While our previous entries have focused exclusively on the question of PCS, an overall evaluation of fall results has prompted a secondary question: what relationship, if any, exists between the role of PCS and that of the ostensibly more objective TES? *Note: Deductions when present have been added back to total scores to allow for…
As 2015 approaches, a last look back at 14 of our favorite dance and pairs elements offered up in 2014, presented in (rough) order of debut. (Note: In interest of inclusiveness, no team or specific element was repeated.) Ice Dance Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir: 2013-14 short dance, no-touch midline step sequence A virtuoso display…
As the Grand Prix series concludes prior to the Final, the establishment of a field in the absence of the world-leading dance teams of the previous quad has begun to emerge. To that end, a review of the development, from last season through most recent international competitions, of PCS as assigned to those senior American…
Skate America Dance Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) — Ondrej Nepela Trophy (first; 162.98). Grand Prix average = 150.01 | Grand Prix high = 160.55 (2011 Grand Prix Final) | Grand Prix low = 136.93 (2010 NHK Trophy) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA) — Nebelhorn Trophy (second; 163.73). GP average = 143.9 |…
by Jacquelyn Thayer In the first four years together, ice dancers Andréanne Poulin and Marc-André Servant took a sober-minded view towards their work–an “intense, super-serious” mentality, in their words, that accompanied a 2012 Canadian junior national title and two Junior Grand Prix medals. But after those initial successes, which also included a decent sixth-place showing…
Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran (USA) Paired: Announced June 2014 Training Base: CPA St. Leonard, Montreal, QC, and Skating Club of Boston, Boston, MA So Far: Debuted at Quebec Summer Championships, August 9; 48.12 (SP only) Assignments: Ineligible to compete internationally prior to June 2015, pending Tran’s release from Skate Canada Gretchen Donlan and Nate…
by Jacquelyn Thayer Range among PCS categories — and among marks assigned by individual judges within a category — may be the nitpickiest of topics to assess. Certainly numbers here are minuscule, with variations typically hovering around the 1-point range for both dance teams and pairs (despite the different factor applied to each category within…
In our second guide for the perplexed this off-season, a review of the major rule changes and revisions impacting your favorite sport and ours. 1. New Junior Age Limits Revoked A measure passed at the 2012 ISU Congress called for the upper age limits for junior pairs and dance men to be lowered from 21…
by Jacquelyn Thayer Entry to the senior ranks proved a trial by fire for Canadian ice dancers and 2014 World Junior bronze medalists Madeline Edwards and ZhaoKai Pang. While still competing as juniors internationally, their 2013 national title meant a move up to the elite ranks for this year’s Olympic-qualifier Canadian championships. And for the…
With assignments for the 2014-15 Grand Prix series to be determined today and Friday, where can the top teams from Canada and the U.S. expect to book a trip? As a summary review, each host nation — the U.S., Canada, China, Russia, France, and Japan — may invite up to three home entries per discipline;…
