Belbin and Agosto slip up, Canadian ice dancers in 2nd
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 | 11:38 PM ET
The compulsory dance event, the on-ice opening ceremonies and the pairs’ short program kicked off the 2008 ISU world figure skating championships from Gothenburg, Sweden, on Tuesday.
First out of the gate were the ice dancers competing this year’s selected dance for worlds, the Argentine Tango.
As with the tango rhythm, the character of this dance reflects a particularly strong masculine presence. The judges were looking for unison, strong timing and superior technique.
European ice dance silver medallists Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France are the leaders at this point in the competition with a picture perfect performance and a score of 40.73.
Trailing only slightly behind by 2.1 points are Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Their interpretation and technical superiority was a definite highlight in this event.
Currently in third are Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitsky, who were strong today and are certainly in the running. But for me, this team is a more “grist for the mill” kind of team, meaning that in 20 years time they will not likely be remembered as exceptional ice dancers.
The big shock in the ice dance event came from the American ice dance team and three time world medallists, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, who sit currently in fifth place. During her twizzle - a type of turn - in the second pattern of the dance, Belbin fell, seemingly having tripped on her edge. The fall resulted in a deduction of 1.0 from the total score taking them to over five points out of the lead.
A beautiful opening ceremonies followed the compulsory dance event complete with live music by Robert Wells, who was accompanied with an on-ice performance by five-time world synchronized skating champions from Sweden, Team Surprise.
ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta noted in his remarks that Sweden was one of the founding members of the ISU and, with the largest number of competitors ever and a seemingly full house, it appears as if this legacy of skating is a secure one here.
More skating followed and another upset in the pairs short program. An early step out for Jian Tong and an underrotation of a triple toe for partner Qing Pong of China meant the difference in points between third and fifth, where they sit now, with 67.87 points.
Their teammates Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang are currently in the lead with 74.36 points in what was a very strong short program. The German team of Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy did enough to earn 72.00 points, but their performance appeared to lack speed and a sense of ‘attack.’
The Russian team of Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexei Smirnov handed in a solid performance earning them 71.42 points. Honourable mention has to go to Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison of Canada who are in fourth after an elegant and fluid performance.
The excitement continues tomorrow with the women’s short programs, all 51 of them, and the pairs free.
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About the Author
Pj Kwong is CBC Country Canada's figure skating expert. A television commentator since 2001, the veteran figure skating coach has covered five of the last seven ISU World Figure Skating Championships, two ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, several Four Continents and Grand Prix Finals for CBC, CTV, TSN and TBS, to name a few.
Fluent in English, French, German and Spanish, Pj has travelled the world as public address announcer, working at three Olympic Games, two world figure skating championsips and several Skate Canada and Canadian national championships.
Recent Posts
- Canada in great shape for next season and beyond
- Monday, March 24, 2008
- Buttle's performance the crown jewel of a brilliant worlds
- Saturday, March 22, 2008
- Virtue & Moir put on a mesmerizing performance
- Saturday, March 22, 2008
- Highs (Asada) and lows (Ando) colour compelling women's final
- Friday, March 21, 2008
- Women's free skate final should be a dandy
- Thursday, March 20, 2008
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Comments
K.B.
Toronto
Granted, Belbin/Agosto deserved the deductions in their marks because of the fall. But it seemed like all of the Europeans were given generous marks.
The same thing happened in the OD today. The Europeans all received great marks and seasonal bests -- yet all the North Americans were way under their seasonal bests. Are there a majority of European judges on the judging panel, thereby still allowing for biased judging to occur?
Posted March 20, 2008 06:10 PM
K.
London
I am so proud of the Canadian preformances at the worlds this year! Congratulations to Jessica and Bryce for a wonderful free skate. However, I do have some complaints to the CBC network. It is unfair and poor business to force people to purchase a channel instead of airing the figure skating at an appropriate time. It is rare that people are able to stay up until midnight during the week. I am lucky that I have been able to watch some of it on the internet. As for the commentator I agree that she is very knowledgeable, but her voice is not entertaining to listen to. I am sure that some may not agree, this is just my opinion.
Posted March 20, 2008 01:29 PM
Romney Mackenzie
Vancouver
I have truly enjoyed the coverage by CBC Country Canada for the Worlds. P.J. Kwong is a terrific commentator, with the emphasis on "commentator". Her sparse comments are just right - a person gets to enjoy what's happening on the ice without the incessant chatter of two or three people constantly running through the performance. As the old saying goes, "Less is more". Keep up the great work PJ.
Posted March 20, 2008 02:45 AM
bruce melo
For true figure skating fans, this coverage is phenominal. It is so good to see all the competitors live. Pj Kwong is doing a stellar job, awesome. I do wish the camera work was better, but it is not our fault. Congratulations CBC!
Posted March 20, 2008 01:37 AM
maggie jarrett
ottawa
I don't agree with the germans winning the pairs , they fell and missteped and they still won over the chinese, its not fair. Also would someone PLEASE oil the gate leading off the ice, it squeaks.
