Your opinion on Skate Canada

[Mango]

To be perfectly honest, Scott looks a bit out of shape physically. The basics are there, the personality is there, and their connection/musicality remains great, but he's got some extra weight on his frame that needs to be trimmed in order to make everything crisper. When you look at how perfectly in shape someone like Cizeron is and how great of a form that displays on the ice and what it allows him to do with his body...yeah, Scott needs to put more work in at the gym to compete with it. Tessa's new costume for the SD was also unflattering, making her midsection looker bigger. The dress at Autumn Classic was better.

Disagreed about the costume. The dress at ACI was puffy. You don't need a puffy dress in a hip hop SD. At SCI she had a purple jabot that tied in with Prince's look. She looked fine in person in the unitard.

 

[Ice Dance]

Everyone politely clapped for all the skaters.

No. There is polite clapping and there is impolite clapping. I don't know if there was booing, but this was impolite clapping. We've all seen it before. We saw it with many athletes in Sochi. We saw it with the Italians, Russians, & Bulgarians at the 2001 Worlds in Vancouver. I've never seen in at any event I've attended in North America since then--not at either of the Skate Canadas or any of the Skate Americas, Worlds, or Nationals. But, yeah, after C&B's FD, that was one of those very tough you-are-not-at-home-and-we-think-you-do-not-deserve-to-beat-our-team ice dance moments. I'm sure it has happened many other places that I haven't noticed. I think it's actually fairly common to have super restrained responses to major competitors when they head out on the ice. It's really never easy to be a top dance team skating in your main opponents' backyard, but this form of restrained applause isn't common to have after a solid performance. This was a tough venue, and credit where credit is due, C&B held up to the pressure. Scott & Tessa and Meryl & Charlie did it at the Olympics. Fusar-Poli & Margaglio and Lobacheva & Averbuch did it in 2001. Sometimes, in the dance world in particular, the audience is not your friend. But the teams deal. It is part of the challenge of skating away from home. I'm sure there were many politely applauding Japanese fans at SC. They made up a huge portion of the audience last year when Hanyu attended. (Though a decent portion generally skip the dance event). But without the support of the arena in general, this was not polite or normal applause.

 

[Kittysk8s]

Where/when exactly did Davis/White perform their 2013/14 FD in Canada???

The GPF was in Japan that season, so it was not then. I'm stumped.

http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/team/davis_white
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00006260.htm
http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf1314/

Good question. They were at Worlds in London, Ontario in 2013, the year before the OG and the Canadian crowd clapped along during their SD and cheered for them and many even gave them a standing ovation.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Disagreed about the costume. She looked fine in person in the unitard.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference and perspective, but I'd be wary about anything that could make a team look less fit, particularly a returning team that might be criticized for looking more sluggish than they used to.

 

[Mango]

No. There is polite clapping and there is impolite clapping. I don't know if there was booing, but this was impolite clapping. We've all seen it before. We saw it with many athletes in Sochi. We saw it with the Italians, Russians, & Bulgarians at the 2001 Worlds in Vancouver. I've never seen in at any event I've attended in North America since then--not at either of the Skate Canadas or any of the Skate Americas, Worlds, or Nationals. But, yeah, after C&B's FD, that was one of those very tough you-are-not-at-home-and-we-think-you-do-not-deserve-to-beat-our-team ice dance moments. I'm sure it has happened many other places that I haven't noticed. I think it's actually fairly common to have super restrained responses to major competitors when they head out on the ice. It's really never easy to be a top dance team skating in your main opponents' backyard, but this form of restrained applause isn't common to have after a solid performance. This was a tough venue, and credit where credit is due, C&B held up to the pressure. Scott & Tessa and Meryl & Charlie did it at the Olympics. Fusar-Poli & Margaglio and Lobacheva & Averbuch did it in 2001. Sometimes, in the dance world in particular, the audience is not your friend. But the teams deal. It is part of the challenge of skating away from home. I'm sure there were many politely applauding Japanese fans at SC. They made up a huge portion of the audience last year when Hanyu attended. (Though a decent portion generally skip the dance event). But without the support of the arena in general, this was not polite or normal applause.

