The Dance Hall 9: Bring the Bling or No Beijing 2021-2022

[soogar]

Interesting results at the TE segments. Didn't expect this. Both US teams were on, they earned their resp wins. This will make the individual event even more exciting.
When I catched up with FD, the one interesting part was: SinKats where on slow-mo replay faster than ChoBat in real time.

Watching the team event, I actually think SinKats are not in bad shape. They made a mistake in the RD which is why they were second and it was really close. Chock and Bates have a great FP but SinKats are much faster on the ice. I think the American teams benefitted from the team halo- not as many teams competing so they look great in comparison to what was there and with their team mates. However in a fully stocked dance competition with P&C competing, I think speed will matter a lot for that overall impression. SinKats may have been holding back as well since they have to compete in the main event as well. Step Buk are finally on their way and I hope they don't test positive in China but I was really impressed with their improvement.

On a superficial note, H&D may look great in person when skating, but on television their costumes and presentation is lacking, especially in comparison to C&B. Madison always has fantastic costumes and is stunning, even their choreography is more polished and theatrical. Madison is already tall girl with a large build and she wears these blocky costumes with tons of fabric that don't flatter her figure or her line. A few years ago, when she was dressed like Marilyn Monroe she was outfitted in a costume with shiny white fabric with a waistline that cut across the widest part of her waist. Even this year's costumes don't look that great. I'm not sure if this is a money issue that she can't afford to wear something better, or she just needs a new costume maker but whomever they are dealing with does not know how to flatter her figure.

 

[sap5]

Same exact sentence could be written about Stepanova.

Our entertaining friend @MarieM has posted more than once about Alexandra that she can dance but she can't skate. I think that's an overstatement but agree that dancers like Chock and Stepanova bring something else to the table.

The current judging system gives a lot of points for the "something else" by having 3 choreographic elements that allow a team to get ahead on pure GOE scores. C/B have taken full advantage of that, and good for them. It's made me realize that I think skating ability should be weighted over performance, and would like judging to be adjusted to make levels worth more again. But that's just my preference.

 

[PRlady]

The current judging system gives a lot of points for the "something else" by having 3 choreographic elements that allow a team to get ahead on pure GOE scores. C/B have taken full advantage of that, and good for them. It's made me realize that I think skating ability should be weighted over performance, and would like judging to be adjusted to make levels worth more again. But that's just my preference.

When the levels had more weight, it was a lot of power to the TC. With GOE having more weight, at least the power is distributed to nine judges. But there’s no perfect system.

And Maddie H’s mom still makes her costumes, it’s clearly a bond between them. I agree a professional could do better but that’s been an untouchable area.

I’m another vote for more passion. I loved that DomShabs clip. Den/Sta Seven Deadly Sins and A/P’s Carmina Burana remain two of my favorite programs.

 

[MarieM]

Passion will come back. It's high time it does right?
And Diana Davis will be perfect with that.

 

[bcash]

I clicked on a P/C 2017 Worlds FD video and again found it full of passion, all with a piece of music and a mode of program construction (under this scoring system, but with more requirements on steps than now) that didn't necessarily scream "passion". It wasn't "theater". But It was intensely emotional, and all the emotions were expressed through their skating.

 

[blancanieves]

Watching the team event, I actually think SinKats are not in bad shape. They made a mistake in the RD which is why they were second and it was really close. Chock and Bates have a great FP but SinKats are much faster on the ice. I think the American teams benefitted from the team halo- not as many teams competing so they look great in comparison to what was there and with their team mates. However in a fully stocked dance competition with P&C competing, I think speed will matter a lot for that overall impression. SinKats may have been holding back as well since they have to compete in the main event as well. Step Buk are finally on their way and I hope they don't test positive in China but I was really impressed with their improvement.

On a superficial note, H&D may look great in person when skating, but on television their costumes and presentation is lacking, especially in comparison to C&B. Madison always has fantastic costumes and is stunning, even their choreography is more polished and theatrical. Madison is already tall girl with a large build and she wears these blocky costumes with tons of fabric that don't flatter her figure or her line. A few years ago, when she was dressed like Marilyn Monroe she was outfitted in a costume with shiny white fabric with a waistline that cut across the widest part of her waist. Even this year's costumes don't look that great. I'm not sure if this is a money issue that she can't afford to wear something better, or she just needs a new costume maker but whomever they are dealing with does not know how to flatter her figure.

I've disliked most of Madi H's costumes in the past because of fit, etc. But I think this year's choices are great in all regards. To the contrary though Madi C's current costumes are expertly executed I find them tacky, overdone. Just goes to show you can't please everybody.

 

[litenkyckling]

Madi H also had a great RD costume at 2021 Worlds - her mum does make some of them but she also uses a professional too I believe.

 

[chantilly]

Agree on above that P and C have passion.
It’s certainly not in your face.
V and M had tons of passion.
I think FB/S have it and I also think H and D have it.
Also let’s not mistake frantic and overwrought with “passion”
Speed is only great if there’s a semblance of control and precision IMO.

 

[manhn]

I don't think Denk/Stav or Ann/Pei were particularly in-your-face or overt in their emotional display, but they could be abstract (particularly D&S). Barring a couple of programs, A&P had relatively crowd-friendly programs.

