2012 World Figure Skating Championships Short Dance Review

Firs of all I've got to say that this was one hell of a competition. There were disapointments, there were under-scoring, there was a fight and you could feel the intensity from here.

To start with the champions Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, What a temptation between them. I think I haven't seen them this much strong and good for maybe 1,5 year. This SD was fast and flawless. From the beginning till the end you could feel the energy in your marrows. All of the transitions were polished and there was a magnificent intensity during the whole program. I will be analysing in details when I compare them with Davis & White. But overall it was breathtaking.
As for the Meryl Davis & Charlie White, I love this program. I think its amazingly structured and both of them were looking so spontaneous like they were coming from the street and someone invited them over and they were improvising the whole choreography, incredible speed in transitons always blowing my mind and they did their best.

Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat; The words are never enough about how I get excited during this program. That fever that glow that rhapsody that enthusiasm is simply magical. This was their best at performing this program. The beginning of the program was so well done with the speed and turns you could see in the rhumba sequence that they could have been better. Fabian had a little stumble on the second part of the twizzle but they handled it well, then comes the fantastic part, the last 45 seconds, impeccably done.
As for the Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje my sentimental favorites are progressing so well I can't believe it how fast they do it anymore. They are more passionate and don't afraid to look or touch each other, this has taken the program into the next level. Their opening movements had weaving footwork and intricacy. Their speed level was spectacular. They have amazing content, transitions and difficult positioning ( thanks to Bourne) which they accomplished with strenght. In the Rhumba pattern their edges were so deep, very good.
Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov were below their average performance. Transit
ions were not well done and something happened I can't point it out about their speed. Overall it was a great performance. I loved seeing them as the number one Russian couple on ice that's for sure. But I believe Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte should've ranked higher than them. Their SD was sensational. They make me feel the passion and romance. The softness betweet the turns & transitions is immense. Amazing synchronization between the two was hypnotizing. They haven't stumbled even once. Hands down it was their best performance and they deserved to be ranled 5th.
About Shibutani's, I don't know what happened there. They certainly have been under-scored, not much but a bit. In terms of technique they are not behind neither the Italians nor the Russians. While examining their scores it is obvious that rhumba pattern was the main reason behind it and this element was certainly considered as a below the average for the judges, especially the first one. I believe they were not that good on the pattern either.
Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue are so in love. I love how they quickly started a relationship and this reflects their dancing makes it delicious to watch them and how they sink into each other makes all the movements more delightful. This couple is fast and they were certainly fast enough to impress the judges either.
Ekaterina Bobrova & Dimitri Soloviev, with their poor skating skills, unsynchronized movements, Ekaterina Bobrova's hunch backed annoying posture, untight execution of footwork well, it was ok for me them being 9th. A shame on that fall but looking at their scores you can clearly see that it's not all about that fall.
My newbies Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland did the best they could. What a shame her blade slipped out of her hand during the first part of the twizzles but one way or another I enjoy watching this program.

