The Dance Hall 8: Join the Maskerade 2020-2021

[Sylvia]

They are coached by Alper Ucar and John & Nadine Kerr at the new Iceberg Skating Academy based in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

France's Julia WAGRET / Pierre SOUQUET-BASIEGE have joined this group as well: https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2l3a8JlaO/

 

[Gris]

Reed and Ambrulevicius' updated ISU bio now lists Margaglio and Haguenauer as their coaches. (During the summer they had announced their move to Gadbois.)

They seem to keep both programs from last season and have been added to Rostelecom Cup.

 

[Dobre]

Stepanova/Bukin, Schevchenko/Eremenko will not be able to participate in the 4th Cup of Russia, due to the quarantine. The reason is: one of their coaches has been diagnosed with ******* and the whole group is in quarantine.

imgur.com

Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more from users.

imgur.com

The above is from the From Russia With Love thread.

Not to sound like a broken record, but this season . . . . I hope both teams & the others at their rink stay healthy + best wishes for their coach.

 

[Wyliefan]

Amusing clue in this morning's Washington Post crossword: "Leap for Tessa Virtue."

I have a bit of a Twitter acquaintance with the puzzle creator (he's been very nice about giving me hints when I beg for them), so I just gave him a gentle hint about which kinds of skaters leap and which kinds don't. Figured he'd want to know for next time.

 

[Sylvia]

Tweeted today by "the only Spanish media specialized in figure skating on ice" (clip): https://twitter.com/Hieloespanol/status/1327264862360236032

We are pleased to show you in action the new junior dance couple formed Èrika Riera & Raman Balanovic. Here you can see a preview of their RD. This duo trains at CSG Lyon with Olivier Schoenfelder, Muriel Zazoui, Marien de la Asuncion, Emi Hirai and Neil Brown.

May 4, 2020 article about the new team (he is from Belarus and they will be able to compete in 2021-22): https://www.hieloespanol.es/1/la_is...nza_erika_riera_raman_balanovich_3236778.html

 

[ostile17]

Crossposting from the "Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi Cheer" thread

Video of them practicing both the FD and RD in Florida in preparation for the NHK Trophy

Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi Cheer Thread

I think they deserve their own thread. Wishing Kana/Dai good luck at their first competition together as Ice Dancers at the NHK Trophy! :cheer2: :cheer2: https://twitter.com/nobumamiya/status/1327250899379441664

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

Charlène and Marco took part in a short, fun interview for the FISG, answering true or false questions about ice dance, some are serious and some are for fun. Here's the link to the video (in Italian) on the FISG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHsVm2zjdI-/

As a bit of fun, to practise my Italian, I've attempted a translation. Many apologies if there are any errors, I'm still learning! Any translator's notes appear in [square brackets]:

Is it true that ice dancers have to have a foundation in ballet?
Marco: In some ways, this is a myth to dispel [false]; ballet certainly helps a lot and almost all ice dancers practice it sooner or later, but to do ice dance it is not necessary to have a foundation in ballet or to have had some lessons before starting skating or first beginning the sport.

Is ice dancing only practised in pairs [couples]?
Charlène: Ice dancing is not only practiced in pairs. More often, yes, but there are also singles [solo ice dance] in many countries. For example, in France, they also make national competitions for it [solo dance] more important, but it is true that it is mainly done in pairs.

Is it true that most of the ice dance couples are in a relationship?
Marco (joking): No, this is absolutely not true, no ice dancers stay together [off the ice].
Charlène (also joking): What do you mean, ‘No’!?
Marco: Since in dance there is a lot of interaction and there is a great complicity, from the outside it may often seem that the partners are together in their private life. In reality, there are not so many couples [together off the ice], we are an exception, in the sense that there are not many couples who are also together in everyday life, but in some cases, as in ours, it can happen.
Charlène: The others are just really good actors!

Is it true that ice dancers devote more time to hair and makeup than singles skaters?
Marco: I would say yes.
Charlène (laughing): Even though it only took me an hour to get ready this morning.

Is it true that it is the man who makes all the effort in lifting?
Marco (joking): Certainly!
Charlène: Certainly not!
Marco: It's not true. The lady has to help the man a lot because, if not, she would be a dead weight and it would be very difficult to do what we do, so, in reality, it is 50/50.

 

[Wyliefan]

On Ice Perspectives just started a livestream with some of the Gadbois teams on their Facebook page.

On Ice Perspectives

On Ice Perspectives. 304,639 likes · 53,756 talking about this. Figure skating cinematography by Jordan Cowan www.oniceperspectives.com

www.facebook.com

 

[Sylvia]

On Ice Perspectives just started a livestream with some of the Gadbois teams

Thanks! Yesterday I bumped up the IAM LIVE thread and posted the 3 YT links starting here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...event-sept-11-2020.107554/page-6#post-5904769

Estonia's Junior team of Darja NETJAGA / Marko Jevgeni GAIDAJENKO (ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00106281.htm) have split - she is listed on IPS as of 11/22/20.

