Cup of China 2014 - Free Dance
The order of the top three couples after the ice dancers' short programme was definitely unexpected. Thus the World champions, Cappellini and Lanotte, fell to second place after a set of bad twizzles. The lead was taken by the Shibutani siblings and on third came France's newest couple, Papadakis and Cizeron, after defeating Ilinykh and Zhiganshin at their first event together.
Yue Zhao/Xun Zheng kick off the competition with a selection of tangos. I find it enjoyable, although I think they could've attacked the Assassins' Tango more. Their elements are not that difficult, but their last circular spin is very pretty. Their score: 61.56. Overall: 103.44.
Yiyi Zhang/Nan Wu's Prince of Egypt benefits from a good choreography, but it isn't interpreted with as much emotion as the tangos were. He does an extra rotation right at the end of the twizzles. They get 63.76 points. Overall: 103.44.
Shiyue Wang/Xinyu Liu are far better than their countrymen. Skating to the soundtrack of The Artist, their lifts and spins are significantly more challenging. Their score: 76.68. Overall: 126.18.
The atmosphere changes instantly when Alexandra Paul/Mitchell Islam step on the ice. Theirs is an act of pure class set to famous songs by Frank Sinatra. Compared to those who skated before them, they are smooth, transitioning effortlessly between songs. They have just the tinniest problem with the twizzles. Their score: 84.00. Overall: 140.46.
This is the first time I see Elena Ilinykh/Ruslan Zhiganshin together and I have to say I'm not disappointed. That being said, this is not as detailed and beautiful as her past programmes. They have good chemistry, but the wobbliness of the curve lift proves they're still not entirely in sync. Also, it's an intense story, but I'm not sure of what. They certainly don't look like Anthony and Cleopatra. They get 84.22 points. Overall: 144.70.
In contrast, Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron's rendition of Mozart's Adagio from Concert No. 23 is seamless. They chose the perfect moments in the music for each element and the interpretation is exceptional. You can see they've got a close relationship even off ice. Their score: 98.00. Overall: 160.12. He said it: "Wow."
Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte's presentation skills are second to no one's. Unfortunately, their performance today is nothing short of a fiasco. He falls right at the beginning of the programme, which sets them off course a little, leading to a disastrous curve lift. Love their original spin though. They get 86.88 points. Overall: 149.58.
Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani have definitely grown. They show so much more maturity on ice and their selection of waltzes showcases their great skating skills. The only problem is the lack of synchronicity in the twizzles. Their score: 92.16. Overall: 157.36.
If there's one thing we've learnt from this dance final, it's that being on top can be nerve-wrecking, and nerves can really affect a performance. But when you've got nothing to lose, anything can happen. I doubt that Papadakis and Cizeron planned to win the gold here, but they have, quite deservedly. Maia and Alex Shibutani descend to a silver medal position, while the absolute favourites, Cappellini and Lanotte end on a shocking third place.
Yue Zhao/Xun Zheng kick off the competition with a selection of tangos. I find it enjoyable, although I think they could've attacked the Assassins' Tango more. Their elements are not that difficult, but their last circular spin is very pretty. Their score: 61.56. Overall: 103.44.
Yiyi Zhang/Nan Wu's Prince of Egypt benefits from a good choreography, but it isn't interpreted with as much emotion as the tangos were. He does an extra rotation right at the end of the twizzles. They get 63.76 points. Overall: 103.44.
Shiyue Wang/Xinyu Liu are far better than their countrymen. Skating to the soundtrack of The Artist, their lifts and spins are significantly more challenging. Their score: 76.68. Overall: 126.18.
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| Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron's paso doble Photograph: Kevin Lee/Getty Images Asia |
This is the first time I see Elena Ilinykh/Ruslan Zhiganshin together and I have to say I'm not disappointed. That being said, this is not as detailed and beautiful as her past programmes. They have good chemistry, but the wobbliness of the curve lift proves they're still not entirely in sync. Also, it's an intense story, but I'm not sure of what. They certainly don't look like Anthony and Cleopatra. They get 84.22 points. Overall: 144.70.
In contrast, Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron's rendition of Mozart's Adagio from Concert No. 23 is seamless. They chose the perfect moments in the music for each element and the interpretation is exceptional. You can see they've got a close relationship even off ice. Their score: 98.00. Overall: 160.12. He said it: "Wow."
Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte's presentation skills are second to no one's. Unfortunately, their performance today is nothing short of a fiasco. He falls right at the beginning of the programme, which sets them off course a little, leading to a disastrous curve lift. Love their original spin though. They get 86.88 points. Overall: 149.58.
Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani have definitely grown. They show so much more maturity on ice and their selection of waltzes showcases their great skating skills. The only problem is the lack of synchronicity in the twizzles. Their score: 92.16. Overall: 157.36.
If there's one thing we've learnt from this dance final, it's that being on top can be nerve-wrecking, and nerves can really affect a performance. But when you've got nothing to lose, anything can happen. I doubt that Papadakis and Cizeron planned to win the gold here, but they have, quite deservedly. Maia and Alex Shibutani descend to a silver medal position, while the absolute favourites, Cappellini and Lanotte end on a shocking third place.
This year's COC was a total disaster in everyway shape or form. Skaters better get their stuff together since Worlds are on this very ice!!
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