You know you have to laugh because it's such a generational thing too - mom needing a twitter account to touch base with the young ones...cuz who answers the phone these days? LOL...self-absorption with twitter, facebook, pinterest....
Yes, Scott is a 25 year old married Olympic champion with a wife and small child, a guy who boasts that neither he nor Tessa are on the internet, and here he is, shamming it up with a girl who has her face glued to social media like a middle schooler so her mother has to remind her to answer the phone and badger her to answer about whether she took out the garbage.
Even if he were legitimately single this would be ridiculous.
I guess the reason Team Sham has self-appointed busybodies running around policing what fans say is if they weren't on that task, they'd all start gabbing about real stuff, and Scott and Tessa dread the day. The "Shhh, it's a secret" stuff heads them off from running their mouths about the true stuff they think they know.
Did someone say they were terrible at vetting these fake SO's? Lol Makes Scott look ridiculous. And to think he prefers this public image of himself instead of being linked to the wonderfully poised and incredibly lovely, sweet Tessa.
Have you seen her pinterest? The only board that she's put much work into is for her "someday" wedding.
OT, but at FSU a couple posters have said how forced TS' new SD ending looks. It hasn't seemed to occur to them that it's maybe forced because they are trying NOT to kiss. Anways, not that FSU is worth much notice, but I thought it was funny.
But Scott has a girlfriend! He can't possibly have any desire at all to be kissing Tessa. They're platonic, you know. The thought would never even cross their minds. I'm sure they die of embarrassment just thinking about it - according to their own words in that hilarious article avout an "accidental lip bump."
Exactly - trying not to kiss, trying to keep it that millimeter apart - is unnatural.
But people see what they want to see. They don't look.
I've seen the pinterest. I thought I'd wandered into Jessica's by mistake. It's just bizarre how alike some of them are - these grown twentysomething girls who look as if they're waiting for a life to start instead of actually having one. The most active boards are "style" - the same types of cute outfits over and over - and "someday" weddings, and then there's the obligatory inspirational quotes board for self-reassurance and to inspire you for when you finally get out of the house and start doing something like an adult. Some day.
I am bringing my comment from the previous post - Well it seems that Mr. Semple just dissed a woman's ski race on twitter...no wonder this guy was not given a farewell mention on Alpine Canada's facebook page...can you say macho guy that loves cars? but to diss women skiers - I mean that's arrogant considering his illustrious career..not
" Another winner. This looks so good on Scott. Next time he should drop the pretense and just raid a high school. "
This just made my day xD
Is this Scott in Cassandra's Twitter pic ?
Of course they can only use complete morons to play a part in their sham. What intelligent, grown up person would ever willingly participate in such nonsense ? Nobody with a little self-esteem would want to play fake girlfriend/boyfriend. I'm also starting to wonder how involved Scott really is with his family. He claims he spends all of his weekend and freetime with the Moirs in Ilderton but during Canadian nats he said his mom says she displays all of his national medals in his room, but he wasn't sure if it's true. If he really spent all of his weekends in Ilderton he should know what kind of things his mom storages in his room, wouldn't he ?
I can't wait to see what they have in store for us at worlds ...
I wonder the same, 2:16, although I already know he's not staying at the parents when he goes to London/Ilderton. He stays with Tessa in London.
It's amazing. We're meant to believe Scott was in a "thriving", mutually in love relationship with Jessica Dube for more than four years that survived all the drama we're meant to believe happened - a relationship that played out largely in Jessica's OTT cooing and lovey dovey fawning on her facebook. Her mostly one-sided cooing and lovey dovey fawning. Most of it was 'about' Scott, versus "with" Scott.
Then without pause for breath, we're meant to believe he's in another, equally devoted relationship - instantly. It's not just devoted; it's devoted in the same way. There's no take it slow - it's instant full commitment, and of course it's playing out largely in social media photos and HER OTT fawning and lovey dovey swooning ABOUT Scott, versus with him. Ridiculous.
We can be sure that when Scott closed down his fan facebook it was because this Hilborn hoax had been prepped and was ready to roll. That is the exact reason.
A little OT but what do you think about Scott and Tessa's almost withdrawal from 4CCs ? Tessa still didn't really look like she was in pain but it looked a lot more convincing than last time. Do you think they have realized they'll have problems to beat D/W at worlds and wanted to use this as a possible excuse for March if they shouldn't be able to win on home ice ?
I'm not sure what version of 4CC you were watching, but it was pretty clear that Tessa was in distress and out of it from the beginning. She did not look well. If anything, watching her today highlights how fake the "quad spasm" withdrawl in 2011 was.
