The Dance Hall 5: Ice Dance Fans 2017-2018

[lauravvv]

And I wonder if b/s are below fifth at the Olympics if they want to go to a worlds where they can’t medal or help get three spots. Canadian team that replaces v/m could beat s/b.

I counted Weaver/Poje as one of those teams that could beat Stepanova/Bukin (if Andrew doesn't blow the twizzles again) as I think they will be at Worlds. I am not certain about Gilles/Poirier - if their changed FD is better accepted by judges than the original version and they don't mess up their twizzles or something else, then perhaps, but perhaps not - unless S/B themselves don't loose a lot of levels. Soucisse/Firus, who will be the third Canadian team at Worlds without V/M there, won't beat S/B this season - I am pretty sure about that.

 

[Bigbird]

http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/ec2018/SEG007OF.HTM

Tech Panel for Euros 2018 :

TS : Denis SAMOKHIN (RUS)
TC : Halina GORDON POLTORAK (POL)
ATS : Francesca FERMI (ITA)
Referee : Garry HOPPE

So we have an Italian ATS but a Russian TS And Poland is supposed to choose if the 2 disagree. Funny situation Do we know where the TS judged before ?

How can a Russian be the technical specialist, in Russia at the European championships? This is absolute madness.

 

[chapis]

How can a Russian be the technical specialist, in Russia at the European championships? This is absolute madness.

But apparently, this is random, right?, or Are they assigned by someone?

 

[kittysk8ts]

How can a Russian be the technical specialist, in Russia at the European championships? This is absolute madness.

The same way the CEO of Skate Canada can continue to judge international events? Now THAT is madness. IMHO, of course

 

[sap5]

The same way the CEO of Skate Canada can continue to judge international events? Now THAT is madness. IMHO, of course

The real madness is that any judge is associated with a federation in the first place. I honestly don't believe whether one is the president makes a difference here. The test is whether you can judge objectively despite being associated with a federation, and whatever your position is shouldn't make a difference. Do you really think a judge lower on the Fed totem pole is going to be more objective? If anything, I'd say the lesser person would be even less objective than the President because he/she is trying to work himself/herself up the Fed totem pole.

 

[Rafter]

The same way the CEO of Skate Canada can continue to judge international events? Now THAT is madness. IMHO, of course

It’s not the CEO of Skate Canada who judges, it’s the President of the Board of Directors who judges. Big difference.

 

[kittysk8ts]

It’s not the CEO of Skate Canada who judges, it’s the President of the Board of Directors who judges. Big difference.

YES! I do beg your pardon. OMG @Rafter this is the 2nd time you have corrected me recently. I do apologize. You must want to . Anyway, my poorly stated point was that these conflicts or perceived conflicts in judging will continue to exist. The ISU needs more judges and technical specialists. I wish more retired skaters would take on these roles but people have to make a living.....

 

[Dobre]

I don't think there would be any harm in requiring the technical specialists for international competitions to come from countries outside of the host country. Nothing in particular against having one at Europeans. But the tech specialist in dance at Skate Canada was Canadian, the one at Autumn Classic was Canadian, the one at Rostelecom was Russian, the one at Europeans is Russian. Seems like the odds are a bit high for events held in major figure skating countries and the odds are already in the favor of athletes competing at home. I know we would still most often wind up with technical specialists who live in the region or even were born there & have dual or altered citizenship. But still it seems like a reasonable measure when looking for an objectively judged event.

 

[firstflight]

And there it is-- Stepanova/Bukin have overtaken Bobrova/Soloviev in the SD.

 

[chapis]

And there it is-- Stepanova/Bukin have overtaken Bobrova/Soloviev in the SD.

B/S skated very cautious today, the team that I enjoyed the most was Sara and Kirill. If they get the top ten here, the next year Spain will have 2 spots for Europeans, right?

 

[Bigbird]

B/S skated very cautious today, the team that I enjoyed the most was Sara and Kirill. If they get the top ten here, the next year Spain will have 2 spots for Europeans, right?

I think for a second consecutive Olympics, B/S will be upstaged by a young and upcoming team. I think they need to just realise they have reached their ceiling as a team and move on, either to a different partner for Dima or to just do shows together, not bad really. Bobrova just doesn't have the versatility that a top ice dancer should have, it was painfully obvious today and at nationals. But to have stayed together for over 17 yrs, that's loyalty for you, good people.

 

[chapis]

I think for a second consecutive Olympics, B/S will be upstaged by a young and upcoming team. I think they need to just realise they have reached their ceiling as a team and move on, either to a different partner for Dima or to just do shows together, not bad really. Bobrova just doesn't have the versatility that a top ice dancer should have, it was painfully obvious today and at nationals. But to have stayed together for over 17 yrs, that's loyalty for you, good people.

Versatility? Versatility is important in ice dance?

 

[Anyasnake]

And there it is-- Stepanova/Bukin have overtaken Bobrova/Soloviev in the SD.

Not surprising in the SD. Me think Step/Bukin might get the SD at the team event ?
I'm looking foward to the FD battle though Can S/B hold their nerves and not have a repeat of Nationals ?

 

[MarieM]

And my prediction of Bukin being in contention for oly bronze is now playing itself out really well.
Bobrova IMO have been worse this season, and that SD should bury them. Too bad their FD is really good, but IMO Step&Bukin are that much better this season

 

[Bigbird]

Versatility? Versatility is important in ice dance?

I was censoring myself too much it seems. What I should have said was, she just can't dance or she dances like a....you can fill in the blanks.

