Senior FD

[skatingfan04]

I wouldn't say that the scoring is really that inflated. Last year, for example, V/M were flawless in the FD at nationals, where they scored about 103 points. They scored 105 at 4CC and worlds. Since the scores have generally dipped below 100 this year, and Delobel/Schoenfelder, arguably the best team in the world, recieved about 95 points at the GPF, I'd say that V/M did pretty well with the 94. Even if it was inflated, V/M were basically a mess tonight. They were slow, a little of balance, and Scott kind of fell during the transition into Money. Having said that, the program is pretty awesome, and I think they can score about 95, maybe even more, internationally if they clean up all of the rough edges. Someone mentioned that they looked even more unrefined than most teams do at the beginning of the GP season, and they did, but understandably so. Not only has their season just begun, but she had major surgery and hasn't even been on the ice for two months. I think that they still have a chance to challenge in LA, even with a slightly dissapointing score here.

Crone & Poirier's score was definately inflated. I love them, and I think that they're amazing, but they were just off tonight. I don't think they should have scored so close to Weaver & Poje, who skated lights out and only got an 85. What was up with that? Are they horrendous technicians? I mean, there was nothing wrong with their program, so I can't understand why their score was so close to C/P's. They even had some of the crowd on their feet! I'd really appreciate it if someone with more technical knowledge than myself would give me an explaination.

I know that they're not really a huge topic right now, but I was majorly impressed with both Chong & Gfeller and Ralph & Hill. C/G had a gorgeous FD, and were perfectly in sync the entire time. R/H's score was pretty close to those of W/P and C/P, which is amazing, since that was the first time they've done the 4 minute FD in competition. They really seemed to have the crowd with them as well. I'm really glad that both of these teams made it onto the national team. Must be amazing for Carol Lane and the other Scarboro coaches to have two teams on the senior national team, as well as one Scarboro FSC alumnus.

 

[Axel Rose]

I think this is really a stamina issue, because I was unbelievably impressed by their program after watching the videos of their performance at Arctic Edge, but they split the free dance in two when they performed it. The lifts were particularly impressive in those videos. I noticed today, they weren't as smooth.

On a fluffy note, I'm not a fan of the top of Tessa's costume. Doesn't seem to fit the program.

 

[jlmart]

I think when people talk about Tessa being back for only 6 weeks they forget (or don't realize) that initially she was only allowed to skate 15 minutes a day - then 30 and the most recent I heard was 45 although that was a few weeks ago. I am not really surprised their stamina was poor. At Artic Edge they had to skate their free in two parts to get through it and the first lift looked a lot rougher than it did tonight. I think they did remarkably well and imagine there will be a big improvement by worlds if not by 4CC.

 

[Tigger]

^ Thanks for bringing up the real reason things were so rough tonight. (Apparently...Not feeling so great today and I crashed during the FD's and didn't really see much of it) Tessa's been saying in just about every interview this week they're still not doing full practise sessions due to what her doctors are telling her. So...Factor in that *and* only being on the ice for so little prep time and I'm amazed they were even *in* Saskatoon skating.

 

[mycelticblessing]

Crone & Poirier's score was definately inflated. I love them, and I think that they're amazing, but they were just off tonight. I don't think they should have scored so close to Weaver & Poje, who skated lights out and only got an 85. What was up with that? Are they horrendous technicians? I mean, there was nothing wrong with their program, so I can't understand why their score was so close to C/P's. They even had some of the crowd on their feet! I'd really appreciate it if someone with more technical knowledge than myself would give me an explaination.

I've always felt that Weaver and Poje are the underappreciated Canadian ice dancers. I love their skting too, but they've never done particularly well in most competitions. Does anyone know if they have lower levels on the elements in comparism to C/P?

And is it just me, or is Tessa's makeup much heavier this season? It seemed more natural in the past two seasons.

 

[chuckm]

Crone & Poirier's score was definately inflated. I love them, and I think that they're amazing, but they were just off tonight. I don't think they should have scored so close to Weaver & Poje, who skated lights out and only got an 85. What was up with that? Are they horrendous technicians? I mean, there was nothing wrong with their program, so I can't understand why their score was so close to C/P's. They even had some of the crowd on their feet! I'd really appreciate it if someone with more technical knowledge than myself would give me an explaination.

During the GP, Weaver/Poje scored only 78.52 and 75.82 for their FD. I'd say the 85 they got at Nationals was quite inflated. OTOH, Crone/Poirier had received 81.89 and 87.03 during the GP, so their 84.4 for the FD seems in keeping with their international performances, considering they had a fall.