I'm definitely on board with this withdrawal highlighting that the 2011 withdrawal was programmed. Scott's demeanor, Tessa's demeanor, Scott and Tessa's together - whether it was cramps or nausea or both or something else, they halted this time for legitimate reasons. It wasn't to conceal that they weren't prepared (as they weren't in 2011 - Tessa was in no way ready for the lifts and as we saw by April Worlds, they weren't even in condition then, and the program wasn't fully in their muscle memory).
An indicator of the 2011 fake is Scott pretending he urged Tessa to continue. That would never ever ever ever happen. Tessa is like a racehorse who keeps running when her leg is broken. Look who called it this time. Scott. It wasn't her. He knows. She would go on if it killed her. If her "quad spasm" were real in 2011, it would have been Scott calling it, not her.
I knew when I posted Mrs. Hilborn's tweet that immediately afterwards she'd protect them. It's a joke. I feel certain the London crowd felt for sure they'd handle this better than Jessica. I also hope that in her own protected tweets Cassandra is sharing her inside view about the 4CCs and wishing Tessa well. Surely such a devoted girlfriend wouldn't ignore what happened to Scott's partner.
Miss Hilborn's twitter account has been private since at least November. It's just like the old fb games--a few chosen ones are added as friends so they can see and share what she puts on there.
I'm talking about Cathy Hilborn, not Cassandra. Cathy's account was public until maybe two days ago. I assume she didn't like it that the blog made fun about her.
Someone had made a comment about Scott and Tessa saying they avoid sitting next to each other on planes. I just wanted to say - in light of their comments about putting themselves in a bubble, about constantly talking about their goals and reviewing things before and after competitions, and Tessa saying she only sees Scott during the bubble times..... Sitting apart on the plane makes absolutely no sense. I can't believe they thought this was a credible lie.
Like the one where Tessa is seen boarding a bus, then the camera boards the bus and Tessa isn't on it. What did she do - crawl into the overhead bin? Scott is sitting ostentatiously alone with something parked in the seat next to him.
Why do they do that shit? Why do they walk in separately to banquets when they're being filmed? Or dinners? Why did Scott move from his table to the bigger table Yuna Kim was speaking to? If we see him sit next to Tessa we'll know they're married? If they sit next to each other on the bus we'll know they don't run in different directions the second they leave the rink?
The issue isn't whether they sit together or not. No one expects even the most devoted couples to sit together 24/7. It's about the ostentatious attempts to create little "messages" with this nonsense. There are times when the occasion is one where sitting together is logical and makes sense, such as when friends travel together, or are at special events as a team. There's no need for Tessa and Scott to make such a big deal about being careful not to be seen next to each other, as if they fear what anyone would think if they actually requested seats next to each other on a plane (and who in the world travels with their bff and requests separate seats? Please). For them to bring this up in interviews, specifically to convey they're not romantic, is absurd.
I feel so bad for TS. I guess it's bad karma of some sort for this to happen to her at 4CCs of all places, and yes, to an extent they have brought this on themselves. Of course their credibility is going to be questioned at times. But T has fought through so much with her injuries, for people to be insiuating that she somehow could have skated through it....so sad what a huge backlash there has been. TS deserve criticism for lots of things, but not for this. I hope their bubble is serving them well right now.
It seems like D/W's crowd is capable of some pretty unsportsmanlike behaviour as well. To be fair, the degree of separation may be more substantial (to my knowledge their family members haven't said anything in public spaces). But there are certainly people who would fall into the category of more than just fans - locals or people who know members of the families -who are certainly lacking in class right now.
A discussion on whether there should be a deductions is valid - I was surprised when the Shibs didn't recieve one - but why is everyone being so snide when TS lost? It's because they were still so close I guess.
The backlash is definitely ugly from D/W ubers and some twitter comments from others in the US who blog or have ties with the USFSA. Personally my take is that they don't hate V/M but it's because they want D/W to win so badly because they are the only legitimate chance at a gold medal at the Olympics next year. And as some pointed out, V/M won silver and did not win 4CCs - so why so much outrage? Because a) V/M beat D/W in the short dance (and the lead should have been greater) and b) had V/M not had the stoppage and continued to skate clean - there is a possibility that they might have sqeeked a win...so basically the judges would have started closing the gap...and as the blogger has indicated before - D/W have been marked generously over the last 2 seasons and to me the D/W ubers and some others in the USFSA community think that they should be untouchable. Notice how folks weren't saying what an exquisite performance by D/W for the win...it's the petty backlash...lastly Tanith Belbin is no doubt a nice person and all - but perhaps she shouldn't be gloating from time to time- that's why there is a conflict of interest when she does commentating for ice dance events...my last comment is kudos to V/M for finishing the program on a strong note.
