U.S. Ice Dance 2023-24 news & updates

[Karen-W]

It's also going to be interesting to see how strategic the USFS is with their JGP assignments. I'd send two fairly evenly matched teams like Carhart/Horovyi and Hauer/Starr to Istanbul since we know Israel gave up their one guaranteed spot at that JGP, which means there will be potentially one less podium contender at that competition (maybe a French team and Kudryatseva/Karankevich?).

It's entirely possible the USA will qualify at least 3 teams, maybe 4 to the JGPF if the placements work out.

 

[her grace]

Results from the Juniors at Dallas Classic -

Obviously, we haven't seen Carhart/Horovyi, but these results certainly indicate a pretty wide gap between the top 7 junior US teams and the rest of the junior teams. It wouldn't necessarily surprise me, unless there is a major jump in scores over the next 2 weeks before Lake Placid, if the top 6 teams here plus Carhart/Horovyi each wind up with 2 JGP assignments each and the rest of the teams get to scruff it out to earn a spot to Nats.

I agree with your line of reasoning, that the top 6 plus Carhart/Horovyi look good to go and perhaps some other team (ETA: e.g., Bland/Sperry?) could emerge at Lake Placid or Silicon Open. Last year, the team with the lowest domestic score that was chosen for JGP scored 126 points in a summer monitoring competition. Calhoun/Veselukhin were very close to that mark in Dallas (anyone know if they are age-eligible?) and Ilin/Cain could earn that score if they hit the elements in their RD at their next competition.

If more teams hit the scoring benchmark that has presumably been set for this season, I hope that USFS would spread the assignments around and give more teams one assignment rather than give 7 teams 2 apiece. It would also be nice if USFS would actually use all of our assignments.

 

[Karen-W]

I agree with your line of reasoning, that the top 6 plus Carhart/Horovyi look good to go and perhaps some other team (ETA: e.g., Bland/Sperry?) could emerge at Lake Placid or Silicon Open. Last year, the team with the lowest domestic score that was chosen for JGP scored 126 points in a summer monitoring competition. Calhoun/Veselukhin were very close to that mark in Dallas (anyone know if they are age-eligible?) and Ilin/Cain could earn that score if they hit the elements in their RD at their next competition.

If more teams hit the scoring benchmark that has presumably been set for this season, I hope that USFS would spread the assignments around and give more teams one assignment rather than give 7 teams 2 apiece. It would also be nice if USFS would actually use all of our assignments.

Oh! Bland/Sperry are the other team that haven't made their season debut yet. I'd say if they score reasonably close to or above the Mullens 135.00 then they should be in the mix for at least one JGP.

Right now, it feels like Neset/Markelov are the only ones who have demonstrated they're deserving of 2, though I could make a reasonable argument for the Peals based on their very strong RD score.

Like last season, I'd bet on most of these teams' 2nd assignment is going to be contingent upon how they score and placements at their initial JGPs. Lots of placeholder assignments for the last 3 JGPs apart from Neset/Markelov, who I think will probably be assigned to Bangkok and Budapest (since he's Russian, the USFS is going to make sure their assignments are in countries that will issue him a visa - no Gdansk assignment this year, please).

I'm not sure, though, that we should use last season's benchmark as a measuring stick for this season. Clearly, there are 7 teams that we know have a scoring potential about 9 points higher and we'll see how Bland/Sperry score. We were in a big re-building phase last year with junior dance and a lot of those teams are going on their 2nd or 3rd junior season now and much more competitive for any podium.

 

[Karen-W]

Figureskatersonline.com has some Senior RD photos - https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2023/07/17/photos-2023-dallas-classic/

 

[ice coverage]

Figureskatersonline.com has some Senior RD photos - https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2023/07/17/photos-2023-dallas-classic/

Sorry to sound stupid, but are multiple photos supposed to be accessible at the FSO link?

I can see only one (very nice ) photo of Wolfkostin/Tsarevski there.
I cannot see anywhere to click for more photos?

I have seen the FSO post on Instagram with a grid of photos of six couples, but I can't figure out where to look on the FSO site.

