Ice Dancing Revisited--What I Managed to Catch

Do we have post-Roman Empire barbarians? Looks like it to me! It's the Italian couple who fell on their keesters last night. She was pretty ticked at him last night, but this program seems to have gone well. They're wearing sort of maroon and light blue-grey, with gold. His tunic is vaguely reminiscent of a Roman Legionnaire, and she looks like a Barbarian Queen.

Ooh! Bolero! Oh, my gosh, what in the world are they wearing? He looks like a refugee from Macbeth, and she just looks like a refugee! Is this supposed to be "shabby chic?" Spangles and rags? I think this is the other Italian pair.

Ukrainians are next. In white, today. They're the ones who were in day-glo pink yesterday. She actually has great dollops of fringe hanging from her...um...frontal assets. They both have floppy bits hanging over their backsides. His top has no front, hers has no back, and no front either, except for the aforementioned fringe. They look as if they're trying to cover a lack of choreography with a lot of arm waving. I wish they could just flap on out of there!

I love the toreador outfit! This couple looks quite nice, though her dress is a bit raggy around the skirt. They are definitely going for a Flamenco effect. At least they have two sleeves each, and symmetry prevails. This is a Russian pair. He's the matador and she's the cape. Nice.

Here comes Bulgaria. I like their black and red colours, in spite of all the ragged wisps. These look very like ballet costumes. This is the third pair I've seen tonight where the man has trailing chiffon over his derriere. It must be the "in" thing this year. I always thought that, in skating, the woman wears the skirt, but I may just be old-fashioned.

The Americans. She looks like a flamenco dancer. I mean, really! No wisps. I'm very impressed. Once again, black and red. She has eschewed the bimbo look. No evil designer here. They're about to bring us home a medal for the first time in 30 years in this event. Not gold, apparently the Russians have that all sewed up, but silver or bronze, depending on this French couple.

French pair up next. Black and red must be the power colours this year. The costumes are very theatrical. Symmetrical is good. And no rags.

Of the skaters I've seen tonight, and I missed the beginning, this French pair and the Americans have, without a doubt, the best costumes. You've got to know that French costuming would be good.

So, it's Russia with the gold, America with the silver, and Ukraine with bronze. Congratulations to all!

The announcer said earlier, when Miss Fringy-Bits took the ice, that the rules say that the costumes should be athletic in nature, though they may express the mood of the music. I have to say that there is nothing athletic about these costumes. They are strictly artsy in nature. It's no wonder that ice dancing has trouble being taken seriously as an Olympic event. I think a good step in the right direction would be a stricter adherence to the phrase "athletic in nature," when selecting costumes.