This comedic routine was followed by a more classic performance from current bronze winner Johnny Weir. His routine was followed by a three-time European Championship female skater Surya Bonaly and two-time World Championship-winning pair skaters. Both performances were slow in tempo and artistic, as one would typically imagine a figure skating routine to be.
Stereotypes and expectations were pleasantly broken, however, when Irena Grigorian took to the ice. More of an acrobat than a skater, Grigorian performed a Catwoman-themed routine while traveling around the rink in a human-size gerbil wheel - all while dangling by one foot and using her arms and acrobatics to propel the wheel forward. Skating legend Victor Petrenko also surprised the crowd with a cowboy-themed routine including a triple-triple jump combination. Olympic silver medalists Ben Agosto and his partner Tanith Belbin also wowed the crowd with a Justin Timberlake-inspired "SexyBack" routine that had male audience members whistling and stamping at the end of the performance.
Following intermission, world champions Marina Anissina and Gwendel Peizerat performed a circus-themed "Candyman" routine that included a lot of dance-y footwork that gave the routine its own style. Their performance was overshadowed, however, by the appearance of hometown favorite Kimmie Meissner, a Maryland native. Her performance was slow and beautiful, though slightly flawed as she attempted a double but recovered well with a single.
New U.S. men's champion Evan Lysacek and Olympic gold-winning pair Tatiana Totmianina and Maxi Marinin put on good shows following Meissner, but the crowd was not on its feet again until seeing Vladmir Besedin and Oleksiy Polishchuk finished their astounding ice acrobatics. The two men performed an amazing series of lifts and headstands on one another. At one point, Polishchuk balanced himself one-handed on Besedin's head.
The only skater capable of following such an act, World Championship and Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen closed the individual routines, perfectly executing a series of toe-touches and triple jumps to a soulful Christina Aguilera tune.
After Cohen's performance, much of the audience vacated the facility, despite the group performance, James Bond 007, which had yet to take place. While interesting, the synchronized skate that included all of the champions stretched on for ten minutes and was nowhere near as impressive as the individual routines themselves. Future attendees are encouraged to follow suit and skip this segment of Champions on Ice next year.
Stereotypes and expectations were pleasantly broken, however, when Irena Grigorian took to the ice. More of an acrobat than a skater, Grigorian performed a Catwoman-themed routine while traveling around the rink in a human-size gerbil wheel - all while dangling by one foot and using her arms and acrobatics to propel the wheel forward. Skating legend Victor Petrenko also surprised the crowd with a cowboy-themed routine including a triple-triple jump combination. Olympic silver medalists Ben Agosto and his partner Tanith Belbin also wowed the crowd with a Justin Timberlake-inspired "SexyBack" routine that had male audience members whistling and stamping at the end of the performance.
Following intermission, world champions Marina Anissina and Gwendel Peizerat performed a circus-themed "Candyman" routine that included a lot of dance-y footwork that gave the routine its own style. Their performance was overshadowed, however, by the appearance of hometown favorite Kimmie Meissner, a Maryland native. Her performance was slow and beautiful, though slightly flawed as she attempted a double but recovered well with a single.
New U.S. men's champion Evan Lysacek and Olympic gold-winning pair Tatiana Totmianina and Maxi Marinin put on good shows following Meissner, but the crowd was not on its feet again until seeing Vladmir Besedin and Oleksiy Polishchuk finished their astounding ice acrobatics. The two men performed an amazing series of lifts and headstands on one another. At one point, Polishchuk balanced himself one-handed on Besedin's head.
The only skater capable of following such an act, World Championship and Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen closed the individual routines, perfectly executing a series of toe-touches and triple jumps to a soulful Christina Aguilera tune.
After Cohen's performance, much of the audience vacated the facility, despite the group performance, James Bond 007, which had yet to take place. While interesting, the synchronized skate that included all of the champions stretched on for ten minutes and was nowhere near as impressive as the individual routines themselves. Future attendees are encouraged to follow suit and skip this segment of Champions on Ice next year.