Figure Skaters Online on Instagram: "Senior rhythm dance photos from the 2023 Dallas Classic in Plano, Texas are up on our website. More photos are coming. #SkateNQS #DallasClassic #IceDance #RhythmDance 📸 @robinritossphotography"

94 likes, 0 comments - figureskatersonline on July 17, 2023: "Senior rhythm dance photos from the 2023 Dallas Classic in Plano, Texas are up on our website. More photos are coming. #SkateNQS #DallasClassic #IceDance #RhythmDance 📸 @robinritossphotography".

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Sorry to sound stupid, but are multiple photos supposed to be accessible at the FSO link?

I can see only one (very nice ) photo of Wolfkostin/Tsarevski there.
I cannot see anywhere to click for more photos?

I have seen the FSO post on Instagram with a grid of photos of six couples, but I can't figure out where to look on the FSO site.

Figure Skaters Online on Instagram: "Senior rhythm dance photos from the 2023 Dallas Classic in Plano, Texas are up on our website. More photos are coming. #SkateNQS #DallasClassic #IceDance #RhythmDance 📸 @robinritossphotography"

94 likes, 0 comments - figureskatersonline on July 17, 2023: "Senior rhythm dance photos from the 2023 Dallas Classic in Plano, Texas are up on our website. More photos are coming. #SkateNQS #DallasClassic #IceDance #RhythmDance 📸 @robinritossphotography".

www.instagram.com

If you click on "Senior Dance Rhythm Dance" then the rest of the photos appear. It was hard for me to figure it out at first too.

 

[Wyliefan]

I had trouble at first too. Hit the plus sign where it says "Senior rhythm dance."

 

[ice coverage]

Thank you, @Karen-W and @Wyliefan!

And thanks to FSO and Robin R for the photos.

I like Caleb's shirt.

 

[Karen-W]

Thank you, @Karen-W and @Wyliefan!

And thanks to FSO and Robin R for the photos.

I like Caleb's shirt.

LOL - I was just commenting in KnC that Caleb's shirt looks like he bought Kana Muramoto's RD dress from last season and had it re-made into a shirt - and it also does not look '80s at all.

 

[ice coverage]

LOL - I was just commenting in KnC that Caleb's shirt ... does not look '80s at all.

I dunno -- Caleb's shirt is maybe sorta reminiscent of Pucci prints?
And: "In the late 1980s and early 1990s, “Puccimania” is absolutely exploding. The economic upswing following a recession in the early 1980s brings Pucci styles back into vogue. Pucci gains a huge presence in the market and international press; Madonna, Paloma Picasso, Hamish Bowels, Linda Evangelista, and Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele are all photographed wearing Pucci clothing, while Lady Miss Kier wore vintage Pucci while performing with the band Dee-Lite."

EMILIO PUCCI HERITAGE HUB

Welcome to the Emilio Pucci Heritage Hub, located in the historic Palazzo Pucci, in the heart of Florence. The brand incubator and archive, lead by young talent, is where the Emilio Pucci history is researched and reinterpreted into special projects, from exhibits and events to technological...

emiliopucciheritage.com

Maybe sorta? Anyway, I do like Caleb's shirt.
(The season has barely started, and I already am worried that the preponderance of leather/pleather choices is going to be too much for me. )

ETA:​

I had simply copied and pasted from the site linked above, but just noticed that it misspelled (Hamish) Bowles. ​

 

[Tinycities]

I’m a little uneducated about this, but what would be considered a costume violation? I’m not sure why I get the feeling that Flores’ costume is very close to one due to how much midriff. I might be totally off though and hope I am!

 

[Karen-W]

I’m a little uneducated about this, but what would be considered a costume violation? I’m not sure why I get the feeling that Flores’ costume is very close to one due to how much midriff. I might be totally off though and hope I am!

Hard to say based on the pics. Her midriff could be covered in illusion fabric, plus we haven't really seen it in motion.

 

[coralline]

Still no music choice reports from Dallas Classic? I’m soooooo curious!

 

[Dobre]

Still no music choice reports from Dallas Classic? I’m soooooo curious!

