Gretchen Donlan/Andrew Speroff appreciation thread

[Sit_spin]

I thought it was high time somebody started a thread about this awesome team!

They are amazing, and I really hope they stick together for a long time.

[shan]

[UMBS Go Blue]

[hippychick]

Really love this team and they have so much more potential then they showed at Skate America. Hoping it was just first time nerves of skating at their first Senior Grand Prix. They obviously need to make jumps their priority. although I did see them landing their jumps in practice. not sure what it is going to take to transfer that to their performances.

Surprised that their throws were soo off, the throws that they did during the practices at Skate America were gorgeous, amoung the biggest and the best of all the teams. Possibly too much adreneline during the performances.

[NadineWhite]

Geeze, how disappointing to see less than a handful of responses to this topic.

I finally saw my favorite pair team skate live for the very first time this past weekend at SA, and they did *not* disappoint!

First things first, hands down they are the best looking pair team I've ever seen in my lifetime (tied with G&G). Holy Cow, you got to see them in person, that's all I have to say, you must see them in person.

I was so blown away by their looks, presence, et al, that I honestly forgot the mistakes, lol.

That said, they really need to land the jumps and add difficulty in their lifts to move on up. And also some dynmaic music might help them more with the audience, to get the audience involved. Jmho.

[aftershocks]

^^ I'm sure more positive responses are coming. I too love this team and wish them all the best as they continue to develop. What a great moment witnessing their gorgeous fp at Nationals in January (even if it was not live but on IN). Keep working hard and gaining in strength and confidence, Gretchen and Andrew!

[Sylvia]

I've been a fan of this elegant pair from the first time I saw them debut as a junior level team. Here are some links that I've posted in the U.S. Pairs thread in GSD:

Donlan/Speroff's new official site debuted on FSO over the summer: http://www.figureskatersonline.com/donlan-speroff/

Donlan/Speroff's Nebelhorn SP to "Nocturne" by Ennio Morricone (from the Lady Caliph soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnLQJUOZJZY
Both landed the sbs 3T but it looks like she got the < call. Her head didn't get low enough on the BO death spiral so it didn't count.

Donlan/Speroff's 3rd place Nebelhorn FS (102.14) to Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oev9MmPtaPY

And from the Nebelhorn Trophy thread in Kiss and Cry:

Donlan/Speroff Gala performance- http://youtu.be/QmXsgqdy_Rk Posted by Tatjana2541. God bless them for posting this video!
It is breathtaking!

(They brought back "Time to Say Goodbye.")

Donlan/Speroff's next competition is Ice Challenge (Senior B) in Graz, Austria, Nov. 6-10, 2012.

[reese]

Donlan/Speroff are completely exquisite. Her physical and stylistic resemblance to Katia is eerie. I especially noticed it last week. And Andrew looks like a more elegant version of Charlie White. Wish SkAm could have been a bigger coming out party for them; I'm sure nerves played a big part.

But if they don't get the 4CC SP min in Graz in Nov, they're in trouble, right? There will be no other chance to get it before 4CC?

[LilJen]

Loved the "Time to Say Goodbye" exhibition--they're really lovely skaters!! Hope that they can find a way to conquer those nerves in competition (and a way to get her head just low enough to make the BODS COUNT!!!)!

[hippychick]

I am quite sure that Donlan and Speroff could probably use some extra encouragement right now from the fans. You can go to their official website and send them an email.

[shan]

I love Donlan/Speroff and hope that they have a great experience in Nov. at their next international!!!