U.S. Pairs 2018-19 season - News & Updates, Part IX

[Sylvia]

Is that Alex Wellman doing a death spiral at the very beginning of the third clip Dalilah posted of K/O?

Good eye! Wellman attended the camp for prospective pairs athletes I mentioned earlier in this thread and is a quality skater (9th in Junior Men at 2019 U.S. Nationals). He turned 19 in January.

Kayne/O'Shea's 2019-20 program music/choreographers are updated now on their website: http://figureskatersonline.com/kayne-oshea/programs/
(added to spreadsheet)

 

[Sylvia]

Olivia Serafini posted this photo of her, Mervin Tran, Julie Marcotte and Ian Connolly at the Aréna Sainte-Julie (Montreal) on her IG 3 days ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwujoJCFc7m/

Connolly coached with Bruno and Julie Marcotte so with Duhamel and her husband relocating to Oakville, Ontario perhaps this photo indicates Serafini/Tran will not be moving to Oakville?

 

[aftershocks]

Olivia Serafini posted this photo of her, Mervin Tran, Julie Marcotte and Ian Connolly at the Aréna Sainte-Julie (Montreal) on her IG 3 days ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwujoJCFc7m/

Connolly coached with Bruno and Julie Marcotte so with Duhamel and her husband relocating to Oakville, Ontario perhaps this photo indicates Serafini/Tran will not be moving to Oakville?

It's inconclusive, IMO, regarding where S/T will be training (Montreal or Oakville). The post could be a 'grateful to you' Ian tribute, signalling a goodbye, just as easily. Which might mean Connolly is staying behind in Montreal. Who knows? Is Julie also staying behind in Montreal? Inquiring minds want to know. The plot thickens...

 

[Sylvia]

I have received permission to post/tweet that Serafini/Tran are moving their training base from Montreal to Monsey, NY and will be coached by Jason Briggs and Jana Brazee. Their 2019-20 programs have been choreographed by Julie Marcotte.

 

[aftershocks]

I have received permission to post/tweet that Serafini/Tran are moving their training base from Montreal to Monsey, NY and will be coached by Jason Briggs and Jana Brazee. Their 2019-20 programs have been choreographed by Julie Marcotte.

Thank you. Samantha Cesario trained with a number of coaches over the years including with Briggs and Brazee. Is there anymore info available about Briggs and Brazee?

This is the rink, apparently: https://www.sportorama.com/

Is this the same Jason Briggs, skating for Great Britain at the Albertville, Olympics with Katherine Pritchard?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4v-yE7aQ1c -- too bad it's not a very sharp video, but an interesting look back

 

[Sylvia]

Is this the same Jason Briggs, skating for Great Britain at the Albertville, Olympics with Katherine Pritchard

Yes. His twin brother Simon coaches international skaters in Dundee, Scotland, and is an ISU technical specialist in singles/pairs.

 

[aftershocks]

And yes, Danny's bald head is quite the look but hey, it's just hair and it can always grow back...it could even grow back before the season starts, LOL

It's clearly not going to grow back naturally on the top of his head -- only around the sides. Whatever Danny decides is fine with me. He looks good with a beard too.

I hope that Tarah is also finding time to work on her skating skills in order to build more speed and match Danny's speed better. Their other elements are looking good. I especially enjoyed the explosive power on their throw 3-lutz. I tend to have trouble with figuring out the throw flip from the throw lutz in pairs skating, and the flip from the toe loop in singles skating.

 

[Sylvia]

Dalilah Sappenfield's latest IG posts on her current teams:

Nica Digerness & Danny Neudecker (2 photos & #3 is a throw triple toe loop): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2537Vl1pf/

Kate Finster/Balazs Nagy (1 photo & 3 clips): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw7BPJVFbd9/

 

[Sylvia]

Mark Sadusky, 21, is listed on IPS and looking for a partner to compete at the Junior or Senior level (he was 7th in Novice Pairs with Taylor Nordquist at 2019 Nationals and 5th in Junior Men at Pacific Coast Sectionals), coached by Jim Peterson and Amanda Evora.

