MT/M are definitely benefiting from being Richard Gauthier's number one team.
This! And I think M-T/M have been improving at quite a rapid pace all along. But clearly more dedicated attention never hurts. The fact that M-T/M kept their fp from last season has given them a chance to explore it in more depth and bring out the nuances. They had a very good start to the season at one of the Canadian challenger events. I really enjoyed their fp when I saw it before the start of the season. I actually thought I was looking at a new program from them.
They are very much improved. There are still some obvious weaknesses in their skating and in Michael's partnering, but as a team they are coming together very well in terms of trusting each other and having a great deal of confidence in their programs and in their abilities. Sometimes that's everything.
I would say that Luba/Dylan still have the better overall quality, but that tends to go by the wayside when they don't perform well. I happen to love Sequin/Bilodeau -- they have such a light, deft, magical quality about them and a palpable connection on and off the ice. Their momentum was obviously hampered by injuries over the past couple of seasons, and by a poor sp choice last season. With 3 other strong Canadian teams being in front of the international judges, it makes it more difficult for S/B to build back up their stature and recognition competitively. However, I still feel that S/B have two of my favorite pairs programs this season. It seems that some fans don't agree with their music. I like their music choices a lot.
I also truly enjoy M-T/M's fp music & choreo. D/R have some interesting choices that are working for them after a couple of hiccoughs at the start of this season. If D/R can continue to maintain the focus and confidence they put out in the fp at Skate Canada, they will be in the mix for the international podiums. Apparently, Sui/Han are going to be very difficult to beat for the top spot though, unless perhaps Sui continues to have problems landing her sbs 3-salchow. Still judges and fans love S/H, and their coaches and mentors Shen/Zhao have obviously anointed them/ put their stamp on them.
Back to Canadian pairs: All 3 of S/B, I/M, and M-T/M have weaknesses. M-T/M have made the most noticeable progress this season though and cannot be counted out. That was definitely a coup for them to cop a medal at CoC. It was not a big field, nor the most difficult, but with the two top Chinese teams and two Italian teams there, it certainly was not a slam dunk for them to make the podium either, and they did. Since D/R and I/M are retiring after this season, Canadian pairs are going to still be in wonderful hands with the likes of M-T/M, S/B, and R/W. Indeed!
