Saturday, October 29, 2016

Skate Canada

Just leaving this here:



this here:



this here:

“I think we’re trying to show there are different kinds of love,” said Donohue, 25, of the skate’s theme. “Obviously, there is romantic love which everyone in figure skating goes through in a way, but there is a lot more to love than just what you give to someone else. There is a lot of love surrounding yourself. We have a lot of movements in this program that are kind of about enjoying ourselves and our own space, so I think it’s a global kind of thought.” *Hubbell Donohue

this

Tracy: "Their new coaches were able to help
Virtue and Moir technically because that's why they
lost the gold in Sochi, they were a little bit vulnerable
technically, substituting a lot of above the waist
bullshit and posturing for actual skating skills."
ETA: VM were defeated on PCs, TRACY.
Fuck her. I don't care.
One of the unbearable parts of the last Olympic cycle was Davis White outscoring Virtue Moir on freaking pcs and then the media saying despite Virtue and Moir's matchless skating Davis and White were technically more consistent. Well, now they're neck and neck to Chock Bates, aren't they. At SKATE CANADA.

and this:

Shawn Rettstatt, Skate Canada
"technical controller"
The more things never change...

ETA - Following the fd with my side eye. Edited. Virtue Moir rules still apply. Papadakis Cizeron can still get astronomical scores with twizzles that can best be described as negligible, but Virtue Moir are scored against their best selves, a "best" self that still gets scored in the neighborhood of the scores awarded crap teams. The only other team with those special rules are the Shibs.

57 comments:

  1. OC, what do you think of VM's programs? Idk why they would come back knowing they would get screwed like this. plus them talking about their "technical issues" makes no sense since they're the best skaters.

    I honestly cannot believe that anyone watching chock bates struggle to cover the rink thinks they should be within 20 points of vm.

    i can see vm being relegated to bronze at worlds and 4th at GP

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  2. The skating Gods have decreed it so. Then so be it. Has been since they won OG in 2010. They got their "turn". Nothing we or VM could do about it.

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  3. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016/10/30/207572844

    "Overall I think it went pretty good, little mistakes here and there throughout the program that cost them points," Lauzon said. "It's still rather early, especially for this kind of program, one that involves a lot of emotion. There needs to be a really deep connection and performance for a public and audience that appreciates it. But I think they are on a good level.”

    Dear God, how much more "deeper connection" can VM be expected to bring to make this FD a winning one, when some ppl already decided how the season will go?

    (article) The next time Virtue and Moir compete, at NHK Trophy next month, they will square off against two-time world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France, who also train under Dubreuil and Lauzon.

    "We're so impressed by their skating, and the seamless way they connect artistry and the technical side of things," Virtue said. "We love their energy, we love sharing the ice with them, they bring such a light, fun approach.”

    "We're really the underdogs," Moir said. "We watch them training and we're just in awe. Our job the next few weeks is to give them everything they can handle and just make sure we bring our A-game.”

    Underdogs? Really, Scott? I mean, I am all for politeness but why can’t VM just say that they can and already brought onto the ice, in terms of their technical and artistic skills? Come on already!!! Stop it with self depreciating remarks!

    Think the only time I feel they didn’t seem to project that self doubt with their abilities to come back (and win) was the interview they did with Ron Black at the cafe. See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQPWMDgksL0

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  4. http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1617/gpcan2016/gpcan2016_IceDance_FD_Scores.pdf

    Read the article above but am confused by this. 8-o

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    Replies
    1. wait wait... 0 and -1 to V/M and none of that shit to C/B ... HOW???

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  5. i dont see the point of talking up their opponents who should be competing in juniors

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  6. This weekend has left me feeling completely demoralized. I'm not even sure what the point of VM's comeback is if they're just going to roll over and praise these teams, who as 8:05 put it, should be competing in juniors. Nothing has changed with the judging, and what were the odds of Rettstatt being on the technical panel at their first major event since their return? It's clear that all of Skate Canada's ice dance politicking are going to GP now. VM were sacrificed on an alter for DW last quad, and now it seems they've come back to just to sacrifice themselves on an alter for teams like the unholy trinity of PC, GP, and CB.

