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.

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.

Cup of China Review

Bobrova and Soloviev are in nowhere a champions should be. They can be considered as the most experienced and technically best for Cup of China but they were ranked higher than they deserve. 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 there is no doubt about that but she ruins everything by leaning foward all the time and with her disproportionate posture. It's really distracting. Their ending to the FD was hidious, they were looking so amature it is unbelievable they were ranked higher (8.86) than Shibutani's (8.11) in timing component scores. Shibutani's 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. Maybe Russians should
have been the 1st anyway but not with this points difference. They were ranked higher than Pechalat and Bourzat which is ubsurd. They won't be this much appreciated neither in the GP final nor in the Worlds. These points may be their seasons best. Shibutani's are the bronze world medalists and in terms of technicality it is obvious that they were so much better and should have been ranked higher than the Russians, Period!Coming to Coomes and Buckland, they are trained by the one and only Evgeny Platov, after the Kerr's retirement I'd never thought a couple would come from GB whith this much talent. They were tremendous in the SD. They've became 3rd. Choreography was wonderful with "El beso del final" one of my favorite songs from Aguilera. I loved the way they started the program, it captures your attention. All of their lifts are containing speed and innovation. When the music needs a lift, they give us the lift! Their transitions are gorgeous right there thanks to Platov. Their speed level is significantly adding values into their performance. Deterioration in synchronization occured in someways but other than that they accomplished a polished performance. There was so much more verve
and attack. Their last lift and transition was choreographed wonderful, wish they would have managed time well. In the FD I felt the energy to my toes. Their first lift was innovative and is one of the greatest lifs of this season but it was extended so it caused them a deduction. I don't know why but I can't take my eyes of them. Her body and extremities, especially the shape of her legs look so alike to Pasha Grishuk. Overall their FD performance was better than Carron and Jones. They would've ranked higher if they didn't fell, what a shame. Carron and Jones SD on the other hand have more sharpness and they were looking nothing but cute with those outfits. I can't help it I love french teams.They didn't have anything interesting but nice and tidy footork and they did a big pattern on the sequences. Lloyd seems so alike to Maxim Staviski, it is clear
that he examples and loves him. He looks amazing I used to couldn't take my eyes of Maxim so Lloyd had the same effect on me. They are very good on synchronization and transitions. They love mirror sequences and I really appreciate it because to transitate it to reverse is a hard work. I love their second lift which they did on their FD last year either. It suited that program much better but it has became their signature lift and for them to use such and innovative and technically hard lift for the second time is clever. Nothing held back in both of their performances and it seems like they can progress throughout the season quickly. Last but not least Emily Samuelson and Todd Gilles were a bit underrated. They had full of difficult content and great amount of technically hard movements and transition. For a couple that only been together for 6 months they were really good. As they get more time together they will progress in speed and transitions. In the SD their
synchronization was great in the circular step sequence, their lift was catchy and they did a very good job. Their FD is choreographed by Dean so it is the right thing not to expect much from this couple at the beginning of the season because Dean's choreo's are technically hard, complicated and mighty! They were accused by illegal elements and extended lifts, sorry but its a Dean choreography and it was a terriffic choreography. Ofcourse they will change those movements but I still hate to see that illegal movement expression for a FD. I'm pretty sure that one illegal movement is one of my favorites when it says "Stairway to heaven" she does this tinkly minkly movement with her arms after the opening. It was a killian hold. I believe Emily Samuelson has great skating skills ( Go toepoint!) and deserves a better partner that can sell her and accomplish every move polished just like she does. But I still think they should've been ranked higher, especially higher than the Chinese.
Cup of China rate;
Judges scoring : -2
Organization :- 3
Performances: -1

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.