Finlandia Trophy 2025 Rhythm Dance "I Really, Really, Really Wanna Zingas"

[Private Citizen]

It wasn't one element. It was every element across the board for every team. The calling was crazy and you know it.

It was two elements: the pattern steps and the midline steps. No team got higher than L2, and many got L1.

Plenty of teams got higher levels on twizzles and the lift. The choreographic steps are automatic L1.

No argument that the calling left a lot to be desired. The rules also leave a lot to be desired, IMO, both in what they measure and how clearly they're written.

 

[Bunny Hop]

The problem for me is that the criteria are vague and subject to interpretation.

This. For example, I read the Pattern Type Steps requirements several times and still didn't entirely get how it was meant to be scored, so I'm not surprised at all there are so many Level 1s. Someone here (not sure if this thread or another) said that there was some clarification later, but seems like it's still not clear enough for choreographers, coaches or skaters.

I do think skaters should get the benefit of the doubt. Calling F-B&C's choreographic steps was outrageous. Then again, I think the element is vague (and stupid), and the rules are vague (and also stupid). You're effectively banning choreo steps outside of this.

Agree. Robin Cousins also agrees. Again, someone else referenced this already, but in this interview he says the whole skating program should be choreography (apologies, I don't have time to find the exact spot in the video right now) because, well, that's how you put together a program including the elements. Choreography isn't separate from that.

Several rulebook junkies seemed to think they should have been called Level 1 and not B.

I probably fall into that category, but haven't had a chance to review the requirements for levels that last couple of years so I'm not confident on making a detailed case right now, but even if it's a vibe, Base seemed harsh to me.

 

[her grace]

Okay, I'll bite. I went and read the rulebook. I started to note all of the features that Gilles achieved on her twizzles, but that really doesn't matter in a Base v. Level 1 analysis. To achieve base, Gilles must have achieved at least one rotation in each of the two twizzles. For level 1, she needed at least 2 rotations in each of the two twizzles and at least one additional feature. She achieved plenty of additional features (arm positions, leg position, difficult entry, maybe more--I stopped counting) so I suspect the debate was how many rotations of twizzles she completed. She wobbles during the second rotation on her second twizzle. But usually when you wobble and continue the twizzle, you get one reduced level. For example, Kolesnik makes the exact same mistake, wobbling on the second rotation of his second twizzle. So if Gilles' twizzle is base, then his should be, too.

 

[her grace]

Also, here's what the rulebook says about calling a Choreographic Rhythm Sequence:

A Choreographic element is confirmed when the minimum requirement(s) for the element are reached (see chart below)• Should the minimum requirement not be reached, the element will be ignored and will not block a box;• Should the element be confirmed and has an error and/or does not meet the following requirements, it receives the “!” symbol which means reducing the GOE by 2Grades. (Refer to Symbols Chart).

Minimum Requirement to be Confirmed
Both partners perform steps around the short axis and must proceed from barrier to barrier

Make of that what you will. It seems like FB/C's opening choreo could be called as the Choreographic Rhythm Sequence. Though essentially that just highlights now stupid choreo step elements are. The whole program should be full of choreo steps (just avoid the short axis, teams).

 

[Bunny Hop]

Thanks for doing the research @her grace

 

[MacMadame]

It was two elements: the pattern steps and the midline steps. No team got higher than L2, and many got L1.

I was including Piper's twizzles and a few other elements that had questionable calls. But let's just take those two elements. Are you saying that every team has weak step sequences as their weak elements? Seems questionable. I mean teams with good SS often have excellent patterns and their other step sequences get called at higher levels because they have the skills to do hard turns and do turns cleanly. And generally different teams have different weaknesses.