2023 SKATE CANADA INTERNATIONAL (14)
Competition Information:
https://skatecanada.ca/2023-skate-canada-international/
https://skatecanada.ca/2023-skate-canada-international/
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SportsTranscript
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00:01:27 Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you are.
00:01:30 It is Saturday morning here in Vancouver, British Columbia,
00:01:34 at the 2023 Skate Canada International.
00:01:37 It is free dance day here at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Center.
00:01:42 These ice dance teams competed their rhythm dance yesterday.
00:01:44 We'll do their free dance in a couple of hours.
00:01:47 I am your host for this dance practice, Kirsten Moore-Towers.
00:01:50 Joining me again, as always, three-time Canadian champion,
00:01:53 three-time world medalist, ice dancer extraordinaire, Kaitlin Weaver.
00:01:57 Welcome.
00:01:58 >> Thank you so much, Kirsten.
00:01:59 We're here in Vancouver, as you said.
00:02:00 This is the traditional unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
00:02:04 The first group of ice dancers have taken the ice.
00:02:08 Do you wanna have a look?
00:02:08 >> Let's take a look.
00:02:09 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:02:11 >> Ticia Fabry and Paul Eyre.
00:02:13 From the United States of America, Eva Pate and Logan Baye.
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00:02:45 Our first team of dancers on the ice for their practice this morning.
00:02:49 Representing China, we have Shiyu Wang and Jinyu Liu.
00:02:52 From Canada, Molly Lanahan, Dimitri Rezgolayev.
00:02:56 From Germany, Jennifer Jansa Van Rensburg and Benjamin Steffen.
00:03:01 From Canada, Alicia Fabry and Paul Eyre.
00:03:03 And from the United States of America, Eva Pate and Logan Baye.
00:03:07 Teams have a little warm up this morning before the music begins to be played.
00:03:14 Each team will run through their free dance.
00:03:17 They'll select, they will have already selected a number of elements that they
00:03:20 plan to complete on the music.
00:03:22 Can you tell us a little bit about that selection process, Caitlin?
00:03:27 >> Absolutely, before we do though, Kirsten, I wanted to get your read.
00:03:30 What did you think of the 80s rhythm dances yesterday?
00:03:34 >> Look, I am so, so into the 80s theme free dance.
00:03:39 I'm such a fan.
00:03:40 I was dancing, sorry, rhythm dance.
00:03:42 It's early this morning.
00:03:44 >> [LAUGH] >> Maybe some are doing an 80s theme free
00:03:48 dance, you don't know.
00:03:48 >> Well, some are actually, now that you mention it.
00:03:51 We'll get to that in the second group.
00:03:52 >> I already knew that.
00:03:53 That was totally planned.
00:03:55 I loved the rhythm dance.
00:03:56 I had so much fun.
00:03:58 I danced the whole way through.
00:03:59 And you know what I like about it is, even for
00:04:02 the viewer who has maybe less of a trained eye to the ice dance requirements,
00:04:07 everybody can have fun watching the rhythm dance.
00:04:09 And I think that's so important.
00:04:11 >> Absolutely.
00:04:11 I know that watching yesterday was very exciting.
00:04:14 And I think initially when I heard that the theme was going to be 80s,
00:04:18 you wonder how many of the same pieces of music will be chosen.
00:04:22 But what I loved is that every team,
00:04:24 we had ten different interpretations of the 80s era.
00:04:28 And that was such a fun event to watch yesterday.
00:04:32 We had some interesting point spreads, some interesting margins between the teams.
00:04:36 We've got what seems to be a battle for bronze.
00:04:39 But also looking at the current second place team, the British,
00:04:44 Lila Fierro and Louis Gibson, looking to close the gap with Piper Gillis and Paul Poirier.
00:04:48 That is a tall order here in Canada, but
00:04:50 it should prove to be a very exciting free dance event.
00:04:53 So on the ice right now, we're looking at the Germans.
00:04:56 We talked about this yesterday, Jennifer von Rendsburg and Benjamin Stephan.
