We've been up for 22 straight hours on 4 hours of sleep! We are considerably loopy....

Liz & Amy ...giggling hysterically over nothing. "They're coming to take us away, ha ha!"

Greetings fellow skating fans! Note: we discovered today that there was a little known rule passed at the most recent ISU Congress requiring all skaters to wear at least one crushed velvet costume or suffer the wrath of the Speedskater! Needless to say, all but the most fearless succumbed.

Seriously folks, the men were awesome! The ladies were a complete splatfest! But we enjoyed every moment of our 16 hours in the front row. Please take this marathon session into account in the event you think we've gone loopy!

Liz & Amy-very sleep deprived!

a = axel
z = lutz
f = flip
l = loop
s = salchow
t = toe loop

** PRACTICES **

Pairs Practice, Group A
Abitbol/Bernardis, Berezhnaia/Sikharulidze, Khalturina/Kroukov, Maksuta/Zhovnirsky

We got here late and missed A/B and M/Z runthroughs (hey, it started at 7am…give us a break!) The ice is VERY wet this morning and we were wondering if there was a problem with the refrigeration? Most couples were taking it rather easy and just using this as a warmup for today's comp (both groups of pairs.)

Abitbol/Bernardis
Noticed him working a lot on his 2axel and other jumps, with problems. Having all kinds of problems, doing lots of th 2loops and haven't seen them hitting 3toes at all. They just haven't been impressive this whole competition.

Khalturina/Kroukov
Worked on SBS 3sals and she was doubling all the time. She was also having problems with her 2axel. He's got a nice 3sal and 2axel, however. Did a nice th 3loop. We decided we really don't like their music - it has no highlights, no shape to it. We'd both agree we'd like to see them work with Moskvina!

Berezhnaia/Sikharulidze
His 3toe is looking good! She worked on her 2sal and 2loop a lot it seemed. Their pair spiral is stunning and his extension is heads and shoulders above every other man. They did a light-hearted runthrough, skipping all big elements. I really love this music (it is very similar to Katia's Brasilian Bachiana) but I was talking to someone this morning who hated it ("horrible screechy soprano) - I'm very interested to see how it will be received by the public.

Maksuta/Zhovnirsky
Missed their rt. They were having fits with the throws - really on his part. He fell badly after throwing her towards the end of the session and looked to be in a lot of pain. I hope they are ok.

Pairs Practice, Group B
Sargeant/Wirtz, Hartsells, Ina/Zimmerman, Steiglers

Stieglers
Beautiful back outside death spiral (Johnnie gets very low and its just beautiful - maybe better than S&W's because of Johnnie's great position). Great throw 3loop and his technique in the lift is absolutely improved - much less scratchy (seem to be over the tentativeness caused by the fall on Thursday's practice.) Mostly blew off the runthrough, working on the 2axel-turn-2toes a lot with a few problems.

Sargeant/Wirtz
We decided that we really like their program, it has great potential (choreographed by Zueva) but we've finally decided to come out and say that they are just plain boring. Kristy really needs to smile more. She tripped Kris during the session and he took a bad spill - when she saw he was ok, he broke into a big smile. It was nice - she needs to do that more! Other than their great th 2axel and BODS, nothing about them really draws your eye to them and makes you want to watch.

Ina/Zimmerman
MIA! Did she kill him?

Hartsells
We've finally decided that we really like them. You hear a lot of speculation that they should break up (she's better, she's too big) and there is no reason for it. Their technique is great, excellent secure throws, they look like they really enjoy it. For now they are better than the Stieglers (of course not pres-wise but technically) and I&Z and though I've never seen Handy & Binnebose, I wouldn't be surprised to see them really contend for the national title this year.

Men's Practice, Group A
Hopfes, Tamura, Hebert, Litvinov, Clark, Dambier

Hopfes
Some nice triples, didn't pay that much attention though. Looks like Steven Cousins.

Tamura
Hitting all kinds of triple jumps all over the place! Takeshi is going to have some competition very soon.

Hebert
Worked quite a bit on 3 flip-2 loop. Hit a few 3 axels, but very small. Did a few triple-triples but tends to come out forward on the second jump.

Litvinov
Nice 3 toe-half loop-3 sal. Did one nice 3 loop and one nice 3 flip out of 3 turns, but struggled badly the rest of the practice. He has *terrible* time with the lutz and flip - they seem to be real problem jumps for him.

Clark
Came late and did a half hearted runthrough with all doubles. No spins at all, damn!

Dambier
Has nice line, good spread eagles and ina bauers. Did lots of nice triples, though his 3axel-3toe is just barely squeaked out and usually doesn't make it.

