This and That: 2015 Skate Canada Recap

[Marius]

My best dressed is Ashley. I loved the short's dress (great taste, Marissa!), and i liked the change of costume in the free. Beautiful.
Ps: maybe we liked that black dress because it slims! When I saw Ashley, my first tought was: "oh, she has lost weight!" Simply gorgeous dress

My moment of the week was Yuzuru's facial expression after finishing his free. It reminds me to his free at 2012 Worlds. Too much emotions ahahahah!

Talking about skating skills, Chan is in a league of its own. Hanyu has really the ability to transport you in his programs, but Chan can really create exceptionally lovely programs with that SS: full of transitions, difficult steps and beautiful choreo. Absolutely amazing.

I can't see the Shibs win Nationals. He only wat is to put some really positives results and hoping that Chock/Bates don't. If the Shibs can reach high scores in series, then maybe they could have a chance. I really loved their SD.

Dice has to feel more deeply his programs. He has not the SS to transport you in his programs without a beautiful interpretation that he still does not have. He has rooms for improvements. On the other hand, Maia has a beautiful smile and interprets well enough, but my impression of her is that she is so focused to be "perfect" that se does not give fire to his performance. But I still like her, perfection is not a bad thing

 

[WeakAnkles]

Who was your best dressed?
Hmm, how about who was worst dressed? Every man who didn't tuck his shirt in. Not only does it look sloppy, but it ruins the line.

What was your moment of the week?
Tim Dolensky's FS. It's always a beautiful thing to see someone with obvious talent and potential finally put it all together. Here's hoping for many more performances of that caliber from him.

Who has better skating skills, Hanyu or Chan?
Chan, though Hanyu is the better jumper. It just drives me crazy that no one on his team has ever evidently addressed the fact that he has lousy posture and often skates like a marionette sans strings. He's like the Jimmy Stewart of skating.

What would it take for the judges to allow the Shibutanis to win U.S. Nationals?
Blackmailable dirt on Igor?

Do Maia and Dice need to give more facial expressions?
Yes. One of the reasons I think the Shibs had such a successful SD last year, besides the fact that it was wonderfully choreographed, was that both Shibs brought the fierce. Fierce is emotionally engaging and just draws you in. Stoicism doesn't. And yes, Alex, cut your hair.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I swear the beginning of Ashley's FS with all of those weird prayer like karate chop movements is identical in content to Liza's Choreo that people complain about. Disappointed that Jenny could harp on Liza so much for lack of content and then ignore it and actually praise it in Ashley. :think:

 

[TSLDave]

I swear the beginning of Ashley's FS with all of those weird prayer like karate chop movements is identical in content to Liza's Choreo that people complain about. Disappointed that Jenny could harp on Liza so much for lack of content and then ignore it and actually praise it in Ashley. :think:

To be fair, Ashley has superior posture to Liza. I don't like the her new arm movements. It is too much for my taste.

 

[Tavi...]

That one made me smile when I heard it. It was pretty good, although GraaaTz would have been even better.

I've always pronounced it Grahtz (with an ahhhh sound) but I'm not a native speaker of German.

 

[Marius]

I swear the beginning of Ashley's FS with all of those weird prayer like karate chop movements is identical to Liza's Choreo that people complain about. Disappointed that Jenny could harp on Liza so much for lack of content and then ignore it and actually praise it in Ashley. :think:

Yes! I thought the same thing when I see her choreo's changes in that part of the free. Just after the double axel and the 3-3 combination, just TOO much movements. Ashley's inner Jackie Chan is born
Still I liked the fact that she changes some part of her choreography (particularly the connection movements she makes after the two spins and the "Yesterday!" Nicole Kidman sings )

 

[TSLDave]

I think finding some balance between Vampire and Oompa Loompa is very achievable.

And honey if you are going to defend him blame the lighting, not California! Ill buy that the lighting in the venue was bad and exacerbated this situation.

