Senior Dance at Worlds 2007

[Dennis Belkofer]

I was happy to see that Heather and Kyle placed second. They were strong and confident. The video on Roller Sports TV cut off the first place team when they were only 1/4 into their performance. Does anyone know how to view their routine, as well as their compulsory dances? Also, does anyone want to start a discusssion about the Senior Dance event and placements?

Dennis
Chicago

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by Dennis Belkofer

I was happy to see that Heather and Kyle placed second. They were strong and confident. The video on Roller Sports TV cut off the first place team when they were only 1/4 into their performance. Does anyone know how to view their routine, as well as their compulsory dances? Also, does anyone want to start a discusssion about the Senior Dance event and placements?

Dennis
Chicago

hi i too want to see the routines cut off in dance and singles. hopefully they will be posted elsewheres later on. Kyle and Heather skated well and got the silver. its so subjective from judge to judge and person to person. the Italians this year seemed to be classical in their routines then normal and did well. our other usa teams also did quite well and looked good on the floor. last years world champions ended up 3rd this year.

[rach_sk8]

Hi all,
Haven't posted here before, but no time like the present!
Felt the urge to contribute as I was fortunate enough to be a skater in the Senior Dance event at Worlds this year, and got to experience the whole wonderful event up close!

The Italians were stunning - admittedly, I am a HUGE Bornati fan - more so now than ever since I met them in the flesh! They simply float across the floor, looking so natural and elegant, it's a dream to observe!

Kyle & Heather too were a treat... Bless her on one of the training days when Kyle had figures, out there skating their OD alone! She got a lot of support from us for that one...! I felt they well deserved their podium placing... would be a tough one to say which of the 2nd and 3rd placed teams should have finished where... but all 3 well deserving of their placings.

It was my personal first Worlds, and sadly my only Worlds as my partner and I are now moving on to other things in life (it was his 5th Worlds, having skated with other partners in previous years) But I was fortunate enough to get the chance to represent my country in the most prestogious event there is, and I will never forget it!

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by rach_sk8

Hi all,
Haven't posted here before, but no time like the present!
Felt the urge to contribute as I was fortunate enough to be a skater in the Senior Dance event at Worlds this year, and got to experience the whole wonderful event up close!

The Italians were stunning - admittedly, I am a HUGE Bornati fan - more so now than ever since I met them in the flesh! They simply float across the floor, looking so natural and elegant, it's a dream to observe!

Kyle & Heather too were a treat... Bless her on one of the training days when Kyle had figures, out there skating their OD alone! She got a lot of support from us for that one...! I felt they well deserved their podium placing... would be a tough one to say which of the 2nd and 3rd placed teams should have finished where... but all 3 well deserving of their placings.

It was my personal first Worlds, and sadly my only Worlds as my partner and I are now moving on to other things in life (it was his 5th Worlds, having skated with other partners in previous years) But I was fortunate enough to get the chance to represent my country in the most prestogious event there is, and I will never forget it!

well sounds like you had a great experience and i agree all of the teams were good just some a little sounder then others from top to bottom. sorry you wont get to skate another worlds but good luck to you and your partner in your new endeavors. i take it your not from the USA, which country did you represent? cant you get another male dance partner seeing you been to worlds now if you still want to skate?

[rach_sk8]

I certainly did... As for another partner, here in New Zealand they are rarer than hens teeth sadly... there is literally no men dance skaters in the country! Very sad... if only the guys over here could see the likes of the men skaters at worlds, (very athletic!) they might change their stupid preconceptions about "male art skaters"...

Anyway, getting off topic here! As always, I'm keen to discuss anything about dance skating, especially Senior/Junior from worlds... :-)

- Rachael

[Can't skate at all]

Hi Rachael,

We are making some progress on dance pairs here in Wellington - there is one pair coming through doing quite well, and at least three other pairs of beginners starting out. We've got new dance coaches in Upper Hutt and they are really developing our beginners. We have hope!

- Alison (Laura's Mum)

[rach_sk8]

Awesome news Alison! Think any of them will be ready for me to skate with in the next 6 months??

haha.... :-)

Always great to see new pairs forming. We have one boy in our beginners, lovely wee lad too, doing very well. I have got "plans" for him! :-D

[Can't skate at all]

Possibly not, no!!!

A couple of 14/15 year olds who are beginners, and one a wee bit younger. You might have to wait a while...

But its a step in the right direction, I guess. As far as I know, none of them are planning on doing free-pairs. So still no participants at all in that discipline.

