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Wednesday, the 26th: Men SP and Pairs LP

Men SP

Aidas Reklys wore a black costume with glitter and skated to „Gladiator“ (bah). He did 3z(step out)-2t, 3flip and a spread eagle into 2axel. His spins were mostly slow and he was generally lacking speed and flow in his skating.

Juraj Sviatko skated to “Mucho Mambo” and “Black Machine”. He tried 3z-3t, but fell out of the toeloop. He landed 3flip and 2axel. He had a really cool dancy program with fun steps, it was charming. I think he’s an interesting skaters, I’ve always liked him when I saw him so far.

Andrei Griazev’s “Carmen” is a very nice program and he skated very well, as always his footwork was very energetic and he landed 3z-3t, 3axel and 3flip (just saved). I was very happy that he skated so well (and later it of course turned out that he also placed very well, wheee).

Samuel Contesti’s music was called “Le Phare”, it sounded somewhat folkloristic. He also skated very well, 3a, 3z-2t, 3flip. The choreography was playful, his costume black with some red. He has to work on improving his speed though.

Martin Liebers still has his old “Heaven Above” SP with the pretty ugly turquoise shirt costume. He did a shake 3z-2t, a 3flip and a 2axel. He really needs to work on his presentation, but the Techno type program suits his athletic style.

Silvio Smalun had a pretty good skate for his standards, 3axel, 3z(step out), 3flip. The steps in his “Nothing else matters” SP are interesting as always, but it’s a bit of an introverted program and he could be a bit faster.

Michal Matloch, the first of the unknown (to us) Czech guys had a very bad skate: 3axel fall, 3f-2t, 3z fall. He wore a costume in black and gold and skated to “The Mummy”. His spins were of varying quality, one of them was quite good, but others quite poor.

Andrei Lezin skated to “Stairway to Heaven”. What I liked best about him is that he had very good body control and very good centering on his spins (I hate traveling spins!). His spins weren’t very fast though. He landed 2a, 3f-2t and 3z (just saved).

This was definitely not the day of Frederic Dambier, he did 4t-2t (touchdown on the quad), but then fell on both the 3axel and 3flip. Both of his footwork sequences looked kind of slow.

Zoltan Toth skated to “Malaguena” and also had a bad day. He started of with 2axel, then did a 3flip with an extra hop afterwards to save it and then managed to add a 3toeloop. Just before he wanted to start his straightline footwork, there must have been something wrong with his boots or shoelaces, since he stopped the program and went to the referee. After some work on the shoelaces, he started the program again, but I think he still must not have felt comfortable, because he stumbled on the circular footwork and had a wobbly last flying sit. He did a 2lutz as final jump.

One of the biggest highlights of the men was next, Jamal Othman :D to “My Sweet and Tender Beast”. He landed 3flip, 3z-2t and 2axel and I think the choreography of his SP is just wonderful, with great steps and interpretations. His spins could be a bit faster maybe. His style of skating is just wonderful, he reminds me Johnny Weir in many different ways. And he has the extra bonus of being very tall, so that his skating and all his movements are very big and impressive. And he got a fab score :D ! He seems to be a quite consistent skater this year, at least based on the 2 competitions I have seen him skate at. Iit is a absolute disaster that his SP was not on Eurosport?! Did some station televise it????????? We wuzrobbed :P

I really like Gheorge Chiper’s SP, the music is called “Groove Collection” and it’s very cool and dancy with fun step sequences. He landed 3flip-3toeloop, stepped out of the 3axel and stepped out badly out of the 3lutz and put his hands down. The school children (who created a weird atmosphere again :P ) really loved him too and he got a huge crowd reaction, Stefka claimed that it’s cause as a father, he knows how to please children :P

Gregor Urbas had a strange music title and also a strange music cut in his program. He stepped out of the 3axel, did 3z-extra step in between-2t and a 3flip. His jumps don't get too much height and he's lacking some presence on the ice and the ice coverage has room for improvements.

