The Dance Hall 6: We're All Off Our Rockers 2018-2019

[Dobre]

One school of thought for dealing with gossip is to ignore it. If you respond, people throw another harpoon, try to twist the truth against you, or try to use your truth to slam someone else. I never take silence as evidence of anything. Generally speaking, I applaud people who have the wherewithal to use it. Think it would have served Eteri well this past week. Though, of course, another school of thought is to lay your cards on the table. And a third school of thought is to wait until you are past an emotionally charged stage or are out of a politically charged scenario prior to laying said cards on the table. Those of us on this thread would be a lovely market for post ice-dance career tell-all books.

 

[overedge]

If it is true then it's proof there's no nationalistic bias or focus at Gadbois. It would be unusual though if the big Canadian training centre refused Canadian athletes but instead elected to train all of their foreign competition. Which does make me wonder these rumours are not true because I'm not sure Marie-France and Patrice would so obviously snub Canada like that.

Marie-France and Patrice spent most of their competitive career training in France with a French coach, while representing Canada. Ice dance is kind of "borderless" that way. I don't mean this as a diss against them or their coaching, but honestly, they seem to want to work with whoever they want to work with, regardless of the country the team represents. If they were being subsidized by national or provincial funding while refusing to accept Canadian athletes, that would be one thing, but I don't think that's the case. They're under no obligation to train Canadian athletes just because they're Canadian.

 

[starrynight]

Marie-France and Patrice spent most of their competitive career training in France with a French coach, while representing Canada. Ice dance is kind of "borderless" that way. I don't mean this as a diss against them or their coaching, but honestly, they seem to want to work with whoever they want to work with, regardless of the country the team represents. If they were being subsidized by national or provincial funding while refusing to accept Canadian athletes, that would be one thing, but I don't think that's the case. They're under no obligation to train Canadian athletes just because they're Canadian.

Yes, certainly an independent 'for profit' centre rather than anything intrinsically Canadian. It's not Sambo 70.

 

[Peepsquick]

Going a bit on a tangent here: I must say that I really appreciate a school not affiliated to a specific federation and I imagine that, at its best, like possibly Gadbois, it has the potential to be a very exciting and neutral work environment for skaters from all over the world. I have come to really dislike the politicking and "nationalistic" hype generated by skating federations (and some fans) in events like the OG.

 

[starrynight]

In ice dance now there are only 2 nations. The newly formed Peoples Republic of Gadbois (PRG) and Russia.

 

[vireo]

I suspect someone is sneaking into the homes of North American ice dancers while they sleep to leave pods by their beds. In the morning, the original ice dancer is nothing but a little pile of fluffy debris. The new ice dancer who emerges from the pod is an exact replica of the original, except for an irresistible urge to go to Montreal and skate to slow music.

Igor Shpilband assumes the Kevin McCarthy role as a modern-day Cassandra who knows what’s happening, but nobody believes him. I’m hoping for a sequel starring team Wheaton, Carol Lane, and Babs Fusar-Poli, who all join forces to save us from the Montreal Menace.

 

[suki]

I suspect someone is sneaking into the homes of North American ice dancers while they sleep to leave pods by their beds. In the morning, the original ice dancer is nothing but a little pile of fluffy debris. The new ice dancer who emerges from the pod is an exact replica of the original, except for an irresistible urge to go to Montreal and skate to slow music.

Igor Shpilband assumes the Kevin McCarthy role as a modern-day Cassandra who knows what’s happening, but nobody believes him. I’m hoping for a sequel starring team Wheaton, Carol Lane, and Babs Fusar-Poli, who all join forces to save us from the Montreal Menace.

Bravo Vireo! This is pure gold. I loved the reference to the original "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers," the definitive version. The question is which ending will prevail: The original where nobody believes Kevin McCarthy and the implication is humanity is doomed by its own apathy, or the ending the studio suits forced director Don Siegel to add in which the authorities finally believe our hero and vow to fight the invaders and save mankind (which Siegel hated BTW)?

 

[overedge]

In ice dance now there are only 2 nations. The newly formed Peoples Republic of Gadbois (PRG) and Russia.

There will be three when the People's Republic of New Jersey reclaims all its athletes and coaches.

 

[Holy Headband]

I read on a website that shall not be named that Antonio Najarro will be choreographing a programme for Skoptsova/Aleshin, and also that they're looking for new creative directions and to challenge themselves artistically next season.