Men's Practice, Group B
Tobel, Urmanov, Yagudin, Stojko, Weiss, Delmore

Tobel
Half runthrough. Music is from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". No jumps on rt, but did a couple of huge 3 axels, 3 lutzes, 3 flip-3 toe.

Urmanov
No runthrough but did do one of the footwork sequences. Hit some beautiful 3 axel-3 toes and a couple 3a's that were quite shaky. Did nice 3 lutzes. Left early.

Yagudin
Had a pretty good practice. Hit some good triples. Fairly serious runthrough. Started improvising to Delmore's music right before he left. Funny.

Stojko
Working hard on spiral-3 loop. Took one hard fall on it, then went back and did the same pass three more times, hitting twice, barely making it another. We don't think we saw a 3 axel from him the whole session (but weren't watching the whole time. Runthrough no jumps except lutz.

Delmore
Having minor 3 flip problems on warmup. Did several 3 lutz-2 toes, one 3 lutz-3 toe. Did a fairly serious runthrough, especially compared to the other men. Fell on the 3 flip though. I really think his music is the soundtrack from "The Saint". Unfortunately it has one (or two or three!) music cuts too many.

Weiss
Did a couple of good 3 axels. His takeoff still skids some but seems considerably better than last winter/spring. He and Yagudin were doing their 3 axels right in front of us and we compared the skid marks. Weiss's is a bit longer and wider.

Dance Practice, Group A

Fuhring/Ellinger
Didn't really watch them, except she had a really bad fall that they stopped for awhile.

Anissina/Peizerat
L&A and F-P/M both came out to watch them. Really a great program, although someone behond me commented that their music is great, BUT "it's not dance music!" He's right. But it's still a cool program, awesome lifts and footwork at the end that is fabulous!

Chalom/Gates
We both agree they are doing some really nice stuff, difficult, but they've gotta work on that speed.

Lang/Tchernyshev
Peter had a crash with the Austrian dancers, but afterwards, they were good and had some nice lifts. We both decided their long legs give them the nice sweeping line.

Dance Practice, Group B
LeFebvre/Brunet, Fusar-Poli/Margaglio, Arakawa/Miamoto, Lobacheva/Averbukh, Semenovich/Federov

LeFebvre/Brunet
Tango. Ran through the whole thing. Some interesting moves, very pleased with the rt.

Fusar-Poli/Margaglio
She's got a total attitude as well, really staring everyone down.

Arakawa/Miamoto
Still feel sorry for this young couple stuck on the same ice as these big guns…they are so out of their league.

Lobacheva/Averbukh
Ran through their program and it is much better than JCS from last year.

Semenovich/Fedorov
Boy she's got an attitude today. She's got the Oksana Baiul hands on the hips thing down pat. They skate with their hips and feet way too far apart, but chests together. We are thinking more and more that L&T are the better team

Ladies Practice, Group A
Arakawa, Fontana, Rechnio, Robinson, McConn

Robinson
Really looked good and landed a couple beautiful 3lutzes at the beginning of the practice session. Her program is beautiful - we hope she doesn't leave the jumps on the practice ice again tonight!

Rechnio
Landing 3f-2t, but a tendency to 2foot the flip. Worked on the lutz a lot without much success. She kept landing with her feet crossed, falling or 2-footing all attempts. Her 3loop is gigantic.

Arakawa
Her technique is just beautiful - if only she would attack the jumps with more confidence she'd land them much more consistently. Real habit of doubling jumps.

McConn
Was working on lutz and having problems with it warming up, but it a nice one (and a clean flip!) in her rt.

Fontana
Spent a lot of time working on flip, lutz…you need to watch her closely to see what jumps she does, she's got short entries and CW rotation which makes it difficult to see. Everytime she landed a jump, she smiled radiantly!

Ladies Practice, Group B
Nikodinov, Malinina, Butyrskaya, Bobek, Sokolova

Nikodinov
Cinderella again! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Was hitting 3lutz-2toe, but still having minor flip problems. Actually did a runthrough of most of the program this time (just skipped small parts and some jumps).

Bobek
Very consistent with the sal in the beginning of the session hitting 3s-2t, but lost the jump at the end of session. The 3t and 2a are very consistent. She started working on the lutz and doubled or fell, and then SHE HIT ONE! Oh, it was two footed and flutzed, but it had three revolutions and was landed upright!!!

Butyrskaya
We agree she looks so much more relaxed in practices - she definitely has a nerves problem. Once again she was totally solid landing everything she tried, and looking totally in command…we'll see tonight what happens!

Sokolova
A bit of a rough time with her lutz this session. She tried FOUR 2axels in a row and only doubled one of them (landing the other three) - WOW!

