U.S. Pairs 2018 - News & Updates, Part VIII

[oleada]

I can't see the Knierims deciding to work in Canada. That would be desperation. Maybe John Z, and if not then Chicago with Brubaker and Berton.

Why is it desperation? Gauthier and Marcotte are some of the top pairs coaches in the world; they've produced great teams. There is no American team there now; the dollar is doing well vs the Canadian dollar. It's a solid option, with lots of good teams like KMT/M to train alongside without the pressure of direct internal competition.

 

[aftershocks]

^^ IMO, Gauthier/Marcotte already have a ton of teams. Just no! The Knierims uprooted and took a leap of faith moving to Germany. I don't see any value for them in making more distracting changes in their personal lives by moving to Canada simply because G/M are top level reputable coaches. It has to be the right fit. You could knock me over with a feather if that ever happens. It was bad enough that G/M didn't work for Castelli/Tran.

Aliona wanted them to work harder

That could mean any number of things, including just an excuse for the split. I doubt anyone other than Aliona could live up to her definition of what "working harder" means to her.

 

[clairecloutier]

I would hope that it's John Zimmerman.

Kind of concerning that Aliona wanted them to work harder and they weren't; if that's true.

Nothing is yet known about the reasons for the split. So we should not make assumptions. The Knierims just said earlier this week that they've been working harder than ever before. The split may have occurred for a variety of reasons.

Such unfortunate news. I am certain Alexa/Chris wanted this coaching relationship to work out, or they wouldn't have uprooted their lives and left their home in Colorado Springs for it.

I agree that Montreal seems like a perfectly reasonable coaching option at this point.

 

[aftershocks]

Nothing is yet known about the reasons for the split. So we should not make assumptions. The Knierims just said earlier this week that they've been working harder than ever before. The split may have occurred for a variety of reasons.

Such unfortunate news. I am certain Alexa/Chris wanted this coaching relationship to work out, or they wouldn't have uprooted their lives and left their home in Colorado Springs for it.

I agree that Montreal seems like a perfectly reasonable coaching option at this point.

ITA on your thoughts, except I'm very lukewarm on the Knierims with G/M in Canada. I just don't see that happening, but stranger things have happened. I don't see G/M as the answer, which is not any kind of knock on G/M's superb coaching acumen. They have a ton of teams though. The Knierims need a location where they can receive some close attention. Of course now with D/R retired, G/M may have more room in their training camp. I wouldn't be gung-ho on it if I were them. But seriously, it's up to Chris & Alexa where they end up deciding to train, especially at this point in the new season. They certainly should take their time and not rush into anything.

 

[Willin]

TBH I think the best explanation I can think of right now is that Aljona is just so busy with her own training and shows (and/or that her training methods are so intense) that it wasn't right for the Knirems.

I wonder if Alexa is still limited, physically.

I was wondering this as well: last season Alexa clearly said that while her illness has been mostly fixed (ie. isn't requiring constant medical attention) they still don't quite know what it was and she still faces some lasting complications or effects of it. Maybe she needs some medical followup or continuity or care that is easier for her to get in the states...

 

[RoseRed]

Yes, Zimmerman would be good for them but John Z already has D/F. Would they want to train with another top USA team? There's going to be a lot of interesting speculation on these boards about what really does happen.

Jim has Stellato/Bartholomay.

 

[RoseRed]

If they are interested in Montreal, Moore-Towers/Marinaro are also competing at NHK, so one of Richard or Bruno should already be going.

 

[chachacha]

I think top coaches are used to having multiple teams at a high level. I’m sure if Alexa and Chris wanted to go to Florida and work with Jim Peterson or John Zimmerman it would be fine. Plus, didn’t Denney and Frazier train with Alexa and Chris when they were all with Dalilah? I think Alexa and Chris need to see who is a good fit. Perhaps they may want to go to Rockne since he’s in Chicago and Alexa has her family there. Just wishing them a easy road ahead

 

[aftershocks]

KMT/M to train alongside without the pressure of direct internal competition.

Kirsten and Michael are cool. So what for no direct internal competition though. Canadian teams are surely rivals to U.S. teams trying to stand out internationally. Not that working in the same camp is either here or there with a direct rival Canadian team. It might be more problematic in the U.S., but in either case, certainly not impossible. We've seen it happen very successfully in ice dance.

