1. Xiaoyu Yu/Hao Zhang FS - I, once a doubter over the pair swapping, didn't expect this new team do this much...their PCS should've been much higher. Their FS blew me away. If I had to pick only one great rendition from Skate Canada 2016, their FS would be it.
2. Kaetlyn Osmond SP - What a comeback!
3. Kevin Reynolds FS - Great comeback too with two entertaining programs
4. Kaitlin Hawayek/Jean-Luc Baker SD - Best hip-hip routine of the season
5. Patrick Chan SP - I love the program with bird chirpping and his sublime SS and interpretation
Liubov Ilyushechkina/Dylan Moscovitch FS - I was teary after they finished their performance
Yuko Kavaguti/ Alexander Smironov FS - the program is so gorgeous...I admire Yuko's invincible spirit although I worried about her right foot's condition.
Haven Denney/ Brandon Frazier FS
1) Piper and Paul's tango
2) Kaetlyn skating TWO quality programs
3) Kevin's comeback to grand prix with a medal!
4) Yu/Zhang : I was on the side of "let's see what the federation thinks here" because I hated seeing Peng struggle so much .. and I think they were right... they created, instantly in a few months, what pairs try to create during years. There is such a combination of strength and elegance in their skating. If Sui and Han are not top shape this year, they could help China in the Olympic qualifying and go to WC as team China #1.
5)Duhamel and Radford's SP with the throw triple axel
1. G/P SD and FD: That tango was to die for and I can't help it pornstashe/froed out Paul Poirer is one of my favourite things ever. It helps that I can't help but sing along to Disco Inferno.
2. V/M SD: Love Prince. Love their connection on the ice. Love the last lift to that really sweeping part of Purple Rain.
3. Misha Ge LP: I loved it but then 8 years of ballet does have an effect. When you see someone who obviously loves ballet skate it warms the cockles of your heart.
4. Osmond's SD was pretty great. Evgenia's was also well skated.
5. Yu/Zhang long was surprisingly good. I expected as a new team that it might be a gong show but it wasn't. She is lovely. Lovely lines, very elegant.
I also considered Chan's short and Yuzuru's long.
I also loved C/L lift in the free dance (the one when she's upside down and he's one foot) and Bukin/Stepanova's first set of twizzles on the music in the free (when they get them right). I think both have the power to be showstopping moments for them.
I liked I/M's short too but their long is too mushy for my personal tastes.
I agree with the tech caller for ladies. She was brutal but I think some of those ladies needed the wake up call. Rotate those jumps or suffer the penalty. I hope the ISU sends them a decorative fruit basket.
1. Yu & Zhang FS - beautiful, brought tears to my eyes. Will be a force to be reckoned with as time goes on.
2. Misha Ge FS - Choked me up to see him do so well.
3. Satoko Miyahara FS - Beautiful artistry. And a gorgeous stsq mad: at the tech controller).
4. Kavaguti & Smirov FS - Lovely; hope I can see it clean.
5. Iliushechkina & Moscovitch FS - made me smile with its sheer joy. Gorgeous lifts.
1. Kevin Reynolds SP & FS
2. Michal Brezina FS
3. Misha Ge FS
4. Daniel Samohin SP & FS - still needs work, but I'm always in a good mood when I see him (as long as he's not totally bombing!)
5. Kaetlyn Osmond SP & FS
honorable mention: Evgenia obviously! I like the SP far more than the FS, but the huge gap between her score & everyone else was really something...she is untouchable! Alaine Chartrand's FS, Piper & Paul both programs. Pairs was totally meh for me, unfortunately.
From what I have seen this season:
1) Shibs LP
2) Satoko Miyahara's LP
3) Osmond's SP -charming and glad to see her smile again
4) Gilles and Poirier's SP finally 70's disco in competition!
5) Adam Rippon's SP .. OK I know what you all think, I'm a rainbow too but I must say he exudes confidence now!
In no particular order:
Anna and Luca FD
Evgenia's SP
Satoko's FS
Tessa and Scott's SD
Misha's FS
There are some (particularly from the men) that I like, but the performances at this competition were simply not the best. Like both SP and FS from Patrick and Yuzuru.
I found many EX programs very interesting too
Anna and Luca's, Daniel's, Piper and Paul's, Satoko's, Stepanova and Bukin's, Yuzuru's, Evgenia's, etc.