Malinina
She is such a pretty skater when she does something lyrical like her short…this Aladdin LP does not fit her style at all and makes her jerky. Once again, landing big lutzes and flips, but does have a bit of a tendency to two foot. Having problems with the loop and took one bad fall. She seems to take a long time to warm-up and we were speculating that a late draw for her is not a favorable one and may have contributed to her poor short - she's drawn last again tonight, and once again, we'll see…

** PAIRS FREE SKATE **

ABITBOL/ BERNADIS (FRA)
Music: Yanni
Costume: royal blue crushed velvet w/flesh colored spirals w/silver sequined trim (hers strategically placed over her boob). BTW, nice blue nail polish on Sarah.
Elements: 3 twist, throw 2 axel, SBS 3 toe (she doubled)-2 toe, SBS 2 axel (she singled), star lifted from between his legs (ugly shaky dismount), pair comb. spin (slow, ugly positions), throw 3 loop (fall out), 1 hand overhead-1 change, ok spiral sequence, SBS flying camel-sit-eggbeater (almost in sync), straight line step seq, 1 hand hip axle lift, FIDS, pairs comb. spin (OK speed).
Comments: This is pretty much the best they've looked all week, which goes to show what a bad competition they had. Program is very top heavy. Slow on spiral, decent speed on footwork but line, extension and posture is just not good (particularly him).

STIEGLER/ STIEGLER (USA)
Music: Giselle
Costume: Same as last year (navy blue/light blue "folky" dress on her…really cute! Cuter up close.)
Elements: 3 twist (shaky catch), th 3loop (bad two foot), SBS 2toes (intentionally doubled 3toes), 2hand overhead to star lift-flip out, SBS 2axels (both fell out hard), pair spiral (Johnnie's extension is beautiful), BODS, pair combo spin w/great catch foot position at end, th 3sal (fall), 2 hand overhead to 1 hand - came down on his shoulder, straight line step, SBS 2sals, SBS camel spins (he missed the toe bad and they had to stop), hit-axel lift with flip out (painfully slow), FIDS, pair sit spin.
Comments: We really like this program and it's a crying shame they didn't skate it well. Their throws were beautiful in practice. Line, stretch, position, expression was second only to B&S. They are a bit slow and need to work on speed.

KHALTURNIA/ KROUKOV (KZK)
Music: Weird percussive music - all one level/dynamic no shape or highlights, not a good choice. Lots of pan flute…Amy says: "What Yanni would sound like if he played the flute!"
Costume: him - dark green shirt, black pants, her - dark green top/cream colored skirt and trim dress.
Elements: 3 twist (shaky catch), SBS 3sals (he doubled, she fell), SBS camel-change-camel (little outta sync), th 3loop (two foot and fall out), tower lift, BODS, SBS 2axels (he turned out), SBS 1axel-2toe (weak but clean), pair combo spin, th 3sal (fall), 2 hand overhead to 1 hand, spiral sequence (not great), straight line step (shaky)
Comments: They were a mess, but not quite as bad a mess as the Steiglers - they are faster and had much better, more secure lifts. Their music just doesn't work - it has no shape, and doesn't go anywhere.

INA/ ZIMMERMAN (USA)
Music: Phantom of the Opera
Costume: her - white dress w/aqua flowers around neckline, him- very classy black pants and vest, black tie, white shirt.
Elements: SBS 3toes (his landing shaky but clean - he really fought for it), 3 twist (catch low & shaky), SBS 2axels (clean and at this point Kyoko is grinning like a fool), hip-axle lift with flip out, SBS camel-change-sit (little outta sync), BODS, pair combo spin (so-so), th 3sal (fall - but she was still happy about the jumps and didn't glare this time, as a matter of fact, she even smiled), SBS 1axels, SBS 2toes, 2 hand overhead to 1 hand (nice position on her), pair spiral (good), forward star lift (? it's scary looking), FIDS.
Comments: Already show better potential than I&D - already much better line. Speed is not bad. Some unison problems (but no worse than w/Jason), and need to work on throws, lifts for security.

