Figure Skating

[Chaser]

LOL at Terry saying Scott was gracious with the loss in Sochi. No he wasn't. 

[displayname]

I CAN"T CALL IT ICE CHEATING ANYMORE.

 

I"M SAD AND HAPPY.

[MaKaM]

That said, when Virtue and Moir retire again, the judges are going to have to dial the scores back for the French because having them win everything by 10+ points will get old fast. 

[SophiaD]

Yaaaaaaay, my Shib sibs won the bronze!!!!!!!!!  So happy for them!

Also, glad the rest of the podium turned out that way.  V/M are not my favorites, but they certainly should have won.  Congrats, Canada!

[voiceover]

Here's my Every!4!Years!Fan opinion: the commentators can point things out that I might not get, but this relentless tonguebathing is a turnoff.  It's easy for me to love an ice dancing routine, but I love 'em muted anymore.  This year --excepting the ShibsSparkle -- was just meh for me.  More than meh.  Disappointing.  Yammer genius all they want.  Left me cold as the ice.

*off to rewatch Davis & White & 2014*

[ombelico]

I would have had P/C in third - they were not deducted nearly enough for the lackluster performance brought on by the "wardrobe malfunction" in the short, and the "transcendent artistry" of their free dance is overrated. But at least the right 3 teams made the podium.

[displayname]

It's all Yuna's presence guys. She brought the fairness back to the judging.

[Chelsea girl]

So happy for the shibs! They've been a joy to watch and have made me cry lol. V/M were incredible and deserved that gold medal!!

[galaxygirl76]

1 minute ago, MaKaM said:

That said, when Virtue and Moir retire again, the judges are going to have to dial the scores back for the French because having them win everything by 10+ points will get old fast. 

I'm sure there will be new Russians by then.

[Jeddah]

I’m glad the Shibs medaled. As for the gold medalists...I hate that program.

[gatopretoNYC]

Well, I like the French better. Can V/M finally retire for real now? I'm so over them.

[AshleyN]

I feel like the medalists in all three disciplines so far have been exactly right?! Biggest upset of the games tbh.

[COESpiral]

So HAPPY for the Shibutanis on winning that bronze!  They earned it!!!

Still don't like V/M but they earned the win.

[leopardprint]

Are the Shibutanis also retiring? I have never been happier for someone to win the bronze, LOL. (Unless Mirai can sneak onto that podium) Bronze in ice dancing, Gold in my heart. 

Edited February 20, 2018 by leopardprint

[Moxie Cat]

Exactly the dance podium I wanted. Now let's just squeeze in another 3A and bronze for Mirai (hey, I can hope!)

[Dots And Stripes]

I also like that the Team Event seemed to help the Shibs and V/M. Both made adjustments after. That bodes well for participation next time around.

[mightysparrow]

I had to walk away, I couldn't watch.  I'm so happy for V&M!  I'm not a huge fan but I love to see people rise to the occasion!

Edited to add:  I HATED Moulin Rouge but the 'Roxanne' tango was the only thing I liked from that movie.

Edited February 20, 2018 by mightysparrow

[scarynikki12]

1 minute ago, AshleyN said:

I feel like the medalists in all three disciplines so far have been exactly right?! Biggest upset of the games tbh.

Heh, the Greatest Figure Skating Scandal Of Our Time is...the judges actually doing their jobs.

But we still have ladies...

[MaKaM]

The medalists are right but only because the skaters forced it with the French SD issues and Hubbell /Donohue issues in the FD. The judges were totally going to go a different based on the best overscores they could find. 

[displayname]

If Alina trumps Med (assuming they both go clean)...

 

That would be a perfectly judged Figure Skating Olympic event.

It's too hard for me to believe.

Edited February 20, 2018 by fan94

[Moxie Cat]

2 minutes ago, scarynikki12 said:

But we still have ladies

In that case, the shock would be if Med and Zag didn't get first and second. After the fairness of these first three disciplines, I'm actually OK with what I expect to happen, although they do need to change the rules to lessen jump backloading.

Edited February 20, 2018 by Moxie Cat

[SophiaD]

If Mirai gets the bronze in the ladies (or even higher), this entire Olympics will be worth it to me.

[healthnut]

Just now, MaKaM said:

The medalists are right but only because the skaters forced it with the French SD issues and Hubbell /Donohue issues in the FD. The judges were totally going to go a different based on the best overscores they could find. 

Don’t disagree with you, H/D’s PCS we’re still higher than the Shibs. 

