The Dance Hall 5: Ice Dance Fans 2017-2018

[VGThuy]

I think it's a travesty that we won't get to see the Danes in Pyeongchang. I understand citizenship rules are there and more important than skating, it's just that I think this program would have been wonderful to show off ice dancing to the wider audience.

 

[Miloune]

She's in a relationship with a movie star. Her standards may have shifted

I like the Danes. It's really too bad that Denmark makes it so difficult to get citizenship...

Lolll you may be right about that. But for what it's worth, to me there's no question :
Nikolaj Sorensen >>>> Jean Dujardin. Anyday!

 

[chapis]

Loved Nazarova and Nikitin FD. The performance, composition and interpetation were fantastic.

okay

 

[kittysk8ts]

Maybe I can tell you more about her opinions... let's see :
-so like I said she finds Sorensen a bit bland but she likes their choice of program this year, she thinks they found something there (--> the hotness!)
- C/L : she said it shows that it's early in the season, the music sounded grander than them sometimes. But she likes the choice of music (apparently they chose it to represent the best of Italy at the Olympics, she gets it she said, as she and Fabian wanted to do it as well in Sochi). She loves their lifts (OMG suprise!). But, she says they skate small.

-S/K : can't remember everything but she was positive, a lot better than Minsk. Alban Preaubert (commenting with her) loves Victoria (lol) and said that though Nikita is inconsistent, he is a great skater.

-Coomes/Buckland : very interesting program in her opinion. She says they lost levels on their lifts because some features were missing (difficult exit?), and generally speaking the technical elements lacked polish...
But she says the components were good so they can improve for next time.

H/D : she loves this FD, very impressed. She thinks they are positionning themselves for the bronze medal. To her it's the "surprise" of the year, like the Shibs with Coldplay in 2016 had been.

V/M: she loves their programs. She mentionned Tessa's mistake in the Step sequence and shaky first twizzle.

I think that's all!

Oh wow, merci merci @Miloune!

 

[marbri]

The version Of C/L I watched is the one where Charlie is commentating and I don't get his praise for that program at all. They so clearly appear undertrained at this stage of the season that my impression is they just learned the choreography (I know they didn't but it looks like it). So I don't understand how it's their best work ever and he got lost in the same story.

I also get the impression he isn't watching these comps life because here with C/L and in previous comps where I saw his version of programs he makes comments in the first 10 seconds about a program that he can't possibly know at that point.

Now Ben Agosto is fantastic and great to listen to. I suspect p, from what I read, Pechalet would also be a commentator I would like. Of course she leans towards Igor (and therefore Fabian) teams but probably in the same way Charlie does for Marina teams.

 

[millyskate]

I must admit I often feel like I'm seeing different programs to everyone else

I'm really glad H&D didn't let the disappointment from worlds get to them and have come back strong, because I was impressed with them in Helsinki.
But this FD.... I find the music quite awful to be honest, the kind that reminds me of really low budget films with no plot worth remembering. I don't feel there's much depth to this program, although the opening to the percussion section is the most interesting bit to me Their skating looks very clean and sharp, for sure. But the program

 

[Cherryblossomgal]

Disgusting. Typical P/C fan behaviour xela m comparing tessa to a prostitue and Allezfred making fun of upset fans stay classy P/C ubers, stay classy.

 

[cocotaffy]

Disgusting. Typical P/C fan behaviour xela m comparing tessa to a prostitue and Allezfred making fun of upset fans stay classy P/C ubers, stay classy.

Please, pretty please

 

[Mozart]

Disgusting. Typical P/C fan behaviour xela m comparing tessa to a prostitue and Allezfred making fun of upset fans stay classy P/C ubers, stay classy.

Yes because your behaviour the last few days has been amazing. I'm not a fan of either team but reading your posts makes me want to run far, far away from V&M. You need to calm down.

 

[DreamsofBliss]

I also get the impression he isn't watching these comps life because here with C/L and in previous comps where I saw his version of programs he makes comments in the first 10 seconds about a program that he can't possibly know at that point.

Last night was only behind the live feed by a minute or so. The new Olympic Channel means we get it almost live, but you are right that last year and in previous years it was significantly tape delayed.

