Worlds 2025 Free Dance: “Last Dance”

[roxannc]

I've never seen such movement in ice dance. I can't say I agree with everything. But seeing the Brits on the podium leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Reminds me of Fusar-Poli/Margaglio in 2001 winning over Anissina/Peizerat. The quality of skating just isn't there. But of course, consistency counts and they definitely have it. The Italians really need to get their act together and present two good programmes next year. It's clear after tonight that the RD makes a huge difference.

Important question: Who choreographed Smart/Dieck's programme? Was it Marie-France?

I've always wondered if Smart has a say in the programmes she skates. Her Zorro programme with Diaz was amazing too.

 

[taz'smum]

You forgot "hard-earned" .

Yep, having to learn the answers to 200 questions on French culture and history for the citizenship interview was

 

[just tuned in]

People will have to chack the first men to see this press conference.

Chris and KMT saying it is chaos outside the arena as they have to clear it and then let everyone back in.

 

[skatingcheckers]

I marched out of the event 15 minutes later using Charlene as my inspiration. Ready to leave this season of dance in the dumpster.

 

[skatingguy]

@tony I'm always interested in your thoughts on the judging, and the sport in general. It's too bad you don't have a platform, like YouTube for example https://www.youtube.com/@TonyWheeler/videos, where you could express these things. Particularly as their seems to be an opening on that platform for a figure skating content creator.

 

[skatingcheckers]

Totally agree. Sorta disgusted with the results.

 

[skateycat]

The whole Skateycat family would like to go on record as saying that this new leader chair thing is cruel to the skaters.

 

[Reuven]

After watching Car/Pon, had to pull up
Klimova/Ponomorenko “Masquerade Waltz” just for old times sake.

 

[tangerine dream]

The whole Skateycat family would like to go on record as saying that this new leader chair thing is cruel to the skaters.

Yes, I was happy to see it backfire on the ISU in ladies when Kaori embraced Alysa and celebrated with her instead of sulking about being beaten.

 

[tony]

@tony I'm always interested in your thoughts on the judging, and the sport in general. It's too bad you don't have a platform, like YouTube for example https://www.youtube.com/@TonyWheeler/videos, where you express these things. Particularly as their seems to be an opening on that platform for a figure skating content creator.

Working on something, maybe. My life is pretty busy trying to climb my professional ladder so we will see.

 

[millyskate]

People will have to chack the first men to see this press conference.

Chris and KMT saying it is chaos outside the arena as they have to clear it and then let everyone back in.

I have very fond memories from the wonderful skating in Boston 2016, but my word that rink is badly designed and the organisation was lacking. I felt soooo claustrophobic stuck in the rink as it took up to an hour to exit, not to mention the single lift shared between all press who were stuck in the top of the building and wheelchair users. Going to the press room to empty memory cards carting equipment was an epic nightmare.

 

[skatingcheckers]

Totally agree.

 

[ginsengtea]

They're up for best choreo and it's Haguenauer that is nominated for it. MFD must have done the rd

Yeah, and Sam Chouinard choreographed the ChSt in the FD (the section that uses ‘The Feeling Begins’) if I remember correctly.

 

[LilJen]

Chock & Bates break their tie with Davis & White for solo possession of the record for most World titles for a US dance team (weird to remember that Meryl & Charlie only won twice).

Gilles & Poirier now have solo possession of the record for third-most World medals for a Canadian dance team, whether ranked by number (4) or colour of medal (2 silver, 2 bronze).

Davis and White only have two because they got on with their lives. . . Geez. Charlie and Evan were housemates at UM.

The whole Skateycat family would like to go on record as saying that this new leader chair thing is cruel to the skaters.

Yeah, what happened to the trio of people in the 1-2-3 position? Very lonely with just ONE person there! I guess Adam was consoled by the lobster, though. (Sorry, men's event.)

 

[skatingguy]

The whole Skateycat family would like to go on record as saying that this new leader chair thing is cruel to the skaters.

I thought it was great. The leader(s) had a front row seat to watch the skating, and congratulate/console the skater when they got off the ice.

Yes, I was happy to see it backfire on the ISU in ladies when Kaori embraced Alysa and celebrated with her instead of sulking about being beaten.

What are you talking about? That was an amazing moment that is all over social media - it was a moment that doesn't happen if Sakamoto isn't sitting right there.

 

[Jammers]

Chock & Bates break their tie with Davis & White for solo possession of the record for most World titles for a US dance team (weird to remember that Meryl & Charlie only won twice).

