The Dance Hall 13: When You Dance on the Ice and Your Feet Twizzle Twice, That's Amore

[aliona22]

A rag doll is a homemade doll that usually floppy and dragged around.

I think FB has among, if not the strongest core of any of the female dancers, so if she looks like a rag doll, it's an impersonation.

I kind of agree with the original sentiment, in that Papadakis was very wispy and fluid in her movement in a way that extended and complemented the movements of Guillaume, and it does seem the FD at least is choreographed with Laurence in a similar role… and that is not the style we are used to seeing Laurence skate; she was the dynamic heroine in her past programs, more fiery and aggressive and openly displaying power. Something about her personality is missing from these programs… like they are built around a different skater and she is just so capable she fits herself into the mold.

 

[Bigbird]

Lolo is no ragdoll, please and thank you. Victoria Sinitsina was dragged around like a dishevelled rag doll, especially in lifts. Lolo is fluid and dynamic. I know this partnership grates on some, but let's try to be objective. They're just really good. Period.

 

[lauravvv]

OK, OK. I was just looking at this one skate. I`ll take a look with Sorensen.

I recommend this (F-B/S's 2023 FD performance at Four Continents) for watching - https://youtu.be/ZYzCMQ2WRlc?si=NubxcM2tVBDdKrLP.

 

[Andrea82]

Panels of the week

The Kinoshita Cup panels are - as expected (given location and entries) - strongly extra-Europeans.
Technical panel is Kathleen Cutone (USA), Ayako Higashino (Japan) and Taehwa Yang (Korea)
7 judges panel with 5 not Europeans (Japan, South Korea, Canada, USA and New Zealand) with only Bulgaria and Hungary from Europe.
Overseen by a Japanese referee (Takino).

Bolero Cup have Marcin Kozubek (Poland), Candice Towler-Green (Great Britain) and Slavka Grincova (Slovakia) in the technical panel.
The 7 judges are from Great Britain, Lithuania, Australia, Hungary, Ukraine, Germany and USA.
Referee is British (Janet Coton).

JGP Varese is
Christian Baumann (Germany) as technical controller, Roxane Petetin (France) and Joanna Budner (Poland) as specialists.
Referee is Italian (Orlandini).
They have 11 judges nominated, so 2 changes between RD and FD (Austria and Germany replacing Czechia and Italy).

 

[jackson]

Lolo is no ragdoll, please and thank you. Victoria Sinitsina was dragged around like a dishevelled rag doll, especially in lifts. Lolo is fluid and dynamic. I know this partnership grates on some, but let's try to be objective. They're just really good. Period.

No Need to do hater energy and bring another female down to build one up!

 

[Bigbird]

No Need to do hater energy and bring another female down to build one up!

Rant over.

 

[skateblessing]

Y/M scored 62 points on home challenger… With only 2 weeks left until the qualifier this doesn’t look great for them

 

[alj5]

Y/M scored 62 points on home challenger… With only 2 weeks left until the qualifier this doesn’t look great for them

This does not look good for Team Japan either. :-(

 

[Karen-W]

This does not look good for Team Japan either. :-(

How so? For the Team Event? If YoMori don't earn an individual spot they will still go to the Olympics - Japan is going to be 2nd in the TE qualifying points, so they'll be first in line to use 2 of the 5 additional athlete quotas available for countries without 4 entries in the TE. That will screw a few other countries from fielding full teams in the TE, in all likelihood. That's assuming that Orihara is unable to get Finnish citizenship this fall by some miracle and YoMori finish lower than 5th in Beijing.

As far as the actual TE goes, there are two scenarios at play -

1) Germany's Gartung earns a spot in the Men & thus Germany moves into the top 10 teams to qualify - if so, YoMori will finish 9th or 10th in the RD (we'll see how WangLiu score in front of an international panel in a couple weeks). YoMori were always going to finish dead last in the FD portion of the TE, so that 3-4 point disadvantage against the USA is already baked in to my projected results where JPN loses to the USA by 2-4 points for gold.

2) If Germany doesn't get the men's spot in Beijing, then Poland would be the 10th team for the TE and it doesn't seem very likely that Poland will qualify a dance team. If that's the situation then there will only be 9 teams in the RD and YoMori aren't going to finish higher than 8th of the teams competing. That's the best case scenario for JPN since they'd earn 1 additional point from the RD that they won't have if Germany's in the TE, but JPN is still likely winning silver rather than contending for gold.

