“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 1st 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
Report cards: http://results.skatecanada.ca/2011-2012/11lsynf/11lsynfSeniorFreesegJudgesDetails.pdf
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