Hungary's Junior team of Villo MARTON / Danyil SEMKO (http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054745.htm) have split - both are listed on IPS as of this month.

 

[Sylvia]

Article by Nick Zaccardi on Daisuke Takahashi's transition to ice dance with Kana Muramoto ahead of their debut at NHK Trophy:

Daisuke Takahashi starts anew, eyeing unprecedented Olympic figure skating feat

Japan figure skater Daisuke Takahashi makes his ice dance debut with Kana Muramoto at NHK Trophy, streaming live on Peacock Premium.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Excerpt:

Takahashi has told Zoueva that he didn’t think the transition would be this difficult. In particular, weight training is key to develop the strength to lift Muramoto, who is just one inch shorter, for up to 12 seconds at a time during their programs.
“He never worked off ice in his upper body because for singles it’s not necessary,” Zoueva said. “You have to be light, narrow [in singles]. In ice dance, lift is most difficult part, right? He started work off ice for upper body. His shoulders are now bigger. He has a narrow waist. The body looks gorgeous.”
...
Zoueva stressed, no matter the result, to give the partnership time.
“The quality will come after at least 14, 16 months,” she said. “If they will train how they did right now and improve how they improved like every day [this year], they seriously could fight for podium at Olympics. For now, what they are, it’s very hard to say.”

ETA:

NHK asked former ice dancer & choreographer Kenji Miyamoto to explain the discipline of ice dancing to Japanese fans:

髙橋大輔選手の演技をもっと楽しめる！ 初心者向けアイスダンス入門 NHK杯フィギュア｜NHKスポーツ

【NHK】11月27日（金）〜29日（日）にかけて行われる2020NHK杯フィギュア。今回、注目度急上昇の種目がアイスダンスです。そこで、初心者でも楽しめるアイスダンスの見どころをたっぷりご紹介します。

www3.nhk.or.jp

On Muramoto/Takahashi's debut at NHK Trophy:

I haven't seen the two of them skating properly yet, so I have no idea what they are looking forward to (laughs), but I'm looking forward to that as well. In addition to being a new couple, it is inevitably expected that Takahashi, a player with both ability and popularity, will be the first year to switch from single to ice dance.

I have exchanges with Takahashi both publicly and privately, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of performance he will perform in ice dancing, which is gorgeous, expressive, and skating.

 

[Sylvia]

Palm Beach Post article on the KAZ team of Maxine Weatherby, 19, and Temirlan Yerzhanov, 24, who are coached by Evgeni Platov in Florida:

Boca girl, Kazakhstan guy and a Russian coach: These ice dancers, training in West Palm, are eying Beijing Olympics

A Palm Beach County-based ice dancing duo and world-class coach Evgeny Platov connect at Palm Beach Ice Works, hoping to build a path to the Olympics.

www.palmbeachpost.com

Excerpts:

Maxine Weatherby, 19, came to South Florida by adoption [from China]. Her skating partner Temirlan “Tima” Yerzhanov, 24, came to the U.S. to continue training as a teen, and later followed another coach to the Sunshine State.
Their celebrated coach, Evgeny Platov? The 53-year-old and his wife thought Florida would be a great spot for a winter home, a place to dial back from decades of elite competition and the breakneck pace of a second career coaching world-class up-and-comers.

“When Evgeny came down to meet with me, I could tell he had a real passion for the sport. The rink was built as a gift to the community. We’ve dumped money into it to keep it open to the community. We have strict bullying policies. The coaches here are really about hard work,” Alf said. “Evgeny is a perfect fit for me. He’s a healthy person. He’s had a great career, but it’s not about jockeying to make it about him.”
...
Even Platov will admit that Russian coaches are strict.
“They were hardcore in my times, kind of like Navy Seal training,” Platov said.
Training in his day meant leaving home at age 14 and rarely seeing your parents again, not even on Christmas.

Weatherby and Yerzhanov train four hours a day on the ice and at least an hour off six days a week.
Platov figures he’s tough, but not as tough as his former coaches.
“I want to fix that element. Fix that line. But also make them laugh. Make them a joy,” Platov said. He wants them to love the sport like his first coaches made him love it.
“To be honest, I was looking at quieter chapter,” Platov says with a distinct Russian accent. “Teach little kids. Be a little bit away from skating. But it didn’t happen.”

ETA link to W/Y's ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107379.htm

 

[Ka3sha]

I am in love with Muramoto/Takahashi FD (La Bayadere)
I know FSU doesn't like Zueva's choreo and approach to the ice dance, and honestly speaking I was also kind of tired of it by 2014, but to me she is the best one when it comes to the classical and ballet themes.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I am in love with the Muramoto/Takahashi FD (La Bayadere)
I know FSU doesn't like Zueva's choreo and approach to the ice dance, and honestly speaking I was also kind of tired of it by 2014, but to me she is the best one when it comes to the classical and ballet themes.

