The Pacific Coliseum has been the host to some terrific sporting action so far at these Winter Games – but in the great tradition of all quality dramas, the best is yet to come.
The Pacific Coliseum has been the host to some terrific sporting action so far at these Winter Games – but in the great tradition of all quality dramas, the best is yet to come.
The scene of pulsating action in the short track speed skating, the Coliseum saw its own drama on Thursday night when Russian red hot favourite Evgeni Plushenko was defeated for the gold medal by American Evan Lysacek in the men’s figure skating. Sparking judging controversy
Whilst the ladies figure skating, featuring Australia’s Cheltzie Lee will commence on Tuesday night (Vancouver time), and is expected to be dominated by the Koreans, the Ice Dancing event tonight is sure to create international headlines.
In fact it will be so big, that American broadcaster NBC will broadcast this event live as opposed to the USA v Canada ice hockey match, which any local will tell you, is THE event of these Winter Games.
So what is ice dancing?
Ice Dancing involves 24 couples who compete in all three segments. Those segments are Compulsory Dance, Original Dance and Free Dance.
The International Skating Union determines the rhythms that are required to be performed by each couple – but the rest is pretty much a free expression that is often seen as a highlight of artistic endeavour and control on the ice.
The music is also a matter of personal taste and style, but always fiercely discussed.
For the Original Dance, the music must be no longer than 2 minutes and 40 seconds and no shorter than 2 minutes and 20 seconds. For the Free Dance, it is to last between 4 minutes and 4 minutes and 20 seconds.
And then there’s the costumes…confronting, shocking, elaborate but always interesting and controversial, it seems as much work goes into selecting material, design and colours for costumes as do the routines themselves.
So talented are these dancers it is hard to comprehend at times that these athletes are performing on ice with skates that are a couple of millimetres wide – their graceful gliding and ability stop and prop seemingly at will normally enough to impress even the most armchair of critics.
One thing is for sure about the ice dancing program at Pacific Coliseum – those lucky enough to be there and for those watching on television will certainly have plenty to talk about.
Damien Kelly
AOC - Vancouver