Pairs long.

[fanofskate]

I loved D/D's free dance. It flowed really well. Congratulations to them. They should have gotten higher PCS. Beautiful choreography to the music. I think I'm going to like this team a lot. Now, they just need to add more difficulty.

On the other hand, I think S/S had more difficulty and power, speed. The routine wasn't clean though, esp. the jumps. While D/D touched me and held me (emotions), S/S routine connected with the thinking/aesthetic side of me. Does that make sense? More like the desire to see the 'different', the'avant garde'?...The music was trickier but they got some good choreography to stay with the music to the end. Overall, I think they deserve to be on the top. But by so much?....that is the question I leave to others to debate.

Zhang/Zhang, I haven't seen theirs. Can somebody post a link?

 

[passion]

Congratulations D/D!!!! Now, if I can only watch them.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

you must be kidding! with a performance like that, S/S will be a laughing stock forever in the history.

sure, I believe ya. Sure. although if you REALLY want me to believe you need to do a better job than that.

 

[Tigger]

Interview - Robin says "well we were not perfect but in the end it was enough" - they don't seem 100% convinced of it. Aliona continues to look a bit perplexed.

And how sad is that? When you win a title of any kind, you shouldn't have to feel like that. They *are* capable of a great performance. They know it, we know it, but I think we all know that wasn't it tonight.

So, so, so thrilled for Jess and Bryce I don't even know where to start. What a boost to the Canadian team too!!

edited to add...Forgot to mention this...For those who saw the Medal Ceremony...

Did everyone see when Jess and Bryce were congratulating the Zhangs that Bryce got kissed twice? Once by her and then once by him!! I think he was expecting Jessica and...It happened. They just laughed it off.

What was really funny was that then Bryce was congratulating Aliona and Robin. When he shook hands w/Robin, Bryce must have asked Robin if he wanted a peck on the cheek too because Robin got the biggest grin on his face and just shook his head.

It really was nice to finally see happy smiles on Aliona and Robin's faces. Too bad it was over that and not being happy because they felt they had earned their World Title.

 

[melodies]

Out of that many years' world championship, S/S 's performance definitely didn't deserve a gold!!! worst champion out of these years!

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Out of that many years' world championship, S/S 's performance definitely didn't deserve a gold!!! worst champion out of these years!

But it sounds like the judges went by the book and gave them all the credit they deserved for their non-jump elements. So I wouldn't call it injustice at all, it's just what the system demands. I think the judges have been more or less fair. At one point this season Mao Asada was put behind Laura Lespito, etc. But I think this night, like someone else said before me, none of the pairs were really perfect ( Jess put her hand down on the lutz, and their sbs to me is less than impressive because they're not quite in unison from takeoff til the exit even though they manage to land it fine, and also their twist is only a double!) and considering everything else (artistry and the overall difficulty of the program, etc), I think Robin and Aliona was the best of the night.

 

[DWfan]

I think S/S are great skaters, but today wasn't their night, and they shouldn't be rewarded for it. I think the judges did them a disservice by giving them the gold... because now their gold can't even be taken seriously.

If the judges were fair, then it should have been Zhang/Zhang 1st (due to the lead in the SP), maybe even D/D second (because by far their LP was the best of the night) and then S/S third (because really thier LP was the worst of the 3... just way too many mistakes and they had some unison problems in the spin).

*edit
The more I think about it, the more I'm bothered by S/S getting first. Probably because I feel that it takes away the genuineness of true competition from the sport. The whole point of competition is to do your best and win. Winning is the most rewarding when you did what was necessary to win it. Rewatching the S/S performance, they KNEW they didn't do their best - just look at their faces. Thus, winning didn't mean as much to them as it would have if they had skated amazingly. Their own facial expressions showed that they didn't feel like they deserved the gold.

 

[DWfan]

But it sounds like the judges went by the book and gave them all the credit they deserved for their non-jump elements. So I wouldn't call it injustice at all, it's just what the system demands. I think the judges have been more or less fair. At one point this season Mao Asada was put behind Laura Lespito, etc. But I think this night, like someone else said before me, none of the pairs were really perfect ( Jess put her hand down on the lutz, and their sbs to me is less than impressive because they're not quite in unison from takeoff til the exit even though they manage to land it fine, and also their twist is only a double!) and considering everything else (artistry and the overall difficulty of the program, etc), I think Robin and Aliona was the best of the night.

