Lauren's free program report - Synchro International London

“Synchro in the City” International Synchronized Skating Competition – London Ontario

Free Programs: Dec 29 2011

I was able to attend the free program official practices and event and so here are some thoughts. First of all – a big THANKS and CONGRATS to the organizers and participants. Thanks to London Tourism for coming up with the idea and hosing the event. What a creative a progressive organization!  Synchro is lucky to have them on our side. I hope this event is only the 1^st of many to come.

The practices were 15mins and I will incorporate a few thoughts below.  As for the main event: Well there were certainly more people in the crowd – and that was great to see. Also, I think the music was slightly louder (a good thing).

In order of appearance (which was reverse order of short program results). By the way, the results of the short program changed slightly after I posted my blog. Les Supremes were awarded points for an element which they didn’t perform, and so when the correct element was entered they ended up with slightly fewer points and dropped behind Nexxice.

Fusion – CANADA.“Excerpts from Voices” black and white sparkly dresses, naked bun

·         Decent lifts – slow but steady

·         Clean triangle pass

·     Effective “fluff” lifts before circle were well timed to music (and performed much better during performance than during practice)

·     An L3 attempt, but perhaps a great strategy as the L4 is quite elusive for most

·         Have some unison issues to sort out during certain portions of the music

·         Fall in wheel

·         Good confidence (and good showmanship compared to practice)

32.20 + 43.20 (-fall) = 74.40 TOTAL = 112.07

Ice Messengers – JAPAN “Code Blue” soundtrack royal blue dresses with flesh tone

·     Strange fall on landing of one group lift

·     Good ducking out of the way during partner spirals

·     Great 135 spirals

·     I noticed some skaters cheating the mohawks during the wheel travel

·     MUCH more confidence and presence than practice – YAY!

30.20 + 47.73 (-fall) = 76.93 TOTAL = 118.03

Crystallettes – USA “On the Floor” very sparkly red and flesh tone dresses

·     Great free-leg extensions in opening block

·     Nice entry into box pass

·     Creative pairs move

·     Unique change of configuration/change of direction in wheel – nice work!

·     A few mis-steps in no-hold step sequence

·     Good smiles, energy and expression

42.34 + 56.26 = 98.60 TOTAL 142.51

Supremes – CANADA “Dark Knight” purple, backless, with satin-like skirt.

·     Performed drills during a portion of their practice session

·     Strong opening lifts

·     Fast entry into angled pass (unfortunately a fall here)

·     No call on the line element – not sure why (ice coverage perhaps?)

·     Noticeable speed and power from this team – great attack

·     Good line up during 135 spirals, but unfortunate miss on partner spirals

·     Strong line-up during no hold block

38.75 + 60.81 (-fall) = 98.56 TOTAL = 153. 76

NEXXICE – CANADA a Parisian program in striped black and white tops with red brooch and black bottoms.

·     Block line-up well maintained during block pivot

·     Distracting moment when an alternate when on the ice (way over, under the judges and to the other side) to retrieve something off the ice

·     Tidy intersections

·     Great speed and control on change of edge spiral

59.99 + 67.87 = 127.86 TOTAL 186.15

Rockettes – FINLAND “Beyond Rangoon, New World Medley”, full, layered, multi-coloured skirt (blues and white), with white top

·     Nice entry into box pass, but slightly slow on exit

·     GREAT pairs move

·     No call on line element – not sure why (again, maybe ice coverage?). Lines looked nice and tight to me though

·     Impressive flip-entry into group lifts (crowd loved it)

43.83 + 70.39 = 114.22 TOTAL = 174.05

Paradise – RUSSIA Moulin Rouge. WOW for these dresses. Seemed really out of character for Russia, but completely in character for the program. Red & black, lacy, pouffy bum with short front to skirts, with black fish-net tights and curly fake pony tails and one high glove.  

·     Free-legs not matched on entry edge into block pivot

·     Small fall in box pass

·     Nice circle travel (no hold with weave)

·     Two falls on angled pass

·     Fantastic musicality and interpretation for the many dimensions of this program– really strong!

42.30 + 60.79 (-falls) = 100.09 TOTAL 160.92

Hayden – USA Lady Gaga medley black dress with large gold star on front. Pretty short trimmed skirt

·     Nice box pass

·     Unfortunate fall on angled pass

·     Nice shape on wheel  - but seems to slow down towards end

·     Good energy, but the dance sequence before the circle albeit Gaga, seemed a bit too unchoreographed

·     Really nice speed on spread eagles

45.67 + 69.75 (-fall) = 114.42

Pictures for practices and performances: http://homepage.mac.com/eelinpaas/2011SynchroFest/index.html

Videos: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/london-synchrofest-international

Report cards: http://results.skatecanada.ca/2011-2012/11lsynf/11lsynfSeniorFreesegJudgesDetails.pdf

Lauren's short program report - Synchro International London

“Synchro in the City” International Synchronized Skating Competition – London Ontario

Short Programs: Dec 28 2011

The event began with a well executed instructional video about the judging system. There were video explanations of the elements, technical score, and program components. Well done!

