U.S. Ice Dance 2018-19 season news & updates

[aftershocks]

Vadim is just as strong as many others. Let's not forget that Avonly minimum 1/2 the weight of other girls in ice dance.

Since when does praise for one amazing young ice dance team require some kind of negative rejoinder? Vadym is obviously a very fine specimen of a young man physically. He has a wonderfully strong build and an enviable physique. Acknowledging that takes nothing away from anyone else. Avonley is gorgeous and like her partner, she seems to possess an advanced emotional understanding re artistry, musical interpretation and movement skills. She has a slim build sure, which some may envy or disparage for whatever reason. I've seen other young female skaters with a similar build. It's not Avonley's build that is a measure of her talent. It's her ability to use everything she's got with focus, determination, desire and above-average intelligence. Vadym complements Avonley in every way, and I say this not only from watching their performances, but also from reading the linked feature that introduces them to skating fans.

Avonley and Vadym stand out all on their own and they are obviously going places in the ice dance discipline if they maintain their focus, desire, and forward development, steady as they go. They are lucky to have found each other. Should they continue to develop in the right direction and should good fortune bless them, we as fans and especially the ice dance discipline as a whole, will be the beneficiaries.

 

[laviemn]

Since when does praise for one amazing young ice dance team require some kind of negative rejoinder?

Since they beat a team a fan likes better apparently. The rules of Ice Dance Fandom 101.

Every team has to deal with whatever their physical realities are at the moment as best they can within the rules. There are teams with about the same size difference as Nguyen/Kolesnik where the male partners are not being praised for their strength because they don't have the skills to make it look as good.

 

[Lara111]

Since they beat a team a fan likes better apparently. The rules of Ice Dance Fandom 101.

Every team has to deal with whatever their physical realities are at the moment as best they can within the rules. There are teams with about the same size difference as Nguyen/Kolesnik where the male partners are not being praised for their strength because they don't have the skills to make it look as good.

It was just a fact. Not negative. I do not know any other teams with the same size/weight difference. N/K obviously achieved great results with Igor's help. I am sure they worked really hard. I am just fan of more conventional ice dance teams where strength is in unison and edges and great matching lines.

 

[thvu]

It was just a fact. Not negative. I do not know any other teams with the same size/weight difference. N/K obviously achieved great results with Igor's help. I am sure they worked really hard. I am just fan of more conventional ice dance teams where strength is in unison and edges and great matching lines.

You said your comment was not a negative, then proceeded to justify it by throwing all kinds of shade at N&K.
Sure Jan, sure...

 

[breathesgelatin]

Watching the Skate America Rhythm Dance on NBC Sports Gold and Tanith just said that Chock/Bates are out of the Grand Prix series...

Figured I'd bring this comment to the US ice dance thread too...

EDIT: Tanith just corrected herself and said Chock/Bates are only out of their first event...

 

[firstflight]

Congrats to M/C for being the only team in the RD to earn a L4 on both portions of the Tango Romantica and earning the highest base value as a result. It’s sure nice to see Yes’s across the board.

 

[rinkside]

Congrats to M/C for being the only team in the RD to earn a L4 on both portions of the Tango Romantica and earning the highest base value as a result. It’s sure nice to see Yes’s across the board.

Wheaton teams always do well in the pattern dance, at all levels.

 

[peibeck]

Congrats to M/C for being the only team in the RD to earn a L4 on both portions of the Tango Romantica and earning the highest base value as a result. It’s sure nice to see Yes’s across the board.

Besides being technically strong, I was very impressed with how they continue to strengthen their basics and artistry. I've always admired their focus and attack, but this program showed a lot of growth in cleaning up their lines and finer details.

 

[Dobre]

Congrats to M/C for being the only team in the RD to earn a L4 on both portions of the Tango Romantica

The first senior team of the season to earn two level 4s on the pattern! And that means at least for this morning, McNamara & Carpenter have earned the highest levels awarded this season in ISU dance events in both the SD (at SA) and the FD (at Nepela).