The backlash and outrage from the D-W ubers and others is both infuriating and uncalled for. They've gotten what they wanted, because D-W are indeed untouchable right now. They won 4CC and will be winning worlds. Ice dance is still ice dance and D-W have politics, momentum, and very generous scoring--especially compared to V-M--on their side right now. V-M are unfortunately dead in the water as far as this season goes and there's not a thing they can do about that. If dance were like pairs or singles, yes, they'd still have a chance, but it's not. You would think that the D-W fans would just be decent enough not to be nasty and vile towards V-M and their fans right now.
As crazy as this sham business makes me, I am honestly devastated for V-M that this season has turned out. They are truly the best dancers and skaters, and their programs this year were fantastic. Things should not have gone this way for them.
Has anyone else heard the rumblings that this season may actually be it for V-M?
I think D/W fans who are speaking out are frustrated, but IMO they should be grateful. VM are much much better than D/W.
The fans who view VM stopping mid-program as some type of ploy make no sense whatsoever. Furthermore, if they're so insecure they'd rather have seen VM pushed off the podium for stopping, then they should retroactively demand that Zhang & Zhang's silver medal at the 2006 Olympics be stripped from them as well as Duhamel Buntin's bronze from TEB 2008.
For me it reeks of insecurity. The reality, IMO, is that D/W are nowhere near as good as VM and the unfairness is the judging that places the scoring - especially in components - closer than it has any business ever being. They are never able to achieve that run of blade, that perfect control, that mutual physical dependance and intricacy that is, IMO, not just the soul of dance, but also extremely technically difficult.
I don't think VM are dead in the water by any means. But the bitching from the D/W fans is off base. If anyone deals with unfair situations it is VM - they have not enjoyed the uber generous scores that are always showered on D/W no matter how they skate.
D/W has beaten VM in the GPF since the Olympic season, although VM weren't at one of them. So that's three. And I believe the victory in each case was because VM's programs grow a lot more during the season and challenge them far more than D/W's programs challenge them. D/W skate the same program with similarly done elements each season and all they're doing during the season is getting themselves into condition, because their elements and choreography has been in their muscle memory for almost five years - it doesn't change. VM, OTOH, have to work entirely new things into their bodies - new pacing, new phrasing, new transitions, new element placement - it's all from scratch each season. The layout and style and construction of their program is always wildly different year to year although some fans believe "different" is all about acting and 'acting' is all about be different in a very literal way, and VM will never challenge themselves until they pretend they're not a man and woman out there. The reality is that neither acting nor diversity is expressed in that type of trite differential (oh, she was a clock last year, and this year she's a muse!).
If anyone has had an uphill climb each year since the Olympics it's been VM, and their climb has been against the judges as well as their own challenges - some of them self-imposed. At least the judges have so far lacked the gall to inflate D/W's scores at worlds versus VM - Worlds is still the prestige event, but it's still a crock during the season itself. It's absolutely absurd how much what VM do is underrated compared to what D/W do, especially when one considers ice dance had to fight for its place as an Olympic sport. If the sport then turns around and underrates what VM do, then there was no point in making ice dance a sport at all.
I also agree with Oksana Domnina that what VM do is so unbelieveably difficult, reliant on so many factors outside the ambition of many ice dancers, that they won't set trends for the future.
And perhaps that's resented. Perhaps the D/W model is perceived as more relatable, less rarified. Their model is athletic talent and ferocious conditioning - that's the type of thing that can be achieved with a work ethic and so it's not resented, IMO. It also absolutely requires a coach like Zoueva.
The one time D/W tried to achieve the intricacy and variety within their fd that VM do every year, they had to change and modify until it looked and was skated like all of their previous fds.
P.S. The 4CCs isn't an important competition. VM have only competed in it to trial run their programs before Worlds, and that's it. If D/W weren't around they'd skip it, and so would D/W, whereas if the two teams didn't have each other they'd of course still do the GPS and the finals. The 4CCs isn't a competition that can wreck a season. Perhaps I should say it's not "prestigious" versus "Important" but I basically think it's the least important of the year. It only matters as another chance to get the program out there.
I believe VM would be getting the scores they get without D/W but I do honestly sometimes wonder if D/W would be scored as they are without V/M and the perceived need to not "anoint" VM - to bend over backwards to show that they are scoring on the day and not on reputation, to the point that the idea has practically been turned inside out - D/W are scored on the need to have a team threaten VM and the need to create a storyline and maybe a need to keep V/M in their place - VM is a very independent minded team who do not make much of a show of being team players - at least not for public consumption (private is different).
