So sad for Lacoste, Ten, Balde, G/P... But no real surprises...
But the elements are a large part of the choreography and the marks are based on elements. Choreography is only a very small part of the total score.
I appreciate the originality of the concept of their program, some of their unique moves , and they certainly displayed more in the way of transitions than they have in the past , but still do not have the togetherness of P/I, the ease of movement or flow..
If that was the one defining factor , arguably , you could wind up with a team of much less skill and refinement winning. ( I'm referring to some hypothetical couple .) An original idea is not enough , on it's own.
I was not in the rink , but I've heard no objection to the placement of P/I's elements, and even on TV, you can tell that their program uses the available ice surface fully.Their choreography, too , incorporates some unique lifts .. and it weaves the elements together seamlessly ( I would say better than G/P's program ). In a way , I'm glad that originality is not more highly rewarded. It should definitely be rewarded, but equally with the other components of choreography...Otherwise, we'd wind up with everybody just trying to be more different than the next couple , and I shudder to think what grotesque paths that could lead us down.
I agree wholeheartedly with you colleen. I've been waiting for P/I to skate "lights out" in competition and they did. I was there and they were floating and smooth and fast. Her back and arms are to die for, very similar to Tessa. They skate pure and have a wonderful connection as well as lovely lines and very nice edges. They were my highlight and well as V/M on Saturday. I'm thrilled for them.I don't think this is a road we should go down... does being Islam's son carry more weight than being the anointed " next one" of Stong?
This could get very silly. Why would they go to the 4th place team when the two have been scored in the same ballpark this year ? Not to mention that the very high scores handed out to G/P previously have not been upheld by international judges ...and it was a clear win.
I was there on Saturday and in my opinion, G/P should have been 3rd in the FD but that's just my take. Even though G/P ended up 4th, until the Olympic team was announced, they were still hoping to be named, even though they knew it was a long shot, knowing who Islam's mother is, it would seem unconceivable that Skate Canada would pick the 4th place team for the 3rd Olympic spot.
Well.. "the eye of the beholder ", etc.
That was the first time G/P have been scored appropriately in Canadian competition , instead of being grossly over scored.
I appreciate the originality of the concept of their program, some of their unique moves , and they certainly displayed more in the way of transitions than they have in the past , but still do not have the togetherness of P/I, the ease of movement or flow.. If G/P keep on with the improvement as a couple they have displayed this year , it will again be close between the two teams next year.
No one can argue that P/I have been unduly favoured by the judging in the past , and that's still the case. The skaters know what the other teams are capable of and I'm sure , the content of their opponents' programs. If you saw CTV's coverage , there was a lengthy shot of G/P and probably Carol Lane looking not just nervous, but very downcast backstage, while P/I were still receiving their ovation... well before the marks had been given. They knew exactly what they were up against , and that the outcome could reasonably not go in their favour.
I think this was one of the best adjudicated Canadians we've seen in some years.
ETA; Though this is not a contoversial decision , I hope G/P follow W/P's example from the last quadrennial , and go on to improve and shine at their next competition ( possibly 4cc ? ).
What was odd about this Nationals is that Piper is a stronger skater than she was a few years ago and yet G&P received a lower FD score than they did their first year together. In the past they have gotten 100+ in the FD, and this year it was only 99. Normally they would have beaten P&I.
Since you would assume that as their skills improved, their marks improved, and this year's marks were lower than the previous two, then the deduction remaining is that they were highly over marked the other two years.