BEREZNAIA/ SIKHARULIDZE (RUS)
Music: Soprano opera vocal w/orchestra underneath (like Katia's Brasilian Bachiana) People are either hating it or loving it because it is unusual and opera (heard lots of comments like "ewww, a screechy soprano.) Liz and Amy both love it!
Costume: varying shades of sea green. The light shade is pleasant, but the dark is not so great. Unfortunately, there is much more of the dark, mainly on him.
Elements: SBS 3toes (nice unison), 3 twist (short rotation 2 foot landing), spread eagle sequence w/gorgeous position on her part, SBS 1axel-2toe, th 3sal (WOW! Huge and her rotation is so tight), pair spiral, 2 hand overhead to 1 hand (her position is beautiful), spiral/spread eagle stuff they do a lot, th 3loop (fall), back hand-to-hand w/catch foot flip-out, SBS flying camel-sit spin (bit outta sync), straight line step (also just a little out of sync), hip-axle lift w/flip out, FIDS, pair combo spin.
Comments: Starts and finishes w/her standing on top of his boots and is very unique (and she still is a good 5 in. shorter than him up there!). Choreography may be slowing them down a bit…they were slower than Dark Eyes. This may work itself out? Could be due to music (like Lyra was for Michelle?)?

SARGEANT/ WIRTZ (CAN)
Music: Duke Ellington Medley (some of the selections include Caravan, Don't Mean a Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing, and Don't Get Around Much Anymore.")
Costume: her - black sleeveless velvet dress, (one thick black strap, one skinny silver one), him- black pants, black half vest w/gold buttons, white shirt.
Elements: Inside spread eagle sequence, SBS 3toes (he doubled), very low 3 twist, 2 hand overhead- 1 change- flip out, th 3 sal, FIDS, straight line step (good), SBS camel-sit-change-sit (unison was excellent!), th 2axel (huge and she saved it big time), SBS 2axel-2toe, 2 hand platter lift w/flip out, outside spread eagle/inside ina bauer combo, pair combo spin, straight-line step, star lift, BODS (great as usual!)
Comments: Best we've ever seen them skate! This is a well-choreographed program (by Zueva), and they brought it out fairly nicely. We just wish Kristy would smile! Geez! It would make such a difference in their presentation. She's so tight all the time and he is much more relaxed.

HARTSELL/ HARTSELL (USA.)
Music: Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juilet
Costume: him - one piece plum bodysuit w/black & gold flower neckline and cuffs. Her dress matched.
Elements: 3 twist (low catch), th 3sal, "heartattack lift", SBS 3toes (she doubled, he fell out), pair combo spin, pair spiral sequence, BIDS, th 3loop, 2 hand overhead 1 change, SBS 1axel-2toe, SBS camel-sit (little out of sync), hip-axle lift flip out, SBS 2toe, pair sit spin, pair spiral directly into BODS.
Comments: Really skated well except for the jumps. This comp should give them a lot of confidence. Amy hereby admits Hartsell's have a good chance for the Nat'l title.

MAKSUTA/ ZHOVNIRSKY (RUS)
Music: Spanish dance/guitar music (a flamenco?).
Costume: him - white chiffon shirt, black pants w/cutout pattern down sides, purple cummerbund, her- black & white dress (zig-zag) with purple flowers down left side (we weren't too fond of them…you'll see.)
Elements: SBS 3toe (clean! a shocker!), SBS 2axel-2toe (she singled the axel), 3twist (best of competition), th 3sal (possible 2 foot?), th 2axel (definitely 2 footed), helicopter lift (slow), SBS flying camel (a little outta sync), 2 hand overhead, pair combo spin (not great), spiral sequence, straight line step, FIDS, pair combo spin (not great).
Comments: Had HORRENDOUS pracitices and we were so impressed by how they just turned it on for the competition. He especially just turns on the attitude the minute they took the ice for the comp. - it was very noticable. She looks nervous and focussed all the time. He leads them.

Final standings:

1. B&S
2. S&W
3. M&Z
4. H&H
5. I&Z
6. A&B
7. K&K
8. S&S

** MEN'S FREE SKATE **

FREDERIC DAMBIER (FRA)
Music: strange (couldn't describe)
Costume: black leather pants, black fishnet shirt w/red, orange, and yellow squares on it.
Elements: 3axel (looooong takeoff), sit-change-sit, outside spread eagle, 3sal-3toe, popped lutz, sit-camel, inside spread eagle- inside Ina Bauer, singled axel, 3flip, scratch spin (very cool), 3loop(fall out)-2toe, 3sal, 3toe(fall out, hand down), flying sit spin-scratch.
Comments: Not a lot of choreography and long jump set ups. Nice spread eagles.

JEAN-FRANCOIS HEBERT (CAN)
Music: a tango
Costume: black pants, black vest, maroon shirt w/white collar.
Elements: 3axel(2 foot)-2toe, 2toe, 3lutz (2 foot), flying sit spin, 2sal, camel-change-camel, 3flip out of double threes (took off so slow, don't know how he landed it), 3axel (fall out), spiral, camel-sit-change-camel-sit-scratch w/foot behind, 3toe (2foot), straight line step, 2axel, 2loop (landed forward - a "loop and a half"), death drop-sit.
Comments: his speed is noticeably slow, and looks to be a chronic two footer in competition. Nice moments, theatrical, fun footwork.

