Denney/Coughlin appreciation thread

[Sit_spin]

Has it ever been confirmed that they're dating?

[reroemer]

Congratulations to Caydee and John for their 4cc's silver medal.

[johndockley92]

Has it ever been confirmed that they're dating?

They're definitely dating.

[Sit_spin]

I honestly can't wait to see what they do at Worlds!

[julieann]

They're definitely dating.

I wonder what happens if they ever break up as a couple? Does the skating suffer?

[Subway]

I wonder what happens if they ever break up as a couple? Does the skating suffer?

I've always thought the dangers in that have been overstated. I read somewhere that Brasseur/Eisler dated and when it was over it never seemed to hurt their partnership. I bet conflicts over skating - things like training mindset, effort, choking, putting a program together and that stuff does more damage to romantic relationships than the romantic relationship or break-up does to skating. If the team works well together on ice I'd imagine they'll continue to do so, a few couples of legend notwithstanding. If skaters are like the rest of us, I'd bet a few teams have "dated" and then not dated without the public knowing about it or the team being hurt.

I don't want to like Denny/Coughlin but I do. One fan described a natural kind of joy in their skating that's evident. I thought that's well said. They're not ice dancers. At their best, they're speedy and athletic with a pretty high level of difficulty. Sure it would be great if she had Elena Bereshnaya's refinements but with pairs power and athleticism are important. I'm not too fussed about her positions in the lifts, especially as I don't think they're nearly as bad as some people claim. And some of it is her build. She's not a gamine or ballerina in build and there's nothing wrong with that. That's going to make her lines less transparent than some more sylphlike pairs women.

[kwanette]

I like them a lot together, they have great energy and connection, and I greatly appreciate the way John tries to mentor younger up and coming pairs. May all good things come to Caydee and John!

^This.

Glad that this thread was started.

I find this team very exciting. If they aren't Gordeeva and Grinkov, that's ok with me.

And I love John. He is one of the nicest people in the sport.

[julieann]

I've always thought the dangers in that have been overstated. I read somewhere that Brasseur/Eisler dated and when it was over it never seemed to hurt their partnership. I bet conflicts over skating - things like training mindset, effort, choking, putting a program together and that stuff does more damage to romantic relationships than the romantic relationship or break-up does to skating. If the team works well together on ice I'd imagine they'll continue to do so, a few couples of legend notwithstanding. If skaters are like the rest of us, I'd bet a few teams have "dated" and then not dated without the public knowing about it or the team being hurt.

I guess you're right I forgot about them. Maybe it's not a big deal.

I don't want to like Denny/Coughlin but I do. One fan described a natural kind of joy in their skating that's evident. I thought that's well said. They're not ice dancers. At their best, they're speedy and athletic with a pretty high level of difficulty. Sure it would be great if she had Elena Bereshnaya's refinements but with pairs power and athleticism are important. I'm not too fussed about her positions in the lifts, especially as I don't think they're nearly as bad as some people claim. And some of it is her build. She's not a gamine or ballerina in build and there's nothing wrong with that. That's going to make her lines less transparent than some more sylphlike pairs women.

I never did like B/S for some reason, they always seemed to vacant but I do like how athletic D/C are, I hope they keep that style, but she does need to work on her posture.

[Sylvia]

I'm not fond at all of that first position in the final lift in D/C's FS (photo linked in the post above) or the positions that follow. I think Caydee's best looking lift this season is the one in the SP when she finishes in the platter position.

They and their coach seem aware of what they need to work on both for the remainder of this season and in the off season: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

[aftershocks]

^This.

Glad that this thread was started.

I find this team very exciting. If they aren't Gordeeva and Grinkov, that's ok with me.

And I love John. He is one of the nicest people in the sport.

Thanks for sharing that about John, kwanette and Yazmeen. Right now, I enjoy watching M/B more than D/C, as well as the young up-and-coming US teams of D/S, C/R (some of the jr. US pairs teams are also looking very promising). I am glad that Caydee let her hair down for the fp. I think the bun makes her look unrecognizable and sorta like a clone of "idealized, lyrical" female pairs skater, which is definitely not her style. With her hair down, Caydee's unique flair shines (she could benefit by getting some help toning down and refining her makeup). The unique thing about D/C is their energy and excitement in skating together, and their solid overall pairs skills. But I don't feel their sp this season suits their style, altho' maybe it helped them to start out together somewhat conservatively with music and choreo in order to gain a comfortable foundation together while attempting to please the judges. If they can step it up and find a better on-ice identity while building on their strengths (similar to how Ina & Zimmerman were able to develop a strong partnership and a unique on-ice look), yes of course, D/C don't need to aspire to be G/G.

I guess you're right I forgot about them. Maybe it's not a big deal.
I never did like B/S for some reason, they always seemed to vacant but I do like how athletic D/C are, I hope they keep that style, but she does need to work on her posture.

I did like watching B/S, but they tended to falter in big moments, and although they always skated beautifully, they often seemed to lack passion and excitement.

Re that fp photo of Caydee in final lift: Aaaargh!

I'm not fond at all of that position in the final lift in D/C's FS (photo linked in the post above). I think Caydee's best looking lift this season is the one in the SP when she finishes in the platter position.

They and their coach seem aware of what they need to work on in the off season: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

Thanks for the link, Sylvia. What they said re their sp selection this year, echoes what I thought.

[olympic]

I'm not fond at all of that first position in the final lift in D/C's FS (photo linked in the post above) or the positions that follow. I think Caydee's best looking lift this season is the one in the SP when she finishes in the platter position.

They and their coach seem aware of what they need to work on both for the remainder of this season and in the off season: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

Yes. The article mentions Dalilah using words like 'line' and 'extension' so I'm hopeful. However, these issues are chronic with Caydee, so I think it will take a lot of hard work. In the same IN article, Caydee goes on to talk about technical ambitions, so I hope it's easy to keep her focused on 'line' and 'extension' - probably a better way to get points and less stress than quad twists and throws

[Sylvia]

I definitely appreciate Caydee's revamped triple twist technique. It's really an outstanding twist. They have a great catch, and John's on one foot, which not enough teams do. While they need more intricacy in future programs and should try to find lift positions that suit her better (more flexibility would obviously help, but I don't think she's as inflexible as she's coming across)

I wonder if Caydee lacks flexibility in her back and in general due to her build or other factors? If so, how much can she really improve (with ballet, specific exercises, etc.) in order to attain more attractive lift positions? Are attractive lift positions (beyond pointed toes) more about flexibility or core strength?

The Four Continents field is pretty thin this year, so solid programs would put them in great shape.

Good call!

[Subway]

See, I think Caydee has a beautiful arched back. She could get more amplitute in her legs in different positions that she hits, straighten the knee in lifts a bit more, but I can't quarrel with her posture.

They are a bit of a throwback to some former American and Canadian teams - that kind of athletic, unpretentious, fun, charming style. As much as Caitlyn Yanakowskas is talented, I think Denny is just as talented an athlete, and she and John do have compatible performance styles, and a natural connection that helps their programs flow.