I volunteered (highly recommend the experience), and saw Alyssa’s chill energy up close…I told her she was wonderful, and her coaches were so happy for her! She lit the Garden on fire. Other standouts (can’t remember names, I’m so tired)…the German pair, Diecks and partner, and Kaori. Everyone agreed that the Leader Chair is awful…great if you land there unexpectedly, but for the close battles it was obviously excruciating, I felt so bad for Amber Glenn. All in all, a fantastic week, can’t wait for next year.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I love the backstage insights. Such a great idea to volunteer. And I LOVE that you remember Time Dieck's name but not Olivia Smart's. You might be the only one. Ha!
Count me as a fan who ALSO cares a lot about Lithuania getting an Olympic spot! I was so devastated for them. And I was more excited about the off-podium shakeup in ice dance than the top three, though I’m glad Chock and Bates won. Really thrilled for Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, and I love that he got emotional and that they seem like such bros. 😂 Nice to see Carreira and Ponomarenko inch closer to the podium.
I, for one, haven’t loved the Italians’ robot free dance. Or their rhythm dance to be honest.😬 And with the field so stacked, it was kind of a relief to not mind them slipping. Next season is going to be bananas, and I love so many of these teams that I really don’t think I’ll know what to do.
I feel for the Italians. Fair or not, they were set up as one of the Top Three teams from the beginning of the quad, and it seems some what arbitrary for the judges to start yanking that back away from them right before an Olympics that's essentially in their hometown. I think their weak programs this year gave the judges "permission," but I think they were looking for a reason.
You’re right, they have been set up as top 3 this whole time. I’m sure they are very frustrated and confused, and I hadn’t given much thought to the Olympics being on their home turf! I’m sure they’re also quite wary of Laurence and Guillaume entering the mix.
Carreira and Ponomarenko have replaced Hawayek and Baker as the U.S. team that doesn’t get enough appreciation from the judges. And while I’d much rather listen to Chris Howarth than Tara Lipinski, can’t he learn to pronounce skaters’ names when they’ve just been announced correctly? “Demogoo,” “Kay-ori,” “MALinen”? Ilia might as well stick with “Skorniakov.”
Somehow I missed this in the PWH (post-Worlds Hangover)!? The Alisa and Misha moment really was swoony, marriage of convenience or no… And Kristen commentary was a surprise highlight for me! She explained things so well and kept Chris’ more ridiculous phrases grounded.
OMG, those world "Junior" champions from Georgia--he looks as if he's already losing his hair! We had to look several times to make sure that they were the Jr. champions from THIS season.
Thank you for your commentary, it's an enjoyable companion to the event! I just wanted to chime in that I always watch the World Feed and I love Chris whats-his-name and all his Britishisms (the mustard and he's also always saying "You've got to take your hat off to him/her" and "Hold on to your hats!!"). He is so jovial and supportive yet also gives good technical analysis. He points out the things that look easy but are really hard, which I appreciate. A true breath of fresh air, and I liked him paired with Kirsten.
I volunteered (highly recommend the experience), and saw Alyssa’s chill energy up close…I told her she was wonderful, and her coaches were so happy for her! She lit the Garden on fire. Other standouts (can’t remember names, I’m so tired)…the German pair, Diecks and partner, and Kaori. Everyone agreed that the Leader Chair is awful…great if you land there unexpectedly, but for the close battles it was obviously excruciating, I felt so bad for Amber Glenn. All in all, a fantastic week, can’t wait for next year.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I love the backstage insights. Such a great idea to volunteer. And I LOVE that you remember Time Dieck's name but not Olivia Smart's. You might be the only one. Ha!
Count me as a fan who ALSO cares a lot about Lithuania getting an Olympic spot! I was so devastated for them. And I was more excited about the off-podium shakeup in ice dance than the top three, though I’m glad Chock and Bates won. Really thrilled for Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck, and I love that he got emotional and that they seem like such bros. 😂 Nice to see Carreira and Ponomarenko inch closer to the podium.
I, for one, haven’t loved the Italians’ robot free dance. Or their rhythm dance to be honest.😬 And with the field so stacked, it was kind of a relief to not mind them slipping. Next season is going to be bananas, and I love so many of these teams that I really don’t think I’ll know what to do.
I feel for the Italians. Fair or not, they were set up as one of the Top Three teams from the beginning of the quad, and it seems some what arbitrary for the judges to start yanking that back away from them right before an Olympics that's essentially in their hometown. I think their weak programs this year gave the judges "permission," but I think they were looking for a reason.
You’re right, they have been set up as top 3 this whole time. I’m sure they are very frustrated and confused, and I hadn’t given much thought to the Olympics being on their home turf! I’m sure they’re also quite wary of Laurence and Guillaume entering the mix.
It does feel harsh, they really are SO good, but these programs… 😬😬😬
Carreira and Ponomarenko have replaced Hawayek and Baker as the U.S. team that doesn’t get enough appreciation from the judges. And while I’d much rather listen to Chris Howarth than Tara Lipinski, can’t he learn to pronounce skaters’ names when they’ve just been announced correctly? “Demogoo,” “Kay-ori,” “MALinen”? Ilia might as well stick with “Skorniakov.”
You've just reminded me how much I miss Hawayek and Baker.
Somehow I missed this in the PWH (post-Worlds Hangover)!? The Alisa and Misha moment really was swoony, marriage of convenience or no… And Kristen commentary was a surprise highlight for me! She explained things so well and kept Chris’ more ridiculous phrases grounded.
OMG, those world "Junior" champions from Georgia--he looks as if he's already losing his hair! We had to look several times to make sure that they were the Jr. champions from THIS season.
Exactly!!
Thank you for your commentary, it's an enjoyable companion to the event! I just wanted to chime in that I always watch the World Feed and I love Chris whats-his-name and all his Britishisms (the mustard and he's also always saying "You've got to take your hat off to him/her" and "Hold on to your hats!!"). He is so jovial and supportive yet also gives good technical analysis. He points out the things that look easy but are really hard, which I appreciate. A true breath of fresh air, and I liked him paired with Kirsten.
I also love it when he says, "S/he didn't put a foot wrong!" when someone landed a jump on two feet.
He definitely plays fast and loose with the compliments!