Solo Ice Dance is now an official ISU discipline

[Aussie Willy]

Thanks for posting the links. Will try to watch them when I get some time.

 

[Allskate]

Please, I'd get rid of the team event and take on the solo discipline anytime, it's contrived and primarily favours the traditionally strong. We already have WTT. Time to see new talent.

They aren't mutually exclusive. You can have both. Apparently, the solo ice dance is bringing in tradition by skating to war horses like Carmen.

TBH, I was a little disappointed with the solo ice dance I watched. But, I think that's partly because the programs didn't seem to have the dynamics and musicality I had hoped for. It was go, go, go but in a different way from the other disciplines. However, I can see how it could be a lot more enjoyable if the rules were tweaked a little, there was a lot of variation with music choices, and there was some more emphasis on long and beautiful edgework. Plus, if it gains popularity, we might see more super talented people go into the discipline with some of the top skaters and choreographers getting involved.

 

[Aussie Willy]

They aren't mutually exclusive. You can have both. Apparently, the solo ice dance is bringing in tradition by skating to war horses like Carmen.

TBH, I was a little disappointed with the solo ice dance I watched. But, I think that's partly because the programs didn't seem to have the dynamics and musicality I had hoped for. It was go, go, go but in a different way from the other disciplines. However, I can see how it could be a lot more enjoyable if the rules were tweaked a little, there was a lot of variation with music choices, and there was some more emphasis on long and beautiful edgework. Plus, if it gains popularity, we might see more super talented people go into the discipline with some of the top skaters and choreographers getting involved.

New disciplines take time to develop. It will get there. People have to find their way in the sport and learn what works and what doesn't.

 

[ice coverage]

... 2024 Washington Picken Solo Ice Dance International, April 25-28 in Reston, Virginia: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...solo-ice-dance-international?templateParam=11

Also: James Koszuta is competing in U.S. Solo Dance Series this year, and won his first competition of the series. He now is a coach in Nashville.

Entry lists for Picken International include Emmy Bronsard, James Koszuta, Courtney Kuhn, Maxine Weatherby ... as well as Lucas Appel, Shin Lei Case, Alana Pang, Natasha Griffin, Abby Peacock. Plus junior Amal Israilova.

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Washington Figure Skating Club on Instagram: "We are excited to welcome domestic and international skaters to Reston, VA for the 2024 Picken Dance Classic and Washington Picken International in just two weeks! @u.s.solodance @icedancecom"

78 likes, 1 comments - washingtonfigureskatingApril 11, 2024 on : "We are excited to welcome domestic and international skaters to Reston, VA for the 2024 Picken Dance Classic and Washington Picken Intern..."

www.instagram.com

 

[kwanfan1818]

They had some solo dance at least ten years ago at BC Summerskate in Vancouver. One competitor had competed in junior-level ID, but grew too tall. She was a gorgeous skater and competed in solo dance at least one year. She had a wonderful program, and I would have preferred another ten to flights of singles.

 

[Sylvia]

Washington FSC's event info page for the Picken Solo Dance International (ISU) & their regular club comp. (Picken Dance Classic) in Reston, VA, April 25-28, 2024: https://www.washingtonfsc.org/picken-classic/

 

[Wyliefan]

Did we know Emmy Bronsard had gone into solo dance? I feel like this is the first I've heard of it, but I may have missed or forgotten a post. Anyway, best of luck to her!

 

[Bigbird]

Did we know Emmy Bronsard had gone into solo dance? I feel like this is the first I've heard of it, but I may have missed or forgotten a post. Anyway, best of luck to her!

Yay....

 

[Nmsis]

The solo ice dance french championships are this week-end, starting now.
114 dancers have qualified through the ranking of the tournois de France.
It's broadcasted here. (don't expect the camerawork to be of professional level ; the CSNDG ALWAYS broadcasts its competitions but you often hear someone bringing a random person and briefly explaining him/her how to operate the camera so ... currently, they seem to have a format problem).

 

[coralline]

The solo ice dance french championships are this week-end, starting now.
114 dancers have qualified through the ranking of the tournois de France.
It's broadcasted here. (don't expect the camerawork to be of professional level ; the CSNDG ALWAYS broadcasts its competitions but you often hear someone bringing a random person and briefly explaining him/her how to operate the camera so ... currently, they seem to have a format problem).

It seems that French Solo dance is different from the ISU requirements？There aren't RDs in junior and senior，but PDs.

 

[Nmsis]

It seems that French Solo dance is different from the ISU requirements？There aren't RDs in junior and senior，but PDs.

