The Best and Worst of 2012/2013, Part 3
It was all about the Triple Lutz this season for Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford. They did it side-by-side and as a throw-jump, and it's no wonder medals started raining down on them (gold at the Canadian Championships and the Four Continents, silver at Trophee Eric Bombard and Skate Canada, and the big bronze at Worlds). This was the pair's best season so far and they were some of the season's best.
Their short program music was La Boheme, a famous opera written by Giacomo Puccini. Although their costumes are sometimes a bit of a let down because they're not very expressive, this time Meagan accessorized her red dress with a flower in her hair and Eric's red scarf really made a difference. What they're best at, besides the Triple Lutz, are original entrances and exits into and out of elements.
In the free skate, they skated on Philippe Rombi's Angel. The music and choreography were gorgeous, but they should have worn something more angelic and less dinner-date. Perhaps that would have brought them extra points and helped them win the world silver medal some say they should have taken home anyway.
Do you remember the days when Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov were the best next thing? An entire decade seems to have passed since then, and yet it's only been a year. The truth is they have not changed at all and that is where the problem lies.
Their short program this season was on Franz Liszt's Liebestraum, a beautiful music that makes you fall asleep. Simple and pretty, just like their costumes, the program was filled with interesting elements like their side-by-side spins in positions we rarely see in pairs competitions, but it was hard to watch while listening to a song that invited you to close your eyes and dream away. It's not that it was bad, it's just that it's the same old thing.
Their Spartacus theme for the free skate was a lot better, with alert music and costumes inspired by Ancient Rome. But where was the tragedy, where was the drama? Pairs is not ice-dance, it's not like we're expecting the same presentation skills, but kind smile and empty eyes is not what you associate with Spartacus, a tale of blood, vengeance and passion.
All in all, it was a disappointing season for the Russians and their fans. No matter what music they skate on, they seem to be skating it in the same old way, taking no risks whatsoever. It was beautiful to watch for a season, even two, but they need to come up with something new if they're to compete with the top pairs.
Their short program music was La Boheme, a famous opera written by Giacomo Puccini. Although their costumes are sometimes a bit of a let down because they're not very expressive, this time Meagan accessorized her red dress with a flower in her hair and Eric's red scarf really made a difference. What they're best at, besides the Triple Lutz, are original entrances and exits into and out of elements.
In the free skate, they skated on Philippe Rombi's Angel. The music and choreography were gorgeous, but they should have worn something more angelic and less dinner-date. Perhaps that would have brought them extra points and helped them win the world silver medal some say they should have taken home anyway.
Do you remember the days when Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov were the best next thing? An entire decade seems to have passed since then, and yet it's only been a year. The truth is they have not changed at all and that is where the problem lies.
Their short program this season was on Franz Liszt's Liebestraum, a beautiful music that makes you fall asleep. Simple and pretty, just like their costumes, the program was filled with interesting elements like their side-by-side spins in positions we rarely see in pairs competitions, but it was hard to watch while listening to a song that invited you to close your eyes and dream away. It's not that it was bad, it's just that it's the same old thing.
Their Spartacus theme for the free skate was a lot better, with alert music and costumes inspired by Ancient Rome. But where was the tragedy, where was the drama? Pairs is not ice-dance, it's not like we're expecting the same presentation skills, but kind smile and empty eyes is not what you associate with Spartacus, a tale of blood, vengeance and passion.All in all, it was a disappointing season for the Russians and their fans. No matter what music they skate on, they seem to be skating it in the same old way, taking no risks whatsoever. It was beautiful to watch for a season, even two, but they need to come up with something new if they're to compete with the top pairs.
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