I think the fight for that third US Worlds spot is going to be fascinating (I am assuming Bock and CPom have the first two sewn up already). I am absolutely on the Emilea and Vadym bandwagon - I feel like they have the “it” factor and are only getting better. (But also I’m wrong a lot, especially about ice dance, because like you I can recognize bad ice dancing but I cannot really distinguish what makes one good team better than another good team so I just pass judgement based on vibes.)
Also I saw Leah and Artem skate in a show last year and was quite impressed with them, though the married-at-18 thing is not my favorite.
After Bock, I don't assume ANYTHING. I don't think CPOM have it sewn up. The odds are in their favor since they ensured three spots at Boston Worlds with their placement, but I have just enough of a conspiracy theorist in me to think the US Fed will stop backing them if they think Christina won't get citizenship in time for the Olympics. And Z/K are so good! And clearly Ian Somerville has SOMETHING. And Caroline Green is not going down without a fight. And you KNOW Mr Morozov didn't send his daughter to America to be the 7th best US Ice Dance team. I think US Ice Dance has potential to be the most unpredictable part of Ice Dance this year. But it will probably be exactly what anyone would guess it would be.
As someone who grew up in the 90s and watched Punsalan & Swallow and wondered, "Why *exactly* do the rankings never change?? Ohhh...it's behind-the-scenes shenanigans, riiiight," ice dancing is the most frustrating discipline even though it's often the most cool. It's hard to really become passionate for it when it feels like nothing that happens on the ice matters, unless it's a total disaster that can't be ignored. (Except when I'm a homer and cheering for the US teams at the big meets. Hypocrisy, it me.)
I will add how much I appreciate that you're not one of those "well, the better technique is ooooobvious" writers, since...I mean, I never spot a flutz, you know, even after all this time watching? But I *can* tell that Jason Brown is perfection with his technique, at least. While I for sure do enjoy the super technical stuff, especially after big competitions and trying to understand better some scores and such, figure skating for me is vibes, on both sides of the score. I'd be the best-worst judge in history--somebody sign me up!
I would never pretend to really understand the technical stuff. I only know the jumps were good if Jackie Wong tells me so. I consider myself the skating writer for the advanced amateur fan.
I loved Liz and Jerod! (Kind of my idols? In addition to Gordeeva and Grinkov and the Duchesnays). But yes it's weird how there are like full on "eras" in ice dance when in the other disciplines it's more like get in, make the most of it, and get (forced) out by the next gen. I do respect being able to stay at the top of one's game for a long time...and I know it gets addictive for the athletes at a certain point (like, well, what else am I going to do?) but yeah, also seems to create a bit of a stagnant vibe for the whole part of this sport.
So, I know that you are an actual skater and recognize more of the skill. Do you think some of these older teams are actually that much better than everyone else? Are they still at the top of their game? Or are they getting the points because Reputation?
Possibly a magical combination of both! But here is what is *absolutely impossible to track in my opinion*: the points assigned for various lifts, spins, step sequences etc. I think only the skaters, coaches, judges/tech specialists know how the points work. (I think it's far more nuanced than for singles, or even pairs in my opin. But Pairs is also complex: my brother is a technical specialist for Pairs and I have NO IDEA how he assigns values so quickly.) On the one hand, this bums me out. On the other hand, I appreciate the attempt to make this subjective sport a lil more objective...and after all, before IJS, there was no rhyme or reason for the scores beyond opinion. Now: there IS a rhyme and reason but I think it's like actual rocket science to figure out.
I've been enjoying these recaps so much! Really hoping for a dash of ice dance chaos this year, unlikely as it is. (LaLa on the Worlds podium? Pretty please?)
I must confess, I have become enchanted by Bella Flores and her Russian partner Ivan Desyatov thanks to her insta acct. She posts their falls and bloopers (sometimes holding the camera WHILE in lifts) which demonstrates again and again how difficult ice dance is (despite some of the cheese), and how brave they both are (and ALL these athletes are) to be doing what is basically acro on ice at high speeds. Plus romantic tension: I don't know if its manufactured or not but I am here for it. I skated with my brother so...that was not the dynamic. Kind of feel like I'm skating vicariously through them.
Oooh, I'll have to start paying more attention to her! I admit, I think it took serious guts to post so openly about her partner being "held hostage" by his parents (even though it appears that is not exactly what happened), so I'm curious about her.
I do think that Smart/Dieck have a different variety of Theatre Kid Energy--he's definitely hamming it up out there (esp. the Blondie rhythm dance last year), but they're the theatre kids who bring a flask to the afterparty.
Ha! You are so right! Olivia strikes me as one of the few ice dancers that would have a glass of wine most nights instead of just after competitions. I'll have to pay attention to Tim this year. She just has so much star power... it's easy to miss him.
