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

[Sylvia]

Any word on Calalang / Johnson?? They became my fave after Nationals when they put those performances out there w/ little time together!

Benoit Richaud choreographed their SP when he visited California earlier in May (3rd & 4th photos): https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLpY0on6Ap/

Both Feng (19)/Nyman (19) and Chan (21)/Howe (22) are senior level.

ETA:

@olympic, Jessica Calalang annnounced her & Brian Johnson's program music on her IG on Friday:

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByJjNUGHb5-/
"2019/2020 Short Program. Light of the Seven composed by Ramin Djawadi Choreography by @benoitrichaud #GameofThrones #GoT"

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByImRL4Hhxi/
"2019/2020 Freeskate Program. You Are The Reason by Calum Scott & Leona Lewis. Choreography by Cindy Stuart ?"

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Benoit Richaud choreographed their SP when he visited California earlier in May (3rd & 4th photos): https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLpY0on6Ap/

Both Feng (19)/Nyman (19) and Chan (21)/Howe (22) are senior level.

Chris Knierim and his long hair is kinda driving me crazy in a gooooood wayyyy!!!! I may go down and have me a solid 2 hour lesson with him. Hope he likes 200 pound body builders.

The new to senior US pairs lately have me quite excited.

 

[VGThuy]

Emily Chan and Spencer Howe have a great look together!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxk8SDPnyqz/?igshid=cs142dfj7u8s

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0y4clnn3u/?igshid=7ubbhz2fvnth

Whoa. They are looking great. That's how you choreograph a program.

 

[aftershocks]

Emily Chan and Spencer Howe have a great look together!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxk8SDPnyqz/?igshid=cs142dfj7u8s

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0y4clnn3u/?igshid=7ubbhz2fvnth

Yes, Chan/Howe seem very well-matched, even from the initial clips @Sylvia posted a few weeks ago. In the first clip above, they have such wonderful unison and the choreography is interesting too. I wonder who choreographed their programs? They are spot-on with the sbs jumps in the second clip. And in these training clips, they appear to have a lot of energy, speed and spark.

Refresh my memory: Was Emily Chan a singles pairs skater previously? I know that Spencer used to be paired with Nadine Wang, who is now skating with Francis Boudreau-Audet for Canada.

 

[Sylvia]

Refresh my memory: Was Emily Chan a singles skater previously?

All pairs skaters were singles skaters previously. Emily Chan won the U.S. Novice (2015) & Junior (2016) titles, competed in one JGP (2015), once as a senior at Nationals (2018), and her only senior international competition was the 2016 U.S. Classic in SLC): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00035004.htm

From earlier in this thread:

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.

IIRC, Olga Ganicheva choreographed (all or most of) Emily Chan's singles programs. Ganicheva did one of Lu/Mitrofanov's programs last season and another Dallas-based choreographer, Evgeni Nemirovski, was credited with the other... I assume Chan/Howe may have a similar arrangement.

Chris Knierim posted this photo with Alexa and coach Nina Mozer alongside Calalang/Johnson in California: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOV7DVBp-b/

U.S. National Pairs camp is scheduled for June 8-14, 2019 in Westminster, CO.

Deanna Stellato has been looking for a partner and some hearsay updates are posted here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...wo-skating-as-one”.105581/page-2#post-5593706

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

Looks like Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson competed over the weekend at the All Year Open Competition (hosted by All Year FSC), earning a 63.88 in the FS. They were the only competitors.

Their scoresheet can be viewed here: http://allyearfsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SEGM030.html

 

[aftershocks]

All pairs skaters were singles skaters previously.

Okay, I seem to recall you had mentioned something about Chan having been previously paired with another partner. But I'd forgotten it was Mitrofanov, now one of her training partners. It's great that Emily has prior pairs experience.

Looks like Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson competed over the weekend at the All Year Open Competition (hosted by All Year FSC), earning a 63.88 in the FS. They were the only competitors.

Their scoresheet can be viewed here: http://allyearfsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SEGM030.html

I guess fairly decent scoring for this period of the off-season. Onward and upward!

 

[olympic]

Love the fact that Nina is involved in the training of SK/K and C/J, but what LP has 6 required elements??

 

[clairecloutier]

Love the fact that Nina is involved in the training of SK/K and C/J, but what LP has 6 required elements??

I’m wondering about that, too!

 

[aftershocks]

I’m wondering about that, too!

Nina's involvement with Ashley/Timothy, they have both shared in interviews and in print, has been of great benefit in their growth as a team. Maybe additional 'Nina involvement' for other top U.S. pairs teams has been requested by U.S. fed, or unofficially requested by the coaches and teams involved. Who knows how that all works exactly?

As well, certainly Robin Szolkowy (who is coaching with Meno/Sand) has a relationship with Nina, so he may have been instrumental in unofficially asking Nina to come by their rink in California for a visit.

 

[aftershocks]

Deanna Stellato has been looking for a partner and some hearsay updates are posted here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...wo-skating-as-one”.105581/page-2#post-5593706

Very confusing. It's being said that Maxime Deschamps of Canada ended his nascent partnership with Kyueun Kim of South Korea because he found another partner he prefers. And that the split was confirmed by Kim's mother. And then Deanna and Max were seen practicing together, and rumors flew. Now, it's being stated that Deanna had only 'asked permission' to practice at the rink with Max in order to maintain her pairs skills, while she's looking for a new partner.