 

[chapis]

I was censoring myself too much it seems. What I should have said was, she just can't dance or she dances like a....you can fill in the blanks.

but you don´t need censoring yourself, the most probably is they don´t read this thread and they are not the kind of team who has a legion of fans to come to defend them. I agree, she can´t dance, but Stepanova can´t do it either IMO.

 

[clairecloutier]

Has this been posted yet? A profile of Zagorski/Guerreiro from ice-dance.com:

https://www.ice-dance.com/site/zagorski-guerreiro-share-their-journey/

 

[Bigbird]

but you don´t need censoring yourself, the most probably is they don´t read this thread and they are not the kind of team who has a legion of fans to come to defend them. I agree, she can´t dance, but Stepanova can´t do it either IMO.

What sadness. Today the only pairs I could get into were H/K, FB/S and PC (in pieces). I mean Russian ice dance just isn't cutting it these days. Please juniors come good!! I really missed EI today

 

[firstflight]

Bukin has the best reactions in the K&C. I skipped directly to their K&C moment to see how he'd react to 2nd place. It didn't disappoint.

 

[suki]

but you don´t need censoring yourself, the most probably is they don´t read this thread and they are not the kind of team who has a legion of fans to come to defend them. I agree, she can´t dance, but Stepanova can´t do it either IMO.

That's my problem with Step/Buhkin. Although his skating style is not my personal favorite by any means, he basically carries this team. She looks gorgeous on the ice when she strikes a static pose, but other than that . . . I am sure the RSF will put all its clout and influence behind this team, but I can't believe that there aren't better younger teams coming up through the system.

 

[Marta24]

That's my problem with Step/Buhkin. Although his skating style is not my personal favorite by any means, he basically carries this team. She looks gorgeous on the ice when she strikes a static pose, but other than that . . . I am sure the RSF will put all its clout and influence behind this team, but I can't believe that there aren't better younger teams coming up through the system.

There is a whole group of talented junior teams, but as we saw this year with Loboda/Drozd, the move up to seniors is very hard. Even Ilinykh/Katsalapov needed 4 years until they completely broke through, at least on the World stage. I think, it`s a better bet for the Russian Fed to get behind S/B for the next few years, while in the same time giving the younger teams time to develop.

 

[muffinplus]

Wow Hurtado/Khaliavin were quite fabulous today. Any reason why they scored so low?

 

[Bigbird]

After S/B's skate, Krylova, Kostamarov and Domnina just sat there stone-faced, like this is what we've come to? Those are my feelings about S/B, they have done some work but they're far from special. They've had a few special moments, but they're nowhere near the soup yet. I thought Z/G were much more interesting to watch as a team.

 

[Bigbird]

Wow Hurtado/Khaliavin were quite fabulous today. Any reason why they scored so low?

It could be anything and nothing. But given their scores, if they keep on improving they could easily compete with Katsalapov and whomever he chooses to skate with in the next quad, the young Italians, the Danes. I really like how dancey they are, but Sara struggles noticeably with her twizzles. This will hold them back.

 

[suki]

After S/B's skate, Krylova, Kostamarov and Domnina just sat there stone-faced, like this is what we've come to? Those are my feelings about S/B, they have done some work but they're far from special. They've had a few special moments, but they're nowhere near the soup yet. I thought Z/G were much more interesting to watch as a team.

Any photos or screen captures available?

 

[Anyasnake]

Wow Hurtado/Khaliavin were quite fabulous today. Any reason why they scored so low?

A bit tight on some elements, maybe a bit of nerves. And issues on the Rumba. And then of course they'll have to "earn" their PCS with time, but they are on the right path. You can see that they have some great skating skills even when some things seems quite unpolished. It will come with time.

 

[muffinplus]

A bit tight on some elements, maybe a bit of nerves. And issues on the Rumba. And then of course they'll have to "earn" their PCS with time, but they are on the right path. You can see that they have some great skating skills even when some things seems quite unpolished. It will come with time.

What were the issues... I will have to rewatch

 

[Anyasnake]

What were the issues... I will have to rewatch

On the Key Points, nothing too visible but many teams had Key Points unvalidated this event.

 

[Bigbird]

Any photos or screen captures available?

Nope, sorry didn't make them. Just saw them on the screen after S/B finished skating.

 

[legjumper]

Wow Hurtado/Khaliavin were quite fabulous today. Any reason why they scored so low?

I think a lot of it boils down to reputation (or the lack of it). If they were more established, the SD performance they delivered today might have scored in the high 60s. In H/K's case, (1) they don't have a track record of scoring higher than this, (2) this is only their second season together and only their 7th international outing overall (three of which have been Senior B events), (3) it's not clear which team is the Spanish #1, and (4) they are not Zhulin's top team or priority. If they continue to skate well, their PCS will rise. At last year's Euros, their PCS went from high-6s to low/mid-7s between SD and FD just because they had no prior reputation (i.e., baseline for marks). Today their SD PCS were starting to creep into the 8s. If they skate well tomorrow, they could see another increase. Generally, judges don't like to give out high marks if they're not sure a skater/team is "normally" that kind of skater/team. So skaters have to prove themselves over time, or as it is commonly referred to, "gain reputation."

In addition to gaining reputation, it just takes teams time to gain the experience and the comfort of skating together. That comfort/ease/confidence contributes to PCS as well.

I feel pretty confident that if H/K were more established, the SD performance they delivered today might have scored in the upper 60s, not mid-60s.