Have some spare time? I made notes throughout the short program at Synchro Worlds in Colorado Springs. The entire event is posted on Skatebuzz (for those in Canada) for free - you just have to sign in to watch them. Anyways, I didn't necessarily judge the teams, I just wrote down my thoughts as I watched - made some general notes on some of the PCs, things I liked, didn't like, etc. I am just shy of getting my Novice synchro promotion (so able to judge all levels except Open, Intermediate, Junior and Senior) - so I'd like to think some of these thoughts are knowedgble.
Some, I warn you, are just pure personal preference - like music dislikes and costume hate ;)
It's 6 pages in word, but I know there's some diehards out there.
I tried to include team names if there was more than one from a country and most music, but I know I missed some!!!
kortney elise xoxo
Australia – Edward ScissorhandsMy first thought was – really? Nexxice skated a fabulous rendition to this just a few years ago. Their wheel is okay but simple – parallel to 3 spoke. I’m seeing some edges but not a lot of deep edges. I like their biellman catch while hanging on for MIFs, but their spacing was lopsided on the ina bauer and their timing off on the spreads. Poor shape in the intersection.
Decent unison for an open block, but not for Senior. Definitely improved from years gone by, but certainly no interpretation even attempted. Very simple and basic, basic transition.
Austria – Summer of 69Obviously a fun program and gets the audience right away. Very messy point of intersection in the passthrough. I hate their hold in their block – makes it look sloppy and accentuates poor unison. Their pivot didn’t have footwork, so won’t be a block 4 –misread of rules? Terrible unison in the spoke, but nicely lined up in the 3 spoke. Good shape in the triangle passthrough. Fall in the MIFS – took a really long time to get in. I like the bauers in a 3 spoke position.
I like that they’re trying to interpret the music but their unison suffers because of it.
Belgium -Excessive ice pherpas on box passthrough? NO shape after – eek. Some really good fakers on those spreads, but I got you. 135s not so hot. I feel very slow compared to the other two so far. I like their dresses but the pink underlayer is distracting for a team without much unison. Terrible parallel and poor change of direction. Triangle passthrough – no shape out and messy point of intersection. Not terrible, but lots of weak skaters that stand out.
Canada 1 – NexxiceI already know what happens and I feel I’m going to cry. Wow already during their warmup the difference is clear even on video. Going to watch on big screen so no comments during.
Wow. I have goosebumps. Fall x2 and all. I don’t know how that does not get 9.5 for skating skills even with the fall. Honestly – that is the definition of effortless skating – they quite literally are FLOATING when the skate. It’s jaw-dropping. A perfect pairing of music to skating skills – the music floats and sucks me in and so do their skating skills. You wouldn’t even know how hard it is to skate like that. And their interpretation was definitely denied. And such class standing their getting their marks knowing they won’t be their best…I’m not going to lie. I would have had some choice words.
Canada 2 – Black Ice – Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Again going to watch on the big screen. I am in love with this program!!! How one could not give a 10 for choreography on this program is beyond me. I KNOW I’m biased and I have seen it live so maybe that makes a difference. But I can still hear their skates during the beginning part of their music and their edges ARE the music. Granted, their skating skills are not quite on par with Nexxice (dare I say yet?), but the genius beyond this choreography is some of the best I’ve ever seen. I’m sure they all rolled their eyes when Cathy said we’re skating to Twinkle Twinkle…but this program was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Their weak element is their triangle passthrough – it was the only time I could tell they were about to do a “required element” whereas the rest of the program I felt like I was watching a show number it flowed so well.
Croatia – L’amour
Pink and black are apparently the cool colours this season. Good shape on their box passthrough, but had to stop after to “prove it” – I don’t like that. Slow. But I watched them after black ice. Pretty good unison but not so great edges during their footwork. Loss of speed majorly on twizzles. This is like watching an Adult team. And I skate Adult (or did), so I’m not being rude – just calling it as it is. Decent spirals, but really far apart – I would like them closer. Terrible shape on their spreads – was about to say I like the spreads in a wheel formation – but only if they stay that way. Some major spacing issues on the No Hold…and again with stopping after a passthrough. Not a fan.