I know that they're not really a huge topic right now, but I was majorly impressed with both Chong & Gfeller and Ralph & Hill. C/G had a gorgeous FD, and were perfectly in sync the entire time. R/H's score was pretty close to those of W/P and C/P, which is amazing, since that was the first time they've done the 4 minute FD in competition. They really seemed to have the crowd with them as well. I'm really glad that both of these teams made it onto the national team. Must be amazing for Carol Lane and the other Scarboro coaches to have two teams on the senior national team, as well as one Scarboro FSC alumnus.

Chong/Gfeller got a HUGE National boost with the 84.65 in the FD. Their score in their lone GP event was 67.46. Ralph/Hill's 81.78 was a jump from their JGP scores of 71.37, 73.70 and 70.98, even with the points added for an extra element.

As for V/M, I don't think they'd get 8.21 in P/E for a program with a fall. I think that performance in an ISU environment would get about 4 points lower.

 

[madibe]

People are making a lot of excuses as to why V/M skated poorly. I think the question of whether they will be in good enough shape and have strong enough programs to go after the world title is up in the air. After all, they only have one international competition to show their programs to judges and fix their levels, choreography etc. before worlds.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

People are making a lot of excuses as to why V/M skated poorly. I think the question of whether they will be in good enough shape and have strong enough programs to go after the world title is up in the air. After all, they only have one international competition to show their programs to judges and fix their levels, choreography etc. before worlds.

V/M just don't seem to have the same spark as last year...It's not just the lack of training. I just feel like their program is just a pistache of elements thrown together. I wasn't so convinced by their OD and I don't quite believe that they looked like they were enjoying themselves too much, except in the opening section...afterwards, they just kind of lost their expression...

 

[nadster]

Chong/Gfeller got a HUGE National boost with the 84.65 in the FD. Their score in their lone GP event was 67.46. Ralph/Hill's 81.78 was a jump from their JGP scores of 71.37, 73.70 and 70.98, even with the points added for an extra element.

I think that Skate Canada got the result it wanted. They got McCurdy/Coreno ( who were clearly regressing ) off the national team. They certainly wanted to get Ralph/Hill on the team. Chong/Gfeller get the award for most improved among the dancers.

I also think that SC was alarmed when McCurdy/Coreno said that they were " surprised how much better the top 10 teams in the world are" ( Vancouver Sun article). This is shocking for a team that has been on the GP circuit for 3 years. It is an understandable statement for the likes of Chong/Gfeller ( who BTW have never said such a thing) , but not fo a couple who has had so much international experience like McCurdy/Coreno.

Ralph/Hill needed big marks in the OD and FD to make the national team since they were far behind in the CD's like everybody expected.

 

[i love to skate]

I think the spark will return to V/M when they aren't thinking through the program and are just able to enjoy and perform it. I also don't think people are making excuses for them, Tessa is still only on the ice for about an hour and half to two hours a day so it is simply a fact they have not had the training time. I do hope they change the costumes though.

 

[Judy]

V&M's FD will be spectacular if they can get it in shape for worlds .. amazing what they have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time considering how limited their training has been.

It's good to see them back and I'm glad it's not the Olympic year. I also hope that all competitors are back from injury by worlds.

 

[skatingfan04]

During the GP, Weaver/Poje scored only 78.52 and 75.82 for their FD. I'd say the 85 they got at Nationals was quite inflated. OTOH, Crone/Poirier had received 81.89 and 87.03 during the GP, so their 84.4 for the FD seems in keeping with their international performances, considering they had a fall.

I apologize. I hadn't realized that C/P got such a high FD score at TEB. I guess the 84 was appropriate. As for W/P, they have only gotten level ones of the step sequences internationally, and the judges at nationals clearly thought they deserved more than that, so I think their mark was fair. I think anyone who watched their FD would agree that their step sequences were NOT level ones, but at least level threes.

 

[icedancedevotee]

You know how some teams are judges' darlings, even when they're not so great (won't mention names here), and others can't seem to make any headway with the judges, even with great technique, performance, and material (too many names to mention here)? Maybe that's what's going on with Weaver/Poje. Crone/Poirier are the "fresh faces"; maybe that has something to do with it, too. Personally, I think Crone/Poirier LOOK better TOGETHER than Weaver/Poje, and maybe the international judges agree on that.

