2015 Golden Spin of Zagreb Ice Dance
- Thread starter dorispulaski
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- May 17, 2011
I agree that 6s are a bit low. Watching it for the first time, I do have to say that it failed to grab me. I noticed some errors in synchronization, and for some reason Kaitlyn's leg line/toe point looks a bit soft at times and could be improved, but it wasn't bad. It just didn't have much spark. Also, at points they might be able to add some more ballet-ish choreography where they seem to have a ballroom moment. I really think that overall polishing will help a lot. I hate to say it, but it looks a little junior right now.
(Edit because I mentioned the wrong part of the program as an illustration).
(Edit #2 to add that I really LIKE their free dance and don't understand the disparity in the scores in that portion, either).
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- Aug 1, 2011
I said earlier in the season not to underestimate them. But like you I never get the JudgeLove for them. They did something similar last year if I remember, some insanely inflated score at a senior B. Well one thing that can be said for them this year, at least, is that they have finally stopped the "Gee, this kind of program really worked well for a skater last year, so we'll rip it off this year" rehashing. They may finally be startling--just starting mind you--to develop a style of their own.
There's no question, based on the scores here, that H/B are now officially In A Rut. Enough with the Young Long Stuff. That well has dried up for now. Go SUPER DUPER BALLROOM TRADITIONAL. Great American Songbook time. Not Gershwin--too obvious. Maybe Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields. Rodgers/Hart. They need to show the judges they have Grown Up. Think sophisticated, think classy, Classy dancy.
First team to get steps level 4 in the FD this year??
And in SD. Tech controller blinked in all the right times and places.
I totally agree with your suggestions for Hawayek Banker. They could definitely pull off a Fred-Astaire/Eleanor Powell (since Ginger was blonde and Kaitlin has dark hair) MGM, big dance production number. It's pretty nervy to do with 6 weeks until Nationals but either they do a complete renno on that balletic SD or start from scratch. Considering the coaches attention to Weaver and Poje at the GpF and preparing for their Nationals, I doubt the start-over will happen. But next year, consider the dancers; don't impose a style that doesn't fit. At least can that SD dress - again, accentuates Kaitlin's lack of long limbs and balletic poses.
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https://web.archive.org/web/20151120142834/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012929.htm
It was not just similar, it was EYEdentical.
Their highest scores ever were at 2014 47th Golden Spin...with an Italian tech controller
https://web.archive.org/web/20150223165153/http://www.croskate.hr/GS47/html/SEG007OF.HTM
Until 2015 Golden Spin,
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012929.htm
with an Italian tech controller. Again.
http://www.tvoj-toner.com/goldenspin/SEG007OF.HTM
This is a team who was fourth at Skate Canada, (154.74 points) and fourth at Cup of Russia (153.54 points). and suddenly then gets 172.28. points. That is an inflated score, for sure.
And they win Challengers over Tobias and Tkachenko, who I think are a lot better.
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So this year I've discovered that in Ice Dance we have bankers and beavers 
G/F scores make the MO ornament scores seemed conservative
At least at MO there seemed to be enough inflation to go around, here it seemed reserved for just G/F (who I actually enjoy, but seriously?!?!?).
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- Aug 1, 2011
So this year I've discovered that in Ice Dance we have bankers and beavers
And people call Ice Dancing boring. Shame on them!
:ddevil:
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Maybe Barbara's Glare of Doom has cast a spell on all the Italian tech specialists. EYEdentical indeed!
:eeking:
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- Jan 23, 2008
I can't really comment on Guignard/Fabbri without seeing them...however, this reminds me of Golden Spin last year when they were suddenly practically tied with Hubbell/Donohue in the SD (where the latter team had beaten them comfortably a couple weeks before at TEB). Again, I want to see the performance before I really say anything but at the moment I'm not buying a jump in total competition score from 154 to 172. No.
I feel like this 'Theory of Everything' FD was supposed to show Hawayek/Baker in a different light this season, yet it's become more of the same for them. It seemed better at Skate America; they seemed somewhat behind the music at times here. I don't know what it is, but they need to find a way to make this program progress before Nationals. I've liked this team since they won junior worlds (though I admit to being a turned off in the last few months because of all the comments of how they were just going to storm ahead of Hubbell/Donohue), but neither of their programs truly seem to be working this season IMO.
I feel like this 'Theory of Everything' FD was supposed to show Hawayek/Baker in a different light this season, yet it's become more of the same for them. It seemed better at Skate America; they seemed somewhat behind the music at times here. I don't know what it is, but they need to find a way to make this program progress before Nationals. I've liked this team since they won junior worlds (though I admit to being a turned off in the last few months because of all the comments of how they were just going to storm ahead of Hubbell/Donohue), but neither of their programs truly seem to be working this season IMO.
It's a sophomore slump. H&B aren't my kind of team, but I think the concern is a bit premature. More related to the surprise successes they had last season & the hype you mention than to their actual status as a dance team. This season they have two fourth place results & a second place. Last season they had a fourth at Finlandia and a sixth at Rostelecom Cup. Their surprise successes included a third at NHK, after Coomes & Buckland (not to mention Sinitsina & Katsalapov) imploded. And a fifth place at 4CC's, after Paul & Islam did the same thing. As it was, H&B wouldn't have been at 4CC's at all if USFSA hadn't offered them the slot over Hubbell & Donahue who had defeated H&B at Nationals. At Rostelecom, H&B finished behind S&K and Stepanova & Bukin.
Ranking-wise, H&B remain above Cannuscio & McManus, which is really the highest team behind them at Nationals. H&D appear out of reach and this has much more to do with their own programs and skating than with H&B's. I agree that H&B's SD is weak. Kaitlyn isn't pulling off the role of the ballerina. But TBH, I'm not sure changing the program at this late a stage would be worth it. The costume, yes.
Next season, though, McNamara & Carpenter are coming. It's always a big leap up into seniors. But these two teams were 1 & 2 in juniors two years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing them go head-to-head as seniors.
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Very interesting comments. Your analysis with Hawayek and Baker and Hubbell and Donahue and their comparative scores this year and last is very insightful. You're right about the fact that 2 teams falling apart last year is what gave H/B third place at NHK and hence a lot of buzz about being the hot US team. They were good at last year's Nationals but not good enough to surpass H/D although usfsa gave them the nod to 4CC. And you're absolutely right about the up and coming junior teams and although they are not my particular favorites the judges disagree.
So this has made me think it's time to take a step back from the "disappointment" stage with Kaitlin and Jean-Luc and see what can be done to salvage that SD and really make that FD shine this year. This team is preparing for 2022 and anything they can achieve in-between.
So this has made me think it's time to take a step back from the "disappointment" stage with Kaitlin and Jean-Luc and see what can be done to salvage that SD and really make that FD shine this year. This team is preparing for 2022 and anything they can achieve in-between.
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