OD's (your thoughts)

[ceceB]

I finally saw L&A's OD when I watched the gpf. In my opinion, it doesn't hold a candle to bourne and kraatz's, however, I'm very biased (huge B&K fan!!) Actually, I believe the same thing about both teams free dances too.:D

What do you guys think? I would love to know your thoughts on this.

[Emanfan]

Originally posted by ceceB
I finally saw L&A's OD when I watched the gpf. In my opinion, it doesn't hold a candle to bourne and kraatz's, however, I'm very biased (huge B&K fan!!) Actually, I believe the same thing about both teams free dances too.:D

I with you. I'm as a rule NOT a huge B/K fan and have been a long-time fan of D/V. However, this year, B/K's OD and FD far exceed L/A's (in my opinion).

I was a little shocked at L/A's FD. It was messy, lots of hand-to-hand skating and they were often two feet apart. Their final lift was very sloppy. And Irina doesn't pull off the "rock and roller".

If they skate well, B/K should be gold medal winners this year, no doubt in my mind.

[Artemis]

I still haven't seen L&A's OD, but despite the fact that it's usually their strength, B&K's OD is so phenomenally good this year that I'm not surprosed L&A's doesn't match it. (BTW, which network showed it? I missed the first TSN broadcast and only caught the 2nd one ... and I just assumed ABC wouldn't bother with the ODs. Or dance at all actually.)

[ceceB]

I saw it on the first tsn broadcast. Actually, one piece of their music was the same as B&K's!

Emanfan, I totally agree with you about L&A's fd. I think they likely went with a rock and roll theme because Worlds are in Washington, but I don't think they can pull it off.

[Artemis]

Originally posted by ceceB
Actually, one piece of their music was the same as B&K's!

Hey, how unusual. That's never happened before, esp. in the OD. <<sarcasm off>> Remember "Dancing Fool" at the 2001 worlds? I was there live and I thought I'd go nuts!

[ceceB]

LOL, I know what you mean. Now that I think of it, Wing and Lowe use the same piece. I think they're all the straight line sequences too.

We'll have to start a tally when we watch Worlds.:D

[Skatingsarah]

I agree I watched their skate and I do believe they didnt skate very good. I did infact miss the freedance so then again that could really back them up if it is better. I just found the difficulty wasn't up to their level. Infact I was expecting this really changed OD because of the progress of the canadians but I dont think but improvment has been made.But the canadians have been robbed before so you never know what can happen at worlds

[Aussie Willy]

My favourite OD this year is Denkova/Stavinski's for the simple fact that is so original and very well crafted. Most of the other ODs are a bit ho-hum. But D&S have incorporated all the required elements into the dance without breaking the flow, they just fit naturally into the dance. It was also very understated without dramatics but good fun and I love the choice of music.

As for the competition between L&A and B&K, I like both teams so I will try and give an unbiased opinion of who I think is better. I would give it to B&K. I finally got a copy of it on video and my first impression was the smoothness of it - they just floated across the ice. I do think the quality of their general skating is much better than L&A for the OD. I think the presentation of each couple is about the same and the technical difficulty. But on watching B&K's, for me the skating really came to the fore and they showed what good skaters they are. Shae-Lynns little head throws annoyed me a bit though but Irina does the same. But then like D&S, they seem to have incorporated the required elements to fit the music better than L&A. I particularly like the dance spin.

[Emanfan]

Originally posted by ceceB
I saw it on the first tsn broadcast. Actually, one piece of their music was the same as B&K's!

What makes this interesting is to see what B/K did with that piece of music as compared to L/A. There really is no comparison. B/K's footwork is fast and intricate - twizzles RIGHT ON. They also, to me, looked as thought they weren't even on the ice - seemed to be skating an inch above it. BUT, they still have to skate it!

If all goes well, it should be their year, without a doubt.

[Artemis]

My favourite part of Shae and Vic's OD this year is how the spins and other highlights are perfectly timed to the vocal highlights (of the first piece of music). It's almost as if the singer's voice is lifting Shae off the ice instead of Vic doing it! It's magical.

So I found out that I did have the first TSN broadcast, and I watched it last night ... and there's no contest. L&A simply don't have the programs this year. It's a shame for their last season -- they're very talented skaters and I don't think they're performing anywhere near their potential.

And ITA that Denkova/Stavinski's is also lovely. If these three teams skate the way they have so far, I'd mark the OD as 1. B&K, 2. D&S, and L&A 3 or lower.