Four Continents Championships 2012 - Short Dance Overview

First of all I really think that no one performed full of their capacity. They were all lacking energy and especially speed. Aso for the Davis and White. They were undeniably the best but still they lacked synchronization in some twisted parts. I really liked Mery's outfit in the nationals and I think this one sucks the light out of the dance. She should not wear it at all. So distracting. But her outfit was not the worst. Tessa's outfit shows all the weight she gained. Its not a bad dress. I don't think we can ever see her testeless but it is a wrong choice for her body. She gained a lot of weighed and it showed most of it. Loved her dark bue one. It was the best represented this program. Se was looking absolutely stunning with it but this time I could not see that "Tessa and Scott light" in this program. They were slow and unsure about some of the movements. Scott is having a hard time trying to lift her up. What a shame for great dancers. Tessa should do domething immetiately. I'm not telling all this to offence but to show reality. We cannot deny this. If they don't pull themselves together, they will continue to fall. We all they are so much better than this. Don't start with the whole she had so many surgeries, bad times defention. She had surgery back in 2009 but they returned like a bomb in 2010. They are loosing it. They are not creative anymore. Don't take this all to Zueva and Shpilband. Look how Meryl and Charlie adding their signature movements and speedy, edgy transitions to their programes.
Weaver and Poje were the only ones with full speed. Although Kaitlyn was really nervous and looked a bit uncomfortable about something Her concentration is so high that nothing can get on her way and she shows it. I feel like their chemisty as a couple is getting better everytime I see them. They are more passionate and don't afraid to look or touch each other, this has taken the program into the next level throughout the season. I believe they have recieved lower scores than they deserved it. So did the Shibutani's. Its ok for me to both of the teams to be rated close but not this low. I may still consider them as teenagers and the fact that they are siblings is a bit disturbing to me in ice dancing but this has not prevented my point of view to be objective. In terms of speed they are better than Weaver and Poje. In terms of twizzles they can even be better than Davis and White in the future! so even thought Weaver and Poje are my sentimental favorites, Shibutani's were much better. I have to admit. But should they really have to dress her upthe same as Tessa's dark blue outfit? I bet she is not wearing it because of this. This is kind of the same dress and I hate these kind of situations. They are both team canton so they should have thought about this. I hate emulation. Everyone has the same hair style as the trend Tessa started; straight flat ponytail from the top of the head.
Tessa is a pioneer of fashion in ice dancing. Tessa and Scott are always the ones followed by the others. Their music is being used by other teams this year. They have started the unique, difficult and high end lifts in ice dancing. They are "high ice dancing" even thought they are not as good as they used to be. Madison Hubbell and Alexandra Paul are one of them.  I was expecting much from Hubbell and Donohue. But they lacked speed and they were missing all the deep edged transitions. I thought that they were going so strong but they dissapointed me big time. Alexandra and Paul were almost in slowmotion. They are perfection in terms of executing technical elements but they were boring. This program feels like its not even latin. It just doesn't gives the vibe.

2012 Canadian Figure Skating Championships Overview

I enjoyed watching this season's Canadian Nats., maybe its because most of my sentimental favorites are from Canada. First of all Scott was looking like interesting with his wierd printed shirt but I'm kind of realizing that they are growing up and they are mature human beings. I dont find their SD was as good as it should be. Because we all have been seen them performing this program with so much energy and this performance lacked enthusiasm. But I certainly find them beautiful and I admire their demeanor. About their FD. I've seen some editing. Especially on the first lift which is a terrible idrea because they were fine with that innovative lift and they were progressing on it so why change now? If they can handle that streight line lift they had in 09' and 10' seasons they certainly can handle this one. They've changed it into this ordinary lift that has nothing exciting about it and as much as I love Tessa and Scott I don't think that they are going to be World champions this season. I appreciate Tessa's interest in Funny Face theme but this program is to be honest...boring. Let's give some credit to Meryl and Charlie, they are a lot better and their program contains variety of transitions and quick changes and edgy movements, Tessa and Scott are just hanging around the ice and this choreography lacks everything M&C has in their program. So I wish that they would just come up
with new ideas instead of rehersing the same moves on and on.. It all comes down to them, this is not about the coaches they can easily look at Meryl and Charlie and say " They have a lot of technical stuff that we don't have" and try to change this program. Ok enough of Tessa and Scott..As for the Weaver and Poje. They blow my mind. Their SD was hands down the best performance I have seen this season. Jusst perfection. No suprise they were so close to Tessa and Scott after the SD. They deserved it. And their FD was absolutely astonishing I love this program but once again I told myself "they really need to edit this last lift" they need to cancel the 3rd lift and combine last two lifts in the end because that straight line lift needs something and that is a rotational lift with makes it a long combination lift. It would be perfect because it just seems awkward. Thak God they have these amazing movements aftarwards in the end that changes the mood but there is still 2 seconds screaming for help.Coming to Gilles and Poirier, as much as I loved their SD, I hated their FD. I thought that is was going to be choreographed by  Christopher Dean but if it is then I'm disappointed. Because it is great till the end of the first minute then off.. its boring.. sorry but I would expect more from him. Maybe it will progress but draft is there and unless it doesn't have lot of editing on it then certainly this program is not taking them anywhere. But
their SD was impeccable yet innovative. I loved Piper's energy and gleam. I didn't know that she was this much talented Im suprised in a good way and they have a great chemistry, nice choice there Paul! Go with it. Loving loving loving their twizzles! very creative and hard to execute. Loving Piper's yellow outfit. I think it is the best outfit this season. But I can't say the same to their FD outfits. They are terribly lame! I understand their funny look with a tough song like Sweet dreams but they don't need to look childish. İf they would look the opposite ( tough) to their actions (sweet and funny) then it would be clicked but I'm not feeling it like this. Coming to Paul and Islam, they executed clean, poished and solid work out there. They were impeccable but they need some action to at least one of their dances because they are dancing with a rhumba part mostly in their SD and performing to a slow music piece in their FD. I'ts just not right. Ralph and Hill deserved to be 4th. I'm not really into this couple although I adore Asher and his posture and stage presence I believe Kharis being a bir over weighted constitutes as an obsticle for them. But they are passionate and enthusistic so.. wish them the best.

Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Review

Bobrova & Soloviev:
I love to bash this couple. Because they deserve it. Ekaterina looked awful in the free dance as much as she looked flawless in short dance. But Bobrova and Soloviev are in nowhere a champions should be. In the SD they were fast and accomplished the pattern sequence very good but the way Ekaterina Bobrova uses her extremities is excessive and the fact that she leans foward literally all the time is disturbing. She lookes like she is hunched. Their FD was full of content, its not a bad free dance but she ruins everything by leaning foward all the time and with her disproportionate posture. It is so hard for her to stop this. They are dancing very apart from each other in linking footwork sequences which is a big flaw to me. They were not even sliding on the ice. Lost too much time writing about them. They didn't even deserve to be in the Finals of the Grand Prix
                                                                  Shibutanis:
They may be less experienced but their skating skills are superb and in terms of technicality it is undeniable that they were better than the Russians. Especially in the FD. The lifts were full of content and they were extremely difficult. But they gave us a solid performance. Shibutani's have amazing skating skills and this time I've seen this FD more polished and smoothed. They are more glowy and it is obvious that they have worket on their artistical side out of it. Their timing was impeccable and they were calm during the performance. But they still  lack something that does not take them in front of Weaver and Poje. They need a couple of years to settle some things down and figure out their style, because they are capable of everything
Weaver & Poje
Just perfection.. There was fire on stage and Kaitlyn really pushed hersef to the end because usualy she is not very strong in the end of their performances and she usualy looses her strength and power but this time she went all the way. It was adorable when she cried. This program has diversity, power, melancholy and drama. I love to see drama on the ice. Totally Bourne style choreography, they used all the lines in it fulfill fully. They were clean in all of the transitions there was not one moment connected intermittent there is no doubt about that. Especially Andrew blew my mind tonight. I can see that he is improving on usage of his extremities and body language. They were absolutely stunning and all of the lifts especially their rotational lift (second) was as fast as they could be. Well done Kaitlyn and Andrew. I'm so prod of you and how fast you have become an amazing ice dancers.
Pechalat & Bourzat
They were fast and edgy on the Short dance. They have deserved to be the 3rd. But I believe that they should've been ranked 4th for the FD. The short dance, first of all it was full of content. This SD has been choreographed and tailored perfecly for the french. It suits them very well and takes you to another place. What a remarkable performance. From their clothes to little detailes fittet in the small bits of the program it is shiny, positive, hopeful and cozy. I love to see them in funny and refreshing programmes as much as I love to see them in the middle of the innovative and post-modern pieces. Egyptian theme is just mesmerizing. They were enchantedly fascinating and their stage posture is tremendous in this program. I don't need to tell you how amazing Fabian looks and how this theme even makes him more gorgeous. He could possibly the most charming and charismatic ice dancer in the ice dancing history. What a shame
 on that twizzles with loss of synchronization. They've opened very strong an made very deep edges, lift could have been better. I have seen them performing this particular lift, which is their signature lift, so much better than this, even in this program but it was ok. Linking footwork was admirable. See, this was one of their weak sides. Till last year they were never good in linking footworks and step sequences because they used to dance so distant but you can see the improvement. I personally hated the way they changed their straight line lift! Why on earth did they do that? I have seen this lift in almost every program they have performed. Straight line lift in this program was unique and innovative. It used to give you the vibe of the oriental side of it. This is a very big mistake. I loved the deep edges and transitions in this program. They are still adding some minor details in usage of extremities in an Egyptian Way. Their timing was impeccable. Overall, it was well done. Virtue/Moir and Davis/White comparison is coming up in the next few days ... I have decided to make this annual because  my comparison review from the last worlds is the most popular by far of my all posts..

