Several of you have expressed that you are interested and follow Figure Skating. We have another year to wait until the 2014 Winter Olympics, but, in order to qualify, one requirement is that the skaters have to place in the World Figure Skating Championships that take place this year. Since the last Olympics, I’ve had a special eye on ice dancers and reigning five-time U.S. champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Being “ice dance has been described as an interpretation of ballroom dancing on ice“, The Ice Network has asked Dancing With The Stars pro Henry Byalikov to give his advise and thoughts on them and European champions Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev of Russia. Here are a couple of takes for what Henry has advised for each couple. Note too while reading that former Dancing With The Stars pro Elena Grinenko has been advising and helping to choreograph many routines for Meryl Davis and Charlie White these past few years. I saw a vast improvement in their dancing after she was brought into the picture. Read on for Henry’s thoughts….

For Meryl Davis and Charlie White:

This is one of the rare times that I have watched such an inspired, emotionally driven performance by a skating duo. In particular, I was drawn to the Baryshnikov-esque passion exhibited authentically, throughout the performance, in different shades and colors, by Charlie. He comes across seamless and incredibly fluid, and I’m extremely impressed with his performance.

In my opinion, passion is the most important element in any performance art, and it’s a very difficult tightrope walk to achieve that balance between technical and emotional prowess. Nevertheless, this couple certainly delivers in those aspects.

The connection between them is strong and expressive, while maintaining enough subtlety to perform the more sensitive moments of the routine. From the opening move to the closing, their portrayal of opposition, and yet desire for one another, was a highlight of this performance for me.

Looking into the future, from my perspective, I would be focusing on Meryl and Charlie’s extensions and posture.

For Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev:

An expressive image to start and end with, she breathes life into her creation only to have her life taken away by the very thing she conceived. This was a brilliant story and piece of choreography, both coming together seamlessly to deliver the perfect platform for art.

The first major lift was executed flawlessly, with a spectacular dismount emphasizing Ekaterina’s stunning flexibility. I feel this routine highlighted Ekaterina’s expressive ability, exceptional flexibility and charisma.

Dmitri demonstrates his partnering ability strongly and his expression, although at times his posture and arms may benefit from a balletic approach to convey more of a finished look to his lines and movements.

Since they perform pseudo pirouettes en retire or sur le cou de pied positions quite often, they should try to match each other, as well as improve the visual appeal of the turn, by choosing the same level at which to connect the free leg to the standing leg, i.e. at the knee or at the ankle, a similar position they utilize before the performance has even started.

You can read the full article and more of Henry’s thoughts and advice for them at The Ice Network. Fascinating!!

For those interested, be sure tune into the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in London, Ontario March 10th – March 17th to see how these couples fair out. It’s going to be an interesting year for sure!!