I'm a bit apprehensive but also excited! Sounds like they know they'll need to get out of their comfort zone in order to create a distinct identity for themselves. I'm just hoping they don't get saddled with a free dance that's too risqué and/or theatrical for them.

 

[Dobre]

I read on a website that shall not be named that Antonio Najarro will be choreographing a programme for Skoptsova/Aleshin, and also that they're looking for new creative directions and to challenge themselves artistically next season.

I'm a bit apprehensive but also excited! Sounds like they know they'll need to get out of their comfort zone in order to create a distinct identity for themselves. I'm just hoping they don't get saddled with a free dance that's too risqué and/or theatrical for them.

I'd guess he's doing the tango for their SD, unless it's been clarified that he is choreographing the free. (Haven't read the article yet).

 

[Holy Headband]

I'd guess he's doing the tango for their SD, unless it's been clarified that he is choreographing the free. (Haven't read the article yet).

Sorry, I got the coaching info from a user's comment, not from the article, and the poster did suggest Najarro would most likely be working on the SD.

 

[Dobre]

Sorry, I got the coaching info from a user's comment, not from the article, and the poster did suggest Najarro would most likely be working on the SD.

Nothing to be sorry for. Najarro does choreograph FDs, and he has done more than Latin/Spanish rhythms. He could be doing the FD. But seeing as the tango is required and it's in his wheelhouse, the SD seems the most likely assumption unless we hear otherwise. It's interesting to see a young Russian team using a well-known international choreographer. I've commented before that it's practically a right of passage for the young Russian dancers to get awful music, ghastly costumes, and dreadful choreography until they prove themselves. (Then the following season, everyone is in awe by how much they've improved because how could they not?) Anyway, Najarro is good, and the tango should be in Skoptcova & Aleshin's wheelhouse themselves. I am curious what they will come up with for an FD.

 

[Deleted member 74551]

Carreira/Ponomarenko are going senior according to her response to a fan on Twitter.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Carreira/Ponomarenko are going senior according to her response to a fan on Twitter.

Ahh interesting. In the still crowded American dance world, I wonder where they'll end up at next season's Nationals assuming everybody skates well.

 

[Dobre]

Carreira/Ponomarenko are going senior according to her response to a fan on Twitter.

Ooh, spot just opened on the Junior World Team.

#GropmanSomerville/NguyenKolesnik/anyoneelsewanttogetinit battle

Ahh interesting. In the still crowded American dance world, I wonder where they'll end up at next season's Nationals assuming everybody skates well.

#bloodbath3-6@ U.S. Nationals.

 

[rinkside]

Ahh interesting. In the still crowded American dance world, I wonder where they'll end up at next season's Nationals assuming everybody skates well.

I think this is a good time to move up. Shibs out for the season, Pogrebinski/Benoithave broken up. She has no partner now. Biechler/Dodge have broken up. He has no partner at this time. Chock/Bates are questionable. I have heard they are out for the season but can't confirm. So I'm predicting 6th at nationals.

 

[rinkside]

Ooh, spot just opened on the Junior World Team.

#GropmanSomerville/NguyenKolesnik/anyoneelsewanttogetinit battle



#bloodbath3-6@ U.S. Nationals.

I think it will be very interesting who places 1st. Will it be the Lewis and Bye who are doing juniors for the 6th season with 5 years of international experience or the youngsters the Greens doing their 3rd season with basically one year of international experience.

 

[Dobre]

Will it be the Lewis and Bye who are doing juniors for the 6th season with 5 years of international experience or the youngsters the Greens doing their 3rd season with basically one year of international experience.

Split results at Junior Worlds. Go, both teams! Russia has a similar scenario with both Shevchenko & Eremenko and Khudaberdieva & Nazarov splitting results at Russian Junior Nationals last season. Russia shuffled two teams and aged up two. Ushakova & Nekrasov as the only returning team from the Junior World podium. (They'll have expectations this time around). Lajoie & Lagha still a question mark for juniors vs. seniors. I'm assuming both French teams stay in juniors (though not 100% certain about Lagouge & Rahier). I believe the top Germans & the Israelis aged up. Kazakova & Reviya should be back for Georgia. And Fisher & Mallette-Paquette and D'Alessandro & Waddell are still standing after the flood of splits this spring in Canada. Think the junior field could be even more unpredictable than last season.

