Skate Canada Free Dance Review

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are so delicious, I can eat them in a heartbeat. This program is absolutely wonderful. I wasn't sure about those whitey white outfits at the beginning (reminds Mahler) but with red dress, Tessa is stunning, her movements are noticable and shows every detail. They are progressing everyday. I'm so much more satisfied that Finlandia. It's only been 3 weeks but they are improving! Lifts are much better executed, linking footwork is becoming clear. There is not much to say, I've written my thoughts about the program overall and this couple executed it impeccible. I didn't get bored. So that's a good thing. Tessa lost her strenght a bit at the end, she suffers from her exertional compartment syndrome and I hope that she is feeling fine because the last thing they need is for her pain to increase and to have a surgery right in the middle of the season when they've worked so hard for it. They have some original
movements suits the music and they are performing it elegantly. They came a little bit close during the synchronized twizzles but Scott handled it quickly. Their curve lift (first lift) becomes more impeccible everyday. It is a risky and edgy lift, amazing and  artistically not quite fulfilling the judges needs but its a modern approach to "funny face". They only need to turn up the volume a bit. Coming to Andrew and Kaitlyn, they are dancing to my favorite song of Lara Fabian. Their scattered, melancholic and heart broken appearance really fits and suits the song perfectly and loved their styling. They've started clean.. Their first serpentine footwork sequence was executed well. Their passionate moves like Kaitlyn scrolling down from Andrew's shoulder to his leg is a high end look and representes their style perfectly. There are variety of their signature looks, Kaitlyn very close to ice, Andrew always bending either and sliding in their lifts and movements. So clever and resembles to Bourne and Kraatz. I used to love their signature sliding movements now Weaver and Poje following their footsteps, is just enchanting. Their second section of their turn is remarkable. You can see the way Shae-Lynn used to work her extremities in Kaitlyn. All of their lifts were thriving especially their first rotational lift, an altered version of one of their signature lifts, they changed it a
little bit and it gives a swanky feel to it. Their curve lift was impeccable but there was a missed mark on their second footwork sequence. Kaitlyn did an extra turn on the first part of the twizzles but they have found their harmony immediately. Their straight line lift really needs a different closure to it. There should be a rotational part and should be converted to (SiLi4 + Roli4). It would be tremendous and enourmous to end that lift. It feels like something is missing this way. They don't get to give you the powerful, strong vibe to it. Hope they edit it. But Cappelini and Lanotte has highest scores in the FD. Overall Weaver/Poje got the 2th place but to me, they have equal skatig skills and they both executed strong performances. Cappellini and Lanotte need to connect those transitions between the lifts and the following movements and this program will be phenomenon! Loved their poitive vibe and smiley faces. Their opening motions were elegan, their twizzles were gorgeous. They were flowy and their fluidity was over the top. These guys skating skills inarguably one of the best and it shows in every way! They really gave the feeling of the strada in the footwork sequence gently and polished.

Their curve lift is one of the best lifts we see in this season and as they progress it will be much more beautiful. Anna needs to be much more relaxed especially in the second sequence because this program requires it badly. Their second lift was gorgeous I wish it could've been a bit longer, with just one extra turn maybe.. Music also requires and begs for a showy straight line lift!They need to step up in the game and turn the volume up. Almost every team is creating difficult, strong and over the top straight line lifts. They have the skills, if they can change it and make it something mesmerising while she is standing up on one foot on his leg, this program will reign. Trust me they are silent killers this season. To me their ending movements and posture is artistically one of the best in the ice dancing history! Last but not least my sentimental favorites this year Madison Chock and Evan Bates did a fantastic job in the FD. What a passion and romance. Undeniable chemistry. They are attracted to each other that is so obvious I mean look at this photo;

