2008 US Nationals Free Dance
United States Figure Skating National Championships Ice Dancing
There were no surprises atop the leader board after the best ice dancers in the United States took to the ice for their freedances.
Gold Medalists: Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto
Back in black costumes, the Olympic silver medalists had to skate perfectly in order to overcome a very small lead over their teammates.
When they began their free dance, even the commentators were mesmerized speechless for the first minute of this classical program. Their twizzles, a single-footed traveling spin, gained them bonus points when they performed three and then switched directions to finish three more.
Speed, developed lifts, close skating, energy, perfect unison, great musical interpretation… these are the key ingredients that make this team the standing favorites for US Olympic Gold in Vancouver.
A standing ovation previewed their amazingly high 216.07 point total. Hopefully they can repeat this perfect performance at the World Championship because that point total will give them the world title.
Silver Medalists: Meryl Davis and Charlie White
After Tanith and Ben’s incredible point posting, this ice dance team skated to keep their trip to Worlds. Meryl and Charlie are presently ranked 5th in world mainly because of their lightening-fast speed. Their poor finishes in international competitions this year caused them to go back and rework their free dance – much to their advantage.
They performed a classical love story, complete with lifts at all levels. On one, he’s in a deep knee spread eagle while she balances backward in a z-sit over his shoulders. Their well-choreographed footwork appropriately enunciated the beat of the music towards the end of this very nice program.
If Tanith and Ben are for some reason forced to retire before the 2010 Olympics, Meryl and Charlie will certainly represent the U.S. well. Their main coach, Igor Spielband, was pleased with their program and their point total of 206.82 that rivals those of other world competitors. Even Dick Button remarked that their skating was “aggressive and sexual.” Easy boy.
Bronze Medalists: Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre
These skaters performed the eight required elements to a soft blues lyrical. Their footwork looked more like compulsory edging, but their lifts are well-placed, strong and uniquely off-centered. A problem with one of their spins was quickly forgotten during his beautifully sustained spread eagle lift.
They showed a higher degree of difficulty with single-legged footwork that covered half the ice. The rotational lifts were innovative and pleasant, although not exactly impactful. Third place going into the free dance, Kim and Brent earned a combined total of 187.94 points to place them in third over all.
4th Place: Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates
This, their first Senior national competition was tough for this couple. Emily was treated with I.V. fluids for a virus she caught the day before their free dance. They competed this year in the Junior Grand Prix, so they had time to train and perform their skating on a high level. They came into this Nationals to show judges their potential for climbing the international ladder.
Tight, well-extended lifts and twizzles with a held-leg position did just that. They’ve got two years to speed up their footwork, but their presentation (including a move reminiscent of the now-famed “flying peacock” spoof) was great.
Unfortunately, their star power faltered with a huge mistake right at the end of the program that completely stopped the flow of their skating and caused them to finish seconds later than their music. This blunder knocked them completely off the podium. Perhaps their inexperience led to loss of focus. Their final point total was 175.16.
5th Place: Jennifer Wester and Daniil Barantsev
Another US/Russian alliance showed why the Russian ice skating federation didn’t part with Daniil very easily. Their free dance at this US Nationals was to Singing in the Rain, and they interpreted the music with speed and pleasant expressions. Their circular footwork sequence was demanding yet not particularly inventive.
Their twizzles were very fast and followed by a rotational spin during which she’s in a full split. Their soft and deep knee bends solidify their stroking as world class, but they’re going to have to get closer together and skate less side-by-side passes if they’re going to hang with Belbin and Agosto.
When this dance couple isn’t shooting for World Team eligibility, Jennifer has actually acquired a different title; she’s a champion silhouette shooter. These consummate competitors earned 169.37 total points.
Other Ice Dance Teams, In Order of Ranking:
Jane Summersett and Todd Gilles, Charlotte Maxwell and Nick Traxler, Mimi Whetstone and Chris Obzansky, Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt, Mauri Gustafson and Joel Dear, Clare Farrell and Charles Fishpaw, Marcha Snyder and Peter Fischl, and Stacy Kim and Jonathan Harris.
