The Nationals Exhibitions (Chevrolet Skating Spectacular) will be on tv Sunday 4-6 before the Superbowl. I haven't seen anyone here write about it so I thought I'd share the roster of skaters and a few subjective artistic and not at all technical comments. It was a very enjoyable show.
I didn't take notes, and was focusing on photography, so I don't remember much. This is from the mimeographed program and my midlife blurry memory.....
For me, the highlights were in order:
2) Angela Nikodinov
3) Belbin and Agosto
4) Ina and Zimmerman
5) Michelle Kwan
6) Todd Eldredge
[...]
SECOND ACT
SENIOR CHAMPIONS - SILVER
Sarah Hughes - ladies. Wearing a black unitard. Her blackbird program. LONG spiral sequence.
Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto - dance A BEAUTIFUL program, some very original lifts and moves, many close to the ice. He in a black tuxedo, she in a long feminine (silk?) pink skirt. It may have been "Una Vie d'Amour". What a marvelous pair! Simply stunning.
Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn - pairs Sexy looks, in white and black. Many lifts and typical pairs acrobatics. Nice. They hung around in the Fleet lobby after Exhibitions too and signed autographs. Very friendly.
Todd Eldredge - men Todd skated more expressively than I've ever seen him skate, apart from his Glory program. He did 1492, and I continue to believe that he needs dramatic music like this to express himself emotionally.
SENIOR CHAMPIONS GOLD
Kyoka Ina and John Zimmerman - pairs Some amazing lifts - one or two I've never seen before. They were really reaching out toward the audience more than in their competitive program. She in hot red, he in black. Dynamite program.
Timothy Goebel - men American Pie. Embarrassing to watch the first half of this program because of the weak choreography.... I kept thinking -- THIS is the gold medalist? But of course his jumps were impressive.
Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev - dance The highlight of the show! Now first let me say that I love this team, and am so delighted with their continued improvement in choreography since they've been working with Zhulin. But never before have I found Peter to be this sexy - partly in a Gwendal Peizerat way - but also because with a sleeveless shirt his muscular physique is quite compelling! They both wore sleeveless black, and skated to a particular sensual number - Still Got the Blues? As in their other programs, they did their impressive and longlasting hydroblade. All I can say is WOW!
And Naomi really melted into Peter throughout the program, leading me to wonder if they are indeed still a couple -- it sure looked like it! This all-in-black program steamed the ice for me as much as A&P did last year. One of the absolute highlights of the whole week. I'm eager to see how it after you see it on tv.....
Michelle Kwan - Don't remember the program - one she did before, may have been Beautiful World. Outstanding again, but not as moving as her East of Eden short program when she was totally one with the music.
Tracy Marks
