I finally watched the recording of the pairs competition (skipped some). I thought the commentators were overly critical of Stolbova-Klimova's LP. Although it was nowhere close to their GPF performance, it still was a strong performance. One major mistake (Ksenia's fall on the sbs 3 sal) and one minor mistake (on the 3-3-2 making it 3-3-1). It was choreographically superb, and combined with their great skating skills and strong throws, they were clearly undermarked. Considering the amount of time they lost due to Fedor's injury, I thought it was a very respectable world championship for them. They finished the highest among the Russian pairs. I would like them to keep this LP for next year. They really didn't get a chance to skate it to its potential because of the injury (although the GPF performance was very strong). It is a world championship caliber LP.
Tracy and Ryan raved over T&M as the next Russian pair to watch (for the next 6 years, according to Ryan), which pleased me. However, right now S&K are still a better team for the next two years. T&M have such an ease, such lightness in their skating, and athleticism too. They were the only Russian pair that looked happy after their skates. They need to win at least a world bronze next year to be in medal contention in 2018 Oly. JMO.
I thought S&M's marks were shockingly high for what they did. They don't have the complexity of more experienced pairs, and are merely being held up because of Aliona's name and reputation. Aliona's two foot landing on the throw was so bad that they should not have received any points for that throw (is that too harsh? Or would it be only a -3 GOE?). She actually stood on both feet; it wasn't just a slight touch of the other foot. A fall should score higher. She also had a mistake on the first sbs triple jump.
V&T were off from the start- visible in the arena-, with Maxim's mistake on the sbs salchows, but I thought they would put it behind them and skate great rest of the way. Tatiana had a turnout on the landing of her second throw; it wan't a two foot like Aliona's. Tracy said the wind went out of their sails due to the mistakes. I still felt that they would win the bronze, or they would be just behind Stol-Klim, and at least two of the Russian pairs would be ahead of S&M. V&T clearly had difficulty returning after 18 months absence, and Maxim's shoulder injury. I loved both their programs. The Dracula music really brought out the power in their skating at the Europeans. May be they should keep it for one more season if they are serious about returning to competition. They could win worlds next year if they skate it clean. Not sure if they will need a quad twist to win.
Finally, I admit that I didn't watch D&R's skate. It was bad enough for me to watch it live in the arena. Sadly, they are now the front runners for the OGM in 2018. It's a sad state of affairs in pairs skating. Hopefully someone will beat them at worlds next year.
Tracy and Ryan raved over T&M as the next Russian pair to watch (for the next 6 years, according to Ryan), which pleased me. However, right now S&K are still a better team for the next two years. T&M have such an ease, such lightness in their skating, and athleticism too. They were the only Russian pair that looked happy after their skates. They need to win at least a world bronze next year to be in medal contention in 2018 Oly. JMO.
I thought S&M's marks were shockingly high for what they did. They don't have the complexity of more experienced pairs, and are merely being held up because of Aliona's name and reputation. Aliona's two foot landing on the throw was so bad that they should not have received any points for that throw (is that too harsh? Or would it be only a -3 GOE?). She actually stood on both feet; it wasn't just a slight touch of the other foot. A fall should score higher. She also had a mistake on the first sbs triple jump.
V&T were off from the start- visible in the arena-, with Maxim's mistake on the sbs salchows, but I thought they would put it behind them and skate great rest of the way. Tatiana had a turnout on the landing of her second throw; it wan't a two foot like Aliona's. Tracy said the wind went out of their sails due to the mistakes. I still felt that they would win the bronze, or they would be just behind Stol-Klim, and at least two of the Russian pairs would be ahead of S&M. V&T clearly had difficulty returning after 18 months absence, and Maxim's shoulder injury. I loved both their programs. The Dracula music really brought out the power in their skating at the Europeans. May be they should keep it for one more season if they are serious about returning to competition. They could win worlds next year if they skate it clean. Not sure if they will need a quad twist to win.
Finally, I admit that I didn't watch D&R's skate. It was bad enough for me to watch it live in the arena. Sadly, they are now the front runners for the OGM in 2018. It's a sad state of affairs in pairs skating. Hopefully someone will beat them at worlds next year.
That would be OK, I think... one team trying to contend for gold, the other just trying to make the team. Dmitriev would be a dream for them, so much potential for voids.
I would have preferred the Chinese if it couldn't be one of the Russians but with the way everybody skated they deserved it 
