Event Coverage – 2018 Olympics

• NBC, NBCSN, Olympic Channel, etc. (USA)
• CBC (Canada)
• Eurosport (Great Britain) *

* Visit your country’s Eurosport website to determine what the channel’s coverage schedule is.

24 teams representing 18 countries will take the ice at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, South Korea 

Click on the links below to view profiles for each of the competitors.

CANADA
Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir
Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje

CHINA
Shiyue Wang & Xinyu Liu

CZECH REPUBLIC
Courtney Mansourova & Michal Ceska

FRANCE
Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac
Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron

GERMANY
Kavita Lorenz & Joti Polizoakis

GREAT BRITAIN
Penny Coomes & Nick Buckland

ISRAEL
Adel Tankova & Ronald Zilberberg

ITALY
Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte
Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri

JAPAN
Kana Muramoto & Chris Reed

OLYMPIC ATHLETE OF RUSSIA
Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev
Tiffany Zagorski & Jonathan Guerreiro

POLAND
Natalia Kaliszek & Maksim Spodyriev

SLOVAKIA
Lucie Mysliveckova & Lukas Csolley

SPAIN
Sara Hurtado & Kirill Khaliavin

UKRAINE
Alexandra Nazarova & Maxim Nikitin 

UNITED STATES
Madison Chock & Evan Bates
Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue
Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

SHORT DANCE NOTES
Taken from ISU Communication 2076

The short dance is 2 minutes and 50 seconds (+/- 10 seconds) in length. The time starts when one of team members begins to move and stops when both partners come to a complete stop at the end of the program. Vocal music is permitted.

REQUIRED RHYTHMS:  Any number of the following Latin American Rhythms: Cha Cha, Rhumba, Samba, Mambo, Meringue, Salsa, Bachata and any closely related Latin American Rhythms.

PATTERN DANCE ELEMENT/STEP SEQUENCE:  The Pattern Dance Element shall be skated to any of the Latin American Rhythms and must be in the style of the chosen rhythm, with the range of temp: 172 – 180 beats per minute. The Tempo of the music throughout the Pattern Dance Element must be constant.

Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence (PSt – as described in the Rule 703, para 4b,iii) must be skated to a different rhythm from the one chosen for the Non Touching Step Sequence. The Tempo of the music throughout the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence must be constant.

ALTERATIONS:  For the season 2017/18, the Ice Dance Technical Committee have adopted the following specific alteration:

3 Paragraph 1.d): “The pattern must proceed in a generally constant direction and must not cross the Long Axis of the ice surface except once at each end of the rink (within no more than 20 meters of the barrier). Loops in either direction are permitted provided they do not cross the Long Axis. However, the following do NOT constitute violations of these provisions:

• crossing the long axis
     – while performing the Not Touching Midline, Diagonal or Circular Step Sequence;
     – at the entry or exit to the Not Touching Step Sequence
     – at the entry to Pattern Dance Element
• performing the Not Touching Circular Step Sequence in the clockwise direction; 

Paragraph 1.h): “After the clock is started with the first movement, the Couple must not remain in one place for more than ten (10) seconds during the program: Permitted Stops: Senior and Junior: up to two full stops (duration must not exceed 5 seconds each) or up to one full stop (duration

Permitted Stops: 
up to two full stops (duration must not exceed 5 seconds each) or up to one full stop (duration must not exceed 10 seconds) are permitted. During a Stop the couple may or may not touch each other and choreography may be stationary or slightly moving in any direction. Stop options include:

       – A permitted stop (up to 5 sec only) may be used within the Not Touching Step Sequence
       – A permitted Stop may be used to indicate the starting point of the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence
       – A permitted Stop may be used to indicate the completion of the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence
       – A permitted stop may be used anywhere in the program excluding:
                    a) within the Pattern Dance Element (Senior and Junior) or
                    b) within the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence (a Stop is only allowed at the beginning or end of the PSt)
       – A Choreographic Spinning Movement which travels will not be considered as a stop.

Rule 709 paragraph 1.g) & h) allows couples to perform any choreography either in hold OR separated during the beginning of the program, (within the first 10 seconds) or at the end of the program (prior to the final pose). The choreography may be moving or stationary and is in addition to any permitted stop(s) and/or separation(s) as described above.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

• PATTERN DANCE ELEMENTS:  Section 1: Steps #1-16 + Steps # 1-4. The start of the first step of the Pattern Dance, Step #1, to be skated on the Judges’ left side.  The Pattern Dance Elements must be skated in strict time to the music with the start of the first step of the Pattern Dance Element Section 1 on beat one of a musical phrase.
• DANCE LIFTS:  Not more than One (1) short lift 
• STEP SEQUENCE:  One (1) Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence in Hold (Style B)
  
  Pattern: up to one full circuit of the ice surface and must start on beat one of a musical measure. The following two options will indicate the beginning of the PSt
             – using one of the permitted stops, after which the couple takes the first step in a Foxtrot Hold indicating
  the first step of the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence (PSt).
             – performing a skidding movement within one measure of music after the last step of the required PDE (Step #4). The first step after a skidding movement will indicate the starting point of the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence (PSt) and must be performed in Foxtrot Hold.
  
