Team events at the previous Olympics

[coppertop1]

So, if there was a Team Events at the past Olympics, what would the results be?

Here are my thoughts

1998
Teams that would qualify for the free skate: Russia, USA, Canada, France and China. Japan didn’t have a strong team, neither did Italy. France had Anissina/Peizerat, Candeleto, and their women were solid enough. China had Lu Chen and Shen/Zhao.

Russia would likely take the gold. They had an all star team. It’s hard to say what events they’d split. I would say pairs so they wouldn’t tire B/S or K/D. I wonder if Slutskaya would have been in the Team Event or would it have been like with Sotnikova where her inconsistency would mean she’d be left off?
I think the USA would win the silver medal. They had a very strong team in Nagano. I think they would split the Ladies between Kwan and Lipinski, and the pairs between Meno/Sand and Ina/Dungjen.
The bronze medal would come between France and Canada. France was stronger in women than Canada. Canada did not qualify a woman in 1998 but countries are allowed to send a skater to compete in the Team Event even if they didn’t qualify a skater for the individual event. While Canada was stronger in Men’s than France with Stojko, I don’t think he would have been able to compete with his injury. So Jeff Langdon would have done the Team Event. With France and Canada pretty evenly matched in Pairs and Dance, losing Stojko in the Team Event could have cost Canada the bronze. I think Canada would split the Pairs Event. Both teams were evenly matched.

More to come

 

[Ohyes]

1998: Russia
2002: Russia
2006: Russia
2010: Canada/ US? (One of the two)

 

[caseyedwards]

1994 Russia qualified no lady! Butyrskaya would’ve had to be like the Israeli lady this year. Then I don’t know how she would have done. Russia would win men’s dance and pairs and so probably would’ve won but it’s lady would’ve been weak. Maybe Ukraine might’ve won silver???

 

[coppertop1]

1994 Russia qualified no lady! Butyrskaya would’ve had to be like the Israeli lady this year. Then I don’t know how she would have done. Russia would win men’s dance and pairs and so probably would’ve won but it’s lady would’ve been weak. Maybe Ukraine might’ve won silver???

I think silver would be France or Canada. Both had strong teams. Ukraine could have a chance at a medal. With Canada, a lot would depend on how Chouinard skated. Baiul and Petrenko could keep Ukraine in the hunt.

 

[screech]

1994: Russia (would have won all except ladies, where they would have been 'gifted' an entry. Canada probably 2. Would have finally given Kurt an O's medal)
1998: Russia (probably US second)
2002: Russia (probably US second)
2006: Russia (likely US second)
2010: Kind of a crapshoot between Russia (strong in dance and men, and possibly pairs), Canada (strong in ladies and dance, and possibly men), and USA (strong in dance and men, and possibly ladies)

 

[coppertop1]

1994: Russia (would have won all except ladies, where they would have been 'gifted' an entry. Canada probably 2. Would have finally given Kurt an O's medal)
1998: Russia (probably US second)
2002: Russia (probably US second)
2006: Russia (likely US second)
2010: Kind of a crapshoot between Russia (strong in dance and men, and possibly pairs), Canada (strong in ladies and dance, and possibly men), and USA (strong in dance and men, and possibly ladies)

That’s how I would see it happening. I think Canada would have won gold in Vancouver. They had medal contenders in three event. The USA would again take silver. Russia would take bronze

 

[JockProf]

1988 is an interesting year for the "top 3" ...

USA - Boitano in mens, a trio of ladies, two pairs teams in the top 5, and a moderately good dance team

Canada - Orser in mens, Manley in ladies, three top 10 pairs teams, and a great dance team

This would be fight for silver and bronze between the US and Canada.

I don't think anyone could top the Soviet Union with Fedeyev and Petrenko, G&G and V&V, B&B and K&P. Even with Kondrashova as their best free skating lady, they still have the fire power to win.