Maybe you felt this way because there were less people around by the time Chock/Bates' scores came up than there were when other ice dancers skated. A lot of people left to beat the ridiculous traffic jams that formed as soon as C/B finished. But then again, there were those who were genuinely confused during the performance. Not everyone came to practice and saw what they were doing. No one was being rude on purpose. If they had wanted to do that, you would have noticed it with other skaters like Satoko.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference and perspective, but I'd be wary about anything that could make a team look less fit, particularly a returning team that might be criticized for looking more sluggish than they used it.

That criticism has been levelled at Tessa for a long time. She's even part of a Dove campaign where she talks about how negatively some perceive her body weight. They don't care. What matters to them is scores and performing to their full potential.

 

[4everchan]

Maybe you felt this way because there were less people around by the time Chock/Bates' scores came up than there were when other ice dancers skated. A lot of people left to beat the ridiculous traffic jams that formed as soon as C/B finished. But then again, there were those who were genuinely confused during the performance. Not everyone came to practice and saw what they were doing. No one was being rude on purpose. If they had wanted to do that, you would have noticed it with other skaters like Satoko.



That criticism has been levelled at Tessa for a long time. She's even part of a Dove campaign where she talks about how negatively some perceive her body weight. They don't care. What matters to them is scores and performing to their full potential.

At ACI : many people left after Tessa and Scott despite Hawayek-Baker still having to skate... I stayed... I got caught in the longest line-ups ever for bathrooms and food... no wonder people leave before the final couple gets their mark or even skates.

Regarding C/B's dance... I follow dance and this particular one will have to grow on me... I don't deny the quality of their skating but I do not get it... I don't like the music nor get the connection of movement and music here... So.. if I got excited after many of the FDs (at home, in front of the TV) I was like... MEH... all way through their performance. I am sure a few people in the arena felt the same way as I did.. it wasn't a number that could/would bring the house down like let's say Piper and Paul's or the Italians.

 

[ice coverage]

Scott was obnoxious? Like during the group hug, or when he was kissing Tessa's shoulder? http://saucylittlesmile.tumblr.com/post/152611866154/a-group-hug-picture-story-im-not-sure-who ...

:agree: Scott is known to be an excellent group-hugger .
IIRC (and I am 99% sure):
At the conclusion of the on-ice 2014 Sochi victory ceremony, it was Scott who first stretched his arms out to initiate a Team Canton group hug with Meryl, Charlie, Tessa, Marina, and himself. (And maybe Oleg? Sorry, I don't remember.) A very nice moment.

[And Scott's peck on Tessa's shoulder reminds me of another nice moment. When they were competing one of their programs for the first time (in a pre-Sochi season), Scott accidentally "whacked" Tessa's shoulder right after they had started the program. As they seamlessly continued skating, he managed to give her a quick apologetic kiss on the shoulder . One of the many reasons that I find Scott endearing and Tessa/Scott's partnership endearing. (ETA: I am American , BTW.)]

Thx to Mango for the link to these photos, which I had not seen .

 

[chuckm]

I personally was bored to tears by the Italians FD. It was very much like so many FDs they had done before. So it was MEH to me. But if it was the last dance I would still have stayed because it would be just plain RUDE to leave before the last FD of a competition. The competition is not final until the last dance is done, no matter who the last competitor is. It's hard to believe that people routinely do such a thing. I don't recall people doing that at Worlds in Boston, or even at Nationals.

I was at Skate America, and I did leave sometimes before the medal ceremonies (and US skaters were getting medals) but never before a competitor performance.


And how disruptive it is for people staying to see the last performance to have people passing in front of them on their way to the aisle---to say nothing of how disconcerting it must be to the skaters to see mobs of audience leaving while they skate. It has to leave a really welcoming feeling. Not!! If I were C/B I would not want to come back to Skate Canada again ever. Even Cup of Russia would be more welcoming.

