2025 Cup of China Free Dance PBP - Grabbing The Bull By The Scores

[thvu]

The biggest takeaway I got from this FD is that Amber Glenn's music choices are becoming common.

 

[MacMadame]

I have no sound on Peacock. Is that true for anyone else?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The biggest takeaway I got from this FD is that Amber Glenn's music choices are becoming common.

I said that earlier in the season and also last season.

You know like a prayer is going to make the rounds next season.

 

[Braulio]

Anissina & Peizerat they are not

 

[Jay42]

Man I really love it when a dance team does footwork and hits the music exactly on beat. It's so satisfying.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

ZingKol glorioussssss

 

[tony]

MUCH improved for Z&K. They make great use of showing off her flexibility and lines, and I liked how in the one foot and the twizzles, they held the ending for that extra second to show the control they had coming out. This R&J wasn't anything revolutionary to me in terms of overall performance BUT it was done very well.

I don't like the karate chop control move they have in the one foot, but I don't have many other notes anyways. This will probably be an easy silver medal.

 

[MacMadame]

I was expecting their R+J to be a lot hotter than this. Usually they bring The Sex. More angst this time, though.

 

[Braulio]

Emilea today received Level 1 and Level 2 for her footwork calls

 

[annie_mg]

Black for Romeo and Juliet? Come on.

This programme has huge potential but it felt messy at times. This couple is so Russian looking, and I mean this in the best way possible. Drama drama drama.

I love Green and Parsons but I wouldn't be so sad if they go to the Olympics.

 

[Karen-W]

ZingKol - this is a really good FD and I quite enjoyed it.

 

[Bunny Hop]

Zingas/Kolesnik - I was surprised when the music started as her costume does not say Romeo and Juliet to me. But I love that they're using all music from the ballet so they are forgiven.

There was a bit in the middle where they took a bit of a breather which I didn't understand, but on the whole I enjoyed that (I do love this music though so I'm a bit biased). A lot of dramatic arm flailing on the choreo steps with not many actual steps, and the stabbing at the end was a bit lame, but they did well.

 

[skatingguy]

Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik
Rank after RD: 2
Coach: I. Shpilband, N. Deller, A. Lenda
Music: Romeo and Juliet Op. 64

Choreo Assisted Jump/Lifting Movement
One Foot Turns W:1 M:3 (W:2 M:3 after review)
Synchronized Twizzles W:4 M:4
Dance Spin 4
Choreo Spinning Movement
Curve Lift 4
Rotational Lift 4 + Stationary Lift 4
Diagonal Step Sequence W:2 M:3
Choreo Character Step Sequence

That seemed like a non-traditional take on Romeo & Juliet, and quite a bit darker throughout than the traditional interpretation. The performance was very smooth, and flowed quite nicely, but I'm not sure that this program has much impact beyond the end of the music.

121.84 = 1st Place
202.27 = 1st Place

 

[Karen-W]

Black for Romeo and Juliet? Come on.

She's the Widow Juliet from the very get-go, lol.

 

[Jay42]

I really liked this from ZingKol, I do think they need to skate up to the music a bit more but it's early in the season yet.

 

[thvu]

Zingas & Kolesnik are showing off so much growth, especially from Zingas. Her one foot turns are so much smoother and more stable. Loved how they held the exits out of the twizzle sets. I really liked the combination lift. He's such a good partner, he's so stable it allows Zingas to really give and perform.

But this program was so hit and miss for me. The choreo tried to show off her extension, and then immediately puts her in fugly positions (like the choreo spin). And the choreo steps... what is that transition into and the opening movements? Again, elegance plus awkward angles - doesn't mesh for me.

 

[tony]

PCS almost 9 here. Welp, RIP Green & Parsons chances.

 

[Jay42]

I know Evan is supposed to represent the bull but do they know cows can be black too? Because Evan's costume not matching Madi's at all is kind of distracting.

 

[Belsornia]

Chock/Bates - I think it’s too much about the skirt. Like she’s having to think about the skirt all the time, but they aren’t making any great shapes or pictures with it.

 

[tony]

I don't hate the program at all, easily the most interesting thing they've done since Astronaut but they need more time with it to increase the intensity toward the end because this diagonal is very meh and sticky. BUT THAT LONG SKIRT GOTTA GO. It hides them so much. Maybe that's the goal.

The twizzles came to a complete stop on the ice once again for both the first and second sets. I. Do. Not. Care. what anyone else says. She's on L2 for now and it looks like he was messy at the end too. The dress is making their lines look messier than they usually are.

Levels are really all over the place here. At this point, FB&C have it all over them.

 

[FiveRinger]

Madison's skirt is a hazard, an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately. It's bigger than she is.

 

[leilaofpaper]

I really didn’t like it. The flamenco feels out of place, and Evan as the bull just feels weird storyline wise.

 

[Bunny Hop]

Chock/Bates - I don't understand doing flamenco and using Paint It Black. There's plenty of actual Flamenco they could have used. It comes off as rather than edgy. And I don't like the clappy 'castanet' bit near the start.

They are crawling in the diagonal steps.

I really want to like this, but it's not doing anything for me.

 

[alj5]

I have no sound on Peacock. Is that true for anyone else?

Sound is working for me.

 

[skatingguy]

Madison Chock/Evan Bates
Rank after RD: 1
Coach: P. Lauzon, M.F. Dubreuil, R. Haguenauer
Music: Paint It Black by Ramin Djawadi

Choreo Assisted Jump/Lifting Movement ! - only 2 assisted jumps, but 3 are required
Curve Lift 4 + Curve Lift 4
Synchronized Twizzles W:4 M:4 (W:2 M:4 after review)
Choreo Character Step Sequence
One Foot Turns W:3 M:3
Straight Line Lift 2
Dance Spin 4
Diagonal Step Sequence W:2 M:3 (W:3 M:3 after review)
Choreo Dance Lift

The lifts were the highlights of the program, and they hit some stunning positions in them. The skating was a little rough in places, and the usual issue with the lack of speed, and ice coverage in the twizzles. The performance was missing a level of intensity which will come with more run-throughs.

123.81 = 1st Place
208.25 = 1st Place

 

[Braulio]

There is a concept, choreography, a purpose and risky moves, loved the ending pose as she kills the bull and holds the cape

BUT, slow as hell moments and I will give it to be their first outing

Judges didnt go nuts with the GOE like last week

 

[annie_mg]

I was expecting more flamenco passion by Chock. But then again I compare with Marina Anissina in their 2002 OD. Maybe I'm being unfair.

This has huge potential but you could tell it was their first outing. They lost me in the last third of the programme. And I'm not sure they can keep up with the intensity as this is just ON from beginning to end. Remains to be seen if they can keep up with it with more time.

 

[alj5]

Chock/Bates - I think it’s too much about the skirt. Like she’s having to think about the skirt all the time, but they aren’t making any great shapes or pictures with it.

Mostly agree. I thought it only really worked during the spin.

 

[Jay42]

Yeah I'm not really into this either. Messy costuming and the music just doesn't work. Like @Bunny Hop said, there's loads of flamenco they could have used and it would probably make more sense with the plot they're trying to do.

 

[Karen-W]

Well, this program has real potential to be amazing by the Olympics but Madi's costume has GOT to go. The skirt is way too long and heavy - massive distraction from some of the really nice movements they had throughout the program like the straight-line lift and her twizzles. And the black lace on black sheer tights does not look good in motion at all. I was actually less distracted by the top than I expected to be.

ETA - that's not to say her twizzles were great, but it was hard to see much with the skirt.