I don't know what kind of comments you mean, but he may have watched the previous competition video of the program. Additionally, Massimo helped with the choreography of this program.

 

[Marta24]

Anyway, I`m very happy with the Free Dances this season. Last year was a little monotone since most of the teams chose rather quiet, lyrical music, but this year there is a great range across the top ice dance teams. I can`t wait to see these programs skated to their best at the Olympics.

H/D have surprised me a lot, I feared after what happened at Worlds they would maybe lose their confidence, but instead they used the disappointment as motivation to work even harder and have great material this year. I`m just so glad that V/M came back and that we will have an epic showdown between them and P/C. Just for that rivalry it`s worth to wake up in the wee hours in February.

 

[MsZem]

Disgusting. Typical P/C fan behaviour xela m comparing tessa to a prostitue and Allezfred making fun of upset fans stay classy P/C ubers, stay classy.

She did?

Anyway, even if she did isn't that kind of the point? Moulin Rouge's main female character is Satine.

 

[millyskate]

Disgusting. Typical P/C fan behaviour xela m comparing tessa to a prostitue and Allezfred making fun of upset fans stay classy P/C ubers, stay classy.

One of the caracteristics that makes us all enjoy this place it is that although we all love skating, none of us take it too seriously. Everything that is said is to be taken with a pinch of salt, it's second or third or fourth degree. It's not really a good place for earnestness, although we have our honest discussions too.
We're also really good at forgetting arguments and offences that have been made, so if you turn the page I think most of us will give you a second chance.

 

[allezfred]

Anyway, even if she did isn't that kind of the point? Moulin Rouge's main female character is Satine.

And they are skating to a song with the lyrics "you don't have to put on that red light, walk the streets for money, you don't have to sell your body to the night."

 

[marbri]

Last night was only behind the live feed by a minute or so. The new Olympic Channel means we get it almost live, but you are right that last year and in previous years it was significantly tape delayed.

I don't know what kind of comments you mean, but he may have watched the previous competition video of the program. Additionally, Massimo helped with the choreography of this program.

I don't want to rewatch to provide quotes but the comments start immediately and he can't possibly know or make those comments if this is the first viewing. But now that you mention Massimo I guess that is the connection to Marina so I guess that explains it.

Not a big deal. I just really enjoyed the few times I heard Ben and would pay him to do my ice dance commentary.

 

[cocotaffy]

She did?

Anyway, even if she did isn't that kind of the point? Moulin Rouge's main female character is Satine.

It might have been already mentioned here but Satine is based upon The Lady of the Camellias written by Alexandre Dumas fils. It has also inspired one of my favorite opera, if not my favorite, Traviata where the title role is Violetta. She is a French courtesan frequented by high-class gentlemen and who falls in love with Armand. It's a poignant story but she does sell her body for favors and money. It also became a ballet with this beautiful pas de deux, which would make for a fantastic FD.

 

[marbri]

Ok. I am in now way wanting to defend cherryblossum but let's not pretend that some posters are calling Tessa tacky, cheap and a stripper in comparison to the goddess Gabriella as some aid to explaining their program plot

It goes both ways folks. You can't poke the fanatic and then sit back all innocently wondering what the hell is going on. You are either part of the solution to creating a better atmosphere in these threads or you are part of the problem. You can use humour without being a jackass and adding to the clutter.

 

[GreenGan]

You're right, even though digging an uber post to complain about it now shouldn't be treated at all. The discussion about Satine is just more interesting imo

 

[MsZem]

Ok. I am in now way wanting to defend cherryblossum but let's not pretend that some posters are calling Tessa tacky, cheap and a stripper in comparison to the goddess Gabriella as some aid to explaining their program plot

I just looked at Xela M's comment - which was not in this thread - and she called the program tacky and stripper-like. That really is a risk one runs with a very literal Moulin Rouge. The only part about Tessa was that her dress was not as nice as Gabriella's. And everyone knows that Cappellini has the best dresses anyway.

 

[wickedwitch]

And everyone knows that Cappellini has the best dresses anyway.

This is the only thing that all ice dance fans agree on.