The french solo season was like this :
The Trophée de rentrée on Oct 7-8
Trophée de France (TDF) 1st day either in Villard on Nov 11-12 or in Clermont on Nov 18-19
TDF 2nd day either in Epinal on Jan 20-21 or in Reims on Jan 27-28
TDF 3rd day either in Limoges on Feb 10-11 or Le Havre on Feb 17-18
TDF 4th day either in Toulouse on Mar 2-3 or in Franconville on Mar 9-10
The solo nationals on Apr 12-14
It's an old and big machinery that the CSNDG (ice dance committee) runs during the whole season (some rinks are starting to close now, most will be closed by June so late tournaments make no sense for them) and mixes with couple ice dance (same coaches, same judges).

The ISU issued its solo regulations on December 19, far too late to be implemented this season.

 

[Nmsis]

So here are the french solo ice dance champions :
Senior : Adèle Grundrick from Cergy, coached by Stéphanie Laurent
Junior : Louise Bordet from Villard, coached by Karine Arribert
Novice : Lou Bella Lemaire from Reims, coached by Ludivine Lemaire and Fabian Bourzat
Minime : Rose Bordet from Villard, coached by Karine Arribert
Benjamin : Lison Weber from Châlons, coached by Barbara Piton

A pretty cool bunch.

 

[kwanfan1818]

The Bordets — sisters? — have lovely edges and clear movement quality. The younger has a more diva-esque quality, at least in these programs. What a brilliant program Piton created for Weber. I loved the unusual Sugarplum arrangement.

 

[Nmsis]

The Bordets — sisters?

I think so.
Louise is into movement first, while Rose first performs for the audience.
That will probably be a work in progress for Louise in coming years, like it was for Loïcia.

What a brilliant program Piton created for Weber. I loved the unusual Sugarplum arrangement.

It's so cute and she performs the hell out of it.
It's Lindsay Stirling's Sugarplum Fairy arrangement.
The first time I heard it was in an Arribert's program, along with a Jennifer Thomas' arrangement, and a Trap remix.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Lindsay Stirling's Sugarplum Fairy arrangement.

Calling baby @made_in_canada for her first solo dance program and costume inspiration!

 

[marshallpond]

Was super excited to watch David Shapiro win the solo ice dance junior level at the 2024 National Intercollegiate Final in Lake Placid this weekend (fun fact: top 6 are men out of 10 skaters; Karen Chen won senior solo dance). I hope David competes at the regular solo ice dance circuit, as he's phenomenal.

I've seen this boy grow up as one of the Wilmington boys of Viktor Pfeiffer but his competitive skating career was cut short by injuries (he was junior men when he had his surgery). He can't jump triples anymore, but wow, oh wow, his lines and elegance are to die for.

If he competes for solo dance, he'd be a great success. Can't wait to see where he go from here

 

[Sylvia]

Was super excited to watch David Shapiro win the solo ice dance junior level at the 2024 National Intercollegiate Final in Lake Placid this weekend (fun fact: top 6 are men out of 10 skaters; Karen Chen won senior solo dance). I hope David competes at the regular solo ice dance circuit, as he's phenomenal.

Were you in Lake Placid? Lucky you, if so. For anyone interested, I posted (embedded) UDel FS team’s full Instagram video of David’s lovely 1st place Junior Solo FD in Collegiate Skating thread, here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/collegiate-skating.110162/#post-6586925

 

[marbri]

Did we know Emmy Bronsard had gone into solo dance? I feel like this is the first I've heard of it, but I may have missed or forgotten a post. Anyway, best of luck to her!

I just saw this elsewhere and was coming here to say When I first heard of this new ISU category I immediately thought of her because that girl is a star who just hasn't found a new partner to match her quality. Now I am really interested in this

 

[ice coverage]

Entry lists for Picken International include Emmy Bronsard ...

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pKoxlr-mE/​

Did we know Emmy Bronsard had gone into solo dance? I feel like this is the first I've heard of it, but I may have missed or forgotten a post. Anyway, best of luck to her!

Emmy Bronsard posted tonight that she is training for Picken solo dance event -- and also looking for a new partner.

Emmy Bronsard on Instagram: "Little update! @jacobrichmond0 et moi avons décidé de mettre fin à notre partenariat. Nous souhaitons remercier @skate_canada , @patinageqc et @iceacademyofmontreal pour votre support. Actuellement, je poursuis l’entraîn

208 likes, 22 comments - emmy_bronsard2004 on April 19, 2024: "Little update! @jacobrichmond0 et moi avons décidé de mettre fin à notre partenariat. Nous souhaitons remercier @skate_canada , @patinageqc et @iceacademyofmontreal pour votre support. Actuellement, je poursuis l’entraînement et je...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Washington FSC's event info page for the Picken Solo Dance International (ISU) & their regular club comp. (Picken Dance Classic) in Reston, VA, April 25-28, 2024: https://www.washingtonfsc.org/picken-classic/

The Picken Dance Classic (club comp.) starting orders are posted on the results page: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2024/33994/index.asp

Washington FSC's Instagram post says the draw for the ISU Senior/Junior international will take place at 4:20 pm on Thursday, April 25 and the starting orders will be posted online afterwards.

