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

[tony]

All of the 'this is exactly what is happening in ice dance' theories that show up here make me (except when it comes to Hawayek/Baker finishing behind teams like Smart/Diaz because that was criminal ).

L/L were just barely behind FB/S last year and they probably would've slotted in 6th at Worlds. Finishing ahead of Green/Parsons was not a surprise. At all. Regardless of who else is competing in their own countries and the supposed hierarchies there. The Taschlers are fast improving and made an otherwise unheard of jump from down in the rankings in juniors to top 10 in seniors in just a few seasons (just a few points behind G/P last year, actually). Without the ChSt issue, they would've been ahead here too.

G/P have a new RD that wasn't skated all that well, and their FD, as much as some people want to be all 'this is so introspective and abstract just like 2022!' suffers IMO in a lot of ways. It sounds like it's String Quartet Tribute/Apocalyptica that was so popular in the early 2000s, for starters. It doesn't have much highs and lows, the music stays basically the same the whole time, and the elements aren't choreographed in a way that makes them stand out a whole lot. Does that have a psychological effect on the GOE for the elements? Probably. The intricacy going into and out of the elements isn't always up to par especially in comparison to L/L and even the Taschlers. There isn't the speed and depth of edges as most other teams, either. That also plays with both GOE's and the overall composition of the programs.

I love, love, love Tanith as the very quantitive analyst she always was, but I think she and Charlie need a lot more work as far as leading an entire dance camp and properly accessorizing their dancers with the strongest team to maximize points. Their programs need major work-- look how the FD got a very polite/tepid applause in the United States. It fizzles out at the end and I don't feel any of it is really matching the music like it should.

 

[peibeck]

Lajoie/Lagha are the 3rd ranked Canadian team, and outscored them by nearly 12 points, so obviously it's about more than just national ranking.

Yep, they are the third ranked team and they didn't skate as well as the other teams. Their early season hasn't been great. Their results in TX shouldn't be particularly shocking.

(And, if anyone isn't familiar, I love making fun, flippant observations. Sigh... ice dance . )

 

[Rukia]

L/L outscored them because they skated better like idk it's not that hard sometimes. I think they could have been maybe 1-3 points closer, but that's it.

 

[Tesla]

G/P have a new RD that wasn't skated all that well, and their FD, as much as some people want to be all 'this is so introspective and abstract just like 2022!' suffers IMO in a lot of ways. It sounds like it's String Quartet Tribute/Apocalyptica that was so popular in the early 2000s, for starters. It doesn't have much highs and lows, the music stays basically the same the whole time, and the elements aren't choreographed in a way that makes them stand out a whole lot. Does that have a psychological effect on the GOE for the elements? Probably. The intricacy going into and out of the elements isn't always up to par especially in comparison to L/L and even the Taschlers. There isn't the speed and depth of edges as most other teams, either. That also plays with both GOE's and the overall composition of the programs.

I love, love, love Tanith as the very quantitive analyst she always was, but I think she and Charlie need a lot more work as far as leading an entire dance camp and properly accessorizing their dancers with the strongest team to maximize points. Their programs need major work-- look how the FD got a very polite/tepid applause in the United States. It fizzles out at the end and I don't feel any of it is really matching the music like it should.

I disagree. I think with more mileage, the free program could be phenomenal. I think the choreography hits the beats pretty well, and I like that the music is different. I'm watching the replay and didn't think the audience response was tepid.

 

[Karen-W]

I disagree. I think with more mileage, the free program could be phenomenal. I think the choreography hits the beats pretty well, and I like that the music is different. I'm watching the replay and didn't think the audience response was tepid.

The audience response was DEFINITELY tepid per the folks in the arena during the live PBP.

 

[Spikefan]

I was there and it was tepid and the audience seemed disappointed that the Taschlers dropped below them (or maybe that was just me ). This is coming from someone that really likes Green/Parsons and wants them to do well. I haven’t watched on TV yet, so maybe I will like it better than I did live. However, the judges are watching live.

