Who has the best new programs so far in this season?

[soccerjc77]

Just out of curiosity, who do you think has the best new programs this season ? (If we remove all the skaters who recycle their old program.)
For me, my favorite combination of new programs are the one from Loena Hendrickx and Adam Siao Him Fa.
Both their short and free programs suit them well.

 

[4everchan]

Deanna and Max

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Definitely Deanna and Max for me too. Also Mone Chiba's free, Amber Glenn's short, Yuma Kagiyama's free. Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel too. Gabriele Frangipani (even though he has yet to skate them cleanly but they're really entertaining). Those are the first that come to mind.

@soccerjc77 I think I read somewhere that Loena has changed her short program btw ;-)

 

[Skater Boy]

I like Guillaume and Laurence free skate. I like both of Deanna and Max programs though none of them have been skated well so far.

 

[paulusfr]

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron

 

[fallingsk8er]

Yuma Kagiyama and Isabeau Levito have the best long programs in my opinion.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

Both of Andrew Torgashev's programs are so good, in my opinion.

 

[4everchan]

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron

Their Free Dance is promising though the curve lifts are not good. But the RD? I guess it's personal choice so don't mind my answer too much. I thought of including them to mention the free dance... and then, I decided against it because of the RD . What I find fascinating with ice dance is how the top teams improve their programs as the season goes by. So I guess, I may be able to include them in a few weeks for best programs too

 

[noskates]

I would agree that Andrew has great programs - I only wish he could skate both of then clean when it matters. Most of the men so far have really awful music and weird choreography IMO. I don't know if it's an aim to be different or what but the music seems unskateable. And then there's Cha's Moulin Rouge I think Isabeau has finally burst out of that "little girl" persona she had for the past couple of years. I think her music is perfect for her and her dresses are beautiful. Guillaume and Laurence are still building and I think by the time Worlds comes around they are going to be show-stopping. Not only is he a brilliant choreographer but Laurence is able to keep up with his level of precision and grace. I'm very excited to see them progress. I do not like Deanna and Max's free skate and I think the gymnastics makes no sense. But at least we don't hear heavy breathing and wind! Generally speaking I think the Korean ladies have music and costumes that befit them and are very pleasant to watch. I do like Ilia's programs. Not a fan of rap but they suit him and it's always entertaining to see him singing along with the music while he skates. And Yuma is priceless. He is so much fun to watch and his choreo is great for him. Maybe one of my favorites.

 

[jersey1302]

Well some of the programs I REALLY like so far.. hard to say who the best is because I haven't seen everyone yet.. but I love Isabeau's short program its absolutely lovely and she interprets it to perfection. I am pretty fond of Smart/Dieck Dune2 freeskate.. its excellent. Very creative. choreo. I also think both dances that Zingas/Kolesnik are on fire, what an improvement from last season. Also surprisingly REALLY loved Davis/ Smolkin's RD. That music is sooo hard to skate to and they nailed it. Not many teams can pull that one off. Thats just off the top of my head on what came to my mind fast.

 

[Kiki5375]

I like Vladimir Litvintsev's program. The shirt not so much

 

[larss]

Isabeau Levito's short program

 

[Arriba627]

So far I like Max Naumov's SP, Riku & Ryuichi's FS, Deanna and Max's programs, Yuma's FS, Zingas and Kolesnik's FD.

 

[Kiki5375]

Oh yes Max Naumov's FS program is great too. This rainbow song fits perfekt
Torgashev's SP is very good too. Scorpions is a good choice.
And Isabeau Levito's short too. Dubidubidoo love that

 

[Sai Bon]

I really enjoyed Green and Parson's RD until Michael fell .

 

[viennaskater]

Both of Lauriault/Le Gacs programs
Both of Alexandr Selevko's.
Deanna and Max's SP.

 

[noskates]

Alexander Selevko's Prince was awesome.
Piper and Paul's Vincent
Isabeau's SP
Ilia's everything
Andrew Torgashev's SP when he skates clean - the footwork is pretty amazing

 

[discodisco]

Both of Andrew Torgashev's programs are so good, in my opinion.

I like Andrew's last year's programs better, especially his short, and I think this year's is kind of a second rate version. I think last year's music and the overall packaging was a little more unique. And I love, love, loved his long program last year as well so maybe I just need to see this year's program skated as well as last years and I might be a believer!

 

[discodisco]

I think Yuma’s program is easily the best of the year — the only one across all disciplines that truly feels like an all-time masterpiece. It’s frustrating that skaters like Yuma, Jason, or even Kevin can create programs that are light-years ahead artistically, yet a competitor can make up the gap in PCS just by landing a basic jump combination.

What’s the point of developing elite skating skills, deep edges, and intricate choreography if those qualities only earn a few extra points — while adding a simple jump can erase that advantage entirely?

I get that judging the non-jump elements is subjective and complex, but it’s still disappointing. You can teach most skaters a new quad in a few months with focused coaching, but you can’t teach true edge quality, flow, or performance depth so easily — and yet those things rarely get rewarded as they should.

 

[discodisco]

Levito's short is also a standout. She has been spot on the last two seasons with her short program because nobody skates to that kind of classic mid-20th century Audrey Hepburn era Jazzy music. She pulls it off from head to toe with costuming and posture and poise and the program really highlights all of her many positive qualities while masking as much as possible and her deficit. I did not like her skating a few years ago when she won her first world metal because I thought her skating flaws were overlooked, but I think she has done a fantastic job in the last 2 years not only addressing her weaknesses, but investing in pretty much ideal Packaging. Does anyone know who choreographed her short program? Her long is okay, I just hate the vocal version of Cinema Paradiso but it's admittedly a very good choice for the location of the Olympics