Notes on the U.S. Nationals 2012

The king and queen of the twizzles..
Meryl and Charlie are exceptional this season. The way they use music is supreme. Collecting rises and the falls, the usage of every tone of it and turning it into enchanted movements is a gift. Their Free Dance is going to be legendary, I have to admit that I wasn't into it just like last season. But I've noticed once again when I watched the U.S. Nats. this program is not only impeccably executed in terms of technicality but also a way of turning a masterpiece music to vision. I was also pleased the way they edited the SD. The end of it is so much better loved the sliding move. It was their best seasons best performance of this SD. So much choreographed that you cant track the contents of this program its amazing. PS: Loved Meryl's new outfit. Hope she keeps this one

                                                                 Definitely attracted...
After I've seen Chock and Bates in the U.S Nats performing their FD, there was only one thought on my mind "They are definitely attracted to each other, its maybe even love". I't is so obvious. Here is what I see; Madison always giggles in a shy way when he talks and her eyes sparkle when she looks at him. They definitely seem to love being close to each other and take every opportunity while they are performing and they have an amazing chemistry which I'm not even talking about because these are the obvious ones that we have been aware of since the beginning of the GP, there are little details supporting my theory which is him whispering her at the en of the FD. Come on.. offcourse you can talk to your partner but what is so urgent that you cannot even wait the performance to end you just picked the most intimate part (she lies on his knee and he almost kisses her) of it to whisper her something by chance ha? Sure.. I'm dying to know what he said to her because that moment was so adorable and she was pretty happy about it but this is not it. Then when she lets her head down in the end, look at Evan's right hand, you'll see what he does. I'm not going to tell :).

In Love or Not ? - Chock and Bates

Earlier in this season Madison Chock and Evan Bates announced their teaming up. It is only been a couple of months but don't you think that they are a bit too close for a couple who barely even know each other? You may call it a "should be" "they are acting" or "they are friendly" but I doubt. There are couples whom been dancing for years cant seem to get along that well. This is about attraction. They have an undeniable chemistry. They are always performing eye to eye and keeping their faces so close. They do not miss a chance to be closer at each other and they seem to be a bit shy about it either, so cure. I sometimes catch Evan trying a way to touch Madison while waiting for the points. You know figure skating teams always stand by hand to hand or they hug and they are allowed to stay close because they represent a couple who has known each other for a long lime and it is known to be a common act, Evan uses this opportunity so good :) He can't stand away from her and Madison really feels the passion and sometimes she can't stop closing her eyes when she is so close to him. Those are just my observations. I'm leaving the rest to pictures and videos. If they are falling for each other or even attracted to each other we all would want what's best for them don't we?

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.

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

2011-2012 SEASON PRE-REVIEW....................................... VM vs. DW - Music choices- Ending relationships and newly teamed couples-Coach wars!

I'ts another season coming up not more than a month ahead of us.. So looking foward to it because all of the teams especially Virtue / Moir and Davis / White will have a topnotch battle and will push themselves as hard as they can because a lot of talented young couples leaving junior level and becoming part of the senior competitions can be a serious and undeniable thread for them. Remember Virtue / Moir were on the podium in worlds in their second year in seniors so we never now what can occur in the events. It relies on how far they can go and how much they can force themselves to seperate their programmes from another teams. Virtue / Moir's missing the gold last season after becoming Olymic champions could cause them to work harder and go even more extreme with lifts, the area where they are tremendous and unique.Unarguably they launched a brand new era with their lifts in ice dance and since then other teams have been pushing themselves to make thriving lifts and a prominent genre of a lifting style has occured over the last couple of years. It was so diferent early in the 00's where teams were technically making much more easier and fleeting lifts. Mark my word, we will see the greatest lifts of all time this season. 