I don't think there are many other teams that would come close that year - there was not an East German man or dance team entered. West Germany had top 10 finishers (except for pairs). France, Italy, England did not have much fire power (overall). In fact besides Katarina Witt, every other medal from Canada, the Soviet Union, or the US.

1984 might even be more interesting ...

 

[manhn]

If there was a Team Event in 2010, I wonder if Jeffrey would've stayed for another 2 years. Also, I wonder if USFSA would have selected M&B to the Olympic Team based on BOW. And whether Plushenko could have skated 4 programs.

 

[coppertop1]

If there was a Team Event in 2010, I wonder if Jeffrey would've stayed for another 2 years. Also, I wonder if USFSA would have selected M&B to the Olympic Team based on BOW. And whether Plushenko could have skated 4 programs.

I Jeff Buttle said he felt he accomplished everything he set out to do after he won the 2008 world title. Had there been a Team Event he may have returned for that. If he did, I think Canada would have split the Men’s between him and Patrick.

How was Plushenko health wise in 2010?

 

[screech]

I Jeff Buttle said he felt he accomplished everything he set out to do after he won the 2008 world title. Had there been a Team Event he may have returned for that. If he did, I think Canada would have split the Men’s between him and Patrick.

I don't think he would have been back for it. I think he would have peaked in 2008 and may have felt dejected afterwards.

If there'd been a team event in 2006, I think he and Emanuel might have split it. Emanuel was more of a headcase, but Jeff wasn't the most consistent skater either, though he was the reigning world silver medallist..

 

[coppertop1]

I don't think he would have been back for it. I think he would have peaked in 2008 and may have felt dejected afterwards.

If there'd been a team event in 2006, I think he and Emanuel might have split it. Emanuel was more of a headcase, but Jeff wasn't the most consistent skater either, though he was the reigning world silver medallist..

I would have had Buttle do the SP. He could put Canada in the hunt. Then if Sandhu had a meltdown Canada could finish no lower than fifth in the Men’s. Buttle wasn’t the most consistent but was less prone to meltdowns.

 

[coppertop1]

If there was a Team Event in 2002, who would have subbed in for Michelle Kwan? I'’d go with Sarah Hughes. She was more consistent than Sasha.

 

[Karen-W]

If there was a Team Event in 2002, who would have subbed in for Michelle Kwan? I'’d go with Sarah Hughes. She was more consistent than Sasha.

That's an interesting question. With the ladies event being last, it's possible that MK would have skated both segments. Looking back at the pairs & dance teams we had, while I have no doubt that we would have sent Lang & Tchernyshev out for both segments (Handra & Sinek finished 23rd), I'm not sure that the USFSA wouldn't have used Ina & Zimmerman in the SP and Scott & Dulebohn in the FP. Ina & Zimmerman had an outside shot at a medal; same with all three of our men. It is possible that I/Z or Eldredge would have been sacrificed at the altar of MK, and I fully believe that Eldredge is the man the USFSA would have gone with over Weiss and Goebel. As much as I love Hughes, I don't think there is any question the USFSA would have put Cohen in the Team Event ahead of her.

 

[caseyedwards]

I Jeff Buttle said he felt he accomplished everything he set out to do after he won the 2008 world title. Had there been a Team Event he may have returned for that. If he did, I think Canada would have split the Men’s between him and Patrick.

How was Plushenko health wise in 2010?

Plushenko in 2009-2010 was very rocky. His best skating of the season was at the Olympics! Maybe he could’ve done the SP.

So you have Plushenko out of mens, domnina and shabalin out of dance. I don’t believe Russia would’ve tried that much. Maybe Plushenko short. I don’t know. Ice dance probably like gpf with just OD and Fd and no way do d/s do that OD twice and no way they do a free dance. I mean maybe bobrova soloviev do OD and k/n do FD? Could d/s have done fd? No way I believe. Maybe they just concede to Canada. Put in all second stringers.