00:05:01 They are free dancers.
00:05:03 They have incredible lifts.
00:05:04 I think Ted mentioned yesterday on the broadcast, if you weren't joining us for
00:05:08 the rhythm dance, that Jennifer enjoys jumping out of planes.
00:05:12 And I think that her daring attitude will be at the forefront in the free dance.
00:05:18 So looking forward to that.
00:05:20 And interestingly, with the rhythm dance being so high energy and so fast in pace,
00:05:29 I'm curious to see how many teams elect to then choose a more lyrical or
00:05:34 softer free dance, just to show a bit of diversity with their ability and
00:05:43 what kind of rhythms that they're able to portray in the ice.
00:05:46 So that is a curious question for me.
00:05:50 If we'll be seeing a lot of slow programs or
00:05:53 we'll see people mix it up a little bit.
00:05:56 >> What's your preference when you're watching?
00:06:00 >> Well, I think oftentimes in the last few years, we've seen a lot of contemporary
00:06:05 programs of course made quite popular by the reigning Olympic champions and
00:06:11 five time world champions, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron.
00:06:15 But at the same point, no one does it like them.
00:06:17 And I feel like everybody takes to the ice with a different skill set and
00:06:20 strength and weakness.
00:06:21 And so one of my biggest goals as a dance educator
00:06:27 is to understand what you do best.
00:06:31 And this is a difficult sport, we're judged for
00:06:35 living from a very young age until we retire and
00:06:38 probably continue to be judged after that.
00:06:41 So it's tough to kind of continue to check in with self.
00:06:45 But I do think that that's really important.
00:06:47 So it depends on the team for me, Kirsten.
00:06:49 Some people do it very well, but other ones, I like to see something different.
00:06:55 And that's the beauty of the free dance is that they can kind of choose
00:06:59 any rhythm that they want.
00:07:01 >> That's right.
00:07:03 Well, that was a quick warm up, seemingly very quick warm up.
00:07:06 Our first team will be about to do their free dance here.
00:07:10 From China, Shi Yu Wang and Jin Yu Liu, skating their free dance to Forever For
00:07:15 Now by LP and The One That You Love by LP.
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00:08:47 >> Beautiful start to this free dance for Shi Yu and Jin Yu.
00:09:05 I loved that curb lift that we saw.
00:09:08 Probably a different position for them starting the free dance.
00:09:13 In 10th place, perhaps something they're not quite accustomed to.
00:09:20 The free dance order is directly upside down from the rhythm dance.
00:09:25 So if a team placed first yesterday, they will compete last today.
00:09:29 [MUSIC]
00:09:39 >> Kirsten, this free dance is inherently different from the rhythm dance due also
00:09:43 to the requirements and the pattern.
00:09:47 The teams may separate in position.
00:09:50 They also may take any pattern that they wish.
00:09:52 Look at this lift coming up.
00:09:53 >> Wow.
00:09:54 >> One of their trademarks.
00:09:55 [MUSIC]
00:09:58 >> Also our three choreographic elements.
00:10:03 That was a series of jumps there.
00:10:06 [MUSIC]
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00:10:22 >> Shin Yu and Chui have had a little bit of a tough off season having to
00:10:27 train alone in Beijing due to visa issues, unable to get back to their training
00:10:31 center in Montreal.
00:10:34 And usually, they're so clean.
00:10:38 I find they just, it looks to be a little bit early in their season yet.
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00:11:36 >> I loved that free dance.
00:11:37 What did you think?
00:11:39 >> I thought it was interesting.
00:11:41 I'd love to see a little bit more of it later.
00:11:44 >> For sure.
00:11:45 >> You know, sometimes it's tough with free dances.
00:11:46 You need to kind of like see the whole story unfold.
00:11:50 And so when there are pieces, you get a glimpse of it.
00:11:53 But that one, since I haven't seen it yet this season, I want to see more.
00:11:57 >> We're looking now at Molly Lanahan and Dimitri Krasnolayev of Canada skating
00:12:01 their free dance to "Warriors," "I Want You to Know," and "Lord of the Dance."
