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.)
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir: 2013-14 short dance, no-touch midline step sequence
A virtuoso display of musicality, edgework and sheer awareness of another, and most remarkable, a sequence that saw nothing less than a Level 4 in four of its six international outings (and 2+ GOE in all), including the Sochi individual event.
Nicole Orford & Thomas Williams, 2014-15 free dance, straight line lift
Timing is everything in this deceptively simple lift, meant to evoke Titanic‘s iconic ship’s prow moment. Despite a hitch in its performance at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, its debut at the BC Summerskate, in the clean black lines of practice attire, revealed its potential at best.
Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje, 2014-15 free dance, curve lift/spin transition
A standalone lift in previous seasons, the team’s curve lift, while further improved in execution, is really given its punch here by its transformation into something like a transition into the spin — almost death spiral-esque in development.
Madison Chock & Evan Bates, 2014-15 free dance, choreographic spin
Coming on the heels of a final rotational lift, this approach to the season’s new choreo spin element — a (higher-valued) alternative to the choreo lift introduced as mandatory back in 2012-13 — provides for an appropriately energetic capper to this first of two American in Paris programs to make the list.
Maia & Alex Shibutani: 2014 Ondrej Nepela free dance, twizzles
Few programs have made so dramatic a highlight of simple new twizzle requirements as this initial outing of the siblings’ Strauss free dance, moving along the short axis with a huge interweaving pattern. After a Level 3 in this performance, the pattern-crossing twizzles would be replaced by a side-by-side extended free leg option for subsequent autumn events, but the illusion fourth set remained.
Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue, 2014-15 free dance, diagonal step sequence
The couple’s aim with this Great Gatsby program was to synthesize a variety of dance styles into one thematically-linked whole, and the nods to Charleston in this late step sequence — to Fergie’s clubby “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” — bring it home to that 1920s setting after tours through the lyrical and the hip hop.
Alexandra Paul & Mitch Islam: 2014-15 free dance, spin
Though botched in its debut performance, two Grand Prix appearances revealed the complexity of this new combination spin for the couple, including arm-in-arm hold (a throwback to their 2011-12 free dance) and an inter-spin transition incorporating a reverse-rotated pirouette for Paul, all maintaining the Sinatra music’s jazzy character. With only a Level 2 in both clean outings, this one may see some revision come Canadian Nationals, but let’s appreciate what’s been.
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