2008 Central Ontario Summer Skate – Senior Free Dance Report

Allie Hann-McCurdy & Michael Coreno –- piano music by a Finnish composer

Hann-McCurdy & Coreno achieved nice flow and decent speed with a calm and controlled dance that they choreographed with the help of coaches Maikki Uotila-Kraatz & Victor Kraatz. They opened with a crisp level-four twizzle sequence that earned +.38 GOE. However, they ran into problems on their second lift. Although it was performed without any visible error, it was called a level-four straighline lift –- the exact same call as their first list –- so it was not given any points. Once the elements are worked out, this will probably be a good dance for Hann-McCurdy & Coreno. They can also work on varying the levels of expression. Overall, the style looks nice on them, and it was pleasant to watch, but it lacked a “wow” factor. With 65.08 points, they were second in the very close standings.

Siobhan Karam & Kevin O’Keefe -– Spanish music

Karam & O’Keefe were skating well when Karam’s blade caught in her dress on the twizzle sequence. She was unable to get her foot free, so they had to stop the program. While the music was getting cued up, coach Marina Zoueva was cutting a slit in Karam’s dress. Then, it took three tries to get the music started at the right place, and when they finally attempted the twizzles again, Karam’s blade got caught once more. This time, however, she was able to pull her skate free quickly, and they continued, but they did not receive any points for the twizzles. In addition, they had two straightline lifts, just as Hann-McCurdy & Coreno had, because O’Keefe did not make enough of a curve during the second lift. They also received a deduction for excess interruption due to the dress/music debacle. Fortunately, their other elements were strong, including a deep-edged level-four serpentine lift that received +.25 GOE. Overall, they have made big improvements in the off-season to achieve a faster and more polished look this year. Even with two zero elements and a deduction, Karam & O’Keefe squeezed past Hann-McCurdy & Coreno to finish first with 65.32 points.

Patricia Stuckey & Christopher Mior -– sounded like Sarah Brightman

Stuckey & Mior also had a zero element, and once again, it was a straightline lift that was called as a repeated element. Some of their standout elements were a level-four mirror twizzle sequence and their excellent opening level-four rotational lift. Stuckey & Mior also look much improved over last season, faster and more experienced. Aside from the repeated element, they did not make any major mistakes, and they look ready to compete this season. With 64.49 points, they finished third in this dance.