00:12:04 [MUSIC]
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00:13:03 >> Something also to look out for in this free dance is the one-foot section,
00:13:08 which we just saw Molly and Dima perform.
00:13:11 Four difficult turns in sync.
00:13:16 They can differ from each other, but they cannot touch.
00:13:19 [MUSIC]
00:13:22 >> If I'm not mistaken, that's how they achieved that level.
00:13:25 Is that correct for the number of clean turns they performed?
00:13:27 >> That is correct.
00:13:30 >> It seems like it's easy to understand in theory, but so difficult to call, I think.
00:13:36 >> Slow motion.
00:13:39 >> I love this free dance for them, so far.
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00:14:17 >> Something that I love coming out of the ice dance school in Scarborough, Ontario,
00:14:22 led by Caroline and Yuris Razgulayev, is the quality of skating.
00:14:28 The skaters there all know how to hold an edge so beautifully.
00:14:33 [MUSIC]
00:14:38 >> And you might recognize that last name.
00:14:41 On their coaching team is Dimitri's dad, Yuris.
00:14:46 [MUSIC]
00:15:04 >> We're also looking for a maximum of three lifts, Kirsten.
00:15:08 So it can be three different types of short lifts up to seven seconds in length,
00:15:12 or a combination lift plus a short lift.
00:15:16 So one that's long and one that's short or three short.
00:15:19 And that is different than the choreographic lift, which doesn't have a level of difficulty.
00:15:26 It's just intended to be musical and reflect the character of the dance.
00:15:31 [MUSIC]
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00:15:51 [MUSIC]
00:16:01 [MUSIC]
00:16:10 >> That was so fun.
00:16:11 I love that for them.
00:16:12 I know that their choices usually are highly conceptual,
00:16:15 and sometimes I have to look down the notes and say, okay, this is the story.
00:16:18 Right, I understand.
00:16:19 That program is so easy to understand based on pure dance.
00:16:23 I love to see it.
00:16:25 >> Next team to skate their free dance from Germany, Jennifer Jansse van Rensburg
00:16:30 and Benjamin Stephan, skating their free to tango and libertango.
00:16:35 [MUSIC]
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00:17:05 [MUSIC]
00:17:15 >> A person similar to pairs when the ice dancers perform their spin,
00:17:19 they want to stay on a common axis.
00:17:26 More difficult than it looks.
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00:19:21 >> Caitlin, can you talk to us about how a team will decide what elements to
00:19:24 perform in their program on practice?
00:19:28 >> I think sometimes those can be -- that can differ even between the days.
00:19:31 So, for example, the elements we saw on Thursday during practice might be
00:19:36 different than the ones they choose today.
00:19:38 It really depends on what they want to warm up with the music.
00:19:43 So maybe there's a section that they need to stay a little bit more on tempo for.
00:19:50 They need to feel comfortable with the music playing in the arena.
00:19:54 Otherwise, they also want to show their strength to the judges that are in
00:19:58 house right now.
00:20:02 So it really depends.
00:20:03 >> Sorry, will that decision ever be made based on what you require more space
00:20:07 for from the other skaters on the ice?
00:20:09 Or do you make that choice in pairs?
00:20:13 >> For me personally, that was not the case.
00:20:18 Because I don't think we have many elements that, for example, are like 20
00:20:22 second long carry lifts or something.
00:20:24 But I think most of it has to do with -- this is the -- you know, your last
00:20:32 chance to kind of state your argument to the judges before the event.
00:20:38 So you're warming up your body, but at the same time you're also saying, hey,
00:20:42 here's what we're so good at.
00:20:44 Wow!
00:20:45 >> Wow.
00:20:46 >> And that was a great choice because that was a great lift.
00:20:49 >> That was a fantastic lift.
00:20:51 >> How did they even do that?
00:20:52 I need to see that again.
00:20:54 >> Well, you will in a few hours.
00:20:58 >> Our next team to skate from Canada, Alicia Fabry and Paul Eyre.
