Gregory and Petukhov to Debut New Blades in Japan
by Mikel Bowman |
| Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov |
(10/29/04) - Most elite skaters are constantly on the lookout for ways to add excitement and innovation to their routines. Typically this takes the form of added elements, new types of lifts and musical variety.
But ice dancers Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov aren't most skaters.
When Gregory and Petukhov, along with their coach and choreographer, Nikoli Morozov, began working on a new dance routine for the upcoming season, they knew they needed something different, something special. They wanted to do more than add elements and increase the level of difficulty – they wanted to create something that had never been seen before.
So, they developed their own blades.
Called the M&D Diamond blades (named for Melissa and Denis and their Diamond Dance routine), the new blades are similar to the Freedom blades worn by Michael Weiss, but with one major difference – the M&D Diamond blades have two curved edges on the heel, whereas the Freedom blades only have one.
“The two curved edges allow us to skate in a complete split position,” Gregory said, “as well as perform many more elements that aren't possible with other types of blades.”
Gregory and Petukhov worked closely with Ultima Blades on the design of the new technology, and began practicing on the new blades in June. After working out on them all summer, the dance team performed on them for the first time at an exhibition in Reading, Pa., and the crowd went wild.
The two will debut the blades for the first time competitively at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Japan, Nov. 4-7.
“When we found the music in June, we thought, ‘What is going to make this special?' We really wanted to do something that was going to stand out,” Gregory said. “These blades give a new dimension and interest to all types of footwork. It's something totally new and different from what everyone else is doing.”
Both Gregory and Petukhov admit they are still discovering all the moves that are possible with the new technology, and are interested to see what others will come up with as well. Though created by and for ice dancers, the M&D Diamond blade's design lends itself to all of the disciplines.
According to Gregory, synchronized skating teams might actually prove to be the greatest beneficiaries of the new blade, as it would eliminate many of the restrictions imposed by current blade technologies.
In the short-term though, Gregory and Petukhov are focusing on how the new blades will affect their own performance in Japan, where the new judging system, which allows room for bonus moves, will be used.
“We're hoping (the new moves) will fall into the bonus category, but we'll just have to wait and see,” Gregory said. “Mainly, we're just hoping to excite people. If we do that we'll have really accomplished something. We want to bring the sport to a new level.”
While the M&D Diamond blades are not yet in full production, they are available for order through Ultima.
Those interested in seeing the blades in action, be sure to catch highlights of the NHK Trophy, which will air Monday, Nov. 15 on ESPN from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