YAMATO TAMURA (JPN)
Music: Joe Satriani
Costume: black velvet pants, bright orange SHEER karate top w/yellow rope belt. (Had no ostensible relationship to the music whatsoever.)
Elements: outside-inside spread eagles, spiral, 3lutz-3toe, 3axel (fall), 3loop (delayed), 3flip (out of mohawk), death drop-sit, 3axel-step-2toe, camel-sit-change-sit, death drop-sit-change-sit, straight line step (good), 3 sal, 3toe, outside spread eagle into 2axel (fall out), stars into arabian sit spin.
Comments: Can do huge jumps, Honda may have competition in a year or two.

YOURII LITVINOV (KZK)
Music: more Yanni-ish stuff
Costume: black pants, black short sleeve shirt (something to be said for simplicity)
Elements: 2lutz-3toe, 2axel, camel-scratch w/foot behind, 3flip, 2loop, camel-sit-change-camel-sit, footwork into 2flip, 2sal-half loop-3sal (planned?), sit-change-sit, 3toe (fall), 2axel, slide spiral, flying camel-scratch spin.
Comments: Poor Yourii (theme of the whole men's event - practices and all…)

MICHAEL HOPFES (GER)
Music: Dragonheart (about 80% same or similar cuts to Elvis' 97 free, BTW…he trains w/Doug Leigh. Surprised?)
Costume: Crushed gray velvet with shiny silver shoulders and big silver fleur de lis on one shoulder.
Elements: 3lutz, 3axel (fall), flying sit, 3toe-3loop (very cool), sit-change-sit, 3flip, 3sal, sprial, stars-arabian-sit, 3toe, 2axel, camel-sit-change-sit-change-sit (really!).
Comments: We both like him in spite of the crushed velvet. Very impressed with his artistry and good speed on spins. Could become a strong #2 to Vlaschenko.

SHEPHERD CLARK (USA)
Music: Warsaw Concerto
Costume: same as last year (black pants, double breasted vest, white buttons, cream shirt.)
Elements: Inside spread eagle, 3axel (2foot, fall out), 3lutz, 3axel (popped into double, bad fall, slide into boards), cross foot spin, spiral, flying camel, 2flip, butterfly sit spin, outside spread eagle, 2sal, 3loop-2toe (shaky landing), footwork-2toe, 2axel, 2axel (again and fall), camel-layback-change-sit.
Comments: "Do the layback, Shep!" Poor Shep, not a good performance, but seemed to take it ok. That layback is better than Rudy's! ----------

Group #2 - we liked to call them: "Men In Black and one Blue Alien"

ALEXEI URMANOV (RUS)
Music: a tango (same as GWG and Ult 4)
Costume: same as GWG and Ult 4. (black w/red sequins)
Elements: 3flip, 3axel (2foot? if so, very slight)- 3toe, death drop-sit, 3axel (WOW), camel-sit-catch foot-change- sit-hold knee spin, 3lutz, open sit-catch foot, 3loop, 3toe, 3sal-2loop-1/2loop (that ½ loop, probably not intentional), 2axel, sit-scratch.
Comments: F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! He's baaaaack! You gotta see the 3axel-3toe in person from the front row! Urmanov has two new fans. Mishin gave him a big hug when he came back to kiss-n-cry.

LAURENT TOBEL (FRA)
Music: techno! (clips of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in there)
Costume: royal blue alien suit?
Elements: 3axel-3toe (a little overrotated, but clean), camel-change-camel, 3lutz, 2loop, 3axel (fall out), camel-sit-backspin, sit spin, 3sal, flying camel, 3flip-3toe, scratch spin w/foot behind.
Comments: Can't believe how consistent he's become. There oughta be a special medal for someone that tall who can do a 3axel-3toe. Lots of typical humorous Tobel parts. Judges either hated him or liked him.

ELVIS STOJKO (CAN)
Music: generic Elvis movie music.
Costume: Dragonheart redux - black, w/long sleeves and gold embroidery on shoulders.
Elements: 3flip, 4toe (2foot turn out), camel, 3sal (fall out), spiral, 3loop, 3axel-3toe (hop on landing), spiral, 3axel, death drop sit, straight line footwork, 2 lutz, split jump-arabian, camel-sit-change-sit, scratch spin.
Comments: Fairly generic Elvis program (I hope we don't get flamed for saying that…it does seem like right now his primary concern is getting all the jumps back, especially the quad.) Tons of "WE LOVE YOU ELVIS" as he was waiting to skate.

