sylvia Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Christopher Dean did some fantastic choreography for the Duchesnays. I just loved their West Side Story in 1992 in which he actually utilised their brother-sister releationship. I think they were a little unlucky to peak at the same time as husband-and-wife Klimova and Ponomarenko who were very passionate skaters. I also thought Torvill and Dean really oudid themselves in making Carmina Burana for A&P to win the 2000 Worlds. Technically and choreographically it was a masterpiece and I wish to God they'd used for the Olympics. Why more ice-dancers don't employ them is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalia Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I watched it on tape, late last night. Not a banner year for Olympic ice dancing. The placements were fair, especially after the falls by the Italians and Canadian teams. Gold - Annisina/Peizerat (France) - skated with more 'oomph' at Europeans but still the best of the lot last night Silver - Lobacheva/Averbuch (Russia) - big surprise; they have really improved this year. I loved their quick footwork & passion. Bronze - Fusar-Poli/Margaglio (Italy) - I loved the first minute of the programme, as they went 'gangbusters' speeding down the ice. such energy then - plop! down went Maurizio. They went for broke...but it broke. 4th - Bourne/Kraatz (Canada) - always an audience-pleasing team but nowhere near the difficulty as the top three teams. Yet they always try so-so hard, that the effort shows & that may be hurting them. Also...I've always had a problem with Shae-Lynn's sassy smirk; something harsh/arrogant in her otherwise-lovely face. Is it just me? Maybe she has developed this 'fighter's harshness' due to the bad luck & low markings through the years? Yet her partner Victor Kraatz is not like that; he comes across as a sweetie, although I'm sure he's tough as nails, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirac Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 It isn't just you. It may be the determined set of Bourne's jaw, but I always get the feeling she's muttering, "Now don't screw it up THIS time, Victor" through her teeth at her hapless partner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagansmom Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 LOL, my daughter sat through the beginning of the Canadian's skate and suddenly exclaimed, "NOW I know who she reminds me of - Paloma Herrera!" I think she nailed it - same expression on her face. I liked the Duchesnay's as well, but only while Dean was their choreographer! Re the issue of ice dance remaining true to its ballroom roots: I have a problem with it now accepting Michael Jackson routines and NOT accepting Bolero-type skating. I suppose the rationale is that they're dancing disco but I quite emphatically believe that wasn't disco I was watching. Unlike many other folks, I LIKED the programs that weren't strictly ballroom. But to allow them and NOT to allow Bloomberg & Siebert's Scheherezade is where I think they get into trouble. I really do think that the free skate should be precisely that: a free skate. It can still be bound by certain rules such as time spent in side-by-side skating, rules about lifts, throws, etc. They've proven their ability to skate to ballroom rhythms in the compulsories and the original dances - now let them just DANCE! So, yes, to me it's still a step backwards. [ February 19, 2002: Message edited by: vagansmom ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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