Last two JGP Final slots determined in Croatia
by Anne Calder
Zagreb, Croatia hosted the seventh and last 2015 Junior Grand Prix event. Eighteen teams from 15 countries competed with four teams vying for the last two tickets to Barcelona.
SHORT DANCE
Rachel Parsons & Michael Parsons (USA) waltzed off with the highest short dance score in the entire JGP series – 66.49. The program was choreographed to “Cinderella’s Departure for the Ball” by Sergei Prokofiev and earned five level 4 marks. The score was a personal best.
Anastasia Skoptcova & Kirill Aleshin (RUS) danced into second place with a Frank Sinatra vocal, “Somewhere My Love”. (Lara’s Theme from Doctor Zhivago) The spin, lift and both patterns earned level 4. The 60.80 score was a personal best.
Sofia Shevchenko & Igor Eremenko (RUS) chose a romantic ballad sung by Francois Feldman and a selection from the American disco band, Pure Energy for their third place dance. Both patterns and the lift earned level 4. The score was 57.80
Angelique Abachkina & Louis Thauron (FRA) were fourth after a selection from the ballet, Don Quixote choreographed by Igor Shpilband. Their five elements ranged from level 2 to 4. The team earned a personal best 56.46.
FREE DANCE
Rachel Parsons & Michael Parsons (USA) struck gold with a free dance to selections by Medialuna Tango Project. The tight, close, and fast twizzles earned level 4, seven 3s and 8.31 points; each Level 3 step sequences received 9.30 points. The siblings have bettered their previous total scores in each of their three straight ISU victories this season. Their free dance (94.30) and total (160.79) were personal best scores.
Anastasia Skoptcova & Kirill Aleshin (RUS) were 12 points behind the leaders, but won silver. The JGP ‘newbies’ danced an animated program to Iko Iko by Club des Belugas and earned a personal best 60.80. Their twizzles, lifts and spin earned level 4. The team was originally scheduled for just one JGP, but was chosen to start at Croatia after the event in Spain. Their total 148.75 was a personal best score.
Sofia Shevchenko & Igor Eremenko (RUS) were fourth in the free dance to selections from The Pink Panther soundtrack and earned a personal best 86.07 score. They held on to third place over all and won bronze. The Moscow-trained team also made its JGP debut in 2015. Their spin, lifts, and twizzles were level 4. The total 143.87 was a personal best score.
Angelique Abachkina & Louis Thauron (FRA) were third in the free dance with a personal best score (56.46) to the Spartacus soundtrack, but remained in fourth place. The lifts and twizzles earned level 4, while the footwork and combination spin were level 3. The total 142.85 were a personal best score.
ICE DANCERS QUALIFY FOR 2015 JGPF
1. (30) Lorraine McNamara & Quinn Carpenter (USA) – 321.94 *
2. (30) Rachel Parsons & Michael Parsons (USA) – 310.21 *
3. (28) Alia Loboda & Pavel Drozd (RUS) – 301.02 *
4. (28) Betina Popova & Yuri Vlasenko (RUS) – 297.29 *
5. (28) Marie-Jade Lauriault & Romain Le Gac (FRA) – 297.07
6. (24) Anastasia Skoptcova & Kirill Aleshin (RUS) – 290.36
* Competed in previous Junior Grand Prix Finals