The figure skating ice dance is a combination of the rhythm dance and free dance. I didn't see the rhythm dance, but they set them off for the second component in reverse order (worst to best in other words). In the free dance there are three required lifts and then they can add in other stuff which gives them scope for creativity. There are ringside kids who skate onto the ice and pick up any flowers or bouquets that are chucked at the performers by the audience. While they await their results, the dancers sit at a panel with boxes of tissues to hand. Should we be alarmed by the Puff Tissues sponsorship?
Spain are beautiful and smooth; not overly complex or difficult, but charming like grey and white swans gliding across the ice.
Sweden dance to 'our tune' from Romeo and Juliet - there's a lot of that this year, apparently. There's also a lot of being on their knees. He's in black; she's in red; she stands on his legs as he lifts her - lots of tender holds, waving arms and rotating heads. We're informed this is the tragic tale told backwards so they die at the start and meet with a kiss at the end. Fair enough. This is the first Swedish team ever to represent at ice dance, and they incorporate a choreographic hydroblade move which sounds impressive, but only gets them 97.74, which comes in last, so what do I know?
Australia wearing different shades of sparkly blue dance to Claire de Lune with a routine intended to indicate the excitement of a new relationship. I think it's pretty but dull, but the commentator says it was 'flawless; sensitive and complex'. This may be bias, as they are the third Australian ice dance team ever to perform on the Olympic stage, and they receive a score of 108.64, which puts them into 18th place.
The Czech pairing do a sort of flamenco dance with elements of Paso Doble. It is dramatic and compelling; she almost overpowers him, but he does have good partnering skills, and they receive a score of 109.35.
The first of the GBR teams wear champagne bodice and tweed trousers. They also dance to a Romeo and Juliet theme, displaying a range of emotions through their storytelling and lifts. With devastating insight the female commentator explains, 'That's a straight-line lift because it goes in a straight line'. 106.99 for them.
Canada rock a Cleopatra-inspired dance with lots of cross-legged positions and some up-tempo modern moves, including an inventive chin-lift. The second half of the routine is bolder and more dynamic causing the male commentator to quip, "It went from Cleopatra to Cleopatra comin' at'cha". 112.83
The second Czech couple take their theme from The Matrix and dance the characters of Neo and Trinity apparently - I have to take the commentators' word for it as I have never seen the film. There are lots of shapes (and her dramatic catsuit accentuates them all) as she skates between his legs and they range from various levels from ground to lift. I think it's pretty cool and quite different. The judges award it 109.67 (which is 0.32 more than their compatriots).
Balance and strength are on display when Georgia take to the ice in glowing red outfits and perform a calm and fluid sequence to the classy chords of Mussorgsky's cello piece. earning them a score of 118.57.
Next up, in another flowing red dress, Finland offer a change in power dynamic to tell the very real story of the exploitation of women in the skating scene through the medium of tango on ice. The female commentator says, "It was a dance that makes you think"; the male commentator says, quoting Bertolt Brecht, "Art is not a mirror held up to society but a hammer with which to shape it. Art doesn't always have to make you feel comfortable. Sometimes the discomfort can lead to reflection and societal change. That was brave." I thought it was excellent. The judges thought it was 118.07 (11th in this part of the competition; 13th when combined with the score from the other discipline).
The dynamic duo from the USA have based their dance on Perfume: The Story of a Murder, and she wears a pale pink frock covered in roses which bleed from her neck. The descriptors are 'Horrible, haunting and beautiful all at the same time"; the verdict is 119.47.
A second Spanish team use a fabulous, theatrical piece that captures the zeitgeist of Dune. There are spins with crossed legs, controlled slides and spiky backwards lifts as her costume is a flowing sandstorm and his is a military blue. We are told that all of these dancers have to find their own creative identity - the judges (and the crowd) clearly like this one and their score of 122.98 end up putting them in sixth place in this discipline (their tenth in the other half leads them to finish in ninth overall).
Another Canadian couple perform something to do with Rudolph Nureyev from The White Crow. It's all delightful synchronicity and endlessly smooth spins in black and white sombre garb: serene and sensitive and 120.14
This French team are dancing to music by Bjork because she is a unique artist and it matches their style, apparently. Their blue outfits resemble a wave, and their character step sequence is described as being avant-garde with a strong classical underpinning. 121.43
Next up, Lithuania, who execute a big and bold routine to the techno tune God is a DJ. She's in a black and gold catsuit; they pull out the rave moves and the crowd love it, clapping along and cheering away - it's a fun programme. 121.73
The USA team perform yet another routine to a Romeo and Juliet theme. We are told that it incorporates a dead spin and is highly technical, but I'm just a bit over it all. 123.19
The Italians present us with a diamante-encrusted homage to Italian fashion and a narrative of togetherness - he trips on a twizzle, but they still get 125.3 from the judges.
In true British style, expectation weighs heavily on Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson - their Spice Girl routine in the rhythm dance was scorching leaving them in fourth place, and their Scottish-themed offering is highly anticipated. They dance with confident and highly entertaining Highland Fling elements to a medley of Auld Lang Syne, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and The Proclaimers as they stomp and twirl in tartan. But them there is a twizzle error and despite a fantastic recovery, she is devastated and their score of 118.95 sends them tumbling down to 12th place in this section and leaves them in 7th overall.
Canada secure a bronze medal with their Starry Night vibe of dramatic tempo changes and speedy spins. I particularly like their impressionist outfits and sensational sunflower earrings, which may not be the entire point. 131.56
No further change in the silver medal position either as the USA skate to Pant it Black with a bullfighting motif. With constant movement and detail, she is the matador (her skirt is the cape) and he is the bull. It is passionate and technical and the female commentator opines, "Sometimes this is whether you like apples or oranges. They can both be good." 134.67
France win the competition coming first in both sections. They are gloriously elegant in their teal outfits with lifts and spins evocative of their 'Whales' theme. The creative movement is smooth and exquisite as if navigating water in a conceptual interpretation. The female commentator seems a little disgruntled claiming that it is an insular performance. "It is about them, and we're watching it so it's not an outward piece in my view." The judges disagree and the couple gain 135.64 points.