If D/W were skating with no V/M would they be annointed with these scores each season or would the judges look more closely at exactly what they're doing out there and critique the quality of their skating a little more closely? And would what the Shibutanis do better than D/W also be appreciated more in order to create a closer competition in dance?
I'm getting off track but part of me thinks that Chock/Bates are receiving the scores they do in order to nod to Igor and not condense all the success in one Michigan training center.
I agree re: how one team would be scored without the other. I think the scores VM get are representative of exactly where reasonable judging should be. But then that restraint on PCS should be extended to every team in the field, it's not just DW who get inflated scores. I guess I understand why the judges wouldn't want VM just out in front constantly, but they could mark DW just a little bit more stringently and they'd still be on VM's heels. I don't get how much of a free pass DW get. It's sad that unless the tide turns soon, TS's resume is not going to show anywhere close to how great they truly are.
I wish we had quote from D/W about the situation @ this 4ccs. In 2011, you noted that Meryl's statement was a appropriately "chilly". In this case I wish they had said something that could dispel some of the worst accusations by their fans. They know what T has gone through with her injuries. But I don't know what the protocol is in a situation like this, so I'm not saying they should have done so and it's suspect that they didn't, by any means. But when they are training mates, I thought it might have been appropriate for them to say something. Not to say anything that would downplay their victory of course, but just well wishes because they know T's leg problems are real.
Do you think that DW are aware of VM's superiority? Are they in denial and honestly think they are equals, yet different? Do they think it's TS choice to bother worring about the artsy dance stuff and the risks associated with it, without actually understanding that their ability to do it makes them better skaters too? I believe you when you say they are truly are close friends, but I just can't grasp the dynamic. Either DW don't see VM accurately, or they are just content to do whatever they can, and yet know they are very fortunate to get the marks they do.
"I guess I understand why the judges wouldn't want VM just out in front constantly, but they could mark DW just a little bit more stringently and they'd still be on VM's heels. I don't get how much of a free pass DW get. It's sad that unless the tide turns soon, TS's resume is not going to show anywhere close to how great they truly are."
I agree. DW get a free pass and VM have to earn it. When I watch the blades of DW and THEN see how strict the judges are with the levels in VM's step sequences, it's absolutely insane. If DW were on the same level as VM they'd be scored as strictly, but this is a game - a game about VM and this is the role DW has been assigned. Hell, when I watch Piper freaking Gilles in G&P's midline step sequence and then look at their scores - it's freaking insane. You don't have to get into the ice anymore? Only VM do?
Unless Tessa's health is an issue - I see V/M going to Sochi...if V/M retire this year - I am grateful for them to have brought me back to the sport and to the programs they have shown us...I remain positive because V/M can skate to anything and they remain fierce competitors...
I think the judges at 4CC were willing to give V/M the gold if it hadn't been for the interruption. Personally I want to believe that they deliberately score D/W higher all year to create some sort of tension and rivalry to keep the sport interesting but when it comes to worlds and Olympics they'll judge V/M correctly - like it happened last year at worlds where D/W didn't even stand a chance despite some errors of V/M.
Well try telling that to Nathalie Pechelat when she commented the SD dance at 4CCs for Eurosport and highlighted that V/M have great skills and a great connection. Seriously, icenetwork and by extension the USFSA really need to tone this garbage down...
Isn't that just the most ridiculous? Every ice-dance team on the planet wishes they could portray connection the way VM do. They're untouchable in this and many other areas of dance.
lmfao this is priceless.
ReplyDelete"Mrs. Hilborn, can I speak to Cass, please?"
DeleteThis looks so good on Scott.
"Mrs. Hilborn, may I speak to Cass please?"
Delete"I'm sorry Scott, not until she's finished her chores."
Another winner. This looks so good on Scott. Next time he should drop the pretense and just raid a high school.
You know you have to laugh because it's such a generational thing too - mom needing a twitter account to touch base with the young ones...cuz who answers the phone these days? LOL...self-absorption with twitter, facebook, pinterest....
DeleteYes, Scott is a 25 year old married Olympic champion with a wife and small child, a guy who boasts that neither he nor Tessa are on the internet, and here he is, shamming it up with a girl who has her face glued to social media like a middle schooler so her mother has to remind her to answer the phone and badger her to answer about whether she took out the garbage.
DeleteEven if he were legitimately single this would be ridiculous.
I guess the reason Team Sham has self-appointed busybodies running around policing what fans say is if they weren't on that task, they'd all start gabbing about real stuff, and Scott and Tessa dread the day. The "Shhh, it's a secret" stuff heads them off from running their mouths about the true stuff they think they know.
She can only but out the garbage!