[SeanC]

4 minutes ago, Dots And Stripes said:

I also like that the Team Event seemed to help the Shibs and V/M. Both made adjustments after. That bodes well for participation next time around.

Yeah, this Olympics definitely suggests that participating in the team event is a good idea rather than a distraction.

[COESpiral]

And considering the Not!Russians haven't won a gold medal at all these games, Zagitova or Medvedeva are going to be pressured even harder to win.

[MaKaM]

At least with the new +5 goe, we can look forward to more record breaking skates in the next 4 years. 

[kittykat]

8 minutes ago, scarynikki12 said:

Heh, the Greatest Figure Skating Scandal Of Our Time is...the judges actually doing their jobs.

But we still have ladies...

Hahaha right.  Usually we're all screaming bullshit at one of these at this point.  Let's see what the ladies bring.

[mehtotheworld]

I’m so confused as to why anyone thinks H/D of all couples would have been conspiracied into a bronze over the Shibs...

This is my nightmare podium and I feel like I’m in bizarro world! The Shibs are so blah to me. H/D are the most exciting thing about US ice dance right now, and I’m so sad for them. P/C are truly transcendent, and I can’t believe the gold medal winner skated to Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge, people! Gah. 

[Chaser]

Im in the 'V/M deserved it because they were the best skaters but I don't feel the program'. It's cheap thrills. 

I found the French boring. It's a lovely program but it wasn't enough. Esp not for that score. 

I would have put The Shibs second. I totally admit bias but they put together two fantastic programs. And had the second best reaction from the audience.

I'm actually having second hand embarrassment at the lack of reaction for the French. 

I do feel bad for the other American Teams.

Edited February 20, 2018 by Chaser

[Growsonwalls]

I love Gabby and Guillaume but something seemed off about them from the start. It wasn't just the wardrobe malfunction. You could see the tension all over Gabby's face and body. It didn't help that they played it safe with the FD content as well. If you want to see them at their best, watch last year's FD.

 

V/M have the edge on consistency, speed, and, well, a certain arrogance that I think is needed to win. In four years P/C will be much stronger. This was a typical somewhat rough first Olympic outing for them.

[mightysparrow]

The French can hold their heads up but it wasn't their night.  If you throw down a gauntlet, don't be surprised if someone picks it up.

Very happy for the Shib sibs.  Now I'd like to see them kick out the jams a little.  They can let their hair down a bit now.

I'm hearing talk about V&M being the 'greatest ice dancers of all time'.  That is absolute nonsense.  They're good.  And they earned their medal tonight the old fashioned way; by outskating everyone in the fucking building.  I've been impressed by V&M but I don't know if I've been moved.

[Guest]

13 minutes ago, Jeddah said:

I’m glad the Shibs medaled. As for the gold medalists...I hate that program.

I’m not a fan of their program either- but she looks good for having birthed so many secret love children.

Beyond thrilled for the Shibs!

[healthnut]

Women’s event is always unpredictable, I think one of the Russian ladies does well but not both. Pressure will get to one of them  

2014 - Adelina: upset

2010 - Yuna: favorite

2006 - Shizuka: upset

2002 - Sarah: upset

1998 - Tara: upset

1994 - Oksana: co-favorite (she was reigning world champion)

[twoods]

I liked how the Shibs seemed subdued when they realized they made the podium because they saw their teammates faltering. At least that’s how I interpreted their reaction. We are celebrating enough for them.

[Growsonwalls]

19 minutes ago, leopardprint said:

Well at least VM’s secret children can finally leave the basement. 

Hooray Shibutanis! 

Somewhere the crazy secret baby blogger is probably heartbroken. Not much material she can write about now.

[HartofDixie]

47 minutes ago, galaxygirl76 said:

With no gold medals the last time I checked for the Russian* team I'm sure they will ensure one of the ladies will get the OGM.

 

*adjusts tin foil hat*

I just hope they don’t make up for missing the pair & dance podiums by sweeping the ladies podium.

[AshleyN]

Lol at CBC having not one but two Virtue and Moir career retrospective fluff pieces ready to go after the event.

I wonder if they still would have run them if they'd lost? Probably, since this was their last skate I guess.

Edited February 20, 2018 by AshleyN

[annzeepark914]

What a night!!!  The Shib Sibs did it--congratulations, kids!  And to Hubble/Donahue?  A Bitch Face just invites bad karma so get over yourselves (& ya shudda spent a couple hours w/ your real teammates during the team event cause all that extra practice didn't help, did it?)