 

[Willin]

I love Manta/Johnson! They have such a unique style in their skating, even if they can use refinement. I love her hair - it really sets her apart from the normal pretty girl.

I hate H/D's FD. Absolutely hate it. Everything from the spoken word parts to the cheesy '90s romantic ballad moaning/wailing to the movie it takes its music from to her dress. I get that they can't do smoldering and sexy for every program, but if they wanted to do something romantic they could do so much better.

 

[Bigbird]

I love Manta/Johnson! They have such a unique style in their skating, even if they can use refinement. I love her hair - it really sets her apart from the normal pretty girl.

I hate H/D's FD. Absolutely hate it. Everything from the spoken word parts to the cheesy '90s romantic ballad moaning/wailing to the movie it takes its music from to her dress. I get that they can't do smoldering and sexy for every program, but if they wanted to do something romantic they could do so much better.

I was captivated. I always am by a great R&J. I had reservation when they first chose this piece but seeing their FD today made me realize that they're growing into one of those teams that have an amazing range. I'm willing to be surprised each season considering that they plan to leave competitive skating after 2022.

 

[alj5]

I'm somewhere in the middle on Hubbell & Donohue's FD. The choreography is interesting, they skate it well, and I do love the song Kissing You by Desiree. But it doesn't captivate my attention the way that some of their other dances have done. Maybe that will change.

 

[Dobre]

Elliana Pogrebinsky is off IPS.

 

[Spun Silver]

Elliana Pogrebinsky is off IPS.

Oh phooey, I hope that doesn't mean what I fear it does.

 

[laviemn]

Does anyone know what's going on with Marina Zueva? TSL said she's teaching in Florida now. Is she not coaching any teams at all this season? It feels strange to have her completely absent from US ice dance.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Doesn't teaching in this case mean she's teaching ice dance? Maybe a seminar with a group of ice dancers. Teaching doesn't always mean in a classroom.

 

[laviemn]

Doesn't teaching in this case mean she's teaching ice dance? Maybe a seminar with a group of ice dancers. Teaching doesn't always mean in a classroom.

Yes, I assumed she is teaching ice dance. TSL said "officially in Florida" which sounds more significant than a brief seminar, so I wondered if she is coaching any teams this season.

 

[RoseRed]

Yes, I assumed she is teaching ice dance. TSL said "officially in Florida" which sounds more significant than a brief seminar, so I wondered if she is coaching any teams this season.

REED/AMBRULEVICIUS were still with her last I heard, but their bios haven't been updated for this season.

 

[Peepsquick]

I was captivated. I always am by a great R&J. I had reservation when they first chose this piece but seeing their FD today made me realize that they're growing into one of those teams that have an amazing range. I'm willing to be surprised each season considering that they plan to leave competitive skating after 2022.

I really appreciated H/D skating skills in the FD but the music ... is quite colorless and "soupy" imo. I feel torn between their gorgeous choreo and brilliant skills and this 'meh'-feeling about the music. Arrrgh!

 

[Spun Silver]

Elliana Pogrebinsky is off IPS.

She tweeted this earlier this month.
https://twitter.com/EPogrebinsky/status/1050817067165908992?s=20

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So I'm reading an article at a site called marketwatch.com that says Christina Carriera and her lawyers are suing for US citizenship. I guess she's been denied and they are saying that the US government says she's not special enough for citizenship. I guess she is Canadian born.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/m...-refusal-to-deem-her-extraordinary-2018-10-23

 

[Lacey]

So I'm reading an article at a site called marketwatch.com that says Christina Carriera and her lawyers are suing for US citizenship. I guess she's been denied and they are saying that the US government says she's not special enough for citizenship. I guess she is Canadian born.

Oh, WOW.