Czech Republic – Love Story
Bottom teams should not skate to music that has been well done in the past (ala Jamie/David) it hurts them. Okay. Their hair is not so pretty. Okay at least their music is with words – but still, it doesn’t help their choreography mark, trust me. Not bad unison, but major speed issues. I liked their box passthrough though. Good parallel. Change of direction okay too actually. Impressed by their wheel so far. Actually just impressed. Nice triangle too. Opening your mouth also does not help your interpretation mark. Ick. Good height on the 135s I saw. And good spreads too. I don’t like block formations in a pyramid where when skater is left alone. Wow. I didn’t actually mind that – no choreography though. Not much interpretation. But decent skating skills and I liked the simplicity of their elements – choreographed to their skating ability and it really helped them.
Finland 1 – Rockettes
They got a costume deduction – agreed. I don’t know if they necessarily should have gotten the deduction, they’re not terrible as they could be, but if they DID NOT take a deduction then I have a feeling we’d start seeing tights/pants like this from lower level teams attempting to hide their flaws. It would work and that’s not to be encouraged. I’m going to watch on the big screen. Okay – here’s an example of a team that CAN skate to well known theme/music and it WORKS for them. An Egyptian theme, but very innovative. I get it – great choreography and interpretation. It’s perfect. However, their skating skills do not compare to Nexxice or even black ice. They are kind of like Carolina Kostner and the PCS she receives – I get it. She is fast. Rockettes are FAST. But that is not all that PC is made up of. Or apparently it is. They don’t have the floating, ease of skating skill I want. It takes more than their knees down to crosscut. BUT their speed is VERY strong so it works. Their passthroughs were PERFECT. Just PERFECT. I liked it. I would have liked to see a clean Nexxice vs. Rockettes. I don’t want to say it, but I think Rockettes would have still been on top. I didn’t like their initial disappointment with their score/deduction, though
Finland 2 – Marigold Ice Unity – Jungle Book
First impression? Didn’t they skate in this colour dress a few years ago? This is the team that struggled at last year’s worlds with that TERRIBLE fall in the short where the girl split her leg open. Obviously a different theme than the last time they skated in this colour. Again – wow. FAST. This must be the European trend. Pause. Insert – they stole my idea. If I had ever coached a team again, I wanted to skate to Jungle Book, but a rockstar version of it. They did it. Theives. I wonder if I ever published my idea somewhere…End Insert. I would have Ded’d their B4. Great unison. Oh. Not great MIFs though, some loss of unison – oh but improved on their spreads. Loss of unison on 135s. This program is very up and down for me. Good short program music definitely. Fast twizzles wow. Loss of speed during NHB footwork. I would have liked more choreography and innovation I think. Felt like a short program. Oooh, I did like the hop in the 3 spoke though. Again. European. Very much so.
France –
Don’t make your man the music starter – he already stands out. Terrible intersection. Slooooow. Need to work on unison of crossovers – they’re unison’d, but not together. Terrible intersection. No shape in or out, I’d say. Poor spacing on the inas. Okay spirals though. Don’t do a bielman catch – your man already stuck out, remember? He wasn’t even close. Some unison problems again in the block. And again the man. He really stands out – 2 footed turn. This needs some work – they would have benefited from a more simplistic program, like how Czech did – this program might have been too hard for them.
Germany 1 – Sei Con Mei?
I like this colour of dresses. And the talking is really weird in the background on Skatebuzz. Here comes the fast European aspect again. I’d ded that on the B4 too. I like it. They’re selling it to me, surprisingly. I’m liking the creative element intervenous he choreography here and there. Nice triangle passthrough. Oooh, good use of music on the MIFs. Some struggle of individual spiralers though. Good 135s – even the guys. Decent spacing on the spreads. I’m sold on this team. It’s not top 5 material, but they have the European style that the judges seem to love (me excluded) and it could get there. I liked this a lot.
