Virtue and Moir #22 - To Russia with love

[aka_gerbil]

OMG it's one competition people. The same thing happened last year throughout the season for V&M and who won worlds? These are two great teams .. I'm loving the rilvary. I'm more then sure that V&M will go home and fix whatever needs fixing (likely more practice and some tweeks) but I can hardly wait to see Carmen. These are two great teams and they are bringing out the best in each other.

I've been watching ice dance for close to 21 years now. I have a problem with the judging these days and the fact that the qualities that I were taught that embodied good ice dance seem to be ignored these days. Therefore, after V/M and P/B are gone, it may be time for me to get out. And I patently disagree that V/M and D/W are equals and both great teams. Sure, D/W are capable of a lot of difficulty, but there is so much that their skating lacks quality-wise that V/M should be miles ahead.

[Judy]

I never said they were equals but if you've ever seen them live they are an extremely good team. Right now both teams are #1 and #2 consistently in the world and even if you don't like them you have to have some type of respect for that.

It's one competition building towards worlds and building towards the Olympics.

[Lissa]

Wow so V&M skate clean & still are behind D&W after the SD...seriously WTF what are D&W doing that is so impressive cause I saw nothing to make me believe they should be ahead of the WORLD & OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS...is there something going on behind the scenes with the judges & the American federation? No way should V&M be in 2nd place...

[Judy]

Did anyone think that V&M were running close to the boards at the end of their footwork sequence at the end? Or was it just the camera angle?

[aka_gerbil]

Wow so V&M skate clean & still are behind D&W after the SD...seriously WTF what are D&W doing that is so impressive cause I saw nothing to make me believe they should be ahead of the WORLD & OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS...is there something going on behind the scenes with the judges & the American federation? No way should V&M be in 2nd place...

No, they shouldn't be in 2nd. They certainly shouldn't be 2 points behind. Every single one of those almost 2 points came from GOE and PCS, with D/W outscoring V/M on every single one. That's absurd.

[iNap]

Wow so V&M skate clean & still are behind D&W after the SD...seriously WTF what are D&W doing that is so impressive cause I saw nothing to make me believe they should be ahead of the WORLD & OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS...is there something going on behind the scenes with the judges & the American federation? No way should V&M be in 2nd place...

no everything happen in front of scenes. V-M elite fans needs appointements with eye specialistes this is low bugetary all because of Sochi arena with low budgetary judges. Japanese already complaint about rooms. The ice is too soft and cause melting due too hot V-M. Tomorrow they will have swimming competition after hot Carmen

[Proustable]

Did anyone think that V&M were running close to the boards at the end of their footwork sequence at the end? Or was it just the camera angle?

No. Scott was EXTREMELY close.

Anyway, they won't get complacent that's for sure. Additionally, I do hope next season they truly embrace the short dance (Finnstep?) because I think part of the lower score comes from the fact that they just aren't showcasing a polka. Certainly not the same way D/W are.

And finally, I'm just gonna mention that the judges overmarking D/W hurts D/W too - remember last season at this time.

[zilam98]

Ice dance is my favourite discipline as well, and has been ever since I was a teenager and had no clue about technique (hated Klimova because I thought she seemed haughty - I was 12, therefore silly. Now I adore K&P, of course). So I'll probably never stop watching it, but I can also understand aka_gerbil's frustration. The speed obsession doesn't apply to figure skating alone, it affects other sports - like gymnastics, or completely different areas, such as classical music. Playing a violin concerto fast enough and loud enough sells more records than a more subtle/nuanced interpretation. Does that sound familiar?

So true. Can't wait to watch Carmen again tomorrow!

OT but that sooooo reminds me of the debate in the guitar world RE speed demons like steve vai and eddie van halen vs slow/subtle/bluesy players like jimmy page.

[aka_gerbil]

No. Scott was EXTREMELY close.

Anyway, they won't get complacent that's for sure. Additionally, I do hope next season they truly embrace the short dance (Finnstep?) because I think part of the lower score comes from the fact that they just aren't showcasing a polka. Certainly not the same way D/W are.

And finally, I'm just gonna mention that the judges overmarking D/W hurts D/W too - remember last season at this time.

If I'm not mistaken, they do quite like the Finnstep, so I'm sure they'll be more into it. (I still love their SD this year, FWIW.)

[Lissa]

No, they shouldn't be in 2nd. They certainly shouldn't be 2 points behind. Every single one of those almost 2 points came from GOE and PCS, with D/W outscoring V/M on every single one. That's absurd.

& how is that EVEN possible, clearly the judges are OVER scoring D&W & UNDER scoring V&M but WHY that is the million dollar question....now is the time where Marina & V&M need to forget playing nice & go to the federation & ask them what is going on because obviously more than what is happening ON the ice is dicatating what happens in the judging panel...GMAB

[Golightly]

no everything happen in front of scenes. V-M elite fans needs appointements with eye specialistes this is low bugetary all because of Sochi arena with low budgetary judges. Japanese already complaint about rooms. The ice is too soft and cause melting due too hot V-M. Tomorrow they will have swimming competition after hot Carmen

Am I the only one who loves you? I do. Had a terrible day at work and this made me laugh so hard. Thank you

[Judy]

V&M fans are beginning to sound whiny. It's the Grand Prix .. 3 months until worlds. Do you think they're throwing in the towel? All the same paranoid thoughts were happening last year too. I'm waiting for the "leave the coach" comment next.

This is a beautiful dance and I'm sure it'll be amazing by worlds. I thought personally they weren't 100% especially with confirmation that they came close to the boards. I'm excited to see a cleaner Carmen too so I'm crossing my fingers but I think what happens now and what happens in March could be two different things.

Golightly - I had a yucky day at work today too .. I can hardly wait until my Christmas break in two weeks.

[ddtpdx]

sounds like us V/M fans need a big group hug!!
so here goes... ((( .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...................................... )))
note the large space for the many fans

[Golightly]

I still maintain they can win this thing. Am I happy with the scores? No. That deserved better, but I'm not giving up hope of them winning here. And if it doesn't happen, that'll fire them up even more. I'm sure the best is yet to come. Just be patient.

[ddtpdx]

cbc link to T/S's SD

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/figureskati...13392659&tab=0

[spikydurian]

Why are all of you so defeatist? Yes I was very sad - it will be hard to make up but Carmen can do it It doesnt mean that they will not win Worlds - it doesnt mean they wont win Olys.

Cheer up. It's only the SP and the marks are close. There is a fight here. The big goals are more important, IMO.

[martyross]

no everything happen in front of scenes. V-M elite fans needs appointements with eye specialistes this is low bugetary all because of Sochi arena with low budgetary judges. Japanese already complaint about rooms. The ice is too soft and cause melting due too hot V-M. Tomorrow they will have swimming competition after hot Carmen

this should be kept and posted every time we feel down for competition results.

[Lissa]

I still maintain they can win this thing. Am I happy with the scores? No. That deserved better, but I'm not giving up hope of them winning here. And if it doesn't happen, that'll fire them up even more. I'm sure the best is yet to come. Just be patient.

Thanks good post!

I agree as Scott said Worlds is what they wait for, this is nice but nearly as important.

Also Worlds is in London baby, their pretty much at home in their backyards & in their own country....NO way if they skate Carmen too perfection can the judges deny them another World title, if so then the fans will bring the house down.

[sap5]

Also Worlds is in London baby, their pretty much at home in their backyards & in their own country....NO way if they skate Carmen too perfection can the judges deny them another World title, if so then the fans will bring the house down.

LOL. What do you think the fans will do exactly? Rip out the seats and use them to beat down the judges?

[zilam98]

new thread please!