Virtue and Moir #22 - To Russia with love

[Macassar88]

I remember Tess used the duck analogy in their book. I truly think they are the best ever. I even love them more than I did Torvil and Dean, and I didn't think that would ever be possible. Thanks for all the links, pics and vids. You all are amazing!

So do I. I feel like they have just as much artistry and connection, but they're doing so much more difficulty and they have so much more power across the ice.

[Fort]

Thanks again, Ioana... I almost wish I hadn't read that, because I'm not going to find out how they did until much later today, LOL. But it just goes to show, like you said, how difficult what they are doing actually is, no matter how easy they can make it look.

A step sequence too big for the arena... maybe that's what happened to them at SC!

[Lissa]

Any video from Eurosport coverage yet for the SD? thanks

[kosjenka]

Whats up with Eurosport guys saying all the time how Marina Zueva is their new coach?
Marina was coach together with Igor?
Or was she only the choreographer?
what am I missing?

[rvi5]

... step sequence too big for the arena... maybe that's what happened to them at SC!

Perhaps. Also keep in mind, North American rinks are typically NHL size ie. about 4 meters narrower than International rinks. I always wondered how skaters would need to adjust their programs to fill the rink, depending where they compete.

[Shayii]

Omg Ioana thanks for your report, but now I'm seriously nervous for them. It seems like they've been trying to overcome nerves moreso in this season than in previous ones. I hope they have an amazing skate today regardless! And thanks again.

[Cherub721]

Omg Ioana thanks for your report, but now I'm seriously nervous for them. It seems like they've been trying to overcome nerves moreso in this season than in previous ones. I hope they have an amazing skate today regardless! And thanks again.

If they're nervous it's because they're doing things that are more technically difficult and challenging themselves artistically at the same time. I'm sure it would've been much easier doing a style like Carmen if they were in their comfort zone doing all their old elements.

I'm just so happy about their direction this season. Remember how everyone was freaking out about Funny Face last season? Scott was so upset after GPF, some of us wanted them to leave Marina, and then when they won the World title we thought it'd never happen and therefore they would never change styles. They ended up sticking with her, but with completely unexpected and wonderful material. Didn't rest on their laurels at all. They're always going for that little bit extra now to make their programs masterpieces that will stand up to the great teams of all time. It takes me back to the days of Anissina & Peizerat.

[Macassar88]

http://www.isuresults.com/results/gp..._FD_Scores.pdf
Protocols - Scott and Tessa got a -1.00 for extended lift

[Golightly]

I missed it. What happened in the diagonal step sequence that they only got a level 2? I see that the PCS is still quite strong, so the judges like this. A few more level 4's across the board too.

[Shayii]

Haven't seen the video, but how come their score didn't improve from SC?

[Macassar88]

Haven't seen the video, but how come their score didn't improve from SC?

I felt like they lacked energy and attack - they also got behind the music for a good amount of it (including their combo lift which is set so perfectly to the music usually) and didn't get back on until the next music change.

[Golightly]

Just watched it. My first impression is that they were off, but I am happy they have a month to clean up the program and bring it. Today, it was cleaner but less controlled if that makes sense. I still do not see what happened during the diagonal step sequence, but the Russian stream was so bad, I could barely notice their steps. They seemed pleased, though, and I am too because this is a work in progress and the more they work on it, the better it will get. Marina was nodding a lot, too, meaning she likes the direction this is going.

[IoanaC]

Just watched it. My first impression is that they were off, but I am happy they have a month to clean up the program and bring it. Today, it was cleaner but less controlled if that makes sense. I still do not see what happened during the diagonal step sequence, but the Russian stream was so bad, I could barely notice their steps. They seemed pleased, though, and I am too because this is a work in progress and the more they work on it, the better it will get. Marina was nodding a lot, too, meaning she likes the direction this is going.

