you had to wait, wait, wait to climb the ladder. My guess is that under the old system you'd have seen the Domshabs gold, Belgosto silver, and maybe the Italians 3rd- although V/M might have slipped in there. I'm not arguing that what we have is perfect, but it is a hell of a lot better.

 

[Mathman]

Del/Schoes's 6th place was disappointing... I believe that there were several strategic mistakes. They wouldn't have been able to beat V/M and D/W, but they could have scores higher...

Firstly, it was too French and not necessarily the kind of program that people from all around the world could appreciate....

I thought both of Delobel and Schoenfelder's dances were wonderful. (Is there such a thing as being "too French" )

The cancan was a delight -- Offenbach rules! The only possible criicism was the one made on U.S. television by the "fashion consultant" -- Isabelle's underskirt could have been a more shocking color of pink.

For the free dance the vibe I got was, they knew they couldn't medal, so they were just out there dancing -- dancing for themselves, for their career together, and for us.

 

[Cadiva]

B/A were blatantly robbed of their medal. They have so many qualities, but usually they don't seem to fully understand the music they're skating to. This time there was none of that. They had one of their best FDs ever and their OD was fantastic.

I disagree, B&A never got themselves going this Olympics and I found their FD laboured and dismal - the music choice didn't help them at all - and even Robin Cousins commented on how they were perhaps locked in the past with their style of skating (can't remember his exact words) and said they hadn't done enough to medal and their OD was just frenetic and didn't seem to have any sense of rhythm and creshendo, they were just manic throughout it all pretty much, again with seriously jarring music.

 

[iluvtodd]

D/S in no way shape or form deserve a medal, Tanith and Ben at least deserved the bronze

I'm thrilled for Tessa & Scott, & Meryl & Charlie. Tanith & Ben deserved to be on this podium with them. What a disgrace that D/S were overscored! I think Tanith & Ben conducted themselves with great composure and dignity afterwards. They have done so much for US ice dancing. I am so proud of them (and am grateful that they have the silver medal from Torino).

I also really enjoyed Delobel & Schoenfelder, the Kerrs, Crone & Poirier, Samuelson & Bates, & Faiellla & Scali.

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

1 Someone asked who fell - it was the Georgian couple that got a fall deduction, but I don't know which member.

Some thoughts....

1. You know, Delobel and Schoenfelder really had a tough break this past year and a half. I thought they'd retire after their Worlds win - the younger couples were coming, were strong, and they'd peaked. Except they hadn't - their "Great Gig in the Sky" program was a gem, and this... their "La Quiete" was quite a good program. There's something sad to me about skating to "The Impossible Dream" and simply not being able to skate your best, though, that'll make their fun performances at the Olympics tinged with sorrow for me.

2. Faiella/Scali gave a beautiful rendition of one of the season's great programs (though Scali, seriously - Virtue/Moir dance better than anyone. That's what they do. If you didn't see passion in that performance). I wish they could've podiumed, but they will in Torino.

3. The Zaretskis' are perhaps the least appealing top ten couple ever. I don't think they hit appealing positions and their movement across the ice isn't at all effortless. That said, they clearly felt this program.

4. I'm glad Crone/Poirier performed well in the free dance. I don't think they were undermarked at any point, though. If you say there's a range of marks acceptable, they got the low end both times, but they were still acceptable marks (not in their FD - the marks were high). And Samuelson/Bates were good. Also liked Bobrova/Soloviev.

5. I don't like the changes Cappellini/Lanotte made to their routine, but I thought 82 was low.

6. If the Kers were as good as skaters as John is hot, they'd be on the podium every time. But that reverse lift was staggering.

7. Pechelat/Bourzat confuse me, and this program is no different.

8. Domnina/Shabalin were underwhelming. There were shades of what could have been sprinkled throughout (that straightline lift, for example), but they fell behind and just couldn't catch up.

9. Someone on another board has basically said you can only politic when it's close. The top two teams were so far ahead of everyone else that they were competing with each other (despite fears that DomShabs could get silver). Such is the case here. Belbin/Agosto didn't have the programs or the skating to really own bronze. It was sad because I felt that they knew they were being thrown under a bus by their coaches, and I can't imagine this experience was good for them. Will they be considered the best team to never win a worlds/Olympics?

10. Two teams. Two amazing skates climaxing three great skates at their first Olympics. Gold and silver for the training mates, friends, and rivals. Virtue/Moir winning gold on home ice with that masterpiece of a program, so exquisite that a minor false moment could break the spell completely. How do they top this? Davis/White performing brilliantly, with passion and bravado - they made me not hate Phantom for four minutes, and that's not a transgression I'll easily forgive. But for a long lasting rivalry that lasts until Sochi? I'll do it. Just this once.

 

[seniorita]

.

B is here Life is good again. Waiting for the rest now!

Congradulations to medalists and Canada's Gold. I fell asleep (surprise surprise) but saw the rebroadcast before work today at eurosport of the last skates, I liked the french -sentimental favs, the italians , the firebird, the three top and since I have no idea of the rules and what i m looking at, I m pretty happy with the results.
I havent seen Kerrs. I liked also baby italians and baby french last night!

 

[herios]

If I'm not wrong, Skate Canada made it coumpulsory for the Olympians to go to Worlds as well. So we'll see them at Worlds at least.

