The Dance Hall 13: When You Dance on the Ice and Your Feet Twizzle Twice, That's Amore

[kwanfan1818]

Parsons skating with an injury was what put G/P behind C/P. The material was secondary.

I don’t think C/P have that much more of an upside, while Z/K have gelled and are just getting started. That guarantees nothing, especially competing from the front, but they have a bigger potential upside.

It might take an extra season, but I think A/V will be more on the Belbin/Agosto-Davis/White trajectory than, for example, Neset/Markelov.

 

[skategal]

I think the big determining factor next season will be the pattern.

I expect we will see a shake-up of rankings based on how well teams can perform that element.

 

[her grace]

I think the big determining factor next season will be the pattern.

I expect we will see a shake-up of rankings based on how well teams can perform that element.

Agreed. Z/K looked poised to take over based on the current season's rules. But it looks like things are changing a-plenty next year. OTOH, aren't they only doing a partial Golden Waltz and I read somewhere there's no key points? Looks like there could still be lots of room for judging machinations if they're so inclined.

 

[Dobre]

I'm more interested in where the Czechs finish myself. I hope both teams can capitalize on this opportunity and give the home audience a great show.

(They can skate better than they did at the Olympics).

 

[her grace]

I don’t think C/P have that much more of an upside, while Z/K have gelled and are just getting started. That guarantees nothing, especially competing from the front, but they have a bigger potential upside.

C/P definitely struggled this year with choosing the right material and performing it comfortably. Ponomarenko looked pretty stiff throughout the season. OTOH, maybe they were feeling the pressure of being so close to an Olympic spot, and next season, they can skate more freely. Or maybe the choreography can highlight Carreria more and help camouflage Ponomarenko.

I'll be surprised if G/P last the quad in the top three. He's on the older side and already struggling with injuries.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned, at least lately, in gauging the potential of these teams (Z/K, C/P, & G/P) is the coaching. IAM-lite just had their first Olympians. Belbin & Zuerlein didn't get anyone on the team. They're still quite green, and they have made several questionable packaging decisions. If I was going to trust a coach to actually get a team on the world podium, it would be Igor over these other ones. And I'd keep an eye out for Brown/Brown who have real IAM at least partially in their corner.

It might take an extra season, but I think A/V will be more on the Belbin/Agosto-Davis/White trajectory than, for example, Neset/Markelov.

I will wait and see. People were just as high on N/M when they were juniors. And they were delightful and dominant as juniors. I think N/M need a coaching change. I'll reserve judgment on how Gregory/Petukhov do at guiding a senior team, but that's new territory for them as well.

 

[Colonel Green]

Zingas & Kolesnik have set themselves up well this season, they and their fans have every reason to be optimistic.

At the same time, one has learned not to bet against IAM. They tend to get what they want.

 

[Karen-W]

Agreed. Z/K looked poised to take over based on the current season's rules. But it looks like things are changing a-plenty next year. OTOH, aren't they only doing a partial Golden Waltz and I read somewhere there's no key points? Looks like there could still be lots of room for judging machinations if they're so inclined.

I don't think we've heard whether or not there will be key points for the Golden Waltz, though I'm of the opinion there will be because that's how the IDTC determined the levels for the pattern/partial pattern in past seasons and how they still do it in juniors.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned, at least lately, in gauging the potential of these teams (Z/K, C/P, & G/P) is the coaching. IAM-lite just had their first Olympians. Belbin & Zuerlein didn't get anyone on the team. They're still quite green, and they have made several questionable packaging decisions. If I was going to trust a coach to actually get a team on the world podium, it would be Igor over these other ones. And I'd keep an eye out for Brown/Brown who have real IAM at least partially in their corner.

For what it's worth, CarPon have spent at least a few weeks in Montreal every summer since they joined IAM-O & go there for continuing work on their programs during the season. Their main base has been IAM-O for logistical reasons (Christina needing to commute from Michigan) and I think it will probably remain so because they've developed such a great working relationship with Scott, Madi & Adrian and the rest of the team in London. But who knows? Christina's originally from Montreal and now that she has her US citizenship, they could decide to transfer to Montreal permanently if they think it will benefit them.