NHK Trophy FD Overview

Lets start of this event since we were seeing and being able to write about it for the first time, lets start with Iliynikh and Katsalapov' FD; from leading in SD to becoming 3rd overall.. That was expected. But must have been a disappointment for them. They were good but they lacked energy in this program. This choreography is, in some parts over the top brilliant and in some parts a total disaster. Those twizzles, last intricate part of the turn, beautifully tailored little details in movements were choreographed perfectly but in some parts you feel like somebody else took the program and ruined it! For example; after that twisted and sumptuous last part of the turn music goes into its most glamorous part of it but instead of floating on the ice with rough transitions they are standing just right there slowly moving there arms you feel like saying "what the hell are you doing? Just move for God's sake!" those lifts were old fashioned and there is nothing interesting about it all. Overall, it is a confusing choreography they really need to polish it and turn the volume up! I loved Nikita's acting and the feeling he gives to you but for some reason I felt like Elena was stiff and dull which erases all of the great content done perfectly in a second when you see her face trying to concentrate all the time. If they can really edit this program and make it better artistically it will be enchanted. My
sentimental favorites Weaver and Poje were incredible. From the continuity of the speed to fluency of the transitions this performance was breathtaking. You could feel the energy in every movement. There was a lot of passion and sensuality which is giving the program an amazingly strong artistical side advantage. What a shame on that extended lift, they would have won if they didn't get that deduction! Their timing was incredible which is one of the most important things in this free dance, it has so much content, intricacy and speed in it they should manage time in every move they should be very careful with it. I see thir skating skills improving and this program progressing everytime I see them, it makes me really happy. In my opinion the only editing this choreography needs is to move their last rotational lift to the end and make that last straight line lift a long lift (siLi4+RoLi4). It would be glamorous and base values would remain the same. Shibutani's program is still boring to me, I feel like there are only requied elements but not more. They deserved those points but they were so much better in the SD. They were so happy to find out that they won :) But I believe they still look like juniors
no matter how great their skating skills are they lack something. Couples except the top 3 were in a "not there yet" category so with the withdraw from Paul and Islam there was not so much to talk about. I still keep saying "what was that?" to Ziganshina and Gazsi's FD. Kriengkrairut and Giullietti-Schmitt were nowehere near their SD vibe and energy but their straight line lift is mentionably innovative and difficult. Reed's were looking awesome as always in terms of their outfits and styling. And I couldn't watch Alessandrini and Vaturi's Tosca without thinking Belbin and Agosto. So it is very hard for me.

NHK Trophy SD Overview

Lets recap for every contestant in today's SD. Opening with Kriengkrairut and Giullietti-Schmitt (God, what subnames!) I loved this couples energy. They have a tremendous synchronization. Followed by very high base valued twizzles, I've founded a bit slow but very unique. Loved the way they entered the 1st sequence. They have done deep edging and their speed level was very high. So not expecting it. Their step sequence fits the music very well and I think they did a very good job. All they have to do is establish consistency. They can be in the top 3 in the U.S. very easly. They just need to turn up the volume and progress their use of extremities.I adore Alexandra Paul's elegance, I adore her beauty. She looks like a new Tessa Virtue to me and she grows on me everyday. Paul and Islam performed an exquisite program. Even though they've ranked so much higher than skate canada I think that they still didn't get the points they deserved. There were no mistakes in this program. I was solid and polished. I believe judges don't see what I see in this couple. I'll keep saying this. Their step sequence was technically hard with mirror works and they accomplished beautifully. They have amazing skating skills. Mitchell Islam sells Alexandra Paul very good. Their opening movements had weaving footwork and intricacy but they only lack in energy. They do not enter the pattern sequences with edge and speed but they low beautifully so that mustn't be a big point breaking issue in my point of view. They are enchanted in transitions and they are smooth.
Alessandrini and Vatuni we not better than Paul and Islam. To use extremities in such an excessive and theatrical way and make the performance look it is speedy and edgy should not require to be ranked higher. I find Alessandrini's movements quite disturbing and they did nothing but dizz my head. She is over-acting which I hate. I only liked their twizzles. Cathy Reed and Chris Reed did the best they could. Cathy's posture is beautiful and her dress was very sexy. Very good energy in the start but loss of synchronitation both on the twizzles even though it was fast and step sequence. Their choice of music for Rhumba suits pattern sequence very well but they were not edgy and didn't get into the sequences as they should've get. Zhiganshina and Gazsi were much better than SA but I don't find this couple flattering at all even though Nelli has a great posture and great carriage to her body. They were terrible in syncronization but one of the best in Rhumba sequences. They are great in speed and get really deep in the edges. Those outfits don't suit this program at all! Iliynkh and Katsalapov were inarguably the best. What a suprise! They were unbelievable in the opening movements and twizzles. There are rough, intricate moves and they were great in transitions while they carried speed. Edgy and fast entrance in the step sequence was so eye-catchy and they were perfectly synchronized in it. This choreography includes so many content and full of transitions which makes it very
difficult and they success. Usage of the music and its reflections to program is tremendous. They lacked a bit speed towards in the end but other than that it was strong and in terms of technicality one of the most difficult programmes this season. By the way I loved her dress and styling. Shibutani's have amazing skating skills and I've seen this program more polished and smoothed. But no matter how great they are technically they lack something in presentation. They need to be more glowy and focus on their artictical sides. Last but not least lovely Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje are looking so confident this season which gives them an advantage in this program. I always tell this; looking confident and a little bit cocky is always good on the ice. Except for one little defect in the twizzles they were as good as SC but somehow ranked lower. Everything I have said for their SD is still there. Their speed level was impeccible. They have amazing content,  edgy transitions and difficult positioning ( thanks to Bourne) which they accomplish with strenght. Their use of extremities are amazing as usual and they focus on using the free leg more which is adorable. If the didn't had that flaw in twizzled they would probably be ranked 1st.