At this point though, timing, fit and logistics are crucial. Alexa & Chris uprooted to give it their all, so they need to think about what they want to do going forward very carefully. Take some time to ask good questions and consider all their options. Plus it's also not just their decision alone. It's also going to be based on who is willing to consider working with them.

 

[Cleo1782]

I wouldn't think it would be an issue of having multiple top teams for any pair coach. The issue would be it's quite late in the season. Most if not all coaches already have their schedule/plan for the season already in place. While I am sure quite a few coaches would love to have Alexa and Chris, it may not be feasible Zimmerman, Peterson, or Marcotte to just take them on at this point. Alexa and Chris may need to take some time off to figure this all out. I honestly don't know where they will go. I am sure they will figure it out, it just make be a bit before they are settled. Wasn't Jeremy Allen in Chicago part of this team coaching with Savechenko? Maybe they will stick with him the rest of the season.

 

[Carolla5501]

^^



That could mean any number of things, including just an excuse for the split. I doubt anyone other than Aliona could live up to her definition of what "working harder" means to her.

I’m betting Bruno can live up to her demands


As for this team wherever they go the team better include a jump specialist. Until they both consistently land triple jumps they will have problems moving up internationally

 

[Wyliefan]

I wonder if Alexa is still limited, physically.

I had the same thought. She had a really rough time for a while there. I hope she's all the way recovered, but there might still be issues.

 

[livetoskate]

What about some top former pairs skaters who are now coaching, like Peter Oppegard, Natalia Mishketuniok(?), and Elena Betchke? Are they coaching pairs? All such great pairs skaters. It'd be a shame if their knowledge isn't being passed on.

 

[wickedwitch]

What about some top former pairs skaters who are now coaching, like Peter Oppegard, Natalia Mishketuniok(?), and Elena Betchke? Are they coaching pairs? All such great pairs skaters. It'd be a shame if their knowledge isn't being passed on.

Mishkutionok is coaching -- including her daughter -- in the Dallas area. It's killing me that C/L haven't at least consulted with her.

 

[Cleo1782]

What about some top former pairs skaters who are now coaching, like Peter Oppegard, Natalia Mishketuniok(?), and Elena Betchke? Are they coaching pairs? All such great pairs skaters. It'd be a shame if their knowledge isn't being passed on.

Peter definitely is..

 

[livetoskate]

Mishkutionok is coaching -- including her daughter -- in the Dallas area. It's killing me that C/L haven't at least consulted with her.

Yes, they're talented but being coached by her parents seems limiting. They could use some "Russian style" influences from someone like Natalia.

 

[Willin]

The gossip I've heard is that Oppegard wants to focus on singles for various reasons - probably related to LA hardly being a pairs mecca and there being a reliable stream of singles skaters willing to shell out the money for a good coach.

Isn't there some drama between the Cains and another Dallas area pairs coach? Maybe it's her and that's why there's no consultation yet.

 

[aftershocks]

I’m betting Bruno can live up to her demands

I think that's already been proven.

But now even Bruno (from their recent interview at Nebelhorn Trophy) is signalling that he's quite happy working as a coach and being a father and taking care of his family. Whilst during the interview, Aliona was seeming restless with coaching. There were warning signs visible already. Aliona's responses to questions about coaching vs competing showed that she still views competing as an athlete like breathing. There's nothing wrong with that either. To each their own. And good luck to Aliona & Bruno, and to Chris & Alexa.

And thanks to Aliona/Bruno and to Aliona/Robin/Ingo for the unforgettable memories. I hope Aliona finds herself some happiness and some helpful 'breathing lessons' off-the-ice too.

 

[Cleo1782]

The gossip I've heard is that Oppegard wants to focus on singles for various reasons - probably related to LA hardly being a pairs mecca and there being a reliable stream of singles skaters willing to shell out the money for a good coach.

Isn't there some drama between the Cains and another Dallas area pairs coach? Maybe it's her and that's why there's no consultation yet.

I haven't heard Peter only wants to focus on singles....He can focus on singles but he's coaching Chelsea liu/Ian Meyh currently. Honestly singles is a lot more lucrative than pairs, but I don't think he would turn teams down.