The RD music choices are in the U.S. Club thread in the Kiss & Cry. Posts #83 & 84. Also other first-hand observations are in posts 85 & 87 there.

I think the Kiss & Cry may be open right now to everyone since it's the summer & we haven't gotten to the international season yet?

We don't know the FD choices yet (maybe harder for our wonderful observers to attend on a Monday).

 

[coralline]

The RD music choices are in the U.S. Club thread in the Kiss & Cry. Posts #83 & 84. Also other first-hand observations are in posts 85 & 87 there.

I think the Kiss & Cry may be open right now to everyone since it's the summer & we haven't gotten to the international season yet?

We don't know the FD choices yet (maybe harder for our wonderful observers to attend on a Monday).

Oh no the Kiss & Cry is already closed… Thank you anyway！

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Still no music choice reports from Dallas Classic? I’m soooooo curious!

In case you can't access Kiss & Cry

Senior RD music information from Dallas (courtesy of my sister):

Wolfkostin/Tsarevski – “The Promise” by When In Rome and “Call Me” by Blondie

Flores/Desyatov – “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “When Doves Cry”

Ling/Wein – “Hold on I’m Coming” by Aretha Franklin; another Aretha song (slow)

Larson/Kapran – “I’m So Excited”, “Just the Two of Us” and “It’s Raining Men”

Koncius/Shchepetov – “Rock this Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats

Carhart/Kolosovskyi – “Caribbean Queen” by Billy Ocean; another Billy Ocean song (slow)

Kowar/Schwappach – “Never Tear Us Apart” and “What You Need” by INXS

Junior RD music from Dallas:

Neset/Markelov – “Still Loving You” by Scorpions and “Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett

Peal/Peal – “What Have You Done For me Lately” and “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson

Hauer/Starr – “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner

Lavrova/Rogers – Michael Jackson song; “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Mullen/Mullen – “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” by Wham and “Father Figure” by George Michael

Pedersen/Chen – “Kind of Magic” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Calhoun/Veselukhin – “Billie Jean,” “The Way You Make You Feel,” and “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Ilin/Cain – “Neutron Dance,” “I Need You” and “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters

Renzi/Lissauer – “Holding out for a Hero”, “Almost Paradise” and “Footloose”

Cui/Eckert – “I Want to Break Free” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Stapert/Korotcov – “Straight Up” and “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul

Epps/Gilman – “Modern Love,” “Let’s Dance” and “Dancing in the Streets” by David Bowie

Cialella/Goldshteyn – “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats and “Der Telefon Anruf” by Kraftwerk

Melillo/Mintz – “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel

Hagan/Hagan – “Ghostbusters”


My sister and I were children of the 80's who listened to the radio in our room every day after school, so she thought she'd be able to identify every song, but there were three that evaded her. She was cocky and didn't have her phone out ready to Shazam them.

 

[coralline]

In case you can't access Kiss & Cry

Senior RD music information from Dallas:

Wolfkostin/Tsarevski – “The Promise” by When In Rome and “Call Me” by Blondie

Flores/Desyatov – “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “When Doves Cry”

Ling/Wein – “Hold on I’m Coming” by Aretha Franklin; another Aretha song (slow)

Larson/Kapran – “I’m So Excited”, “Just the Two of Us” and “It’s Raining Men”

Koncius/Shchepetov – “Rock this Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats

Carhart/Kolosovskyi – “Caribbean Queen” by Billy Ocean; another Billy Ocean song (slow)

Kowar/Schwappach – “Never Tear Us Apart” and “What You Need” by INXS

Junior RD music from Dallas:

Neset/Markelov – “Still Loving You” by Scorpions and “Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett

Peal/Peal – “What Have You Done For me Lately” and “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson

Hauer/Starr – “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner

Lavrova/Rogers – Michael Jackson song; “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Mullen/Mullen – “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” by Wham and “Father Figure” by George Michael

Pedersen/Chen – “Kind of Magic” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Calhoun/Veselukhin – “Billie Jean,” “The Way You Make You Feel,” and “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Ilin/Cain – “Neutron Dance,” “I Need You” and “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters

Renzi/Lissauer – “Holding out for a Hero”, “Almost Paradise” and “Footloose”

Cui/Eckert – “I Want to Break Free” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Stapert/Korotcov – “Straight Up” and “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul

Epps/Gilman – “Modern Love,” “Let’s Dance” and “Dancing in the Streets” by David Bowie

Cialella/Goldshteyn – “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats and “Der Telefon Anruf” by Kraftwerk

Melillo/Mintz – “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel

Hagan/Hagan – “Ghostbusters”

Thank you so much！

 

[Frau Muller]

In case you can't access Kiss & Cry

Senior RD music information from Dallas (courtesy of my sister):

Wolfkostin/Tsarevski – “The Promise” by When In Rome and “Call Me” by Blondie

Flores/Desyatov – “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “When Doves Cry”

Ling/Wein – “Hold on I’m Coming” by Aretha Franklin; another Aretha song (slow)

Larson/Kapran – “I’m So Excited”, “Just the Two of Us” and “It’s Raining Men”

Koncius/Shchepetov – “Rock this Town” and “Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats

Carhart/Kolosovskyi – “Caribbean Queen” by Billy Ocean; another Billy Ocean song (slow)

Kowar/Schwappach – “Never Tear Us Apart” and “What You Need” by INXS

Junior RD music from Dallas:

Neset/Markelov – “Still Loving You” by Scorpions and “Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett

Peal/Peal – “What Have You Done For me Lately” and “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson

Hauer/Starr – “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner

Lavrova/Rogers – Michael Jackson song; “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Mullen/Mullen – “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” by Wham and “Father Figure” by George Michael

Pedersen/Chen – “Kind of Magic” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Calhoun/Veselukhin – “Billie Jean,” “The Way You Make You Feel,” and “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Ilin/Cain – “Neutron Dance,” “I Need You” and “I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters

Renzi/Lissauer – “Holding out for a Hero”, “Almost Paradise” and “Footloose”

Cui/Eckert – “I Want to Break Free” and “Under Pressure” by Queen

Stapert/Korotcov – “Straight Up” and “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul

Epps/Gilman – “Modern Love,” “Let’s Dance” and “Dancing in the Streets” by David Bowie

Cialella/Goldshteyn – “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats and “Der Telefon Anruf” by Kraftwerk

Melillo/Mintz – “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel

Hagan/Hagan – “Ghostbusters”


My sister and I were children of the 80's who listened to the radio in our room every day after school, so she thought she'd be able to identify every song, but there were three that evaded her. She was cocky and didn't have her phone out ready to Shazam them.

Thank you! A lot of these songs are quite nice. Gee, even I know them…unlike a lot of the early predictions by FSUers when the 80s theme was announced. Now I’m longing for Lake Placid; oh, May it be streamed!

 

[SidelineSkater]

Thank you! A lot of these songs are quite nice. Gee, even I know them…unlike a lot of the early predictions by FSUers when the 80s theme was announced. Now I’m longing for Lake Placid; oh, May it be streamed!

Which is it Frau? You do or don't know these songs? Because that short list includes many artists that you claimed not to know back in the RD thread - https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2023-2024-rhythm-dance.110442/page-17

Most of the JR teams include songs from Michael Jackson, Janet, Queen, etc. - which are very common and have been used before.

Plus it's very early. Will be interesting to see the RD choices from some of the more top SR teams.

 

[Karen-W]

WASA Ice Dance's IG has a pic each of their teams who competed at Dallas Classic.

Neset/Markelov - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu2J_-xLZdD/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Not sure who this team is - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu2JbQyLz_r/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

ETA - the Flores/Desyatov pic is in the Sr RD gallery at figureskatersonline.com already linked.

 

[Sylvia]

Not sure who this team is - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu2JbQyLz_r/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Jane Calhoun (I remember seeing her in singles years ago) and Daniil Veselukhin (Wednesday Addams-themed FD): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu0P6URLvnB/

ETA: I think he was previously partnered with Daria Fefelova in Russia.