MICHAEL WEISS (USA)
Music: Mulan
Costume: black with flesh colored rag-like strips around leg, arm, torso…some strips hanging off.
Elements: 4toe (CLEAN!), 3axel-3toe, flying camel, 3flip-3toe (stop on landing), circ. step, 3axel, death drop sit, 3loop, camel-sit-change-camel-scratch w/foot behind, straight line step, 3sal, 3lutz (with trademark arms on landing), final combo spin.
Comments: Excellent! Didn't win because a little slower when compare to Yags and a little less complex footwork. Yes, both 3axels were clean! This is a great program! While waiting for his marks, some jerk yelled "Come on judges! … We aren't going anywhere!" It was incredibly rude and a disservice to Michael.

ALEXEI YAGUDIN (RUS)
Music: Lawrence of Arabia
Costume: Black wavy velvet in the desert on ice. (Seriously folks, it was all black velvet w/a wavy pattern on it - it's there, we hope the TV camera picks it up - it is subtle. White accents to costume.)
Elements: 3axel-3toe, 3flip-3toe, 3axel, death drop sit, 3flip, sit-side layback-scratch-hop-scratch, circ. footwork (very good and fast), 3loop, 3lutz, straight line step, 3sal, camel-sit-layback-change-sit-eggbeater (one of the better ones, actually), arabian-sit.
Comments: Way psyched when he was finished. Tarasova gave him a huge hug, holding his head to her chest in the kiss-n-cry. Amy thinks the choreography does not live up to the size of the music with the exception of great footwork. Beginning is lots of element-to-element skating, no real choreography for first minute and a half.

DERRICK DELMORE (USA)
Music: four cuts: intro is slow sax, then jazzy, then Latin dance, then synth music. Some people we were talking to liked it, but it's a few too many unrealated cuts for Amy and me. We think it may be the soundtrack from "The Saint"
Costume: Black pants, black velvet top w/short sleeves and silver sparkly accents on shoulders.
Elements: 3lutz-2toe, 3axel-turn-3toe (fall out), combo spin, 4toe (unexpected! fall), outside spread eagle, 3axel(popped into single), good straight-line step, 3flip (popped into single), camel-sit-change-sit-corkscrew, 3toe, 3loop (long entrance, fall out), 3sal, inside Ina Bauer, camel-change-camel, 3sal-turn-2toe, sit spin.
Comments: Shame - he sort of got lost in the afterglow/euphoria of Yags, Weiss, Stojko, Urmanov and Tobel's excellent performances.

Men Final Standings:

1. Yagudin
2. Weiss
3. Urmanov
4. Stojko
5. Delmore
6. Tobel
7. Hopfes
8. Tamura
9. Clark
10. Hebert
11. Dambier
12. Litvinov

** FREE DANCE **

CHALOM/ GATES (USA)
Music: All-Mozart: Symphony #25 (g minor) beginning and end; middle section is "Lacrimosa" from the Requiem
Costume: Grey/white tie-dyes (Meno/Sand type specials)
Comments: No audible dance beat? A deduction? Borrowed from A&P! - doing a cool lift where she lifts him. They are slower than the top 6 couples and may be due to their choreography - it has few crossovers and lots of footwork. Very interesting footwork (choreography done by Chris Dean? Could that explain the lack of crossovers?). Well-balanced difficulty.

LANG/ TCHERNYSHEV (USA)
Music: Tango - we finally figured it out! It's the same music Kristi Yamaguchi used for the tango she did two years ago (96-97) - La Cumparsita.
Costume: very classy. Him- black pinstripe pants (very cool), black shirt, red suspenders, her- black velvet dress w/high slit on one side, red underneath, sleeveless.
Comments : Tough, close footwork. Good speed. Nice use of leg wrap. Not as scratchy as C&G. Lifts/swings were big & light. Good expression. Almost beat S&F - three judges to four. A real shame that the fall in the OD hurt them so much. We were right in that they are as good if not better than S&F. If they hadn't fallen and been 5th, skating in the final group, they may possibly have gotten the marks to beat S&F.

ARIKAWA/ MIKAMOTO (JPN)
Music: Brahms Hungarian Dances
Costume: folk-dancy outfits in blue/maroon/green/white (not as ugly as it sounds.)
Comments: Very slow, not intricate footwork. Very young and juniorish.

FURHING/ ELLINGER (AUT)
Music: West Side Story medley
Costume: Did not match - black pants, navy shirt - white dress w/magenta sash at waist!
Comments: Bad line and very slow too. Not too difficult. He skids and slows on lifts. Scratchy footwork.