 

[coppertop1]

Plushenko in 2009-2010 was very rocky. His best skating of the season was at the Olympics! Maybe he could’ve done the SP.

So you have Plushenko out of mens, domnina and shabalin out of dance. I don’t believe Russia would’ve tried that much. Maybe Plushenko short. I don’t know. Ice dance probably like gpf with just OD and Fd and no way do d/s do that OD twice and no way they do a free dance. I mean maybe bobrova soloviev do OD and k/n do FD? Could d/s have done fd? No way I believe. Maybe they just concede to Canada. Put in all second stringers.

Russia was still in a bit of a down phase in 2010. I don’t know if they would have won gold in Vancouver. Without Plushenko, Russia would have bat a disadvantage in the men, so it might have cost them a medal.

 

[briancoogaert]

In 1994, Russia qualified no lady at the individual event, but they had 2 strong ladies with Maria Butyskaya and Olga Markova.
So, Russia would have had no problem to win the Team Event, IMO.

 

[coppertop1]

In 1994, Russia qualified no lady at the individual event, but they had 2 strong ladies with Maria Butyskaya and Olga Markova.
So, Russia would have had no problem to win the Team Event, IMO.

I don’t see anyone beating Russia. With G&G, G&P, M&D, and U&Z, and Urmanov, they would be untouchable. Canada and France would be fighting for silver.

 

[Cleo1782]

If there was a Team Event in 2010, I wonder if Jeffrey would've stayed for another 2 years. Also, I wonder if USFSA would have selected M&B to the Olympic Team based on BOW. And whether Plushenko could have skated 4 programs.

No I don't think they would have subbed M&B to the Olympic team on BOW. They were not 3rd, but 5th at Nationals behind third place I&B, who had an impressive BOW as well. Besides, even though they had okay results on the 2009-10 GP series they were in a sharp decline since the previous years Nationals and hadn't done a clean program all season. D&B were really consistent that year, so they probably would have been fine in the TE and considering M&B fell on their sbs and death spiral at Nats I wouldn't have risk them in the TE.

 

[Twilight1]

1994 would have had Canada silver imho. We had 1993 World Champions Kurt Browning and Brasseur & Eisler, Josee Chounaird would have held it together enough for ladies and Bourne & Kraatz would have been pretty solid too. There ace in the hole was the consistency of Elvis Stojko.

I can't remember the other pairs that year. Jamie Sale and pre David partner and Higgins & Rice?

 

[coppertop1]

1994 would have had Canada silver imho. We had 1993 World Champions Kurt Browning and Brasseur & Eisler, Josee Chounaird would have held it together enough for ladies and Bourne & Kraatz would have been pretty solid too. There ace in the hole was the consistency of Elvis Stojko.

I can't remember the other pairs that year. Jamie Sale and pre David partner and Higgins & Rice?

I agree. One slight hitch was Brasseur’s cracked rib. Could they have competed? Sargeant/Wirtz and yes, Sale/Turner we’re the other pairs team. If B&E couldn’t compete, we’d still be OK for silver. I have France pegged for bronze. They had Surya Bonaly who as at her peak, Philippe Candelero, Moniotte/Lavanchy, France did not send a Pairs Team. Who was their main team in 1994?

 

[VGThuy]

Would the USFSA split ladies in the Team Event in 1994?

 

[coppertop1]

Would the USFSA split ladies in the Team Event in 1994?

Ooh man! And what sort of equipment failure would befall Tonya?

 

[skatingguy]

Tonya Harding, Olympic medalist - oh the drama we have missed.

 

[coppertop1]

Tonya Harding, Olympic medalist - oh the drama we have missed.

Cripes!

