The Russian "resurgence" in Ice Dance?

[Lark]

I have not heard much of this Russian team that won China.

How in the World does a team go from 7th at the previous Worlds, to beating the Olympic Silver medalists?

Now granted, B&A have possibly the WORST free dance of the last couple years, IMO.

BUT, were the Russian team that good to beat even a subpar performance by B&A? And was it B&A that was subpar, or their music selection?

I cannot think of the Russian's names, but they seemed erratic and a bit sloppy to me.

Does anyone else have an opinion or explanation for the "sudden" resurgence of a nation that quite honestly seemed like they had been bled dry of talent? Are these skaters being rewarded, in some small part, on the history of their predecessors???

[MQSeries]

I think Domina & Shabalin placed above B&A at the 2003 Worlds.

When I first saw D&S program at COC, I too thought the program was frenetic and one-note. As uncle Dick would say, there was no begining, middle or ending. I didn't think they would win, but then B&A skated ... and I thought no way B&A was going to hold on to their lead. I though B&A program and performance was so subpar that there was no way the judges were going to hold them up, especially since they were barely leading the Russians heading into the free dance.

I think a stronger program and performance from B&A should put them ahead of D&S. Both teams are competing at CoR this week, and I don't think that will be enough time for B&A to rework their free dance significantly so they'll probably lose to the Russian again.