Gilles & Poirier now have solo possession of the record for third-most World medals for a Canadian dance team, whether ranked by number (4) or colour of medal (2 silver, 2 bronze).

D?W retired at 27/26 imagine how many more titles they had left in them if they stuck around but they didn't need too. C/B have just stuck around long enough that all of the teams they couldn't beat retired. Also D/W faced V/M at Worlds otherwise they would have had 4 titles C/B haven't faced a team as good as V/M the last 3 years.

 

[cholla]

I've always wondered if Smart has a say in the programmes she skates. Her Zorro programme with Diaz was amazing too.

Yes she has. She was the one who came up with the Dune idea after she went to see the movie. She talked about it today in the Mixed Zone after their FD.

 

[Hanna]

@Hanna will be pleased when she sees the Finns have got their two spots. I hope this will bode well for Yuka's citizenship chances.

I cared more about what happened with the Finns placement wise than anything else outside the final group so I'm quite happy right now too.

Thanks We had a watch party at the @Finnice house with the usual suspects and it was a freaking nervous bunch of people but PHEW. Amazing rise in the standings for T/V, that program is absolutely magnificent. And Pirihara will never not make me (and a lot of other people I guess ) smile with their crazy energy and positivity whether it's on or off the ice.

Piper and Paul amazing That ending with the sheer back outside edges into the ending pose is nothing sort of exquisite.

The Brits managing to medal with such an obvious mistake in the curve lift feels a little... questionable but then again it was a tight pack for the bronze and of course both programs count. And not sure who would've deserved it more. Now dump that boring program and bring on Spice Girls next year.

Carreira/Ponomarenko had a fantastic free, highly enjoyed Carmen! And the Dune program is amazing BUT I think it's a program that's made for tv more than live. Or at least it's definitely meant to be seen from the judges' side (saw it from the short side in Tallinn and was notably less impressed than when seeing it on tv). On screen the intensity is wonderful!

French dumpage, both teams

Seriously that crowd is so fantastic! I feel like everyone there is just feeding off of each other's energy and the hype gets to another level. Amazing!

Congrats to the medalists and everyone else for some fabulous skating!

 

[leilaofpaper]

one of my friends is a newbie fan of skating so I got her to watch the top five teams (both RD and FD) and then rank them, and guess who won. she correctly guessed that Chock and Bates won but I think some people in FSU would alternatively like and hate her overall ranking of the top five:

1. Carreira/Ponomarenko
2. Gilles/Poirier
3. Fear/Gibson
4. Chock/Bates
5. Guignard/Fabbri.

she hated both of the Italians programs, and loved Carmen as well as the RDs from G/P and F/G. I was a little surprised at how much she loved CarPom, I haven’t shown her them before (I’m more of a LaLa uber myself)

 

[Rukia]

one of my friends is a newbie fan of skating so I got her to watch the top five teams (both RD and FD) and then rank them, and guess who won. she correctly guessed that Chock and Bates won but I think some people in FSU would alternatively like and hate her overall ranking of the top five:

1. Carreira/Ponomarenko
2. Gilles/Poirier
3. Fear/Gibson
4. Chock/Bates
5. Guignard/Fabbri.

she hated both of the Italians programs, and loved Carmen as well as the RDs from G/P and F/G. I was a little surprised at how much she loved CarPom, I haven’t shown her them before (I’m more of a LaLa uber myself)

tell your friend welcome to the cult cpommie club

 

[Wyliefan]

I was a little surprised at how much she loved CarPom,

I'm not.

 

[skategal]

I thought Car/Pom should have had bronze at these worlds and LaLa should have had bronze at Montreal Worlds.

Both teams are being held back by the presence of their elder countrymen.

 

[Spikefan]

Both teams are being held back by the presence of their elder countrymen.

This is where I am at. Teams can retire when they want but in dance it’s so hard to see movement. Well sponsored or wealthy teams can continue on for twenty years but that’s not possible for most. By the time someone starts winning, I am over them.

Teams 5-13 is who I want to see fighting for gold but in 8 years I will be over all of them too.

 

[peibeck]

Except there WAS movement at this Worlds. I don't think most people would have guessed the final standings of the top ten outside the top two. Disco Brits getting bronze wasn't a stretch, but certainly far from a given. I wouldn't have pegged Smart/Dieck for 3rd in the free, even with their beloved "Dune" dance, or LaLa outside the top 6.

 

[BaileyCatts]

Charlene just told Marco she’s not waiting to congratulate Fear/Gibson and angrily marched out.

Sssooooo does anyone who was in the arena got this on video?