  The following three options will indicate the completion of the PSt:
             – performing one of the permitted stops
             – a skidding movement not exceeding one measure of music
             – Choreographic Spinning movement
                               – which travels will not be considered as a stop.
                               – which becomes stationary and is performed on the spot will be considered as a stop.
             – PSt may not start from the beginning of the program;
             – Duration: any exact number of musical phrases
             – Holds: by exception to Rule 703, paragraph 4, first bullet, Hand-in-Hand Hold with extended arms cannot be established and partners must remain in contact at all times, even during changes of Holds and during Twizzles;
• One (1) Not Touching Step Sequence (Style B)
  
             – One (1) Straight Line Step Sequence
                               a) Midline – skated along the full length of the ice surface on the Long Axis
                               b) Diagonal – skated as fully corner to corner as possible
  
  OR
  
             – One (1) Curved Step Sequence
                               a) Circular – utilizing the full width of the ice surface on the Short
                               b) Serpentine – commences in either direction at the Long Axis at one end of the rink and progresses in three bold curves or two bold curves (S – shaped) and ends at the Long Axis of the opposite end of the rink, the pattern utilizing the full width of the ice surface.
• TWIZZLES:  One (1) Set of Synchronized Twizzles

The Dance Spin is not a Required Element in a Junior and Senior Short Dance. Nevertheless, a Dance Spin or spinning movement skated by the couple together in any hold around a common axis on one foot (or two feet) with any number of rotations is permitted. A couple may choose to use this movement as part of their choreography. The Technical Panel will ignore these movements and the Judges will consider these movements as ONE of the permitted stops.

A Dance Spin performed within the Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence for Senior (excluding the start or finish of the PSt) shall be considered by the Judges as a Stop which is a Not Permitted Element.

A Dance Spin performed within the Not Touching Step Sequence for Junior and Senior (up to 5 sec) shall be considered by the Judges as one of the permitted Stops.

A Choreographic Spinning movement:
                   – which travels will not be considered as a stop.
                   – which becomes stationary and is performed on the spot will be considered as a stop.

PATTERN KEYPOINTS:  EXCERPT FROM IDC’S PARENT GUIDE ARTICLE ON 2017-18 RHUMBA KEYPOINTS
by Adrienne Koob-Doddy 

Now, we can move on to the Senior pattern dance element, the Rhumba! The Rhumba is more straightforward than the Cha Cha Congelado, with one simple pattern running from the judges left and concluding on their right. Unlike years in the past, one of the key points now includes the restart of the next pattern, often called the repeat. But first, let’s take a look at key points 1 and 2.

1 RH- Key point #1- Lady’s Steps 11-13

1 RH- Key point #2- Man’s Steps 11-13

I am writing these two key points together because they are identical steps with identical criteria- correct edges, correct turns, and correct free foot placement. Again, this is considered a highlight of this dance- the two massive, deep, wide open choctaws. This is a tricky section with 2 key points very closely linked thus, this is a high value section of the dance. Luckily, the man and lady are separate, and therefore one could achieve the key point if the other were to make a mistake. You will see this key point placed slightly beyond the judging panel. The skaters will have their backs to the audience if the audience is opposite the judging panel.

1RH- Key point #3- Lady and Man’s Steps 16, and 1-4 of next pattern

The coach in me was happy to see this key point this year; oftentimes in pursuit of the elusive key point, restarts are ignored and can be irrelevant if only one pattern is to be completed. However, that is not the case this year! Now teams must be precise with their pattern across the end of the rink and skate the repeat successfully. Criteria for this key point includes correct edges and correct change of edge. This key point will run along the short end of the ice opposite to the start of the dance.

FREE DANCE NOTES
Taken from ISU Communication 2076

The free dance is 4 minutes (+/- 10 seconds). The time starts when one of team members begins to move and stops when both partners come to a complete stop at the end of the program. Vocal music is permitted.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

 Not more than:

• DANCE LIFTS:  One (1) short lift and one (1) Combination Lift (the type of Short Lift must be different from the type(s) of Short Lifts forming the Combination Lift
• SPIN:  One (1) Dance Spin (Spin or Combination Spin) but not more
• STEP SEQUENCE:  Two (2) Step Sequences in Hold
  
  One (1) Straight Line Step Sequence
  a) Midline – skated along the full length of the ice surface on the Long Axis
  b) Diagonal – skated as fully corner to corner as possible
  
  One (1) Curved Step Sequence
  a) Circular – utilizing the full width of the ice surface on the Short
  b) Serpentine – commences in either direction at the Long Axis at one end of the rink and progresses in three bold curves or two bold curves (S – shaped) and ends at the Long Axis of the opposite end of the rink, the pattern utilizing the full width of the ice surface.
• TWIZZLES:  One (1) Set of Synchronized Twizzles
• CHOREOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS:  Two (2) Different Choreographic Elements
  
  The Choreographic Element must be chosen from:
  
  Choreographic Dance Lift: Dance Lift of up to ten (10) seconds, performed after all the other required Dance Lifts, or a
  
  Choreographic Spinning Movement: spinning movement performed after the required Dance Spin anywhere in the program, during which both partners perform at least 2 continuous rotations:
      – in any hold,
      – on one foot or two feet or one partner being elevated without being sustained, or a combination of the three,   
      – on a common axis which may be moving.
  