 

[volturemean]

I think Canada might have actually won in 1994. On an average day both Browning and Stojko are better and more consistent than Urmanov. The individual event obviously didnt go that way but there is a good chance in a Team Event it goes as it normally would and Canada gets more points out of the mens event than Russia. It could even be like the post Olympic worlds where Stojko (and Browning, I assume Stojko and Browning would split) beat Urmanov by several placings. He was not usually consistent, he was in the individual event probably since he had no real pressure as he wasnt considered much of a contender. In Team Event with Russia expected to bid for gold he would have huge pressure, just as he did at the post Olympic worlds where he folded and even lost bronze to Zagorodniuk.

Canada is obviously stronger in ladies, and Josee would probably skate much better in a Team format than an individual.

Russia is stronger in pairs but Gordeeva/Grinkov and Miskutienok/Dmitriev probably only beat Brasseur/Eisler by 1 point in each program, as there is no non Russian that is remotedly likely to beat B/E in any program at all. B/E would have to skate unusually shitty to place lower than say Meno & Sand in any program for example, and a team like Kovarikova/Novotny (who werent even skating well this year anyway) probably wouldnt even be in the Team Event. Actually it isnt even sure Miskutienok/Dmitriev (if they are used rather than having G/G do both programs) beat B/E in whichever program they compete in, the Olympics is by FAR the best they skated that whole season and they still lost 3 judges to B/E in the short and 2 in the long. So Canada might even well atleast tie Russia points wise for all we know. Since Shishkova/ Naumov beat M/D at Europeans for 2nd, for all we know if they use a 2nd pair it might have been S/N too. The pairs difference points wise in Russia's favor is minor at most, if any. Russia would not gain much points out of pairs, assuming Brasseur & Eisler do both program as I am almost sure they would even with pairs up first as Canada's other pairs arent that good this year, at all.

Really Russia only gains significant points in dance and it might not be that much. Bourne & Kraatz were 10th in the individual but a lot of the teams who were in the top 10 were other Russian teams or teams that wouldnt figure much in the Team Event and B/K might place quite high (say 4th or something) in the round of the team event.

I think Canada's odds of beating Russia for gold in 94 are atleast as high as they are this year in fact.

 

[Taso]

I think Ukraine might've had a shot for bronze in 1994.

 

[volturemean]

Breaking down more in depth how the Team Event between Canada and the Russia might have gone in 94. Lets say the 10 teams who compete are Canada, Russia, France, Ukraine, U.S, Great Britian, China, Germany, Czech, Japan maybe? And the 5 teams in Team Finals as Canada, Russia, France, Ukraine, U.S maybe.

Pairs short:

1. Brasseur & Eisler or Miskutienok & Dmitriev (either team could even miss something and be 3rd or 4th though)
3. Kovarikova & Novotny
4. Meno & Sand or Woetzel & Steuer (W&S are better but were having a real bad year and very inconsistent)
6. Ukraine
7. Great Britian
8. China (probably a baby Shen & Zhao who sort of sucked at this point)
9. France (probably a baby Abitol & Bernadis)
10. Japan

Mens short:

1. Browning (obviously he could mess up like the individual but if he is clean he probably wins the short and easily beats Urmanov, I am guessing they use Browning in the short and Stojko the long)
2. Petrenko
3. Boitano
4. Urmanov (even going clean he probably winds up here if the others are clean, maybe 3rd over Boitano at best)
5. Candelero
6. Cousins
7. Kagiyama
8. China
9. Germany
10. Czech


Dance original

1. Torvill & Dean (this was their best dance all season)
2. Usova & Zhulin
3. Romanova & Yaroshenko
4. Moniotte Lavanchy
5. Mrazova & Simicek
6. Goolsbee & Schamberger
7. Bourne & Kraatz
8. Punsalen & Swallow
9. Japan
10. China

OK the damage to Canada is more than I imagined at first here by the looks of it.