Mind my projections are based on certain assumptions - like KamO being the US pairs team - and the math changes if Germany is the 10th team rather than Poland because HaseVol would almost certainly place ahead of KamO in the SP, unlike ChtWoz. My projection also presumes that SuiHan will actually compete this season - if they don't, then the math changes again. Lots of variables, for sure, but I don't know that YoMori's scores are going to matter with regard to Japan's chances for TE gold.

 

[Bigbird]

What did you guys think of the new programs by Zin/Kol and Fear/Lewis? Should we just not watch early season comps and wait for the grand prix? They all look so raw and others look to be overdoing the complexity. Whose programs do we most want to see right now?

 

[her grace]

What did you guys think of the new programs by Zin/Kol and Fear/Lewis? Should we just not watch early season comps and wait for the grand prix? They all look so raw and others look to be overdoing the complexity. Whose programs do we most want to see right now?

If you want to see programs that are further along in the training process, I'd recommend the US C-team because the Sr B/Challenger Circuit is the highpoint of their season, teams that are going to the OQE because they should be ready now, and teams on the JGP.

Higher-ranked Senior teams aren't going to be as ready at this point because their previous season lasted longer and/or because they are pacing themselves to peak later.

 

[clairecloutier]

Another week's worth of new programs and I'm still on this 90s RD. It's gonna be a long season with this segment ....

 

[coralline]

What did you guys think of the new programs by Zin/Kol and Fear/Lewis? Should we just not watch early season comps and wait for the grand prix? They all look so raw and others look to be overdoing the complexity. Whose programs do we most want to see right now?

Emilea & Vadym: they tried hard but this RD doesn't feel natural to them. Maybe it's because of the music style? Prefer their RD last season much better.

Lilah & Lewis: oh my they must have put so much effort into this FD! The openning StaLi + RoLi, all those innovative difficult entries and exits (that TW!), and lord that Ofst into sbs spin and straight into dance spin! The sit–on-board ChSt and other Ch elements almost feel less impressive comparing to those. I guess the coaches brainstormed and decided to put everything they came up with into one program! It's still rough at this stage but so much potential! Hope they clear up the level issues in the near future.

 

[lauravvv]

Whose programs do we most want to see right now?

The top teams whose programs I not only want to see, but also want to know what they are, as they are still a complete mystery - Gilles/Poirier, Guignard/Fabbri, Chock/Bates RD, then Shibutanis - the biggest mystery of all. The programs we have some idea about, but haven't seen yet - Smart/Dieck's 'Dune II' (also their RD), Carreira/Ponomarenko's and Lajoie/Lagha's FDs (as well as their RD), Green/Parsons programs, Orihara/Pirinen, Mrazeks etc.

 

[jmtfti]

Do we know anything about Carreira/Ponomarenko's FD or either of Green/Parsons' programs? The last news seemed to be C/P changing their (unknown) FD after Champs Camp to something else, but I don't think I've seen clues about either of those FDs or G/Pa's set of programs. I'm very interested to know in both cases!

 

[shan]

The top teams whose programs I not only want to see, but also want to know what they are, as they are still a complete mystery - Gilles/Poirier, Guignard/Fabbri, Choick/Bates RD, then Shibutanis - the biggest mystery of all. The programs we have some idea about, but haven't seen yet - Smart/Dieck's 'Dune II' (also their RD), Carreira/Ponomarenko's and Lajoie/Lagha's FDs (as well as their RD), Green/Parsons programs, Orihara/Pirinen, Mrazeks etc.

According to a substack article linked on this X account, Lajoie/Lagha are skating to Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Air on the G String.

 

[Rukia]

Do we know anything about Carreira/Ponomarenko's FD or either of Green/Parsons' programs? The last news seemed to be C/P changing their (unknown) FD after Champs Camp to something else, but I don't think I've seen clues about either of those FDs or G/Pa's set of programs. I'm very interested to know in both cases!

every morning i wake up hoping for the cpom fd announcement (for real this time) and christina's passport and i have gotten nothing yet (i also haven't heard anything about green/parsons but I don't keep up with them as much lol)

 

[lauravvv]

Do we know anything about Carreira/Ponomarenko's FD or either of Green/Parsons' programs? The last news seemed to be C/P changing their (unknown) FD after Champs Camp to something else, but I don't think I've seen clues about either of those FDs or G/Pa's set of programs. I'm very interested to know in both cases!

No, actually we don't. I am curious as well.

According to a substack article linked on this X account, Lajoie/Lagha are skating to Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Air on the G String.

Thank you. I knew it was Bach, but not which pieces exactly.

