Trophee Eric Bompard 2013 (Free Skates)
MEN
Alexander Majorov never fails to find original stories for his programmes. Skating on Archangel by T.J. Bergersen, he double-footed the Quad Toeloop, singled both Triple Lutzes and fell on the Triple Flip. His score: 120.90. Overall: 180.62
Nan Song's mission in France can be ticked as a success, although he could have used a bit more emotion in the interpretation. He also had a hand down on the Quad Toeloop and double-footed the Triple Loop. He obtained 133.37 points. Overall: 204.73
Michal Brezina is once more battling his inconsistency demons. Although he did a tremendous job impersonating the infamous Sherlock Holmes, his jumps were rusty at best. He over-rotated the first Quad Salchow and completely failed the second, fell on the Triple Toeloop, singled the Triple Flip and Triple Salchow, and doubled the Triple Toeloop. His score: 134.31. Overall: 206.22
Florent Amodio's life might have lost a shade of pink after this performance. Although he still kept his usual funky self together in the presentation, he fell on the Quad Salchow and the Triple Axel, doubled both Triple Lutzes and missed a whole bunch of other elements. This was close to a fiasco. He obtained 134.31 points. Overall: 191.13
Han Yan had tougher rivals to deal with for this grand prix competition. His interpretation looked mechanical, as if he didn't feel the waltz at all. The elements were bad as well: a fall on the Triple Axel, a Double instead of a Triple Toeloop and Single Loop, Toeloop and Lutz. His score: 129.89. Overall: 214.23
Jason Brown brought the arena on its feet after an astounding routine. He had speed and character and only one mistake (Single instead of Triple Axel). We sense an Olympic medal in his future. He obtained 158.32 points. Overall: 243.09
Yuzuru Hanyu had a rough start, but got back on track as if nothing had happened. He failed both quads, but nailed everything else, presentation included. His score: 168.62. Overall: 263.59
Patrick Chan is better than ever! His interpretation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons was masterful and exquisite, while his technical elements were flawless. It looks pretty impossible to take him down off the highest step of the Olympic podium. He obtained 196.75 points. Overall: 295.27
PAIRS
Nicole Della Monica/Matteo Guarise's choice of costumes was excellent, but the rest was pretty dull. They could have increased the tragedy of La Traviata just a little. The real problem were the jumps: he singled the side-by-side Double Toeloop, she double-footed the side-by-side Double Axel and had a hand down on the thrown Triple Loop. Their score: 99.29. Overall: 147.88
Natasha Puric/Mervin Tran need to work on their chemistry, but should be twice as good this time next season. The only notable mistake was on the side-by-side Triple Salchows. They obtained 106.09 points. Overall: 162.09
Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres are obviously getting better each time we see them. Although they didn't bring out the drama and desperation of their story, they did a decent job selling Angles and Demons/Requiem for a Dream. Technically, she fell on the thrown Triple Salchow and there was a wobbly lift in the middle of the routine. Their score: 115.49. Overall: 172.27
Caydee Denney/John Coughlin know their way around one-sided love stories and tragic destinies. Their portrayal of Phantom of the Opera was every bit as grand as required. The only thing they haven't got a firm grasp on is synchronicity - every single side-by-side jump was out of sync. They obtained 120.49 points. Overall: 184.01
Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov went all the way to Turkey to find their long programme music. Polovetsian Dances brings out the balletic side of Vera, which should really make Yuri up his game in artistry. He doubled the Triple Toeloop and fell on the Double Axel. Their score: 114.40. Overall: 180.07
Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford have yet to show they have what it takes to climb the Olympic podium, but sure are a delight to watch. Although Alice in Wonderland is a back-story that is in itself peculiar, that style wouldn't have fitted them, so it's good they stuck to the epic side of the music. There were a couple of technical mistakes: he didn't even try to jump the Double Toeloop and the side-by-side Triple Lutzes, though landed, were out of sync. They obtained 124.82 points. Overall: 190.89