Spay tans are an art form into them self.... I think i would be far too cowardly to try any on my face personally... and if i was doing it in a context like Adam I sure as heck would go to someone who has a reputation they want and need to protect so i know it is in their interest to not let me leave till I look good!

Not defending that shade of orange, just trying to put it in context He has a lot of look this season. He did look better in candid photos from the event. It is possible the lighting did exacerbate the color.

 

[GF2445]

When i saw that TSL were going to be on golden skate, i was immediately excited
Skating forums are great because we're just unbelievably blunt.

Thanks for the skate canada recap.

Just some thoughts, the US ladies see, to be upping their gamealot this season. Ashley, despite jumping errors, has currently set herself apartfrom the field as someone who can really give the performance. She was channeling a tad of tessa virtue in the SP (can we get an interview from tessa and scott?) and i really like the transitions in the free skate.

Also, for the shibutanis- what a moment they had- the audience received it so well.i do agree that they need to try and dance more in dance holds. I would also like to see changes in facial expression- contrast the start from finish-i.e. Make the start look more...serious or malencholy to match the lyrics. Also some of their fantastic moves could be more dynamic.
Thats just nit picking, but if they keep growing this free dance, they. Ay actually win this portion at nationals.

 

[StitchMonkey]

Not defending that shade of orange, just trying to put it in context He has a lot of look this season. He did look better in candid photos from the event. It is possible the lighting did exacerbate the color.

Sometimes *ahem* fake shades do not do great under professional lighting set ups. Thought i have heard more complaints from lighting guys about hair then tan - i can see how it works the same. I agree Adam has looked better recently enough that this may not be a permanent and deliberate expression of self.

Or maybe he and Ashely did it on purpose in a "no publicity is bad publicity!" gimmick. Maybe they made him as orange as possible while still believable as not on purpose. Now this week they can sit back in comfy frump outfits with chocolate, liquor, and that cute cat of theirs while they point and laugh at all of us. Maybe it is a drinking game even. A shot ever time an Oompa Loompa is mentioned a chug of beer for "lighting" different kinds of chocolates for each shade we call his hair... really they could have a lot of fun turning this into a personal troll their fans game.

I mean we are talking about him after all. That is a good thing. No one is saying anything negative about his skating as we are having too much fun talking about other stuff (because we do love Adam of course). Maybe going orange is not such a bad strategy.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

What was your moment of the week?

Kanako's FS. Probably my favorite program in terms of construction and potential feels factor at SC, at least amongst the ladies, but her smiley and kind K-n-C just was everything for me. If I could hug one skater from this event it would be her. I just wish she wouldn't mule kick. If there was a scale of points for mule kicking she'd really set the bar high :hopelessness:

 

[mrrice]

Hey All, is Phillip Mills Ashley's Choreographer? I haven't seen much of him this season. By the way, I have always liked Ashley but, this year she's turning me into a fan. I thought she had a great showing in Canada and I LOVE Hip Hip Chin Chin. I never knew the girl could move like that. I hope she makes the world team and finally gets the World Medal she's been after.

 

[gravy]

Hey All, is Phillip Mills Ashley's Choreographer? I haven't seen much of him this season. By the way, I have always liked Ashley but, this year she's turning me into a fan. I thought she had a great showing in Canada and I LOVE Hip Hip Chin Chin. I never the girl could move like that. I hope she makes the world team and finally gets the World Medal she's been after.

Shae Lynn Bourne choreographed both of Ashley's programs.

 

[apgold]

Ashley hasn't worked with Mills for a couple of seasons now. I love her and Shae-Lynn - she is the perfect vehicle for Shae-Lynn's choreo. Mills is working with Max Aaron, which seems to be paying off for him!

 

[TontoK]

Hello, Dave.

While I don't always agree with you and Jenny, I love that you pull no punches in your analysis. I hate "wishy-washy."

I particularly found your analysis on the dance event interesting and insightful, especially in pointing out where the Shibs can still improve. Disclaimer: I loved them here for the first time in a very long time.

One thing I never quite got: Who do YOU think should have won the competition?