Unfortunately they then showed the awful video featuring synchro girls putting on make-up which characterizes our sport as a bit too superficial if you ask me. Anyway – we were there for the skating and so here are my impressions (note, I didn’t see the practices and so I was only able to see each program once and have limited notes).

NB – Music was far too quiet....Distractingly so in my opinion.  I hope it’s louder tomorrow. Also, weak crowd attendance and enthusiasm. I thought “we” offered only a lukewarm reception to these teams who sacrificed their holiday season to travel & compete this early in the season.  It was strange.

In order of appearance:

Fusion  CANADA - I missed seeing their music on big screen..something Arabic? Black dresses with purple sash

     ·          Collision during triangle pass

     ·          Loss of unison during end of block pivot – I’m not sure everyone completed all the turns

     ·          15.43 technical + 22.24 program comp = 37.67

Rockettes FINLAND – lounge, swinging type music (again, I missed seeing it on the screen). Great purple, pink dresses with black gloves)

·         Triangle pass was so slow – but I guess this is what you need for the 1^st GOE bullet point this year

·         Unfortunate fall during moves in the field

·         Tidy and polished

·         26.57 technical + 34.26 program component (- fall) = 59.83

NEXXICE CANADA – I again missed the actual theme...something tribal, wearing last year’s free program dresses

• Their triangle pass was noticeably faster than Rockettes’
• Strong block pivot I thought (in terms of control/speed/line-up)
• Unfortunate fall at very end of no-hold block
• 26.37 + 31.92 (-fall) = 57.29

Paradise RUSSIA – Hallelujah with really sparkly light blue dresses (and “shiny tights”)

• AMAZING change of edge spirals and crotch shots (135). I see they were appropriately rewarded by judges. Such amazing flexibility and strength! They should put on clinics for this element
• I thought their musicality was quiet good – they interpreted the nuances of the music really well and were very elegant
• Slow triangle pass
• 30.77+ 30.06 = 60.83

Supremes CANADA – “Ne me quite pas” – a French song. Beautiful faded black/grey dress with pink underskirt

• Nice variation on leg position during twizzles in circle
• Poor line-up during no-hold block
• Awkward entry into triangle pass (it looks quite forced to create the correct entry angles)
• Really nice spread eagles
• 27.07 + 30.80 = 57.87

Hayden USA – “Dancing with Muse”...not sure how to describe the theme. Very sparkly orange/ rusty/ burgundy dresses with flattering satin-like skirts.

• Nice hand switch on 135 spirals
• Quite tidy for this time of year
• 27.60 + 33.42 = 61.02 (and they were THRILLED with this 1^st place result). Well done!

Ice Messengers JAPAN – Josh Groban ‘You Raise me Up”. Understated/ plain silver and white dresses that could have used a little something something. They didn’t have enough presence to pull off such a simple dress

·         Very long entry edge into block pivot and scattered exit

·         Average intersection

·         They looked timid out there

·         16.42 + 24.68 = 41.10

Crystallettes USA – “Footloose” pretty purple with pink dresses

• They performed a unique spiral element (backwards change of position, when everyone else did forward change of edge)
• Poor shape on pinwheel (1^st shape not straight at all)
• Good energy
• 16.83 + 27.08 = 43.91

Hayden - current leaders: photo credit to @eelinpaas

Detailed results (report cards): http://results.skatecanada.ca/2011-2012/11lsynf/11lsynfSeniorShortsegJudgesDetails.pdf

Videos: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/london-synchrofest-international

Over and out for now....will report on free programs after tomorrow. 

Okanagan Winery Tour

This fall I was fortunate enough to go on not one, but TWO winery tours in the BC Okanagon Valley. The first trip was with Marc and his parents, and I had such a good time, and with so many more wineries to see, I went again with my step mom. Each time we stayed in Penticton which is right in the middle of the action. It's about half-way between Oliver and Kelowna and acts as a great home-base.