Qing Pang/Jian Tong would better polish those technical elements soon. There is no one who can skate a more glorious Les Miserables than them, as long as the routine is not peppered with mistakes, like it happened here. He messed up every single side-by-side jump and she double-footed the thrown Triple Salchow. Their score: 126.17. Overall: 193.86
LADIES
Natalia Popova is yet another skater who chose to play it safe this Olympic Season by recycling an old programme. Because of the multiple errors - fall on the Triple Flip, double-footed Triple Loop, dodgy Triple Flip, over-rotated Triple Salchow and Double Axel - it was hard to focus on the presentation. Great costume though! Her score: 85.56. Overall: 136.43
Christina Gao's performance was anything but angelic. She double-footed the Triple Toeloop and first Loop, fell on the Triple Flip and second Loop, singled the Triple Salchow and stepped out of the Double Toeloop. She obtained 94.04 points. Overall: 152.85
Viktoria Helgesson is having a rough season. Despite the sharpness of the choreography, the presentation was overshadowed by inconsistency of the jumps: she had a hand down on the Triple Toeloop, Loop and Salchow, and singled the Triple Flip and Double Toeloop. Her score: 100.02. Overall: 123.27
Amelie Lacoste has the rare advantage of having a name she can get a programme out of. Skating on Amelie, she looked so comfortable in her role, it was almost as if the music had been composed for her. She singled the Triple Flip and had a dodgy Double Loop, but this was a strong performance as a whole. She obtained 102.19 points. Overall: 158.11
Mae Berenice Meite knows how to rock on ice. She can be too serious sometimes, but you can see she enjoys the routine. Technically, she had two hands down - Triple Lutz and Loop. Her score: 109.61. Overall: 166.11
Samantha Cesario has had quite the debut! Flawless on a technical level, she toyed with the right amount of seduction and some dramatic transitions that gave her character, Carmen, credibility. She obtained 116.15 points. Overall: 172.70
Adelina Sotnikova needs to reconsider that inappropriate, see-through, not very pretty costume. Otherwise, she gave us a super performance, with great arm work, strong jumps and incredible speed. The music is Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Her score: 129.80. Overall: 189.81
Anna Pogorilaya makes man-eating sirens look good. Skating on the famous Hans Zimmer track, she had only one mistake (Single instead of Double Loop) and lots of stamina. She barely had time to catch her breath throughout the routine. Amazing performance! She obtained 124.66 points. Overall: 184.69
Ashley Wagner has never been stronger. From dreams to prayers to tears, she captured every single emotion of Romeo and Juliet, but had errors on two of the Triple Flips (a double-footed landing and a step-out). Her score: 127.62. Overall: 194.37
DANCE
Nicole Orford/Thomas Williams chose to tell the other love story of Phantom of the Opera, that of Christine and Raoul. Although it was nice seeing the other side, the performance wasn't dramatic, on the contrary, it was quite jolly. That's not what Phantom is about. Their score: 72.15. Overall: 119.60
Penny Coomes/Nicholas Buckland's tribute to Michael Jackson is worth watching. They had a fabulous choreography with some iconic MJ moves and spectacular lifts, but they need to work more on the routine. The difficult lifts didn't look sleek and their speed wasn't so great. They obtained 76.07 points. Overall: 128.59
Ksenia Monko/Kirill Khaliavin had a decent programme. Not hilarious, but not dull either, the story was enjoyable although it wasn't very clear what exactly it was about. They had a gorgeous lift right in the middle. Their score: 83.43. Overall: 139.96
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron are France's next stars. The routine was incredibly dynamic, but the twizzles were out of sync. Surprisingly, he's the one that stole the scene. They obtained 85.16 points. Overall: 143.26
Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexander Gazsi get more theatrical each year! Their free skate is actually connected to the short dance, which is a very creative concept. The story of the lady and the schmuck was sophisticated, although not as difficult technically as others. Their score: 87.14. Overall: 147.27