00:21:03 They're skating to "Someone You Loved" in composition by Louis Capaldi.
00:21:10 >> If I'm not mistaken, this is their free dance that went unused last season.
00:21:14 >> That's correct.
00:21:15 >> Good opportunity to see it again.
00:21:17 [ Music ]
00:21:28 >> Giving us just a small taste of the beginning there.
00:21:31 >> And that's it.
00:21:32 >> And that's all, folks.
00:21:35 >> But all jokes aside, we can see them taking it in.
00:21:37 We spoke yesterday about gratitude that they have.
00:21:40 You mentioned they had this free dance last season.
00:21:42 Didn't get to perform it as often as they would have liked.
00:21:46 I can see that they're happy to be here.
00:21:48 And that's really nice as a viewer.
00:21:50 >> I want to see them compete more, Kristen.
00:21:52 I think this is a great team that Canada has.
00:21:55 There's so much depth in this country.
00:21:58 I feel like I haven't seen them as much as I would like, so I'm happy that they're back.
00:22:03 I remember seeing this program last season at the high-performance camp.
00:22:08 So before any competition even started, and I said, "Wow, that's a great piece of work."
00:22:15 [ Music ]
00:22:18 When a team uses this kind of music well, it really makes you feel your feelings.
00:22:24 And I want that when I watch skating in general.
00:22:27 [ Music ]
00:22:37 You talked about the different types of lifts.
00:22:40 This obviously being their combination lift, is that right?
00:22:42 >> That is correct.
00:22:43 They went from a straight line to a rotation.
00:22:46 >> Do you find teams will often elect to do the combination lift or more often do the three short lifts?
00:22:51 >> I'm seeing that a lot lately, that there are a lot of combination lifts.
00:22:56 Also because it makes it a little bit easier with the number of features that need to be performed.
00:23:03 Because you can transition between the two types of lifts without needing a feature.
00:23:10 So sometimes it's easier to just get one big lift done and achieve the highest score possible from that.
00:23:17 Because these lifts are taxing.
00:23:20 Ice dance is tough.
00:23:22 Also considering the amount of time it takes for each lift.
00:23:26 Sometimes musically speaking, there's a bigger crescendo.
00:23:30 As opposed to trying to do three smaller ones.
00:23:37 [ Music ]
00:23:42 [ Music ]
00:23:52 [ Music ]
00:24:02 [ Music ]
00:24:22 >> What I like about this team, Kirsten, also is that they're authentic skaters.
00:24:28 When I watch them, I believe what they're feeling.
00:24:32 And as much as this sport is athletic, it is also artistic.
00:24:37 Based a lot on acting and being able to open yourself up to the moment and to your partner.
00:24:44 And sometimes that's hard to teach.
00:24:49 Sometimes I think it's also hard to do when you have all these technical requirements.
00:24:54 But I love the addition of these choreo elements in ice dance to allow skaters with a little bit more of that abandoned feeling.
00:25:02 [ Music ]
00:25:27 >> Your music time was four minutes and ten seconds.
00:25:31 Final skater in this group.
00:25:33 >> Final skaters in this warm-up group from the United States of America, Ava Pate and Logan Bai.
00:25:39 They will skate their free dance to "Pelopsian Dances" from Prince Igor by Alexander Burodin.
00:25:44 [ Silence ]
00:25:52 [ Music ]
00:26:20 [ Silence ]
00:26:47 [ Music ]
00:27:11 >> Just a little bit of discrepancy between these two partners on their first twizzle.
00:27:15 What does that mean for them, Kaitlin?
00:27:17 >> Well, the element is called the synchronized twizzle.
00:27:21 So the number one priority would be that they are synchronized.
00:27:24 Logan did one more rotation, which does happen when you're rotating really fast.
00:27:28 Oh, look at this current lift.
00:27:30 They're great at that handstand position.
00:27:33 When one person does one less or one more rotation, it greatly affects the GOE.
00:27:41 Sometimes the level, if one partner did not achieve the minimum requirements of rotation.