Don't have the time to elaborate too much right now, I'll do that when I get to the hotel. You're right, they were off and nervous. But they were also relieved and okay with the scores. They knew they didn't skate as well as they can. My first impression was that they were slow and cautious. Probably because of the lift problem, and also because of the pressure. My fear right now isn't that they won't improve, but that they're getting more and more affected by stress. They will have to work on that. The big plus is that the program really has an impact on the audience. Even with them being slower than usual, by the time they got to the final lift people were cheering. There was a collective wow around me. What I also liked was that they were more sensual than at SC, so in that sense, yes, they were less controlled.

[Golightly]

I feel they are more nervous when they feel they HAVE to win. When they compete with D-W, I feel that pressure is at least shared between the top 2. I would say this was a more successful Grand Prix round for them than last year. There were many doubts about their programs last year. Right now I feel they know the programs are there, they just need more practice. That is also why I think they were pleased with the scores.

I wish they explained where the deduction came from. Was it for the choreographic lift? It looked a lot less smooth this time around.

[Shayii]

Don't have the time to elaborate too much right now, I'll do that when I get to the hotel. You're right, they were off and nervous. But they were also relieved and okay with the scores. They knew they didn't skate as well as they can. My first impression was that they were slow and cautious. Probably because of the lift problem, and also because of the pressure. My fear right now isn't that they won't improve, but that they're getting more and more affected by stress. They will have to work on that. The big plus is that the program really has an impact on the audience. Even with them being slower than usual, by the time they got to the final lift people were cheering. There was a collective wow around me. What I also liked was that they were more sensual than at SC, so in that sense, yes, they were less controlled.

Thank you! Can't wait to see your reports later on. And you too Pani.

[walei]

I was so nervous for them after IoanaC's practice report (Thanks for the great report!! BTW) and also Patrick Chan. I was actually at a birthday party with heavy drinking yet I still have the constitution to spam FSU on my phone to check the results.

Glad they both skated relatively well (V/M and Patrick) and I am anxious to see the video for V/M. Some from the pbp thread said it was better skated than SC but some said they are more tentative. I'm just glad they got through the program without any major lifting glitches after their practice.

[aka_gerbil]

My fear right now isn't that they won't improve, but that they're getting more and more affected by stress. They will have to work on that.

That's my big concern for them right now as well: nerves and stress. The improvement in the programs is going to come; they had such a short turn around between SC and CoR, they really couldn't do a lot of work. They have time before the GPF. They're doing all new elements, which is obviously not as easy as doing things you've done many times before, and the GOE's will come on those with time. For all the shouting that they're suffering without Igor, I remind everyone again that last year when Igor was still there all of the Canton teams had trouble getting their levels at some point in time. I think the only problem they have right now is nerves. They just need to settle down and get those under control.

[sequins]

I just watched it and I thought there were parts of it that were much improved from SC. The last lift looked like a struggle and the spin travelled a bit but overall I thought it was good. Their intensity from SC didn't seem to be there as much and maybe lacking a bit of speed but it's hard to tell from that video, half to watch it on CBC in an hour and see. But hey the commentators loved it andTatiana Tarasova was there and gave them a standing O so it can't be all bad It's a work in progress and I'm glad don't want it perfect yet. One thing I would change is when Tessa kicks her leg, where they had the error at SC but kinda saved it. Today I don't no if it was perfect either but it didn't look right and maybe that would be something they could change IMO.

BTW what is up with I/K? That music and her outfit is just...I don't no whether to ororMorosov what have you done to them?

[Golightly]

I watched it again. The first half, which includes the twizzles is unbelievably smooth. I still do not see why the level 2 in the diagonal step sequence, which is one the most genius things I have ever seen them do. Anyone help me?

Oh, I like that part where she kicks her leg! It is very risky but I would not change it? Today it looked better.

[sequins]

Oh, I like that part where she kicks her leg! It is very risky but I would not change it? Today it looked better.

I like it to but I'm just not sure, while better today, if it wasn't a problem again. I know risk, risk they like risk....Ok nevermind keep it