Posted March 19, 2008 11:46 PM
KENT STRINGER
NEWFOUNDLAND
Hi. I watched the pairs skating final four with my wife today and was surprised to see the German team win gold after falls and a total MESS! I thought the rigging was straightened out? How can the USA team fall and end up in 5th (in the dance) and the German team not? I thought it was disgraceful.I suspect the German team will retire after this, can't see them on the podium any time soon. GO CANADA..
Posted March 19, 2008 11:04 PM
Louise Thibault
Gatineau
Thank you PJ Kwong for your wonderful work. I appreciate the fact that you explain the elements skated and do not try to predict who will end where.I was amazed at the score the German pair received. They were rewarded for what they did but not penalized enough for the several mistakes they made. I think Davison and Dube were awesome !!I also subscribed to CBC COUNTRY CANADA for the figure skating coverage and am grateful to be able to watch it live.
Posted March 19, 2008 11:04 PM
S Wassmer
It's amazing, nothing changes. A Russian pair miss 3 consecutive elements in their long program, then suffer a costume malfunction which results in a delay in their program while adjustments are made,and are still awarded a 2nd place finish ahead of the Canadians who skated a superior program. A new judging format to eliminate bias, I think not!
Posted March 19, 2008 10:06 PM
Flaming Beaver
PJKwong continues to deliver top quality work and should be required viewing for those fans who are not familiar with the scoring system.
I am happy to see today that the CBC logo has been moved to the top right hand corner, we can now see the marks more clearly.
The ISU camera work, well, let's just say it's not up to our CBC's high standards. The camera work in Russia a few years ago was just as bad. Too bad the ISU doesn't hire Canadian professionals to work their events.
Keep up the good work CBC.
Posted March 19, 2008 08:06 PM
Caroline Legge
Thank goodness for CBC Country Canada, with regular CBC not airing until midnight, who can stay up that late when having to go to work the next day. Great job PJ Kwong, just enough information and less talking is great. I do however have to agree with CLB about seeing the boards and ice, more complete coverage would be great. I will continue to watch the coverage on CBC Country Canada. Good Luck to our wonderful Canadian Skaters.
Posted March 19, 2008 07:38 PM
M Sherman
I agree with everyone else that P.J. Kwong is the best. I, too, subscribed to this digital TV channel on March 18th, so I could SEE IT ALL. CBC earns a perfect score for their coverage.
Posted March 19, 2008 07:35 PM
clb
I too must comment on the commentary, PJ Kwong is doing a wonderful job - it is such a pleasure to hear just what one needs here and not all that hoopla. This way one gets to enjoy the skating and it is "almost" like being there. The one problem I am having is with the camera's, especially yesterday with the dance and pairs, sometimes there was no one on the screen, just ice and boards - I have never noticed that before, so if this could be passed on the the correct people it would be appreciated. One more thing it is wonderful to be able to watch the event while I work - thanks for that coverage on-line.
Posted March 19, 2008 05:58 PM
May
Calgary
I don't know what your predictions on the ice dancing were but what from I've read, the consensus seemed to be that Belbin/Agosto would likely win the gold medal. Have those people been following the results this season? The fact is, points-wise, the Americans had only the fourth? highest total of the contenders. Without the pair of Domnina/Shabalin, the smart money would have been on either Delobel/Schoenfelder or Virtue/Moir for the gold- not Belbin/Agosto. If I was a betting person, I would pencil in the Americans for the bronze medal. Who wins the gold will likely be decided with the original dance. Any bets on our Canadians becoming the youngest world ice dancing champions ever?
Posted March 19, 2008 05:50 PM
Grace Elliott
Toronto
What a treat to read such informed opinions. Her knowledge - in all four disciplines is truly great. Well done, CBC, for capturing such a treasure.
Posted March 19, 2008 04:10 PM
skating mom
Calgary
Contining with my comments from yesterday's post...I was clearly correct when I said that there is too much room for the judges to prop up skaters who are supposed to win but who don't perform. Tanith and Ben managed to have incredibly high program component marks despite the fall....shouldn't the fall also be reflected in the program performance and interpretation marks as well? I realize that the quality of their skating gives them a buffer but this kind of judging throws the whole sport into controversy once again. It would be interesting to compare their performance and interpretation marks from the Grand Prix final when there was no fall to see if they in fact were correctly deducted.
Posted March 19, 2008 03:19 PM
Beryl Axenty
I love the commentator, just the right amount of info.... Wish it was on my big TV screen though.....
Posted March 19, 2008 03:38 AM
Linda Allen
I recently subscribed to CBC Country Canada because of the Figure Skating coverage. I must say how pleased I am so far with the coverage and commentating of the 2008 World Championshipe from sweden.
I love PJ Kwong. She is a pleasure to listen to when she commentates. I don't like to listen to other networks and commentators as they never know when to shut up and just let you watch the skating. PJ says just enough and never too much.
Thanks.. She's just perfect.
Posted March 19, 2008 02:52 AM