DANCE: Kaityln Weaver and Andrew Poje have solidified their spot in the Final with their second win of the season, along with Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte who finished in second. They join USA’s Chock and Bates who’ve already qualified for the Final. What strikes me when I think about both of these teams is that the women very much have the same personality on the ice… they give face, but almost in a “too much” kinda way, and in some programs it really works, but in others not so much. I actually think that the over-the-top happy thing works for the Italians in their free program and shows off the best of their style. I liked Weaver/Poje’s free dance more the second time around- there’s some really beautiful movements throughout and I like the modern theme. (Though someone please explain her huge smile at the end?) Weaver and Poje solidified their spot as the favorite going into the Final, having already beaten Cappellini/Lannotte, who beat Chock and Bates. Isn’t it funny how quickly a team’s reputation can change in a short time? Last season, Elena Ilinykh was winning the skating divorce from former partner Nikita Katsalopov, but the roles seem reversed this season. Ilinykh/Zhigashin have struggled in both of their events, while Sinistina/Katsalopov have surprised with a second and third place finish and may be well on their way to the Final. Honestly, both Elena and Nikita are better than their respective current partners, and I kinda just want to see them skate together, but alas... not to be. Both of these teams will be fighting at Russian Nationals to get one of only two Worlds spots, along with Bobrova and Soloviev who we will see next week at NHK. Three spots are still open for the FInal in ice dance, and we will see American teams Hubbell/Donahue and the Shibutani/Shibutani go after those spots at NHK this week also. After short program results were declared final standings from Trophee Bompard, Hubbell/Donahue are almost guaranteed a spot at the Final, and the Shibs have a spot easily within their grasp as well. Having three American teams in the Final would be a really great boost for the federation in ice dance. Piper Gilles and Paul Poirer may well benefit from the 7th TEB spot allotted at the Grand Prix Final, as they are likely to finish in 7th.
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November 2017
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