I have yet to see anything posted online about livestreaming options for fans (event website states that "Live streaming information will be emailed directly to the skaters.").

 

[SherryL]

The Picken Dance Classic (club comp.) starting orders are posted on the results page: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2024/33994/index.asp

Washington FSC's Instagram post says the draw for the ISU Senior/Junior international will take place at 4:20 pm on Thursday, April 25 and the starting orders will be posted online afterwards.

I have yet to see anything posted online about livestreaming options for fans (event website states that "Live streaming information will be emailed directly to the skaters.").

Click through to the videographer webpage and the live stream links are there.

 

[Sylvia]

Since the Kiss & Cry section has been opened up to all, I've created a competition thread there for the Picken domestic/club competition (underway) and the Washington Picken Solo Dance International (first event is scheduled to start in just over an hour):

Washington Picken Solo Dance International & club comp. in Reston, VA, April 26-28, 2024

ISU's event info page: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/events/figure-skating-calendar/eventdetail/14051/33/washington-picken-solo-ice-dance-international?templateParam=11 This is the first ISU-sanctioned Solo Ice Dance international competition to be held in North America. Host club's event...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting here (from the Canadian Dance news thread)...

Silver medalist Emmy Bronsard's 2 programs are posted in the Washington Picken Solo Ice Dance International thread in Kiss & Cry (linked above).

2 heartwarming posts by Emmy about her experience in Reston, VA:

Emmy Bronsard on Instagram: "WOW! Que dire de cette fin de semaine remplie d’apprentissage… 🤩 D’abord, j’aimerais dire que j’ai découvert une discipline saine, une branche de la danse sur glace, un sport magnifique, qui mérite plus de visibilité et

240 likes, 22 comments - emmy_bronsard2004 on May 1, 2024: "WOW! Que dire de cette fin de semaine remplie d’apprentissage… 🤩 D’abord, j’aimerais dire que j’ai découvert une discipline saine, une branche de la danse sur glace, un sport magnifique, qui mérite plus de visibilité et d’opportunité...

www.instagram.com

She also reveals that she skated to Mozart’s Fantasia in D minor back in 2017 as a singles competitor before bringing the music back for her Senior Solo free dance debut : https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6ck4s1L8ge/

Gold medalist Lucas Appel was on Luke Wang/Lindsay Wang's podcast after his international debut in Poland/before the Picken comp. - Spotify link:

Episode 8: It Only Takes One to Tango (Conversation w/ Lucas Appel)

Office Hours · Episode

open.spotify.com

 

[ice coverage]

deleted (apologies that I somehow had missed Sylvia's post directly above)

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The ISU have now released the regulations for the official discipline of Solo Ice Dance.

Solo Dance

Solo Ice Dance is a parallel discipline to Ice Dance. Skaters perform the same Pattern Dances, Rhythm Dance and Free Dance segments.

www.isu.org

This is enough to get ANL to bust out a pair of skates and start shaking it on the ice

 

[Sylvia]

IDC's May 16 article profiling Emmy Bronsard (May 16 by Anne Calder):

Emmy Bronsard, Ice Dancer – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Excerpts re. solo ice dance (will cross-post this link in the Canadian Ice Dance news thread later):

Three months later with help from a lot of friends, Emmy Bronsard was second at the Inaugural North American International Solo Dance event in Reston, Virginia.
The silver medalist shared the genesis of her preparation.
After Jacob and I split, I knew I did not want to stop skating, and that I did not want to wait around for a partner without having a purpose or a “short-term goal”.
“One of my teammates, as well as my coaches, spoke about an international solo ice dance competition, recognized by ISU, taking place in the Washington DC area in mid April. After a couple of days, I thought why not and decided to browse for music to see if I would potentially like to perform alone in a competition again.”

Bronsard shared her thoughts about competing at the history-making event.
“It was eye-opening for me. I went to this competition not knowing what to expect. I was really surprised by how well it was organized and how much potential it really had. I saw a high level of sportsmanship; it was such a healthy environment of competitors.
“One thing united all of us: our passion for the sport. And that was very special!”

“Many talented skaters cannot explore their passion and have access to international level competitions because they don’t have a partner. Solo ice dance is a way to break the codes and explore their artistry.”
“It’s also the perfect opportunity to push the limits of what skaters can do with their bodies and a piece of music they enjoy. It doesn’t require jumps, so one can concentrate on the quality of the skating by creating an artistic moment without being worried about jumping.”
“Solo Ice Dance is a platform to display the art of skating skills, dancing and performance. It is also very healthy for the sport world to have a discipline that makes women and men compete against each other. It is the true meaning of a competition: “May the best skater win”.