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.

Four Continents Championships Free Dance Overview

As expected Virtue & Moir and Davis & White were in a close battle to claim the top on the podium but an almost injury knocked Tessa and Scott out of the competition. After a minute in their routine Tessa stumbled on a twizzle. We don't know if its from the tightness she felt but ater 30 seconds she hooked her leg around Scott's neck in their rotational lift and as he put her down she wanted to stop. Tessa had an injury in 2009 4CC so it is possible that she didn't wanted to take the risk for the World's. High performance director of Canada Michael Slipchuk told that it was nothing linked to her surgery so I hope there is nothing to be afraid of. It looked like latin really suited them as I told. Hope we can see the rest of the programme in World and see them on the podium.
Davis & White combined precision, fluency and elegance in their FD as usual. It was not a surprise they reached the top with 103.02 points. Their prog. components are 9 points higher than Shibutani's who ranks after them which is a very big gap. Crone and Poirier ranked 3rd after Shibutani's, they recieved the identical scores in some of their EC's but Shibutani's Base Value is higher, don't agree with the PCS's I think Crone & Poirier's should have been ranked higher. Although Weaver and Poje's most of their
elements ranked as level 4 except
for one, overall qualities of elements wasn't high because judges netted them negative GOE in one particular element and base vaues of the elements they have chosen are not high enough. Because of this, they were forced to change some of their elements last year in their SD to raise their base values. They can make the same decision this season for the worlds.

Four Continents Championships Short Dance Overview

Current Standings after the Short Dance,
Virtue and Moir on the lead followed by White and Davis, Weaver and Poje are 3rd, a suprise, Shibutani & Shibutani following them and Crone&Poirier are 5th, which is a very big disapointment for me.
Tessa and Scott were so nervous before the dance I thought Tessa's heart was going to jump out from her chest. It was their first time competing since 2010 March so ıt was a big shot for them.
Stating to a Tango and then switching to one of the most beautiful songs in film history Nights&Days by Waldemar Kazanecki which is obviously Shpilband or Zueva's suggestion, I really wanted to join them, it was an elegant dance with a sentimental mood but also gives you hope. They were smiling during the dance but in the mean time they were looking very sexy so there was a great balance between the feelings. Loved the grey dress of Tessa.
Timing wasn't so great as I hoped it would be and it wasn't their usual performance. Don't get me wrong it was a great performance but It was their first this season and they didn't get the chance to recover and were not able to exercise, they didn't had enough time so I know what they are capable to do and I think this short dance is going to be technically so much better in the worlds. I really believe in this Short Dance.
Thats why Davis and White's program components ranked higher even though at overall they are 2nd. But it wasn't a succesful opening. It technically reflected their points. But they wraped up quickly so rest of the points were very high. About Weaver and Poje, it may seem like they've got very high points especially in the executed elements but actually they have the highest base value so, it is normal for them to be 1-2 points ahead of V&M-D&W, Virtue & Moir's GOE is higher but with base values, Weaver and Poje lead in technical scores.It's the same reason, Shibutani & Shibutani had a higher element score, even though  Crone & Poirier's program components were higher. Crone & Poirier has great edgility but not so easy in changing positions.
You can see from this performance that they achieved so much this year yet you cannot see that they are done. There is so much more in their potential.
Last but not least, Weaver and Poje's fluidity in this Short Dance ımpressed me one more time.