Elena Ilinykh/Nikita Katsalapov are at their best on powerful music. Swan Lake gave them the chance to showcase their expressiveness and unbelievable stamina. They obtained 102.82 points. Overall: 171.89
Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat might have fallen into another self-made trap. Le Petit Prince et Sa Rose (The Little Prince and His Rose) features Cirque du Soleil music, which is beautiful and almost magical, but has none of the drama and passion of their rivals' routines. Their score: 100.49. Overall: 171.08
Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir are simply flawless in everything they do. This programme was delicate and exquisite; the perfect ending to their competitive careers. They obtained 105.65 points. Overall: 180.96
Alexander Majorov never fails to find original stories for his programmes. Skating on Archangel by T.J. Bergersen, he double-footed the Quad Toeloop, singled both Triple Lutzes and fell on the Triple Flip. His score: 120.90. Overall: 180.62
Nan Song's mission in France can be ticked as a success, although he could have used a bit more emotion in the interpretation. He also had a hand down on the Quad Toeloop and double-footed the Triple Loop. He obtained 133.37 points. Overall: 204.73
Michal Brezina is once more battling his inconsistency demons. Although he did a tremendous job impersonating the infamous Sherlock Holmes, his jumps were rusty at best. He over-rotated the first Quad Salchow and completely failed the second, fell on the Triple Toeloop, singled the Triple Flip and Triple Salchow, and doubled the Triple Toeloop. His score: 134.31. Overall: 206.22
Florent Amodio's life might have lost a shade of pink after this performance. Although he still kept his usual funky self together in the presentation, he fell on the Quad Salchow and the Triple Axel, doubled both Triple Lutzes and missed a whole bunch of other elements. This was close to a fiasco. He obtained 134.31 points. Overall: 191.13
Han Yan had tougher rivals to deal with for this grand prix competition. His interpretation looked mechanical, as if he didn't feel the waltz at all. The elements were bad as well: a fall on the Triple Axel, a Double instead of a Triple Toeloop and Single Loop, Toeloop and Lutz. His score: 129.89. Overall: 214.23
Jason Brown brought the arena on its feet after an astounding routine. He had speed and character and only one mistake (Single instead of Triple Axel). We sense an Olympic medal in his future. He obtained 158.32 points. Overall: 243.09
Yuzuru Hanyu had a rough start, but got back on track as if nothing had happened. He failed both quads, but nailed everything else, presentation included. His score: 168.62. Overall: 263.59
Patrick Chan is better than ever! His interpretation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons was masterful and exquisite, while his technical elements were flawless. It looks pretty impossible to take him down off the highest step of the Olympic podium. He obtained 196.75 points. Overall: 295.27
PAIRS
Nicole Della Monica/Matteo Guarise's choice of costumes was excellent, but the rest was pretty dull. They could have increased the tragedy of La Traviata just a little. The real problem were the jumps: he singled the side-by-side Double Toeloop, she double-footed the side-by-side Double Axel and had a hand down on the thrown Triple Loop. Their score: 99.29. Overall: 147.88
Natasha Puric/Mervin Tran need to work on their chemistry, but should be twice as good this time next season. The only notable mistake was on the side-by-side Triple Salchows. They obtained 106.09 points. Overall: 162.09
Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres are obviously getting better each time we see them. Although they didn't bring out the drama and desperation of their story, they did a decent job selling Angles and Demons/Requiem for a Dream. Technically, she fell on the thrown Triple Salchow and there was a wobbly lift in the middle of the routine. Their score: 115.49. Overall: 172.27
Caydee Denney/John Coughlin know their way around one-sided love stories and tragic destinies. Their portrayal of Phantom of the Opera was every bit as grand as required. The only thing they haven't got a firm grasp on is synchronicity - every single side-by-side jump was out of sync. They obtained 120.49 points. Overall: 184.01
Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov went all the way to Turkey to find their long programme music. Polovetsian Dances brings out the balletic side of Vera, which should really make Yuri up his game in artistry. He doubled the Triple Toeloop and fell on the Double Axel. Their score: 114.40. Overall: 180.07
Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford have yet to show they have what it takes to climb the Olympic podium, but sure are a delight to watch. Although Alice in Wonderland is a back-story that is in itself peculiar, that style wouldn't have fitted them, so it's good they stuck to the epic side of the music. There were a couple of technical mistakes: he didn't even try to jump the Double Toeloop and the side-by-side Triple Lutzes, though landed, were out of sync. They obtained 124.82 points. Overall: 190.89
Qing Pang/Jian Tong would better polish those technical elements soon. There is no one who can skate a more glorious Les Miserables than them, as long as the routine is not peppered with mistakes, like it happened here. He messed up every single side-by-side jump and she double-footed the thrown Triple Salchow. Their score: 126.17. Overall: 193.86
LADIES
Natalia Popova is yet another skater who chose to play it safe this Olympic Season by recycling an old programme. Because of the multiple errors - fall on the Triple Flip, double-footed Triple Loop, dodgy Triple Flip, over-rotated Triple Salchow and Double Axel - it was hard to focus on the presentation. Great costume though! Her score: 85.56. Overall: 136.43
Christina Gao's performance was anything but angelic. She double-footed the Triple Toeloop and first Loop, fell on the Triple Flip and second Loop, singled the Triple Salchow and stepped out of the Double Toeloop. She obtained 94.04 points. Overall: 152.85
Viktoria Helgesson is having a rough season. Despite the sharpness of the choreography, the presentation was overshadowed by inconsistency of the jumps: she had a hand down on the Triple Toeloop, Loop and Salchow, and singled the Triple Flip and Double Toeloop. Her score: 100.02. Overall: 123.27
Amelie Lacoste has the rare advantage of having a name she can get a programme out of. Skating on Amelie, she looked so comfortable in her role, it was almost as if the music had been composed for her. She singled the Triple Flip and had a dodgy Double Loop, but this was a strong performance as a whole. She obtained 102.19 points. Overall: 158.11
Mae Berenice Meite knows how to rock on ice. She can be too serious sometimes, but you can see she enjoys the routine. Technically, she had two hands down - Triple Lutz and Loop. Her score: 109.61. Overall: 166.11
Samantha Cesario has had quite the debut! Flawless on a technical level, she toyed with the right amount of seduction and some dramatic transitions that gave her character, Carmen, credibility. She obtained 116.15 points. Overall: 172.70
Adelina Sotnikova needs to reconsider that inappropriate, see-through, not very pretty costume. Otherwise, she gave us a super performance, with great arm work, strong jumps and incredible speed. The music is Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Her score: 129.80. Overall: 189.81
Anna Pogorilaya makes man-eating sirens look good. Skating on the famous Hans Zimmer track, she had only one mistake (Single instead of Double Loop) and lots of stamina. She barely had time to catch her breath throughout the routine. Amazing performance! She obtained 124.66 points. Overall: 184.69
Ashley Wagner has never been stronger. From dreams to prayers to tears, she captured every single emotion of Romeo and Juliet, but had errors on two of the Triple Flips (a double-footed landing and a step-out). Her score: 127.62. Overall: 194.37
DANCE
Nicole Orford/Thomas Williams chose to tell the other love story of Phantom of the Opera, that of Christine and Raoul. Although it was nice seeing the other side, the performance wasn't dramatic, on the contrary, it was quite jolly. That's not what Phantom is about. Their score: 72.15. Overall: 119.60
Penny Coomes/Nicholas Buckland's tribute to Michael Jackson is worth watching. They had a fabulous choreography with some iconic MJ moves and spectacular lifts, but they need to work more on the routine. The difficult lifts didn't look sleek and their speed wasn't so great. They obtained 76.07 points. Overall: 128.59
Ksenia Monko/Kirill Khaliavin had a decent programme. Not hilarious, but not dull either, the story was enjoyable although it wasn't very clear what exactly it was about. They had a gorgeous lift right in the middle. Their score: 83.43. Overall: 139.96