 

[Frau Muller]

Which is it Frau? …

I’m So Excited!

 

[her grace]

Right now, it feels like Neset/Markelov are the only ones who have demonstrated they're deserving of 2, though I could make a reasonable argument for the Peals based on their very strong RD score.

Like last season, I'd bet on most of these teams' 2nd assignment is going to be contingent upon how they score and placements at their initial JGPs.

I hope that is how it is done as well.

I'm not sure, though, that we should use last season's benchmark as a measuring stick for this season. Clearly, there are 7 teams that we know have a scoring potential about 9 points higher and we'll see how Bland/Sperry score. We were in a big re-building phase last year with junior dance and a lot of those teams are going on their 2nd or 3rd junior season now and much more competitive for any podium.

I put last season's score simply as a reference point. It does look more competitive this season, which is a good thing. In terms of building toward the future, Horovyi, Chen, Rogers, and Sperry all age out after this season; It might be worth sending some younger teams so they can begin gaining experience. Of course, if the older teams medal in their first event, send them on to a second.

 

[Karen-W]

I hope that is how it is done as well.


I put last season's score simply as a reference point. It does look more competitive this season, which is a good thing. In terms of building toward the future, Horovyi, Chen, Rogers, and Sperry all age out after this season; It might be worth sending some younger teams so they can begin gaining experience. Of course, if the older teams medal in their first event, send them on to a second.

The problem is going to come if all 8 of these teams medal at their first event. Then it might come down to silver vs bronze or highest score.

 

[her grace]

The problem is going to come if all 8 of these teams medal at their first event. Then it might come down to silver vs bronze or highest score.

Wouldn't that be something? But there's some great international talent out there from Canada, France, Germany, Cyprus, Ukraine, and Israel--it's going to be fun to watch.

 

[Dobre]

The JGP itself is likely to be quite open. First, with no Russian teams, and now with so many of the previously established teams aging/moving up. There are likely to be quite a number of new/unpredictable teams making podiums this season, whether they be from the U.S., France, Canada, or wherever.

It's quite impossible right now, I think, to know who might be able to contend for medals.

I mean, the team that just finished 5th 6th in the FD at the Dallas Open is the 3rd highest returning team from Junior Worlds. Things are just very unpredictable in juniors at the moment. Let's see how Lake Placid plays out.

I love Ilin & Cain and Epps & Gilman, but they are both very young. If they don't earn a debut experience this season, they'll have every opportunity to earn one next.

 

[ice coverage]

... I mean, the team that just finished 5th in the FD at the Dallas Open is the 3rd highest returning team from Junior Worlds. Things are just very unpredictable in juniors at the moment. Let's see how Lake Placid plays out. ...

I think you are talking about Hauer/Starr?
After being 2nd highest-ranking (yay!) U.S. dancers at Junior Worlds, they placed 6th in Dallas FD -- only underlining your point that things are very unpredictable.
(I'm glad that H/S stayed in top three in Dallas overall.)

Oh! Bland/Sperry are the other team that haven't made their season debut yet. ...

p.s. In response to Karen, I meant to say earlier that Carhart/Horovyi competed RD at Paradise Classic at their home rink in June. But their FD season debut is yet to come.

 

[Dobre]

I knew I should have gone back to look those Dallas Open FD results up!

Yes, Hauer & Starr are the third highest ranked remaining team internationally from Junior Worlds. And they even defeated Fradji & Fourneax in the FD there. The international field itself is quite unpredictable.

 

[ice coverage]

Yes, Hauer & Starr are the third highest ranked remaining team internationally from Junior Worlds. And they even defeated Fradji & Fourneax in the FD there. The international field itself is quite unpredictable.

Oh, now I get it. Sorry that I misunderstood re Junior Worlds.

 

[Karen-W]

I agree with @Dobre about how wide open the field internationally is in juniors after Neset/Markelov and Grimm/Savitskiy.

Canada is, IMO, this year in the same place we were last year with a lot of fairly inexperienced teams and a bunch of new ones who may or may not make a splash.