 

[marbri]

I just looked at Xela M's comment - which was not in this thread - and she called the program tacky and stripper-like. That really is a risk one runs with a very literal Moulin Rouge. The only part about Tessa was that her dress was not as nice as Gabriella's. And everyone knows that Cappellini has the best dresses anyway.

ok. Good to see you understood my post

 

[double runner]

And everyone knows that Cappellini has the best dresses anyway.

Agreed. If I saw that dress in a department store, it would be bought on the spot.

 

[millyskate]

It might have been already mentioned here but Satine is based upon The Lady of the Camellias written by Alexandre Dumas fils. It has also inspired one of my favorite opera, if not my favorite, Traviata where the title role is Violetta. She is a French courtesan frequented by high-class gentlemen and who falls in love with Armand. It's a poignant story but she does sell her body for favors and money. It also became a ballet with this beautiful pas de deux, which would make for a fantastic FD.

I think you just demonstrated how sensitive and delicate the treatment of the theme can be.
There may be a host of critical words that people feel aren't appropriate, but showing the alternative speaks volumes for itself.

With just a few tweaks, the dreaded lift could have looked like this.
https://youtu.be/IoNf6lOj1Vk?t=406 Not only is it comfortable to watch, more beautiful, but also so much more powerful in conveying the range of emotions and vulnerability involved in the situation. And obviously, the Chopin helps.

 

[Dobre]

I have mentioned it elsewhere, but I do think Ben & Tanith are the best commentating team in the U.S. for dance--largely because Ben has had tech specialist training so he notices & explains the dropped levels very well (and he doesn't always wait for the protocols to do it because sometimes he thinks the level will get dinged when it doesn't). That level of analysis would have been nice with Coomes & Buckland's FD here. Because--of all the results--their FD levels were the surprise.

They lost levels on four elements outside the footwork sequence (really unusual for a Shpilband team, even early in the season). She dropped a foot on the twizzles, but anyone care to hypothesize what happened with the following:
3 on the combination spin
3 on the straightline lift
3 on the rotational lift.

I love Nazarova & Nikitin's FD. They are young and unpolished; but they are trying new things, embracing the spirit of the program, and just knocked out a personal best at NHK.

 

[barbarafan]

I have mentioned it elsewhere, but I do think Ben & Tanith are the best commentating team in the U.S. for dance--largely because Ben has had tech specialist training so he notices & explains the dropped levels very well (and he doesn't always wait for the protocols to do it because sometimes he thinks the level will get dinged when it doesn't). That level of analysis would have been nice with Coomes & Buckland's FD here. because--of all the results--their FD levels were the surprise.

They lost levels on four elements outside the footwork sequence (really unusual for a Shpilband team, even early in the season). She dropped a foot on the twizzles, but anyone care to hypothesize what happened with the following:
3 on the combination spin
3 on the straightline lift
3 on the rotational lift.

I love Nazarova & Nikitin's FD. They are young and unpolished; but they are trying new things, embracing the spirit of the program, and just knocked out a personal best at NHK.

I love them

 

[firstflight]

The ranking of the PCS at the NHK was actually kind of momentous for some teams:
1) V/M- 57.86
2) C/L- 54.50
3) H/D- 54.40 That's around how last season ended in terms of C/L and H/D's respective PCS's.
4) S/K- 52.97 (!) What is this?!
5) N/N- 48.29 (!) over the Danes, who beat them by 1.6 at the 2017 Worlds
6) F-B/S- 47.74 They got their personal best via the TES. Why no advancement in PCS though?
7) Coomes/B- 47.44 (!!) This is a plunge from 2016 Worlds (they missed 2017 Worlds) and Nebelhorn this season- 52.62
8) M/R- 45.97 Interesting because they scored less (45.51) at Nebelhorn while Coomes/B were 5 points higher.
9) L/L - 45.35
10) K/K- 39.25

 

[firstflight]

That level of analysis would have been nice with Coomes & Buckland's FD here. because--of all the results--their FD levels were the surprise.

They lost levels on four elements outside the footwork sequence (really unusual for a Shpilband team, even early in the season). She dropped a foot on the twizzles, but anyone care to hypothesize what happened with the following:
3 on the combination spin
3 on the straightline lift
3 on the rotational lift.