 

[Dobre]

I want a real competition, and at the moment, it looks like that's what we're gonna get. I've no interest in seeing a rerun of Cup of Russia where various judges clearly weren't even watching the elements before marking GOE.

 

[chantilly]

I don't think Denk/Stav or Ann/Pei were particularly in-your-face or overt in their emotional display, but they could be abstract (particularly D&S). Barring a couple of programs, A&P had relatively crowd-friendly programs.

Agreed
They were innovative teams. I loved DenK/ Stav. They were excellent skaters and rarely rewarded for their unique and excellent skills.Ann/Pei were pretty hit and miss for me generally in terms of over all. But they definitely tried different things.

 

[MarieM]

I want more "in your face" programs. That makes you want to "feel".
P&C do that I agree. W&P did that too. The brits training under Platov had that quality too.
The problem is that other dancers who are copying P&C can't get there because it's not their style.
And I want more Barbara or Galit type of dance. When they all die at the end.

 

[Marta24]

Regarding more drama in ice dance, I put a lot of hope in Lopareva/Brissaud for the next quad. I think they have the potential to deliver some good drama on ice.

 

[mjb52]

I wish there were more coaching teams. That's a consistent issue for me with ice dance though. My biggest problem with ice dance has always been the way there tends to be one dominant coaching HQ at a time, going all the way back to the nineties.

 

[aka_gerbil]

I want the Sochi quad requirements for the step sequences brought back. That’s one way of bringing more drama.

 

[morqet]

Also bring back sequential twizzles! I want teams going full bore down the ice with nothing but a change of edge between sets, none of this minimum 2 and maximum 4 step nonsense

 

[sap5]

I wish there were more coaching teams. That's a consistent issue for me with ice dance though. My biggest problem with ice dance has always been the way there tends to be one dominant coaching HQ at a time, going all the way back to the nineties.

I want more choreographers. I don’t mind dominant coaching teams if those coaches are turning out mentally and physically healthy students. But there’s no reason why choreography has to be done by coaches.

 

[MarieM]

Regarding more drama in ice dance, I put a lot of hope in Lopareva/Brissaud for the next quad. I think they have the potential to deliver some good drama on ice.

I don't. This season is great, but it's next season that is crucial. And they have to gel a lot more.
It all depends on what the rules will be next year. So I am not really hopefull

 

[Marta24]

I don't. This season is great, but it's next season that is crucial. And they have to gel a lot more.
It all depends on what the rules will be next year. So I am not really hopefull

No offense, but are you ever hopeful?
Anyway, I really like them and hope they will come up with some interesting programs in the next years.

 

[MarieM]

YOU are jinxing them!!! Stop it!

 

[mjb52]

The shake up next year is going to be incredible if all the top teams retire.

 

[MarieM]

The shake up next year is going to be incredible if all the top teams retire.

What we know for sure are Hubbel&Donohue right?
I bet P&C will take the year off (or retire?).
And probably Nikita&Victoria.

I don't see any other teams so far retiring.
Chock/Bates said they'd stay a year. I think the italians are thinking about it too.

 

[Marta24]

Daniel Weiss mentioned during the Team Event that G/F would skate until 2026. No Idea how accurate this is though or who is sources are.

 

[Karen-W]

What we know for sure are Hubbel&Donohue right?
I bet P&C will take the year off (or retire?).
And probably Nikita&Victoria.

I don't see any other teams so far retiring.
Chock/Bates said they'd stay a year. I think the italians are thinking about it too.

HubDon are 100% retiring - they've made that abundantly clear in several interviews, and even this week in Beijing again.
I expect PapCiz will be done after this season, same with SinKats, but I don't think either team has indicated anything one way or the other.

ChoBat have said they're going to take it one season at a time. I think that's what I've heard about G/F also.

Daniel Weiss mentioned during the Team Event that G/F would skate until 2026. No Idea how accurate this is though or who is sources are.

I think he's assuming they'll be in through 2026 since it's Milano-Cortina.

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

Daniel Weiss mentioned during the Team Event that G/F would skate until 2026. No Idea how accurate this is though or who is sources are.

In this interview I recently saw from G/F, they said they'd definitely compete next season, and would take it one season at a time. They said all the time they're healthy, enjoying themselves and achieving the results they want, they'll most likely continue. But they specifically said 2026 is too far away to make a decision about at the moment.

 

[skategal]

Gillis/Poirier have said this is their last season.

Fournier-Beaudry/Sorenson said they would like to skate until 2024 Worlds in Montreal.

 

[chantilly]

I want more "in your face" programs. That makes you want to "feel".
P&C do that I agree. W&P did that too. The brits training under Platov had that quality too.
The problem is that other dancers who are copying P&C can't get there because it's not their style.
And I want more Barbara or Galit type of dance. When they all die at the end.

I’d like to think you are kidding but I’m not quite sure.

 

[Fadeevfanboy]

Gillis/Poirier have said this is their last season.

Fournier-Beaudry/Sorenson said they would like to skate until 2024 Worlds in Montreal.

Fournier-Beaudry/Sorenson will have a turn as Canadian #1. YAAH!

 

[MarieM]

I’d like to think you are kidding but I’m not quite sure.

I am not. That period WAS the best in ice dance.

 

[Amantide]

I am not. That period WAS the best in ice dance.

You're my spirit animal.