I agree that I haven't seen anyone really break from the pack, although I also agree with you that I'd shocked if "we" let the Shibs win Nationals, which is a shame if C/B don't really improve.

 

[TSLDave]

Hello, Dave.

While I don't always agree with you and Jenny, I love that you pull no punches in your analysis. I hate "wishy-washy."

I particularly found your analysis on the dance event interesting and insightful, especially in pointing out where the Shibs can still improve. Disclaimer: I loved them here for the first time in a very long time.

One thing I never quite got: Who do YOU think should have won the competition?

I agree that I haven't seen anyone really break from the pack, although I also agree with you that I'd shocked if "we" let the Shibs win Nationals, which is a shame if C/B don't really improve.

I would have put the Shibs first, but it was difficult to imagine the judges would ever do that in Canada unless they were head and shoulders above the rest.

I also love when people give the "I don't always agree with you" disclaimer. I don't expect anyone to. Don't we all have different opinions? That is what makes discussion fun.

 

[thedybbuk]

I swear the beginning of Ashley's FS with all of those weird prayer like karate chop movements is identical in content to Liza's Choreo that people complain about. Disappointed that Jenny could harp on Liza so much for lack of content and then ignore it and actually praise it in Ashley. :think:

I actually was getting the robot dance moves from it, though karate chop is good too. Either way they were bizarre and didn't fit the music.

 

[mrrice]

Ashley hasn't worked with Mills for a couple of seasons now. I love her and Shae-Lynn - she is the perfect vehicle for Shae-Lynn's choreo. Mills is working with Max Aaron, which seems to be paying off for him!

Thank you gravy and apgold. This seems to be a great fit for Ashley. She's always been beautiful but, to me, she didn't seem as genuine as she seems now. Maybe it's because she's gotten older. Shae-Lynn Bourn Identity......That's what me and my friends call her. ( I know ) seems like a cool lady and she's definitely gotten Ashley to loosen up. I love it.

I just watched Shae-Lynn and Claude Lemieux on Youtube. Wow!!! She's just fantastic and He's a Sack of Beef!! Yowza! Ashley is in good hands.

 

[jenaj]

Who was your best dressed?

I didn't watch the pairs or dance (too bad NBC decides to ignore those events), so I can only answer for the singles. In those groups, it has to be Ashley.


What was your moment of the week?

My two moments of the week were Hanyu's and Liza's comebacks from 6th and 7th to silver medals. They showed why they are champions.

Who has better skating skills, Hanyu or Chan?

Chan

What would it take for the judges to allow the Shibutanis to win U.S. Nationals?

Chock and Bates to fall several times or withdraw because of injuries.

Do Maia and Dice need to give more facial expressions?

Not necessarily. I'm fine with Maia (saw her FD). Dice just needs more energy and power in his skating.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I actually was getting the robot dance moves from it, though karate chop is good too. Either way they were bizarre and didn't fit the music.

Whenever I think of the robot dance I think of Mr Krabs from SpongeBob calling into the radio station and requesting the song that goes Bee Boo Boo Bop and the dj tells him he's saying it wrong.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lBpMSmYP7to

I still think she's doing prayer karate chops but now that I've digressed into complete nonsense maybe I can save myself and ask a serious question. What exactly is the story behind Ashley's program? And what are these mysterious movements she is doing and how do they relate to Moulin Rouge? The rest of the program seems normal enough.

 

[Sydney Rose]

Great to see you posting here, Dave. I really enjoy TSL, especially your recaps and your interviews with coaches and choreographers.

Who was your best dressed?

What was your moment of the week?

Who has better skating skills, Hanyu or Chan?

Best dressed: Frank Carroll. No contest.

Moment of the week: Yuzuru and Brian in the K&C after the FS, their hands in prayer position, waiting for the scores to come up.

Better Skating Skills: Chan's edges are to die for. But he doesn't have jumps that look like they've fallen from heaven. And he never draws me into his programs or moves me the way Hanyu does or even the way much less accomplished skaters do.