Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje won in Moscow their second Grand Prix event of the season – and, doing so, they’re the only ice dance team with two gold medals qualified for the Final in Barcelona. This is a detailed (photo) account of their presence in Moscow this season – from practice sessions to their Strauss short dance, and from their touching free dance to the exhibition program, set to “Kissing You” by Des’ree. This is them, the golden Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, as seen through the lens of Natasha Ponarina.
November 20. Practice session in Luzhniki arena. It’s 9:30 in the morning – and Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje take the ice for a final polish of their short dance, set to the famous music of Johann Strauss the Son. The chosen musical pieces are to die for – you must have heard them at least once in your life: “The Blue Danube” and “Annen-Polka, Op. 117”.
November 20, 16:00 p.m. It’s time for the Canadians’ short dance. I’ve told you that already – but I’m going to say it again: watching Kaitlyn and Andrew skate their Strauss short dance is like watching the New Year’s Concert in Vienna over and over again (and not only on January 1 – lucky us). A feast for the eyes and ears that program is – one that made a great impression on the famous Tatiana Tarasova, commentating the event for a Russian TV channel. “Oceni harasho”, we heard her saying during the dance, praising the program and the costumes. A truly golden waltz that was, skated with ease, and musicality, and joy, and enthusiasm. You don’t have to trust me – just look at their faces. Kaitlyn and Andrew’s scores? 69.49 points – a Seasons Best for them.
November 20, in the afternoon. Glimpses from the press conference after the Short Dance. Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje have won this particular segment of the ice dancing event – and they were followed by Italy’s Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte (67.82 points) and Russia’s Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (63.63 points).
November 21, 15:00 p.m. Free Dance. Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje take the ice for their free dance, set to music by Max Richter (“On the Nature of Daylight”) and Ludovico Einaudi (“Walk”, “Run”) – and choreographed by Peter Tchernyshev. Once again, a brilliant performance from the two (“Katusha and Andrusha”, as they were affectionately nicknamed on a poster fan in Luzhniki arena) – one that is rewarded with 104.09 points. With a total score of 173.58 points, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje take the crown in Moscow – the first time they win this particular GP event (in their third participation).
November 22. Victory ceremony in Luzhniki arena. It’s gold for Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje in Moscow, their third gold this season, after the ones they got at Finlandia Trophy and Skate Canada. They’re accompanied on the podium – that joyful, happy podium – by Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte (silver) and Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (bronze).
November 22. The exhibition. This season, Kaitlyn and Andrew’s exhibition program is set to “Kissing You” by Des’ree – gorgeous pictures to follow.
November 22, 15:30 p.m. The end. The gold medalists at this year’s edition of Rostelecom Cup share a good laugh – and a picture. From left to right: Spain’s Javier Fernandez, Russia’s Elena Radionova, Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov – and Canada’s Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje.
