Sectionals talk? Easterns...

[littlekateskate]

I figured we should devote a few threads to sectionalss... This one preferably for Eastern! Go for it tell us what you think?

[Isk8NYC]

I watched Jane Bugaeva's Sr Ladies program run-through last week, it was pretty strong. (Terrifying to be on the ice with her wearing newly sharpened skates, lol)

Juliana Cannazzaro's one of Jane's competitors, so that will be an interesting event.

Parker Pennington and Jordan Miller are facing off in Senior Men - those should be good events to watch.

Also saw Tori Look & David Botero (Juv Dance) practice - they're strong and very musical. They were working on their free dance program - it's amazing to see the pair spins in those programs, I thought they were a pairs team.

I'm definitely going to be at Easterns on Friday afternoon (my twins are sweepers), but I might drop in to watch a few other events, if time permits. There were still tickets available as of last week.

The official webpage is HERE (http://www.skatingclubnc.org/easterns.shtml).

[Isk8NYC]

Spent the afternoon at Easterns and saw some really good performances in the short programs for pairs, dance, mens and ladies. I have to say the rink is the absolute coldest one I've ever sat in for a competition. With a full house for the 8pm sr ladies' event, we were still shivering. I think they left the a/c on "summer" even though it's in the 30's down here now. (Minor snark: I hate the support beams around the rink itself - they block the view from the stands.)

My kids loved the ice dancers - there were two senior teams. (I think the girls mostly liked the ladies' costumes.) We watched the Original Dance, which was very creative. The winning couple (spoilers on icenetwork.com) really had their routine together, despite the lady's broken thumb! The other couple's music was a bit ... uninteresting. Their program was good, though.

The hometown girl, Jane Bugaeva (SCNC) led off the routines with a (mostly) clean performance to an interesting version of "I Ran So Far Away." (Huge cheering section, too!) Juliana Cannarozzo (Zoey in Ice Princess) skated beautifully - excellent program and music. Very nice girl - my DD's asked for an autograph+photo afterwards - she was very sweet and accommodating. The ladies event had some very strong performances, but also quite a few splats. One skater (left my program in the car) fell really hard, twice. Couldn't stay for the results.

We saw most of the pairs teams today. Never realized how much they talk to each other on the ice - guess the announcers are right - the skaters are loud. lol

[littlekateskate]

I never noticed that either until i went to a 'rea' comp. Our pairs skaters at our rink dont talk so i was completely shocked to hear others do it, and yes they are loud.

[NCSkater02]

I have to say the rink is the absolute coldest one I've ever sat in for a competition.

I've been skating in Raleigh for six years, and never skated at the Factory. I have to agree that it was realllllly cold in there. I was cold, and I'm rarely cold.

[SynchroSk8r114]

My kids loved the ice dancers - there were two senior teams. (I think the girls mostly liked the ladies' costumes.) We watched the Original Dance, which was very creative. The winning couple (spoilers on icenetwork.com) really had their routine together, despite the lady's broken thumb! The other couple's music was a bit ... uninteresting. Their program was good, though.

My one freestyle coach is one of the females on the Senior dance team. Probably the team with the "uninteresting" music, LOL... ;) Unfortunately, both her and her partner maintain crazy schedules outside the rink, so they didn't have a chance to get their routine as perfect as the winning Senior team. Still, I think both teams did a heck of a good job, considering that one team had a broken thumb and my coach and her partner were trying to squeeze in those extra practices between school, work, coaching, etc.

Bummer that I didn't get a chance to watch the OD on icenetwork, but I did watch the compulsory dances. Wonderful to watch - both teams did quite well and I think the judges were right on with the placements. Congrats to both teams! :bow:

[Isk8NYC]

I loved the OD's. I wish I had seen the compulsories, I like the "same music, same dance, make it memorable" performances.

I wish Jane had placed higher, though. I like rooting for the hometown pride and underdog. Would have been great to actually know someone going to Nats.

One of the other sweeper moms said that they couldn't turn off the fan that was blowing cold air into the arena. Of course, one of the vents was right where the sweepers were sitting, so the kids were freezing. The organizers were EXCELLENT and thought to have a HEATED locker room right there for the volunteers to warm up between groups.

My kids are still wearing their little vests and want to do it again when the next opportunity comes up! I'm so glad we moved down here - there's plenty of ice, the people at the rinks (staff and skaters) are so friendly and nice. I just started teaching the group tot class one day a week and every parent I've met has been perfectly sane and reasonable. Unbelieveable change for me. I like skating at the Factory, but it has very cold and hard ice so I feel very weak there. I usually skate at the Triangle Sportsplex's Coffee Club. The ice is usually good (construction's a bit of a problem) and the skaters are really friendly.

[Mel On Ice]

you had Zoe and I met the Jumping Shrimp! She's not such a shrimp and came in 2nd in junior ladies at mids.

[SynchroSk8r114]

I loved the OD's.

OD's were finally posted a few days ago, so I finally got to check them out. Pretty impressive (senior level).