Bronsard shared some of her skating goals.
“While I’m still looking for a partner, I do think that one of my short-term goals is to bring a solo ice dancing competition to Canada. Another is I want to finish my CEGEP at school.”
“Long term for ice dancing, if I still haven’t found a partner, would be to take solo ice dance to another level – to make it more international.”

ETA that, in addition to Bronsard's RD & FD, 4 more links to videos from the Picken International were posted in early May in the competition thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...a-april-26-28-2024.111747/page-2#post-6592639

 

[Sylvia]

USFS' Skater Spotlight (by Jillian L. Martinez, published May 16) on solo ice dancer Shin Lei Case who recently made her international solo ice dance debut, finishing 5th at Washington Picken:

Meet Shin Lei Case: Ice Dancer, Official and Future Doctor | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

Excerpts:

At only 21, Shin Lei Case has already crafted an extensive resume on and off the ice. The 2023 Dallas Figure Skating Club “Member of the Year,” is not only an accomplished ice dancer, but she is also an official and is hoping to become a doctor.
Born in Foshan, China, Case was adopted by her parents and raised in the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area. By 3 years old, Case was on the ice.

For the first part of her skating career, Case trained and competed as a single freestyle skater. When she was 12 years old, she transitioned to ice dance, competing with dance partner, Maxim Zharkov. The pair qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after two years together and went on to win the juvenile ice dance pewter medal at the 2016 U.S. Championships. After ending her partnership with Zharkov, Case was encouraged by her coach to compete in solo dance as a means to maintain skills while searching for a new partner.
“After my first year in solo dance, I really gravitated towards it. I enjoyed every aspect of it, and I was hooked, so I stopped looking for a partner.”

Now, Case is a gold level test judge in both singles and ice dance and has a goal of earning her sectional competition judge appointment. [...]
Beyond being an accomplished ice dancer and up-and-coming official, Case is dedicated to the medical field and hopes to become an orthopedic and sports medicine doctor one day. [...]
“I currently scribe for an orthopedic hand surgeon, and I think it would be really cool to [come back one day] and be the first Asian female orthopedic surgeon at this clinic.”

 

[Sylvia]

"In this Solo Q&A, learn more about James Koszuta, a former Team USA ice dancer and 2023 European Championships competitor for Norway. He recently finished fourth at the 2024 Washington Picken International, the first international solo dance event held in the U.S." [and currently is based in Nashville, TN.] (May 27):

Solo Q&A: James Koszuta – Ice-dance.com

www.ice-dance.com

Excerpts:

When and why did you choose to do solo dance?
JK: I have been doing partnered dance for about 10 years. After my last partner and I split, the market for eligible partners was slim and I ended up working on refining my solo skills. As this season started and I was still without any luck in the partnered world, I figured solo would be a fun new opportunity for me that would also keep me motivated and on the competitive scene.

What do you like most about Solo Dance? What kind of music to you like to skate to the best? Why?
JK: I love that I can truly make something of my own in my programs. I can examine every nuance and truly personalize the program to fit my personality. I love blues, rock and some older hits from the 70s and 80s. This season was the perfect change to showcase my taste in music that I also feel suits my skating style.

Who choreographed your programs? What do you like best about dancing them?
JK: Wesley Campbell choreographed my free dance and Rob Peal did my rhythm dance. What I love is the two very different styles they brought to the table that worked perfectly with their given pieces. Rob helped me achieve that high energy rhythm dance that contrasts from the melting and more casual feel of my free dance with Wesley.

 

[Sylvia]

Palm Beach County, Florida local news story/2-minute video report (June 2) featuring coach Steven Belanger, and 3 of his skaters - Lucas Appel (Sr.) and Amal Israilova and Milena Autero (in Jr.) - all 3 competed at the Washington Picken International in late April:

3 Palm Beach County skaters place at first-ever International Solo Ice Dance Competition in U.S.

A local skate coach has the honor of calling himself a medal-winning coach after three of his skaters went to Washington, D.C. and won the first-ever International Solo Ice Dance Competition

www.wptv.com

 

[Sylvia]

Lucas Appel and Amal Israilova are scheduled to compete in the Senior Solo Combined Dance RD later today (5:55 pm Eastern time) in a Florida club comp. - today's free livestream is linked in post #6 (Kiss & Cry forum is currently open to all): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2024-paradise-coast-classic-june-6-9.111818/

USFS' recap of the USA competitors at the Picken International, published on June 7, includes a nice Senior podium pic:

U.S. Off to Fast Start in Inaugural ISU International Solo Ice Dance Season | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

Final sentence reads:
"The next ISU International Solo Ice Dance events take place in October in Great Britain and in January in Poland."