[blackwing]

Congrats to Virtue and Moir!  I really did think their program was the best.   The French were very good too but I didn't really see anything "transcendent" about their programme.  I also agree with the comment upthread that they should have been docked more for the nip slip.  She spent parts of the programme with her arm in an awkward position trying to hold up the dress.  

Congrats to the Shibutanis.  Even without the other guy touching the ice, they deserved to win.  If the other couple hadn't gotten a deduction, would they have placed higher than Shibs?  I enjoyed the Shibs performance, and I thought Hubbell/Donahue's music was dreadfully boring.

[MaKaM]

3 minutes ago, HartofDixie said:

I just hope they don’t make up for missing the pair & dance podiums by sweeping the ladies podium.

Turn Kostner into an honorary Russian? ETA, Er honorary not!Russian. 

Edited February 20, 2018 by MaKaM

[voiceover]

Welp.  I checked, and sure enough: Scheherazade, still made my heart stop.  And that was with those lovely minimalist Down Under announcers, proving that someone licking my ear through a performance, just not necessary.

 It's the odd duck pairing gets me every time; not the bride & groom on the cake.

[Growsonwalls]

1 minute ago, annzeepark914 said:

What a night!!!  The Shib Sibs did it--congratulations, kids!  And to Hubble/Donahue?  A Bitch Face just invites bad karma so get over yourselves (& ya shudda spent a couple hours w/ your real teammates during the team event cause all that extra practice didn't help, did it?)

Ok can we let this go now? H/D had a very rough night and Shibs got a medal. Jesus. I don't even like H/D but them looking so crestfallen isn't something I want to see. And I've watched that videotape and don't see bitch-face anywhere. I saw more bitch face tonight with a crestfallen Gabriella tbh.

[mehtotheworld]

1 minute ago, PoshSprinkles said:

Considering they were rated higher in PCS than the Shibs, they likely would have gotten bronze without the fall, which is ridiculous considering their program was kind of trashy. YMMV. 

Eh, tons of “trashy” programs have won medals. I love their connection and their energy. The timing of the program is also really fascinating when they’re on.

I just find the Shibs so boring and Maia’s line doesn’t work for me (especially in lifts). Their Coldplay trilogy just isn’t my cup of tea!

[Tanichka]

Well that turned out well.  Virtue Moir so much more interesting than the French.  Take that, Miss nip.

[HartofDixie]

48 minutes ago, sweeks said:

I'm glad that P/C had a good skate tonight after yesterday's mishap, but I don't think they warrant all of the gushing they are getting from Tanith. Am I missing something?

2015 Worlds:

 

2016 Worlds (was there that night!)

[Irlandesa]

28 minutes ago, scarynikki12 said:

Heh, the Greatest Figure Skating Scandal Of Our Time is...the judges actually doing their jobs.

But we still have ladies...

Oh no.  After most ice skating conspiracy theories not panning out, I don't think I can do it for another group.

I preferred the French.  I didn't find them boring at well.  But I'm happy for the Shib Sibs.

I feel bad for H/D but I didn't like their music choice.  It reminded me too much of their short dance music choice in that it didn't remind me of a song at all.

[Dots And Stripes]

I think there's too much focus on whether Hubbell is making a bitchface and not enough focus on the fact that Donahue is gorgeous. 

[magdalene]

Well, I wanted the French to win the Gold.  I don't like Virtue and Moir,  Especially him.  He rubs me the wrong way.  

[mehtotheworld]

7 minutes ago, HartofDixie said:

2015 Worlds:

 

 

2016 Worlds (was there that night!)

 

Ahhhh, I was also in Boston that night and it was one of the most exciting performances I’ve ever seen. The way he moves is truly exquisite, and the audience was electric. There was no doubt they had won after that!

Edited February 20, 2018 by mehtotheworld

[gingerella]

I loved the Shibs in all their Olympic performances. I normally don't like ice dancing because it's so fucking hokey and phoney baloney dramatic histrionics (is that enough negative adjectives!?) bullshit. I loathe the pained facial expressions and all the OMGing, it's like watching really bad community theatre on blades. What I really love about the Shibs style is that they just seem to be so fluid and skating for the sheer joy of skating. It feels to me that if we weren't there they'd be skating with the same joyfulness, and that engages me as a spectator, and transports me into a very happy place. I big puffy heart them!

Edited February 20, 2018 by gingerella