 

[Rukia]

I agree with people being disappointed that the Taschlers dropped. Their program was just faster and more dynamic. I like G/P's fd except I do agree with Tony that it needs more tonal variation. The music is very same same the entire time. Part of the great part of their previous fd in this style was just how incredible the music was and the variations in it. This fd is lacking there.

 

[Sylvia]

Fan Zone article on Oona & Gage, published on Oct. 23 before they compete in their 2nd consecutive GP in Vancouver this week:

Browns Hope to Move the Audience in Second Senior Season - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

2022 World Junior Champions Oona Brown and Gage Brown have their debut senior season locked away, and as they head into their second year competing in the ISU Grand

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

The audience and judges can expect that entertaining show style skating in the Browns' 2023-24 season programs. Skating to "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen and Sergei Rachmaninoff for the free dance, the team's program will be an emotionally moving, powerful performance.
"Some people have said, 'How can it be all by yourself when it's two people?'" Gage Brown said. "But for us, we portray that song differently because we're talking about the two of us away from our family or the two of us by ourselves on the ice."
Meanwhile, the Browns' rhythm dance will have a completely opposite vibe, as the team chose high energy Elton John songs, particularly one they've been hoping to skate to for a while: "I'm Still Standing."
"We were very excited when we heard the theme this year was the 80s, because we both listen to older music a lot," Oona Brown said.
"We want people to be bouncing in their seats and dancing with us," Gage Brown added. "We want people to feel it … to clap along."

The Browns have shared some SkAm photos, including this fun one wearing their gifted cowboy hats : https://www.instagram.com/p/CyyhDMpLCqD/?img_index=4

 

[VGThuy]

I look forward to seeing how Green/Parsons develop. It’s a long season.

I do think Michael Parsons doesn’t seem to be in the peak condition we usually see.

They did get the levels though as they received a level 4 on the pattern step. They could obviously get better levels but they were on par with the top teams overall. They need to work on getting those programs down to look competitive in terms of execution.

 

[layman]

I agree with people being disappointed that the Taschlers dropped. Their program was just faster and more dynamic. I like G/P's fd except I do agree with Tony that it needs more tonal variation. The music is very same same the entire time. Part of the great part of their previous fd in this style was just how incredible the music was and the variations in it. This fd is lacking there.

I like the Taschlers too but their programs (both of them) were full of smoke breaks (places where they come to a dead stop and just pose). The smoke breaks interrupted the flow of their programs.

Green/Parsons had continuous flow (and no smoke breaks), so I could see the judges placing them above the Taschlers.

 

[Rukia]

I feel like we watched different programs but ok

 

[Wyliefan]

I feel like we watched different programs but ok

Yes, I'm starting to feel like everyone watched a different G/P program.

 

[sap5]

I agree with people being disappointed that the Taschlers dropped. Their program was just faster and more dynamic. I like G/P's fd except I do agree with Tony that it needs more tonal variation. The music is very same same the entire time. Part of the great part of their previous fd in this style was just how incredible the music was and the variations in it. This fd is lacking there.

I think the music is great, but it's the kind of music that works best if the skaters can use it to tell a story together. It's not the kind of music that works for an abstract piece where the skaters are just doing interesting shapes. For me that's the issue here. This isn't the right type of choreography for this type of music.

 

[sk9tingfan]

lol I actually was at skam though if that helps any

I feel like we watched different programs but ok

You were in the arena, so a lot of the emotion etc. will only come across there. IMO, G&P can be far more subtle in terms of how they come across. If you think about their 2021-2022 FD, I was absolutely blown away by it when I saw it in its infancy in Norwood, MA. I'm not sure if those who never saw it live would pick up on its nuances.

 

[aml78]

Hawayek and Baker have withdrawn from both grand prixs now. I’m so sad for them.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Hawayek and Baker have withdrawn from both grand prixs now. I’m so sad for them.

Oh dang it I'm starting to get more concerned about them!

 

[Debbie S]

Kaitlin sounded pretty upbeat about the coming season in that podcast interview a few weeks ago. This could just be a temporary setback/injury that may resolve by Nats.

 

[happycamper2554]

How are they going to get to nationals? Do they have a bye for being selected to worlds last year? Because they’ve missed NQS and now won’t have enough assignments to get a bye that way.

