^^ Thanks so much
@clairecloutier.
It really should not make any difference in terms of height. I only pointed out height difference in my direct comparison as a reflection of how K/R may seem older, but when you look at their faces they are clearly very young. Georgy is the oldest in terms of age.
Perhaps some fans do look at height as a determinant of how old an athlete is, but to suggest that being taller and looking older should be one of the judgment factors between these two teams that made a difference in the scoring is problematic. I'm not saying that such matters might not be a subliminal factor in the scoring, but I am saying that it shouldn't be!
Taking nothing away from the wonderful progress and substantial efforts of Maria & Georgy this season, I think it is quite clear that Avonley & Vadym are the better overall ice dancers. To a degree that was reflected in the GOE and PCS scores. However, the fact that the scores were so close by percentage points in both segments indicates the political nature of the scoring that led to Maria & Georgy edging for the win. Obviously, M&G's FD is quite brilliant and it's cool for them that they are the first Georgian team to win JGPF. Still, I don't think M&G should have won the RD over A&V who were significantly better in that segment. Also in the FD, A&V were excellent and debatably should have won had not M&G's FD been seen as so groundbreaking and innovative.
M&G have shown some improvement in their skills and they are an attractive pair on the ice, which always makes a difference in the minds of judges. It's apparent that the judges wished to reward the innovative choreography of the young Georgians' FD.
As Claire has pointed out, being smaller in height does not subtract from speed, ice coverage, and amplitude.
In the article on A&V linked earlier, that very subject of A&V's superb amplitude and ice coverage was discussed and emphasized. IMO, the scoring difference boils down majorly to politics. When skaters are close in different aspects, particularly in ice dance, it's not always that we see the better skilled athletes/ artists winning. Obviously what I just observed is an understatement, as we witness this tight scoring phenomenon all the time in senior ice dance events. It's about buzz, packaging, politics, and performance on the day, oftentimes more than it is about differences in skill and ability.
My heart goes out to Avonley & Vadym!
♥ I hope they take a deep breath, reflect on their progress and hard work, and keep on fighting! They are brilliant and tremendous in their abilities, and such a pleasure to watch.
: 
Avonley is slight at 5'0", but Vadim's height of 5'8 1/2" is not at all atypical for a male ice dancer.