ANISSINA/ PEIZERAT (FRA)
Music: Dark, dramatic, slow but "it's not a dance"!
Costume: Black and maroonish/purple tie dye. Chiffon dress on her, black velvet pants on him.
Comments: Fast, intricate footwork, very complex lifts, fairly close holds. Doing another cool lift where she lifts him - it's incredible to see them go into it along the boards when you are in the front row! WOW! Another cool one where she sort of goes around his leg and he pulls her feet up. May be taking a hit in the marks because the music has no audible dance beat.

FUSAR-POLI/ MARGAGLIO (ITA)
Music: Dracula
Costume: IN PRACTICE: him - all black w/giant collar that is lavender inside, her- lavender dress w/skin-color cross cut out over chest (Pasha flashbacks!)…IN COMPETITION: More crushed velvet - him in all purple this time, another high collar. Her in lavender dress w/flowers on it. Vampire fang marks on her neck - looking very realistic.
Comments: Intro (first minute or so) is slow. First lift is shaky. More crossovers than A&P. Difficulty is more balanced than the OD, but still more difficulty for her. Their expression is starting to go way over the top. Krylova's got nothin' on them this year!

LOBACHEVA/ AVERBUKH (RUS)
Music: ? More Yanni-ish stuff?
Costume: her - red dress with silver bands, piping, him-grey with red stuff (we are starting to lose it now!)
Comments: fast, quiet feet, very slow in middle part. Major improvement over JCS! Missed a small section of their program watching Maurizio Margaglio literally strip down in the kiss-n-cry (a first for us and possibly for everyone!)

LEFEBVRE/ BRUNET (CAN)
Music: Tango
Costume: Black dress w/silver sparkles & ornamentation, him-black pants, gray shirt, pinstriped vest, checkered scarf around neck.
Comments: difficult lifts, slower than L&T, but faster than C&G. Hips and feet a little far apart. Less intricate footwork than L&T. Very nice program, good expression! We liked them.

SEMENOVICH/ FEDOROV (RUS)
Music: Phantom of the Opera
Costume: Dress looks like Krylova's first MW dress from '97, his looked like Grinkov's 94 Oly free outfit (but shirt is button-down.)
Comments: faster than L&T, but not nearly as intricate footwork. Not especially close holds. Lots of little separations. Slowed down towards end. Fair amt of crossovers.

1. A&P
2. L&A
3. F-P&M
4. S&F
5. L&T
6. L&B
7. C&G
8. F&E
9. A&M

We agree w/all placements. It's funny how much easier it is to judge dance in person. You really need to see it live to understand the judging.

**LADIES FREE SKATE **

Splatfest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JENNIFER ROBINSON (CAN)
Music: orchestral (no clue…)
Costume: navy blue lace/powder blue. Strange fringe thing around middle that we could have done without.
Elements: 3sal, 3lutz-2toe, 3loop (hand down), 3toe (2 foot, turn out), butterfly-sit-corkscrew, layback (beautiful), sprial, 3sal-2toe (fall out), 1 lutz, camel-catch foot, footwork into 2toe, 2axel, arabian, camel-layback-change-sit-scratch.
Comments: Nice back on sitspin. Really a pretty skater. Can't wait till she takes those jumps she hits in the practice to competiton.

SHIZUKA ARAKAWA (JPN)
Music: Mulan
Costume: hideous red satin dress.
Elements: camel-change-camel, 3sal (2 foot), 3toe, 3lutz (2 foot), flying camel-illusion-sit, spiral sequence, 3loop-2toe, ok layback, 2flip, straight line step, wally-2lutz, 2axel-2toe, camel-layback-change-camel-sit-scratch. Ends way down at end of rink.

Comments: ho-hum???

BRITTNEY MCCONN (USA)
Music: Dance like Yanni? A latin flavor to it?
Costume: green dress w/open back and top half with silver/gold beading (like something Bobek would wear.)
Elements: 3sal-2toe, 3lutz (fall), 3flip (came out way early), flying camel, layback (very nice), spiral sequence, outside spread eagle into 3loop, 3sal, camel-layback-change-sit-corkscrew, step sequence, 3toe-2toe, 2axel (fall out), death drop-sit-eggbeater.
Comments: Appearance is too immature for her style of presentation. Great 3sal! Very energetic.

ANNA RECHNIO (POL)
Music: classical ho-hum…
Costume: cotton candy pink, very juvenile for someone her age and style.
Elements: 3flip (2 foot)-2toe, 3lutz (short rotation, 2 foot), camel, 2loop, 3sal (short 2 foot), step sequence, Ina Bauer, spiral sequence, inside Ina Bauer into layback, 3toe, 2 axel, camel spin, split leap, camel-sit-layback-change-camel-sit-corkscrew.
Comments: This style does not suit her. She is powerful, not delicate.