Lukas Rakowski was the second of the unknown Czechs, he was skating to Kill Bill and landed 3f-2t, 3z and 2a. It was an energetic program, he had a nice fast combo spin and his other spins were solid too. There were not too many in-betweens in the programs, but his elements were good. When Steffi and I read the Media Information sheets later (they were handed out to all-event- ticket holders one morning and Steffi and I am pretty sure that they were responsible for the sudden overweight of our suitcases on the way back home :-P , since it sure was one huge bunch of papers, beside all the skaters' bios there also were some other statistical information about Euros), we noticed that Alexei Vassilievsky was listed as choreographer for both Czech guys, too too bad he didn't accompany them :-/ Well even without Vassilievsky I liked Lukas Rakowski.

Vitaly Danilchenko skated to „Zorbas the Greek“, it was an entertaining program, especially the steps and he actually managed to keep up with the speed of the music quite well. He overrotated the 3axel, his 3z was high but with a shaky landing and he didn't do any combo. The 2axel was clean. His camel combo spin was travelling. His spins generally need improvements, they are kind of slow.

Paolo Bacchini skated to „Shine on you crazy diamond“. I'm pretty sure I've seen him skate the same program at some Italian show one or two years ago. He really needs to improve his presentation and he seemed very shaky overall in the SP. He singled the axel (I think he did that in every program, including the exhibition one), then managed a 3flip and when he tried his 3z-2t, he nearly pulled off a Midori Ito, cause he nearly fell out of the ice rink at the part where the boards are low for the Zamboni, he didn't fall outside, but onto the low border. I'm sorry the event didn't go well for him and he finished so low, but I hope the Italian federation now regrets not having sent Karel Zelenka :-P I'm not sure this was the best experience for Paolo Bacchini to be sent anyway.

Viktor Pfeiffer had a Tango program and we were surprised to see such a good Austrian guy. He did 3f, 3z-3t and 2a clean. He had rather good speed over the ice, even if he was slowing down over the course of the program. What I really liked about him is that his jumps look really „easy“ and light. The quality of his spins is inconsistent though.

Trifun Zivanovic skated to „March of the Toreados“. He landed 2f-3t, 3a and 3z. His speed and flow were mediocre. Again when Steffi and I read the media guide, we saw that Oksana Grishuk is listed as his choreographer (along with someone else). Well it's nice she's working for someone, but I admit I'd prefer it if she worked for someone who's skating style I find a bit more appealing, LOL.

Roman Serov did a 3f-3t, but then fell on the 3axel and I think he also 2footed the 3z. It's really a pity, because he could have done so well (especially considering the LP later), he has good speed and power and I really like the overall good quality of his skating.

Stephane Lambiel singled the axel, then landed a 4t-3t and his 3lutz. At the beginning his „Spanish Caravan“ program is a bit empty, but then he has very good steps and interpretation and of course great speed on his spins (even though I have to admit it irritates me that they sometimes tend to travel :P )

Stefan Lindemann stepped out of the 4t and added a late 2t, but he landed 3axel and 3lutz. He skated with good flow.

I really enjoyed Kristoffer Berntsson's SP, the music was called „She wants to move, breath“, well the choreography and music kind of fitted the title I guess, LOL. I found the whole thing very funny and entertaining, especially the „dieing“ at the end :P He did 3a, 3z-2t and saved the 3f. He didn't have much flow out of his jump landings though.

Evgeny Plushenko stepped out of the 4t in his 4t-3t combination, but landed 3axel and 3lutz. He had a very cool final combo spin. Overall I have to say though that his „Moonlight Sonata“ program is kind of boring IMO, most of his other programs are way more entertaining.

Andrei Dobrokhodov skated to „Mission Impossible 2“. His elements: 3a (step out), 3z fall, 3f-2t. He had rather good speed and a spin combo that included a Biellmann.

Juan Legaz skated to „Kismet“ by Bond, quite a *blah* music choice. He looks so much like Silvio Smalun (especially cause of the hair) and I think their basic skating style is also kind of similar. He managed a 3z-3t, but the toeloop was shaky. He then fell on both the 3loop and the 2axel. His circular footwork looked to be easy, but he had rather good spins, except for one where the exit was wobbly. Generally he needs more speed.