ETA 2 more recently updated IPS profiles:

(Evelyn) Grace Hanns, 19 this month (8th in Junior Pairs with Kristofer Ogren at 2019 Nationals) - practice clips: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw4zuz2lRcC/

Ainsley Peterson, 16, who placed 6th in Junior Pairs at 2019 Nationals with Matthew Rounis (who has a new partner named Ellie, glimpsed on Sappenfield's IG story earlier this week).

Rounis' previous partner, Meiryla Findley, announced on her IG a few days ago that she will be attending UC-Berkeley this fall.

 

[aftershocks]

Very nice compliments by Sappenfield for Kate Finster/ Balazs Nagy (the other F/N team):
"... (K&B), my squirrel and gypsy . These guys have only been together for one year and in that time got an JGP assignment, second at nationals, and competed at junior worlds. This is also Balazs’ first year of doing pairs! I’m so excited at the growth and direction for them this season. Lots of maturity in their skating..."

This is significant praise for Finster/Nagy. I knew they are a fairly new junior team, but I wasn't aware of the exact details of their pairing. From what I saw of them this past season, they clearly need more polish and experience under their belts. But there's no denying theirs is a promising pairing and they have quickly achieved encouraging results for a new young team

 

[natsulian]

I did not know they were only together for a year. Let's hope that all these promising Junior pairs stay together.

 

[insideedgeua]

I see that TJ Nyman is headed to Moscow. He posted his boarding pass and visa on Instagram. Taking a complete guess, but I’m going to say he and Sarah are off to work with Nina Mozer for a little while. Just a guess though.

 

[Sylvia]

ISU Pair Skating Development Training Seminar for Coaches and Pair Skaters (ISU Communication No. 2216) - relevant excerpts copied out below:

The ISU announces that the Single & Pair Skating Technical Committee, through an initiative supported by the ISU Development Program, is organizing International Pair Skating Development Training Seminars for Coaches and Pair Skaters in:
Berlin, Germany: April 11 – 20, 2019
&
Novorgosk, Moscow region, Russia: May 2 – 11, 2019:

The 2019 [Novogorsk] Pair Seminar is designed for Junior and developmental Senior Pairs who are making the transition from Junior to Senior Pair Skating.
A Pair is eligible for participation who:
o Junior Pairs: Has not reached the age of nineteen (19) for Ladies and of twenty-one (21) for Men in Pair Skating.

o Senior Pairs – 1-2 years of experience.
Focus of this Seminar
o Increase effective training techniques both on- and off-ice.
o Improve skating skills.
o Increase repertoire of effective Skating elements – jumps, lifts, spins

Novogorsk, Russia, Pair Seminar Moderators:
The Moderators of the Seminar are: Mr. Charlie Z. Cyr (ISU) Coordinator, Ms. Nina Moser (RUS)
Head Coach, Mr. Vladislav Zhovnirsky (RUS) Pair Skating Coach, Mr. Fedor Klimov (RUS) Pair
Skating Coach and Mr. Igor Tchiniaev (RUS/CAN) Stroking Coach. Moderators for jumps, strength
and conditioning and ballet plus a physiotherapist and additional support staff will complete the team.

(Cross-posted in the Pairs Discussion Thread 2019-20 thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-20-“two-skating-as-one”.105581/#post-5581518 )

 

[aftershocks]

Has not reached the age of nineteen (19) for Ladies...

So does that mean since Sarah Feng has already reached the age of 19, she can't attend the same seminar with her partner, TJ? If that's the case, TJ is heading there by himself then, and will likely share what he's learned with Sarah upon his return?

ETA: Thanks for the heads-up @Sylvia and @insideedgeua

 

[Sylvia]

Feng/Nyman qualify for the seminar based on the criterion "developmental Senior Pairs who are making the transition from Junior to Senior Pair Skating."