ReplyDeleteDid someone say they were terrible at vetting these fake SO's? Lol
ReplyDeleteMakes Scott look ridiculous. And to think he prefers this public image of himself instead of being linked to the wonderfully poised and incredibly lovely, sweet Tessa.
I can safely say Scott would much prefer to be linked to Tessa and doesn't prefer this at all.
DeleteHave you seen her pinterest? The only board that she's put much work into is for her "someday" wedding.
ReplyDeleteOT, but at FSU a couple posters have said how forced TS' new SD ending looks. It hasn't seemed to occur to them that it's maybe forced because they are trying NOT to kiss. Anways, not that FSU is worth much notice, but I thought it was funny.
12:29
DeleteBut Scott has a girlfriend! He can't possibly have any desire at all to be kissing Tessa. They're platonic, you know. The thought would never even cross their minds. I'm sure they die of embarrassment just thinking about it - according to their own words in that hilarious article avout an "accidental lip bump."
Exactly - trying not to kiss, trying to keep it that millimeter apart - is unnatural.
DeleteBut people see what they want to see. They don't look.
I've seen the pinterest. I thought I'd wandered into Jessica's by mistake. It's just bizarre how alike some of them are - these grown twentysomething girls who look as if they're waiting for a life to start instead of actually having one. The most active boards are "style" - the same types of cute outfits over and over - and "someday" weddings, and then there's the obligatory inspirational quotes board for self-reassurance and to inspire you for when you finally get out of the house and start doing something like an adult. Some day.
I am bringing my comment from the previous post - Well it seems that Mr. Semple just dissed a woman's ski race on twitter...no wonder this guy was not given a farewell mention on Alpine Canada's facebook page...can you say macho guy that loves cars? but to diss women skiers - I mean that's arrogant considering his illustrious career..not
ReplyDeleteSo it's not just one SO that is not impressive..
Yes, what a fabulous choice for the fake boyfriend of an Olympic gold medal winning female athlete.
DeleteThey are always digging up the thick-headed for the job.
Maybe that's why Tessa went shopping for a new beau among the London Knights 2004 alumni.
" Another winner. This looks so good on Scott. Next time he should drop the pretense and just raid a high school. "
ReplyDeleteThis just made my day xD
Is this Scott in Cassandra's Twitter pic ?
Of course they can only use complete morons to play a part in their sham. What intelligent, grown up person would ever willingly participate in such nonsense ? Nobody with a little self-esteem would want to play fake girlfriend/boyfriend.
I'm also starting to wonder how involved Scott really is with his family. He claims he spends all of his weekend and freetime with the Moirs in Ilderton but during Canadian nats he said his mom says she displays all of his national medals in his room, but he wasn't sure if it's true. If he really spent all of his weekends in Ilderton he should know what kind of things his mom storages in his room, wouldn't he ?
I can't wait to see what they have in store for us at worlds ...
I wonder the same, 2:16, although I already know he's not staying at the parents when he goes to London/Ilderton. He stays with Tessa in London.
DeleteIt's amazing. We're meant to believe Scott was in a "thriving", mutually in love relationship with Jessica Dube for more than four years that survived all the drama we're meant to believe happened - a relationship that played out largely in Jessica's OTT cooing and lovey dovey fawning on her facebook. Her mostly one-sided cooing and lovey dovey fawning. Most of it was 'about' Scott, versus "with" Scott.
Then without pause for breath, we're meant to believe he's in another, equally devoted relationship - instantly. It's not just devoted; it's devoted in the same way. There's no take it slow - it's instant full commitment, and of course it's playing out largely in social media photos and HER OTT fawning and lovey dovey swooning ABOUT Scott, versus with him. Ridiculous.
We can be sure that when Scott closed down his fan facebook it was because this Hilborn hoax had been prepped and was ready to roll. That is the exact reason.
"Is this Scott in Cassandra's Twitter pic?"
ReplyDeleteNo, that's Cassandra's brother.
A little OT but what do you think about Scott and Tessa's almost withdrawal from 4CCs ? Tessa still didn't really look like she was in pain but it looked a lot more convincing than last time.
ReplyDeleteDo you think they have realized they'll have problems to beat D/W at worlds and wanted to use this as a possible excuse for March if they shouldn't be able to win on home ice ?
I'm not sure what version of 4CC you were watching, but it was pretty clear that Tessa was in distress and out of it from the beginning. She did not look well. If anything, watching her today highlights how fake the "quad spasm" withdrawl in 2011 was.
DeleteI don't think it's an excuse at all. I think, this time, Tessa was legitimately struggling. Everything about this was different from 2011.
