Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir

[JustMe]

Hi! I'm new to this page! (I come from the Volosozhar/Trankov forum lol) I have a question and am curious about your opinions: I think that the French are wonderful, believe me, but I just don't understand why they a getting scored so much higher than V&M?? Can someone explain what I'm to seeing? I don't think there is that large of a difference in the quality that these two teams are putting out. Scores should be closer in my opinion. But I'm no expert! Maybe I'm just too much much of a Virtue & Moir fan and am biased in thinking that everything that they do is the best thing ever

You'll have to wait for them to compete against each other for the scores to matter, I think.

 

[ChanClan]

Ok but for Canadian Nationals, can Tessa not wear that silver dress. This is the only time I'm ever going to be able to watch them live in competition and I don't want the memory of that silver dress forever etched into my brain.

 

[rain]

I'm not usually doom and gloom and such, and I say this as a huge fan of V/M and I'd love to be wrong but — the fix is in. The judging of the SD at the GPF has proven it. It doesn't matter what they do or how they skate from here on in, the Olympics is already decided. Shades of 2014, with even less justification. I don't know if I can even stomach watching.

This here at the GPF was just stage setting — now they can point to this and say "look! It's not true that V/M have always been better in the SD and their sudden loss is unprecedented and suspicious!" It's been quietly going on all season, of course, but nobody could be sure until this competition where they were head to head. It's systematic and deliberate. Deny V/M every aspect that is their strength, like the short dance, and inflate other teams. I now don't even expect it to be close at the Olympics. I was at least hoping for a real competition, but I don't think there will be one.

Gutted for V/M.

 

[Bahar]

I'm not usually doom and gloom and such, and I say this as a huge fan of V/M and I'd love to be wrong but — the fix is in. The judging of the SD at the GPF has proven it. It doesn't matter what they do or how they skate from here on in, the Olympics is already decided. Shades of 2014, with even less justification. I don't know if I can even stomach watching.


This here at the GPF was just stage setting — now they can point to this and say "look! It's not true that V/M have always been better in the SD and their sudden loss is unprecedented and suspicious!" It's been quietly going on all season, of course, but nobody could be sure until this competition where they were head to head. It's systematic and deliberate. Deny V/M every aspect that is their strength, like the short dance, and inflate other teams. I now don't even expect it to be close at the Olympics. I was at least hoping for a real competition, but I don't think there will be one.

Gutted for V/M.

I cannot stand their losing. They are the best and will always be.
I dont understand why they underscored. What changed since last season and judges want PC to win?
( Dont get me wrong, PC is also great team. I like their programs, too. But for me VM is the best.)

 

[Ares]

I'm not usually doom and gloom and such, and I say this as a huge fan of V/M and I'd love to be wrong but — the fix is in. The judging of the SD at the GPF has proven it. It doesn't matter what they do or how they skate from here on in, the Olympics is already decided. Shades of 2014, with even less justification. I don't know if I can even stomach watching.

This here at the GPF was just stage setting — now they can point to this and say "look! It's not true that V/M have always been better in the SD and their sudden loss is unprecedented and suspicious!" It's been quietly going on all season, of course, but nobody could be sure until this competition where they were head to head. It's systematic and deliberate. Deny V/M every aspect that is their strength, like the short dance, and inflate other teams. I now don't even expect it to be close at the Olympics. I was at least hoping for a real competition, but I don't think there will be one.

Gutted for V/M.

Well I agree. Somehow I felt the same in 13/14 season even as someone who preferred D/W (as a devoted fan of them), that they don't stand a chance in the eyes of the judges, that they made up their mind. I want them to beat P/C in the GPF & Olympics but it does not look likely.

 

[Diok]

I'm not usually doom and gloom and such, and I say this as a huge fan of V/M and I'd love to be wrong but — the fix is in. The judging of the SD at the GPF has proven it. It doesn't matter what they do or how they skate from here on in, the Olympics is already decided. Shades of 2014, with even less justification. I don't know if I can even stomach watching.

This here at the GPF was just stage setting — now they can point to this and say "look! It's not true that V/M have always been better in the SD and their sudden loss is unprecedented and suspicious!" It's been quietly going on all season, of course, but nobody could be sure until this competition where they were head to head. It's systematic and deliberate. Deny V/M every aspect that is their strength, like the short dance, and inflate other teams. I now don't even expect it to be close at the Olympics. I was at least hoping for a real competition, but I don't think there will be one.

Gutted for V/M.

i so agree i enjoy both teams but suddenly T&S's SD numbers r down when they have an incredible SD.

 

[Bahar]

I hate their losing. They skated amazing. I am really sad. It is like no matter what they do they get silver and this really makes me feel sorry. I hope they will be the first in the Olympics. I need them to win the Oly.again.