    I thought Shibs would be safe after last week, but with CB's scores this week, probably not. They will be shipped back to US#2. After last weekend, I thought it might be possible for HD to move ahead of CB this season, even with DL choreo that's beneath them and coming back from having the baby over the summer, they're still miles better than CB and of the teams actually at worlds the last two seasons, should have come away with bronze both times. However, they'll stay in the always-precarious position of US #3 and #3 in their training camp. Despite the gains in placement last season, that leaves them certain to fall to GP since GP has full force of SC politicking behind them. WP did didn't help themselves at all with choosing to move to Morozov, and they have already peaked in terms of skating, but I feel that their fall down the national and international ranks is coming with SC's push for GP. PI are a hopelessly lost cause at this point.

    To a lesser extent, even teams like CL and BS who are alright are also getting screwed over. Basically, any team who is any good at all or has any real sort of talent is f*cked right now.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. @9:07AM You pretty much bang on with what's happening right now. This nugget (below) plucked from one of the skating boards sums up on how wacky the Ice dance judging and scoring has been since VM's absence ...

      It states: "
      Hubbell & Donahue scored 165.76 at Finlandia.
      They scored 175.77 at Skate America.

      That's ten points. In two weeks.

      While we're at it . . .

      Chock & Bates scored 170.92 at Nepela.
      188.24 at Skate Canada.

      That's a whopping 17+ points. (They missed their whole set of twizzles at Nepela. If you want to know how to miss the World podium this season, that'll do it. I don't care if you are World or Olympic Champions. Blowing a whole set will get the job done).

      C&B scored 179.18 with a clean performance at Nebelhorn.
      And, as I said, 188.24 at SC.

      That's 9 points without a glaring mistake in either performance.


      Papadakis & Cizeron scored 182.71 at Europeans last season.
      And 194.46 at Worlds.

      That's 12 points."

      And how indeed VM scored between ACI and SC? 77.42 (for SD) and 111.48 with deduction of 2 points (for FD) at ACI. 77.23 (for SD) and 111.83 with slight wobbly twizzles (for FD) at SC. Huh?

      As OC says it best from past and present posts, it seems the direction of VM will be scored against their "best selves" saga continues.

      Yup, comeback is a B****

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    3. VM's total scores at ACI (188.9) vs SC (189.06).


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    4. I'm laughing that we assumed that P/C were going to be V/M's main problem. Nope, they're going to have to fight on several different fronts!

      I was sitting behind a group clearly personally connected with C/B and one person loudly clapped and cheered when Rettstatt was introduced for the medal ceremony. It was hilarious.

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  7. GP are so boring that I turned off the video after one minute. Why on earth are they being promoted when they suck so badly?! I noticed their videos have around 4K views on YouTube while VM have over 17k. No kidding, since VM can actually skate. If those losers and CB join the French team in the podium, I am done with ice dance forever. Putting hot coals in my eyeballs would be more pleasurable.

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    1. GP are so painful to watch. Well, Piper and her ugly gerbil face are. Paul isn't a terrible partner and at least he can sort of skate. I read a comment somewhere online that they should have won. OMG.

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  8. Can anyone explain why all of VM's Sorry Exhibitions on YouTube are all blocked/unavailable? This also includes the Gala from Skate Canada International. I managed to see all the exhibitions though :-/

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    Replies
    1. I had the same problem. Someone doesn't like them?

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    2. when you have these problems with youtube always try daily motion

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    3. Yup, it's on dailymotion alright. Just my opinion...Tessa could do with a dress instead of pants with that Prince no. I know she wore one at Autumn International but the look and colour was too somber. A lighter Deeper purple is better than black. The dress - Something like she wore for their 2012 Samba SD dance would work better.

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  9. ok... let's talk about that painful to watch fluff... what do you guys think? why would they do something like that?

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    Replies
    1. Why are you people never happy with anything. Tessa and Scott aren't going out of their way to deny a relationship between them, at least it's a step in the right direction. I didn't find the fluff painful to watch at all.