More than the levels for me, I'm really about their PCS plunge at this competition. Nebelhorn was super high in PCS, and Cup of Nice fell, but was still at 50.82 at Cup of Nice.

 

[Cayuse]

Delete

 

[Dobre]

The Transition:
Last year, I tracked the teams that transitioned up to seniors; but the top three teams from Junior Worlds in 2016 remained in juniors. This year, they moved up. I haven't been posting repeatedly about them along their journey this season like last year, but I thought it would be worth taking a look at where they stand now and also checking back in on the 2nd year teams that I followed last season.

2017-2018 Freshman Class (AKA first-year senior teams):
Personal Best Scores in Juniors
164.83 The Parsons (2017 Junior Worlds)
164.37 Loboda & Drozd (2017 Junior Worlds)
163.65 McNamara & Carpenter (2016 Junior Worlds)
152.57 Abachkina & Thauron (2016 St Gervais JGP)
126.88 Popova & Byelikov (2017 Junior Worlds)--competing juniors & seniors this season
124.03 Fukase & Tateno (2017 Junior Worlds)
111.19 Damuleviciute & Kizala (2017 Junior Worlds)--competing juniors & seniors this season

Debut Senior Season Challenger, GP, and Major International Scores:
163.14 The Parsons (Ondrej Nepela)
157.61 McNamara & Carpenter (Cup of China)
155.72 Loboda & Drozd (Skate Canada)
154.50 McNamara & Carpenter (Autumn Classic)
154.40 Loboda & Drozd (Lombardia)
148.75 The Parsons (Rostelecom)
144.90 Abachkina & Thauron (Cup of China)
141.78 McNamara & Carpenter (Finlandia)--had a fall
140.86 Abachkina & Thauron (Ondrej Nepela)--had a fall
117.30 Fukase & Tateno (Lombardia)

Observations:
Love how this year's crop of debut seniors are splitting scores based on the event & the performance at the time.


Sophomore Class (AKA second-year senior teams):
2016-17 Senior Season's Best Scores
167.81 Pogrebinsky & Benoit (Tallinn Trophy)
154.36 Lauriault & Le Gac (World Team Trophy)
142.96 Evdokimova & Bazin (Golden Spin)
129.38 Kuzmichova & Sinicyn (Golden Spin--their SB from last season was in juniors. I think this was their only Senior Challenger score. If I missed one, let me know. This is K&S's first full season in seniors)
127.76 Biechler & Dodge (Lombardia)
112.52 Sales & Wamsteeker (Autumn Classic)

Second Senior Season Challenger, GP, and Major International Scores:
157.62 Lauriault & Le Gac (NHK Trophy)--above last year's SB by 3 points
150.47 Pogrebinsky & Benoit (Cup of China)
150.42 Pogrebinsky & Benoit (Lombardia)
149.34 Lauriault & Le Gac (Autumn Classic)
147.19 Lauriault & Le Gac (Rostelecom)
136.81 Kuzmichova & Sinicyn (Rostelecom)--above last year's senior SB by @7 1/2 points
134.84 Sales & Wamsteeker (Nebehorn)--above last year's SB by 22 points
127.12 Biechler & Dodge (U.S. Classic)
121.68 Kuzmichova & Sinicyn (Autumn Classic)
119.79 Biechler & Dodge (Finlandia)--had a fall

Updates on other teams:
Bent & Razgulajevs split.
Lee & Kam split.
No sign of Fedyushchenko & Kitteridge this season. Can anyone confirm if they are still skating/split/injured?

 

[cocotaffy]

They lost levels on four elements outside the footwork sequence (really unusual for a Shpilband team, even early in the season). She dropped a foot on the twizzles, but anyone care to hypothesize what happened with the following:
3 on the combination spin
3 on the straightline lift
3 on the rotational lift.

Actually, there seems to be some problem this year because Chock/Bates had also quite some downgrade in their SD debut last week at CoC.
3 on partial step seq
3 on the pattern
2 on the non touching
Ok those are all step sequences, traditionally harder to get level 4 but on the pattern the top teams managed to get level 4 on the first outing, plus the level 2 for a team whose rather good in the SD. I was surprised by that score.