Trophee Bompard- Dance

The dance event at Trophee Bompard was a little shocking in the outcome.

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the short dance (and maybe the event? it's still unclear what's going to happen). I was sincerely surprised by how much I enjoyed their short dance. I'm usually not a huge fan of people skating to Hallelujah, but I loved their short dance. Their movements were clean and the program was choreographed simply. There were a few moments I loved, simple moments where, rather than filling the program to the brim, they held a nice edge in close hold to the music. I was far from their biggest fan in the past, but they are clearly good skaters, and their material finally showcases this effectively.

Piper Gilles and Paul Porier were the favourites for this event, but finished in second. I like their short. I don't entirely understand, though I do have a theory as to the story, but I don't think I need to. They stand out from the crowd because they are going so far from the pretty music and pretty people we're seeing a whole lot too much of this year, because the short dance is a waltz and the world champion's freedance was classical and traditional.

Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin are definitely my favourite Russian team. I generally like their skating, they have nice lines and decent choreography, even though it is still very Russian. They look very nice on the ice and match each other well.

The Brits, Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland, finished the event in Bordeaux in fourth. They aren't my favourite team, they don't have the soft knees and long lines we expect from the ice dance event. They end up looking a little too much like a pair team for my tastes. They aren't bad skaters, but they are lacking a little refinement in the details, which is part of why they are not as successful as some might expect them to be.

Injury Update- Gabriella Papadakis and Josh Farris

At the end of August, Gabriella Papadakis suffered a concussion (it's not clear exactly how she did), and even though she is recovering, recovery from concussions can be a long process. She has apparently suffered focus, balance, and memory issues, as well as panic attacks and dyslexia, according to an article on AFP.com.

Papadakis is undergoing treatment for the traumatic brain injury developed by the US military. The process is supposed to occur over six weeks. Until she has recovered they will not be able to train as seriously or compete.

Papadakis and Cizeron have withdrawn from their competitions before Trophee Eric Bompard. As long as her recovery goes as planned, their season will be back on track during the Grand Prix season. They are concerned about the challenge of starting a season at a Grand Prix event, but with an injury like this one, they don't have the option to return before then.


Josh Farris has also apparently suffered a concussion. He has withdrawn from both of his Grand Prix events this season. He apparently missed Champs Camp this season, but is expected to make a full recovery.

There are not as many details about his concussion as Papadakis' in part because it seems to be a newer injury.

However, he has withdrawn very early from NHK, which suggests the concussion is pretty serious.

Here's hoping they both get well soon, and take the time they need to get back on the ice to make sure they've healed completely before risking another injury.

Thornhill Summer Skate: The Seniors- Senior Dance

The senior dance is usually my favourite event at any given competition, but at Summer Skate, though it was very good, Gilles and Porier withdrawing from the freedance was a bit of a letdown.

The short dance this year is the Ravensburger Wlatz. I'm very glad that, unlike last year, there seems to be more diversity in the theme and execution of the short dance.

Gilles and Porier had a fun hippie themed short dance, they seemed to not have their costumes though. I've seen photos of them in costume for the short dance, but at Summer Skate they were in plain black clothes. We didn't get to see their freedance as they withdrew from the event (I haven't been able to find out why).

The other highlight of the event was Nicole Orford and Asher Hill. They have just teamed up very recently, but they already work extremely well as a couple. Their lines match beautifully and they have great chemistry on the ice. Both programs were beautiful, and though not particularly original in theme and styling, they were amazing to watch. Like Piper and Paul, they don't seem to have costumes ready or they had some sort of issue with them, and skated in plain black clothing like Piper and Paul.

The other couples were strong, but fell into the shadows cast by the two bigger couples. They were enjoyable to watch, but not as memorable as Orford and Hill and Gilles and Porier.

This competition just continued to show the depth of ice dance in Canada at the moment.

Thornhill Summer Skate: Up and Coming Young Skaters- Novice Dance

The two novice pattern dances are the Cha Cha and the Argentine Tango. These are two of my favourite dances, and I have to say I was thrilled both with the skaters and the choice of dances.

 The Cha Cha might be the hardest pattern dance in the system. The changes of hold are frequent and difficult, and there are a ton of steps. It is also extremely fast, so there is no chance to make adjustments or settle into an edge.

That being said, the dancers were good, but not amazing. None of them seemed particularly comfortable with the dance, unlike the Argentine. This is probably because most don't learn the Cha Cha with the senior silvers, if they learn it at all.

The novices were a whole lot better than the juveniles, even though their Cha Chas weren't great.

The Argentine was a lot better for almost all of the skaters at the event competing in the Novice event.

Most struggled with the twizzle, as they are supposed to, that is really the only particularly difficult section of the dance. For the most part, the skaters looked comfortable in their edges, and their hold looked more secure than in the Cha Cha, even though it still wasn't perfect.

Many of the novice skaters looked quite tentative on the ice in both pattern dances, but surely, these young skaters will grow into competition as they mature and become more confident.

Like with the juvenile dance, I missed the freedance (it was very early this morning, and I had spent yesterday at the arena and got home quite late) though I'm sure if the pattern dances are any indication, it will have been very good.