http://www.sochi2014.com/en/figure-skating-team-ice-dance-free-dance
The various turns you will see in these step sequences have been discussed in this entry:
http://icedanceanalysts.blogspot.ca/2013/11/to-everything-turn-turn-turn-turns-in.html
Let's have a look at the step sequences for these two teams, keeping in mind that the judges are looking for distinct edges (they have to be sure the skater is on the required edge--edge quality is accounted for in GOEs):
We'll first look at the requirements for the circular and diagonal step sequences for the free dance, both of which are done in hold.
Here is the circular step sequence for the team that finished first in this segment of the event, Meryl Davis/Charlie White for which they received a level 3.
Davis /White likely did not receive credit for their rocker. Davis’s blade goes flat on the entry edge when it should remain a right forward outside edge throughout.
In the diagonal, White placed his blade on a flat for the exit edge of the first choctaw (beginning of diagonal step sequence) instead of a right back outside edge. We are surprised they received credit for this turn.
On the rocker, it appears Davis’s blade was barely on a right forward outside edge for her exit edge.
Let's have a look at the lift requirements.
They struggled in transitioning into the rotational portion of this lift, but that would affect GOEs as they still completed the requirements for a level 4 for the first part of the combination lift. The main problem occurs on White’s rotations for the second part of this lift. After 5 rotations, White stops his rotation and therefore does not complete the 6 rotations necessary from the lifting partner for a rotational lift to be deemed level 4. We were surprised they received a level 4 for this lift.
Virtue/Moir had a bit of a struggle getting into the straight line lift, which resulted in lower GOEs. They did however meet the requirements for a level 4 straight line lift, with Virtue leaning out forwards with her support point being her leg and Moir transitioning from a spread eagle (on a straight line) to a one foot position. The creative/difficult entry is Virtue’s “significant transitional movement…to reach and establish the desired pose”.
Let's have a look at their circular step sequence for which they received a level 3:
In the circular step sequence, perhaps the panel felt that Virtue did not show a distinct enough forward outside edge which is required as the exit edge for this choctaw.
And here is their diagonal step sequence for which they received a level 2:
In the diagonal, we believe it was Virtue's counter (entry edge) and her choctaw (exit edge) in the first section of the sequence that caused them to go down to a level 2.
On the counter, perhaps the technical panel felt Virtue didn't hold the right back inside long enough for the entry edge.
On the choctaw, it appears Virtue places her blade on a bit of a flat or barely an outside edge before quickly leaning onto the right back outside edge that is required for this choctaw.
What did you think of the ice dance portion of the team event? Let us know in the comments section!