Germany 2 – Piano Concerto
What is with this colour? Another team I personally know used this colour this year, and although their dresses were great up-close – as I suspect for this team too – on the ice they look like vomit. They called “FOOT” I like it. Ha. Oh here we go again with a low ranked team using “famous music” ala Kim Yuna – but then this is with words and they didn’t know. I really liked those spirals. And their spreads. And even their MIFs. Impressive for a “2” team from Germany I feel. Not such a hot intersection though. I hate those passthroughs, did I ever tell you that? In general, I mean. Okay triangle, but no shape out. They have the “fast” SS quality too even if they’re not as fast. I much prefer the floating over this speed thing. Curious to note where this team ended up and can’t remember. They’re actually pretty good – they’ve (smartly) done a simple program and are doing it well. Some of their footwork edging is not great. I love their three spoke – holy fast. I’m impressed with this team too. I like pleasant surprises.
Hungary – Modern Titanic
Oh barf. This music was WAY over done a LOT in the 90s. Leave it there with Carmen please and THANK YOU. Oh wait. You didn’t. Oooh. That boy is cute from far away. Is he really? Oooh, likey the triangle passthrough. CELINE DION SHOULD NEVER BE IN A TECHNO PIECE. Not so hot on that intersection, but funny camera angle. This team has the fast European quality, but I am seeing an attempt at the floating – at times. I wonder if it’s intentional? This is TERRIBLE music. I think I would have jumped off the boat when I heard this. Messy no hold and not so great edges all around. I’d like to more unison of heads. Not so hot corridors on that pivot. I actually liked their spirals, but their spacing could be closer for the real wow effect. Some of those girls spread like me J Decent 135 – cute boy has the best one ;) Not bad. This music ruined it all for me though.
Italy – Big Spender
Pink and Black is back, overused music, and I suspect fast European skating ala Italian Kostner. But I’m Italian, so the bias is balanced. Oh. I hate their hair. That might have tipped it in not so good favour. Oooh. Girl on the end really struggling – stand out bad. But GREAT spacing on that no hold. Not as fast as I would have liked/thought. Good spreading team. I don’t like the inas – not big enough for Synchro. 135s have decent spacing. Choreography is boring and unoriginal. That’s why overused music doesn’t work for lower level teams nine times outta ten. This is very boring and short program like, but their unison is pretty good. Oops. Fall and stumble. Here comes my hate element. Okay pretty good actually. Lack of transitions in this program. I like the footwork in the parallel, but they don’t do it well. Oooh, bad line up of triangle passthrough. Eh. I leave it.
Japan – I Do?
All I can think of is that these girls wished they were Mao Asada and aren’t. I wonder what support for Synchro is like in a country with obsessed freeskaters? Oooh. I am seeing it – the floating quality. I wonder what popstar is singing this? It sounds like Backstreet Boys or Clay Aiken. But it’s working for them. Fast and soft – like what I’m seeing from their skating skills. Some lack of spacing in the NHB, but great edges for the most part. I much prefer that entrance into the triangle. I like it. I didn’t like that transition though into the second passthrough. Okay. Okay – so I’m seeing some rushed parts and some struggles. They’re skating VERY nervous. BUT. I like it – I’m seeing qualities I like anyways. I feel like they have the float and the speed…almost. Interesting. Too bad no other Asian teams to compare their style to. I’m curious.
Team New Zealand – When the Going Gets Tough
I won’t be too cruel, as I know this is a big achievement to be here and that in itself is something to be proud of. But I’m a judge. I say it as I see it. 3-spoke not lined up. I kinda like this music – it’s different and catchy. I feel like these are really old skaters – like an actual adult team perhaps? Ooh, not such a nice transition of skater by herself across the ice. Okay this is rougher then I thought it would be. BUT it is good to realize just how hard Synchro is and this team demonstrates just that. It doesn’t just magically happen like you think it might ;) Okay. No offense meant, but the coach should really watch RECENT Synchro videos – she’s definitely kicking it old school with some of these moves. But hey – good job on getting here and doing your best. THAT is what counts!!!
Russia – Urban Symphony
Thank gosh they got rid of those hideous bootcovers, I remember those from a few years ago. Yuck. NOT liking the gloves. I don’t get it – skate to something that I get or else you tell me. Neither are coming through. Great 135s. Back spirals are just never synchronized. I don’t like it. Poor spacing on the spreads. I am not seeing speed or float – I am seeing poor unison – well more like more togetherness, they’re technically unison’d – and rushed skating. Not a fan at all. This program is doing nothing for you. Too much hands in the NHB – and the gloves are REALLY distracting. You needed a more simple program, me thinks. Too much arms going on. Those gloves REALLY need to go.
