Skate America 2018 - Ice-Dance Final - A Bouquet of Styles

The ice-dance podium
Photo: Getty Images North America

The rhythmic dance was a pretty laid back affair. No drama, no shocking results. As I said previously, the top two spots are likely to stay as they are right now, while the bronze medal is up for grabs. Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom are all in positions to climb the third step of the podium, so we'll have to see who skates that extra mile to get there.

Karina Manta & Joseph Johnson are the first to skate. Their energy fills the arena, but most of their lifts are a bit slow and awkward, and they're not in sync during the twizzles. The repeating motive of their choreography seems to be cartwheels. Score: 84.44. Overall: 139.33.

Robynne Tweedale & Joseph Buckland skate to Ghost, the musical. The flow of their elements is better than that of the Americans, and they are faster too. Love her beautiful pink and gray sheer dress. I don't know if it's a reference to the film or ghosts in general, but a lot of skaters who use the soundtrack of Ghost wear gray. Score: 94.92. Overall: 152.69.

I am not sure how to feel about Katharina Muller & Tim Dieck's routine. The message they express is amazing (the programme is entitled The Way Through Cancer), but I really don't like the music. Technically, she experiences a little stumble right after the combo spin and there are moments, particularly during the first half, when they are out of sync with each other. Score: 97.99. Overall: 158.11.

Germany's Muller and Dieck expressing a clock during their straight-line lift
Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images North America

Now, for some familiar faces: Alexandra Nazarova & Maxim Nikitin. Their routine is very original, but I'm a bit lost about the story. It's a mash-up of The Nightclub Dance and Titine. I think the influence of Fabien Bourzat is visible here. Amazing curve lift, but not the best twizzles, probably because they go into them suddenly, out of a transition. That bit just needs more work. Score: 97.84. Overall: 156.16.

Natalia Kaliszek & Maksym Spodyriev skate to Bout Time and I Feel Like Drowning. It sounds a lot like a party. The first position of their rotational lift is actually very similar to a position I've just seen the American couple do. Their spin is a bit slow and not as difficult as some of the others'. Score: 100.27. Overall: 163.05.

Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson bring the same enthusiastic energy we saw during the rhythmic dance. Their mid-line step sequence is truly phenomenal and I love how they use their hands in dance moves the audience will recognise. Unfortunately, he loses his second position of the twizzles, but does his best to recover in time for the third. Score: 105.99. Overall: 170.70.

Lorraine McNamara & Quinn Carpenter are better today than in the rhythmic dance. It could be that the tango doesn't suit them as well as this softer, classical routine. The entry into their rotational lift is both beautiful and difficult. Score: 108.13 -> 180.57.

When you know you've done a good job - McNamara & Carpenter
Photog: Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images North America

There is a scary moment during Tiffani Zagorski & Jonathan Guerreiro's stationary lift. He seems to really struggle to hold her, but it ends without incidents. Speaking of lifts, the balance of their straight-line lift is really impressive. Score: 108.08 -> 181.38.

Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue have grown so much during the past two seasons. To be honest, when I saw their theme was Romeo and Juliet, I set my expectations to low because I am a bit fed up with seeing this story on ice. However, they somehow manage to make it their own. They are mesmerising tonight. Score: 122.39 -> 200.82.

Recreating a film the entire planet has fallen in love with - La La La Land - is not easy, but Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri make it seem so. They also make me realise there's something very Italian about old Hollywood music. Score: 117.29 -> 192.30.

One of the things I loved the most about this final was the diversity in music styles. We saw contemporary music, classical, musicals, film soundtracks... All the couples did a great job, particularly Madison & Zachary, who are my favourites for the night.

Quote of the competition is:



Want to know what else happened at Skate America 2018?

Rhythmic Dance

Ladies SP

Men Final

Pairs Final

Men SP

Pairs SP

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