 

[yyyskate]

To conciliate sad Tessa and Scott fans here
Both Tessa/Scott's SD and FD is the most loved ice dance program of this GPF event among Chinese fans. Their programs posts has been retweeted about 10 times more than others.
Many including their rivals' fans thought the ISU politicks has already decided who is gonna win in the OG as we all know about figure skating politics especially ice dance.
But, regardless of politicks, Tessa and Scott has earned figure skating fans' ultimate respect. Truly transcending figure skating ice dance legends who do not need any extra accolades.
It is a privilege to watch and be on the journey with Tessa and Scott!

EDIT:
I really wish that I can have more time so that I can translate some of Chinese fan's comment to Tessa and Scott's programs here.

Thank you Tessa and Scott. Wish you just enjoy the journey.

 

[NoNameFace]

In all honesty - I am simply glad that they not skipped GPF, skated the way they skated, received scores and placement they received, it all became more clear and obvious, for them foremost. I hope those realizations taken from Nagoya competition will allow them for even more freedom, abandon in creative process, in pushing boudaries broader. If you cannot break the celling, take your work on another level.

For me personally, I feel blessed to have an opportunity to see such challenging performances from them like today's. They kept to convince me to this FD idea and succeeded at SC - I saw equally vividly and soundly both perspective from where they came with the dance and the direction they want to take it . I understood the boldness of concept, boldness of movement, connection and expression, why the design of movement/choreography makes so much sense and cohesion with music and their characters. Today's performance helped me to realize that what draws me inside this FD and what wins me in it over all other programs is the evolution of it, how it morphes, looking different each tme performed, but having same strong impact on me. This methamorphosis ability was showed today in full display in my oinion: Tango section got much more flavour, flare, sharpness, 'rawness' between them in connection, while lyrical part got much more deeper and sound in reception, it got much closer to the people watching I feel, not only closer between them - and to emote this 'closure', intimacy out through movement and gesture is really not an easy task with that sort of program. I respect their conviction, confidence and engagement expressed towards the music and whole program concept - one can see that they truly believe in that program and mean every single step, kick, head turn and hands held moment.

Another thing I love that I realized watching their FD today is its 'decisive', 'polarizing' impact created - this is kind of program which performance leaves almost no one indifferent, this 'love or hate' quality is so real about their FD - and yet so weirdly fantastic in my opinion. I love programs that provoke me - programs daring me to challenge my way of perception, way of thinking about certain terms, aesthetics, conventions, borders, tastes, matters of expressing yourself; programs that simply make me think outside of the box and go outside of my perceptional 'comfort zone'. This whole 'Moulin Rouge' choice, boldness/risk of it, using two totally different pieces from it, with that much contrast, level of 'flashiness' and dare in choreography design, expressiveness of their faces and gestures, making performance very 'out-there', yet controlled... - all those things (and even more) makes me questioning the whole concept, how to understand it, ho to take it/interpret it and feel it out: why they used that way of expression/that element, what they've intended to say with it, why to use polarizing music and parts of it so different from each other, why so much contrast? Todays' performance of that FD was for me the most clear and unified manifesto so far of what they've came with deciding on that program. At this point, I don't even care about non-univeral factor of that FD, not receiving 'grade of effortlessness' for it, not suiting to a lot of people - what matters (and makes me happy), are those few more people who admitted to 'get' Tessa and Scott's perspective and direction of that program after today's performance; it shows that it is worthy to push themselves - and challenge the others.

From purely 'technically-related' standpoint, I have an impression that while work done in circular step sequence totally re-shaped first part of the program in big plus, midline one got much more room to make a mistake/misstep. I do not really see this softness and relaxed feel in midline step sequence as a favour nor needed thing - in my opinion, they should revisit with their team second step sequence from their previous FD last season: it had abandon an a sense of freedom it it, yet it was very controlled, structured and sharp one, it was more open than the first one, but sill with 'close-to-themselves' factor achieved. I think that's the thing to work on and incorporate going forward - along with of course morphing/evolving the program altogether.

While I was bit 'at loss' after SD, I am way more 'built' and feeling solid after today's FD - Tessa and Scott should never be ashamed of what they've put today, now it's more about switching perspective/mode to 'reaching' than 'grabbing'.

 

[rain]

Many including their rivals' fans thought the ISU politicks has already decided who is gonna win in the OG as we all know about figure skating politics especially ice dance.

I still have such a hard time with this. I can only imagine how disheartening it must be for them. You see, when the French were losing to V/M last season there was a sense it was because they kept making substantial errors, and indeed this was the case. There was never the sense that they didn't stand a chance because the outcome was predetermined. That's the case this year with V/M. The outcome is predetermined. Nothing they do will make a difference. And it's just so blatant here with the taking away of V/M's deserved advantage in the SD. Had they had their usual (and earned, IMO) couple of points more in the SD it would be a whole other conversation. I can only imagine how V/M must feel right now. They know what this is and why this is happening better than anyone. At least this time around they haven't been abandoned by their own coach.