Ladies short

1. Baiul
2. Kerrigan
3. Bonaly
4. Sato
5. Chen
6. Choinaurd (even clean she could end up this low if the others are clean also)
6. Szewcenko (I think they would have Tanja do the short and Witt the long if they make the long maybe)
8. Markova
9. Von Sayer
10. Czech

Pairs long

1. Gordeeva & Grinkov
2. Brasseur & Eisler
3. Meno & Sand
4. Ukraine
5. France

Mens long

1. Petrenko
2. Stojko
3. Candelero
4. Urmanov
5. Boitano

Despite the results of the individual I think Stojko beats inconsistent Urmanov more times than not, Petrenko definitely is likely to, and Boitano and Candelero quite often do as well. Urmanov could easily finish last in the mens long as I think Petrenko and Stojko are likely to beat him and Candelero and Boitano are both atleast 50% likely to based on that whole season.

Dance long

1. Gritschuk & Platov
2. Moniotte & Lavanchy
3. Romanova & Yaroshenko
4. Bourne & Kraatz
5. Punsalen & Swallow

Ladies long

1. Kerrigan
2. Baiul
3. Bonaly
4. Choinaurd
5. Butyrskaya

So looking it over I guess Russia probably pulls it out as Canada gives up more points in the dance than I was originally thinking, and gains less in the ladies than I was originaly thinking, probably even if Josee skates decent. Still Canada would have a fighting shot, especialy if some of the ladies dont skate great and fit in between a well skating Josee and the weak Russian women Markova/Butyrskaya, and Urmanov does not overperform and other men underperform as happened in the individaul mens event.

 

[volturemean]

I think Canada would also have a shot at gold in 1988, maybe even more than 1994.

Again think about it, Wilson/McCall probably only give up 1 point in each program to the Soviet Union. Canada gives up very few points to Soviets in pairs, probably only the U.S team(s) fits in between Soviets and Canada here, and Canada is even capable of finishing over the U.S on a given day in pairs. Fadeev was super inconsistent, especialy the short he could fall and give up more than just the 2 points he probably already gives up to Orser (with Boitano between them) even skating cleanly. Remember in the actual short program that took place he fell and finished 9th to Orser's 1st. Petrenko if he skates 1 program also would have give up minimum of 1 point, quite likely 2 points (remember Orser usually beat Boitano in the past year to this point, especialy in the short program), and depending how he skates possibly more than 2. And you know the Soviets would have used Fadeev in 1 or possibly both programs, he was higher ranked and stature than Petrenko pre Games, despite that in hindsight he is a far bigger risk and much more likely to mess up and give up numerous placings (especialy in the short with big deductions back then for a missed element) than Petrenko. Manley could put a lot of places between herself and Kondrashova/Ivanova in both programs. Germany probably skates the team event so Witt could fit in between them, especialy in the long where Manley probably beats Witt. The U.S entry probably fits between Manley and the Soviet entry, although Thomas if she does the short program might beat Manley in that, but I suspect in fact Kadavy or Trenary would end up doing the short and Thomas the long, in which case there is a good chance U.S fits between Canada and the Soviet Union in both. Japan probably skates the team event, and Ito is probably placed between Manley and the Soviet entry as well, assuming Manley skates well. And if Ivanova is used in either program god knows how she skates given how she seemed mentally out of it by this point, and how many points she gives up to Manley if she skates well, although I know Liz can bomb too. Basically unless a)Liz bombs, and the Soviet lady is unexpectedly solid and b)Fadeev has one of his best events, feeling less pressure than the individual and stays very close with Orser, Canada probably beats Soviets for gold.

I actually think Canada was much more likely to win gold in Calgary than the Soviet Union was. They are much stronger in womens and men, and wouldnt give up many points in pairs and dance at all, despite being much weaker in pairs. I see Canada likely gaining more points on Russia in mens/ladies combined than Russia on Canada in pairs/dance in 1988.

 

[volturemean]

I think these would be the results of previous Olympics

Sarajevo

Gold- U.S. U.S had a great overall team this year. I dont think anyone could beat them.
Silver- Soviet Union
Bronze- East Germany. East Germany would have a pretty good team with Witt, Baess & Theirbach in pairs, and decent entries in all the events. Canada could also win the bronze though.

