Recent content by msmandaskates

Your words are much better than mine :) I have loved seeing how both teams have really come into their own this quad! And it's beautiful to see such a variety of styles in American dance. I was watching the slo-mo replay on the NBC Sports "Olympic Ice" program earlier and Zach's knee almost...

I think the Shibs and H/D will be hard to beat domestically; I definitely don't think any of the second-tier Americans can beat them. Hawayek/Baker might be able to surpass Chock/Bates if they stay, though, with a good set of programs and a bit of momentum. It will be interesting to see how the...

I just... don't get it. In the last quad, I enjoyed V/M and D/W equally, for different reasons. I adore all four of the top teams from last night (and dislike different things about them too). I'd much rather appreciate the remarkable ability of all the teams rather than wallow in bitterness...

I mean, that's the dream, isn't it? H/D vs. P/C, except they're actually friends instead of just on-camera friends ;) I assume that the Shibs are staying - they're relatively young and don't seem like the type to step away early, barring injury or other extenuating circumstances. They strike...

I feel the same. Of course I'm sad they slipped off the podium, but it's easy to forget that, this time last year, they were solidly US #3 and not even close to the international medal conversation, and now they're national champs and finished fourth at an incredibly competitive Olympics. I'm so...

I certainly have no desire to see clean athletes forced to stay out of the Olympics; as others have pointed out, several, including Evgenia, were not even a blip on the radar in 2014 and don't deserve to pay for actions that aren't theirs. That said, if they are "forced to stay home," I believe...

If I'm reading the decision correctly (from post #4), it means that Russian leadership and officials from Sochi are barred, but not the athletes.

Gracie's style has never been my cup of tea, but it's been heartbreaking to see her struggles. It truly takes strength to admit when you need help, and to acknowledge it with such grace under pressure. Wishing her all the best and that she finds the answers she's seeking!

At risk of being self-promoting, I did a preseason rundown of American dance teams over on my blog, if anyone is interested :) http://thestoryologist.blogspot.com/2017/08/journey-to-pyeongchang-preseason-part-1.html

I'll never understand this attitude. Ice dance is by far the strongest American discipline. The federation and the media are the ones who "made" the singles skaters of the 90s into stars, back when those skaters were also top skaters. Instead of constantly trying to anoint a new "ice princess"...

Colin McManus partnered with Anastasia Cannuscio. They won the pewter medal at Nationals in 2016, finished sixth this past season, and they announced their retirement following this season. Colin is engaged to Anastasia's sister Isabella (also a former competitive skater), and I believe their...

So happy to see them again! All the best to them :cheer2:

I love this thread so much, because I'm in the musical theatre industry and half of the suggestions here are what we would consider audition warhorses in that world :rofl: It's really interesting to see how different music speaks to different groups/purposes. From musicals that are "overdone"...

Hawayek/Baker are keeping their Liebestraum FD: http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/qa-kaitlin-hawayek-and-jean-luc-baker

So happy for her! Hoping to see them at the Olympics - this will be their third one, I believe. They've always been one of my favorites, even if they don't score in the very top tier. :)