 

[Willin]

@Cleo1782 It wasn't so much that he wouldn't take pairs teams that approached him, more that he wasn't actively out there recruiting pairs teams to move to LA or forming them.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Even tho she has K&O whats the problem with Dalilah taking them back? @Cleo1782 ??

I mean unless they parted on bad terms..but I cant see that happening.....

If not, then Natalia Mishkutenok or bust!!!

 

[aftershocks]

@Cleo1782 is on target I think, as I also mentioned, regarding the timing of trying to make a coaching switch now right at the start of a new season. Perhaps Alexa & Chris can continue working in the Chicago area with Jeremy Allen if that's who has been assisting them there. They should and may need out of necessity to take the time to figure out what's the best direction to move in, and where would be the right fit for them over the next quad.

 

[Rukia]

Isn't there some drama between the Cains and another Dallas area pairs coach? Maybe it's her and that's why there's no consultation yet.

I don't know if there's drama necessarily, but the way I hear it is that in Dallas you're either a Russian coach or you're not. They seem to have their own coaching clique.

 

[RoseRed]

Even tho she has K&O whats the problem with Dalilah taking them back? @Cleo1782 ??

I mean unless they parted on bad terms..but I cant see that happening.....

If not, then Natalia Mishkutenok or bust!!!

Well, she was at Skate America but they didn't have her come in the KnC or anything. I sort of doubt it'll happen, but who knows.

 

[Cleo1782]

Even tho she has K&O whats the problem with Dalilah taking them back? @Cleo1782 ??

I mean unless they parted on bad terms..but I cant see that happening.....

If not, then Natalia Mishkutenok or bust!!!

I don't think Dalilah would take them back at this point maybe next year. K/O switched to her knowing they were her focus. I don't think it's bad blood, but I don't think it would be conducive to her coaching situation at this point. She has a lot of things going on right now. I don't think she would take them back at a drop of the hat.
Especially with all this change talk Alexa and Chris had..

@Cleo1782 It wasn't so much that he wouldn't take pairs teams that approached him, more that he wasn't actively out there recruiting pairs teams to move to LA or forming them.

No he isn't actively out recruiting, but I don't think Dalilah, Zimmerman, or Peterson are either at this point in the year. He's isn't actively turning people down either. I don't recall every recruiting before in his hey day so why now? I just don't think he has the IPS/social media hustle. As we can see from the GP pairs aren't really blossoming right now, so it is what it is.

 

[SorrySkater]

How about Marina Zoueva/Johnny Johns?

 

[Cleo1782]

Sure. Marina and Johnny... Any top US pair coach. It's just a wait and see game. They are currently evaluating their options...I am sure all top US pair coaches are being mentioned to them. They are adults. They will make an appropriate decision for themselves.

 

[insideedgeua]

Mishkutionok is coaching -- including her daughter --.

She also takes her daughter on regular trips to Dalilah for Pair coaching. I think she may have given a few pointers or looked over polishing run throughs for a few of D’s younger pairs. I’m not sure if it’s still happening though.

I honestly think that Dalilah would take them back on if they approached her. I don’t think they finished on bad terms in any way.

As for Tara and Danny being there now, I think Dalilah had four or five teams in Senior last year as well as a number in Junior.
Trying to remember, in Senior she had,

Alexa and Chris
Erika and AJ
Max and Winter
Danny and Nica

Were Jacob and Alexandria senior or junior?

Anyway, whether it would happen or not I don’t know, but under the circumstances it’s not completely absurd.

After all, the incredible twist and huge throws all came from Dalilah.

Also, now that Tammy is there, they could try her for jumps.

It may not have been the original plan, but they tried it and for whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out. I hope they quickly find an alternative that works for them.

 

[Spiralgraph]

I wonder if Jill Watson is still coaching. Or is Peter Oppegard coaching pairs now? Questions questions! SK/K have limited options, it appears.

edit okay I saw the discussion about Peter O. so that option might be open for the Knierims.
Too bad Mr Nicks retired a few years ago..

 

[clairecloutier]

Alexa & Chris in mixed zone yesterday at SA (short clip)