DeleteNice to see them being honest that it was her legs and to see Scott supporting her the way he did.
I'm definitely on board with this withdrawal highlighting that the 2011 withdrawal was programmed. Scott's demeanor, Tessa's demeanor, Scott and Tessa's together - whether it was cramps or nausea or both or something else, they halted this time for legitimate reasons. It wasn't to conceal that they weren't prepared (as they weren't in 2011 - Tessa was in no way ready for the lifts and as we saw by April Worlds, they weren't even in condition then, and the program wasn't fully in their muscle memory).
DeleteAn indicator of the 2011 fake is Scott pretending he urged Tessa to continue. That would never ever ever ever happen. Tessa is like a racehorse who keeps running when her leg is broken. Look who called it this time. Scott. It wasn't her. He knows. She would go on if it killed her. If her "quad spasm" were real in 2011, it would have been Scott calling it, not her.
I knew when I posted Mrs. Hilborn's tweet that immediately afterwards she'd protect them. It's a joke. I feel certain the London crowd felt for sure they'd handle this better than Jessica. I also hope that in her own protected tweets Cassandra is sharing her inside view about the 4CCs and wishing Tessa well. Surely such a devoted girlfriend wouldn't ignore what happened to Scott's partner.
oc, not logged in
And Mrs. Hilborn probably found out about the blog because now her tweets are suddenly private.
ReplyDeleteMiss Hilborn's twitter account has been private since at least November. It's just like the old fb games--a few chosen ones are added as friends so they can see and share what she puts on there.
DeleteI'm talking about Cathy Hilborn, not Cassandra. Cathy's account was public until maybe two days ago. I assume she didn't like it that the blog made fun about her.
DeleteIt's still part of the game, feigning that their privacy has been invaded by the blog. It's par for the course, really.
ReplyDeleteSomeone had made a comment about Scott and Tessa saying they avoid sitting next to each other on planes. I just wanted to say - in light of their comments about putting themselves in a bubble, about constantly talking about their goals and reviewing things before and after competitions, and Tessa saying she only sees Scott during the bubble times..... Sitting apart on the plane makes absolutely no sense. I can't believe they thought this was a credible lie.
ReplyDeleteWhere?
Delete5:53
DeleteIn an interview during the book-tour, Fall of 2010, VM said on-camera that they never sit together on planes and purposely request separate seats.
Did anyone believe them? (I didn't)
Someone recently brought that up in a comment in a previous blog entry.
there are lots of videos and pics of them not sitting together on planes and buses...
DeleteLike the one where Tessa is seen boarding a bus, then the camera boards the bus and Tessa isn't on it. What did she do - crawl into the overhead bin? Scott is sitting ostentatiously alone with something parked in the seat next to him.
DeleteWhy do they do that shit? Why do they walk in separately to banquets when they're being filmed? Or dinners? Why did Scott move from his table to the bigger table Yuna Kim was speaking to? If we see him sit next to Tessa we'll know they're married? If they sit next to each other on the bus we'll know they don't run in different directions the second they leave the rink?
They are idiots with this.
Anon 8:55
DeleteThe issue isn't whether they sit together or not. No one expects even the most devoted couples to sit together 24/7. It's about the ostentatious attempts to create little "messages" with this nonsense. There are times when the occasion is one where sitting together is logical and makes sense, such as when friends travel together, or are at special events as a team. There's no need for Tessa and Scott to make such a big deal about being careful not to be seen next to each other, as if they fear what anyone would think if they actually requested seats next to each other on a plane (and who in the world travels with their bff and requests separate seats? Please). For them to bring this up in interviews, specifically to convey they're not romantic, is absurd.
I agree, they are idiots with this.
6:01
DeleteAnyone have a link for this specific interview? Just curious. lol.
I feel so bad for TS. I guess it's bad karma of some sort for this to happen to her at 4CCs of all places, and yes, to an extent they have brought this on themselves. Of course their credibility is going to be questioned at times. But T has fought through so much with her injuries, for people to be insiuating that she somehow could have skated through it....so sad what a huge backlash there has been. TS deserve criticism for lots of things, but not for this. I hope their bubble is serving them well right now.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like D/W's crowd is capable of some pretty unsportsmanlike behaviour as well. To be fair, the degree of separation may be more substantial (to my knowledge their family members haven't said anything in public spaces). But there are certainly people who would fall into the category of more than just fans - locals or people who know members of the families -who are certainly lacking in class right now.
A discussion on whether there should be a deductions is valid - I was surprised when the Shibs didn't recieve one - but why is everyone being so snide when TS lost? It's because they were still so close I guess.