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    2. What made the fluff painful to watch? You sound like you're twelve.

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  10. I didn't like the short dance on the first watch but it grew on me after a few views. Haven't watched the free skate yet but I had to turn off the other two teams in the first two minutes. They made me want to puke. I think the writing is on the wall, VM aren't ever going to win again on the world stage.

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  11. Rosie DiManno called Tessa "heavier" in her article about their return to competition. Seriously? I hate her SD costume though, it makes her look bigger than she actually is.

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    Replies
    1. Rosi DiManno is a horribly crass person. I cannot take anything she says seriously. I think Tessa looks AWESOME in the body suit. And that SD is fabulous. Thank God they have returned.

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    2. 7:07. I agree, Tessa looks fabulous in the body suit.
      I was at Skate Canada. In person, she looks tiny. The body suit accentuated how small she is and showed off her fantastic figure.

      I was very surprised when I saw photos of the SD to see how much bigger Tessa looked. I've always heard the camera adds pounds but I was not anticipating such a difference between the photos and what I saw in person.

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    3. 8:29, yes I have seen Tessa and Scott in person several times (at competitions and at a hotel in Moncton) and they are both small but she is really tiny.....I was also surprised the first time I ever saw Tracy Wilson in person - she is so small!!! Her little hips are so narrow. She was in the washroom doing her own hair and makeup....lol

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    4. Yes I agree, Tessa is not heavy by any stretch of the imagination and Rosie us being obnoxious. However, the bodysuit didn't look flattering on the video. Perhaps it was better in person. Glad to see them back!

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  12. Well at least the audience booed CB's marks at SkateCanada. (I was at the area; don't know if you could hear the boos on TV.)

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  13. So Dan Thompson, the CEO of Skate Canada, looks like he has left abruptly, and the former Chief Operating Officer has been names as his replacement. More chaos at Skate Canada, and the timing couldn't be worse, what with this being the penultimate season before the next Olympics. What a shit show.

    https://skatecanada.ca/2016/11/skate-canada-appoints-new-chief-executive-officer/

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  14. Tessa and Scott gave an interview to Dave Lease. I haven't seen it yet but the Tumblr fan girls are already giving me a headache.

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    Replies
    1. Put aside your judgement for a minute (or in this case, an hr) and just watch the interview. You'd be surprised. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecSJkur76_o&feature=youtu.be

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    2. 7:06
      It is a very good interview. I'm assuming Lease had to follow some strict preapproved conditions. In any case, the results are worth it.

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    3. @12:28PM Without a doubt :)

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  15. Finally watched the FD with audio - it is lovely! So nice to see VM back on the competition ice.

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    1. Let's hope it was worth it for them to come back. From where I'm sitting, it's going to be a doozy of a season...or two for VM.

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  16. PC just won in Paris with a monster score, GP got bronze again. I am asking myself yet again, why do I care? This sport has gone to shit.

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  17. What's going on with virtue and moir does anyone know? What happened to their fake girlfriends and boyfriends? They are both pretending to be single now?

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    1. 7:35
      Apparently yes, both pretending to be single.

      The exaggerated fake narratives seem to be gone. I much rather have this pretending to be single than the fake girlfriends and boyfriends.

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    2. I wonder if it was the advice of their new coaches or if they finally grew weary of the charade. It is much more pleasant now.

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    3. Maybe it's the advice of Manifesto, their new management team?

      This is the first time VM have professional, competent representation. I wonder if that's why there are no fake relationships? I agree it's much more pleasant now.

      I wish Hubbell/Donahue would follow VM's new example. Zach and his fake girlfriend make me want to puke.

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    4. You guys are hilarious. "Pretending to be single"? How do you know what they're pretending to be? How do you know they're pretending anything? As far as we know, they could actually be single, or they could be busy dropping 3 kids into a Montreal daycare every morning.

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    5. @9:27. Have you read anything on this blog? VM's relationship status is known. It is fact. You may not know so to you it's speculation. As far as the blogger and many others who comment here, it is not speculation. And before you accuse of making things up, it is not known based on speculation but on real-life knowledge and sources.

