Grand Prix of Helsinki 2018 - Ice Dance Final - Signs of Quality
The Rhythmic Dance was the only event I knew what to expect of. At the end of it, I got exactly what I expected: Stepanova & Bukin are first, Guignard & Fabbri are second and McNamara & Carpenter are third. The situation is not likely to be changed by the end of the final, but we'll see. Regardless of the standings, we're likely to see some solid performances tonight.
Shari Koch/Christian Nuchtern are the first to go on the ice. I love their costumes, which are really authentic, but they are a bit slow throughout the routine. She also wobbles during the dance sequence. Score: 86.91 -> 143.62.
Katarina Muller/Tim Dieck's choreography is much more innovative and complex than that of their co-nationals. This is the second time I see this programme and I have to say, it's better this time around. She does fall during a step sequence though. Score: 87.00 -> 143.59.
Betina Popovici/Sergey Mozgov truly impress me. Their spin is one of the most creative ones I've seen out there and the entire routine is peppered with daring moves - from lift dismounts to transitions and step sequences. The only mistake is Betina losing her balance during the third position of the twizzles. Score: 95.21 -> 157.56.
Jasmine Tessari/Francesco Fioretti's routine, set to Hymne a l'amour, is much softer than the Russians'. You can say they are at complete opposite ends of the human emotions scale. Theirs is romantic where the other couples' was aggressive. I really like their stationary lift. Score: 95.41 -> 153.89.
Juulia Turkkila/Matthias Versluis make their home crowd proud today despite his mistake on the twizzles. Their curve lift is very daring, with her hanging upside down while he's not holding her in any way. You can see her arms shake and can't help but feel very nervous. Lovely costumes that complement each other. Score: 97.56 -> 160.62.
Tokyo Myers' Bloodstream is proving out to be quite a popular musical choice this season. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko pair it with Angels by the same artist. She has to step out during the twizzles, but everything else is quite good. Score: 100.35 -> 167.28.
Sara Hurtado/Kirill Khaliavin are another couple with an original spin, although they are not quite at the same level as the Russians'. Their performance is very emotional, set to Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky and Harry Styles' Sign of the Times. Score: 105.84 -> 172.09.
I am not entirely sure what Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter are trying to transmit through their programme, but they're very good nevertheless. They remind me a little of Papadakis/Cizeron, not just because of the skating style, but even because of the costumes. Score: 105.26 -> 176.66.
Wow! I think this is my favourite Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin free programme ever. The choreography is sexy and powerful, and their relationship with each other, the judges and the audience is cheeky and almost electric. This is simply brilliant. Score: 121.91 -> 200.09.
A moment of bad luck will probably get Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri stuck in second place here. She falls right after the twizzles. Speaking of the twizzles, the Russians' might be some of the best in the world, but for me, the Italians' transitions between them are second to no one competing here. Score: 118.93 -> 196.29.
In the end, the fall was not the one responsible for the Italians' silver medal. Alexandra and Ivan take home the gold with a super performance. The bronze goes to USA's McNamara & Carpenter.
Quote of the competition:
Shari Koch/Christian Nuchtern are the first to go on the ice. I love their costumes, which are really authentic, but they are a bit slow throughout the routine. She also wobbles during the dance sequence. Score: 86.91 -> 143.62.
Katarina Muller/Tim Dieck's choreography is much more innovative and complex than that of their co-nationals. This is the second time I see this programme and I have to say, it's better this time around. She does fall during a step sequence though. Score: 87.00 -> 143.59.
Betina Popovici/Sergey Mozgov truly impress me. Their spin is one of the most creative ones I've seen out there and the entire routine is peppered with daring moves - from lift dismounts to transitions and step sequences. The only mistake is Betina losing her balance during the third position of the twizzles. Score: 95.21 -> 157.56.
Jasmine Tessari/Francesco Fioretti's routine, set to Hymne a l'amour, is much softer than the Russians'. You can say they are at complete opposite ends of the human emotions scale. Theirs is romantic where the other couples' was aggressive. I really like their stationary lift. Score: 95.41 -> 153.89.
Juulia Turkkila/Matthias Versluis make their home crowd proud today despite his mistake on the twizzles. Their curve lift is very daring, with her hanging upside down while he's not holding her in any way. You can see her arms shake and can't help but feel very nervous. Lovely costumes that complement each other. Score: 97.56 -> 160.62.
Tokyo Myers' Bloodstream is proving out to be quite a popular musical choice this season. Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko pair it with Angels by the same artist. She has to step out during the twizzles, but everything else is quite good. Score: 100.35 -> 167.28.
Sara Hurtado/Kirill Khaliavin are another couple with an original spin, although they are not quite at the same level as the Russians'. Their performance is very emotional, set to Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky and Harry Styles' Sign of the Times. Score: 105.84 -> 172.09.
I am not entirely sure what Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter are trying to transmit through their programme, but they're very good nevertheless. They remind me a little of Papadakis/Cizeron, not just because of the skating style, but even because of the costumes. Score: 105.26 -> 176.66.
Wow! I think this is my favourite Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin free programme ever. The choreography is sexy and powerful, and their relationship with each other, the judges and the audience is cheeky and almost electric. This is simply brilliant. Score: 121.91 -> 200.09.
A moment of bad luck will probably get Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri stuck in second place here. She falls right after the twizzles. Speaking of the twizzles, the Russians' might be some of the best in the world, but for me, the Italians' transitions between them are second to no one competing here. Score: 118.93 -> 196.29.
In the end, the fall was not the one responsible for the Italians' silver medal. Alexandra and Ivan take home the gold with a super performance. The bronze goes to USA's McNamara & Carpenter.
Quote of the competition:
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