 

[Orm Irian]

I just saw Fear/Gibson's FD from Bolero Cup and wow, what a fabulously joyous program! For sure it needs a bit more polishing and practice, but it'll get that. It very much reminds me of the program that earned them the Disco Brits nickname, and would even if they hadn't brought back the iconic Disco Brits slide - it's got that same sense of fun and flair and identity to it. And you could tell Lewis in particular was having the time of his life out there.

I'm pretty sure there was even a brief Kerrs homage in the mix when Auld Lang Syne kicked in. Now, just let Lewis perform it in a kilt, ISU!

Going to see if I can find a video of Reed/Ambrulevicius's FD from the same comp now...

 

[PRlady]

SO glad F/G chose another route than campy pop music! That FD could bring down the house, way to go.

G/F better have something damn good in their pocket.

 

[Lanie]

Another week's worth of new programs and I'm still on this 90s RD. It's gonna be a long season with this segment ....

as a fellow 90s kid I thought I'd really enjoy this theme but I am finding I kind of hate it

 

[Andrea82]

Going to see if I can find a video of Reed/Ambrulevicius's FD from the same comp now...

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Harris/Chan (same FD as last season)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Bigbird]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Harris/Chan (same FD as last season)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I like the Reed/Amb FD, but do they skate it like they're not into it? It needs much more passion and interpretation, they need to channel some Car/Pom. As for Car/Pom, I hope the bring everything, because Zin/Kol are bringing their kitchen sink.

 

[Tesla]

Fear/Gibson FD

 

[BlueRidge]

OMG I'm so out of it I didn't even know this was going on. I love Scottish music and dance. This is the first thing this season that has gotten my attention. LOVE YOU Lilah and Lewis!!!

 

[Peepsquick]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Harris/Chan (same FD as last season)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I like Harris/Chan's FD ... a bit flat at times but very light and a lot of synchronicity. I think it has potential.
Reed/Hamb could become great but I not a fan of the music and the FD came across as long which is never a great sign.

 

[Belsornia]

I like the Reed/Amb FD, but do they skate it like they're not into it? It needs much more passion and interpretation, they need to channel some Car/Pom.

I was at Bolero Cup (still at that name) and Reed/Ambrulevicius were very into it. Just an entirely different style of programme from Carreira/Ponomarenko's recent FDs.

 

[RoseRed]

Some program thoughts from Kinoshita and Bolero:

Fear/Gibson – the RD is pretty meh for me right now. Fun at times, but but I don't love the cuts and it's not a stand out. Really hoped for more from them. But I can see them tweaking it to the point that it really works. The FD was great. I think it also needs some tweaking and smoothing out, but I can tell it's going to be awesome. It's my favourite thing they've done in years.

Reed/Ambrulevicius – I think I liked the original music cut for the RD more, but I still loved this. My favourite RD this season so far. I liked the FD better here than at their summer comp, and it was definitely well skated, but it still doesn't work for me over all. I can see them selling me on it later in the season, or remaining cool parts that don't fully work for me. Still, they look good for the qualifier.

Harris/Chan – their RD is also one of the better ones I've seen, and I find it suits them well. The FD remains very nice, and I think keeping it was a smart move to be ready for the qualifier.

Lim/Quan – I love the opening to their RD, and it was well-performed, but I found I didn't enjoy it as much as the Men In Black/Cosmic Girl program from Marler Davies/Black on the JGP, which is disappointing. Their skating in the FD is lovely, but I really don't like the vocals in the 2nd part. I find they really take away from the program.

Lauriault/Le Gac – My feelings on the RD haven't changed since the summer. I like it and think it's well done, but I don't love it and it won't be one of my favourites for the season. The FD I love. It's perfect for them. They look really strong, and you can see how well they used the time they had not going to Worlds to prepare for this season. 3 PBs is a pretty great way to start the season.

Hensen/Lickers – I enjoyed the RD, and thought Nathan in particular sold it really well. The FD I really love. Might be my favourite FD so far this season.

Fabbri/Ayer – I liked the RD, but I feel like it could be more dynamic or something? The FD is beautiful, and it's definitely a style that works great for them. At the same time, Leave the Light On isn't really something that's going to make them stand out.

Yoshida/Morita – I really liked how they skated the RD, but also didn't really like the music/program overall. I thought the FD was very nice, and Turandot works for them. Scores were not super promising for the qualifier though.

Zingas/Kolesnik – I found myself torn on both the programs. I think I'll need to see both again to decide how I really feel about them, particularly the FD.

 

[Bigbird]

I was at Bolero Cup (still at that name) and Reed/Ambrulevicius were very into it. Just an entirely different style of programme from Carreira/Ponomarenko's recent FDs.

Ok. I'll watch it again. It just seemed to drag, that's all.