00:27:47 >> And what is the minimum requirement?
00:27:49 >> For level four, you must rotate four times on each foot.
00:27:54 [ Music ]
00:28:10 >> We just saw two side-by-side elements.
00:28:13 What I like is the opportunity to compare Ava.
00:28:18 Always having some fun on the ice.
00:28:22 Even in these high-pressure situations.
00:28:25 But I like to see each skater hold their own.
00:28:29 A lot of things can be disguised with choreography.
00:28:31 There's a lot of clever choreographers out there that know their skaters' strengths and weaknesses.
00:28:39 But you can't hide in a one-foot section.
00:28:44 When you can't rely on anything else but your own skill.
00:28:52 [ Music ]
00:29:21 [ Music ]
00:29:48 [ Music ]
00:30:01 >> Your music time was four minutes and eight seconds.
00:30:04 There are less than two minutes remaining in this practice session.
00:30:08 [ Speaking in French ]
00:30:11 >> Nice free dance run-through from this team.
00:30:14 >> I'm happy for the Chinese team taking their final bows this morning.
00:30:18 >> And maybe for himself.
00:30:19 >> And maybe for himself.
00:30:21 >> Good job, self.
00:30:24 >> Just two minutes left of this practice.
00:30:26 A little bit more condensed.
00:30:28 That is beautiful.
00:30:29 >> That was a really beautiful entrance to the stationary lift by Alicia and Paul.
00:30:37 One of the requirements for an entry for lifts is that they are unexpected.
00:30:43 So, I was told that there was an option to perform, and that one was unexpected.
00:30:46 I was about to say how lovely of a sliding move that might have turned into, but then it turned into a lift.
00:30:51 >> Oh, wow.
00:30:52 >> I love when that happens.
00:30:54 >> I have a question for you, Kaitlin.
00:30:56 We've spoken about these choreographic elements a couple times, and I would love to know the difference between a choreographic jump and a choreographic lift, because I can't always tell the difference.
00:31:05 >> So, choreographic jump is a series.
00:31:07 There have to be at least three in a row to qualify as a choreographic jump.
00:31:11 Also, those are less than three seconds each, so they're not meant to be sustained in the air for the partners.
00:31:17 They're meant really to be a jump or assisted jump.
00:31:21 A lift is sustained for more than three seconds.
00:31:25 That doesn't mean that the position can't change, but one partner is off the ice for three seconds.
00:31:33 >> Noted.
00:31:34 Great description.
00:31:35 >> Does that make sense?
00:31:36 >> Yeah, that makes sense.
00:31:37 >> If I was looking at a team doing a choreographic jump, I would see them do the same jump three times or different?
00:31:44 >> Great question.
00:31:45 No, it can be different and also differ between partners.
00:31:47 So, for example, I've seen the woman be assisted into a jump for two of the options, maybe something that looks like a split, then something that has a rotation, and then the man completes the third one.
00:31:58 So, it's a series of partners leaving the ice, but never for a sustained amount of time more than three seconds, and they occur in a series.
00:32:10 >> Very cool.
00:32:13 Here they come, our second group of ice dancers this morning.
00:32:18 Top five from the rhythm dance yesterday.
00:32:21 Today will be Amelia Zingas and Vadim Kolesnik from the United States.
00:32:28 Also from the United States, Una Brown and Gage Brown.
00:32:31 From Lithuania, Allison Reed and Solius Ember-Levichus.
00:32:35 From Great Britain, Lila Feer and Louis Gibson.
00:32:38 And finally from Canada, Piper Gillis and Paul Poirier.
00:32:42 >> Looks a little crowded out there this morning, Kirsten.
00:32:45 >> Yeah, it's a very busy morning.
00:32:47 We're in third and sixth place, actually.
00:32:50 So, we might see some teams trying to show their dominance out here.
00:32:59 >> What will that come down to, for example, if a sixth place team wants to move up?
00:33:04 We don't see a ton of visible huge errors.
00:33:08 What are these teams relying on?
00:33:10 >> Right.
