rain said:Marcoux and Buntin:
They had a much better free skate than SP. This couple does have a lot of potential, but I still think she's a better skater than he is and they need to work on bringing his level up to hers.
Putnam and Wirtz: I think this team could win a world gold medal for Canada over the next few years. There is still room for improvement, but the potential is definitely there. They have a very Berezhnya/Sikhurlidze (sp sorry) quality to me, which is a big compliment. Their lines are gorgeous and they are both strong singles skaters which really helps. I find myself pretty relaxed as they go into the jumps, something I can't say about a lot of pairs. They also have the performance ability and artistic qualities necessary to really make it big. Their programs are still a little on the elementary side, but I expect them to add the necessary difficulty in years to come.
Langlois and Archetto: Unfortunately they didn't have a great LP, but the program shows tremendous potential. I love their innovation in tweaking moves to make them all their own (eg. the spread eagle spiral where she leans back on his knees with her back arched and head back - beautiful). Combined with their fantastic SP this year I think they could really break into the top tier of world skaters..
Zagorska and Suidek: They've come a long way in the artistic side. At times I still find them not connecting on the ice, but perhaps that will come as they become more comfortable with the program as the year progresses. .
Shen/Zhao: OK, I don't adore this couple as many of the commentators seem to and it annoyed me the entire way through the performance as Debbie gushed. I just kept saying 'shut up' to my screen. I completely acknowledge this team's technical greatness. Their jumps are most often on, they have huge throws, and a huge twist with great speed. On the other hand I find them sloppy and jerky. In almost all of her air positions on lifts I want to tell her to properly straighten her legs, and on landings I find he tends to drop, rather than gently place her on the ice. I do not find that they connect with each other on the ice, thought they have improved in this department. I find their spins are weak and often clutchy. I don't think they're a bad team, don't get me wrong, I just think there is still a lot of room for improvement in some areas and the superlatives about them annoy me. Their performance wasn't that smooth at this competition, and the fall really was disruptive, though not on a major element. I'm sure the program will grow throughout the season and I'll be interested to see it again later. .
Totmianina and Marinin: They definitely deserved the win, though it wasn't a jump out of your chair performance. This couple really needs to work on lifts. Compared to what the other couples are doing theirs are very basic. I also find them somewhat slow in places. I'll be interested to see what their new program is for this season.
Rgirl said:
Speaking of Shen/Zhao, anybody know what music they're skating to and who choreographed their SP and LP? Also, anybody who was there, what was Yulia Obertas's new partner like? Do they look promising as a team despite the results? She looked so impressive last season and seemed held back by a weaker partner. Also, how does the Chinese team of Ding & Ren look?
Rgirl
Joesitz said:I didn't really notice that but I think I still have the tape and I'll take another look.
I really don't think Zhao should be whispering the next move to Shen. I think she is a very strong skater. That could not disconcerting to Shen if she knows what she is doing.
Midway throught the routing, it seemed the music had a lot of swells which they did not take advantage of except for a few spirals and spread eagles. I hope they put those new moves in there.
The Grand Pas de Deux in Nutcracker is just the two principals dancing to a love duet. That's the message Shen and Zhao should be showing.
Joe