 

[insideedgeua]

So does that mean since Sarah Feng has already reached the age of 19, she can't attend the same seminar with her partner, TJ? If that's the case, TJ is heading there by himself then, and will likely share what he's learned with Sarah upon his return.

The ISU has always been very flexible with the ages on these camps. They have allowed almost 10 year olds when the minimum age was 10, and boys 2-3 years older than the upper limit.

Originally the pair camps were aimed at Novice/Junior Level. The men’s age was also lower 4 or 5 years ago. The ISU has allowed such flexibility as they really do want to develop pairs, particularly in countries that don’t already have strong pairs programs.

Once they added the second camp in Russia 3 or 4 years ago, they started to push that as a higher level camp.

 

[Sylvia]

I found out today via Instagram that USFS sent the Mokhov siblings, Ivan and Maria (2019 U.S. Junior pewter medalists), to the ISU Pair Skating Development Training Seminar in Berlin, Germany, April 11-20, 2019 - 8 photos from the seminar are posted on Ivan's IG here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwlKbapF1Hj/
It was a nice opportunity for them because she is 12 and he is 20 and they won't be able to compete together at the junior level internationally. More info on this seminar: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/pairs-discussion-thread-2019-20-“two-skating-as-one”.105581/#post-5582599

2019 U.S. Intermediate champions Sasha Lunin, 18, and Faye Kropf, 14, were featured in this Indiana local news segment a few days ago: https://www.wane.com/sports/local-s...-earn-us-figure-skating-pair-title/1971041366
The video shows them landing side-by-side 2A to 2A in sequence and Sasha mentioned they were moving up to Novice (they are also ISU Junior age-eligible).

 

[Sylvia]

On Ice Perspectives' Jordan Cowan was at Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA when Benoit Richaud was choreographing for the Knierims: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxETX-WlmKE/

Alexa & Chris will be among the guest skaters at the Cleveland Skating Club's annual show next weekend, May 10-11 - an event thread (separate from the North American club/local shows thread) is here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/82nd-cleveland-sc-ice-show-with-olympians-may-10-11.105583/

Tom Zakrajsek posted on his IG last month that he worked for a week with Haven Denney & Brandon Frazier in Colorado Springs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwcsZwZnU_o/

ETA: Both Brandon and Chris have posted IG stories about skating early morning today (Sunday) at their respective training rinks.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Looks like we have a new pair team of Emily Chan and Spencer Howe!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNPfp0lm_S/?igshid=bl658fmip2yk

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Very exciting news! Emily Chan, now 21, last competed pairs in 2014-15 with Misha Mitrofanov (8th in Novice at 2015 Nationals) and has long been one of my favorite expressive/musical skaters to watch. It's good that Lu/Mitrofanov now have a pair to train with in Chan/Howe.

Spencer Howe, now 22, was assigned to the 2018 U.S. International FS Classic with his former partner, Nadine Wang, but they withdrew and did not compete this past season. It was posted as hearsay in the Canadian Pairs thread this past February that Wang has a new partner in Montreal: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-news-and-updates.104046/page-39#post-5544570

ETA: Anyone recognize their music in the clip?

 

[maureenfarone]

Looks like we have a new pair team of Emily Chan and Spencer Howe!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNPfp0lm_S/?igshid=bl658fmip2yk

Thanks for the info! I really enjoy Emily Chan and am looking forward to seeing this new pairs team.

 

[Sylvia]

Ashley Cain's IG post today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQS8wSFCjf/

[Cain/LeDuc] Short Program 2019-2020: “A Storm is Coming” ⛈
Started this short program in Japan, finished it in Dallas! Thank you @mishage8 for you guidance and patience!

ETA - thanks to @sk9tingfan's video linked below:
Composer: Howard Shore
Album: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

(^^^ added to spreadsheet as an assumption for now)

 

[sk9tingfan]

Ashley Cain's IG post today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQS8wSFCjf/

I found this recording which I assume is the right one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidomwzi9tE

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I found this recording which I assume is the right one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidomwzi9tE

They dont serve warhorses and thats good enough for me!