I think the fight for that third US Worlds spot is going to be fascinating (I am assuming Bock and CPom have the first two sewn up already). I am absolutely on the Emilea and Vadym bandwagon - I feel like they have the “it” factor and are only getting better. (But also I’m wrong a lot, especially about ice dance, because like you I can recognize bad ice dancing but I cannot really distinguish what makes one good team better than another good team so I just pass judgement based on vibes.)
Also I saw Leah and Artem skate in a show last year and was quite impressed with them, though the married-at-18 thing is not my favorite.
After Bock, I don't assume ANYTHING. I don't think CPOM have it sewn up. The odds are in their favor since they ensured three spots at Boston Worlds with their placement, but I have just enough of a conspiracy theorist in me to think the US Fed will stop backing them if they think Christina won't get citizenship in time for the Olympics. And Z/K are so good! And clearly Ian Somerville has SOMETHING. And Caroline Green is not going down without a fight. And you KNOW Mr Morozov didn't send his daughter to America to be the 7th best US Ice Dance team. I think US Ice Dance has potential to be the most unpredictable part of Ice Dance this year. But it will probably be exactly what anyone would guess it would be.
As someone who grew up in the 90s and watched Punsalan & Swallow and wondered, "Why *exactly* do the rankings never change?? Ohhh...it's behind-the-scenes shenanigans, riiiight," ice dancing is the most frustrating discipline even though it's often the most cool. It's hard to really become passionate for it when it feels like nothing that happens on the ice matters, unless it's a total disaster that can't be ignored. (Except when I'm a homer and cheering for the US teams at the big meets. Hypocrisy, it me.)
I will add how much I appreciate that you're not one of those "well, the better technique is ooooobvious" writers, since...I mean, I never spot a flutz, you know, even after all this time watching? But I *can* tell that Jason Brown is perfection with his technique, at least. While I for sure do enjoy the super technical stuff, especially after big competitions and trying to understand better some scores and such, figure skating for me is vibes, on both sides of the score. I'd be the best-worst judge in history--somebody sign me up!
I would never pretend to really understand the technical stuff. I only know the jumps were good if Jackie Wong tells me so. I consider myself the skating writer for the advanced amateur fan.
I loved Liz and Jerod! (Kind of my idols? In addition to Gordeeva and Grinkov and the Duchesnays). But yes it's weird how there are like full on "eras" in ice dance when in the other disciplines it's more like get in, make the most of it, and get (forced) out by the next gen. I do respect being able to stay at the top of one's game for a long time...and I know it gets addictive for the athletes at a certain point (like, well, what else am I going to do?) but yeah, also seems to create a bit of a stagnant vibe for the whole part of this sport.
So, I know that you are an actual skater and recognize more of the skill. Do you think some of these older teams are actually that much better than everyone else? Are they still at the top of their game? Or are they getting the points because Reputation?
Possibly a magical combination of both! But here is what is *absolutely impossible to track in my opinion*: the points assigned for various lifts, spins, step sequences etc. I think only the skaters, coaches, judges/tech specialists know how the points work. (I think it's far more nuanced than for singles, or even pairs in my opin. But Pairs is also complex: my brother is a technical specialist for Pairs and I have NO IDEA how he assigns values so quickly.) On the one hand, this bums me out. On the other hand, I appreciate the attempt to make this subjective sport a lil more objective...and after all, before IJS, there was no rhyme or reason for the scores beyond opinion. Now: there IS a rhyme and reason but I think it's like actual rocket science to figure out.
A Barbie lol AND Lady C de B in the same newsletter?! Bless your weary typing thumbs.
Ha, thanks. But I am honestly always trying to sneak in Jane Austen. In all aspects of life.
I've been enjoying these recaps so much! Really hoping for a dash of ice dance chaos this year, unlikely as it is. (LaLa on the Worlds podium? Pretty please?)
Seconded!
Thx for this!
I must confess, I have become enchanted by Bella Flores and her Russian partner Ivan Desyatov thanks to her insta acct. She posts their falls and bloopers (sometimes holding the camera WHILE in lifts) which demonstrates again and again how difficult ice dance is (despite some of the cheese), and how brave they both are (and ALL these athletes are) to be doing what is basically acro on ice at high speeds. Plus romantic tension: I don't know if its manufactured or not but I am here for it. I skated with my brother so...that was not the dynamic. Kind of feel like I'm skating vicariously through them.
Oooh, I'll have to start paying more attention to her! I admit, I think it took serious guts to post so openly about her partner being "held hostage" by his parents (even though it appears that is not exactly what happened), so I'm curious about her.
Your post inspired me to write a post about them! Stay tuned :) I suspect there is a lot more to their story...but I just cannot get enough.
I do think that Smart/Dieck have a different variety of Theatre Kid Energy--he's definitely hamming it up out there (esp. the Blondie rhythm dance last year), but they're the theatre kids who bring a flask to the afterparty.
Ha! You are so right! Olivia strikes me as one of the few ice dancers that would have a glass of wine most nights instead of just after competitions. I'll have to pay attention to Tim this year. She just has so much star power... it's easy to miss him.