Same. I miss the classical themes since P/C started the big emo phase in ice dance. I don’t consider La Bayadere a war horse and I thought it was a refreshing change.

 

[mjb52]

I need to go back and watch Hawayek/Baker's program, I think I was so absolutely startled by the music that I didn't really have a chance to evaluate it properly, but now that I know what to expect, I am intrigued by it.

 

[happycamper2554]

I am in love with Muramoto/Takahashi FD (La Bayadere)
I know FSU doesn't like Zueva's choreo and approach to the ice dance, and honestly speaking I was also kind of tired of it by 2014, but to me she is the best one when it comes to the classical and ballet themes.

Zoueva choreographs for S/K again challenge. I'm sure Zhulin will never let it happen. But I can dream.

 

[Colonel Green]

I am in love with Muramoto/Takahashi FD (La Bayadere)
I know FSU doesn't like Zueva's choreo and approach to the ice dance, and honestly speaking I was also kind of tired of it by 2014, but to me she is the best one when it comes to the classical and ballet themes.

I thought the program was beautiful. Certain parts they obviously aren't quite up to executing yet, but particularly in the skating elements they were excellent.

 

[bcash]

Same. I miss the classical themes since P/C started the big emo phase in ice dance. I don’t consider La Bayadere a war horse and I thought it was a refreshing

That’s a very reductive take on P/C. They didn’t start anything of the sort. Two of their most sophisticated programs were set to (genuinely good, as opposed to questionable ballet music) classical pieces, with a refreshingly modern twist.

Takahashi’s qualities make this program nice to watch but there are moments in the choreography that felt derivative and the costumes are just too 90s.

 

[VGThuy]

Well, style wise, the 90s are back.

 

[Ka3sha]

Sara Hurtado is back to Moscow and back on the ice

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQcZsIJFRl/?igshid=sp273qbv5vrq

 

[mjb52]

Ohhhh, that picture is too cute.

 

[Gris]

https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1333746121047502849

Chiara Calderone / Francesco Riva are a new team according to the entry list of Italian nationals.

cc: @casken

In other news, Marton / Semko have ended their partnership.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQmbJdJg9Q/?igshid=rmqtebl0vmax

 

[Gris]

Gran Premio Italia 2020/21 - Trento - Free Program / Free Dance

Sabato 5 e domenica 6 dicembre sul ghiaccio della Palaghiaccio di Trento prende il via la terza tappa del Gran Premio Italia, il circuito nazionale organizza...

youtu.be

Guignard and Fabbri's new FD at Gran Premio Italia

 

[shan]

Gran Premio Italia 2020/21 - Trento - Free Program / Free Dance

Sabato 5 e domenica 6 dicembre sul ghiaccio della Palaghiaccio di Trento prende il via la terza tappa del Gran Premio Italia, il circuito nazionale organizza...

youtu.be

Guignard and Fabbri's new FD at Gran Premio Italia

Can anyone identify their FD music? Their ISU bio hasn't been updated yet. It's so familiar, a soundtrack I believe.

 

[Sylvia]

Can anyone identify their FD music? Their ISU bio hasn't been updated yet. It's so familiar, a soundtrack I believe.

Last part is "Song for the Little Sparrow" by Abel Korzeniowski (made famous by Satoko Miyahara as her 2018-19 SP music).

 

[shan]

Last part is "Song for the Little Sparrow" by Abel Korzeniowski (made famous by Satoko Miyahara as her 2018-19 SP music).

Thank you! It was driving me crazy trying to figure out the name or who had skated to it in the past. It is a beautiful piece to be sure!

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Can anyone identify their FD music? Their ISU bio hasn't been updated yet. It's so familiar, a soundtrack I believe.

The first 3/4ths are from the movie "Atonement."

 

[shan]

The first 3/4ths are from the movie "Atonement."

Thanks!

 

[sap5]

That’s a very reductive take on P/C. They didn’t start anything of the sort. Two of their most sophisticated programs were set to (genuinely good, as opposed to questionable ballet music) classical pieces, with a refreshingly modern twist.

Takahashi’s qualities make this program nice to watch but there are moments in the choreography that felt derivative and the costumes are just too 90s.

For me, it was Kana's qualities that made the program a stand out. And of course, Marina's choreography.

 

[Bigbird]

Gran Premio Italia 2020/21 - Trento - Free Program / Free Dance

Sabato 5 e domenica 6 dicembre sul ghiaccio della Palaghiaccio di Trento prende il via la terza tappa del Gran Premio Italia, il circuito nazionale organizza...

youtu.be

Guignard and Fabbri's new FD at Gran Premio Italia

Favourite FD for me so far till I see P/C in full.

 

[Ka3sha]

Angelique Abachkina and Pavel Drozd teamed up and are skating together in Moscow.
There were some rumor about it, but now we got a kind of confirmation based on Petr Durnev’s Instagram bio

https://instagram.com/petrdurnev?igshid=myw2sl0m84x8