Calgary

Gold- Canada. As I broke down Canada not only could but most likely beats the Soviet Union for gold this year.
Silver- Soviet Union
Bronze- U.S

Albertville

Gold- Unified Team
Silver- U.S
Bronze- Canada

Lillehammer

Gold- Russia or Canada; slight edge to Russia
Bronze- France or Ukraine

Nagano

Gold- Russia easily
Silver- U.S, they had a solid overall team, super strong in ladies, strong men, strong pairs, decent dance
Bronze- Canada or France; this one could either way, it depends if the Canada lady can hold up and skate decently and if Stojko is able to compete. If Stojko is out likely France.

Salt Lake City

Gold- Russia easily
Silver- U.S also pretty easily
Bronze- Canada very likely

This would probably be the most uncompetitive year for the team event, there probably be no real battle for any placing

Turin

Gold- Russia easily
Silver- U.S
Bronze- Canada

U.S vs Canada, U.S is stronger in ladies, a bit stronger in dance, equal in men, equal in pairs.

Vancouver

Gold- Canada or U.S, slight edge to Canada
Silver- U.S
Bronze- Russia

I guess all 3 teams have a shot at gold though.

 

[volturemean]

And who I think each medal winning team would have used

Sarajevo

United States gold team- Watson & Lancon short, Carruthers long, Hamilton both programs, Blumberg & Siebert both programs, Chin short Sumners long

Soviet silver team- Valova & Vasiliev both programs, Kotin and Fadeev split, Bestiamanova & Bukin both programs, Ivanova short, kondrashova long

Canada bronze team- Underhill & Martini both programs, Orser both programs, Wilson & McCall and Johnson & Thomas split, Manley short, Thomson long


Calgary

Canada gold team- Benning Johnson short, Hough & Ladret long, Orser both programs, Wilson & McCall both programs, Manley both programs

Soviet silver team- Gordeeva & Grinkov and Valova & Vasiliev split (not sure which way), Fadeev both programs, Klimova & Ponomarenko OD, Bestiamanova & Bukin FD, Ivanova both programs. In hindsight having Fadeev and Ivanova doing all 4 freestyle programs would be a huge mistake, but I think that is what the Soviets likely do, which all but ensures they wont beat Canada for the gold and could even lose silver depending how badly they bomb some of these programs.

U.S bronze team- Watson & Oppergard and Wachsman & Waggoner split, Boitano does both, Semanick & Gregory do both, Kadavy does short and Thomas long (either this or Thomas short and Trenary long, I am sure it is one of those two combinations)


Albertville

Unified gold team- Bechke & Petrov gold, Miskutienok & Dmitriev long, Petrenko both, Usova & Zhulin and Klimova & Ponomarenko split (not sure which way), Rachkova both

U.S silver team- Urbanski & Marvel and Kuchiki & Sand split (not sure which way), Eldredge short, Bowman long (no way Wylie is used), Sargent Thomas and Whiterby both, Yamaguchi both (either that or Kerrigan short, Yamaguchi long or Yamaguchi short, Harding long, but I think they likely split pairs and men and have no room for a 2nd women)


Lillehammer

Unified Gold or Silver Team- either Shishkova & Naumov short and Gordeeva & Grinkov long or Gordeeva & Grinkov short and Miskutienok & Dmitriev long. I am almost sure G&G only want to do one program and after M&D blowing the short at their last couple events they go with 1 of these 2 combinations

Canada Gold or Silver Team- Brasseur & Eisler both, Browning and Stojko split (not sure which way), Bourne & Kraatz both, Chouinard both. Like 88 Canada only uses 5 team members as they dont really have the depth for many substitutions, if Preston was here they might use her but not Humphries.