 

[Mango]

I can't recall anyone leaving before Chock/Bates skated, but people, including those around me, left right after giving them some applause at the end. People who attended the event did set their PVRs so they didn't need to stay for the medal ceremony or anything else. 4everchan the line ups at Hershey Centre were awful too. The only rink I've had no issues with is the ACC but that's the largest rink in Ontario so...

 

[Manitou]

Scott was obnoxious?

I don't think there are videos of the live Ice Network feed anywhere. Right after he sat in kiss/cry and was waiting for the coaches to come he behaved very loudly. Like someone who wants to hide from his own embarrassment behind his noisy behavior. That was not pleasant to watch. He knew he was being watched, but looked like he didn't care.
That was my impression. I know I am being judgmental and if they had some credit with me I would be more lenient about that behavior. But after they were given the high marks for completely nothing, just for showing up, then I don't feel I should be favorable to them. You need to deserve your position. You need to climb up. But if you think you are doing everybody a favor by showing up then it is not enough for me.

 

[Mango]

I don't think there are videos of the live IN feed anywhere. Right after he sat in kiss/cry and was waiting for the coaches to come he behaved very loudly. Like someone who wants to hide from his own embarrassment behind his noisy behavior. That was not pleasant to watch. He knew he was being watched, but looked like he didn't care.
That was my impression. I know I am being judgmental and if they had some credit with me I would be more lenient about that behavior. But after they were given the high marks for completely nothing, just for showing up, then I don't feel I should be favorable to them. You need to deserve your position. But if you think you are doing everybody a favor by showing up then it is not enough for me.

Well you need not worry, then. Because the French are going to win everything from here to 2018 Worlds. Haven't you heard already? I am sure Chock/Bates will be over this before long.

Also, nowhere have I heard being loud after a performance is being obnoxious. If that's the criteria then Yuzuru Hanyu angrily demanding his vest after the SP at 2015 Skate Canada was mighty obnoxious.

 

[Manitou]

Well you need not worry, then. Because the French are going to win everything from here to 2018 Worlds.

I am hoping for this.

 

[Mango]

I am hoping for this.

Good to know your true colours. :agree:

 

[rvi5]

...A lot of people left to beat the ridiculous traffic jams...

That stop & go bumper-to-bumper traffic was crazy. On Friday it took us well over a half hour to get out of the parking lot and reach the traffic lights at Matheson where the traffic dissipated. The only way out was via the Rose Cherry Place road which was completely backed-up. On Saturday we disregarded the Skate Canada parking signs, and parked at the community rink lot instead. We also left early after the ice dance medals, but before the final mens medal ceremony. On the Gala day, a lot of other people seemed to be parking there also.


ETA: To me, impolite clapping would be more like what the judges received when they were too slow to post the score. A slower rhythmic clap. Everything else is polite clapping, although there are different levels ranging from polite to excited. How polite the clapping is perceived can be influenced by how excited the listener is relative to others, or in some cases their ego.

 

[karne]

But if it was the last dance I would still have stayed because it would be just plain RUDE to leave before the last FD of a competition. The competition is not final until the last dance is done, no matter who the last competitor is. It's hard to believe that people routinely do such a thing. I don't recall people doing that at Worlds in Boston, or even at Nationals.

It was done at Boston, I was quite angry. So angry, so disappointed by the rudeness, that I stayed, made sure I clapped and cheered, for Kovtun - Kovtun, of all people! - because I felt bad that so many rude nasty people abandoned the arena en masse after Hanyu's SP.

Just as Kolyada had the last laugh over those snobs who sneer and shun the "early groups" at Worlds by laying down a score that lasted all night, so I hoped that Kovtun, about whom you all know my feelings, would skate lights-out and effectively flip a giant bird at all those people who left after Hanyu. Sadly, he didn't.

