(I have posted this in the 'Free Dance' forum) -
You can add me as a fan of Chock & Bates:
They have so improved from the last couple of years. I noticed a huge difference in their skating right at the start of the season, at Skate America. I was simply blown away by their total 'package' this year - speed and edges across the ice, posture and line, costuming (Maddison has the best Paso dress among the ladies!!), complicated choreography and the best overall presentation. In one straight viewing on Youtube, I decided to watch just the top couples' blades and not look at the upper body movements at all, and contrary to some moderators in 'other' forums, Maddison does have strong lovely edge work - she and Evan does have strong edge quality. In fact, they have better edge quality than the other couples in the top group, in my opinion and I have followed figure skating for over 20 years.
Chock & Bates - their 'Paso' - the best of the evening - great costuming, great characterisation - listen to what the BBC guys, in particular, Nicky slater said about Maddison - that "all female skaters should look at her total commitment to the Paso dance". To me, their Paso has the most difficult and complicated choreography of the evening. Skating wise, great edgework in the side by side straightline footwork (this is from purely watching the movement of their blades).
Chock & Bates - Free Dance - light, fresh and joyous - again beautiful costuming (love Maddie's dress - modern and stylish), skated so light and free, no inhibitation or tightness at all. In fact, their free dance has the most difficult lifts!! The music itself has lots of 'shapes' and therefore different dance moves were incorporated which makes this a rather difficult free dance to execute.
Congrats to Chock & Bates - keep up the great work!! Gold is within reach!!!
