Other senior teams:
Reed/Ambrulevicius – God Is A DJ / We Come One (Faithless) – This almost feels like not quite a new FD but a reworking of their Insomnia programme. As well as the music similarity, there are a lot of reused moves, including the “kick him in the balls” choreo lift to end. If so it’s not the worst choice; it has the benefit of familiarity to be ready for the qualifier without sticking with last season’s mishitting puppet FD. And they are ready; it was skated sharply and the elements are well integrated into the programme – since there is no cut-off they should be more than fine even if they splat in the RD again. Plus if this is their last season that’s reason to use something that they know works for them and they really enjoy.
Harris/Chan – Clare de Lune – This is a straight up reuse of last years’ FD and it’s working in terms of being in top form in September, though I think it could feel very tired by Worlds. But I am a Clare de Lune hater, especially this I Love You version. Most of the programme was very sharp and they were getting down in their knees and getting speed from their edges. The last 30 seconds or so were a bit messy. I thought Jason put his hand down in the choreo step but he got up with a big smile and they didn’t get a deduction so either it was choreographed or he’s a champ at styling it out.
Cui/Rogers – White Crow – In white and baby blue with sheer and sparkles – This music seems to elevate any skaters that choose it and C/R are no exception. Great positions from both and they hold them. I loved the split jump entry into their twizzles and the catch-foot spiral at the start of the one-foot step. Good ice coverage in the lifts. They’re not the fastest team and there are some moments when they’re clearly using crossovers to build speed into the elements. Charlie White-esq running steps into the choreo slide at the end.
An outside bet for the last Skate America spot? I still think it will (and should) go to the Browns but C/R are making the case to at least be considered.
Koncius/Shchepetov – Umbrellas of Cherbourg with rain sound effects to open – Also in white and baby blue - Very well skated with decent speed and nice closeness between them. Strong lifts, including a great stationary lift with her in a split position at the start of the combo. Nice ice coverage in the circular steps. I could have done without the cheesy umbrella mime at the start. (Note to skaters: Umbrellas of Cherbourg is not actually about umbrellas.)
Sabourin/Bermejo - generic track which Shazam tells me is called “My Life Is Going On” / Bella Ciao in da club remix - red boiler suit with garter, another crop top for her – Well, they’ve certainly got a unique perspective. Step up in ice coverage compared to the earlier teams, nice rhythm to their skating at the start, good straight line lift down the length of the rink. Weak and somewhat mismatched positions from both. His twizzles were not twizzling.
Bushell/Peña – Caro Emerald – Sophia in a royal blue dress I think I’ve seen before – A nice lightness to their skating but the music has character, it needs more expression. Close in the twizzles but she stumbled, very lucky to get called L3. Very fast rotational lift at the end but he botched the exit on the second half of the combo, straight into the ending position. Despite the errors their skating and unity has clearly improved since last season.
Borysova/Freeman – Poison – beige shirt for him, white and pink dress for her – Comfortable and measured performance, but needs more interpretation. I don’t really buy him as a murderer (but I guess it’s always the ones you don’t expect
). Interesting sit variation in the spin with her actually sitting on his knees. Great (but not new) choreo lift to end with her lying on his boot.
Karnes/Leggott – In This Shirt – Layla in sheer black palazzo pants over a black leotard, white top for Freddie – The music is a dirge and the choreo mostly generic (sorry Gabby) but I think it helped them to have something slower paced. Lifts cautious and basic but looked stable, so much better than over-reaching and worrying that he’d drop her. Skating with more freedom and expression once they got through the lifts, but getting messy towards the end. His twizzles are surprisingly stable. Nice back camel position in the spin. Got too far apart in the choreo step, not sure why the choreo twizzles were called !, they looked fine to me. The wide-legged trousers are stress inducing – they really need some proper costumes!
I’m wondering what the strategy will be for them this season. From a longer-term development perspective they’d probably be best going back to Florida, putting in a few months of solid training before the British Championships, and then doing a couple of B internationals in the new year. But BIS really needs another team with minimums, so do they throw everything at the wall (all their teams to competitions in Turkiye) and see if anything sticks?
Sabatini-Speciale/Kaye – I Hear A Symphony – in purple and black – Programme very open. Seem comfortable with each other but minimal expression. Difficult entry to the twizzles with Dana doing the splits, clunking down onto the ice in the choreo assisted jumps, problems in the spin (he caught the heel of his free blade).
Lewis needs a better costume -- this one is mostly just dark with a few sparkles. I hope there's something better in the works.
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