 

[Moustaffask8r]

So I'm reading an article at a site called marketwatch.com that says Christina Carriera and her lawyers are suing for US citizenship. I guess she's been denied and they are saying that the US government says she's not special enough for citizenship. I guess she is Canadian born.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/m...-refusal-to-deem-her-extraordinary-2018-10-23

If you read carefully, they're not recognizing the fact that she and Anthony won international medals and are the current US Junior Nationals Champion because they say that ISU is a small community and not a world wide organization.... this is like not recognizing and Olympic medal our a football championship because it's limited to the members of a small community...

 

[Rafter]

So I'm reading an article at a site called marketwatch.com that says Christina Carriera and her lawyers are suing for US citizenship. I guess she's been denied and they are saying that the US government says she's not special enough for citizenship. I guess she is Canadian born.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/m...-refusal-to-deem-her-extraordinary-2018-10-23

Ouch.

Assuming the USFS are paying her lawyer bills.

 

[AYS]

Ouch.

Assuming the USFS are paying her lawyer bills.

Can't blame Mrs. Mitchell this time.

They've distinguished themselves at the top levels of international juniors and upper echelons of seniors already by medaling in the Challenger events. She has a good argument for special status.

 

[RoseRed]

If you read carefully, they're not recognizing the fact that she and Anthony won international medals and are the current US Junior Nationals Champion because they say that ISU is a small community and not a world wide organization.... this is like not recognizing and Olympic medal our a football championship because it's limited to the members of a small community...

That's exactly the thing. If it was just that they didn't consider her level of achievement special enough yet, that would be one thing, but refusing to recognize them because it's not a "world-wide" organization is really weird and nonsensical.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So I think I remember seeing posts last week where it was announced that Manta came out as bi... now Johnson has come out as gay!!

Kinda cool!

Has there ever been a team in skating where both were out as LGBT?

https://www.outsports.com/2018/10/29/18019452/gay-figure-skating-joe-johnson-come-out

 

[Sylvia]

Has there ever been a team in skating where both were out as LGBT?

ANL has since started a separate thread in GSD here: Manta & Johnson = Figure skating's First complete LGBT team?

Also, I started a separate thread last week on the legal update re. Christina Carreira's path to U.S. citizenship: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...visa-extraordinary-ability-was-denied.104589/

Anthony Ponomarenko answered questions for a product website here: https://www.silipos.com/blogs/news/meet-anthony

What is your training regimen? I train Monday through Friday. I am on the ice for about 4 hours a day and it follows with an hour of off ice conditioning or dance.
How do you structure your days? I attend school [Novi public high school] in the morning. After three hours of school I rush to the rink for a 2 hour ice session. I have a small break and have another 2 hour session. After ice, i make my way to our ballet/conditioning room to work for an hour. My days are free after that and I spend some time doing homework and hanging with friends.

I hope he and Christina have a positive GP debut experience in Helsinki!

I'm sure U.S. ice dance fans are looking forward to seeing how they and Lorraine/Quinn fare head-to-head as well as individually - best wishes to both teams!

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting the link to a Polish fan's blog Q&A that @mollymgr posted in Carreira/Ponomarenko's fan thread:

Get to know Christina and Anthony.
https://siatkowkawedlugmnie.wordpre...o-christina-carreira-and-anthony-ponomarenko/

ETA:

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko Led By Olympic Example by Darci Miller:
https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...thony-ponomarenko-led-by-olympic-example.aspx

Now 17 years old and skating with Carreira, Ponomarenko relies on his parents, who he calls his "background coaches," frequently, and still gets regular technical feedback from his father, who was a technical specialist. Advice also comes in the form of general wisdom from years at the top of the ice dancing world.
"I think the most important is that my mom tells me that Christina, my partner, is my best friend," Ponomarenko said. "Nobody else matters except her. We need to have the best friendship."
For her part, Carreira says that her favorite part of their partnership is the relationship they share.
"We're really good friends, and it's fun traveling the world with your best friend," she said.

 

[Spun Silver]

I didn't know that K/P lived in Moscow now. I thought they were coaching in CA or TX.