Apparently this could be the year with most of the ending relationships and re-teaming since the 90's. I can't even track anymore. Hubell's announced end of their relationship and Madison will continue her career with Zachary Donahue and his former parner Piper Gilles teamed up with Paul Poirier. Crone and Poirier ended their relationship this year either and Vannessa is still looking for a partner. Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein's partnership also ended after Zuerlein retired from competition and Chock teamed up with Evan Bates whom also announced his ending relationship with his former partner  Emily Samuelson this year. Emily teamed up with Todd Gilles, Piper Gilles brother. Kerr's also announced their retirement from competitive skating in April 2001. There is still uncertainty between Domnina and Shabalin's partnership. They were planned to compete this season but it seems like Shabalin yet to be fully cured Oksana Domnina is probably searching for a new partner.

Hubell and Donohue will be coached by Krylo team (Anjelica Krylova, Massimo Scali, Elizabet Punsalan and Pasquale Camerlengo) and they will skate FD to "Put a Spell on you" by Nina Simone so it will definitely be a romantic and passionate. One of the programs I'm definitely looking foward to it. Piper Gilles and Poirier will be choreographed by the one and only Christopher Dean so I'm expecting a splendid, unique and post-modern programme just like Crone/Poirier's Elenor Rigby last year. They haven't revealed their choice of music so wonder continues. Music will tell us a lot about their programme. Chock and Bates will be dancing to Chopin's Prelude in E minor coached by Zueva and Shpilband. Belbin and Agosto skated to a collection of Chopin's including prelude in e minor so I'm assuming its one of Shpilband's favorites. This programme will be elegant and sophisticated. 

Samuelson and Todd Gilles will be choreographed by one and only Christopher Dean so I'm pretty excited about this couple either. They haven't revealed choice of their music yet. SD theme will be latin this year obviously because looking at the music choices of most of the teams, they all will be skating to a collection of Rhumba, Samba, ChaCha, Merengue or Bachata.. Virtue and Moir are the luckiest couple here. They will cut their last season's FD and here it is a perfect Latin medley SD performance. That programme didn't get the attention it deserved so it will be nice to see that rotational lift again. Although I have doubts about their choice for FD. Fred Astair - Funny face is a nice song but they could have chosen a better one if they really wanted to dance with a Gershwin song, there are better ones.
I don't think that its suitable for ice dancing but I believe they will exhibit a fascinating FD performance anyway. I would like to see them combining romance and port-modernizm again so much just like in "Greatest gig in the sky" performance that wish for them to skate to songs like Anyway- Genesis, Live with me-Massive Attack so I'm a little dissapointed.
Davis and White's music on the other hand is what a spectacular choice; Nino Rota's La Strada, is a very passionate, dramatic and intence piece of music. I'm sure they will perform another legendary programme this season. Pechalat and Bourzat's moving to U.S to work with Camerlengo/ Krylova so this is definely their year. So many new teams are working with them. Their FD will be an Egyptian. I have never seen an example of it on ice dance before. If you guys have any then please post it. They are working with Kader Belmoktar and Mourad Merzouki particulary on the basic egyptian routines and overall choreography whom Egyptians. I't will be unique and if they can nail this performance could be one of the most popular ones on the ice dance history.
As for the Cappellini / Lanotte  couple whom getting along very well will be dancing to Astor Piazzola's "Oblivion" very classic but good choice.But I'm very sure after seing their Requiem for a dream performance that every character suits Anna well and she is enchanted in more passionate performances. Coming to discovery team of 2010 Ilinykh and Ktsalapov, they have ended their relationship with Zhulin to start working with Morozov and Tarasova, they will be skating to Ave Maria which is a very sensual, religious and profound music. I have this feeling that they are going to be amazing on ice this season artistically as much as good they are technically. Looking at Bobrova and Soloviev, they will be performing with "Faust" I'm hoping adagio but they will probably dance with a collection from every popular part of it. So their kind.My sentimental favorites Weaver and Poje working with Bourne as well as Camerlengo and Krylova will be performing with Je Suis Malade from Lara Fabian, along with the classical choices this season I think this is the best choice among all.

Last but not least, It will great to see Hoffman and Zavozin back this year after her sickness it will be intriguing  how will they perform.
See you in Skate America!