SYLVIA FONTANA (ITA)
Music: orchestral….on the dramatic side
Costume: best of her group. Beige lace with gold sparkles (very attractive on her.)
Elements: 3lutz (turn out - HUGE smile), 3toe-2toe, camel-catchfoot, 2loop, footwork (easy), 1 axel, 2flip, stars into flying camel, good layback, spiral sequence, 2toe, 3sal (fall), camel-catchfoot-layback-change-sit-scratch w/foot behind.
Comments: Attractive skater, good speed on spins. Kinda hard to watch and identify toe jump because she is a CW jumper. Has a bit of a leg wrap problem.

NICOLE BOBEK (USA)
Music: Evita (first part same as exhibition, up to train whistle. Second part is same cut as exhibition but instrumental rather than vocal. Last part is all instrumental of "You Must Love Me"…prettier than the version with the lyrics.) Horrible cut at the end - too abrupt (may not hear it as well on TV, but obvious in the arena.)
Costume: New dress! Standard backless Bobek style. Top is rose color and sparkly, bottom is cranberry-color crushed velvet.
Elements: 3lutz (bad fall out - but not a splat!), layback (what is up with the leg? - we know she can do better!), 3flip (hand down), 3sal-2toe, 3toe (fall out), 2axel, camel-layback-change-camel, circ. step, 2toe, flying camel-open scratch, trademark spiral *held*!!!!!!
Comments: Beautiful to end w/spiral - wish music cut was just as nice. One of her better Evitas… typical stunning Bobek. Wish she could hit the jumps.

MARIA BUTYRSKAYA (RUS)
Music: Same as last year (can't remember the name of it)
Costume: Same as last year - white dress.
Elements: 3lutz, 3flip, camel-change-camel, 3sal (MAJOR SPLAT on stomach!! Serious wowcow. Really interrupted program and surprised she didn't hurt herself), butterfly-sit spin, split leap, 3loop, layback, 3toe (and another MAJOR SPLAT that interrupted flow), spiral, 3toe, 2axel, camel-side layback-change-camel-sit-scratch.
Comments: MAJORLY HELD UP. Sometimes you can justify it (like w/Michelle or B/S) but would someone please explain it to us in Maria's case, because we just don't see it.

ANGELA NIKODINOV (USA)
Music: Cinderella (roll eyes…again)
Costume: same light blue/lavender as last year.
Elements: 2axel, 3lutz-2toe, 3flip, 3loop (fall out), layback (beautiful), step sequence, 2sal, came-layback-change-sit-scratch, straight line step, 2lutz, spiral sequence, 2toe, flying camel, backspin.
Comments: Started out beautifully, missed the loop and gave it away. Might have gotten benefit of doubt after GWG if she skated clean.

ELENA SOKOLOVA (RUS)
Music: this is a famous Violin Concert (I think Brahms, but may be Beethoven's)
Costume: royal blue/aqua/white/pink/skin color sparkly dress from GWG
Elements: 3 lutz-2 loop (was not practicing this), 2 flip, 3 toe, 3 loop-2 toe, camel-sit-layback-change-catchfoot, straight line step, 3 flip (short rotation -2 ft.), 3 sal, 3 loop, flying camel-illusion, outside spread eagle, spiral sequence, outside spread eagle, 2 axel-step-2 axel, arabian-sit, layback
Comments: Beautiful music but does not work for skating - cuts don't allow the phasing to expand and play out - and it overwhelms her. TOTALLY hosed on the marks!!! Only Austrian judge placed her first. Maria got higher tech marks from 5 judges and won pres marks from every judge despite two very distracting falls!!!! Please explain this to us!!!!!!!

TATIJANA MALININA (UZB)
Music: Aladdin (same as last year)
Costume: turquoise & hot pink (same as last year)
Elements: 3 lutz (2 ft), 3 flip (2 ft), 3 toe, 3 loop (fell very hard forward! We were worried about her!), 3 sal (2 ft), camel (missed toe)-layback-change-sit-scratch, spiral sequence, 2 axel-step-2 axel, layback, circular step, 3 lutz (fall), flying camel, scratch spin (fast)
Comments: This program just does not suit her. The Egyptian arm movements are overdone and inappropriate for the music in the first half. This program makes her look stiff and she has a beautiful and flowing style as she showed in her short! In the SP, her presentation marks went up .3-.5. Here they were same to .3 lower. What does that say?

Ladies Final Standings:

1. Butyrskaya
2. Sokolova
3. Nikodinov
4. Bobek
5. Malinina
6. Rechnio
7. McConn
8. Robinson
9. Arakawa
10. Fontana