Monday 9 November 2009

NHK Trophy 2009

Not one of the most interesting of the Grand Prix events dance wise - all was a bit predictable in terms of results.

For the Kerrs its a nailbiting wait now to see if their Bronze and Silver medals will get them into the final. Best chance will be if P/B the French can beat the Italians F/S which will be tight, and then they will need to have better points than Italian no 2's C/L. reeeaaallly want to see them make the final however I cant say their performances have inspired me so far...

So the competition itself! Yay for Meryl Davis & Charlie White, shall not be moaning so much about their secondhand free dance this time because their skating amazes me, and just so glad its not another 'black and white' free dance as with many. Now rooting for them to overtake Virtue and Moir ... and possibly take Gold in Vancouver. In love with their Bollywood free dance - the music the Kerrs ckicked out of using out of fear it would be over used - just as well I dont think any other team would have pulled it off so well! The intricate choreography is really impressive. Possibly Im failing here as have managed nothing but praise for this team ... but I needed someone to be excited about. But looking back I dont think their basic skating was as smooth as normal ...

Onto John and Sinead. OD: Apparently the ice resurfacer person wasnt too amused about Johns means of stopping at the end of the program - messing up the ice for the Americans etc - well how else were they going to beat them other than with 'other' tactics!?!? Think a few more sequins have been added to the costumes. Its still coming across as too much like an exhibition and not like a routine from a team who had once been discussing Olympic medals - noticed that such words have not been mentioned recently. The elements themselves were not pushing boudaries either.

The Free Dance was well .. black and white, both in terms of costume and emotion. Happy that they are putting something original out there but couldnt they have found something else. It is one of the most modern and current routine ... but I just cant get any real excitement from it other than that. Sinead lifting John might be impressive if the Italians (F/S) hadnt been doing it for years even if not recently. It makes me sad that this free dance will probably be their last.

Afraid not a lot to say at this time on Crone/POirer as havent found a youtube vid of free dance with the soundtrack on it :-( Their OD didnt excite me ... but if I was offered my pick of a male ice dance to marry it would be Mr Paul Poirer ... hes gourgeous, and has a lot of strength. Atm I think as a team they dont have a great deal of originality and blend into the mix ... sitting and waiting I think for a big future ahead!

Sunday 1 November 2009

Cup Of China 09

The black and white theme continues ... comebacks stun ... the excitement continues!

Delighted to see Shen & Zhao back in such amazing form, the most mature and complete pairs team out there and Im already starting to bite my lip in anticipation of the battle between S/Z and the Germans S/S both of whom really deserve to take Olympic Gold, but there can only be one winner ...

On with the dance. Had been expecting an almost default gold to go to K/N of Russia owing to them being the top Russian dance team, well I suppose the russian fed are saving their bribery monies for the Olympics - they'll need them to get K/N on the podium. But very happy to see Belbin/Agosto rising to the challenge and taking the gold with consistently high scores across all sections.

T.B./B.A. USA (1): This team is also in on the group order for free dance outfits I see ... why dont they all just share 1 set of costumes with all teams wearing black and white and make a real financial saving! Music choice pretty but also in keeping with other free dances list year and not very exciting but a bit dull and almost sombre. But thats the extent of my criticisms and this is one of if not my favourite free dance yet! The lifts are great with those of twists and turns from her whilst in the air and unlike some of the teams they keep them all looking elegant. Choreography was brilliant within the constraints of the music. Really nice deep knees - this could be a good year for these two.

J.K./S.N.(2): Arrrgggghhh! I really hated this free dance. Costumes looked like what I've seen in club pantos! They dont fit and they look awful! I mistook them for a bog standard russian junior pairs team - J.K. looked so young and ungainly, him too not helped by the huge height gap. Would guess that their deduction was for her doing a handstand on his boot as Im pretty sure thats an illegal move. Honestly you would think the Russians would know better. In complete contrast to B/A the lifts were ugly, loads of bent legs and not at all orginal. I feel this team should struggle this year but something tells me that they wont. Normal rules seem to be overlooked when it comes to the Russians.

F.F./M.S.(3): Improvement on their previous performances, but they look like the grandparents in the competition! Did their Nan make their costumes out of some spare material? But they get a gold sticker for not choosing black and white outfits. And I thought they've done pretty well with their free dance and I think it will be their strength rather than their weakness. No amazing lifts and dont see it threatening for the medals but I think theirs will be a welcome break from the dreary black and white free dances which we are seeing from most.