2016 Europeans: A Matter of Style (Short Dance)
European ice dance has never been this good. There are three couples who called themselves European champions in the last three seasons competing here. This is a battle between the sophistication of the French, the charisma of the Italians and the technical prowess of the Russians.
Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov are the first Russians to impress. I really love their Swan Lake waltz. It's good to hear the happier parts of the ballet too, not just the tragedy. The diagonal step sequence is probably my favourite part of the programme. Twizzles are slightly out of sync. Their score: 68.33.
Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin take us to another era, one that's glitzier and a lot more fun, but less intense. The Ravensburg waltz is sharper and the twizzles are, as always, phenomenal. Still, I enjoyed their countrymen's waltz more. Maybe it's because this one seems to lack a background story. They get 66.65 points.
Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri might not be Italy's finest, but they have improved tremendously during these past couple of seasons. They are very cheerful on ice and have one of the most difficult lifts of the day, which is always a bonus. Their score: 64.87.
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron are back. This is the first time I see their short programme and I have to say, I've seen better this season. That doesn't mean it isn't absolutely superb. A modern waltz, simple but exquisite, it ticks all the boxes: gorgeous costumes, beautiful music, difficult rotational lift. Perhaps it just takes a bit more getting used to it for me, but, thinking ahead, I don't see it beating the Canadians'. They get 70.74 points.
Penny Coomes/Nicholas Buckland also choose a classic version of waltz and polka. I think this is the longest dress she's ever worn and I love it. Not sure why, but she seems to struggle to keep up with his energy level. Their score: 64.26.
Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte aren't just skaters, they're storytellers. Anna's stylish dress, the ostentatious jewellery, the sombre make-up and the conservative, but sophisticated hairstyle all paint a portrait of The Merry Widow even before the music starts. Once it does, the story carries on, and that's why I personally prefer this routine to that of the French. It takes you places, it tells you a tale. They get 72.31 points.
On a night of tenderness and merriment, Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev's waltz is something else. Dark, intense and positively malicious, their routine surely stands out. This is exactly their style and it fits them like a glove. Prowess indeed. Their score: 68.71.
Three different styles, not just countries, came face to face in Bratislava today, and the ones with a smile on their faces won. At least for now, Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte are leading, almost two points ahead of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron. Another two points behind, Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev are looking at a comeback on the European podium.
Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov are the first Russians to impress. I really love their Swan Lake waltz. It's good to hear the happier parts of the ballet too, not just the tragedy. The diagonal step sequence is probably my favourite part of the programme. Twizzles are slightly out of sync. Their score: 68.33.
Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin take us to another era, one that's glitzier and a lot more fun, but less intense. The Ravensburg waltz is sharper and the twizzles are, as always, phenomenal. Still, I enjoyed their countrymen's waltz more. Maybe it's because this one seems to lack a background story. They get 66.65 points.
Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri might not be Italy's finest, but they have improved tremendously during these past couple of seasons. They are very cheerful on ice and have one of the most difficult lifts of the day, which is always a bonus. Their score: 64.87.
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| Italy's Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte impress in Bratislava |
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron are back. This is the first time I see their short programme and I have to say, I've seen better this season. That doesn't mean it isn't absolutely superb. A modern waltz, simple but exquisite, it ticks all the boxes: gorgeous costumes, beautiful music, difficult rotational lift. Perhaps it just takes a bit more getting used to it for me, but, thinking ahead, I don't see it beating the Canadians'. They get 70.74 points.
Penny Coomes/Nicholas Buckland also choose a classic version of waltz and polka. I think this is the longest dress she's ever worn and I love it. Not sure why, but she seems to struggle to keep up with his energy level. Their score: 64.26.
Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte aren't just skaters, they're storytellers. Anna's stylish dress, the ostentatious jewellery, the sombre make-up and the conservative, but sophisticated hairstyle all paint a portrait of The Merry Widow even before the music starts. Once it does, the story carries on, and that's why I personally prefer this routine to that of the French. It takes you places, it tells you a tale. They get 72.31 points.
On a night of tenderness and merriment, Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev's waltz is something else. Dark, intense and positively malicious, their routine surely stands out. This is exactly their style and it fits them like a glove. Prowess indeed. Their score: 68.71.
Three different styles, not just countries, came face to face in Bratislava today, and the ones with a smile on their faces won. At least for now, Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte are leading, almost two points ahead of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron. Another two points behind, Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev are looking at a comeback on the European podium.
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