Figure Skating

[emmawoodhouse]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:27 AM, Mirabelle said:

Are Davis/Smolkin really the third best pair from Russia? They seemed slow to me which is not something which I ever thought could be said of Russian ice dancers.

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Actually Zagorski/Guirerro are #3, but Tiff has had some very serious health issues this fall/winter and couldn't compete.

[legaleagle53]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:24 AM, annzeepark914 said:

Shocking to me but I enjoyed Davis/Smolkin's FD despite that wretched music.

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I thought he looked a little shaky on a couple of those lifts. I'm surprised they scored ahead of the Finns, who opened with what I thought was an incredibly difficult rotational lift sequence.

Edited February 14, 2022 by legaleagle53

[CeeBeeGee]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:27 AM, Mirabelle said:

Are Davis/Smolkin really the third best pair from Russia? They seemed slow to me which is not something which I ever thought could be said of Russian ice dancers.

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Well, there's Skating While Russian and then there's Skating While Being Eteri's daughter. I can't imagine it hurt her chances.

[BlackberryJam]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:29 AM, GeminiDancer said:

 

You know Madison Chock would have gone in, down to caw-cawing on ice.

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What is Wade Robson doing? He could really help with upper body movements for these dancers. Someone should hire him to co-choreograph.

See Hummingbird, So You Think You Can Dance.

[SophiaD]

Chiming in a bit late, but that Lady Gaga piece was one of the worst renditions I've ever heard.  OMG.  

Other than that, it's fun to see the pairs further down in the standings.

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:35 AM, BlackberryJam said:

What is Wade Robson doing? He could really help with upper body movements for these dancers. Someone should hire him to co-choreograph.

See Hummingbird, So You Think You Can Dance.

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I'd love to see Rohene Ward choreograph some ice dance programs... If Shae-Lynn can choreograph the men, he can work with ice dancers.

[GeminiDancer]

Ugh... I love H/B's free dance. That was so beautiful!

[Lady Whistleup]

Jean Luc Baker looks like a high school production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

[justmehere]

Tanith has been pointing out the reasons for lower levels from some of the early skaters. She was full of praise for H/B but didn't explain why some of their levels were low. I find them quite lovely and don't understand why they don't score higher, so I wish she had explained more about their performance. 

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:50 AM, justmehere said:

Tanith has been pointing out the reasons for lower levels from some of the early skaters. She was full of praise for H/B but didn't explain why some of their levels were low. I find them quite lovely and don't understand why they don't score higher, so I wish she had explained more about their performance. 

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I think it might be skating while #3 US team who have also been out for a considerable amount of time due to injury.

[SeanC]

While the ice resurfaces, enjoy this Canadian-turned-South Korean junior team we'll most likely see at the 2026 Olympics:

 

[Jillibean]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:52 AM, GeminiDancer said:

I think it might be skating while #3 US team who have also been out for a considerable amount of time due to injury.

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I do think if both of the top teams retire they would magically find some levels. But I assume some of it is edges, or how closely they skate to each other? From what I hear (I'm not someone who could analyze this myself), they have a similar dynamic to C/B in that Jean Luc is by far the better technical skater--but I'll let someone who actually knows what they're talking about confirm. 

[justmehere]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:52 AM, GeminiDancer said:

...who have also been out for a considerable amount of time due to injury.

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Agreed. I just wanted to hear more specifics about areas of their performance. 

[Lady Whistleup]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:56 AM, Jillibean said:

I do think if both of the top teams retire they would magically find some levels. But I assume some of it is edges, or how closely they skate to each other? From what I hear (I'm not someone who could analyze this myself), they have a similar dynamic to C/B in that Jean Luc is by far the better technical skater--but I'll let someone who actually knows what they're talking about confirm. 

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I think what's separating them from the top groups is speed. I notice that while very lovely they don't skate with much speed. If you compare the top dance teams to them, you'll see a lot slower skating. 

[SeanC]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:57 AM, Lady Whistleup said:

I think what's separating them from the top groups is speed. I notice that while very lovely they don't skate with much speed. If you compare the top dance teams to them, you'll see a lot slower skating. 

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Speed plus the lack of height difference.

[GeminiDancer]

I think G/P will be the new #1 team for the next quad. H/B #2 as long as they stay healthy and build their speed. Car/Pon... I dunno what's going to happen with them. They're just not clicking.

[annzeepark914]

  On 2/14/2022 at 2:58 AM, SeanC said:

Speed plus the lack of height difference.

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I've read at different sites (like FSU & Golden Skate), that the lack of height difference is something that judges seem to have a problem with.

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:02 AM, annzeepark914 said:

I've read at different sites (like FSU & Golden Skate), that the lack of height difference is something that judges seem to have a problem with.

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And it's so unfortunate because it's not as if Jean-Luc can get any taller...

