Yeah, ice dance can get very nasty among fans. I like replying to them and breaking down why B&K had no business being anywhere near G&P.
I had the most fun on FSW discussing dance and why Grishuk & Platov deserved to win in 1998. At first it seemed like there was a clear anti-G&P majority opinion; but the longer we talked, the more we learned & the more posters joined the discussion with different viewpoints and different expertise. It was great!
I was just looking at the ice dance matchups in the rest of the GPs, except France which isnt posted on FSU yet. It looks to me like Maia and Alex have an excellent chance at another gold at [Skate America], whereas it seems C/B and H/D will have tougher fields all the way. Has this already been discussed? What do you make of it?
USFSA is playing the game very wisely, IMO.
The federation had no control over any of the assignments except SA. They went with the National Champions, which is the norm. (We all know USFSA wouldn't have chosen Rostelecom for the Shibs. It was a tough draw, and they faced down the challenge).
But USFSA could have taken two top teams at SA, and they didn't. They allowed the teams to be split. I think it is very wise. All three U.S. teams have already proven themselves to be contenders. This season they are going out into the international field and establishing themselves with their new programs
first.
Better for all three teams, IMO. No one will be stuck behind anyone else on the national scene. No one will be undermining any of our other teams. All three teams are capable of facing this challenge. They may miss out, but they also all have a very good chance of making the Final and making a statement for themselves beforehand.
In addition, we had a slew of young U.S. dance teams that deserve two spots on the GP this season. As it is, McNamara & Carpenter don't have a second. If USFSA had invited two top teams to SA, someone else might also have missed out. The current scenario allows for maximum success for the maximum number of teams.
Hubbell & Donohue have a very tough draw ahead of them at SC, but they are primed for the opportunity. If they upset there for a top two placement, it will be a much stronger statement for them than if they finished second at SA. (Personally, I'm rooting for Weaver & Poje; but I really like both teams. I've just loved Weaver & Poje a bit longer). Even if H&D finish third at SC, they have an excellent shot against Cappellini & Lanotte in neutral territory at NHK. Chock & Bates have as good a shot against Bobrova & Soloviev and Weaver & Poje in China and France as the reverse.
I went to the U. S. Ice Dance thread assuming I would fine lots of kudos for their performances. VIETgrlTerifa--you're the only one I could find that commented so I can see why you're so disappointed.
LOL. I went on the Rostelecom FD thread, the Dance Hall, and here. We have a plethora of ice dance threads to post in this season! I guess I skipped the U.S. Ice Dance thread because everyone there has probably already seen my "Kudos, Shibs" post somewhere else. And we all know the Shibs have lots of support among U.S. dance fans. If you do not know this, you should have
heard the live crowd in Boston. I think all three U.S. dance teams have a lot of love among U.S. audiences. It varies by location and, of course, the programs the teams present; but U.S. figure skating fans have a lot of reason to be proud of these teams. When they skate well, we'll stand up. No matter which team it is.
As gk_891 said, ice dance can get very combative on the forums. I think many fans like having the option of having a relatively safe fan-thread zone in which to post. If any of you were like me, you were
plenty nervous about Rostelecom. And when you feel that way, sometimes it's just better to watch the competition and enjoy your own first impressions without worrying about others' reactions. I often read and post more in the play-by-play threads of competitions in which I am not emotionally invested. One of the great ironies of being a skating fan.