South Africa – Spirit Here
This is relegated to New Zealand level – I won’t be too mean. Okay I lied – not quite NZ level. I think stronger individual skaters, just in a synchroless country. Fall – extended – don’t chase hon. Actually pretty decent unison…hard considering they have a LOT of guys – and guys just skate different than girls. Rough edge quality, though, sorry. They did well – I’m impressed. Keep it up and encourage the sport in your country and you will build on this one day. I also like this song a lot. Decent inas too!!! Way to go!!! Spirals aren’t so nice though. I hate the whip lineup of box/triangle intersections. Good. I like this team.
Sweden 1 – Team Surprise – Michael Jackson
They did MJ a few years ago, no? I love Surprise, but their programs are always so disjointed I feel like. Definitely not the team from a few years back – building year for sure. Their unison is FAB so far though. Their crosscuts are just so together. I like this setup transition into the triangle a lot. Ooh. Excellent passthrough. A little rough on the second one though. Parallel could be straighter for more GOE for sure. Eck. I hate their cuts. Always have. Great spacing and lineup on their NHB. They do this aspect of Synchro very well – the lining up and togetherness of unison. Ooh. Good use of music in spirals. I like the flow in the spreads. A lot. They’ve always had great lining up. And this was no exception. I think they suffered from an overdone piece – MJ is just too overdone to be innovative, even if they did try their best to be so. Cowbell. Ha.
Sweden 2 – Adagio
Why? Is there no music left in this world to use? However, their dresses are gorgeous. They don’t float enough to use this music. They lack the oneness that Surprise exuberates so well. Unison almost, but not oneness. However, they do float more than most European teams, I will give them that. This program isn’t doing it for me. I liked their spreads though – difficult for sure. Good spacing on 135s. This team was held down I think for their PCS and I think that was because of this music. We could have put on any music and had the same effect. They’re skating and not to the music. But I like them. Great pas…nevermind. She fell on her face. Literally. But almost great passthrough. NHB needs work, but good first twizzle.
Switzerland – To Love You More
This colour should be banished indefinitely. Ick. I can hardly watch. The whole outfit, hairdo – terrible. Try again next time. I’m trying hard to focus on skating and not eye vomit. She was distracted by the colour too – that’s why she fell. Okay triangle, not great though. 3 spoke into parallel – not very together on moving steps. This is really boring and typical. Again unison is just a little off. Not terrible though just not as together as I’d like it to be. I want them to go faster then they are. MIFs – they’re spirals were actually pretty good!!! Same with the spreads. Wow –good 135s too – best element so far, I’d say. Must be strong individual skaters, then. Too much arms not in sync, I don’t like that. A lot of turning with the upper body but okay edges at points.
USA 1 – Haydenettes – What a Wonderful World
Interesting fact – 18 time US National champions...never on the World podium before. Oooh I like it so far – good cut. NICE 135s. I’m liking the all together oneness of the unison. Their free leg is in unison. Okay 1st passthrough. And I like their NHB – spacing could use some work at parts, but great unison. This unison thing is exciting and fabulous for them. This program is really working for them. Okay I get it. I love it. They’re skating skills aren’t quite Nexxice, but they have decent speed and FABULOUS unison. I like it. Good use of some nuances in the music. Not a huge fan of basic transitions though.
USA 2 – Crystelletes – Love Me or Leave Me
These dresses aren’t much better than Switzerland. Eek for fluorescent colours on the ice. Although the scrunchie looks good in blonde hair. See now I don’t like their unison – yes they have unison but not really together. Different height of the free leg. Is this really the second best in the USA? Their synchro program needs major work in that country – I can see how it suffers in a land of Michelle Kwans and Sasha Cohens though. Not great spacing on NHB – I don’t like this program at all – could be awesome with the right choreography. Don’t like their MIFs, not very good spacing. Messy transitions. Their spirals were okay I guess. Personal note – I hate doing moving parallels. In case you wondered. I like the under crosses in the 3 spoke to the music though. Definitely a long way from USA 1, but okay I guess. Nothing special though.
