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Canada's Virtue-Moir win ice dance gold
Source: Agencies |
February 23, 2010, Tuesday
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Online Edition
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TESSA Virtue and Scott Moir's performance knocked the Russians right off their traditional spot atop the ice dance podium yesterday and earned the Canadian pair an Olympic gold medal.
For only the third time since ice dance became an Olympic sport in 1976, a Russian or Soviet couple did not win the dance gold.
"I'll probably wear it in the shower," Moir said of his medal. "I'm not going to take it off all week."
The Russians, reigning world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, had to settle for bronze behind two-time United States champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White, giving the United States back-to-back dance medals for the first time.
"North America has really come into its own in terms of ice dance," Davis said. "This Olympics is a little bit of a turning point again. It's really exciting to be a part of it."
Davis and White's silver was the 25th medal won by the US, matching its record set in 2006 for medals won at a Winter Olympics away from home. The Americans are guaranteed of passing that, because the US women's hockey team can do no worse than a silver medal.
Virtue's mouth dropped open when she saw their overall score of 221.57 and Moir jumped to his feet, screaming almost as loudly as the crowd. With Davis and White, second after the original dance, already done, Virtue and Moir knew the gold was as good as theirs, and spent a few extra minutes in Kiss and Cry, reveling in their moment.
When he finally got up to go backstage, Moir paused and stared at the Olympic rings above the runway.
After their victory lap, Moir jumped into the stands, then held up his medal so a few fans could get a closer look. But he and Virtue weren't ready to call it a night. They sprinted back onto the ice, holding up the Canadian flag.
"Right now, Vancouver is our favorite place to be," Virtue said. "It's been the perfect games."
Virtue and Moir's program was tender and sensual. Their gentle, slow start showcased their fine skating skills, their edges so quiet and smooth they appeared to be above the ice.
They had as much power and speed as those hockey players Moir is such a fan of, but it was displayed with balletic grace. Their combination spin seemed to go on forever, with many different positions and edge changes.
In one of their lifts, Virtue looked almost angelic, balancing on Moir's right thigh with her arms outstretched while he stayed in a deep-kneed spread eagle before she flipped down into his arms.
While Virtue and Moir were all softness and grace, Davis and White's "Phantom of the Opera" was big and bold. They used their music perfectly, flying across the ice in the fast part and using deep edges and soft knees to convey romance and lyricism in the slow parts.
Their lifts were done at breakneck speed yet with perfect control. On one, White flipped Davis over his shoulder so that she was facing the opposite direction. He then picked up his right leg and crossed it behind him as she opened her arms, that platform-like leg of his the only thing keeping her from plunging to the ice.
Their twizzles were perfectly synchronized, yet they never lost a second of their speed.
Their only flaw was a deduction, likely for an extended lift. But it wouldn't have made a difference in the final results.
Davis and White were well aware of what was at stake for the US Olympic team after passing a wall in the Olympic village celebrating all of the American medals.
"Every time you pass it, it seems like there are so many more," Davis said. "For us to be a part of that, it's really exciting."
Domnina and Shabalin's routine was very theatrical and highly entertaining. But ice dance has moved way beyond the theater it was 10 years ago. The sport now requires good, old-fashioned skating skills, power and innovation, and Domnina and Shabalin didn't quite have it.
For only the third time since ice dance became an Olympic sport in 1976, a Russian or Soviet couple did not win the dance gold.
"I'll probably wear it in the shower," Moir said of his medal. "I'm not going to take it off all week."
The Russians, reigning world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, had to settle for bronze behind two-time United States champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White, giving the United States back-to-back dance medals for the first time.
"North America has really come into its own in terms of ice dance," Davis said. "This Olympics is a little bit of a turning point again. It's really exciting to be a part of it."
Davis and White's silver was the 25th medal won by the US, matching its record set in 2006 for medals won at a Winter Olympics away from home. The Americans are guaranteed of passing that, because the US women's hockey team can do no worse than a silver medal.
Virtue's mouth dropped open when she saw their overall score of 221.57 and Moir jumped to his feet, screaming almost as loudly as the crowd. With Davis and White, second after the original dance, already done, Virtue and Moir knew the gold was as good as theirs, and spent a few extra minutes in Kiss and Cry, reveling in their moment.
When he finally got up to go backstage, Moir paused and stared at the Olympic rings above the runway.
After their victory lap, Moir jumped into the stands, then held up his medal so a few fans could get a closer look. But he and Virtue weren't ready to call it a night. They sprinted back onto the ice, holding up the Canadian flag.
"Right now, Vancouver is our favorite place to be," Virtue said. "It's been the perfect games."
Virtue and Moir's program was tender and sensual. Their gentle, slow start showcased their fine skating skills, their edges so quiet and smooth they appeared to be above the ice.
They had as much power and speed as those hockey players Moir is such a fan of, but it was displayed with balletic grace. Their combination spin seemed to go on forever, with many different positions and edge changes.
In one of their lifts, Virtue looked almost angelic, balancing on Moir's right thigh with her arms outstretched while he stayed in a deep-kneed spread eagle before she flipped down into his arms.
While Virtue and Moir were all softness and grace, Davis and White's "Phantom of the Opera" was big and bold. They used their music perfectly, flying across the ice in the fast part and using deep edges and soft knees to convey romance and lyricism in the slow parts.
Their lifts were done at breakneck speed yet with perfect control. On one, White flipped Davis over his shoulder so that she was facing the opposite direction. He then picked up his right leg and crossed it behind him as she opened her arms, that platform-like leg of his the only thing keeping her from plunging to the ice.
Their twizzles were perfectly synchronized, yet they never lost a second of their speed.
Their only flaw was a deduction, likely for an extended lift. But it wouldn't have made a difference in the final results.
Davis and White were well aware of what was at stake for the US Olympic team after passing a wall in the Olympic village celebrating all of the American medals.
"Every time you pass it, it seems like there are so many more," Davis said. "For us to be a part of that, it's really exciting."
Domnina and Shabalin's routine was very theatrical and highly entertaining. But ice dance has moved way beyond the theater it was 10 years ago. The sport now requires good, old-fashioned skating skills, power and innovation, and Domnina and Shabalin didn't quite have it.
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