[SeanC]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:02 AM, annzeepark914 said:

I've read at different sites (like FSU & Golden Skate), that the lack of height difference is something that judges seem to have a problem with.

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It's partly a matter of judging preference and partly how it affects certain elements (lifts, mainly).

[legaleagle53]

Marco Fabbri is as cute as a bug's ear. That is all.

[justmehere]

But H/B lifts are great. Tanith mentioned how steady and strong he is. It's a prejudice to judge against them  - him in particular - for height.

Edited February 14, 2022 by justmehere

[Lady Whistleup]

I also think that Hawayek/Baker don't have the "look" judges prize. Ice dance judges seem to like a fashion model look. I've even heard gripes that Guillaume Cizeron doesn't have the "look" they want either.

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:09 AM, Lady Whistleup said:

I also think that Hawayek/Baker don't have the "look" judges prize. Ice dance judges seem to like a fashion model look. I've even heard gripes that Guillaume Cizeron doesn't have the "look" they want either.

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What??? Cizeron doesn't have the "look"? What kind of look do they want? Donahue?

[Lady Whistleup]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:10 AM, GeminiDancer said:

What??? Cizeron doesn't have the "look"? What kind of look do they want? Donahue?

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I heard on TSL something like he doesn't look "like a man." Take that sort of comment what you will.

Edited February 14, 2022 by Lady Whistleup

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:12 AM, Lady Whistleup said:

I heard on TSL something like he doesn't look "like a man." Take that sort of comment what you will.

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I'm both stunned and not surprised because I know that he's had comments, especially from that Russian judge. Ugh... this sport...

[justmehere]

Never mind.

Edited February 14, 2022 by justmehere

[GeminiDancer]

The sad part is that I have read that people have made comments about Gabrielle's looks too.

[HartofDixie]

I love this Zorro free dance!

[Linderhill]

I would have liked the Zorro free dance more if she had worn a brighter color.  That pale green seemed very dull.

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:29 AM, Linderhill said:

I would have liked the Zorro free dance more if she had worn a brighter color.  That pale green seemed very dull.

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Like a coral, maybe. Not a super bright orange-based red, but something in that family.

[choclatechip45]

I've always like the fact C/P don't remind me of the typical ice dancing couple so no surprise the judges don't like it. 

[GeminiDancer]

I liked the blue costumes on G/P better.

[galaxygirl76]

This version of The Long and Winding Road is still garbage.

[Lady Whistleup]

Oops big blooper on that lift.

[emmawoodhouse]

I wonder how much the biffed lift will cost Piper/Paul?

Edited February 14, 2022 by emmawoodhouse

[Leeds]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:45 AM, galaxygirl76 said:

This version of The Long and Winding Road is still garbage.

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I'm a fair weather (ie, Olympics only) viewer, and I have to say I've been horrified by some of the music, especially how discordant some of it's been.

[HartofDixie]

Final group!

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:49 AM, HartofDixie said:

Final group!

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My body is ready!

[HartofDixie]

 

[Lady Whistleup]

I like Stepanova and Bukin so far.

Oh no! Huge mistake there.

[GeminiDancer]

Awww. I'm so bummed she slipped. I love this program for them.

Now it's time for C/B to skate lights out... Don't hold anything back.

[Linderhill]

watching the final group now, I'm wondering why the closecaptioning always seems to cover the graphics on screen.  When skaters are being introduced it covers their names, ranking, country, music, etc. and during the skate it covers the score box.  WTF?  is this my cable company or NBC?

[Lady Whistleup]

  On 2/14/2022 at 4:01 AM, GeminiDancer said:

Awww. I'm so bummed she slipped. I love this program for them.

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I actually really love this couple and hope they move to the top in this next quad.

That has to be a bummer. They just got a bout of covid, rushed here, and didn't skate their best.

Edited February 14, 2022 by Lady Whistleup

[ShellsandCheese]

  On 2/14/2022 at 3:55 AM, HartofDixie said:

 

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The IOC confirmed this days ago. It’s not new news. I have to chuckle at Christine saying it will either be Russia or the US with gold. Duh, either the ROC will keep the Gold or they won’t. 

[HartofDixie]

Madi looks nervous 

[GeminiDancer]

  On 2/14/2022 at 4:04 AM, HartofDixie said:

Madi looks nervous 

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That first lift looked tentative.

[Lady Whistleup]

Um one thing that's holding C/B back IMO is you can kind of tell Madison is much slower than Evan, with shallower edges.

[GeminiDancer]

Personal best for C/B!
 

[Linderhill]

I loved how Tanith said that Madison Chock is one of the best performers out there.  This couple, for me, is a great reminder that Ice Dancing is more than romance.  Dance is about interpretation in movement not just romance.

[Jeddah]

I’m sorry I ever doubted the alien program! It was so good!