Weaver and Poje have a brand new short dance, and, especially considering they've only started working on it a couple weeks ago, it's pretty good. It's not the most original, but I can't fault them for that. They had to essentially re-start with only two weeks between competitions. The music restrictions are really stringent, and from what I've heard, they were told at past competitions that the Elvis music doesn't technically meet the requirements. It is close, but since it doesn't meet the requirements, they would face a mandatory deduction at every competition with that program for the entire season. They didn't really have a choice at this point, and this has happened to a couple of teams already. The freeskate is good, but blends in a little with all the tradtional, classical freedances this season. Especially since this year's short dance is a waltz, it would be nice to see some more variation in the free, but again, I can't fault them too much, as they did try to be different but were left with no choice but to change the short dance.
The Shibutani's finished in second here, and they finally have some pretty good programs. I have to say, even though they're skating to Copellia, which is about a doll, I'm really sick and tired of all the pairs and dance programs where the lady is playing a doll. It's really not effective because it can't be maintained. Skating is too fluid to have half a pair stiff and wooden for the entire program, so it comes and goes throughout the program, which loses a lot of its impact. The freedance is fine, but not the most original. I really don't think it's one that's going to stick out in my mind going forward. I am a whole lot happier with their choreography this year than last year, but I do really like them, so I want the best choreo for them.
Bobrova and Soloviev made their return to ice dance here after taking time off for injuries. They were solid here, but a lot of the fundamental skills are kind of weak. Their hold is not good. Every time they are in waltz hold she sticks her butt out, so their upper bodies are much closer together than their feet. I don't know if they are just to apprehensive to skate in close hold, but if that's the case they should really just skate in a more open hold. But maybe she just doesn't have good technique and can't help but stick her butt out, in which case, that needs to be their focus until it's fixed, and fixed for good. Senior ice dance teams really shouldn't be skating like that.
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