DancerFan
10-11-2002, 10:16 PM
Just a quick review since I took no notes: (Please pardon the spelling, I've been up since 4 a.m.)
I went to this show just to see Tanith and Ben, and must say to those of you who think they will give Naomi and Peter a run for the title ... not this year. Their Elvis FD was a huge disappointment from this talented and gorgeous team. It just doesn't work choreographically: the sum of it's parts DO NOT add up to it's whole!! I loved their material last year - this wasn't the same caliber of genius at all. My initial reaction was that maybe Igor is ignoring them for Jamie and Brandon, but read what follows... Additionally, they have added cheering all the way through it at random spots where their moves don't warrant a real crowd response so it sounds silly. I really hope they go back to Sarajevo. The biggest news from Detroit was that Jamie and Brandon have DEFINITELY broken up.8O Two strong egos didn't work, I guess.
Now, the rest quickly: G-R/M were a pleasant surprise! They have lovely choreography for their OD, which though clearly wasn't as hard as B/A, did have good flow, a strong and engaging build throughout, and crescendo effects with lifts. Their second part to waltz was particularly beautiful. L/A did their show program - with him over the top as usual, but funny - and her sexy and appealing. They have great chemistry but I'm not a huge fan of L/A and think Navka/Kostomarov should and could challenge.
Evan Lysacek is beautiful and feels his music like few men. He did a "Time to Say Goodbye" program filled with emotion and quality skating complete with two triple lutzes and a few more triples. Parker Pennington skated well, but he seems a little like 'white bread' if you'll pardon the expression. Good solid jumps and spins though. Matt Lind did some sort of generic ballad, and is a striking presence, but missed and popped some jumps. Jenny Kirk looks noticeably faster and stronger - her stroking is much improved as are her spins, but her jumps were squeaked out on every landing. I think she did 2 3toes and 1 3sal. Louann Donovan was energetic and perky, but could stand to hold and stretch things out - she seemed to flit from one move to the next a little too much. She has gained a maturity since last year, though. Jumps and spins were solid.
Roman Serov was pretty good and did land a good 3 axel, and Paul announced him as "coming from a long tradition of Russian skaters, the last four Olympics being won by Russians, and he wants to go to the Olympics for America" or something like that!;) Lucinda Ruh did her 'Mercy' program in all gold, and mesmerized as always. She is a perpetual favorite at EWC.
The two US pair teams are just not all that strong, but I would say K/P are more polished and emotion-filled than S/D. Neither team skated flawlessly, but K/P have better choreography and S/D are doing 'Phantom of the Opera'. (ooooops!) :oops:
Nancy Kerrigan, who spent most of the night announcing with Paul, skated to Shakira as a nice surprise at the end, and looked every bit the seasoned professional that she is. Did some nice 3 toes, and looked truly comfortable both with herself and the choreography. The Protopopovs were amazing and Paul announced that Oleg is really 70! WOW! We should all be in such incredible shape!
All in all a good show considering there's no TV contract anymore! That's all for now - sorry for the brevity!
I went to this show just to see Tanith and Ben, and must say to those of you who think they will give Naomi and Peter a run for the title ... not this year. Their Elvis FD was a huge disappointment from this talented and gorgeous team. It just doesn't work choreographically: the sum of it's parts DO NOT add up to it's whole!! I loved their material last year - this wasn't the same caliber of genius at all. My initial reaction was that maybe Igor is ignoring them for Jamie and Brandon, but read what follows... Additionally, they have added cheering all the way through it at random spots where their moves don't warrant a real crowd response so it sounds silly. I really hope they go back to Sarajevo. The biggest news from Detroit was that Jamie and Brandon have DEFINITELY broken up.8O Two strong egos didn't work, I guess.
Now, the rest quickly: G-R/M were a pleasant surprise! They have lovely choreography for their OD, which though clearly wasn't as hard as B/A, did have good flow, a strong and engaging build throughout, and crescendo effects with lifts. Their second part to waltz was particularly beautiful. L/A did their show program - with him over the top as usual, but funny - and her sexy and appealing. They have great chemistry but I'm not a huge fan of L/A and think Navka/Kostomarov should and could challenge.
Evan Lysacek is beautiful and feels his music like few men. He did a "Time to Say Goodbye" program filled with emotion and quality skating complete with two triple lutzes and a few more triples. Parker Pennington skated well, but he seems a little like 'white bread' if you'll pardon the expression. Good solid jumps and spins though. Matt Lind did some sort of generic ballad, and is a striking presence, but missed and popped some jumps. Jenny Kirk looks noticeably faster and stronger - her stroking is much improved as are her spins, but her jumps were squeaked out on every landing. I think she did 2 3toes and 1 3sal. Louann Donovan was energetic and perky, but could stand to hold and stretch things out - she seemed to flit from one move to the next a little too much. She has gained a maturity since last year, though. Jumps and spins were solid.
Roman Serov was pretty good and did land a good 3 axel, and Paul announced him as "coming from a long tradition of Russian skaters, the last four Olympics being won by Russians, and he wants to go to the Olympics for America" or something like that!;) Lucinda Ruh did her 'Mercy' program in all gold, and mesmerized as always. She is a perpetual favorite at EWC.
The two US pair teams are just not all that strong, but I would say K/P are more polished and emotion-filled than S/D. Neither team skated flawlessly, but K/P have better choreography and S/D are doing 'Phantom of the Opera'. (ooooops!) :oops:
Nancy Kerrigan, who spent most of the night announcing with Paul, skated to Shakira as a nice surprise at the end, and looked every bit the seasoned professional that she is. Did some nice 3 toes, and looked truly comfortable both with herself and the choreography. The Protopopovs were amazing and Paul announced that Oleg is really 70! WOW! We should all be in such incredible shape!
All in all a good show considering there's no TV contract anymore! That's all for now - sorry for the brevity!