2015 U.S. Nationals: Senior Short Dance Recap
by Gina Capellazzi | Photo by Daphne Backman
For the first time in six years, there will be a new champion on top of the podium in the senior ice dance event at the U.S. Championships. Six-time U.S. Champions and 2014 Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis & Charlie White are not competing this season and they have left the door wide open for some of the other top U.S. ice dance teams to take home that top spot. Two teams, in particular, are in the hunt for the gold medal and with only .11 points separating them after the short dance; it is anyone’s guess who the champion will be.
Winning the short dance was reigning U.S. silver medalists Madison Chock & Evan Bates. Their Paso Doble earned them level 4s on their straight line lift and twizzles and level 3s on their Paso Doble section, partial step sequence and midline not touching step sequence. They earned a short dance score of 73.95 and are currently in first place heading into Saturday’s free skate. The 2014 Grand Prix Final silver medalists are looking to win their first U.S. Championship.
“We wanted to show more of a range in our expressions throughout the dance,” Chock said. “We are really happy with our skate and can definitely see places where we’ve improved.”
Also looking to win their first U.S. Championship are reigning U.S. bronze medalists Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (pictured). The siblings skated directly after the leaders and their short dance earned them level 4s on their twizzles, rotational lift and Paso Doble section and level 3s on their partial step sequence and midline not touching step sequence. They scored 73.84 making it a tight race for gold.
“The goal for this competition was to put out two great skates and we’ve already done that once, so we are hoping to do the same tomorrow,” Alex said.
After the short dance, neither team said they were surprised by just how close their scores were.
“It was not a surprise,” Bates said. “The Shibutanis are excellent competitors and I don’t think our rivalry is new to anybody.”
2014 U.S. pewter medalists Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue are in third place after the short dance. Their short dance to “Fiesta Flamenca” showed a lot of character and earned them a 65.43. Hubbell underwent hip surgery last Spring and has been on the recovery road this season.
“I thought it was great, the best one we’ve done all year,” said Donohue. “I’m especially proud of my partner. She’s gone through more hell than anyone understands this year and has come back stronger than anyone could have.”
Reigning U.S and World Junior Champions Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker, who are making their senior Nationals debut in Greensboro, sit in fourth place and less than two points behind Hubbell and Donohue.The young team showed a lot of attack in their short dance to “Malaguena” and earned a score of 63.95.
“We really enjoyed the performance, there was great energy on the ice and we had a lot of fun,” Hawayek said. In fifth place after the short program is Anastasia Cannuscio & Colin McManus. Their “Hora Zero” and “Ameska” short dance performance earned them a score of 61.95. The pair is looking to have another strong performance in the free dance Saturday.
“We’re excited for the free,” McManus said. “We’re just really excited to get more feedback on the free.”
Two-time U.S. junior champions, Alexandra Aldridge & Daniel Eaton, gave a dramatic performance to “Carmen” to earn them a 57.74. They are currently in sixth place after the short dance. A recent injury to Eaton’s back has affected the team.
“It’s been a tough with my back, but we’re here and that was the goal,” Eaton said. “It was a great performance. We were together and we performed together. It’s all improvements from here.”