Figure skatingiAsk Pj: Copy Cats

Beginning of Story Content

CBC figure skating expert Pj Kwong answers your questions each week during the Grand Prix season. If you have a question for Pj, please send it to pjkwong@pjkwong.com  and we may use it here on iAsk Pj Here is this week's question and answer:

To: Pj Kwong

From: Tara Laidley

I agree that Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam are great skaters and they have a fantastic career ahead of them, but I was very disturbed to see how much all three of their programs (short, free and even the exhibition) were copies of Tessa and Scott's programs from the last year or two. They do resemble Tessa and Scott on ice which bodes very well for them, but I found it very off-putting that their programs and even then costumes looked like they have been copied from Tessa and Scott. 

I really liked their skating, but lost a lot of respect for them and their coaching team. Copying is not good. Ever. In writing, it is called plagiarism. 

I know that this will continue to bother me all year, which means it is going to take years for me to get on board with team. Too bad. They are great, but they now have an uphill battle with me. They would have been better off to let the viewers see/notice the resemblance to Tessa and Scott on their own. The resemblance is there, but they are going to have to work to win me over.

To: Tara

From: Pj

Hi Tara!
 
Thanks so much for the great note and for your support of skating! This is a terrific way to start my morning!
 
You have a very interesting perspective about Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam. I think part of the issue is that, physically, Alexandra and Tessa share some of the same physical attributes. Both are brunette with the same kind of complexion, both are beyond graceful and have exquisite carriage and both are exceedingly lovely - and, might I add, delightful young women off the ice. 

I don't see the comparison between Scott and Mitchell - for me, they are very different in all ways. I also can see that the short dance, as a tango, definitely, has some of V/M in it.

For me, if anything, the free dance was more reminiscent of Dubreuil and Lauzon. Sometimes with a very young [and new] team, you need to look around for inspiration until you find your own style. Regardless, they are very strong skaters and really poured it on during the competition, which was when it counts!  

If you can, keep an open mind and see how you feel when you see them skate the next time. I will be interested to hear your thoughts.
 
Thanks again for writing and for your support!
 
Cheers,  
Pj

(Photo of Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam by Geoff Robins/Getty Images)

End of Story Content