Well if best of the night to you means falling all over the place (perhaps a bit harsh), then...
Although I agree some skaters have more "heart" and some skaters have more "technique" you really need both to be the best. AND... if you only have the "heart" but your technique isn't there at the time... (hence not doing well on the jumps/spins) then that's probably not best.

Also "hand down" versus "both partners not completing jump"; ehh I think the latter is worse
As well as the performance of D/D were great today - emotional connection was wonderful.

To add to that... I need to stop rewatching S/S... because now i'm getting annoyed at the lack of extension in the leg during the Y-spin by him. Seriously, extend the leg better.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Well if best of the night to you means falling all over the place (perhaps a bit harsh), then...

well, need I say that Jess and Bryce only does a double-double sequence (double axel-double axel), whereas Aliona and Robin do a triple-loop-triple loop sequence? And they did NOT fall all over. they had stepouts in the sequence, and both did fall on their sbs salchows, but other than that all their other elements were absolutely perfect. It always looks bad anytime someone falls, so when there's more than one fall people go, wow that was a terrible skate, but these guys really did skate their heart out until the end, and I think the crowd sensed it too and respected it by clapping to the beat of their music until the end.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

I disagree that S/S didn't deserve the win. Yes they stumbled out of a couple jumps but remember they were fully rotated. They were also more into their music tonight than they have been all season. They did all of the other major elements with no problems. Some posters are making it seem like they stumbled all over the place. Their throws and many other elements were all solid. The Zhangs were sloppy tonight and had absolutely no connection with the music whatsoever. They didn't seem to skate with the same speed as usual. She also singled her 2A. Their footwork was slow and clumsy, and they skated out their like two different individuals who happened to be out on the same patch of ice at the same time. D/D had the performance of the night but taking all things into consideration S/S deserved to be first.

YES!!!! I completely agree with you. It's sad that you and I seem to be the only ones that see the simple truth. Yes, it's so important for everyone to know they did NOT fall over the place! Other than the minor errors in the sequence and the fall by both on the salchow, they were perfect! I've never seen them skate faster and with more energy than I did on this night. I applaud them for their courage.

 

[MarieM]

None of the top four went clean.
All made misakes on spins or jumps.

It all went down to their skating skills and to the levels they got on the elements.
S&S won because noone went for it. It's a win because noone looked like they wanted the title.

Pang and Tong were hosed as always when their federation tells the world they are number two.

 

[Kinga]

None of the top four went clean.
All made misakes on spins or jumps.

It all went down to their skating skills and to the levels they got on the elements.
S&S won because noone went for it. It's a win because noone looked like they wanted the title.

Pang and Tong were hosed as always when their federation tells the world they are number two.

I agree with you. S/S won, because, during that evening full of mistakes they still were the best. No doubt about that. It was not the best victory, but still... Who was suppose to win then? Z/Z with mistakes and terribly boring programme, with sloppy positions and scratchy footwork?? With no interpretation and feeling at all? In S/S programme every musical accent was emphasized... Absolutely every single.
I am happy for D/D!! They did such a good job. Actually, since she only did one small mistake, they programme was the smoothest. REally beautiful. I am surprised that they won with K/S with such a small margin.. K/S were way overscored!!! A lot of mistakes, and not great presentation either... Hey, two-footed 4S should not do the score!!! They should have finished behind P/T.. I feel sorry for P/T. Their programme was beautiful and I wish they could finish 2nd instead of Z/Z...
As for K/S - what happened to Tamara Moskvina's pairs?? Since Arhtur Dimitriev left, she has been struggling with so-so skaters...

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

One gets the impression while being here in Gotenborg that the judges are not going to allow you to expect the obvious decisions - not only for the podium but throughout the placements. Think about it: Mao - NÖ Kostner - YES
Zhang/Zhang - NO Savchenko/Solcowy - YES.

European conspiracy?

