I think M/G will win the nationals this year and follow that up with wins at Euro and the Olympics. They are on a roll and I think the stars are aligned in their favor. It began at last year's worlds.M/E are the cutest, I hope they can show what they're capable of in the LP. But damn I am wary of getting into another Mozer pair.
I think T/M will have it a little easier staying in the top 3 since P/K kind of got dumped into 5th in the SP. I wonder if this is M/G's year to finally win or if they're destined to be Yags and win everything internationally but can't manage Nationals.
Their new costumes are beautiful but they don't fit the theme. The old ones they have been wearing all season were perfect for that theme.
I don't think the new costumes would be good for the LP either, because their LP theme is Reflections. He is her reflection. So they have to match well. Their current LP costumes are perfect but now I am concerned that they may change those too.I agree. Since their SP theme is that she's a statue coming to life, then the old ones match it. The new ones would have looked okay for the LP, however. I just wish Eteri's costuming sensibilities weren't so drab. The new dress doesn't even have sleeves but still looks like the usual dowdy Eteri girl fit.
These costumes would be good if they skate this program as an exhibition. They would have been good if they were skating to Claire de lune.
I mainly agree, but also think with the Games in China the judges have already reserved the gold for Sui & Han if they go clean. Not saying they wouldn't deserve it neccessarily, but I can't see them not giving it to them if they went clean, with it their being their swan song, the very narrow loss in 2018, it being in China, their popularity. Just all those factors in conjuction. I don't think they will go clean though, and if they don't any of the 4 obvious contenders could wind up winning, including T&M who I still see some positive signs from in their season thus far. M&G might be the most likely winners ATM due to their consistency and momentum, but the judges won't ever deny S&H the gold on home ice if they somehow go clean IMHO, even with their lower jump content.I think M/G will win the nationals this year and follow that up with wins at Euro and the Olympics. They are on a roll and I think the stars are aligned in their favor. It began at last year's worlds.
I didn't dislike the yellow dress. It represented Moonlight (Clairede lune), but the costume change seemed so unnecessary!I really liked Evgenia's Clair de Lune dress before the costume change part. I wouldn't mind seeing it again in some form as long as it stays blue and never turns into a yellow sack dress again
I agree this OGM is S/H's to lose. They can win even with one mistake. It is in China and the judges will reward their BOW.I mainly agree, but also think with the Games in China the judges have already reserved the gold for Sui & Han if they go clean. Not saying they wouldn't deserve it neccessarily, but I can't see them not giving it to them if they went clean, with it their being their swan song, the very narrow loss in 2018, it being in China, their popularity. Just all those factors in conjuction. I don't think they will go clean though, and if they don't any of the 4 obvious contenders could wind up winning, including T&M who I still see some positive signs from in their season thus far. M&G might be the most likely winners ATM due to their consistency and momentum, but the judges won't ever deny S&H the gold on home ice if they somehow go clean IMHO, even with their lower jump content.
Marina was right when she was planning for 2026. Vova laughed at it but that plan may be more realistic than they suddenly becoming champions in 2022.I think a good chunk of my frustration is they have become that gorgeous pair, but the mistakes and inconsistencies…
I wish there was some way to marry the consistency they had when they first became seniors to the skaters they are now.
I have no hopes or expectations for the rest of this season—my Olympic wishes and hopes are firmly pinned on my favorite ice dance team now.
It just feels like t/m need another quad to put this all together.
I’d love for them to have a Paul Wylie moment, but I think those are impossible now with it seeming like scores are now given not solely based on what happens in an individual event. There’s so much emphasis on momentum….Marina was right when she was planning for 2026. Vova laughed at it but that plan may be more realistic than they suddenly becoming champions in 2022.
Thank you for this. I have not watched their LP yet- partly because I was afraid to, after what happened in the SP. The other part was that I desperately wanted to get my Sleep. LOL.So I am feeling oddly sanguine right now, despite the few mistakes and disappointing bronze at Nationals.
It's not the end. T/M still have Euros, and they can come back strong there. A good skate there, and they'll be right back in the mix for Oly gold. Maybe let the other 2 teams carry some of the weight of expectation going into the Games.