Also, I know it shouldn't make any difference, that it should be only about the skating. . . but after 2007 Nationals, when Kaitlyn was laughing and even mildly CHEERING when Lefebvre/Markov had their huge error in the FD, I just couldn't get behind W/P. I am always so disheartened to see such unsportsmanlike behavior.

 

[herios]

I'd deduct at least 10 points on every team on the Nats. scores due to the "inflation"

You are exagerating. "At least 10 points",is way too much, about 2-3 of a SP and 5 of a LP. That would be much closer to reality.

 

[samba]

I apologize. I hadn't realized that C/P got such a high FD score at TEB. I guess the 84 was appropriate. As for W/P, they have only gotten level ones of the step sequences internationally, and the judges at nationals clearly thought they deserved more than that, so I think their mark was fair. I think anyone who watched their FD would agree that their step sequences were NOT level ones, but at least level threes.

Not too many teams were given level 3 on step sequences at ISU competitions, the top four teams (K/N, D/S, D/W, F/S) at GPF got level 3. D/S got level 2 at CoR. Cappellini/Lanote got level 2 at CoR (and they're fourth there). S/B ( NHK Bronze medal ), N/B got level 2 at NHK, the list goes on. To say W/P should get level 3 would be outrageous. They're not even close to the top teams of the world at this moment :yes:.

Their technique needs lots of work. They might look good for regular spectators but for judges, they are not good enough yet. IMO,the sloppiness, her postures, the edges need improvement.

 

[samba]

You know how some teams are judges' darlings, even when they're not so great (won't mention names here), and others can't seem to make any headway with the judges, even with great technique, performance, and material (too many names to mention here)? Maybe that's what's going on with Weaver/Poje. Crone/Poirier are the "fresh faces"; maybe that has something to do with it, too. Personally, I think Crone/Poirier LOOK better TOGETHER than Weaver/Poje, and maybe the international judges agree on that.

Also, I know it shouldn't make any difference, that it should be only about the skating. . . but after 2007 Nationals, when Kaitlyn was laughing and even mildly CHEERING when Lefebvre/Markov had their huge error in the FD, I just couldn't get behind W/P. I am always so disheartened to see such unsportsmanlike behavior.

I also heard the same comments from others that Weaver has that problem, she seems to see herself "better" than other skaters . I'm sure judges did not give them low scores for her behavior .

 

[rain]

I think the spark will return to V/M when they aren't thinking through the program and are just able to enjoy and perform it. I also don't think people are making excuses for them, Tessa is still only on the ice for about an hour and half to two hours a day so it is simply a fact they have not had the training time.

Yeah, I don't understand all the massive negativity. I think it's ridiculous to say they skated "poorly." Not up to their usually incredible standards, I'll grant you, but "poorly"? Not by a long shot. A few rough edges does not equal "poor."

It seems as if some WANT them to do badly. I think this was a good first outing and they were still quite obviously the class of the field.

 

[madibe]

Yeah, I don't understand all the massive negativity. I think it's ridiculous to say they skated "poorly." Not up to their usually incredible standards, I'll grant you, but "poorly"? Not by a long shot. A few rough edges does not equal "poor."

It seems as if some WANT them to do badly. I think this was a good first outing and they were still quite obviously the class of the field.

Yes, Virtue and Moir were the class of the field, but the field we are talking about only has one, maybe two teams that are even competitive at an international level. I would say that by the standards of all the other top teams in the world, this was a poor skate by V/M. They had trouble with their lifts, a fall on a piece of choreography, and were overall very lackluster on the presentation side. I think even Virtue and Moir would consider it a poor skate--they seemed very disappointed in the Kiss and Cry and Marina Zueva tried to cheer them up by saying, "Hey, you did it."

 

[jlmart]

Apparently the reason Marina tried to cheer them up was that they had only ever done 2 complete runthroughs of this programme, and only once successfully - last weekend. Personally I found it rather rough - especially as it went on - the end half was a lot shakier than the first half - but under the circumstances I guess that is not surprising. They should probably have received extra points for pure guts! What DID surprise me is that, although I abhor the music, when they ended I was at first rather concerned because I thought it was too short and they would get dinged by time faults. Obviously not but the fact that it seemed to go so quickly I found very reassuring.

 

[museksk8r]

I finally saw the video on youtube and I have to say that I LOVE Virtue+Moir's FD music and the style they are portraying in this program. I find it so captivating! Even their costumes have this artsy, mystical, edgy quality that intrigues me. They are such an attractive team! I look forward to seeing how this program evolves and I hope they really dazzle at Worlds. I love them! GO TESSA+SCOTT!