00:33:11 So, there are so many things happening that you can't see at home and maybe shouldn't either.
00:33:18 I think ice dance should be enjoyed and not necessarily thought about cerebrally as much.
00:33:24 But there are so many things happening with regard to the edges and the requirements
00:33:28 and the amount of time that positions are held.
00:33:32 The amount of turns that each skater is performing in their required elements.
00:33:40 The tech panel often using slow-mo just to make sure all of those edges are accounted for.
00:33:47 Ultimately, you want each skater to get credit for the difficulty and the skill that they are performing with.
00:33:55 So, to achieve the highest level of difficulty in every element is extremely rare.
00:34:03 Level four across the board is difficult to perform.
00:34:10 But always the goal because those points add up.
00:34:14 Looking now at Piper Gillis and Paul Poirier.
00:34:19 And they will be challenged by Lila Fier and Lewis Gibson, two hugely different programs today.
00:34:31 Piper and Paul are finding inspiration from Wuthering Heights with music, classical music.
00:34:47 To the tune of the Wuthering Heights soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
00:34:57 The British going for a rocky theme, speaking of 80s.
00:35:04 Were there any surprises for you yesterday, Caitlin?
00:35:07 Yes, so we just took a look at the Americans, Amelia Zingas and Vadim Kolesnik.
00:35:12 They were looking super strong on practice.
00:35:15 They had a dynamite start to their rhythm dance yesterday and then mistaken the twizzles.
00:35:20 You know, this is a difficult, difficult discipline.
00:35:25 Amelia losing her balance, having a slight run in with her partner in the middle of the twizzles.
00:35:31 That cost them some points.
00:35:33 And so, they're a little bit lower than I would have thought had they performed clean.
00:35:38 But you know what, Kristen? It comes down to who performs on the day.
00:35:42 And it is so close.
00:35:45 There's also a bit of a bigger point gap than I would have expected between this team, the British.
00:35:52 And at the same time, Piper and Paul, they received a level one on their pattern dance type step sequence.
00:35:59 Which is uncharacteristically low for them.
00:36:03 But it is still early in the season.
00:36:06 Main goal being world championships in March.
00:36:10 So lots of time.
00:36:13 And at the same time, Piper and Paul, this is their first event of the season.
00:36:18 So we might see some things shifting today and as the events go forward.
00:36:24 You mentioned the mistake on the twizzles by Amelia and Vadim.
00:36:31 How much do you think that plays into their mental preparation today?
00:36:34 That's a good question.
00:36:37 I have a feeling just knowing them, I've had the pleasure to work with them a few times.
00:36:41 And Vadim for a few years actually with his former partner.
00:36:45 They're highly competitive, highly driven individuals.
00:36:48 So I would not be surprised to see them come out here with a bit of a vengeance today.
00:36:54 To say, you know what, we're not defined by that mistake.
00:36:57 And perform a really solid free dance.
00:37:00 That's what any competitor hopes to do.
00:37:03 And I don't think that that mistake yesterday is going to necessarily take the wind out of their sails.
00:37:09 I think it's going to drive them further.
00:37:12 Looking now at the Browns, Junior World Champions, Una Engage brother and sister team.
00:37:18 Based now in Montreal, had a great result yesterday.
00:37:21 Did you see that they mentioned you in an interview?
00:37:24 They did?
00:37:25 Yes, they did.
00:37:26 What did they say?
00:37:27 They said they had the pleasure of watching you train when they were advanced novice.
00:37:31 And now they feel a similar feeling when they're at the Ice Academy of Montreal.
00:37:36 Our first team, spoke with them a little bit this morning.
00:37:39 Amelia Zingas and Vadim Kolesnik skating their free dance to main title prologue,
00:37:45 "Transformations Overture" by the Beauty and the Beast.
00:37:49 [Music]
00:37:52 [Music]
00:37:56 [Music]
00:37:59 [Music]
00:38:21 [Music]
00:38:24 [Music]
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00:39:52 We're seeing a lot of jumps by this team.