The backlash is definitely ugly from D/W ubers and some twitter comments from others in the US who blog or have ties with the USFSA. Personally my take is that they don't hate V/M but it's because they want D/W to win so badly because they are the only legitimate chance at a gold medal at the Olympics next year. And as some pointed out, V/M won silver and did not win 4CCs - so why so much outrage? Because a) V/M beat D/W in the short dance (and the lead should have been greater) and b) had V/M not had the stoppage and continued to skate clean - there is a possibility that they might have sqeeked a win...so basically the judges would have started closing the gap...and as the blogger has indicated before - D/W have been marked generously over the last 2 seasons and to me the D/W ubers and some others in the USFSA community think that they should be untouchable.
DeleteNotice how folks weren't saying what an exquisite performance by D/W for the win...it's the petty backlash...lastly Tanith Belbin is no doubt a nice person and all - but perhaps she shouldn't be gloating from time to time- that's why there is a conflict of interest when she does commentating for ice dance events...my last comment is kudos to V/M for finishing the program on a strong note.
The backlash and outrage from the D-W ubers and others is both infuriating and uncalled for. They've gotten what they wanted, because D-W are indeed untouchable right now. They won 4CC and will be winning worlds. Ice dance is still ice dance and D-W have politics, momentum, and very generous scoring--especially compared to V-M--on their side right now. V-M are unfortunately dead in the water as far as this season goes and there's not a thing they can do about that. If dance were like pairs or singles, yes, they'd still have a chance, but it's not. You would think that the D-W fans would just be decent enough not to be nasty and vile towards V-M and their fans right now.
DeleteAs crazy as this sham business makes me, I am honestly devastated for V-M that this season has turned out. They are truly the best dancers and skaters, and their programs this year were fantastic. Things should not have gone this way for them.
Has anyone else heard the rumblings that this season may actually be it for V-M?
I think D/W fans who are speaking out are frustrated, but IMO they should be grateful. VM are much much better than D/W.
DeleteThe fans who view VM stopping mid-program as some type of ploy make no sense whatsoever. Furthermore, if they're so insecure they'd rather have seen VM pushed off the podium for stopping, then they should retroactively demand that Zhang & Zhang's silver medal at the 2006 Olympics be stripped from them as well as Duhamel Buntin's bronze from TEB 2008.
For me it reeks of insecurity. The reality, IMO, is that D/W are nowhere near as good as VM and the unfairness is the judging that places the scoring - especially in components - closer than it has any business ever being. They are never able to achieve that run of blade, that perfect control, that mutual physical dependance and intricacy that is, IMO, not just the soul of dance, but also extremely technically difficult.
I don't think VM are dead in the water by any means. But the bitching from the D/W fans is off base. If anyone deals with unfair situations it is VM - they have not enjoyed the uber generous scores that are always showered on D/W no matter how they skate.
D/W has beaten VM in the GPF since the Olympic season, although VM weren't at one of them. So that's three. And I believe the victory in each case was because VM's programs grow a lot more during the season and challenge them far more than D/W's programs challenge them. D/W skate the same program with similarly done elements each season and all they're doing during the season is getting themselves into condition, because their elements and choreography has been in their muscle memory for almost five years - it doesn't change. VM, OTOH, have to work entirely new things into their bodies - new pacing, new phrasing, new transitions, new element placement - it's all from scratch each season. The layout and style and construction of their program is always wildly different year to year although some fans believe "different" is all about acting and 'acting' is all about be different in a very literal way, and VM will never challenge themselves until they pretend they're not a man and woman out there. The reality is that neither acting nor diversity is expressed in that type of trite differential (oh, she was a clock last year, and this year she's a muse!).
If anyone has had an uphill climb each year since the Olympics it's been VM, and their climb has been against the judges as well as their own challenges - some of them self-imposed. At least the judges have so far lacked the gall to inflate D/W's scores at worlds versus VM - Worlds is still the prestige event, but it's still a crock during the season itself. It's absolutely absurd how much what VM do is underrated compared to what D/W do, especially when one considers ice dance had to fight for its place as an Olympic sport. If the sport then turns around and underrates what VM do, then there was no point in making ice dance a sport at all.
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I also agree with Oksana Domnina that what VM do is so unbelieveably difficult, reliant on so many factors outside the ambition of many ice dancers, that they won't set trends for the future.
DeleteAnd perhaps that's resented. Perhaps the D/W model is perceived as more relatable, less rarified. Their model is athletic talent and ferocious conditioning - that's the type of thing that can be achieved with a work ethic and so it's not resented, IMO. It also absolutely requires a coach like Zoueva.
The one time D/W tried to achieve the intricacy and variety within their fd that VM do every year, they had to change and modify until it looked and was skated like all of their previous fds.
