Senior Dance FS

[cassieandcheetah]

I thought their expression in their CD, OD, and FD has greatly improved in quality from last year, so it can't be that they are "perfecting their technical skating...at the expense of expression." They probably are shown off to their best advantage in their exhibitions because they aren't under any pressure during an exhibition. When competing, nerves do play a factor.

You're right. I think despite our gripes they've improved greatly since last year. It especially shows in their OD if not so much in their FD. I totally disagree with Nadine's suggestion above. What makes them succeed IS their rapport, I guess not so much in the way they are as man and woman, but everything else. I think Bates and Samuelson suit each other in the way they're both kind of over the TOP (not time!) in their expression and body language. I understand that Charlie and Meryl are more subdued and I think I want to respect that as long as they continue to mature as performers.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I love Navarro and Bommentre but I looked at that Native american number and said to myself, self, that is a no no. I thought it was a difficult routine (not unlike D/S's African Bach) but it looked somewhat contrived a la hollywoood and not really a natural folk dance. They made up for it in the FD. Just the opposite of S&B, imo

White, to me, is just too over the top. It's like they are trying to be another Denkova/Stavisky. But Denkova reacts to Staviski's antics and it works. Davis just seems to let White do his thing and subtley follows him.. I would like to see him change style or she come on with more oomph. JMO.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

um, NavBom skated to an African dance... Maxwell and Traxler skated the Native American OD

 

[sillylionlove]

Actually Nav/Bom worked with and African Dance teacher to come up with that program. And this is a fact as Kim's mom told me at Skate America when I was talking ot her.

 

[all that]

White, to me, is just too over the top. It's like they are trying to be another Denkova/Stavisky. But Denkova reacts to Staviski's antics and it works. Davis just seems to let White do his thing and subtley follows him.. I would like to see him change style or she come on with more oomph. JMO.

Joe

Actually, I hope neither Meryl or Charlie changes their styles. The fact that Meryl and Charlie are so different makes this team so intriguing to me. They are like yin-yang -- Meryl is yin, Charlie is yang. Together, they are harmonious.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang

Yin (陰 or 阴 "shady place, north slope, south bank (river); cloudy, overcast"; Japanese: in or on; Korean: 음, Vietnamese: âm) is the dark element: it is passive, dark, feminine, negative, downward-seeking, consuming and corresponds to the night.

Yang (陽 or 阳 "sunny place, south slope, north bank (river), sunshine"; Japanese: yō; Korean: 양, Vietnamese: dương) is the bright element: it is active, light, masculine, positive, upward-seeking, producing and corresponds to the daytime.

Yin is often symbolized by water and earth, while yang is symbolized by fire and air.

Yin (dark) and yang (light) are descriptions of complementary opposites as well as absolutes. Any yin/yang duality can be viewed from another perspective. All forces in nature can be seen as existing in yin or yang states, and the two produce constant movement/force of the universe.

 

[Cal Girl]

I thought Meryl and Charlie skated magnificently but to be honest I don't like the way they relate during their programmes. I do like Samuelson/Bates and thought their chemistry was better considering their ages.

 

[fanofskate]

Actually, I hope neither Meryl or Charlie changes their styles. It's the fact that Meryl and Charlie are so different that makes this team so intriguing to me. They are like yin-yang -- Meryl is yin, Charlie is yang. Together, they are harmonious.

That must be it. They are not the typical, ideal pair and yet I like them. There are other teams that have better line and are more expressive and yet I'm drawn to D/W. I don't totally get it yet but maybe it'll be clearer down the road. They are still so young if you consider the longevity of teams in ice dance.

I do hope they don't break up. I like the fact that they get along really well. I don't think you need a cantankerous relationship in order to portray deep emotions on ice or connect with each other.

Also, if Delobel/Schoenfelder can be a top team without having to 'so intimately connect' with each other on ice, then Davis/White are doing just fine. They may end up being a better team as they already have a strong foundation technically. And, they have shown improvement in how they relate to each other.

 

[all that]

Also, if Delobel/Schoenfelder can be a top team without having to 'so intimately connect' with each other on ice, then Davis/White are doing just fine.

Delobel/Schoenfelder isn't the best example to pick, since they've never won Worlds, and probably never will. The judges just don't like them. Sigh....