[Dennis Belkofer]

Originally Posted by rach_sk8

I certainly did... As for another partner, here in New Zealand they are rarer than hens teeth sadly... there is literally no men dance skaters in the country! Very sad... if only the guys over here could see the likes of the men skaters at worlds, (very athletic!) they might change their stupid preconceptions about "male art skaters"...

Anyway, getting off topic here! As always, I'm keen to discuss anything about dance skating, especially Senior/Junior from worlds... :-)

- Rachael

Hi Rachael:

My sister and grandmother shared your name. They spelled it Rachel. It is one of my most favorite names. It must have been a thrill to skate at the World Meet for New Zeland. And it must be frustrating not knowing if you will have a partner this year. I skated dance many years ago and still love the sport, as you do. I hope you find a partner.

From your perspective, how did the first-place team out-skate everyone on the Paso Doble and Westmnster Waltz? What little I saw of their free dance was obvious why they won. I liked Kyle and Heather's free dance, but felt it lacked the difficult steps they are capable of. I guess that I always compare roller dancing to ice dancing and could hear an ice commentator say something like this, "Kyle and Heather flowed and moved in unison with speed, but their routine lacked intricate footwork." Do you agree?

Dennis
Chicago

[masterd]

Does anyone have a link so we could watch this event??

[rach_sk8]

Originally Posted by Dennis Belkofer

Hi Rachael:

My sister and grandmother shared your name. They spelled it Rachel. It is one of my most favorite names. It must have been a thrill to skate at the World Meet for New Zeland. And it must be frustrating not knowing if you will have a partner this year. I skated dance many years ago and still love the sport, as you do. I hope you find a partner.

From your perspective, how did the first-place team out-skate everyone on the Paso Doble and Westmnster Waltz? What little I saw of their free dance was obvious why they won. I liked Kyle and Heather's free dance, but felt it lacked the difficult steps they are capable of. I guess that I always compare roller dancing to ice dancing and could hear an ice commentator say something like this, "Kyle and Heather flowed and moved in unison with speed, but their routine lacked intricate footwork." Do you agree?

Dennis
Chicago

Hi Dennis,
The 1st placed italians (from my perspective) had beautiful edge running, and flow and speed - particularly in their waltz... I've no idea how they managed such speed on the repeat of that dance!! They have amazing knees also, and just floated acorss the floor... they made it look effortless. Thats not to say Kyle & Heather were any less graceful or beatuiful. I've heard people talk about the x-factor - maybe that is a good way of describing the top italians this year. To me, they were clear winners. Although I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint the specific points that put them ahead of the rest... they just made you go 'wow'.
I do agree with your comments on the freedance... Kyle & Heather were imaginative, original, and were simply amazing to watch. But the Bornatis had that x-factor again.... they were truely dancing together and it was a treat to be seen.
All the top couples were in their own right, breath-taking.
I must admit, I was a big fan of Heather & Kyle's OD - think that would be my favourite programme of theirs. It was like ballroom dancing on skates, which to me is what it should look like! They nailed it beautifully with difficult intricate footwork.... (Again, just my humble opinion - which quite often, was different to that of the judges!!)

As for my future and possible other partners... who knows.... :-) But I do still hold a real love for the sport, and am not ready yet to hang up my boots! I may be able to entice my partner out again in a couple of years even!

- Rachael

[Dennis Belkofer]

Originally Posted by rach_sk8

Hi Dennis,
The 1st placed italians (from my perspective) had beautiful edge running, and flow and speed - particularly in their waltz... I've no idea how they managed such speed on the repeat of that dance!! They have amazing knees also, and just floated acorss the floor... they made it look effortless. Thats not to say Kyle & Heather were any less graceful or beatuiful. I've heard people talk about the x-factor - maybe that is a good way of describing the top italians this year. To me, they were clear winners. Although I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint the specific points that put them ahead of the rest... they just made you go 'wow'.
I do agree with your comments on the freedance... Kyle & Heather were imaginative, original, and were simply amazing to watch. But the Bornatis had that x-factor again.... they were truely dancing together and it was a treat to be seen.
All the top couples were in their own right, breath-taking.
I must admit, I was a big fan of Heather & Kyle's OD - think that would be my favourite programme of theirs. It was like ballroom dancing on skates, which to me is what it should look like! They nailed it beautifully with difficult intricate footwork.... (Again, just my humble opinion - which quite often, was different to that of the judges!!)

As for my future and possible other partners... who knows.... :-) But I do still hold a real love for the sport, and am not ready yet to hang up my boots! I may be able to entice my partner out again in a couple of years even!

