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Nations Cup 2001 - Pairs Short Program

Abbreviations:
s=salchow,l=loop,z=lutz,t=toeloop,a=axel,f=flip sbs= side-by-side

General comments:
The overall quality of the pairs short program was good. Hardly any really bad performances/programs. Very good programs from the top 3, except for that they all struggled with their sbs jumps. In the break after the short program we got to see some of the skaters off-ice, I was amazed by how tiny Maria Petrova really is. After the pairs short there was some boring opening ceremony, with a little skating by some kids and some adults skaters who did a number to the musical "Cats". Followed by speeches from some official of the DEU and a director of the local Sparkasse. Sparkasse won't sponsor the grand prix in Gelsenkirchen again next year (which of course was not mentioned in the speech), the new main sponsor is gong to be "Bofrost", accordingly the Cup is renamed again to "Bofrost Cup". So when you people talking about "Nations Cup", "Sparkassen Cup" or "Bofrost Cup" next year, it's all the same!

Maxiuta & Dubina (Ukraine)
He wore a grey costume, she a white one. Their music was "Love Story", the some piece Salé and Pelletier used for their long program in 99/00. I really can't hear that music anymore, no matter who skates to it. They were better than I expected, did a throw 2s, a 2-twist that looked a little risky, their pairs spins and sbs spins looked rather good. I didn't note down their sbs jump for whatever reason, but if I remember right they both completed a 3-toe. There wasn't too much noticable presentation and they didn't have much flow, but it was a good performance.
TM: 4.4-4.8
Pres: 4.7-4.9

Shen & Zhao (China)
They wore nice plain black costumes. Their music was "Kismet" by Bond, quite dramatic. Started with sbs 3-toes, he fell. Did a nice death spiral, their sbs spins were weak. Twist was high, but the landing wasn't really soft. The choreography was ok, I wasn't able to notice any improvement in their presentation during the short program, especially he still seemed weak.
TM: 5.4-5.5
Pres: 5.7-5.8

Saurette & Fecteau (Canada)
Rather strange costumes, his pants were striped, the rest of his costume was white, her costume in the same colors. Their music is "Blow up a Go-Go". Started with a 3-toe, both had small problems, I think hers was 2-footed and his a little wobbly on the landing (or the other way round). They also had a problem with a lift. The choreography was very nice and playful. They didn't seem too polished and elegant, but I liked the program.
TM: 4.8-5.2
Pres: 4.9-5.3

Marceaux & Marcotte (Canada)
Nice violet costumes. I don't remember what their music was, some blues? Their sbs 3-t was out of synch but clean. The had interesting endings to some of their lifts. sbs spins a little out of unison. The music and program had a somewhat abrupt ending. They are very elegant skaters, especially Valerie Marceaux, they look very harmonic and polished and have good presentation. I think if both skate clean, they are stronger than Saurette & Fecteau.
TM: 4.4-5.1
Pres: 4.8-5.2

Ina & Zimmermann (USA)
She wore a silver costume, I didn't like the cut. He was in black. Their music was "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". They started with a 3-twist, then did the sbs 3-t, he fell. Nice throw-3-l, good sbs and pairs spin. The program looked great, they looked very smooth and fluent, very good choreography and presentation, loved it. They got big applause.
TM: 5.2-5.6
Pres: 5.5-5.9

Leray & Osseland (France)
She in a glittery silver dress, he in black. There isn't a very big height difference between them. Zestful music with drums. Started with clean sbs 3t's. She nearly falls on the throw-3l, puts her hand down. She comes down early on a lift, then falls on the death spiral. Program doesn't have much choreography, the presentation is mediocre. They make a noticable weaker impression than all the other pairs.
TM: 3.1-4.0
Pres: 4.3-4.6

Chuaeva & Palamarchuk (Ukraine)
Ugly costumes in black, yellow and pink. Clean sbs 3t's, hers might have been 2-footed though. She falls on throw-3s. Rather weak lift, also unison isn't that good. Sbs spins out of unison. Choreography mediocre, they look unpolished. I liked him better with Julia Obertas.
TM: 4.5-4.7
Pres: 4.6-5.1

Petrova & Tikhonov (Russia)
Nice costumes in light blue and white. Their music is "Nutcracker". Get big applause before their skate. Her hair is still straight, but dark again, she wears it in a bun. Start with sbs-3t's he has problems with the landing. Nice throw-3s. Very classic choreography, soft, fluent and beautiful. Improved presentation since last year. I really liked it.
TM: 5.2-5.7
Pres: 5.5-5.9

Berankova & Dlabola (Czech Republic)
Nice red costumes. Playful music with some bird voices, don't really like it. They both fall on their sbs-3t, but fall in perfect unison! Throw-3s, hands down. Nice presentation, they seem very polished and elegant, I liked their style of skating
TM: 4.2-4.5
Pres: 4.7-5.2