allezfred
Mean Spirited
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Carry on!
On a personal level, didn't Eteri partner with Kiliakov at some point in her own dance career as well?@alexikeguchi , we've had not a peep of an explanation about why Davis & Smolkin and Igor split as far as I know. I agree it's a big shock, as it doesn't seem likely to have been planned by either party.
I would say that Novak & Kiliakov broke through on the senior scene last season. They brought a team composed of two athletes that they had brought up from juniors & that team earned a top 8 SB score and won 4CCs. When was the last time we had a new dance coach at the senior level accomplish something roughly on that level? Barbara in 2016? Nowak got Kaliszek & Spodyriev to 11th at Worlds in 2018-19.
I don't know. There was a comment in another thread with a quote that could have been interpreted that way, but it also could have been interpreted to mean that they once trained in the same rink or the same group. Anyway, there's likely at least a personal acquaintance history there, and of course D&S were most likely to train with someone who speaks Russian. Plus, if Smolkin is going to try to get citizenship, I assume they need to stay here.On a personal level, didn't Eteri partner with Kiliakov at some point in her own dance career as well?
Eh, they have a newly engaged Madi Chock & Evan Bates to fill that role for at least a season or two more if not the entire quadrennium.After reading various threads on various websites debating the likelihood of Davis and Smolkin representing the United States, I have come to the conclusion that USFS is most likely desperate for the ability to claim and promote them. After all, there's nothing the U.S. skating establishment and media like more than an ice skating team that is also a Married Couple.
I anticipate a free program to a medley of "Proud to Be an American," "Born in the USA," and "American Woman."
Desperate? I don't think so....After reading various threads on various websites debating the likelihood of Davis and Smolkin representing the United States, I have come to the conclusion that USFS is most likely desperate for the ability to claim and promote them. After all, there's nothing the U.S. skating establishment and media like more than an ice skating team that is also a Married Couple.
I anticipate a free program to a medley of "Proud to Be an American," "Born in the USA," and "American Woman."
Chock and Bates' fluff pieces have been in that angle ever since 2018Eh, they have a newly engaged Madi Chock & Evan Bates to fill that role for at least a season or two more if not the entire quadrennium.
I anticipate a free program to a medley of "Proud to Be an American," "Born in the USA," and "American Woman."
I think I blocked out that exhibition from my memory. I will give Belbin/Agosto some props…they were seriously game to try anything and seemed to have no sense of shame, which is great in a sense of risk-taking and fearlessness but could lead them astray if they have someone with notoriously horrible tastes in charge of their routines…cough Linichuk cough.
In their defense, they only performed this ex once, right after she received her citizenship. After the crazy process they went through, I can forgive it.I think I blocked out that exhibition from my memory. I will give Belbin/Agosto some props…they were seriously game to try anything and seemed to have no sense of shame, which is great in a sense of risk-taking and fearlessness but could lead them astray if they have someone with notoriously horrible tastes in charge of their routines…cough Linichuk cough.
And two of those three would involve completely ignoring the meaning of the song, perfect for an Eteri program.I anticipate a free program to a medley of "Proud to Be an American," "Born in the USA," and "American Woman."
Only if you throw in the soundtrack to the epic all-American movie "Independence Day" as well for the random classical music/soundtrack portion of the progam.And two of those three would involve completely ignoring the meaning of the song, perfect for an Eteri program.
And we’ve heard that Benoit did their FD, so that means that patriotic voiceovers—like, the Gettysburg Address or something—might make an appearance mid-programOnly if you throw in the soundtrack to the epic all-American movie "Independence Day" as well for the random classical music/soundtrack portion of the progam.
Mostly just bad taste in costuming the last season vs. the actual programs in their case, I think. It's been a long time since I watched their final season, but I did like the RD then. I've never been a fan of the song, Ave Maria, but my mother loves it.if they have someone with notoriously horrible tastes in charge of their routines…cough Linichuk cough.
That’s what’s funny about it. They thought they were doing this patriotic number but they were skating to two songs that are actually very critical of the US and it’s people. “American Woman” was a song about how the singer preferred Canadian women. I guess Tanith was both so it was all good for her but it’s not really a “thank you, America” song.In their defense, they only performed this ex once, right after she received her citizenship. After the crazy process they went through, I can forgive it.
That Chopin piece was by far the best thing Tanith and Ben ever did—in my opinion. (And, I’m shocked poster above does not remember it but can still recall so many of the other kitschy/mediocre programs they did.) The music arrangements, the costuming, and the choreography on that Chopin piece were all perfect. That was also when Igor and Marina were working successfully together and I think that may have been the best program they ever made as a team—even with the tacky cross lift at the end—the program was still, in my mind, just mesmerizing.I thought their Roma FD from
The 2004-05 season was the best thing they did in their career. Their Chopin was probably one of their best FDs but that Worlds marked the end of their partnership with Igor/Marina. Their costuming and programs with Linichuk I thought were exercises to improve their basics but didn’t fit them at all. And their packaging and costumes were just not good.