Between the two trips I went to a LOT of wineries, although as a rule, we only visited wineries with free tastings. I've listed the ones I've been to below along with our rating system. The "host" score takes into consideration not only the personality of the host, but also the general feel of the tasking room/ experience/ vineyard.  The second score is exclusively for the taste of the wine. The scores were derived by group consensus.  If I bought wine it is because a) we got to taste it, and b) I really really liked it. I would therefor recommend any and all the wines that I've listed here. Click on the winery name to visit their website. If you know anyone considering an Okanogan Wine Tour - send them to this blog post.

Also, as a result of buying so much wine -Marc and I drink a lot more wine these days. It's great!

Arrowleaf  

5 stars for host, and 5 stars for wine (beautiful view and great prices)

I bought a few of the 1^st Crush White and Rosé

Bonitas

4 stars for host, and 3 stars for wine (a bit pretentious to mention their helicopter pad over and over – but beautiful location)

Castoro de Oro (formally known as “Golden Beaver”) 

5 stars for host, and 4 stars for wine (great name – that is why we went...although apparently the wine community doesn’t have a great sense of humour – so they fancied it up)

 I bought their white blend

DirtyLaundry 

4 stars for the host, and 3.5 for the wine (2^nd time I went was much better. It’s a big production in there –but worth stopping in)

Elephant Island 

 4.5 stars for host and for wine (great patio)

I bought their Cassis in order to make Kir

ForbiddenFruit 

3 stars for the  host and for the (fruit-based) wine (pretty sugary)

GreyMonk 

3 stars for the host, and 4 for the wine (large samples and good prices – surprising for big player)

I bought several from Latitude 50 series (white and rosé)

Heaven’s Gate

3 stars for host, and 3.5 for wine (very new winery in beautiful log-home style building)

I bought the Rosé

Hollywood& Wine 

4.5 stars for the host and for the wine (organic wines at reasonable prices, great couple)

  I bought the Pinot Gris

KrazeLegs 

  4.5 stars for the host, 1.5 for wine (neat 20s theme – with peep hole on door)

LakeBreeze 

4 stars for host and for wine (nice property and bathrooms)

I bought the Pinot Blanc

MissionHill 

We didn’t sample (but as always, the grounds are something to see, and the bathrooms were great).  I would always recommend the family owned/ boutique/ local wineries over this giant.

Monster 

5 stars for wine and for host (great prices, get to sample with cheese, name based on Ogopogo)

     I bought several of Manmade White, Red Eyed, and Rosé

OrchardHill Cidery 

0 stars for host and for wine (tasting was inside of fruit-stand and apple cider tasked skunked.  Gross)

OliverTwist 

3 stars for host, 1.5 star for wine (thought the name was neat – wine was not so neat)

Perseus 

  5 stars for host, and 4.5 stars for wine (cute scruffy dog and lovely soulful host)

I bought Sauvignon Blanc

PoplarGrove 

 3.5 stars for host and for wine (beautiful tasting room with view – although we liked their Monster Line much better)

Quails’Gate 

 4 stars for host and for wine (spectacular view from tasting room, only 2 tastes – but sizeable)

Road13 

4.5 stars for host and 3.5 for wine (in a castle which was strange)

I bought the Rosé

RusticRoots 

3 stars for host, and 3.5 for the wine (fruit based wine, really nice homey tasting room)

SevenStones 

 5 stars for host, and 4 for wine (right at the start of both tours - a magnificent way to start!)

I bought several of their nice dry Pinot Rosé

Seeya Later Ranch 

4.5 stars for host, and 3 for wine (only 2 samples, but they were large – also they have an interesting “dog theme here”)

SilverSage 

5 stars for host, and 4 for wine (lots to sample including cheese and pretzels, host has great 1-liners and the roses  gardens are magnificent. Always worth a visit)

SleepingGiant 

3 stars for host and 3.5 for wine (lots of interesting flavours: all fruit based – it’s connected to Summerland Sweets)

 I bought Summerland Jam

Sonoran 

3 stars for host and 4 for wine (poor host had awful tooth-ache, but did a great job nonetheless)

St. Laszlo

2.5 stars for host, and -4 for wine (very dumpy little tasting room, host was willing to offer lots of samples  - but they were terrible. It was awkward)

Stoneboat 

4 stars for host, and 4.5 for the wine (small but classy place)

   I bought the Chorus and the Duet

Thornhaven

3 stars for host and 3.5 for wine (one of the many with a Mediterranean style construction)

I bought the Chardonnay

Township7 

 5 stars for host, and 4.5 for the wine (the Queen was served their wine during one of her Canadian tours)

I bought the Syrah

VolcanicHills 

4.5 stars for host, and 4.5 for the wine (vast and empty tasting room, but great prices on certain wines)

   I bought the Gamay