The Greens competed one year on the JGP, but they have competed internationally at least three seasons. Two in advanced novices. I'm thinking they did NRW Trophy twice and something else in Europe as well.

 

[Debbie S]

Chock/Bates are questionable. I have heard they are out for the season but can't confirm.

Where did you hear that?

Both Gropman/Somerville and Nguyen/Kolesnik have registered to compete at Chesapeake Open in late June. No Greens or L/B as of now. I've been a fan of G/S for years but I was impressed by how N/K looked in their first season together. Hopefully they can follow that up with a great second season. The battle should be tight.

 

[Lara111]

I think it will be very interesting who places 1st. Will it be the Lewis and Bye who are doing juniors for the 6th season with 5 years of international experience or the youngsters the Greens doing their 3rd season with basically one year of international experience.

Greens, I think

 

[rinkside]

Greens, I think

I agree. Lewis and Bye have been in a holding pattern for several years. They have moved up as other teams have moved up to senior. I think Gropman/Sommerville are the same.

 

[Lara111]

Where did you hear that?

Both Gropman/Somerville and Nguyen/Kolesnik have registered to compete at Chesapeake Open in late June. No Greens or L/B as of now. I've been a fan of G/S for years but I was impressed by how N/K looked in their first season together. Hopefully they can follow that up with a great second season. The battle should be tight.

Can you release the whole list of registered to compete at Chesapeake Open at Junior level?

 

[Vinyame]

Deleted

 

[Vinyame]

Split results at Junior Worlds. Go, both teams! Russia has a similar scenario with both Shevchenko & Eremenko and Khudaberdieva & Nazarov splitting results at Russian Junior Nationals last season. Russia shuffled two teams and aged up two. Ushakova & Nekrasov as the only returning team from the Junior World podium. (They'll have expectations this time around). Lajoie & Lagha still a question mark for juniors vs. seniors. I'm assuming both French teams stay in juniors (though not 100% certain about Lagouge & Rahier). I believe the top Germans & the Israelis aged up. Kazakova & Reviya should be back for Georgia. And Fisher & Mallette-Paquette and D'Alessandro & Waddell are still standing after the flood of splits this spring in Canada. Think the junior field could be even more unpredictable than last season.

The Greens competed one year on the JGP, but they have competed internationally at least three seasons. Two in advanced novices. I'm thinking they did NRW Trophy twice and something else in Europe as well.

L/L attended Skate Canada's NextGen Camp with other junior athletes, so I assume they are not going senior, but I'm not sure if we can take this as the confirmation?

 

[Debbie S]

Can you release the whole list of registered to compete at Chesapeake Open at Junior level?

I don't have the full list. You can look up the coaches' names on the Entryeeze page and see their entries. The full list will be available when the schedule is posted, probably in a couple weeks (entries closed last night).

 

[rinkside]

L/L attended Skate Canada's NextGen Camp with other junior athletes, so I assume they are not going senior, but I'm not sure if we can take this as the confirmation?

This could be their year to make the podium at JGP finals and Worlds.

 

[Dobre]

Abachkina is off Ice Partner Search.

 

[rinkside]

Abachkina is off Ice Partner Search.

Abachkina is off Ice Partner Search.

She has been skating with Alexey Shchepetov for awhile now. I hear they will be skating juniors. Sort of a strange choice as he has had boot problems for sometime. He and Lydia didn't go to Nationals last year.

 

[Sylvia]

Can you release the whole list of registered to compete at Chesapeake Open at Junior level?

I usually start the new season's thread for U.S. Dance thread after the Chesapeake Open dance entries are published online.

Switzerland's Stephane Walker is looking to switch to ice dance: http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=6295

 

[her grace]

Ushakova & Nekrasov as the only returning team from the Junior World podium. (They'll have expectations this time around).

Looks like they're the early season favorites for a junior world title.

This could be [L/L's] year to make the podium at JGP finals and Worlds.

Agreed. The Greens may be a year away from contending--think they'll finish around 4th or 5th at jr. worlds and hope that's enough with USA2 to keep three spots for jr. worlds. Russia is less formidable with Scoptova/Aleshin moving up and Polishchuk/Vahknov splitting , but they have strength in numbers and should still fight with L/L for the other spots on the podium.