Yes that's it - her name was on the tip of my tongue.

I've been following her progress for years. She was fearless when she first came onto the scene but nerves got the better of her thereafter. I'm glad she's doing well again, I think she skates beautifully

I watched the Ice Dance Free Programme on the red button service on Friday evening. I just adore the Italians and thought they were robbed to be honest!

I'm really looking forward to the Olympics (and seeing Virtue and Moir, whom I really hope win gold finally, and in their own country). Also, the World Championships are in Turin in March - for which I'd love to get tickets.

I actually preferred the Pairs free dance this year from Tallinn. The Germans and the Russian pair Alexander Smirnov and Yuko Kawaguchi were all just fantastic. I always thought of Pairs skating as "who makes the least mistakes" but this year it was different between the top 2.

I just wish Dancing On Ice could have these people as guests now and again although I realise it's completely the wrong time of year for skaters.

EDIT: Oh and I hate the required elements of Ice Dance now. Twizzles are so ugly and for some routines, just don't fit.
Last edited by Miriyo : 24-01-2010 at 20:37

Eurosport have starred again, they have billed the Ice skating Gala but they are showing football instead

I saw the Sunday highlights. Sigh. Sorry but I can't get on with ice dance as it's done now. I know I sound 100 but it looks so ugly. It doesn't touch me or move me or does anything for me. I found I much prefer watching the pairs as at least they are not scratching around doing a load of linking steps to bad music, ticking off required boxes into outre lifts. And no horrible costumes. I enjoyed the Germans doing Out of Africa.

Plushenko looks unstoppable.

I agree about the Germans, I love to see them skate, so soft yet fast on the ice. They are my favourites by a mile. I also prefer the pairs to the ice dancing now. The ice dances all seem to be the same but with different costumes. Not too sure about Plushenko, the Olympics are a different ball game altogether what with the Americans in the mix but we shall soon find out.

That sums it up..for me it's just bleah. I know it all has to progress but it's not attractive or especially exciting to watch for me any more and I used to so love it, the only sport I could ever get into.

Must say my main interest in the Olympics is the men's comp...will be interesting this year.

Does anyone else miss the 6.0 scoring system?

I know it was flawed, but it was easier to understand and there was something really special and momentous about seeing those sixes come up. Getting 155 or whatever is a bit meaningless and I can't get as excited about that.

I agree Sid. I find myself interpreting a good score based on how high/low it is in comparison to the other competitors! Bring back the 6.0's!
For attracting people into watching the competetive events, the scoring really doesn't help capturing people's imaginations. I was watching the Euro's with my sister, who loves ice skating, but doesn't have much of an idea re. required elements, scoring, etc. She couldn't get her head round it (differing marks for different events) and I think may have lost a bit of an interest based on that.

For me the key thing with the scoring system is that whilst it may be more transparant (i.e. difficult to fix votes which is why it was introduced after the Salt Lake City judging scandal) it hasn't improved the sport as I find a lot of competitors look samey with only very few like Plushenko standing out.

Compared to Gymnastics which has also changed it's scoring system in recent years, but has definitely made the sport more exciting to watch with better & more exciting moves.

Here's a copy of the euro 10 by the Kerrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e8s2XA9JDY

Is the 'original dance' theme dictated?

Every skating pair was doing a 'country'

Yes, it is themed. I think it was supposed to be a 'folk dance' theme. Not sure though.