The reason I'm feeling okay for them doesn't really have to do with medals. I realized that, for me, win or lose at Russian Nationals, they have become the pair I hoped they would be when I first saw them. They are genuinely beautiful in their movement and their programs this season. I have greatly enjoyed every single program, whether it was perfect in execution or not. Vladimir finally matches Evgenia in his expression and presence on the ice. I always felt this was the key for them--that, and decent programs. And, I agree with Ted that Vladimir's lifts today were better than ever. They've been much improved all season, and today was the best yet.
In 2018, I was frustrated because they were not at the level I knew they could be. Now, they are, IMO anyway. As a fan, this makes me feel very satisfied, even if they don't win OGM. I do still want them to win OGM or Worlds, for their sake primarily, but as a fan I'll still look back on their career with satisfaction if not.
yes, way too much imo, whatever the discipline!I’d love for them to have a Paul Wylie moment, but I think those are impossible now with it seeming like scores are now given not solely based on what happens in an individual event. There’s so much emphasis on momentum….
I do wonder if they’d be more consistent if they’d had any stability in coaching this quad.
It’s like it now requires a political campaign. It’s not enough just to show up and have a good event unless you’ve strung at least 5-6 events together.yes, way too much imo, whatever the discipline!
To put things in perspective, they have won 2 silver and 1 bronze medals at worlds. They won a GPF. They have 2 European and 3 Russian championships. They just don't have an Olympic medal (they finished 4th in 2018).My biggest fear about them is that they will end up as the most talented team to have never won an Olympic medal. Even in the packed Russian field, they are the most talented of them all, the one thing they are lacking is consistency. If they'll be able to get it together when it matters the most I'll be ecstatic but I mostly hope they will be satisfied even without one and won't end up regretting all the missed opportunities.
I think that’s my fear too. They have the silver from the team event in 2018, but it’s not the same.My biggest fear about them is that they will end up as the most talented team to have never won an Olympic medal. Even in the packed Russian field, they are the most talented of them all, the one thing they are lacking is consistency. If they'll be able to get it together when it matters the most I'll be ecstatic but I mostly hope they will be satisfied even without one and won't end up regretting all the missed opportunities.
Yeah, and they won't do the team event this time given how this competition went (unless they'll skate lights out at Euros, and then maybe they'll get to do the SP but even that's unlikely).I think that’s my fear too. They have the silver from the team event in 2018, but it’s not the same.
I don’t think Russia will split pairs since they’ll need to split dance now.Yeah, and they won't do the team event this time given how this competition went (unless they'll skate lights out at Euros, and then maybe they'll get to do the SP but even that's unlikely).
It's just the biggest gap between potential and ability to actually delivering I've ever seen.
He is so tired and generic. And yes it is clear he does not do homework on basic things like practices, elements being trained and kept/changed, and injuries or health problems. Maybe since he is working alone he does not feel pressure to live up to any standard, but there should be a standard of professionalism for any commentator. Even Hamilton and Bezic as ultra annoying and sickenlingly biased as they were atleast showed up polished and prepared for each competition, spoke to coaches and watched practices between competitions to get tea and info, etc..I am really sick of Ted Barton, and not just for his pairs commentating.
He said after the LP- Vladimir's lifts have improved today. Actually They have been doing those three lifts in a row very well all season. They mess up a lift in the SP and suddenly Vladimir can't do lifts?
In the ladies LP he kept harping on this being Samodurova's last skate. AFAIK she has not announced retirement. She is 19. What made Ted make that statement repeatedly? Sofia really had no chance to make the Oly team, so for this season it was her last competition.
I wrote this in the FD thread - when Z/G were skating their FD, Ted kept wondering aloud what was wrong with Tiffany. The whole world knew but not Ted who was commentating. He did not do his homework. His commentating during that FD was poor, IMO.
I want to see him replaced by a competent commentator.
As far as T/M LP goes, it was not horrible but I wish Zhenya had landed the second throw. At least they made the podium.
I agree. 3rd at Nationals is not the end of the world, but another 3rd at Europeans would ensure they go into the Games with the least fed support and really have to skate clearly better than the others just to have any chance. That is not where they want to be for the Games.I think the European championships are going to be much more important to t/m than to the other two Russian pairs. They have to deliver two clean performances there, and hopefully win. A bronze there will ensure that their fed will not put any political power behind them.