Michelle's Bolera and Why it Will Never....

[dbny]

...be nearly as good as Torvill and Dean's. Very simply, Bolero (http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/pops/programnotes/bolero.html) was written as a dance for a dancer. Michelle isn't dancing, she is skating a freestyle program that must be packed full of jumps and spins and executed at as high a speed as possible. Nevertheless, for a freestyle program and a first run, I think she did it justice at Campbell's.

[Kemy]

...be nearly as good as Torvill and Dean's. Very simply, Bolero (http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/pops/programnotes/bolero.html) was written as a dance for a dancer. Michelle isn't dancing, she is skating a freestyle program that must be packed full of jumps and spins and executed at as high a speed as possible. Nevertheless, for a freestyle program and a first run, I think she did it justice at Campbell's.

Hmmm...shouldn't the same be said for Sasha as she's skating to the Pas de Deux from the Nutcracker? Aren't most ballets written for dancers, as well? So I guess that most skaters who skate to tango or a ballet are never going to fare well?

I thought Sasha also did very well for the first (or second depending on whether or not you include Sun Valley) outing, but needs more content.

[kisscid]

I agree with you both. I think both programs are well on there way to being good. Although I disagree about a skater not being able to pull off a piece of music written for dance. Ice skating is dancing on ice to me. I think both programs are capable of being great. They aren't there yet, both of them needs work. I'm just glad the season has finally begun.
Cid

[doubletoe]

Since the most reliable way to win a figure skating competition is to pack it with 6 triple jumps and then land them all, I doubt that we will ever see Michelle do more than jump. . .set up for next jump. . .jump. . . etc., with the exception of her opening moves and footwork section (which are nicely done). If Michelle were to keep the number of triples at 6 but do two of them as triple-triple combinations, she might have more time to do something interesting and expressive in-between jumps. Oh, well, I can dream, can't I? ;)

[dbny]

Since the most reliable way to win a figure skating competition is to pack it with 6 triple jumps and then land them all, I doubt that we will ever see Michelle do more than jump. . .set up for next jump. . .jump. . . etc., with the exception of her opening moves and footwork section (which are nicely done). If Michelle were to keep the number of triples at 6 but do two of them as triple-triple combinations, she might have more time to do something interesting and expressive in-between jumps. Oh, well, I can dream, can't I? ;)

I agree, and also dream. I used to be a total Sasha fan, believing her to be the most expressive ladies freestyle competitor, but there are definitely times when Michelle has an overall style that is superlative. I would love to see them both skate their very best with fabulous choreography.

[WeBeEducated]

The Bolero program? All I saw her do was skate from element to element for the first 2/3 of the program. And then she has placed the footwork exactly where it was placed with her last program, so there is a feeling of "same program, different music" that is becoming too common with her.
The choreography didnt build as the music does.
There was no indication to me that there was any connection between the music and skater.
I like the music, it is powerful (but repetitive though).
I believe that Michelle is incapable of interpreting it, much less even coming close to evoking a mood like T&D did. She doesnt have an ounce of "dance" in her. Nothing new in the technical dept either.

As for Sasha's program I felt she did a better job interpreting the music than Michelle. I really like how she moves with the music and she is believable in the role of a ballerina. She smiled and looked expressive and beautiful. Her spins and spirals eclipse everyone elses. Needs to improve the consistancy and difficulty of the jumps.

Kimberly Meissner did a good job but is cheating some of those triples. She reminds me of Caroline Kostner from italy. Strong ability to perform under pressure!

[Emmaly]

I hated Michelles Bolera!! i thought it was terribly done and the music was so repetative and boring!

[icyboid]

Sasha's Nutcracker was even more anemic than Robin's watered-down Swan lake. She practically lumped her jumping passes together.

Michelle's Bolero, liked the skating, hated the music. Everyone talks about the climax in the music but I'm thinking it's more of an emperor's new clothes thing.

IMO both of these programs are big yawners as is, and I'm glad they both plan to add more content.

[Pretyinpinksk8r]

[QUOTE=icyboid]Sasha's Nutcracker was even more anemic than Robin's watered-down Swan lake. She practically lumped her jumping passes together.[QUOTE=icyboid]

I think that sasha's new program was amazing and not in the least bit anemic...