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So having realized how unsustainable it is at the moment to try to keep up with coverage of everything, I'm aiming the next few weeks to complete more stuff, and have decided that for the time being my coverage of the NHK showdown between Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron will be limited. I can publish more things by not letting work I've already done go to waste, but more importantly, I think focusing on the battles that don't involve V/M can be more fruitful in the end. If discussions of corruption revolve mostly around V/M's superiority, it can leave the mistaken impression, like happened to some extent with the Davis/White situation, that V/M are a special case and that the teams that unfairly beat them are otherwise deserving. But by explaining the principles behind why the Shibutanis (and others) are stronger than P/C, or why Paul/Islam (and others) are stronger than Gilles/Poirier, it becomes all the more obvious why Virtue/Moir have the strongest technique and why being challenged by the likes of P/C and G/P is so outrageous.
Previous Entries:
Part 1: Versus the Shibutanis, Steps #1-6
Part 2: Versus the Shibutanis, Steps #7-19
This entry will examine the steps of the remainder of the Section 1 element. I'm going to recopy the following passage quoted in Part 1 in every subsequent post, as a reminder of how clearly and explicitly proper technique is defined in International Skating Union materials.The following excerpts from the "General requirements" section of the Handbook for Officials for Pattern Dances [1], which is used to judge international novice competitions, gives a good idea of what one should be looking for in good compulsory skating. Pay particular attention to the part about Skating Skills - emphasis is mine.
"a) Accuracy – The steps, edges, elements/movements and dance holds must be in accordance with the dance description and the Rules. Subject to general conformity with the basic requirements, some latitude is given to allow a Couple to demonstrate their own individual style. This is usually accomplished by the use of a variety of arm and/or leg movements. Movements or positions of arms and/or hands, which differ from those specified in the descriptions of the required dance holds are permitted, provided that the Leading Hand of the Man remains in the prescribed position for the hold"
"c) Skating Skills – Good basic skating quality is required: Deep edges should be skated with speed, flow and easy glide in an effortless manner. Cleanness and sureness of steps, edges and lobe transitions should be evident. The Skater must carry the weight over the skating foot. Footwork must be neat and precise. Two-footed skating must be avoided except where it is required. Good and equal technical ability are required for both partners. The knee of the skating leg should be flexible with a rhythmic rise and fall. On Chassés and Progressives the the feet should be lifted a small distance from the ice"
"e) Style - Carriage should be upright but not stiff with the head held up. All actions should be easy and flowing and performed in an elegant manner. The Dance Holds (see Rule 605), should be firm and the fingers neither spread nor clenched. There should be no apparent struggle for speed and speed should not be obtained at the expense of good style. The free leg should be extended, the foot turned out and pointed down;
f) Unison - The Couple should skate as close together as possible keeping a constant distance between them. All movements such as leg swings, knee bends and lean should be equal and well coordinated and their performance should be balanced. The partners should move as one. The Man should show his ability to lead and the Lady to follow"
Steps #7-8
At the end of Part 1, the teams were in the middle of step #6 [2], with the man on a LFO and the lady on a RBO, facing each other in Waltz Hold. They will hold these edges for a 2nd beat, and then perform Chassés in unison on beat 3, stepping onto a RFI for the man and a LBI for the lady. They complete the Chassés by stepping back to the LFO and RBO respectively, and they will skate a 6-beat swing roll on these edges.
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| Steps #7-8 (.5x) |