Skate Canada Short Dance Review

Starting another GP with falls. Madison Chock and Evan Bates fell so bad on ice it is unbelievable how they didn't get injured. That fall costed them 2.00 points of deductions and they finished SD round in 6th place. Their twizzles were a mess. There was no harmony at all and they couldn't put it together till the pattern sequence.They were insecure and movements were intermittent. Then they accomplished the straight line lift perfectly. That lift is edgy and Madison shows velocity in those poses. They have great chemistry and I believe a romance. It shows. They were very dynamic on the pattern sequences and didn't ranked as higher as they've deserved. Even though they fell, I don't agree on that particular -3 point of a judge. If you take a look closely to other points for the element, lowest score is 0. So an -3 is unfair. Ok they fell but they got their deduction they didn't sucked on that linking footwork sequence. Neither Puskash/Guerreiro not Riazanova/Tkachenko were better than Chock and Zuerlein. They are just couples with average skating skills by making excessive movements. And afterwards we finally see a clean program from Capellini/Lanotte. They were not thriving on the first pattern sequence. Some other couples were so much better. But we see fluidity on the twizzles. I always adore their stage presence and elegance. Their samba part is energic and they rocked it. So much fun and charisma in this part of the program. Especially Anna looked like she enjoyed it! I think there were some
part where Weaver and Poje were better and other than that they were equal in terms of skating skills and presentation. Technicality set Weaver and Poje apart. There were some very hard movements in terms of technicality and it showed. I can see clearly that they turned up the volume this time and taken risks. It is unarguable that they prepared well this season. Kaithlyn is a very competitive skater and Andrew is one of the   most talented men on the ice dance. I believe that they will reach the spot they deserve this season. They were impeccible on the pattern sequence in terms of both technicality and presentation. They were so confident and had this cocky attitude I simply loved it. A gorgeous straight line lift, just a Bourne style. It really shows it. I become aware of the fact that Kaitlyn's movements resembles to Bourne. Some of the head turnings and usage of her body is so similar you can tell that she got it from her. This choreography is full of requirements containing a high level of speed and edgy turns. They are great especially with speed but they lacked in good posture, extension of the extremities and rushed every move at the part before twizzles by the way they were great. That leg movement after the first section of the twizzle is adorable. I love this little details. I'ts not always about the big picture
for me. Last but not least the couple of my life. They were simply impeccible. Since I have written my comments about the program components, executed elements and choreography before in my finlandia trophy review I will only tell that they are improving even in the beginning of the season. They have added some new tricky movements that have been needed. They are clever and proactive. They have the advantage of their FD last season that should be used wisely. I'm so glad that they changed the lift. Their rotational lift was a very difficut lift but in terms of presentation I always thought that there was something missing. They almost lost balance because of Tessa's posture but they handled it perfectly. They are true champions. Excited to see the FD's tomorrow.

Skate America Free Dance Review

Here they are! Pechalat and Bourzat in a place where every Ice dancer should be. They are Innovative! Grishuk/Platov, Usova/Zhulin, Navka/Kostomarov, Anissina/Peizerat, have done this in the past. They always came up with something new and they all have taken risks! They never wanted to go safe although they knew that this might have been their end in their careers. It is so important as an ice dancer to be bold and brave. And I'm not seeing this in team Canton anymore. Meryl and Charlie's program (I hate to say this but) no matter how well it was executed, is expected. Them and Virtue/Moir are not that much of reformists as I thought for them to be. I used to think that this two couple would be legendary in terms of taking risks and diversity. But  now they are not standing out of their comfort zones. To execute a program impeccably like Meryl and Charlie did, is nearly impossible! But I'm not seeing anything interesting, astonishing and suprising in this choreography. Even though their dancing always gets me the chills and thrills me. Yes, it has a variety of difficulties in terms of technicallity but you just cannot move foward without taking risks. I'm not saying like a program shouldn't be romantic or classic. It can be.
This music has so much potential to bring out! but instead of using it wisely they have chosen to skate in it with the moves and sequence patterns they are perfect in it and doing for the last 5-6 years. There is nothing I haven't seen from Meryl and Charlie before. They need editing in this program choreographywise to make it work. They have performed it impeccably and thats how they got the points. But there is just nothing new.
Their lifts and twists and turns and twizzles are outstanding but I want to see more. If they edit this program it can turn out to be something phenomenal just like last season they can win the world title again. Pechalat and Bourzat on the other hand were tremendous. They are not flawless skaters but there were edgy lines and very hard twists and turns in this choreography and they have done it gorgeously. Styling was amazing their outfits and makeup was so well done and it was out there and it was obviously aforethought. Some balance loosing moments were there and it cost them points!
They need to focus and work on those weak points. Most innovative lifts of the season mark my word. They have an admirable theme they have executed very well. All of the egyptian movements are used in right places makes it even more thriving. They can accomplish something enchanted in the World Champs if they progress throughout the season. Passing to Hubell and Donohue, I believe they have some moves which are exaggerated and kills some of the moments. Besides that they were fast and attractive. This program needs some editing either and they can really pull this off. Madison urgently needs so loose some weight or in some point she may not look flattering at all. They were sexy and charming. Let's see how they will react to critiszm and if they improve this routine. Tobias and Stagniunias were has a very expected choreography which we have seen so many times in the ice dancing history.
There is nothing intriguing about it. Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill were flawless. I so adored this couple. Their opening was unlike the others and there was harmony and lightness in this Free dance. I can see them coming in a very good spot in a few years. They are theatratical and enjoyable. They were adgy and diversity is a majority of their dance. Their rotational lift was very fast and splendid their stationary lift was very difficult their straight line lift on one foot was flowy and fascinating. They can really progress this throughout the season and be in the top 5. Asher Hiss is a very elegant man. He was born to be an ice dancer. Last but not least Paul and Isham I believe did a fantastic job. I dont think jury gave them the points they deserved. They were enchanting.
Last point; Pechalat and Bourzat's choreography was the best but I see 10.00's on D/W's. Jury wanted them to win and they did it.

