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…
Analysis, Ice Dance
PCS: Connecting the Dots #3. Where We Stand
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…
Feature, Interview, Pairs
Yankowskas and Gaman Take an International Path
by Jacquelyn Thayer Though they skate this week for British national gold, North America has proven a home for Caitlin Yankowskas and Hamish Gaman. After the American Yankowskas and British Gaman kicked off their international partnership at the dance-centered Arctic Edge in Canton in 2013, the two relocated in April 2014 to the more freestyle-oriented…
Competition, Ice Dance, Lists, Pairs, Uncategorized
Preview: 2014 Grand Prix by the Numbers
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 |…
Feature, Ice Dance, Interview
Poulin and Servant Embrace the Bright Side
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…