France potential bronze team- some crummy pair in both or maybe two different crummy pairs, Millot short, Candelero long, Moniotte & Lavanchy both, Bonaly both both

Ukraine potential bronze team- Beloussovskaya & Mayler (I think that was their names) both programs, Petrenko short, Zagorodniuk (brought just for team event maybe) long, Romanova & Raroshenko both programs, Baiul both programs

U.S potential bronze team- Meno & Sand both, Boitano short, Davis long (or maybe other way, but they for sure spilt men), Punsalen & Swallow short or free, Wynne & Witherby (brought just for team event) the other, Kerrigan both. No way Harding is used and not just due to scandal. Kerrigan was clear U.S#1 at the time and Harding was inconsistent and had a weak international standing by then.


Nagano

Russia gold team- Eltsova & Bushkov short, Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze long. I actually dont think Kazahkova & Dmitriev are used, Eltsova & Bushkov were the world silver medalist and won Russian Nationals that year, with K&D had a poor season so I see no reason they would be used over E&B. Kulik both programs. Krylova & Ovsiannikov original dance, Gritschuk & Platov free dance. Butyrskaya both programs. If they use a 2nd Russian lady it is Slutskaya, maybe Slutskaya the short and Butyrskaya the long, with Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze doing both programs now.

U.S silver team- Meno & Sand short, Ina & Dungen long, Eldredge both programs, Punsalen & Swallow both programs, Lipinski short, Kwan long

Canada potential bronze team- Sargeant & Wirtz short, Savard Gagnon & Bradet long, Stojko both (if he can skate, otherwise Langdon both but Canada loses bronze now), Bourne & Kraatz both, Derochie both

France potential bronze team- Abitol & Bernadis both, Candelero both, Anissina & Peizerat both, Gusmeroli short, Hubert long (I dont see Bonaly used)


Salt Lake City

Russia gold team- Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze short, Totmianina & Marinin long, Plushenko short, Yagudin long, Lobacheva & Averbuhk both, Butyrskaya short, Slutskaya long. Of course they cant use 3 substitutions so one of Butyrskaya or T&M is given the ax but I am not sure which, it all depends if B&S are willing to do 2 programs or not I think.

U.S silver team- Ina & Zimmerman both programs, Eldredge short, Goebel long, Lang & Tschernaysaev both programs, Kwan short, Hughes long, IMO no way is Cohen used in Team Event.

Canada bronze team- Sale & Pelletier both programs, Stojko both programs (atleast with Sandhu out), Bourne & Kraatz both programs, Bellemare (brought just for team event) short and Robinson long


Turin

Russia gold team- Petrova & Tikhonov short, Totmianina & Marinin long, Plushenko both, Navka & Kostomarov both, Slutskaya short, Sokolova long (to give Slutskaya some rest for individual and since her long had become inconsistent lately and Sokolova was great at Europeans)

U.S silver team- Inoue & Baldwin both programs, Weir short, Lysacek long, Belbin & Agosto both programs, either Cohen both programs or (if Kwan can skate) Cohen short, Kwan long

Canada bronze team- Marcoux & Buntin short, Dube & Davison short, Buttle short, Sandhu long, Dubreuil & Lauzon both programs, Rochette both programs


Vancouver

Canada gold team- Langlois & Hay short, Dube & Davison long, Chan both programs, Virtue & Moir both programs, Rochette short, Phaneuf long (or Rochette both)

U.S silver team- Denney & Barret both, Abbott short, Lysacek long (or other way around, either way they for sure split and no way Weir is used IMO), Belbin & Agosto short, Davis & White free, Flatt both or Nagasu short, Flatt long. Either B&A or Nagasu gets the ax, not sure which. I am sure Abbott and Lysacek are both used. I am sure they dont split pairs as pre Vancouver perception was D&B were clearly U.S #1 and it was shocking Evora & Ladwig ended up top Americans. D&B are workhorses and would be fine doing 2 programs.

Russia bronze team- Mukhortova & Trankov short, Kavaguti & Smirnov long, Plushenko both, Domnina & Shabalin both, Leonova and Makarova probably split