Skate America Short Dance Review

Opening the Grand Prix Season with SA and from the firs day of it here goes expected and unexpected. Davis and White are no doubt going to take gold from this challenge, this is inarguable. It was demanding and captivating  SD performance. They always make a way to show it look effortless yet a hard worked program. It is so important to secure the balance within these two. Most of the ice dancers except Virtue and Moir cannot make it show as it. They always make great performances but when they seem exhausting and painful while making a move I believe jury cuts out points. Because that is not how ice dancing should. You need to make a difference there. Team Canton students are always reaching this success.
Davis and white exhibited a clean program today. Some points I want to touch; they were slower than usual in the twizzles. I believe they went with a different kind of enty to it so they couldn't speed up as usual. They had their own entry to twizzles for many years which makes it so easy for them to reach the speed they need and help them provide the best way. I believe they need to change it to old one or they won't gain the highest score in twizzles because Virtue and Moir and Pechalat/Bourzat are both performing it in 3 sections with and extra. As for  the Pechalat and Bourzat what an intriguing program and what a shame to Bourzat's fall. This can't be happening to them again. If they miss it again in the world because of an incident again I may cry. They always give such a tremendous positive energy and vibe to it.
They deserve to be in a good spot. Their quality of skating progresses in every season. They didn't let the fall effect them. Greatest outfits of the 2011 season in SD. Lovely choice of music, not an expected one so I appreciate their originality and

essence as a team.Zhiganshina and Gazsi on the other hand didn't deserve those higher presentation scores from Hubbell and Donohue whom exhibited an impeccible program in terms of speed, intricate moves and correct vibe of Cha Cha. Latin theme just suited the way of their style. They are true showstoppers. Terrific synchronization and so many great edgework on the program. Their only weak point was base values of their executed elements.
It was very low in comparison to the others it caused them not to gain much points from element scores and they got left behind. They need to make urgent changes in their second step sequence to get higher values. Paul and Islam;
what a shame to a great teamwork. Except of their falls they were flowy and sophisticated on the ice. There were no mistakes in anywhere in the program besides the 3 collapses. The quality of their skating is sensational and they look elegant. They have an undeniable chemistry between them. My God what a shame!

Finlandia Trophy Review

For the first time Virtue and Moir performed on a B level ISU competititon. Since their closest competition were Shibutani's, it was unlikely for them to be in any spot less than a gold medal. As for the short dance; I was expecting it to be a "cut" version of the last's years FD but they have renovated the dance which is the most accurate decision to make because perception of "repeating the same program" is not a risk that they can have. I would have been ok with it if they did because it is their luck to be having a  fully prepared latin choreography in their pockets from last season, I believe it is their right. But critics and the jury would may have not think in the same way so they made the right decision and did almost %70 of the program differently. I didn't find it that strong and utilitary as I'expected. I believe that they will repeat themselves this year which is clearly not working for them.
People are expecting so much more innovation and avant-garde actions in terms of ice dancing just like I do. They have set this bar of expectations for us on a level which is so high that it is either going to crash or they should jump so much higher to succeed. Their talent is inarguably unprecedented and its still out there but they need to be very mindful in the upcoming seasons for the 4-5 years ahead of them . If they do, it will be their legend years. SD was impeccably flawless in terms of harmony and fluidity and their pattern dance was one of a kind. I don't think anyone will be as succesful as they are in this pattern side of the dance. But they need to include some crucial movements to this program. As for the FD; I believe it is going to improve and after 5 months it will be impeccable. If someone is critisizing this program then they should look at
Davis and White last season. People we accusing them to be non-passionate and found program ordinary. Look what it become. There can be a set of surprises before you even realize it. This dance has so much potential in it that is undeniable. It has a variety of genres (Jazzy, slow, romantic, swanky) which were cohesive and glamarous. It has energy, it has the flow.

Looking at the Shibutani's, they have great skating skills and very talented but they lack in interpretentation. In their SD there was no energy and they were trying to concentrate on the technical side of the moves constantly. They look too immature which makes it look like they are the Junior champions to me. Chock and Bates; what an impeccable program! They have literally found each other. The greatest thing about this season is newly teamed couples because it means that we get to see another new side (ex: Samuelson and Gilles) either. They were flowy
and edgy. Their lift was fantastic. Change in the music from classical to jazzy and then classical again gives program new kind of aspect I believe Madison was looking so elegant, her moves were coquetry and confident. Have to admit, wasn't expecting this much great work. Still cannot believe how they ranked 3rd by 10 points behind Shibutani's. I'm expecting to see more from Chock and Bates. By the way please check this link out its so funny; http://tastykake.tumblr.com/post/11162090712