Jen was visiting me this weekend, so we went to the Columbus SOI. Since there has been so many reports about the show in general, we will mostly focus on Todd but we will provide a few overall impressions. First of all, the arena was almost entirely sold out but the crowd was fairly subdued. (Carol's interjection---we're a conservative state, the crowds are always subdued, but they did warm up throughout the night.)

The ice was horrible! Lot of people we doubling jumps in the first half. When Kristi came out for "GOLD", you could see the snow was an inch thick on the ice. Kristi did all of her jumps, except that she singled a loop. It was a very lovely performance of the program. She didn't let the single jump throw her. Kurt did a triple toe-triple toe combo in "GUITAR". Tara did triple salchows and a couple of triple toes but by the finale she seemed as though she was hurting again and running out of steam. Todd got the only standing ovation of the night (except for Tara's "AMERICAN TRIBUTE" where people stood at the end for the flag).

When Kurt introduced Todd for "LORD OF THE RINGS", a few people stood, scattered around the arena. He was warmly received even if everyone didn't stand; he got the biggest applause for an introduction. Todd was "off" in his first program; he fell out of his first triple axel, double the second triple axel. He landed his triple loop (lovely), triple lutz even though it was wildly tilting in the air, and a triple toe. We believe that he normally does a salchow at the end, but he did a triple toe this time. We think the jump problems could have been due to the bad ice and the fact that the lights didn't come up as much as they were supposed too. He skated mostly in red and blue lights and it was very dark for his program. He seemed a bit low energy and frustrated with his skate although the crowd really enjoyed it and he was given a big ovation with a few people standing at the end.

Todd's second number to "YOUR SONG" went much better. He landed a gorgeous triple axel, triple loop, and triple toe. He has a beautiful very long forward spiral near the end which was wonderful to see again. The lights were brought up very high for the jumps and he seemed more relaxed and at ease. He interacted the most we've ever seen him, looking into the audience and smiling often. He received a partial standing ovation.

Todd has been worked into the end of the finale, coming out for a brief cold spot after the three ladies gold medalists finish their trio. In the finale he skates to "WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN". He circles the three ladies and heads towars the end of the rink where he does a double axel. The rest of the cast comes out and forms two lines, he joins the line and then breaks away to do two triple toes at either end of the arena. He then joins the group for the final footwork sequence. He seemed very at ease and in sync with the rest of the cast and didn't make any noticeable mistakes that we could see. At the end when everyone goes into the audience to shake hands, he was mobbed and couldn't get away to get back on the ice for final bows and was late getting to center ice. He seemed very happy and relaxed to be interacting with the audience and appreciated their warmth. He did spot two people with Todd penants and waved to them at the end. Overall he seemed to be very happy with his choice to be at SOI and is skating well.

Overall we hope it is a better show next year but it was great to see Todd skate so well and seem so happy.

Jen and Carol