Pairs' Short Program

[Jasper]

Cool positions in that final pairs sin by K/S. Some awkward moments but pretty good overall. I think the first half of the program was stronger and smoother than the second half.

 

[mizu_iro]

Wow, just barely over 60 They seem happy.

Kawaguchi/Smirnov
Rondo Capriccioso
Light blue on her, black (with cleavage) on him

She has a more serious look compared to before
SBS 3T, perfect and in sync
Their flow appears much improved
3Twist, ok landing
Throw 3R, she pitches forward on landing but clean
Lasso lift, her line is better than before I think?
SBS spins, nicely in sync and good variations
SBS steps - yes, I do think their flow is markedly better now
Death spiral, with change of hand, doesn't slow too much
Pairs spin, a bit slow but wow she is bendy

Great performance by them. TAT is very happy with them.

71.42 - 3rd with a HUGE PB. Definitely think they deserved it - they worked on the basic skating a lot, and the more dramatic look on Yuko makes it easier to take them more seriously.

 

[fumie_fumie]

lh

sbs jump, cody hands down
throw 3lutz, deep knee band saved it.
lifts, nice variations, beautiful arch
sbs spins, slowing down
circular, good use of musical highlights
death spiral, good speed, change of hand hold
combo spins, very good

yay!

 

[Jasper]

Agree about Yuko's new look, it makes her look more sophisticated. Their skating skills and connection to each other have improved.

Looks like K/S trying to be pushed onto the podium and looking for Vancouver Gold to continue the tradition.

 

[mizu_iro]

Langlois/Hay
Historia de un amor
Fuschia on her, black on him

Hope they're recovered...
SBS 3T, handdown by him
I like the choreo in this program
3Twist, nice
Throw 3Z, kneebend saves landing
Lasso lift into star variation on 1 hand, good
SBS spins, in sync and very nice camel & sit positions by both
SBS steps not the fastest but light and some cool moves
Death spiral with change of hand - doesn't lose speed, best I've seen
Pairs spin, a bit simple and slow but nice position to close

Strong performances by all three Canadian teams.

59.43 - 8th, but this should secure top 10 for them going into the long.

 

[dlarry1]

Looks like K/S trying to be pushed onto the podium and looking for Vancouver Gold to continue the tradition.

At this point, she still can't skate for Russia in the Olympics, right?

 

[mizu_iro]

At this point, she still can't skate for Russia in the Olympics, right?

If they get good results, she may give up her Japanese citizenship. At this point she is still considering her options.

 

[Jasper]

At this point, she still can't skate for Russia in the Olympics, right?

Right, but I have to think she'll fold under the pressure the Russian Skating Fed will put on her. I mean why bother starting a serious competitive relationship under the name Russia if you don't plan on skating at the Olympics?

 

[inskate]

So happy for K/S! They have been my favourites ever since I saw them for the first time. Yuko is just an amazing athlete.

 

[_Ladybug_]

The French pair was rather lackluster, the girl looked miserable by the end.

 

[mizu_iro]

Canac/Coia
Two Guitars
Sparkly, maroon outfits with black pants on him

2Twist, I think they could get an extra revolution on that
SBS 3T, she falls
Lasso lift into 1 hand
SBS spins, fast and in sync but he stops like 2 rev. before her
Throw 2(?)S
Pairs spin in 1 directions, rather slow and not very attractive
SBS steps to music, rather simple
Cool entrance into death spiral, both are very flexible

They could be something...need more consistency.

 

[sillylionlove]

I was away from my computer for a while. I am really not surprised to see Zhang/Zhang in first place!!

 

[mizu_iro]

I was away from my computer for a while. I am really not surprised to see Zhang/Zhang in first place!!

I think what surprised a lot of people is how good they actually were. They looked much smoother and more polished than they usually do.

 

[london_calling]

So far I have been really impressed with the pairs. A lot of clean, good programs being put out there.

 

[Jasper]

So far I have been really impressed with the pairs. A lot of clean, good programs being put out there.

Me too. They've been good so far. But not sure what to expect from the LPs.

 

[beep_beep]

who the hell is controlling those camera angles ?

 

[Jasper]

Stadium looks pretty full, especially for just Pairs SPs. Yay Sweden! I hope they really come alive for the medal performances.

 

[mizu_iro]

My feed is super-spastic right now, but all I have to say about the Polish team is that the Siudeks coach them, but they're nowhere near what the Siudeks were.

 

[skatingfan04]

I generally don't like to question judging, but how did K/S get ahead of D/D?? And even worse, just shy of S/S? Did I miss something? They were good, but... Can someone please explain? I'm not too good with the technical side of the sport, so I'd like to know where the technical divide is between them and D/D. I know they have a 3 twist, but D/D do a more difficult SBS jump, so I'm confused.

 

[mizu_iro]

I generally don't like to question judging, but how did K/S get ahead of D/D?? And even worse, just shy of S/S? Did I miss something? They were good, but... Can someone please explain? I'm not too good with the technical side of the sport, so I'd like to know where the technical divide is between them and D/D. I know they have a 3 twist, but D/D do a more difficult SBS jump, so I'm confused.

Moskvina always makes sure that K/S always have all high-level elements, while D/D's elements as a whole are judged a bit lower than the top teams (except Pang/Tong) in terms of levels. In addition, K/S's basic skating and flow has really improved by leaps and bounds - they appear to be sufficiently faster than D/D now so that the judges judged them higher on PCS.