The Original Dance (OD) for both Juniors and Seniors for the 2007-08 season is the Folk-Country dance.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir maintained their lead after placing an easy first (65.29 points) in the OD, followed by Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje (55.60 points) and Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno (54.60 points).
Virtue (18) and Moir (20) delivered a technically solid dance in their Russian folk routine to Dark Eye. The current silver medalists skated with effortless speed and abandon, earning a level 4 on all elements except for a level 3 combination dance spin. They also received +2.00 GOEs on their circular step sequence, and no less than +1.00 GOE on all other elements.
“I think it was exactly what we expected and all we could have hoped for,” said Moir, when asked about how they felt about their performance. “We look forward to building on it for Saturday.”
Moir also added that the crowed was great. ” It was very exciting for Tessa and I to skate in Vancouver and we hope to be back in a couple of
years.”
Weaver (18) and Poje (20) skated with amazing unison and precision, earning a level 4 on all elements except for a dance spin (level 3) as well as positive GOEs on all elements. The reigning bronze medalists, who effectively used a scarf for a prop, displayed excellent timing, speed, flow, and interpretation in their traditional Russian dance to Dorogoj Dlinnoyu. They placed second in the OD and are currently second overall with 88.14 points.
“We’ve made a lot of changes since the Grand Prix season,” Weaver revealed, “and we were happy to come out and perform it for the first time.”
Hann-McCurdy (20) and Coreno (23), who placed a placed third in the OD, are in a close third with 87.22 points. The 2006 Junior National champions produced a lighthearted and fun, yet technically difficult dance. The judges awarded them positive GOEs on nearly all elements, which included a very good level 4 circular step sequence.
“The week so far has been awesome,” said Hann-McCurdy. “We’re in the top three and that was our goal. I think we performed really well tonight and we’re happy with that. We’re grateful the crowd was on our side and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.”
Vanessa Crone (17) and Paul Poirier (16) placed fourth in the OD (54.13 points) and are currently fifth overall with 84.35 points. The current Junior national champions earned a level 4 on all elements, which were woven seamlessly into the choreography with close holds and matching lines.
Mylene Girard and Liam Dougherty placed fifth in the OD (52.85 points), but are currently fourth overall with 84.35 points. The team produced an intense and passionate dance in their routine to Tango/Flamenco music in which all elements received positive GOEs.
The event continues with the Junior Ladies Long Program and the Senior Men’s Short, Pairs Short, and Ladies Short Programs.
