Europeans 2017 - A French Delight (Pairs' SP)
The pairs' competition hasn't looked so even in a while. Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot have a lot of potential, but have yet to establish themselves as a top pair, Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov look like they might be the next big thing, and Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov are in theory contenders for the gold, but haven't skated on international ice yet this season. So really, it's anyone's game at the moment.
Let's start by taking a look at Lola Esbrat/Andrei Novoselov. They skate to Memoirs of a Geisha, with a programme whose transitions are pepperred with pretty choreographic lifts. He puts a hand down on the side-by-side triple Salchow and she double-foots the throw jump. Their score: 52.51.
Arina Cherniavskaia/Evgeni Krasnopolski skate to a selection of Chopin melodies. He doesn't quite catch her right during the triple twist, and she falls on the side-by-side triple Salchow. They get 47.92 points.
A bit of drama happening during the routine of Zoe Jones/Christopher Boyadji. No, it has nothing to do with the fact she is 37 years old. Not a typo, you're seeing this right, she is 37 years old. Back to the drama, a costume malfunction after the death spiral makes Christopher skate the rest of the routine almost shirtless. Good programme otherwise, just one hand down on the side-by-side Triple Toeloop. Their score: 52.32.
As soon as Natalia Zabiiako/Alexander Enbert start to skate, the level goes up abruptly. Their lifts are not as difficult or cinematic as even those of the pairs skating before them, but even so, they are terrific. No mistakes whatsoever. Their score: 73.38.
Valentina Marchei/Ondrej Hotarek ooze style with their Seven Nation Army routine. They're super in sync during their mirrored step sequence, but not at all during the side-by-side triple Salchows and spins. They get 66.53 points.
Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer's programme is beautifully set against Ingrid Michaelson's Turn to Stone. I absolutely love the softness of it, as well as the sudden change. That being said, they don't have a lot of transitions. Also, he falls on the side-by-side triple Lutz. Their score: 57.14.
Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot's triple twist is likely going to be the highest and best of the competition. Unbelievably, she lands the throw triple Axel, only to lose her balance and fall during the step sequence. Still strong enough to land themselves on first. They get 73.76 points.
Anna Duskova/Martin Bidar get the audience on their feet. Nice variation on the death spiral; actually, every single element is great. I've heard a lot of good things about them, and I agree that they are the future of European figure skating. Silly fall from him right after the landing of the side-by-side triple Toeloop. Their score: 65.90.
Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov's Clair de Lune goes by in what feels like only a heartbeat. She falls on the throw triple Lutz, but the routine is otherwise flawless. Breathtaking speed during their side-by-side spins! They get 73.70 points.
I am really impressed with Nicole della Monica/Matteo Guarise despite her fall on the throw triple Loop. Their choreography is amazing, the speed astonishing, the intensity kept throughout the programme, the costumes super creative and her change of positions in the lift really fast. The music, Carmina Burana. Their score: 63.97.
Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov continue their amazing performances streak. Way better than both their rival pairs, they are foot-perfect, dancing all the way to Dimie Cat's Glam. Their step sequence is one of the most complex, with loads of changes of direction and short lifts. They get 80.82 points.
I admit I did not expect Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres' Earned It to be this good! Tricky entrance into the death spiral with a quick change of foot. Not a fan of 50 Shades of Grey, but thank God it's got an amazing soundtrack so these two could skate to it. Their score: 74.18.
Well, this short programme ends with another surprise, just like the ladies', and it comes from the same country. James/Cipres end up on second place, making jaws drop all around the world, I'm sure. Tarasova/Morozov are first, and Savchenko/Massot, third. What a great, unexpected ending to the first day of the 2017 European Championships. See you tomorrow!
Let's start by taking a look at Lola Esbrat/Andrei Novoselov. They skate to Memoirs of a Geisha, with a programme whose transitions are pepperred with pretty choreographic lifts. He puts a hand down on the side-by-side triple Salchow and she double-foots the throw jump. Their score: 52.51.
Arina Cherniavskaia/Evgeni Krasnopolski skate to a selection of Chopin melodies. He doesn't quite catch her right during the triple twist, and she falls on the side-by-side triple Salchow. They get 47.92 points.
A bit of drama happening during the routine of Zoe Jones/Christopher Boyadji. No, it has nothing to do with the fact she is 37 years old. Not a typo, you're seeing this right, she is 37 years old. Back to the drama, a costume malfunction after the death spiral makes Christopher skate the rest of the routine almost shirtless. Good programme otherwise, just one hand down on the side-by-side Triple Toeloop. Their score: 52.32.
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| Skating to Snowstorm, Natalia Zabiiako & Alexander Envert |
Valentina Marchei/Ondrej Hotarek ooze style with their Seven Nation Army routine. They're super in sync during their mirrored step sequence, but not at all during the side-by-side triple Salchows and spins. They get 66.53 points.
Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer's programme is beautifully set against Ingrid Michaelson's Turn to Stone. I absolutely love the softness of it, as well as the sudden change. That being said, they don't have a lot of transitions. Also, he falls on the side-by-side triple Lutz. Their score: 57.14.
Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot's triple twist is likely going to be the highest and best of the competition. Unbelievably, she lands the throw triple Axel, only to lose her balance and fall during the step sequence. Still strong enough to land themselves on first. They get 73.76 points.
Anna Duskova/Martin Bidar get the audience on their feet. Nice variation on the death spiral; actually, every single element is great. I've heard a lot of good things about them, and I agree that they are the future of European figure skating. Silly fall from him right after the landing of the side-by-side triple Toeloop. Their score: 65.90.
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| France's Vanessa James & Morgan Cipres, who are set to win the silver medal Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America |
I am really impressed with Nicole della Monica/Matteo Guarise despite her fall on the throw triple Loop. Their choreography is amazing, the speed astonishing, the intensity kept throughout the programme, the costumes super creative and her change of positions in the lift really fast. The music, Carmina Burana. Their score: 63.97.
Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov continue their amazing performances streak. Way better than both their rival pairs, they are foot-perfect, dancing all the way to Dimie Cat's Glam. Their step sequence is one of the most complex, with loads of changes of direction and short lifts. They get 80.82 points.
I admit I did not expect Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres' Earned It to be this good! Tricky entrance into the death spiral with a quick change of foot. Not a fan of 50 Shades of Grey, but thank God it's got an amazing soundtrack so these two could skate to it. Their score: 74.18.
Well, this short programme ends with another surprise, just like the ladies', and it comes from the same country. James/Cipres end up on second place, making jaws drop all around the world, I'm sure. Tarasova/Morozov are first, and Savchenko/Massot, third. What a great, unexpected ending to the first day of the 2017 European Championships. See you tomorrow!
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