00:40:04 Both are not limited by traditional ice dance abilities,
00:40:09 which you don't see a lot of upward movement for dancers.
00:40:13 Not a lot of jumps off the ice.
00:40:15 But Amelia having her background in single skating,
00:40:20 and Vadim also being quite versatile, we see that highlighted.
00:40:25 Teams, when they go to each event, have to submit a planned program content sheet,
00:40:32 which is essentially a piece of paper that tells the judges and technical panel
00:40:37 which elements they are intending to do.
00:40:39 How much with all of these choreographic movements do you think the panel relies on this sheet?
00:40:44 Well, at the end of the day, sometimes you don't get the sheet.
00:40:47 So, the team has to make it obvious.
00:40:51 But at the same point, it is helpful knowing what order some things are coming,
00:41:01 just so you can accurately judge it.
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00:42:01 So many highlights in that program. Well done.
00:42:04 Looking, of course, to see those twizzles a little bit more solid today.
00:42:08 Our next skaters representing the United States of America, Una Brown and Gage Brown.
00:42:15 Una is just 19, Gage 21. They're going to skate their free dance today to "All By Myself."
00:42:20 They will not be by themselves.
00:42:22 [Laughs]
00:42:23 They have each other.
00:42:24 Do you feel all by yourself, Kristin?
00:42:26 I don't. Not this morning.
00:42:28 [Laughs]
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00:43:28 Una and Gage have a lot of siblings at home.
00:43:47 I don't know if they know what it feels like to be all by myself.
00:43:53 [Laughs]
00:43:54 But I do like this choice for them when I first heard that they were skating to this piece of music.
00:43:59 It was a bit peculiar for me because, of course, this is a team sport.
00:44:02 And they are, in fact, not by themselves, but I do like this.
00:44:05 I love it.
00:44:06 I think it's really great.
00:44:08 They're emotional skaters, all jokes aside.
00:44:10 Great technicians. Beautiful performers.
00:44:14 Showing a very different side of the street.
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00:44:51 Interesting fact, Kirstin, Una and Gage competed last week at Skate America.
00:44:59 So they're getting their Grand Prix's done back to back.
00:45:04 I think there's definitely perks to that.
00:45:08 When you're in the mood to compete, you just keep it going from one week to another.
00:45:13 It can be tiring at the end.
00:45:15 It takes a lot of energy to perform.
00:45:17 And I think it almost desensitizes you to some of the nerves of being on the world stage here.
00:45:24 So they look really comfortable here this week.
00:45:27 And are performing more solidly than I saw last week.
00:45:32 They look really well trained.
00:45:34 Is this year their first season on the Senior Grand Prix?
00:45:38 It is their second.
00:45:43 Second season on the Senior Grand Prix.
00:45:45 So still early for them.
00:45:47 We just saw some great up jumps.
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00:46:11 And if you're at home or in the audience singing to this song, we are too.
00:46:31 Thankfully with the mic off.
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00:46:38 Una and Gage have always had a really inviting quality to their performance.
00:46:42 They let you in.
00:46:44 Easy team to get behind and to cheer for.
00:46:50 Our next team representing Lithuania, Alison Reed and Saulius Ambrovicius.
00:46:59 This team trains at the IM Dance School, Ice Academy of Montreal.
00:47:04 They will skate their free dance to "Enough of Our Machines" and "Children" by Tokyo Myers.
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00:50:23 Alison born in Kalamazoo, USA.
00:50:35 Saulius born in Pornas, Lithuania.
00:50:38 Alison from a skating family.
00:50:40 Her older sister and brother, Kathy and Chris Reed, competing for Japan in ice dance for a long time.
00:50:49 Chris passing away, devastating loss for the skating community a few years ago.
00:50:56 Kathy working extensively for the Japanese Skating Federation with a lot of clients, choreography and teams as well.
00:51:09 And keeping Chris's memory alive with the memorial trophy.
00:51:16 Great legacy in the Reed family in ice dance.
00:51:19 Your music time was 4 minutes and 13 seconds.
00:51:29 There's a story there with that free dance.
