B/S were within two points of the Shibutanis here and at Skate Canada, but at Skate Canada their FD was more than 5 points behind the Shibs. I actually like the Anna Karenina dance, though.
I've heard a lot that Chock and Bates skate faster and bigger than the Shibutanis and H/D. It's harder to notice watching from video. At Skate Canada, I thought W/P looked like they were noticeably faster and getting more ice coverage than the Shibutanis, and H/D's new coach said when she took them on that one of her main focuses this season would be increasing their speed -- she said they aren't fast enough for a team of their height.
I do think that if Chock and Bates keep dropping levels and if the Shibutanis skate well at the GPF that the USFS might have enough confidence in the Shibutanis to roll with it if they skate really well at Nationals.
At this point I really prefer both H/D and Shibs to Chock/Bates this season. I don't know anything about ice dance so can't comment on which team is actually the strongest. Can anyone else comment on whether C/B are truly the frontrunners based on what's put out on the ice?
I've heard a lot that Chock and Bates skate faster and bigger than the Shibutanis and H/D. It's harder to notice watching from video. At Skate Canada, I thought W/P looked like they were noticeably faster and getting more ice coverage than the Shibutanis, and H/D's new coach said when she took them on that one of her main focuses this season would be increasing their speed -- she said they aren't fast enough for a team of their height.
I do think that if Chock and Bates keep dropping levels and if the Shibutanis skate well at the GPF that the USFS might have enough confidence in the Shibutanis to roll with it if they skate really well at Nationals.