2024 Finlandia Trophy Free Dance PBP - Thank You For Being a Finn

[Cachoo]

I would have said that last year, but G&F looked AWFUL in France. I thought Lopareva and Brissaud should've beaten them even without the fall. I'm not sure what's going on, but all of their elements seemed shaky and neither program showed off their basic skating. It wasn't just the program. Maybe it was just an off competition. I couldn't believe I was watching the same team.

I dislike the program. I wish I didn't but it leaves me with no feeling at all.

 

[kwanette]

Lewis vs. J-L Baker please.

YES!

 

[Allen]

I agree with you regarding G/F. They are sublime. And let's face it which ever program they do, they always get low balled.

They are sublime skaters, but for whatever reason, I get nothing from them emotionally. I agree that they have the best basics and execution of elements, but I don't know why, I just don't connect to them at all.

 

[Jammers]

Wow of all of teams F/G are the only ones to win 2 GP's this season who would have thought that would happen. Are the top 3 teams perhaps running out of gas a year before Milan? One disadvantage all 3 teams have is they barely compete before the GP because of their ages. I mean when is the last time C/B competed before the GP season they always seem rusty at the start of the season because their programs have no mileage.

 

[PRlady]

I got home and could watch the FD undisturbed.

I can’t believe I’m saying this but the Finns’ wonderful tango was better than G/P’s blechorous FD even discounting the fall. I’ve never been a T/V fan and I generally hate tangoes, but theirs looked like real ballroom dancing and Julia was far more dramatic than I’ve ever seen her. They wuzrobbed, they were also better than the Brits with that generic FD, and they should have won the FD.

Zingas/Kolesnik continue to impress me by their unison and performance quality. I guess they’re my choice for US #3 at this point. Shame about the Browns, I actually liked their FD despite the mistake and yes, oona is a better skater than Emilea. But she’s not as good a performer.

 

[dancefan17]

I think scoring for the dance events was just a bit low across the board. I think Z/K’s FD was terrific but agree that the Finn’s tango was amazing and made me pine for more traditional dances. I did get some Kaitlyn Weaver vibes from their program. Ona separate note, I am hoping that Green Parsons continue to improve and are competitive with Z/K by the time we get to nationals.

 

[4rkidz]

Piper and Paul just need more mileage, I would imagine their limited competitions and skating time because of their pre season life have caught up with them a bit. Paul seemed a little off for both programs. I think you will see some differences for the GPF. Agree with others about music and costumes.

 

[peibeck]

Just finished the FD's and... how convenient that the dancers decided to follow everyone else's frees and be sloppy messes.

Gilles/Poirier ending up fourth in the free is actually a bit generous. I'd have had them behind the Taschlers as well. They seemed on autopilot and not particularly engaging from the beginning, even before the mistake, and then after Paul's fall it was very much a "deer in the headlights" kind of performance. I also agree with @PRlady that the tango section of the dance, after Turkkila/Versluis' FD seems BEYOND clunky. This whole dance needs a rethink after the GP, imo.

Turkkila/Versluis' tango is quite wonderful... until the godawful character steps that finish the piece. That section, for me, completely breaks the spell. And tangos in dance are wonderful... in singles, not so much.

Fear/Gibson: It was clean, but this is by far the least entertaining of their jukebox free dances. And the fact the get staggering scores for skating skills, when their connections are only slightly more difficult than Lim/Quan's here is beyond baffling to me.

Zingas/Kolesnik: This seemed a lot cleaner than at Skate Canada, but the music edit halfway through takes me out of the program. SD problems aside, I don't think they've done enough to make me believe Green/Parsons won't brush them aside and get the trip to Boston.

Taschlers: Like I said before, I love their skating. But both their programs this year are just... meh. (Especially the RD).

Orihara/Pirinen: Sorry but 8s in PCS? Quite simply embarrassing, as is the whole free dance, which looks more like a junior high dance recital than Broadway. Yes, I can see they have fun and bring joy to what they are doing, but that doesn't make it top tier.

Pate/Bye: The slower sections give them time to stretch and finish their moves, and is not bad. But most of this is at a tempo they barely keep up with and then they are just super sloppy.

Browns: Ugh, so frustrating. But so was most of this Finnish GP!!!

 

[ross_hy]

Mark keeps complimenting the choreo assisted jumps (the cartwheels and seasick), and I just hate that part of the program, seems so beneath them.

Which makes it all the more puzzling that the element received a ! designation. Anybody know what about this element today didn't fulfill all the requirements?

 

[kwanfan1818]

I have said this literally since before 2014 Olympics. If a skater falls twice and can only get X PCS, then why do they let the judges still input anything different? It's stupid. It's one extra line of code and a lot less complicated than some of the other rules.

But who will think of the county novice competition officials who are doing this on paper and can’t afford the equipment and software?

 

[Rukia]

ok I caught up and the disaster level of this event was not undersold

I actually am liking l/q's Cruella more, but I still think they need to lean into it more. Also is Ye a Dalmatian? Give him dog ears. The waltz part is nice but it's also hardly done in any kind of hold. I think p/b were smart to change their program again. Brown's fd is growing on me. Too bad about the lift error. I still hate Fear/Gibson's program. Their free scores are not that high this season really either tbh. Inch resting. I also dislike g/p's fd. Wuthering heights was so dynamic and interesting and this is so meh. I guess you can't take the Canada out of the ice dance team. Impressed by Piper not taking the fall when Paul did.

anyway I'm officially scared for coc I sincerely just wish everyone skates well because woof

 

[MacMadame]

But who will think of the county novice competition officials who are doing this on paper and can’t afford the equipment and software?

I bet they do a better job.

I actually am liking l/q's Cruella more, but I still think they need to lean into it more. Also is Ye a Dalmatian? Give him dog ears.

I thought he was a henchman. Or maybe just there.

 

[Rukia]

I thought he was a henchman. Or maybe just there.

that honestly makes more sense but I think he should be a Dalmatian and wear dog ears

 

[MacMadame]

that honestly makes more sense but I think he should be a Dalmatian and wear dog ears

I think so too! He'd need a different costume though. Something with spots.

 

[peibeck]

that honestly makes more sense but I think he should be a Dalmatian and wear dog ears

There is only ONE diva on this team, and she should not allow him to steal any of her attention away with DOG EARS!

 

[Icetalavista]

I am resigning myself to a win at World Champs and next Olys for Fear & Gibson. Then maybe they can retire and the ISU can get back to more classic skills ice dance.

 

[Wyliefan]

Hold your horses, there. Winning a couple of GPs when other teams made mistakes doesn't automatically translate to Olympic gold.

 

[Debbie S]

Hold your horses, there. Winning a couple of GPs when other teams made mistakes doesn't automatically translate to Olympic gold.

Particularly since their scores weren't close to the other teams' scores when those teams skated clean.