I can only hope that global fan response may have some impact, get some momentum going for them politically before the Olympics. Thanks for the perspective from the Chinese fans. It brightened my day.

 

[IlVoloFan]

I think V/M will beat P/C in Pyeongchang if they go clean ... It should be remembered that in GPF, they lost level on Not touch step seq, if they had got the lvl4, they would've been in 1st place. So I hope judges will be fair in OWG and whatever happens Tessa & Scott will be legends forever

 

[sarama]

I wish I could be that optimistic! The point is that PC got the same levels as TS and beated them by a considerable margin. TS can get lvl4 on the no touch more easily, but PC can get it too (and I imagine they will at the Olympics), not to mention that there are 3 other step sequences whose levels could really influence the outcome of the competition

 

[IlVoloFan]

I've grown with Tessa and Scott's performances and they're best for me forever ... Last year they were amazed everyone now it's time for another Oly medal I hope it'll be gold ... Ice is slippery we can't know what should we expect that day ... Firstly, I'm excited for the team competition which I think V/M will do both SD and FD.

 

[AvgeekJoe]

Are Tessa and Scott going to do a fan meet-up or anything like that during the Vancouver National Championships? Thanks in advance.

 

[Silvia451]

I'm still waiting to see the full new version of their FS, but from the practice...this is glorious

 

[Bahar]

Is there any live stream for VM’s group?

 

[waterblades]

Wow what an amazing skate a nationals!

 

[NoNameFace]

I'm still waiting to see the full new version of their FS, but from the practice...this is glorious

'glorious' I think sums it quite right... For me, seeing their re-worked FD practice and yesterday's SD, I see the transition of mood/vibe in both: in SD from 'animalistic' and loud on every levels to magnetizing and mezmerizing on more intricate/intimate ground of expression, in FD from mammoth-dramatic to glamourously victorious, with MUCH better showcase of a balance between edge and affection. Regardless of their results, I could not be more grateful of the fact that they really evolved those programs, growing them to the Olympic notch levels and cannot wait to see the FD in all its splendour today

 

[skatingfan4ever]

SD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHX9r3nwccc

FD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO2xBr5EmSo

Both programs were SO much smoother!!! They toned down the bling on the SD costumes but it totally works!!! The SD feels very sultry and sophisticated now - WOW!!!!! The last lift is completely amazing. What a rousing finish! The music changes aren't as jarring anymore. This was the program I liked better already between the SD and FD and yet they managed to improve it so much. I am so impressed! :yes:

Now, the FD. I am SPEECHLESS (but I'll type words anyway). EVERYTHING WAS WAY BETTER!!!!! Scott's costume, the flow and transition between the two sections, the lifts, the new ending. The second lift where Tessa flips onto Scott's chest is What Tessa does with her arms in the third lift is so lovely. The final rotational lift is so well done and fits much better with the climax of the music. I can get behind this new ending!!! :yay: I did feel like they were holding back a little, but, wow, they were amazing. I couldn't look away and was glued to every little thing they were doing in the FD. Is it just me or did the twizzles seem slower than usual?

Congrats on winning another National Title, though it was never in doubt.

 

[NoNameFace]

as I said in FD thread, Scott's hands during the last lift, right into the music rise, praising, proclaiming this victory, are everything and probably the picture I will remember for a long time

I think that this FD, performed like today is really a testament of they will, dedication and determination to improve for the very best - this whole FD concept, all the risk taken, changes made proved their worth and gave them a personal, satisfaction victory in my opinion, because of the climb, amount of work to get to this very point. I do believe that there will be further work done on smoothing everything together and ensuring that all step sequences will work for the highest level, but what is the most important is that they seem to catch that optimal state and vision for both programs already to navigate their performances in a way that will please not only themselves or their team; they definitely vlved, transformed both programs and perception of them throughout the season and now we see the fruits of this thoughtfullness and 'experiment' that was 'Moulin Rouge' choice.

The most important factor for me is that they were not afraid to go all inside of this theatrical, stage-like convention and to play out both dramatic and lyrical sides of that story - their story - in such vivid, emotional,physical and palpable way. From the very first pose I thought 'the stage is set' - and this is very true to the reality of feeling experieced watching them, yet surpassing beauty of engagement picture created. What grabbed my attention was the confidence and spark in their eyes and this 'for each other' feeling radiating from their every move and look. I think that both parts were re-made more organically connected and with much better flow to them - there is a sense of tension and edge in first one, which then blends into affection and emotions flowing from them: to each other, to the dance, to the music and all the audience. What I love about the concept of that FD, this boldness of it is that this is a dance full of dynamics that can reach different people, by different things/aspects: visual, musical, interpretational, expression-wise; this is the program consisting from a paradox of exchanging the emotion between Tessa and Scott, balancing it and sharing that exchange with so many people around, the intimate, personal experience made into universal one to grab and feel.