“It was the best here today, but for potential Olympic champions, I think it’s got to be faster across the ice, with more ice coverage. Maybe they keep a bit in reserve for the individual event.” Eurosport commentator on Chock/Bates’ FD in the Olympic team event
Eurosport commentator on Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ free dance in the Olympic team event.
original source: Eurosport
Eurosport commentator, a British former competitive ice dancer, Louise Walden shared her thoughts on Madison Chock and Evan Bates’ free dance performance in the Olympic team event. While she praised their artistry and execution, highlighted areas she believes the duo could improve upon going into the individual event.
“Oh no, I think I’m going to be a rainbow smasher, I’m sorry,” Walden began with a sense of hesitation. “Well, it was the best here today for me by a mile, but I found it very slow. I saw in a choreographic sequence as well they had some clappy movements – it was very skippy and less solid for me, actually. So, I loved it here, actually – I really, really loved it at the Grand Prix Final. I liked it here, I think it’s the best here today, but I think they’re gonna need to raise the game for the individual event.”
Walden emphasized her belief that Chock and Bates will need to further elevate their performance to clinch Olympic gold. “I know what they are seizing here today, but yeah, I did think it was slow. And for potential Olympic champions, I think it’s got to be faster across the ice, with more ice coverage. I’m sorry, but that’s what I feel. Apologies.”
Despite her critique, Walden highlighted several standout strengths, praising their performance’s intensity and execution. “I’ll tell you what I do love. I love the intensity of the eye contact; I love the intensity of the connection between the two of them. I think the elements were very, very clean, so they definitely were on that.”
also suggested that the pair may have deliberately chosen to leave some room for growth ahead of the individual competition. “Let’s be honest, if you are a couple of this caliber, why not keep a bit in reserve for the individual event? They’ve had to do two days back to back, so I’m telling it how it is, how I see it. But actually, in reality, they skated yesterday and they skated today – they could comfortably win the ten points here in this event. So maybe they did take a little bit out, they were a little bit slow across the ice, and maybe this was a conscious choice,” said Louise Walden in air commenting for Eurosport.
Related topics: Madison Chock Evan Bates, Olympic Games, Tiffany Zahorski Jonathan Guerreiro
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