cactuswatcher (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cactuswatcher) wrote2010-02-23 09:04 am
cactuswatcher) wrote2010-02-23 09:04 am
Ice Dancing
I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch the ice dancing finals. Not that that's so odd. But I have noticed that a number of the Winter Olymipic sports have advanced a lot in the last decade. When free-style skiing, snow boarding and moguls skiing first came to the Olympics I have to say they were all pretty lame sports. This year they were at least interesting to watch, even if they still aren't my favorite. Except for the top couple or two, ice dancing used to be a giant yawn. These days the also-rans are beautiful to watch and the best are just that much better.
As one of our commentators said the judging wasn't a big issue this time for once. It's hard to get upset about about the order of finish.
I felt sorry for the fifth best team, the Italians, they skated so well, but skating between the two best couples they didn't have a prayer by comparison. The second American team just seemed to run out of gas artistically after the compulsory dance. Their Moldavian original dance didn't seem to click and the jolly head twitching got a little tedious. Their dance last night just wasn't memorable. The Russian team that finished third had a couple of problems. I think Oksana Domnina was the best of all the female skaters in the competition, maybe the best single skater man or woman. But she is so big it would have been difficult to find an appropriate partner for her anywhere. Her partner in the event was probably the weakest skater of the final five men and I'd guess that was true even before he injured himself a while back. Their program in the last two dances was just awful. The aboriginal dance wasn't just offensive in theme, it didn't show off their strengths very well. The same was true of their dance last night. It seemed like the ropes on her costume were there to make up for her size and his lack of ability. But instead of making their dance more impressive, the ropes made his short comings and their lack of match as a couple more blatant. I don't think it's an accident that the third and fourth teams artistic choices were equally poor since they train together. Nor is it surprising that the top two couples share coaches and train together. Artistically Charlie and Meryl had the most ideal dances and choreography for their talents. It bolstered their strengths and hid their weaknesses at least from the audience. They were a joy to watch. I think Scott was easily the best male skater of the top five and it would be difficult to imagine a better partner for him than Tessa. Without a doubt they were the best matched couple and that went a long way toward making them best over all. The range of skills their last dance displayed and emphasized was just impossible to beat.
ETA: Did you ever see anyone more joyful than Tessa singing Oh, Canada?
As one of our commentators said the judging wasn't a big issue this time for once. It's hard to get upset about about the order of finish.
I felt sorry for the fifth best team, the Italians, they skated so well, but skating between the two best couples they didn't have a prayer by comparison. The second American team just seemed to run out of gas artistically after the compulsory dance. Their Moldavian original dance didn't seem to click and the jolly head twitching got a little tedious. Their dance last night just wasn't memorable. The Russian team that finished third had a couple of problems. I think Oksana Domnina was the best of all the female skaters in the competition, maybe the best single skater man or woman. But she is so big it would have been difficult to find an appropriate partner for her anywhere. Her partner in the event was probably the weakest skater of the final five men and I'd guess that was true even before he injured himself a while back. Their program in the last two dances was just awful. The aboriginal dance wasn't just offensive in theme, it didn't show off their strengths very well. The same was true of their dance last night. It seemed like the ropes on her costume were there to make up for her size and his lack of ability. But instead of making their dance more impressive, the ropes made his short comings and their lack of match as a couple more blatant. I don't think it's an accident that the third and fourth teams artistic choices were equally poor since they train together. Nor is it surprising that the top two couples share coaches and train together. Artistically Charlie and Meryl had the most ideal dances and choreography for their talents. It bolstered their strengths and hid their weaknesses at least from the audience. They were a joy to watch. I think Scott was easily the best male skater of the top five and it would be difficult to imagine a better partner for him than Tessa. Without a doubt they were the best matched couple and that went a long way toward making them best over all. The range of skills their last dance displayed and emphasized was just impossible to beat.
ETA: Did you ever see anyone more joyful than Tessa singing Oh, Canada?
no subject
The top two ice dance couples were just outstanding, but the Canadian couple outshone everyone! I loved that they even threw in some plain, old dance in dance hold! And yes, I just smiled watching her sing! So proud, so happy. I rather wished I knew more word to it than "Oh, Canada" though you can make that work all the way through!
After the Russian couple finished I remarked "there's gonna be a new rule next season" before it was said by the commentators. Seriously, it looked like they hadn't taken the training wheels off. Did not like.
no subject
rather wished I knew more word to it than "Oh, Canada" though you can make that work all the way through!
O, Canada,
Our home and native land,
True patriot love,
In all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts,
We see thee rise,
The true north strong and free,
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
feel free to sing along!
no subject
refrain
O Canada!
Glorious and free!
We stand on guard,
We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada!
We stand on guard for thee.