No clowning around for German pairs
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GERMANY'S Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy dressed as clowns but there was no messing around as their tricky short program gave them the lead in the pairs event at the European championships in Tallinn, Estonia, on Tuesday.
Their delicate interpretation of 'Send in the Clowns' brought the packed arena to its feet and earned them 74.12 points, to lead Russia's Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov by 0.2 points ahead of the free program.
The Germans, seeking their fourth successive continental crown, embraced in delight at the end of their routine while fans banged drums and burst into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to celebrate Savchenko's 26th birthday.
Last year's silver medallists Kavaguti and Smirnov received higher technical marks than the Germans but a slight fumble at the end of a lift cost them. Fellow Russians Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov were third on 73.54.
With so little separating the top three, Szolkowy said it would help motivate them for the next day.
"It pushes us for tomorrow to do better, to make not half a point but maybe a big point or two points," he said. "We are happy to be in front."
In the ice dance, Russian world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin raised the temperature in the otherwise cold arena with a passionate performance that gave them a big lead.
Shunning the traditional sequin-riddled costumes, they sparkled with their footwork on their way to a personal best 42.78 points in the compulsory dance, nearly five points more than compatriots and holders Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski in second (37.87). Italians Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali were third, just a fraction behind on 37.47 and British siblings Sinead and John Kerr were fourth on 36.76.
All the skaters danced the prescribed tango romantica with the same steps and holds but the Russians showed why they are favorites for gold at next month's Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.
Domnina said there was still room for improvement.
"We are satisfied with it but not 100 percent. Maybe 90 percent," Domnina, who wore a red dress with a tiny patch of sparkle on the back, told reporters.
"We looked into each other's eyes and showed true passion. The role of the strong, courageous man suits Maxim very well."
There are still two more parts of the ice dance competition.
Before the final pairs event, the men will compete in the short program in what promises to be an intriguing battle between holder Brian Joubert of France and comeback kids Yevgeny Plushenko and Stephane Lambiel.
Their delicate interpretation of 'Send in the Clowns' brought the packed arena to its feet and earned them 74.12 points, to lead Russia's Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov by 0.2 points ahead of the free program.
The Germans, seeking their fourth successive continental crown, embraced in delight at the end of their routine while fans banged drums and burst into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to celebrate Savchenko's 26th birthday.
Last year's silver medallists Kavaguti and Smirnov received higher technical marks than the Germans but a slight fumble at the end of a lift cost them. Fellow Russians Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov were third on 73.54.
With so little separating the top three, Szolkowy said it would help motivate them for the next day.
"It pushes us for tomorrow to do better, to make not half a point but maybe a big point or two points," he said. "We are happy to be in front."
In the ice dance, Russian world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin raised the temperature in the otherwise cold arena with a passionate performance that gave them a big lead.
Shunning the traditional sequin-riddled costumes, they sparkled with their footwork on their way to a personal best 42.78 points in the compulsory dance, nearly five points more than compatriots and holders Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski in second (37.87). Italians Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali were third, just a fraction behind on 37.47 and British siblings Sinead and John Kerr were fourth on 36.76.
All the skaters danced the prescribed tango romantica with the same steps and holds but the Russians showed why they are favorites for gold at next month's Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.
Domnina said there was still room for improvement.
"We are satisfied with it but not 100 percent. Maybe 90 percent," Domnina, who wore a red dress with a tiny patch of sparkle on the back, told reporters.
"We looked into each other's eyes and showed true passion. The role of the strong, courageous man suits Maxim very well."
There are still two more parts of the ice dance competition.
Before the final pairs event, the men will compete in the short program in what promises to be an intriguing battle between holder Brian Joubert of France and comeback kids Yevgeny Plushenko and Stephane Lambiel.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
