The Best and Worst of 2012/2013, Part 1
Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov snatching both the European and World title right from underneath Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy's nose is the most exciting and disappointing thing of 2012/2013 as far as Pairs skating goes. How come the same event is both the worst and best thing we've seen this season? Well, it'a bit complicated...
Aliona and Robin's choice of SP music this season - Kismet by Bond - didn't really say a lot to the audience and that was reflected by the scores they got. The Germans used to have fun, energetic and original programs, so what on Earth was this one about?
It doesn't matter how good you are technically, if the music isn't right, your program will not impress. Unfortunately this was the case here, and it really is a shame because once upon a time not so far away, you waited impatiently for their routine to start and you never got the feeling it's rusty on the edges.
Their Flamenco Bolero by Gustavo Montesano was a lot better, although a couple of bolero dance moves wouldn't have killed anyone. The fact that they landed the Triple Axel was definitely the best thing about their LP, but the other elements shouldn't be underrated (unless you're talking about the Worlds performance).
Overall, 2012/2013 was not a good season for Germany. Some could say it was a disaster. They looked tired and as if they are waiting for the Olympics just so that everything is over. That's not a pity only because Germany is unlikely to have a new pair as good as them at least for the next two seasons, but also because Savchenko/Szolkowi have written history and truly deserve an Olympic gold. But if something doesn't change fast, that's unlikely to happen.
On the other hand, whoever came up with the idea of putting Tatiana and Maxim together should make Everyday Superhero their personal anthem because they saved Russian pair skating.
The Love Theme of The Godfather never looked better on ice. What made it so exceptional was how convincing...and seductive Tatiana and Maxim were in their roles. He even got a fake mustache! If that's not 100% commitment, I don't know what is. Oh wait...I do. The fact that they skated at their best at the Europeans even though Maxim's father had passed away just three days before the start of the competition.
They went in a different direction with the LP and chose Ikuko Kawai's Violin Muse. The sad violins told a sad story dedicated to the victims of the tsunami that devastated Japan last year. The program was in an entire different universe than the Germans' from this point of view, but what really made it stand out was that Tatiana and Maxim aced every single element.
You will always have winners and losers in figure skating (as in anything else), but it rarely happens that someone's victory can make you both happy and sad. But when it happens you know you're witnessing some of the best figure skating mankind has seen.
As sad as Savchenko/Szolkowi's season has made fans, you'd have to be a fool to argue that the end of their 'reign' is the start of a new era that's bound to be glorious. I know, I know, why does it always have to be glorious for Russia? Well, it's not about a country here, it's about two skaters that really can skate on whatever music they want in whatever situation they find themselves in. And that is what real champions do!
Aliona and Robin's choice of SP music this season - Kismet by Bond - didn't really say a lot to the audience and that was reflected by the scores they got. The Germans used to have fun, energetic and original programs, so what on Earth was this one about?
It doesn't matter how good you are technically, if the music isn't right, your program will not impress. Unfortunately this was the case here, and it really is a shame because once upon a time not so far away, you waited impatiently for their routine to start and you never got the feeling it's rusty on the edges.
Their Flamenco Bolero by Gustavo Montesano was a lot better, although a couple of bolero dance moves wouldn't have killed anyone. The fact that they landed the Triple Axel was definitely the best thing about their LP, but the other elements shouldn't be underrated (unless you're talking about the Worlds performance).Overall, 2012/2013 was not a good season for Germany. Some could say it was a disaster. They looked tired and as if they are waiting for the Olympics just so that everything is over. That's not a pity only because Germany is unlikely to have a new pair as good as them at least for the next two seasons, but also because Savchenko/Szolkowi have written history and truly deserve an Olympic gold. But if something doesn't change fast, that's unlikely to happen.
On the other hand, whoever came up with the idea of putting Tatiana and Maxim together should make Everyday Superhero their personal anthem because they saved Russian pair skating.
The Love Theme of The Godfather never looked better on ice. What made it so exceptional was how convincing...and seductive Tatiana and Maxim were in their roles. He even got a fake mustache! If that's not 100% commitment, I don't know what is. Oh wait...I do. The fact that they skated at their best at the Europeans even though Maxim's father had passed away just three days before the start of the competition.
You will always have winners and losers in figure skating (as in anything else), but it rarely happens that someone's victory can make you both happy and sad. But when it happens you know you're witnessing some of the best figure skating mankind has seen.
As sad as Savchenko/Szolkowi's season has made fans, you'd have to be a fool to argue that the end of their 'reign' is the start of a new era that's bound to be glorious. I know, I know, why does it always have to be glorious for Russia? Well, it's not about a country here, it's about two skaters that really can skate on whatever music they want in whatever situation they find themselves in. And that is what real champions do!
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