FCC 2015 - Costume Changes and Other Inexplicable Oddities (Dance Highlights)

The short dance of the ice dancers began as most figure skating competitions do, with a well-defined if predictable idea of who should end on which place. Weaver & Poje had come to Seoul to take the gold, after all, and they were unlikely to be satisfied with less. But something quite inexplicable made the judges put them on third place at the end of the event. Thus, the first stage of the competition ended, ironically so, in a predictably unpredictable result. Why predictably unpredictable? Because this has happened so many times this season, I've learnt to expect it. Let's see how the three best couples did:

The Shibutani siblings dazzle with their waltz
Photograph: Streeter Lecka /
Getty Images North America

There are apparently 25 pages of rules in the short dance guideline, but Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje looked like they knew every single one of them by heart. From where I stood, they did nothing wrong with the paso doble. The judges however were less enthusiastic about it and sure took a lot of time to announce the score; even the announcer sounded irritated as she delivered the oh-too-familiar line: "The score, please". They got 68.31 points.

Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani's routine was punctuated by little head movements that truly made them look like genuine flamenco dancers. I don't understand why he changed his costume though. The old one was stitch-perfect. His only excuse for changing it is if something as irreparable as a herd of bulls running it over happened to it. Their score: 69.65.

Madison Chock/Evan Bates's straight-line lift is hands down one of the best lifts of the season. I love the way she climbs all over him, and that final balance point is insanely difficult. They definitely make good use of her flexibility. However, I noticed the tinniest lack of unison at the end of the second twizzle position. They got 70.38 points.

It was with this shocking podium that we advanced into the final, and maybe with a bit of confusion - alright, a lot of confusion - as to what exactly happened with the Canadians' score. Weaver & Poje did make up for it and, despite all the drama, managed to win their second Four Continents title. Here's what all the medalists did in more detail:

Selfie time on the podium
Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images Asia

Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani seemed a bit off. He lost his balance in the twizzles and looked to be pulling her around in certain parts of the routine as if she struggled to keep up. Presentation-wise, I have issues with his clothes again - what happened to his dress suit? That button-less shirt is not appropriate for a waltz. The lifts could have been a tad more difficult too. Their score: 101.14. They won the bronze medal with a total of 170.79.

Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje's rendition of The Four Seasons ticked the entire array of emotions you'd normally associate with the transition of the seasons, from the exhilaration of the first summer day to the nostalgia of the last day of winter. The twizzles were perfect too. They got 109.15 points. Overall: 177.46.

Madison Chock/Evan Bates ruined their long programme for me by changing their beautiful black and white costumes for a pair that looks so dull and generic that it could stand for absolutely anything. Plus, his was very similar to a blue costume worn by Alexander Smirnov two seasons ago. Their score: 105.80. An overall of 176.18 meant they had to settle for the silver medal.

So, what did you think of all that went down in the ice-dance competition in Seoul?