Brian Joubert landed 4t-2t, 3axel and 3flip. I definitely agreed with his first place, since he skated with good speed and power throughout and seemed very on and confident. I also found his program quite enjoyable this time, there's a lot of energy in it.

John Hamer's music was called „Chronology II“, he started with a nice 3flip, then did a travelling flying sit, 2z-3t, something on his heels that made me realize that he wears Michael Weiss blades ;) , a 2a and he had a stumble on the straightline footwork. It was a very fast and fluent program and I liked him a lot. His spins tend to travel a bit, but otherwise they were good.

Kevin van der Perren's music was „Everything“ from Safri Duo. Steffi said he wore the same costume at Worlds last year, so it's probably the same program as last year, but I totally don't remember it from then. He did 3a and 3z-3t cleanly, but did an extra turn after the 3flip.

Sergei Davydov's elements: 3a with step out, 3z-3t, 3f that was 2footed and he put a hand down. His music is a version of the Bolero.

Vakthang Murvanidze had one mistake, but overall I think it was a good skate for him, he landed 3axel and 3salchow, but singled the lutz.

I fell into a concentration gap during Maciej Kus and only know that he did 2a, 2?-3t and no idea about the 3rd jump.

Ari-Pekka Nurmenkari is STILL using the Tango program, I'm feeling as if I've seen this about a million times. He started with a high 3z-2t, the landing of the second jump was only saved. He also saved the landing of the 3flip and landed the 2axel. He had good command on the ice and good flow. It was definitely a very good skate for him.

Alper Ucar's music was called „Anatolian Fire“, but it was a bit monotonous sounding. He did an extra turn after his 2axel, then 2footed and stepped out of the3z and nearly fell on the 3flip.

Pairs LP

Boguslavska & Brovenko skated to a „Latin Mix“, it was a really fun music. She 2footed the sbs-2axel and then they did a throw-2salchow and sbs 2loops (or lutz? I wrote down an „l“, which usually indicates a loop, but I'm not sure) into 2toes. She fell on another throw double, but they had a really nice and fun straightline step sequence. Their pairs elements were solid, but they got very slow in the 2nd half. I enjoyed them, because they had nice music and at least in parts also a very nice choreography.

Beloglasova & Bekh still had the LP from last year („Night on the Bald mountain“). They did a throw-3loop, sbs 2salchows, had a good lift next and did a nice throw-3salchow and sbs-2l into 2t. Their pair elements were quite good, especially the lifts. They were slow, but faster than the first couple.

Spassova & Todorov skated to „Prince of Egypt“ and luckily had a much better showing than in the SP. They managed the 2twist this time and did sbs-2s, t2s, t2l and sbs 2f into 2t (shaky). I liked the program due to it's cute and detailed interpretation, even if they did some „walk like an egyptian“ arm movements ;)

Rennik & Saks wore dark red costumes and their music was called „Allegretto, Adagio, Sahara“. They did another throw-3salchow and even did a shaky throw-3loop next. Their sbs spin was solid. As jumps they did sbs-2t into 1t (I think) and sbs-2s. They had to abort an lift at the end of the program. Apart from that, the other 3 lifts worked fine. They most definitely are much improved since last year, even if they still need to improve their stamina.

I liked the Bestandigs much better than in the SP. Their elements that I noted down: sbs-2t, 3twist, throw-3toeloop, good fast sbs spin, death spiral with a variation, a good lift that covered a lot of ice, screwed up their sbs-axels, throw-3salchow and a lift with a shaky exit. They had good flow in the first half of the program and they did not seem to lose spin during the program. They had good quality on most elements, just didn't have any good sbs jumps.

