amethyst73 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
amethyst73) wrote2009-07-31 04:59 pm
amethyst73) wrote2009-07-31 04:59 pm
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There was ice skating, and it was cool!
We spent the day watching people skate at ISI Worlds. The short version: We had a really excellent time and have decided this means we should go watch ice skating competitions more often.
The slightly longer version:
• Today was the day that pretty much all the ice dance was scheduled. Since that's what we're working on most right now, we watched a lot of it - this also meant that we saw a good-sized handful of folks from our rink compete and take home prizes. There are so many different categories for ability, solo vs pair, age, etc, that a number of 'events' only had a single unit competing. Peter Sasmore, our instructor, partnered a lot of people in these single-entry categories, so he's probably going to go home with some insanely large number of blue ribbons, since - with his help - I'm pretty sure all his partners successfully skated against the book.
It was really interesting watching different people skate the dances. In a number of cases where it was mixed professional-amateur pairs, it was pretty instantly obvious who was the pro and who was the am. While the pro in such pairs was always a joy to watch, you had to give credit to the amateur as well, some of whom were really really nervous, but went ahead and skated anyway. And completed the requisite two to four patterns!
We now have a clearer idea of what Rhythm Blues and Canasta Tango (links point to youtube videos) are supposed to look like when they're done right. We think we might be in more or less the same ballpark as some of the folks who did Dutch Waltz, though we've never done it to music together!
We now know where our rink gets its ice dance music from. We heard some very familiar pieces... again... and again... and again...
• Over lunch we were able to watch some of the FS6 (I think platinum level) solo dramatic productions. It's kind of remarkable: you can tell the folks who are Really Really Good (as opposed to merely Good) within 10-15 seconds of them hitting the ice. There's a certain confidence and flair in their presentations, and they don't give the impression of "I'm getting ready for the jump... I'm getting ready for the jump.. OMG I'm jumping" that their less amazing counterparts do; they just toss those jumps off like they're nothing.
• Nobody should be allowed to be as flexible as one of the girls who, I swear, was gliding along on one foot and had her other foot straight up in the air. Disgusting, I tell you.
• The other really cool thing we got to see was some of the Character Spot - Gold level competition. There was someone from our rink, even - who we'd never seen before. (It turns out she took first place in that event - yay her!) The things you learn... Anyway, she was Really Really Good. (The other couple of folks we caught in that event were all at least Really Good; I guess that happens at Gold level.)
Anyway. We had a fantastic time and we're really glad we went. Yay!
The slightly longer version:
• Today was the day that pretty much all the ice dance was scheduled. Since that's what we're working on most right now, we watched a lot of it - this also meant that we saw a good-sized handful of folks from our rink compete and take home prizes. There are so many different categories for ability, solo vs pair, age, etc, that a number of 'events' only had a single unit competing. Peter Sasmore, our instructor, partnered a lot of people in these single-entry categories, so he's probably going to go home with some insanely large number of blue ribbons, since - with his help - I'm pretty sure all his partners successfully skated against the book.
It was really interesting watching different people skate the dances. In a number of cases where it was mixed professional-amateur pairs, it was pretty instantly obvious who was the pro and who was the am. While the pro in such pairs was always a joy to watch, you had to give credit to the amateur as well, some of whom were really really nervous, but went ahead and skated anyway. And completed the requisite two to four patterns!
We now have a clearer idea of what Rhythm Blues and Canasta Tango (links point to youtube videos) are supposed to look like when they're done right. We think we might be in more or less the same ballpark as some of the folks who did Dutch Waltz, though we've never done it to music together!
We now know where our rink gets its ice dance music from. We heard some very familiar pieces... again... and again... and again...
• Over lunch we were able to watch some of the FS6 (I think platinum level) solo dramatic productions. It's kind of remarkable: you can tell the folks who are Really Really Good (as opposed to merely Good) within 10-15 seconds of them hitting the ice. There's a certain confidence and flair in their presentations, and they don't give the impression of "I'm getting ready for the jump... I'm getting ready for the jump.. OMG I'm jumping" that their less amazing counterparts do; they just toss those jumps off like they're nothing.
• Nobody should be allowed to be as flexible as one of the girls who, I swear, was gliding along on one foot and had her other foot straight up in the air. Disgusting, I tell you.
• The other really cool thing we got to see was some of the Character Spot - Gold level competition. There was someone from our rink, even - who we'd never seen before. (It turns out she took first place in that event - yay her!) The things you learn... Anyway, she was Really Really Good. (The other couple of folks we caught in that event were all at least Really Good; I guess that happens at Gold level.)
Anyway. We had a fantastic time and we're really glad we went. Yay!