Davis and White #14 - Better Late Than Sinatra

[mollymgr]

But I doubt having one US judge would've changed the end result.

I agree.

And what are the odds that a US judge is going to be drawn for the panel of 9? Probably better than not having a US judge.

[leapfrogonice]

I agree that the Technical panel has greater power to influence scores than any individual judge.

What I think is remarkable is how little discussion there ever was about the make-up of the Technical panel at Worlds last year in Nice.
As they are all presented under the label "ISU" this has the effect of masking their nationalities for the public (And apparently, most skating fans).
However, it would be hard to find nation of origin or country skating federation ties irrelevant.

The mathematical impact of calling a footwork sequence Level 2 vs. Level 3 vs. Level 4 can influence placements more than an individual +1, +2, +3 GOE when the numbers are added up in these highly competitive events.

http://www.isuresults.com/results/wc2012/SEG012OF.HTM

Controller - Christine HURTH - FRANCE
Technical Specialist - Marie BOWNESS - CANADA
Asst Tech Specialist - Andrzej DOSTATNI - POLAND (married to former Russian skater)

Canada had a judge on the panel as well of course as has been mentioned - Jodi ABBOTT.

[shsocu]

Are Meryl and Charlie just now leaving for SKAM?
https://twitter.com/Meryl_Davis/stat...141568/photo/1

[Debbie S]

Are Meryl and Charlie just now leaving for SKAM?
https://twitter.com/Meryl_Davis/stat...141568/photo/1

Probably. They don't compete until Saturday, so no reason to get there 3 days early. If they are leaving around now, they should be there by late afternoon PT, and will practice tomorrow.

[TanithandBenFan]

Are Meryl and Charlie just now leaving for SKAM?
https://twitter.com/Meryl_Davis/stat...141568/photo/1

They don't usually arrive until Thursday when they compete Saturday and Sunday, so I'm not expecting them at practice today.

[lmarie086]

I can't wait for the practice reports to start coming in!

[mia joy]

I can't wait to see their programs! Notre Dame especially. It's seriously been too long since we last saw them compete. So happy the season is starting finally!!!

Btw, I hate it when places like this change their layout. It takes a lot of time for me to get used to...

[TanithandBenFan]

Meryl and Charlie are about to take the ice. Meryl in dark burgundy-looking dress. Charlie in plain black shirt and pants. Meryl has her hair down.

[TanithandBenFan]

Notre Dame run-through! A few new lifts and the rotational one from DF where Meryl is on Charlie's shoulder. Passionate choreography, cool entrance into the spin right at beginning of the program. Diag step sequence early in program. Circ steps late. Will upload video this afternoon!

[lmarie086]

Thanks, TanithandBenFan! Ahh I can't wait to see!! This sounds promising- would you say the choreo is more intricate looking? And is the circ step sequence new?

[literaryfreak]

Thank you for the report!! Can't wait for the video. I wonder if black shirts and pants is Charlie's real costume or a stand in.

[Sylvia]

I hope icenetwork will post the teleconference audio, as they've done in past years.

In case anyone missed it, here's the direct link to their pre-Skate America media teleconference.

[bmcg]

In case anyone missed it, here's the direct link to their pre-Skate America media teleconference.

Is it a Michigan quirk to say "ummm" so much. First heard Meryl saying it, then Charlie took over I noticed he says it a lot and finally the reporter from Detroit was saying it

[TanithandBenFan]

Thanks, TanithandBenFan! Ahh I can't wait to see!! This sounds promising- would you say the choreo is more intricate looking? And is the circ step sequence new?

The choreo is different from previous programs except something near the end reminded me of maybe POTO. I don't remember the circ steps b/c they did it outside the run-through. They do have the same entry to the circ steps from the tango I think. The diag steps looked familiar until midway through and near the end Charlie does a cool move on his own - you'll see it in the video. It's uploading, currently at 31%!

[circuscandy]

Excited to get there tomorrow! I'm wondering if these costumes are stand-ins or if we'll see them again. I love what I've seen of the burgundy number so I'd be happy to watch that all season!

I always love watching for costume changes and evolutions, almost as much as watching the evolution of the choreography.

[TanithandBenFan]

Here's the video of their free dance run-through!

http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com/...practices.html

[jobelle]

Thanks for the video! I like what they showed and am excited to see it in its entirety. I'm not sure how I really feel about the dress though.

[circuscandy]

Thanks so much!

I really love the music cuts they chose. And Meryl's ending pose! She's working it out! Go Miss, uh, Esmerylda...

Can't wait to see it all (and to see if Meryl goes full Giselle blue for the SD ahaha).

[~tapdancer~]

I wasn't even paying attention to the costumes, I was completely mesmerized by what I was seeing! Wow. Their choreo...so intricate, there was hardly an inch between them during much of it. I can definitely see a more emotional connection and this was just practice! Loved the music. Cannot wait to see this in competition. The feeling of the dance reminded me of S&D but oh so much improved in their skating, their connection, just everything. I know I'm gushing already but this was just wonderful. Thank you so much, Tabfan, for giving us this preview!

[circuscandy]

I can definitely see a more emotional connection and this was just practice!

I completely agree!