Belatedly...
An Andrew Lloyd Webber non-warhorse! I wonder where on earth this team found it. I remember
Song and Dance, but I doubt many others do.
I wasn't expecting a junior team to make me think of Usova/Zhulin, who are the only other team I recall using Variations. The arena sound system wasn't kind to the flute part though, so hopefully it will sound better at the JGP.
I liked the program - completely unfamiliar with the music but it was an interesting program. I still think they need to work on their speed but maybe the camera isn't showing their speed as well as it looks in person.
I thought their speed was fine in person, especially for a still-younger junior team, and their ice coverage had improved since last season.
Big fall on the entrance to the dance spin for Phebe - they tried to recover but it took a bit. Other than that, I really enjoyed the 007 program from BekHern! Her dress is perfection!
I think this was Phebe's dress from their 2021-22 FD so I expect she'll have a new one for their Challengers (but she doesn't need to - this one looked great and suited the programme).
I liked the Bond FD too. I think the RD is probably their stronger programme but it also seemed more competition-ready. In particular, the section after Billie Eilish and before the Bond theme kicked in again seemed a bit empty, and the opening combo lift is unattractive and the pickup from stationary awkward. They seem to have done a much better job this season at developing programmes that are a good fit for them, and I liked that the vibe they were going for is that they're both sexy spies - and also that there were no finger guns. They seemed to be showing more connection on the ice, but there's still further to go.
I wasn't surprised that Fear/Gibson went for Beyonce (that was my best guess for their Olympic season FD) but wasn't expecting these particular cuts. Though I quite like them - some space to challenge themselves while still playing to their strengths. The first lift was spectacular but the second was messy, seemed like they were going for a variation on their usual illusion lift but couldn't fully execute. They've clearly been working on the things people are always griping about - twizzles here had much better ice coverage (they were as tight as usual in the RD) and the one foot turns were a feature rather than something to survive. Agree that they need to rework the last third, both the layout and the music. If they're going for a more subdued first half they really need to go full out and build through the Crazy In Love section to end with a spectacular choreo move.
In novice dance I really like Annabel Mann and Jack Hammond, who seem to have gelled as a partnership very quickly and have progressed a lot since the British. They have a nice Rocketman FD, although the music cuts aren't coherent (Your Song into Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting...) I think they made the right choice in staying novice - a decent novice season (hopefully with some international outings where they won't finish last) will serve them better in the long term than being at the bottom of the pack in juniors.
Away from dance, Kristin Spours is looking strong, but not too strong for August - she was clearly working for it, and a couple of minor bobbles. After not competing much last season she's kept both programme. I think the blues SP is a good fit for her (though not sure that a 2WEI cover of Imagine Dragons is a good fit for anyone). It must be a relief to have her CTES for Worlds confirmed and not have to structure her season around chasing minimums. All the other senior ladies were, well, British ladies.
It was great to have four junior pairs! The extra time together puts Wood/Lapsky ahead of the pack - their elements are messy but they’re a really fun team with lots of personality. I think JGP watchers will enjoy their Austin Powers FS (close your eyes for the twist). They have loads of speed, at least for British juniors, and really careen into their elements with minimal setup - great for getting out the throw triple, not so much for controlling momentum into the death spiral (spectacular splat).
Davison/Borisov and Ritchie/McLeod are both new teams with one partner who is new to pairs, and neither looked really ready to compete. D/B's individual elements were looking good, but they were struggling putting it all together in their programmes. And a spectacular waxel combo from Daniel! They are also using a truly dreadful Postmodern Jukebox-style cover of Lovefool in the SP. Just skate to the Cardigans! Individually, Kyle McLeod looked like the strongest pair skater in this competition, but R/M just need more time. I would still give them the final JGP spot though.
