Lauren Sometimes Blogs: Lauren's short program report

“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