- Rachael

Thanks for replying, Rachael. I, too, liked Kyle's and Heather's OD. It was like watching ballroom dancing on skates. Do you know of a website that we can access the compulsory dance and OD of all contestants?

Best wishes on getting your partner to "hang in there" a while longer.

Are you aware that the performances of the ice dance teams at last year's world meet in Tokyo can be viewed on Youtube? Just enter ice dance world championship Tokyo 2007. You may also enjoy Torvill and Dean skating the Westminster Waltz back in the 70's, if you haven't seen it. Their rendition is amazingly beautiful. Again using Youtube, enter Torvill and Dean Westminster Waltz.

Dennis
Chicago

[Bexskater]

BACK FINALLY!!!
Hey lovely people!
AHHH Worlds was fantastic!!!
x
x
x

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by Bexskater

BACK FINALLY!!!
Hey lovely people!
AHHH Worlds was fantastic!!!
x
x
x

hey Bex was wondering when you were going to come back here lol. you guys did great and will do better each year. glad you had a good time. practice hard and try to get a few more days of practice when you can.

[Bexskater]

Ahh Im not bothered about where we placed... I know we skated our dance the best we could and we was lying 10th after compulsories which for us was a real achievement... Our OD was never our strong point and Nick was so ill for the freedance it was doubtful he would even get through the programme so Im greatful for the place we got and that it went as well as it did. We know our free wasnt as strong as it could have been but we still got good marks and that was the physical limit that we could put into it... We worked our butts off before Worlds and we could not have been more prepared for the competition... So although our placing was low I am greatful for the marks as they were still high for us and we know we skated our compulsories at least to the best standard possible. I cant wait to start for next year! Im buzzing like anything!

Bex
x

[rach_sk8]

Hey Bex!

Yay, welcome home! How was your trip round Aus???
I'm buzzing too..... wish we were starting our new dances for next year...! :-/
Likewise, we weren't upset with our placing... and were stoked with 13th in compulsories! Its a good feeling when you know you did everything you could to prepare, and gave everything you had to give out there... If you do that, I dont think you care as much what the judges think! :-)
Had the best time ever....
Hmm, maybe I'll start senior solo dances for next year.... China sounds nice... ;-)

Rach

[rach_sk8]

Originally Posted by Dennis Belkofer

Thanks for replying, Rachael. I, too, liked Kyle's and Heather's OD. It was like watching ballroom dancing on skates. Do you know of a website that we can access the compulsory dance and OD of all contestants?

Best wishes on getting your partner to "hang in there" a while longer.

Are you aware that the performances of the ice dance teams at last year's world meet in Tokyo can be viewed on Youtube? Just enter ice dance world championship Tokyo 2007. You may also enjoy Torvill and Dean skating the Westminster Waltz back in the 70's, if you haven't seen it. Their rendition is amazingly beautiful. Again using Youtube, enter Torvill and Dean Westminster Waltz.

Dennis
Chicago

No, sadly I dont know of a website to watch the videos... have been searching myself! :-/ Will let i know if I find one!
Thanks for the tip re: ice worlds... I will look them up! Also T&D's westminster... our coaches all time favourite ice dance I think! :-) Righty so...

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by Bexskater

Ahh Im not bothered about where we placed... I know we skated our dance the best we could and we was lying 10th after compulsories which for us was a real achievement... Our OD was never our strong point and Nick was so ill for the freedance it was doubtful he would even get through the programme so Im greatful for the place we got and that it went as well as it did. We know our free wasnt as strong as it could have been but we still got good marks and that was the physical limit that we could put into it... We worked our butts off before Worlds and we could not have been more prepared for the competition... So although our placing was low I am greatful for the marks as they were still high for us and we know we skated our compulsories at least to the best standard possible. I cant wait to start for next year! Im buzzing like anything!

Bex
x

Bex glad you were happy with everything and how you skated, sorry about Nick being sick. you should come here and train in the usa with some of the top pros either on the west, east coast or central. work hard looking forward to seeing you again next year. you will be of wc age then and you might get a better look from the judges.

[dardina02]

hi to everybody!

you can find good quality (at least, better quality) videos in http://www3.rollersports.tv

At the moment the competitions available are:

short women
short men
free dance
short pairs
long pairs

as soon as possible the others competitions will be available

in a lower quality you can watch all the world championships videos

[Dennis Belkofer]

Originally Posted by dardina02

hi to everybody!

you can find good quality (at least, better quality) videos in http://www3.rollersports.tv

At the moment the competitions available are:

short women
short men
free dance
short pairs
long pairs

as soon as possible the others competitions will be available

in a lower quality you can watch all the world championships videos

Thanks!
Dennis
Chicago