 

[BrightSkates]

Did Chapman/Schneiderhahn break up? Saw a video of him skating in Orlando with a girl named Sydney(?).

 

[Sylvia]

Did Chapman/Schneiderhahn break up?

Yes, Alexandra S. is listed on IPS. She and Chapman were the 2019 U.S. Novice pewter medalists and her profile states she would like to stay with John Zimmerman's group.

Another clip of Chan/Howe (throw triple loop!): https://www.instagram.com/p/BxSaFTblC3d/

 

[Sylvia]

Olivia Serafini's latest blog post: https://livsk8er.wixsite.com/livnlearn/post/a-place-called-home

 

[aftershocks]

Thanks for the info! I really enjoy Emily Chan and am looking forward to seeing this new pairs team.

Emily Chan in 2016 as a singles skater:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN67FwYQ-rk

Spencer Howe with Nadine Wang at 2018 Nationals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ostHJ5hllWo

The new pair team of Chan/Howe appear to be well-matched, with some dynamic moves, speed and excitement in their skating. It's good to see new and promising teams coming up, and some good teams staying together.

ETA:

Another clip of Chan/Howe (throw triple loop!): https://www.instagram.com/p/BxSaFTblC3d/

That's a very nice looking throw 3-loop, with a lovely double spiral transition into it!

 

[aftershocks]

Tom Zakrajsek posted on his IG last month that he worked for a week with Haven Denney & Brandon Frazier in Colorado Springs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwcsZwZnU_o/

Cool. Hopefully, D/F had a good workout with Tom Z that has provided them with tips on improving their jumping passes. I'm excited to see what D/F have in store for next season!

Olivia Serafini's latest blog post: https://livsk8er.wixsite.com/livnlearn/post/a-place-called-home

Olivia sounds absolutely delightful. She has such a fun sense of humor too, and she seems very thoughtful in her approach to blogging! She must be a joy to be around. I'm glad to learn about her and Mervin's 'driving' adventures that eventually led to them finding a new training situation in Monsey, New York. Good luck to Mervin & Olivia!

Olivia:
"... Mervin's status in his U.S. citizen status... [and] our [former] coach’s announcement of his move (to Toronto), was our sign that it was time we put an end to all this driving and find our new training base. Long story short, we have found a new coaching team in Monsey, NY. We are absolutely thrilled to be working with coaches Jason Briggs and Jana Brazee. After a week tryout with these coaches in early April, we immediately felt comfortable working with them. We are all looking forward to working together and consistently training in one place... I’ve enjoyed our crazy lifestyle the last 8 months, but I’m ready to settle down... it will be so nice not living out of a suitcase all the time and having one place to call home."

 

[aftershocks]

Ashley Cain's IG post today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQS8wSFCjf/

ETA - thanks to @sk9tingfan's video linked below:
Composer: Howard Shore
Album: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

(^^^ added to spreadsheet as an assumption for now)

I found this recording which I assume is the right one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidomwzi9tE

They dont serve warhorses and thats good enough for me!

In the Programs/Choreog thread for next season, someone came up with yet another song by the same name, which sounds good for skating and for Cain/LeDuc, as expressed by @RoseRed who found it on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU4J17q8lsg Tommee Profitt A Storm is Comin' (feat. Liv Ash)

One clue though is Ash's Instagram reads: 'A Storm is Coming' with a 'g,' whereas the completely different Profitt version with lyrics doesn't include the 'g' on the end. So probably the Lord of the Rings version is the one C/L have chosen, and it would seem to work too. Misha Ge is very creative, so I'm eager to see how their collaboration turns out. And yes, as a commenter mentioned on Ash's post, it would be heaven to see the three of them perform a trio program! Shades of Weir/Gregory/Petukhov: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N0_DeGtmLg

There was A Storm is Coming musical theme in 2012's Dark Knight Rising, but not substantial enough for a skating program. In addition, there's this less probable Storm is Coming instrumental from the Max Max: Fury Road soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3yxnD9Lflw