Pla & Bonheur were wearing pink costumes and had an Austin Powers LP. They started with a nice 2twist and attempted sbs-3t into 2t next, she was clean, but he had some problems. Unfortunately she fell on both the throw-3loop and the throw-3salchow. Other elements were sbs-2salchows and an a bit messy footwork sequence. The choreography of their program is fun and nice, but the execution was just too messy. Also the music always made me think of how Navka & Kostomarov expressed it and it doesn’t make P&B look too convincing in comparison. However I think they could be a good pair, if they did manage to perform more of their elements cleanly. Marylin seemed very disappointed after their skate :(

Handke & Wende’s LP is to music from the music “Tanz der Vampire”. Their sbs-3t-2t combination wasn’t perfect, Rebecca had an extraturn in between the 2 jumps. They did a 2twist and a second set of sbs-3toeloops. She maybe had a slight touchdown on the throw-3loop and then they only did a throw-1-toeloop. They had skated this program much better at Bofrost Cup, but it was still not a bad performance. They need to improve their speed and also vary it more and they don’t have much going on in terms of facial expressions, but they had good energy until the end of the program and I really like this team.

Voloshozar & Morozov skated to “Moonlight Sonata” wearing dark blue costumes. They tried a sequence of sbs-3t into 2t’s, but he stepped out of the 3t, followed by a high impressive 3twist and a sbs-3salchow attempt (he was clean, but she fell). The throw-3loop was 2footed, but the t3-salchow was clean and the throw elements are definitely their biggest strength, really impressive. They had on shaky lift, that I think also was exited early. Other elements that stood out: a spiral into FIDS and a cool last lift. Their stroking was smooth, they made too many mistakes this time, but they have a lot of potential, even though from body type and everything I don’t think he is the perfect partner for her.

Shapiro & Akolzin started with clean sbs-2axels, but she fell on the throw-3salchow attempt. They then did another set of sbs-2axels in sequence with 2t’s and did a throw-2toeloop. Their straightline step sequence was slow, but nicely choreographed and they finished a bit behind the music. Their skate wasn’t as good as the SP, but it wasn’t a catastrophy either and I like the Tango theme of their LP.

Totmianina & Marinin’s Scheherazade LP was pretty much perfect and I think it’s a great program for them :)

Petrova & Tikhonov definitely were not in top shape at all at this competition, was there information that they had been ill or something???? They had been in such good shape at the start of the season, so we were kind of eek about their poor performances here. In the LP she doubled the sbs salchow, I’m not sure what he did. She then stepped out of the throw-3loop and badly 2footed the throw-3salchow. They also screwed up the last pairs spin and finished a bit behind the music and they were very slow throughout the LP (in the SP their speed had been fine).

Obertas & Slavnov started with a high 3twist and then did a sequence of two sbs-3toeloops (I think). I think she doubled the second jump though. They did a throw-3flip and then another sbs-3toeloop, she stumbled out of hers. They had a big problem with their second to last lift and had to abort it early, but their last lift was clean again, maybe a bit shaky though. Even though they had problems too, they were a lot nicer to watch than Petrova & Tikhonov, because their stroking was very smooth, they were faster and kept their command throughout the program.

Sawchenko &Szolkowy wanted to start their program with a sequence of two sbs-3toeloops, but he doubled his first jump and she fell on the second. They did a rather high 2twist, but struggled with their sbs-2axels. She 2footed the throw-2axel and then they totally screwed up the take-off the throw-salchow and popped it into a single. It’s too bad they had so many mistakes, since they had been skating rather consistently throughout the season so far and had such a great LP at Cup of Russia for example, but they still have tons of potential and received very good marks.

The medal ceremony of pairs was fun, even if we were seeing it from behind, since our seats were behind the podium :P When O&S came out, they didn’t know which spot on the podium, left or right of the middle, was the one for the 2nd place, because they had the same height probably and Julia was running back between the two sides once or twice and bowed over to take a closer look, probably searching for a number? It made us wonder if there were no numbers written on it on that day yet (no idea), because on the other days there were quite big “1”, “2” and “3” on it for sure, at least on the back side of the podium, I sure hope they put numbers on the front too :P Regardless it looked very funny :)