 

[Sylvia]

How are they going to get to nationals? Do they have a bye for being selected to worlds last year?

@Karen-W posted about Hawayek/Baker's likely bye due to that reason in this thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ls-dates-locations.110571/page-2#post-6473356

 

[Trillian]

Kaitlin sounded pretty upbeat about the coming season in that podcast interview a few weeks ago. This could just be a temporary setback/injury that may resolve by Nats.

I’m holding out the same hope for the same reason. There’s nothing I’ve looked forward to more this season than seeing their new programs. They absolutely need to do whatever they can do to take care of themselves, but I hope they know how much people are rooting for them.

 

[Spikefan]

I would hate to think their last competition ever was last year’s Skate America and that vile woman’s comments. I am worried about repeated injuries so if nothing else I hope they can be healthy enough to compete at Nationals (Worlds if top 3 at Nats) and if it is the end they can go out on a high.

(And if that vile woman is in Columbus/Montreal keep her far away from the skaters, point her out to everyone.)

 

[Debbie S]

I would hate to think their last competition ever was last year’s Skate America and that vile woman’s comments. I am worried about repeated injuries so if nothing else I hope they can be healthy enough to compete at Nationals (Worlds if top 3 at Nats) and if it is the end they can go out on a high.

Their most recent comp was last season's GPF. And they skated well there...yes, they finished 6th but realistically they probably couldn't expect more.

(And if that vile woman is in Columbus/Montreal keep her far away from the skaters, point her out to everyone.)

She was apparently in Allen.

 

[Evgeniafan]

I would hate to think their last competition ever was last year’s Skate America and that vile woman’s comments. I am worried about repeated injuries so if nothing else I hope they can be healthy enough to compete at Nationals (Worlds if top 3 at Nats) and if it is the end they can go out on a high.

(And if that vile woman is in Columbus/Montreal keep her far away from the skaters, point her out to everyone.)

Tell everybody who she is. That woman is vile.

 

[Spikefan]

Their most recent comp was last season's GPF.

Thanks, don’t know why I was thinking it was after that SkAm they withdrew. I clearly have a poor memory.

She was apparently in Allen

Yes, I know who she is now. They must not be able to ban her.

 

[Evgeniafan]

Their most recent comp was last season's GPF. And they skated well there...yes, they finished 6th but realistically they probably couldn't expect more.


She was apparently in Allen.

She should be booed. She is a terrible human being. She should be banned from all competitions. And if she ever goes to Cranberry Cup, let me know what she looks like, I will say something to her.

 

[happycamper2554]

Per KH instagram. JLB is recovering from a concussion and they have every intention of returning.

Kaitlin Hawayek, OLY on Instagram: "Hi everyone, as you might have seen today we announced our withdrawal from the Grand Prix series which was certainly not an easy decision. With transparency, this year has been full of ups and downs for us as a tea

6,058 likes, 332 comments - kait_hawayek on October 25, 2023: "Hi everyone, as you might have seen today we announced our withdrawal from the Grand Prix series which was certainly not an easy decision. With transparency, this year has been full of ups and downs for us as a team. We recently took...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Copying out their joint post below for those who can’t view it: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy1Ig4RObs8/

Hi everyone, as you might have seen today we announced our withdrawal from the Grand Prix series which was certainly not an easy decision. With transparency, this year has been full of ups and downs for us as a team. We recently took a fall that resulted in a concussion for Jean-Luc. While the recovery is going well, if we have learned anything over the course of our career, it is that concussions are not an injury to rush the process of returning from.

For that reason we are postponing our return to competition to foster the best recovery possible. Our passion to compete is still very much present, we have just had to be more patient than expected this past year. We have our sights set on returning to compete at the National championships where we can come into the event with the best physical and mental health possible.

As always, we continue to feel everyone’s support and that means so much to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Kaitlin and Jean-Luc

 

[Wyliefan]

Cripes -- matching concussions! Those two can never seem to catch a break.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Tell everybody who she is. That woman is vile.

are you are talking about the screaming woman?

 

[Sylvia]

are you are talking about the screaming woman?

No - read this from last year's thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...2-23-news-updates.109795/page-15#post-6338159