Joe

 

[melodies]

I really like Pang/tong's performance. D/D is also great!
S/S will never do for me ... don't know why !
Congratulates to D/D

Great Canadian Pairs figure skating!

Just also watched the 3rd Chinese team D/W. I was quite surprised for their performance. They have only been together for one year. I felt I saw s/z's shadow!

 

[Tigger]

It wasn't just the step outs and stumbles, they also had at least the one lift that was a bit clunky on the dismount. Their non rotational lift, although once Aliona got into that upside down platter position....WOW!! Gorgeous line and position, it was just the dismount. The over all feel they had didn't help either. They were nervous and tight tonight. Not sure what was off, but something was.

Kurt Browning said something interesting during the CBC Main Broadcast tonight. He said that Aliona and Robin's music is dangerous music in skating because it's soft music w/no highs or lows in it. The reason he said it's dangerous is because unless you're perfect, the program really doesn't work that well at grabbing the audience's attention. I disagree it's boring, but it is rather one toned and due to that....I've seen it before w/other "quiet music" programs and he's right. If you aren't perfect or awfully close to it, it does afftect the feel of the program.

He also said he wasn't completely sure this program really translates well over TV. Live, it's great, but on TV not as much. Since he was at Skate Canada and saw Aliona and Robin win SC,, he might have a point there. It's a thought at least.

I still think the right couple won, it's just a shame they couldn't skate up to what they're capable of doing and *feel* they deserved it more than it's looking they do.

 

[Audrey19]

YES!!!! I completely agree with you. It's sad that you and I seem to be the only ones that see the simple truth. Yes, it's so important for everyone to know they did NOT fall over the place! Other than the minor errors in the sequence and the fall by both on the salchow, they were perfect! I've never seen them skate faster and with more energy than I did on this night. I applaud them for their courage.

You are not the only ones! I'm soooo happy for them! IMO they really deserved to win, because they worked hard for it while Zhang & Zhang delivered a program which is definitely not a world champion's program! There was nothing special about the program, no connection between the two of them, no emotion, no passion at all, nothing in-between the required elements, they skated from jump to jump, the footwork was sloppy and their skating didn't suit the music. Some posters seem to think they should have been in first - do really want a world champion with a skate like that?
Of course, Aljona & Robin made mistakes, but so did the Zhangs. And their skate was a joy to watch, wonderfully choreographed, they skated together as a couple, there was an emotional connection between them, I could have watched them for hours! Despite the mistakes, that was a perfect program!

Absolutely loved Pang & Tong's FS, very beautiful, I wish they'd have been in second instead of the Zhangs.
Dube & Davison were gorgeous, I abslutely love that couple! Very happy for them!

 

[Big Deal]

In my book the result of the FS is as follows:
1. Pang/Tong
2.Dube/Davison
3.Savchenko/Szolkowy
4.Zhang/Zhang.
I'm talking only about free skate.

But still no one of them was worthy for the "World Champion" title on this night.
That is what all of us try to tell somehow....

 

[Tiana]

Bizarre. And strange circulation problem with the new outfit? I guess that's a sign not to switch outfits right before Worlds if you're not used to it yet.

It's too bad because I really like their FS to Rachmaninov.

Quote from Trankov' interview after SP:

Trankov also admitted to losing time on preparation due to his arm injury. "We couldn't practice lifts so much. My right arm is swollen and I have troubles bending it. Nobody really knows the reason, maybe it's a pinched nerve."
Source

 

[lilybear]

I saw someone said S/S' all elements are perfect except two jumps.I want to say :Do you watch their program??
They have more than two mistakes in their LP except jumps.The 1st, SZOLKOWY couldn't hold SAVCHENKO in their first lift and caused a little break in performance. The 2nd, their sbs spins had some problem.The 3rd,the poor leg position in the Y- spin made me disappoint. And I saw SAVCHENKO's landing position looked like underrotation in 3S in video.

The biggest problem is that all mistakes except jumps in S/S' LP are caught GOE+. I know S/S are good skates, But I think the judges are crazy!!!

 

[xfuneralforyesterday]

I definitely think that S/S were overmarked. I can't believe how high their scores were with the performance they gave. They are great skaters and lovely to watch, but on the night for me, it didn't deserve gold.