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron are France's next stars. The routine was incredibly dynamic, but the twizzles were out of sync. Surprisingly, he's the one that stole the scene. They obtained 85.16 points. Overall: 143.26
Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexander Gazsi get more theatrical each year! Their free skate is actually connected to the short dance, which is a very creative concept. The story of the lady and the schmuck was sophisticated, although not as difficult technically as others. Their score: 87.14. Overall: 147.27Elena Ilinykh/Nikita Katsalapov are at their best on powerful music. Swan Lake gave them the chance to showcase their expressiveness and unbelievable stamina. They obtained 102.82 points. Overall: 171.89
Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat might have fallen into another self-made trap. Le Petit Prince et Sa Rose (The Little Prince and His Rose) features Cirque du Soleil music, which is beautiful and almost magical, but has none of the drama and passion of their rivals' routines. Their score: 100.49. Overall: 171.08
Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir are simply flawless in everything they do. This programme was delicate and exquisite; the perfect ending to their competitive careers. They obtained 105.65 points. Overall: 180.96
talking about IK's "Swan Lake": it have NO
ReplyDeletestory, at all first time I saw it, I was like "wow,
great!" and then, there were just so many
questions, so many confuse part in it.
Like, say, "ok, so according to their costume,
she is Odyle, and him Rothbath, and they...
fall in love?" "the first pose is nice, but she is
Black Swan, why she looks so fragile and
scare?" "what are those gestures about? what
is the meaning behind them?" and it upset me
to no end how those commentators talked
about them "lovely, it's ballet training" (the
same thing he talked about Bobrova
Soloviev's Chess short dance 3 years ago) -
no, it's nothing close to ballet training. In
Navka's fanforum (written in Russian), people
claimed (a lot) about Lena's hands "are vain".
And then she just kind of answered my
question : "just 2 strong character feeling love
and passion" -> so yes, no meaning in those
nearly 5 minutes (just like thought). Also, so
far, only Virtue/Moir, Davis/White, Cappellini/
Lanotte (my second most favorite fd),
Bobrova/Soloviev (my most favorite fd,
actually), Pechalat/Bourzat are really telling a
story by staking their free dance. Others? just
gliding on ice & being beautiful, nothing else -
_-
and where are you now??? why did you stop writting? I miss your posts.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have time to post anymore because of my studies (I'm majoring in Journalism), but I'll be back as soon as the Europeans start. Don't worry, this was just a long break I hope I won't have to repeat anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on Ilinykh/Katsalapov's free dance. Unfortunately they tend to barely scratch the surface of the story in most of their routines. I don't think The Black Swan is a good role for Elena, to be honest. The commentators (and judges) like them so much because they skate fast and it looks effortless. As for Bobrova/Soloviev, I was a bit disappointed that they went back to classic music after last year's awesome FD, but they do have something very alluring about them, don't they? I hope they'll win the Europeans again this year.
Rumor has it, they are going back to the last year's FD. I don't know, but the Bird FD is somehow grows on me. I start loving it.
DeleteAnd what a shame, they don't go to ECh this year. And it is sad, how many people doubt their ability, that the Russian fed should start to focus on Ilinykh/Katsalapov. Ice Dance is about
1) dancing
2) ice skating
It's not just about being sexy on ice. Bobrova/Soloviev don't have the advantage of being beautiful, their posture is not cool neither, but they are better in technique and expression. Everytimes I saw Birds, I loved it more, the the part when
Katya was shot, they looked so heart
breaking the part when she was dying
(and there came Lacrimosa), when she tried to fly the last time and finally died in his arms, very touching, very touching. (much more than certain someones' "just 2 strong characters feeling love & passionate for each other", much more).