  Choreographic Twizzling Movement: twizzling movement performed after the required Set of Twizzles, composed of 2 parts.
  
  The following requirements apply:
      – for both parts: on one foot or two feet or a combination of both,
      – for the first part: at least 2 continuous rotations performed simultaneously and both partners must travel (cannot be on the spot)
      – for the second part: at least one of the partners has to perform at least 2 continuous rotations and one or both partners can be on the spot or traveling or a combination of both.

Youngest Competitor

• Adel Tankova (2000)

Oldest Competitor

• Alper Ucar (January 1985)

Longest Partnerships

• Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN) – since 1997
• Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitry Soloviev (OAR) – since 2000

Olympic birthdays

• February 19 – Anna Cappellini (ITA)
• February 22 – Alex Gamelin (KOR)
• February 23 – Evan Bates (USA)
• February 24 – Madison Hubbell (USA)
• February 25 – Andrew Poje (CAN)

Citizenship awarded in 2017

• Alex Gamelin (Korea; born in United States)
• Kirill Khaliavin (Spain; born in Russia)
• Marie-Jade Lauriault (France; born in Canada)
• Courtney Mansourova (Czech Republic; born in Canada)
• Tiffany Zagorski (Russia, representing OAR; born in Great Britain)

Olympic Experience

Third Olympics – 2010, 2014, 2018

• Evan Bates (USA) (Emily Samuelson – 2010; Madison Chock – 2014, 2018)
• Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitry Soloviev (OAR)
• Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)
• Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR)
• Chris Reed (JPN) (Cathy Reed – 2010, 2014; Kana Muramoto – 2018)
• Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)

Second Olympics – 2014, 2018

• Alisa Agafonova & Alper Ucar (TUR)
• Madison Chock (USA)
• Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA)
• Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)
• Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

2018 Coaches Who Are Olympians

Fabian Bourzat (FRA) (Nathalie Pechalat 2006, 2010, 2014)

• Courtney Mansourova & Michal Ceska (CZE)
• Yura Min & Alex Gamelin (KOR)
• Alexandra Nazarova & Maxim Nikitin (UKR)

Pasquale Camerlengo (ITA) (Stefania Calegari 1992) / (Diana Gerencser 1998)                            
Anjelika Krylova (RUS) (Oleg Ovsyannikov 1998)

• Alisa Agafonova & Alper Ucar (TUR)
• Shiyue Wang & Xinyu Liu (CHN)

Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon (CAN) (2002, 2006)

• Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA)
• Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac (FRA)
• Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron (FRA)
• Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)

Barbara Fusar-Poli (ITA) (Maurizio Margaglio 1998, 2002, 2006)

• Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA)
• Lucie Mysliveckova & Lukas Csolley (SVK)

Galit Chait Moracci (ISR) (Sergei Sakhnovski 1998, 2002, 2006)

• Adel Tankova & Ronald Zilberberg (ISR)

Nikolai Morozov (BLR) (Tatania Navka 1998)

• Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

Sylwia Nowak-Trębacka (POL) (Sebastian Kolasinski 1998, 2002)

• Natalia Kaliszek & Maksym Spodyriev (POL)

Massimo Scali (ITA) (Federica Faiella 2002, 2006, 2010)

• Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)

Alexander Zhulin (OAR) (Maya Usova EUN 1992, RUS 1994)

• Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitry Soloviev (OAR)
• Sara Hurtado & Kirill Khaliavin (ESP)

Ice Chips

• Yuna Kim, the 2010 Olympic Champion, is an honorary ambassador for the Games.
• Evan Bates was elected Captain of the USA Figure Skating Team by his teammates.
• Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir were chosen to carry the Canadian flag at the Opening Ceremonies
• Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac (FRA) are a married couple.
• Anna Cappellini (ITA) is married to Ondrej Hotarek, an Italian pairs skater also competing in Pyeongchang. 
• There are seven sets of siblings on the U.S. Olympic Team including ice dancers Maia & Alex Shibutani.
• Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN) are the only returning Olympic medalists in the individual event.
• Virtue & Moir and Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitry Soloviev (OAR) were on medal-winning teams in 2014.
• Invited Russian ice dancers, Bobrova & Soloviev and Tiffany Zagorski & Jonathan Guerreiro, will compete as Olympic Athletes from Russia, or OAR.

Facts & Figures

• North and South Korea will march in the Opening Ceremonies under a unified flag.
• A white tiger (Soohorang) and an Asiatic black bear (Bandabi) are the official mascots.
• The National Hockey League (NHL) will not participate in the 2018 Olympics for the first time since 1998.
• An estimated 2,800 athletes from 90 countries will compete at the 2018 Games.
• A record 102 medals will be awarded in seven sports.
• The 2018 medals are the heaviest in history (gold, 1.29 pounds; silver, 1.28 pounds; bronze, 1.09 pounds).