P.S. The 4CCs isn't an important competition. VM have only competed in it to trial run their programs before Worlds, and that's it. If D/W weren't around they'd skip it, and so would D/W, whereas if the two teams didn't have each other they'd of course still do the GPS and the finals. The 4CCs isn't a competition that can wreck a season. Perhaps I should say it's not "prestigious" versus "Important" but I basically think it's the least important of the year. It only matters as another chance to get the program out there.
I believe VM would be getting the scores they get without D/W but I do honestly sometimes wonder if D/W would be scored as they are without V/M and the perceived need to not "anoint" VM - to bend over backwards to show that they are scoring on the day and not on reputation, to the point that the idea has practically been turned inside out - D/W are scored on the need to have a team threaten VM and the need to create a storyline and maybe a need to keep V/M in their place - VM is a very independent minded team who do not make much of a show of being team players - at least not for public consumption (private is different).
DeleteIf D/W were skating with no V/M would they be annointed with these scores each season or would the judges look more closely at exactly what they're doing out there and critique the quality of their skating a little more closely? And would what the Shibutanis do better than D/W also be appreciated more in order to create a closer competition in dance?
I'm getting off track but part of me thinks that Chock/Bates are receiving the scores they do in order to nod to Igor and not condense all the success in one Michigan training center.
I agree re: how one team would be scored without the other. I think the scores VM get are representative of exactly where reasonable judging should be. But then that restraint on PCS should be extended to every team in the field, it's not just DW who get inflated scores. I guess I understand why the judges wouldn't want VM just out in front constantly, but they could mark DW just a little bit more stringently and they'd still be on VM's heels. I don't get how much of a free pass DW get. It's sad that unless the tide turns soon, TS's resume is not going to show anywhere close to how great they truly are.
DeleteI wish we had quote from D/W about the situation @ this 4ccs. In 2011, you noted that Meryl's statement was a appropriately "chilly". In this case I wish they had said something that could dispel some of the worst accusations by their fans. They know what T has gone through with her injuries. But I don't know what the protocol is in a situation like this, so I'm not saying they should have done so and it's suspect that they didn't, by any means. But when they are training mates, I thought it might have been appropriate for them to say something. Not to say anything that would downplay their victory of course, but just well wishes because they know T's leg problems are real.
Do you think that DW are aware of VM's superiority? Are they in denial and honestly think they are equals, yet different? Do they think it's TS choice to bother worring about the artsy dance stuff and the risks associated with it, without actually understanding that their ability to do it makes them better skaters too? I believe you when you say they are truly are close friends, but I just can't grasp the dynamic. Either DW don't see VM accurately, or they are just content to do whatever they can, and yet know they are very fortunate to get the marks they do.
"I guess I understand why the judges wouldn't want VM just out in front constantly, but they could mark DW just a little bit more stringently and they'd still be on VM's heels. I don't get how much of a free pass DW get. It's sad that unless the tide turns soon, TS's resume is not going to show anywhere close to how great they truly are."
DeleteI agree. DW get a free pass and VM have to earn it. When I watch the blades of DW and THEN see how strict the judges are with the levels in VM's step sequences, it's absolutely insane. If DW were on the same level as VM they'd be scored as strictly, but this is a game - a game about VM and this is the role DW has been assigned. Hell, when I watch Piper freaking Gilles in G&P's midline step sequence and then look at their scores - it's freaking insane. You don't have to get into the ice anymore? Only VM do?
Unless Tessa's health is an issue - I see V/M going to Sochi...if V/M retire this year - I am grateful for them to have brought me back to the sport and to the programs they have shown us...I remain positive because V/M can skate to anything and they remain fierce competitors...
ReplyDeleteI think the judges at 4CC were willing to give V/M the gold if it hadn't been for the interruption. Personally I want to believe that they deliberately score D/W higher all year to create some sort of tension and rivalry to keep the sport interesting but when it comes to worlds and Olympics they'll judge V/M correctly - like it happened last year at worlds where D/W didn't even stand a chance despite some errors of V/M.
ReplyDeleteThe latest attempt to degrade V-M's skating seems to be that they lack on-ice connection:
ReplyDeletehttp://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130211&content_id=41530112&vkey=ice_news
Well try telling that to Nathalie Pechelat when she commented the SD dance at 4CCs for Eurosport and highlighted that V/M have great skills and a great connection. Seriously, icenetwork and by extension the USFSA really need to tone this garbage down...
DeleteIsn't that just the most ridiculous?
ReplyDeleteEvery ice-dance team on the planet wishes they could portray connection the way VM do. They're untouchable in this and many other areas of dance.