 

[Mango]

I thought the actual competition audience was great. The practice audience was a bit different. On the first day there was an entire group of ladies who, upon finding out Yuzuru wouldn't be coming to the first practice got up and left after putting various things on the first row seats they had claimed but weren't their actual seats. They also chose to get up and go buy food right after an ice resurfacing, in the middle of an SD practice. Came back in time for the 2nd men's practice, effectively blocking off nice seats for ~6 hours. Those kind of people are not cool.

If anyone wants to hear real Canadian booing I recommend watching a hockey game. Those fans take things like dirty hits seriously and can boo any hated player for the entire night. Very fun viewing.

 

[rain]

I don't think there are videos of the live Ice Network feed anywhere. Right after he sat in kiss/cry and was waiting for the coaches to come he behaved very loudly. Like someone who wants to hide from his own embarrassment behind his noisy behavior. That was not pleasant to watch. He knew he was being watched, but looked like he didn't care.
That was my impression. I know I am being judgmental and if they had some credit with me I would be more lenient about that behavior. But after they were given the high marks for completely nothing, just for showing up, then I don't feel I should be favorable to them. You need to deserve your position. You need to climb up. But if you think you are doing everybody a favor by showing up then it is not enough for me.

I was going to let this go, because you seem to have your mind made up, not just about their skating, but about what horrible people they are, but I feel I just have to say, in defence of basically any athlete, to say they've gotten to, and won, an elite level skating competition by doing "nothing" is just really disrespectful, and frankly untrue. It is impossible to attain and maintain the kind of skill and competitiveness that V/M have since they were young teenagers without an extreme amount of dedication and hard work. They had to make the steep climb just like any other world and Olympic champion. What further dues do you think they still need to pay?

You really think that hours and hours in the rink, changing their technique is because they don't care and think the judges are just going to hand it to them? You think Tessa has endured multiple surgeries and recoveries because she has no dedication to the art and sport of ice dancing? You really think they decided to go through the incredibly hard work of coming back to competition after two years to put, as you so contemptuously dismiss it, "nothing" out onto the ice?

I don't think we armchair critics have any right to say that any of these incredibly dedicated athletes "did nothing", just because we didn't care for the program or the expression. We didn't like it, but it's not "nothing".

I also think you're unfairly ascribing motivations and feelings to two skaters that I'm guessing you really don't know personally when you say they think they are doing everyone a favour by showing up.

 

[Mango]

I was going to let this go, because you seem to have your mind made up, not just about their skating, but about what horrible people they are, but I feel I just have to say, in defence of basically any athlete, to say they've gotten to, and won, an elite level skating competition by doing "nothing" is just really disrespectful, and frankly untrue. It is impossible to attain and maintain the kind of skill and competitiveness that V/M have since they were young teenagers without an extreme amount of dedication and hard work. They had to make the steep climb just like any other world and Olympic champion. What further dues do you think they still need to pay?

You really think that hours and hours in the rink, changing their technique is because they don't care and think the judges are just going to hand it to them? You think Tessa has endured multiple surgeries and recoveries because she has no dedication to the art and sport of ice dancing? You really think they decided to go through the incredibly hard work of coming back to competition after two years to put, as you so contemptuously dismiss it, "nothing" out onto the ice?

I don't think we armchair critics have any right to say that any of these incredibly dedicated athletes "did nothing", just because we didn't care for the program or the expression. We didn't like it, but it's not "nothing".

I also think you're unfairly ascribing motivations and feelings to two skaters that I'm guessing you really don't know personally when you say they think they are doing everyone a favour by showing up.

:clapper:

 

[4everchan]

it was obvious from all the shade being thrown... wow... people are so small nowadays... willing to belittle anyone just to lobby for their favourite skaters... so small

Good to know your true colours. :agree:

 

[Manitou]

...
I also think you're unfairly ascribing motivations and feelings to two skaters that I'm guessing you really don't know personally when you say they think they are doing everyone a favour by showing up.

You know what? If they can prove they can fairly compete on equal terms with everybody, without the free credit of being THE V/M, then the fans will benefit of having yet another incredible team to watch. But first the have to prove. Just like everybody else.