 

[Aussie Willy]

I had a busy weekend doing markets, but on Sunday afternoon I sat down and watched all the FD. Here are my random thoughts.

Overall I enjoyed the whole FD and appreciate the excellent skating from most of the teams. To state the obvious the top teams do what you expect and they all deserve to be where they are. Are they my favourite programs? Not really but the skating skills and expression is amazing.

I was very proud of Holly and Jason. I saw their program here are Aust Nationals back in December and it was beautiful. And they performed so well here. Greatly improved. And this program brings out those qualities from all those years ago when I judged Holly as a small girl. The talent was obvious back then and she had a sensitivity to the music that not many young skaters have.

Smart/Dieck I think had the standout program. Mesmorising, hits all the nuances of the music and creates mood and atmosphere. All very intense, particularly that build up into the straightline lift. Plus I think they have the best costumes.

My absolute favourite of the event were the Finnish team Orihara/Pirinen doing A Chorus Line. Whilst it was pretty much based on the musical, this program was a standout for capturing it perfectly. Those assisted jumps were a great demonstrating of using the element as required perfectly with the music. And they freaking nailed the iconic One with the build up and getting the chorey spot on (noticed they got 4's and a 5 from the judges - so they should). What a moment. If I was showing skaters about character, performance level and using the music this is it. They were fabulous.

Also another thing to add about that program. I always say a coach or choreographer can give a skater any choreography. But it is up to the skater to bring it out. If the skater cannot bring it out, then it will fail. The success of that program was because of the skaters and what they did and how they did it.

My other favourites were:
Lim/Quan - She has fantastic expression and personality. He compliments her very well. Enjoyed the Cruella program very much.
Demougeot/Mercier - I just really like this team. Interesting and creative.
Parson/Green - they created a beautiful mood and drew you in
Carreri/Ponamarenko - yeah I liked it. Fabulous energy and hit the music. I brought what they were selling.

My only bah and meh program is the Germans. Sorry they are the Nowak/Kolasinski of this generation. I have not forgiven them for the abomination of a RD where they skated to Midnight Oil but they still don't do anything for me. Oh and I also can pass by Davis/Smolkin. Again meh.

 

[ross_hy]

After watching it again on replay (before Peacock takes it down ), Smart & Dieck's whole free dance concept is genius. They have their work cut out for them topping it next season. Making her the star of the program (and the team) was absolutely the way to go - you can't take your eyes off of her. Madison Chock did brilliant work on the costumes as well. That sequence into the choreo lift is such a highlight.

Also really enjoying Orihara/Pirinen (they created the kind of program people want to see regardless of placement - entertaining with creating big moments with elements. Hitting the twizzles on the big hit of the music and the choreo sequence at the end), Bekker/Hernandez, Green/Parsons, and Carreira/Ponomarenko on repeat.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

And yeah the movie’s weak, but it’s all most of us have.

I have good news! You can find multiple full productions of A Chorus Line on youtube with a simple search.

GreenP's music. It's about the march of Holocaust victims to the gas chambers--all the babies who won't be born, etc. The Nazis played classical music to "calm" the victims on their way.

Their portrayal of this song is very somber, so I don't see any mismatch. That being said, Cohen did describe this as the origin of the song:

"It's curious how songs begin because the origin of the song, every song, has a kind of grain or seed that somebody hands you or the world hands you and that's why the process is so mysterious about writing a song. But that came from just hearing or reading or knowing that in the death camps, beside the crematoria, in certain of the death camps, a string quartet was pressed into performance while this horror was going on, those were the people whose fate was this horror also. And they would be playing classical music while their fellow prisoners were being killed and burnt. So, that music, "Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin," meaning the beauty there of being the consummation of life, the end of this existence and of the passionate element in that consummation. But, it is the same language that we use for surrender to the beloved, so that the song -- it's not important that anybody knows the genesis of it, because if the language comes from that passionate resource, it will be able to embrace all passionate activity."

Based on Cohen's interpretation, he felt it was more universal in meaning. It's often played at weddings, and the official video is of couples of all ages dancing and older couples being shown with pictures of them when they were young, so I don't think he objected to its use in that way.

Hope the top group gets a tad more innovative next season.

I bet they'll get more conservative.

 

[skatfan]

I bet they'll get more conservative.

I think the top couples will return to their home styles, which actually will make them more innovative in some respects. Wouldn’t it be great to see the Canadians do one of their great storytelling programs and Chock and Bates do an amazing character program and Fear and Gibson fully dance it out.?