00:51:31 I would love to know more about it.
00:51:33 Our next team from Great Britain, second place after the rhythm dance, Lila Fear and Lewis Gibson.
00:51:41 They will skate to the Rocky soundtrack.
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00:54:00 Lila and Lewis qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season.
00:54:10 Placing fourth, they'll be looking to qualify again this season.
00:54:14 This Grand Prix being the first on their checklist.
00:54:23 Lila also a sibling who was an ice dancer, previously Sasha.
00:54:29 Competing at the junior level.
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00:55:43 Your music time was definitely a departure from what we've seen so far today.
00:55:59 Our final skaters in this group, Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier.
00:56:03 Our final skaters in this group, leading after the rhythm dance from Canada,
00:56:07 Piper Gillies, Paul Poirier, as you mentioned skating to a theme of Wuthering Heights.
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00:57:44 Recently, the ice dance committee allowing skaters to touch the boards,
00:57:56 which has never been allowed. We're seeing a lot of teams utilize that.
00:58:01 It's like Piper and Paul could have grabbed someone's glasses.
00:58:09 And there's not a lot to say when they're performing their elements.
00:58:12 I really become entranced by their skating.
00:58:15 I think this is a beautiful vehicle for them just by the little amount of it that we've seen so far.
00:58:22 I love to see how close they skate together.
00:58:35 And the intricacy of their transitions.
00:58:39 Which I think not everybody watching might be able to see so clearly because they do it so effortlessly. For me.
00:58:49 Absolutely.
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01:00:04 Stunning highlight here. Choreographic hydro blade.
01:00:27 And this is something I'm sure you remember that they started competing with very early in their career together
01:00:34 and have brought it back I think after some time without it.
01:00:38 Almost an homage to their earlier selves.
01:00:43 Right, that's a great point.
01:00:44 And you know, in a time when ice dance is so chock full of elements and requirements,
01:00:49 it is so lovely to see a team hold a position and let us admire it and take it in.
01:00:56 Feel it before moving out of it. So, great choice.
01:01:00 I agree.
01:01:02 We're in for a treat. And just in time because it is almost Halloween.
01:01:09 So many treats happening for us. So many jokes.
01:01:15 One minute left, Kirsten, what's your takeaway?
01:01:22 You know, this is, I think, your first time on an ice dance team.
01:01:31 Yes.
01:01:32 A broadcasting team that is. What do you think? What do you think about us ice dancers?
01:01:37 You know what, I've always been an ice dance fan.
01:01:40 I think I touched on this yesterday or the day before.
01:01:43 Being a pair skater, I can understand and appreciate the intricacy and the difficulty that is ice dancing.
01:01:50 But, or ice dance, I loved how in this event and in this group in particular,
01:01:56 we have such a vast collection of free dances and of music selections and of personalities on the ice.
01:02:05 And I think that really makes for an exciting event where there is so much subjectivity.
01:02:12 The viewer may watch and feel that their favorite isn't scoring perhaps as high as they'd like them to score.
01:02:20 But I think, as you mentioned, it's a sport and a discipline that's meant to be enjoyed.
01:02:25 And I think that's okay to love who you love and be a fan of whichever team you're a fan of
01:02:32 and understand that there's such another side to that that perhaps we're not meant to know fully.
01:02:38 From my point of view.
01:02:40 Absolutely. So beautifully said.
01:02:42 Closing out the practice here for the ice dance warm-up.
01:02:47 Sure to be a wonderful event.
01:02:51 Stay tuned as they patch the ice.
01:02:56 Yes, we'll have just a short intermission.
01:03:00 Coming up next, we will have the pair practice hosted by Kaitlin Weaver.
01:03:05 Commentary by yours truly, starting at 10.10 local time in about 14 minutes.
01:03:11 This has been so fun, Kaitlin.
01:03:13 I have been your host, Kirsten Moore-Towers.
01:03:16 We had a great time. Can't wait to watch the free dance and hear your commentary later on.
01:03:20 Stay tuned. We'll be back with the pairs.
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