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    6. "on real-life knowledge and sources" you are hilarious lol

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    7. 2:03
      I know the facts about Tessa and Scott. So do many others.

      Your personal opinion doesn't change the facts, no matter how hilarious you think it is.

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    8. Sure, you know the facts. So how many kids do they have now: 2, 3? Or maybe a new one popped up last year? Maybe a few years ago, there were some people who believed you, now just a few of you are left with those delusional fantasies. Most of fans have a big laugh of you.

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    9. 12:24
      You think the number of fans *you* know who believe or don't believe determines what is true?

      Sounds to me like you're also fishing for information.

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    10. 6:68
      To be honest, I couldn't care less about Tessa and Scott's private life. But it fascinates me that people can be so delusional and cannot distinguish real life from fan fiction.

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  18. When do VM perform next? at which competition??

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    Replies
    1. NHK Trophy 25 - 27 Nov 2016 :) Papdakis/Cizeron competing there as well!

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  19. I happened upon this article, and thought that it was hilarious. Apparently, no one is allowed to model Nike clothing other than Meryl Davis!


    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3949906/Yolanda-Foster-stands-Olympian-Meryl-Davis-Bella-Hadid-Nike-job.html

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  20. Try again. She was arguing that athletes should be promoting athletic wear and specifically tweeted the image that had Aly Raisman in it , not herself.

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  21. Since Nike earns over 99% of its revenue from customers who are not professional athletes, what’s wrong with using a model like Bella Hadid to advertise Nike?

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  22. We haven't heard from MG Piety lately in the comments section, or from OyCanada either for that matter!

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  23. sad snake K Browning about P/C can they move differently oganically ?..Poor bitch the challenge is can the Canadian team can move as P/C ?...the answer is never because Canadians teams arent real dancers they are just little performers without artistry without good skating skills without soul..

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  24. V/M won NHK Trophy nine points clear of sad-sack P/C, setting a world record in the SD and overall score. I was shocked that the ISU would let V/M win so comfortably; I was sure they were going to pull their usual bullshit shenanigans. I'm sure they will for GPF.

    P/C are truly a lousy team; they had no place being in the last group, or the first group for that matter. Sandwiched in between in V/M and Hawayek/Baker (who should have finished second), they look no better than a mediocre junior team. They suck.

    The amount of butthurt and conspiracy-theorizing by their fans is something to behold.

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    Replies
    1. i think P/C are basically not watchable. I CANNOT comprehend anything they do except for a couple of lifts (and i'm stretching it) their FD is excruciating to watch.

      i'm shocked VM won by almost 10. i thought theyd win by 1 given the ISU nonsense.

      as much as I love VM, the choreography is a total disaster. there are great moments and interesting lifts but the choreo makes no sense. is redundant and i swear i still dont know where the circular step sequence is.

      shibs choreo so much btter. i predict shibs winning grand prix.

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    2. I love the Shibs, and I love their skating, and I love their programs this year, but the ISU doesn't give a fuck about legitimacy. Shibs will not be allowed to beat P/C, much like there were never allowed to beat D/W, to uphold the ISU's fake rivalry between P/C and V/M.

      I can't emphasize enough how BAD P/C are. They really are no better than a mediocre junior team. Gabriella is awful; she's basically being dragged around because she's a crappy skater, and she can't hold a position if her life depended on it. She's only slightly better than Meryl, and seeing as Meryl is the worst "ice dancer" ever to stand on a podium, that's not a ringing endorsement. If Guilliame didn't have a pretty face, I don't think his fans would be fawning over him as much. There's nothing special about him at all.

      It's hilarious that even their fans are freaking out that they've had the same FD for the last three years and that maybe they need to change coaches.



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    3. I have a new blog post on P/C and the Shibs.

      http://judgingtheisu.blogspot.ca/2016/11/tech-analysis-pc-fudging-ravensburger.html

      I'm not hopeful for V/M's chances either. I don't know what, but I think there's a catch somewhere for them to have such a proper result at NHK.

      -canadablue

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