I've been following the progress of Flores/Jepsen with the eye of one just learning to appreciate ice dancing. In videos of the duo's most recent competition I was able to find (I couldn't locate anything from Santa Claus Cup), my untrained eye noted a couple of stumbles. spotted stumbles. The Warsaw commentator noted that their performance was technically difficult and physically challenging -- and just beautiful. She also noted that their dance didn't include any Level 5 elements. For Nationals, is it likely that they'll incorporate a higher level element to improve their score? It seems quite an accomplishment to have done sufficiently well to participate in Nationals so early in their partnership; will skating cleanly with the current RD and FD be sufficient for now? And what might be next for this pair since they train in France with a French coach? As they strive toward the highest levels in the sport, and as representatives of the US, at what point would they need to relocate to the US, and with which coach -- if you can speculate.
Hello you! Firstly, really appreciate the thoughtfulness in this question.
Their CS Warsaw performance was a decent showing but the mistakes were costly.
The biggest elements in ice dance - Twizzles, combi lifts and step sequences. Both Linus and Bella have blundered the Twizzles and they have big consequences on scores - we're talking like -5 from downgraded level and a negative GOE. Bella is typically strong in lifts, especially very technical ones. While Linus has been improving, he has stumbled in some. I see some attempts to improve the levels ie. Balance on one leg to increase the difficulty, but the consistency is not there and there always was some goe deduction, which indicates to me it's too technically difficult for them at the moment. I've seen them get a base pattern step score or level 2s on some serpentine step sequence.
I'm not sure how many of you follow ice dance politics but 👀 it's tough when even an OGM is complaining about not getting his levels. Very weird area to be in right now. I won't comment on more except Bella and Linus do not have a powerful school nor an existing reputation to carry them.
If I were coaching (take this with a grain of salt; I do not skate), I would not recommend Bella and Linus to up their TES just yet. Nailing this consistently and focusing on not getting the deductions would be my focus. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the RD. The FD is beautiful but not "extraordinary" like the west side story program Bella previously had. Just to keep it in perspective, I believe Bella's previous partnership took a shorter period to gel and they also qualified for nationals in their first season. The reason why watching Bella and Linus is difficult for me is because I know Bella can do much better - she used to be getting higher scores, she can execute more complex elements but she's being limited by her current circumstance (partner, coach, fed, packaging). I estimate Linus and Bella to be 14-15th place, which is sad because she doesn't belong there.
You don't have to relocate to the US to achieve greater success. I'd argue that Canada is the hottest right now 😂
I prefer CSG's packaging over WASA's by a mile. The current coaching is adequate but given the circumstance, she would remain mid to lower pack within USFS if she continues this way. So no gp assignments, fighting for challengers with minimal chances of a medal and having to qualify for nats every year, with the added pressure of rising junior teams. There's no longevity in her current career position and I would move feds and schools. That's just my personal take.
I loved your question, and you're welcome to message me 😊