Agree with everyone here. I was extremely 'heartbroken' for Maddie & Evan and for myself after the SD scores. I do notice with Ice Dance over the years now, because the couples are so close in terms of their execution, etc. and at times a real 'subjective' thing when comes to PCs, a slight mistake or bobble in the routine almost cause for the judges to put that couple down and therefore justified to put others above them. Hence, those technical elements like twizzles, lifts, etc need to be super perfect. An unfortunate 'fall' like this one almost gives the judges free reign to put them down.
I do agree with someone here who said they don't need to up their difficulty but rather make every element so super smooth and well executed. They do have a lot of difficult transitions already in this SD but just need to be so so super smooth - literally hours of practice. They did score high on this SD at SC and Rostelecom.
I agree too because of the poor results here at GPF, the judges at Nationals will mark them on a certain biasness, hence entering Nationals this year almost as second best in the eyes of the judges even before they skate.
If there is a hopeful note, I read in the GPF SD thread that next year's SD is going to be 'Rhumba', I don't know this for a fact, but if it is, then that would be super fantastic. I fell in love with Maddie & Evan after their 'Paso Doble' SD two seasons ago. These two are so so good with their Ballroom and Latin. Even last year's Waltz/Foxtrot was fantastic - the BESP British guys were putting them above the Shibs at last year's worlds. I can definitely see Maddie & Evan executing an extremely sensual/hot Rhumba!!
I remember Michelle Kwan once said, "It is not over till it is over". If they performed everything spot on and flawlessly at Nationals, their programs are strong enough to beat the Shibs!! Let us hope so.
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