Crystal Skate

You've probably noticed how figure skating is changing every year; the rules get a little less strict (who else is excited about lyrics in single and pairs competition starting 2014/2015?), programmes get a little riskier and skaters are trying new elements each year (remember Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy's thrown triple Axel?). Ice dance in particular is an area where you can bring as many innovations as you'd like, but some skaters take that opportunity and dress it up in something ridiculous they then call originality. Others know that innovation is like pepper: you use a teaspoon and it adds flavour, you use a fistful and it sets you on fire. Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje are no strangers to using new regulations in their programmes; whether they're using a prop (i.e.: Kaitlyn's scarf for the 2007/2008 original dance) or using iconic words to set the scene (Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman's voices at the start of their Moulin Rouge routine back in 2010/2...

This season was, above everything else, about change, whether we witnessed it happening or we wished we had. Two ice-dance couples in particular proved what a difference change (or lack of it) can make. Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat from France put on quite a Moulin Rouge show on ice. Being French definitely gave them the advantage of choosing a cultural-rich theme they probably grew up with. The music ( Gaite Parisienne  by Jacques Offenback; Sous le ciel du Paris  by Yves Montand) was delightful and the short dance was cheeky and very enjoyable (definitely top 5 best short dances of the season). The award for best performance has to go to Nathalie though because she played her role every second of the program, while Fabian often seemed a bit empty-eyed. As good as the short was, their long program was way below expectations. Fitted more for shows than competitions (especially if you're talking pre-Olympic season), the Rolling Stones Medley was nothing more than danci...