Interesting findings looking closely at the top 7 team’s execution of step 9 of the Midnig

Interesting findings looking closely at the top 7 team’s execution of step 9 of the Midnight Blues, the RBO leg tuck. As you would expect the 4 best teams when it comes to skating skills (P/C, S/K, H/D, G/F) have the correct RBO edge. However, S/K & G/F’s execution is superior. Not surprisingly the 3 weaker teams skating skills wise (S/B, G/P, C/B) all had flat RBO edge attempts. S/B actually have one of the closest Kilian holds, but Vanya’s edge attempt is actually the weakest. C/B have the weakest & furthest apart “Kilian” hold if you can even call it that.

I already explained what made S/K’s execution of step 9 excellent & frankly the best execution by any team of just specifically this step ever here. Power, deep knee bend, deep edges, close & creative hold, matching lines, controlled free legs, etc.

G/F don’t have as much personal flair as S/K, but they have the best traditional execution. Correct Wd-RFI (Charlene) & deep Wd-LBI (Marco) in step 9a. Smooth RFI-Three Turn from Charlene, clear RBO edges, close Kilian hold, matching free legs in unison on the leg tuck in step 9b.

H/D try to go for a creative variation with Madi going around Zach, but the execution is sloppy as a result. Zach cheats the Wd-LBI in step 9a. Both Madi & Zach manage a shallow RBO & close hold in step 9b, but their free legs in the leg tuck are at different heights & angles.

Gabi like Vika has very neat & controlled free leg & arm movements already in the RFI-Three Turn even before the RBO leg tuck. Gui also shows a deep Wd-LBI in step 9a unlike Zach. Like H/D they manage a shallow RBO, but their free legs are unmatched in the leg tuck in step 9b.

H/D & P/C both have the same problem of different free leg heights & angles in the leg tuck. H/D are closer in hold than P/C though. Madi & Gabi’s free legs are higher above the knee & behind the skating leg, which is a creative choice, while Zach & Gui try traditional leg tuck. Free leg is supposed to be just below the skating knee like Zach/Gui (Zach’s position should be tighter & closer to skating leg though). Teams do have creative liberty for different variations. However, both partners should either go for traditional or creative to avoid unison issues.

Sasha has correct Wd-RFI & Vanya has correct Wd-LBI in step 9a, their Kilian hold is very close, & their free legs match in the leg tuck in step 9b. However, both, especially Vanya, have very flat RBO edge attempts. 

Piper’s Wd-RFI is fine, but Paul’s Wd-LBI is flat in step 9a. Both have flat RBO edge attempts in step 9b. Their free legs do match in the leg tuck, but their Kilian hold isn’t as close as S/B. It is closer & more established than C/B’s though. 

Madi Wd-RFI is flat, her RFI-Three Turn is wobbly, & her RBO is flat. Since both entry & exit edge are flat, I wouldn’t even consider it a 3 turn, but simply a change of direction. Evan Wd-LBI is correct, but his RBO is flat. Their free legs in leg tuck match, but their fake one arm “hold” is the furthest apart & worst.