Samuelson/Gillis Cup of China

[MarieM]

Led Zep ? In Ice Dance ? Wow. They'd better not ruin that

[Frau Muller]

Led Zep ? In Ice Dance ? Wow. They'd better not ruin that

'Stairway to Heaven' could be a waltz..or a march, as in Valova/Vasiliev's winning Pairs LP at '84 Olys. It will be interesting to see and hear the arrangement selected by S/G.

[inthemiddle]

They'll skate first. In 12 hours we will see them.

[Marroncream]

I can't wait to see them!

[hlp728]

Ice-dance.com has some practice photos of Emily and Todd and look beyond fabulous together. I love Emily's gold dress.

[Frau Muller]

Oh dear, not the strongest of starts, in 7th place...wearing unadorned basic black for a Latin dance. Hope that they can make up some ground in the FD, as Chock/Bates did last week in SkCan.

[MarieM]

I feared it was a bit too soon, and it was I hope it won't be hold against them !

[nuge]

Red dresses are sooo popular this year

[TwizzlerS]

Emily looked fab. 'Nuf said.

[Vash01]

This is really too early for them. Let's give them at least until the US nationals (preferably one whole year together) before drawing any conclusions. For now, I am just glad that Emily has found a partner.

[hlp728]

They look great together as a team!!! Emily and Todd have fabulous chemistry. He really seems to brought out something new Emily that I haven't seen before. That last look at the end of the program said a lot as far as great chemistry.
I was hoping she would have worn that gold dress they wore for Thursday's practice because she looked so va-va voom, but I like how the black was different from most of the other teams. I can't wait to see this SD program develop even more. It was nice to hear different music (Gold Finger soundtrack)in this years Latin SD too from them.
They deserve something beyond a medal for competing this early in their partnership. 8 weeks since the programs were created, an extremely new partnership, new coaches for Todd, new choreographers for Emily, first time skating an SD, debuting as a new team in China and both not competing for a year... I am impressed and excited from what I saw.

[MarieM]

The problem is they're not fit at all. Not by a mile.
It's way too early to show their programs.
I am concerned about his abilities too Oh well

[Jayar]

I suspect that their SD score will improve by 10-15 points come Nationals. This was the only way to ensure that they could get a season's best so that they were eligible for GPs next season, so though it might have been early in their partnership, they kind of needed to go for it.

[hlp728]

I suspect that their SD score will improve by 10-15 points come Nationals. This was the only way to ensure that they could get a season's best so that they were eligible for GPs next season, so though it might have been early in their partnership, they kind of needed to go for it.

Thanks for making that point!!! It's so sure.

[Rafter]

She is almost unrecognizable to me. Amazing what a year can do.

[~tapdancer~]

I thought they looked fine together. They just need more time to smooth things out. I think Todd is a good partner for her and I like how they relate to one another. I'm hoping for good things!

[skatemommy]

They will have lots of feedback that they can utilize for Sectionals. They deserve props for what they have accomplished so far. The unfit comments are uncalled for.

[LilJen]

I also like how they relate to each other. They've had all of, what 3 months together, and less time than that with actual programs and coaches? They will most certainly improve over time. GO GINGER BEARS!! Forwarding the causes of redheads everywhere. . .

[Tak]

As someone who really hates most of the SD music this season, I liked their music choices - very different, clearly thinking outside the box - it makes their program stand out from the crowd. [It also helps I love Shirley Bassey].

The sound was a bit muted on the vid, but I liked the way they blended the music together - it seemed way better than the usual cut-and-paste style, not so abrupt, more like a whole. High marks to them.

I think this program could be really good when they get more practice with it. They havent been working together for long and of course that will show, but I'm hoping in a few months they'll look much better.

Performed well, I think this SD could really be good.

SO DONT LOSE HEART! HANG IN THERE AND KEEP PRACTICING!!

Im looking forward to the FD.

[operagirl]

Will they even make nationals out of the sectional competition? There are 8 couples competing, including Chock and Bates.