I have never heard anything like that. It is their choice to go to Worlds, skate canada cannot force them. But, Scott said "They want to go to Worlds, because they have not win yet a world title", so you'll see them there for that reason.

 

[Cadiva]

Belbin/Agosto didn't have the programs or the skating to really own bronze. It was sad because I felt that they knew they were being thrown under a bus by their coaches, and I can't imagine this experience was good for them. Will they be considered the best team to never win a worlds/Olympics?

I think, again, it's all down to personal taste. I've never seen what other people have commented on Belbin and Agosto, her more than him though to be fair. I just don't connect to them or their performance and I thought this Olympics they had some truly rotten music choices which just grated and jarred on my nerve endings.
Having said that, I certainly wouldn't say they were crap or that they didn't deserve the place they got or the marks they got just, for me, I've never managed to get any sort of emotional connection watching them perform.

I have never heard anything like that. It is their choice to go to Worlds, skate canada cannot force them. But, Scott said "They want to go to Worlds, because they have not win yet a world title", so you'll see them there for that reason.

I're read elsewhere that Skate Canada made all the teams sign to agree to go to the worlds if they were at the Olympics. Haven't seen anything official from SC though.

 

[herios]

I disagree, B&A never got themselves going this Olympics and I found their FD laboured and dismal - the music choice didn't help them at all - and even Robin Cousins commented on how they were perhaps locked in the past with their style of skating (can't remember his exact words) and said they hadn't done enough to medal and their OD was just frenetic and didn't seem to have any sense of rhythm and creshendo, they were just manic throughout it all pretty much, again with seriously jarring music.

I agree with you, I would have F/S placed ahead of them in the FD. at minimum, that is a beautifully choreographed and performed.

 

[jennylovskt]

Congratulations to Virtue/Moir!!!!!!!!! I was waiting for this day!!! Congratulations to Davis/White!!! I so love these two pairs skating! I had hoped that Belbin/Agosto to get bronze. I guess that they had too much to make up for the final result. Disliked D/S dances in all CD, OD, and FD. But they were still on the podium.:disapp:

Yay!!! Canada is golden!!! I feel a lot better now.

 

[roots]

Unvofrtunately, I have to agree....this could have been Meryl and Charlie's had this been anywhere but Canada.

As good as Davis and White's skating is, it's very melo-dramatic and over the top. A lot of arm waving and unfortunately Phantom of the Opera has been done many times over, you'd think they would be more creative, this being an Olympic year. Besides, I failed to see a story being told in their free dance, unlike Virtue and Moir, who were clearly the best tonight and all year!

 

[mishieru07]

I read a different article (can't remember where) but Maxim said they were happy with their bronze IIRC.

Haha that sounds like maybe they'll 'settle' for each other. Maybe they have an agreement like 'if neither of us is married by the time we're 30...' Isn't he with Jessica Dube and her with Fedor Andreev right now?

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/newsmakers/story/2010/02/23/sp-virtue-moir-newsmaker.html
This article says they dated for a bit as teenagers.

Yet this one http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/760877--dimanno-moir-and-virtue-make-elegant-tandem claims they never dated.

Kind of makes me think of the whole Evan Lysacek/Nastia Liukin thing - she 'confirms' they're a couple, he insists he's single. Contradictions everywhere!

LOL they make it so difficult to believe they aren't in love with each other!! But Tessa's mom said they haven't dated since their "hot and heavy relationship" at 7 & 9. Can't find that article atm though.

roots, to be fair to D/W, I think they have very different style from V/M. It's not necessarily a bad thing; this is a subjective sport and some people just prefer one style over another. Technically they're both very good; it's hard to judge through the screen though! I'd love to hear live reports! (Cousins absolutely loved V/M, which I totally agree with).

But yes, their POTO cuts make me cringe. If only they had W/P's cuts ... :scowl:

 

[Bonsai]

Congrats to Tessa and Scott ! That Free dance was pure magic .
I was simply spellbound. Loved Davies/White as well although I would have prefered a different music . I actually like Dom/Shabs but this season :disapp: . You could clearly see the way Maxim's injuries influenced their skating and those programmes *shudder*...
Can't believe Scali questions the result. Have to admit that I just don't get Faiella/Scali (might be partly because of her over the top facial expressions ). Although I can see that they worked their socks off this season and improved I find they can't get even close to the brilliance that is Virtue/Moir. Tessa and Scott just seem to be born for skating. Simply beautiful.

Fat!?! Who called Isabel fat? I wish I could be that "fat"!! I thought she looked great considering how little time they had to prepare for the Olympics.

I second that! I had a baby daughter 7 month ago and although I am almost back to my pre-baby weight, my body just has "changed" and feels as if it was not mine anymore. I have no idea how she managed to get back into the shape she was in such a short time nor how she managed to deal with all the post-baby stress and preperation for the Olys. I am so impressed with her determination. Really enjoyed seeing her and Olivier . Kudos to them.

 

[Sk8n Mama]

Well, I'm late to the party. I was watching til 1 am last night then went to bed. I couldn't be more thrilled with the top 2 results. Both couples skated great & were far and away the top 2. I'm glad the judges called it that way.