JGP #4 Osaka - Ice Dance RD & FD

[Barbara Manatee]

Lots of confidence and attack - like the Mullens!

 

[her grace]

Nguyen/Giang

Soft knees, he put foot down early on twizzle in steps, and more mistakes on twizzle sequence-this time from her, a little glitchy today. Very nice full body movement and good carriage.

 

[Karen-W]

Nguyen/Giang - tell me you're a Wing/Lowe team without telling me you're a Wing/Lowe team = this program. Oops - he fell out of that twizzle, but it wasn't in the sequence, so that's okay. Of course, she botched her twizzles hard in the actual sequence and that's not okay.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

I applaud Giang's boldness in choosing navy over black. A showman.

 

[her grace]

None of the feds seem to be using strategy to assign their teams, but Canada especially made a mistake in sending them here.

 

[her grace]

to Veillon/Brandys for their rise in the Free Dance. That was a nice program with a realized theme and quality skating.

 

[Karen-W]

None of the feds seem to be using strategy to assign their teams, but Canada especially made a mistake in sending them here.

Agreed. This was a major error on their part. I think FradForn are going to wind up sliding into the GPF because their scores are higher than the Peals, who are the other team likely to finish with a 2nd & 3rd in their events.

If the Ukrainian fed was smart, they'd swap Pidgaina/Koval and Pinchuk/Pogorielov (they're listed as substitutes for each other) and see if Pedersen/Chen can muck up again next week and give them another gold.

 

[her grace]

Also, mad props to the Mullens, who aren't getting to take advantage of any of the U.S. withdrawals (instead, having to compete at events with their strongest American teammates, the Peals and Neset/Markelov) and holding their own.

 

[Karen-W]

Also, mad props to the Mullens, who aren't getting to take advantage of any of the U.S. withdrawals (instead, having to compete at events with their strongest American teammates, the Peals and Neset/Markelov) and holding their own.

Yes! I was just looking at their ISU bio - she turns 18 and he turns 20 in December, so they have one more season of junior eligibility and I hope they take it.

 

[her grace]

If the Ukrainian fed was smart, they'd swap Pidgaina/Koval and Pinchuk/Pogorielov (they're listed as substitutes for each other) and see if Pedersen/Chen can muck up again next week and give them another gold.

I agree that Pinchuk/Pogorielov would have a great shot at placing 1-2 in Hungary, but they're also likely to place top 3 in Poland, which would be good enough to get them to the final. Hungary has the Germans, the Swiss, and not a lot of competition beyond that. Maybe Ukraine wants to give Pidgaina/Koval a shot at a medal, which they would be in the mix for in Hungary?

 

[her grace]

T/K have completely embraced being OES with their costumes this year.

 

[her grace]

Fradji/Fourneaux

I think these are new costumes from their last event. Good twizzles, there's a depth to their musical interpretation that is a step up from previous teams, good job

 

[Karen-W]

FraForn - hmmm... low TES at the moment. They have a big enough lead from the RD that I don't expect anyone to snatch bronze out of their hands, but, yeah....

 

[Karen-W]

Fradji/Fourneaux

I think these are new costumes from their last event. Good twizzles, there's a depth to their musical interpretation that is a step up from previous teams, good job

Yes, I think they were in red/black in Bangkok???

 

[her grace]

Kishimoto/Tamura

Good twizzles, carried nice speed across the ice, need more precision in their steps and edges. Higher TES than French team. Hmm.

 

[Karen-W]

Kishimoto/Tamura - well, I found that far more entertaining than anything IAM has ever given Team KoKo. They're both such stars.

ETA - Oh, Mark, finger gun handography during twizzles is hardly innovative choreography from IAM. goes to look for FBSoer's Bonnie & Clyde RD on YT

 

[Frau Muller]

Japanese are soooo cute! Audience delighted.

 

[PRlady]

He’s pretty damn strong in those lifts for a little guy. Japanese Marco.

 

[her grace]

I think they really hit the choreo elements and lifts. But the actual skating wasn't as strong as several other teams. It's my bias, but I don't watch dance to see push-ups and choreo moves. The scoring system overvalues these types of elements IMO.

 

[her grace]

Neset/Markelov

Lovely synchronization on the twizzles, good glide and speed, seamless integration of elements. Great skate.

 

[Karen-W]

NesMark - superb. Their twizzles were so controlled and steady. Just marvelous the way they suck you in, despite the music being Sarah Brightman.

 

[Karen-W]

TkaKil - oh, that's right, the poisonous South American spider program...

 

[her grace]

Tkachenko/Kiliakov

Oblique, avant-garde movement, such wonderful quality in their steps, a little hunched over, which could just be a style choice, great unison

 

[Karen-W]

He botched his twizzles - that will probably settle them for silver. This music totally comes from some "World Music" CD her dad bought at Borders 25 years ago, I'm convinced of it, lol. I don't care what Mark tell us about the music!

Yeah, TES is lower than NesMark...

 

[PRlady]

Tkachenko/Kiliakov

Oblique, avant-garde movement, such wonderful quality in their steps, a little hunched over, which could just be a style choice, great unison

They were spectacular. And the choreo was actually interesting.

 

[Frau Muller]

Israelis fabulous. Yes, I thought of the Duchesnays too, Mark & Ted!

 

[her grace]

Tkachenko wants more. Love her competitiveness.

 

[her grace]

Shameless happiness for Neset/Markelov! On to JGP Final.

 

[EdgyIceMarks]

The Israeli FD having the same music as the Duchesnays 1990 FD was basically Christopher Dean and Elena Novak borrowing from the same contemporary ballet piece right

 

[Holy Headband]

Kishimoto/Tamura - well, I found that far more entertaining than anything IAM has ever given Team KoKo. They're both such stars.

ETA - Oh, Mark, finger gun handography during twizzles is hardly innovative choreography from IAM. goes to look for FBSoer's Bonnie & Clyde RD on YT

If I’m not mistaken, this is the team that did push-ups on the ice in their free one or two seasons ago, so they did pioneer that move at least. And they did it much better than F/G.