Meanwhile, the identity of the skater Max tried out with and prefers over Kim, is still a mystery.


ETA:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxk8SDPnyqz/?igshid=cs142dfj7u8s
Can someone identify Chan/Howe's music in this clip?

 

[Sylvia]

... what LP has 6 required elements??

I'm told that Johnson wasn't feeling well that day and so he and Calalang were not able to finish their FS.

 

[emason]

ETA:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxk8SDPnyqz/?igshid=cs142dfj7u8s
Can someone identify Chan/Howe's music in this clip?

See Post 659 from Kwanfan1818.

 

[aftershocks]

Love Chan and Howe! (Wish they'd decided to skate to Polenzani singing it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvJ95U9U9tE)

I think the instrumental version without the lyrics is fine for Chan/Howe.

 

[aftershocks]

Cross-posting from Programs/Choreo thread:

Denney/Frazier
FS: The Lion King
New choreo by Renee Roca

https://twitter.com/Brandon_F1992/status/1136792659756892160?s=19
(Includes video footage)

Really love the new choreo!

But there's something wrong with that link. Here's the correct link:
https://twitter.com/Brandon_F1992/status/1136796146616004608

This will be interesting to see with the revamped choreo by Renee Roca who worked on the original LK program for their 2014-15 season. So five years later H&B are more mature and have been through a lot. I'm eager to see how the reworking turns out.

And another cross-post:

Laiken Lockley and Keenan Prochnow
FP: "I Can't Go On without You" by KALEO
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByYCxW5B8hY/

Laiken thanks Matteo Zanni and Massimo Scali for their work, but it's not clear who choreographed which program. (As I posted earlier, their SP is "Seven Nation Army.")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY Seven Nation Army The White Stripes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZrHFJ7ugwY I Can't Go On Without You Kaleo

 

[TanithandBenFan]

New junior team training with Dalilah - Winter Noel Deardoff and Mikhail Gumba. They're mirror skaters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByY1ndXHUrU/?igshid=10zvc5pt108kv

 

[Wyliefan]

Winter Noel = best name ever.

 

[Sylvia]

Winter Noel Deardorff, 18, previously skated with Max Settlage for 2 seasons and Mikhail Gumba, 20, competed in Novice Pairs at 2019 U.S. Nationals (6th with Campbell Young; he also competed in the Novice Dance event at 2018 Nationals).

ETA:

Good to see Kyoko Ina involved with U.S. pairs development (group photo last week with Lu/Mitrofanov, Chan/Howe and coaches Letov and Ganicheva in Dallas): https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGIUESnJmQ/

 

[miffy]

I love mirror pairs!

 

[aftershocks]

New junior team training with Dalilah - Winter Noel Deardoff and Mikhail Gumba. They're mirror skaters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByY1ndXHUrU/?igshid=10zvc5pt108kv

Wow. They look really good together after such a short time paired. Obviously, they are still adjusting to each other and taking things slowly, but the fact there are so many clips, I think also speaks to how well they are looking in training practices.

I'm so happy for Winter that she found another partner! I enjoyed the work she and Max 'The Artist' Settlage did together in seniors for a few seasons. And having that under her belt is great experience for Winter going forward. It's cool that Winter and Mikhail will have at least one season working together in juniors for further growth before tackling seniors together.

I didn't know that Winter's middle name is Noel. I'm glad she's using it. What a great name for an ice skater!

Rudy Galindo commented on Dalilah's post. Were he and Kristi also 'mirror' skaters? And does it mean the skaters jump and spin in different directions? That should really make for some interesting choreo. Do most pairs rotate and spin in the same direction? What is the common direction? Clockwise or counterclockwise? I always get mixed up about that. I believe that Max and Winter spun and rotated in the same direction, but it was the uncommon direction, no?

BTW, aren't we getting into new season territory now and new season thread time?

The U.S. has a lot of veteran and younger up-and-coming teams with a lot of talent! My cup runneth over truly, madly, deeply!

Regarding T.J. Nyman's comment about Dalilah being a great matchmaker, maybe she can help Deanna find a new partner?!

Can we get an updated list of U.S. pairs active partnerships? Thanks in advance!

 

[aftershocks]

Kristi & Rudi (he used 'i' spelling at that time to match):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFthnJ6xg9k 1990 scroll to 4:27 for their actual performance
A cool death spiral variation entry on Rudi's part; and they performed the combo spin in Kristi's natural direction (I think counter-clockwise; with Rudi being clockwise, the more common direction?) The last lift was difficult, but back then lifts were not held as long, nor did they move into as many positions in the air with greater ice coverage and intricate dismounts. I noticed that Kristi did a foot grab going into her death spiral, and that was pre-Aliona! It's always fun looking back.

Yep, they were 'mirror' skaters, which makes choreography difficult, but also an interesting challenge.

Another Kristi/Rudi video, from 1989:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE02qmpJRJ0 scroll to 2:27 for their performance

 

[aftershocks]

... Mikhail Gumba, 20, competed in Novice Pairs at 2019 U.S. Nationals (6th with Campbell Young; he also competed in the Novice Dance event at 2018 Nationals).

Here's Mickey with Isabella Flores in novice dance 2018:

Isabella Flores Mikhail Gumba

Isabella Flores Mikhail Gumba US Nationals 2018

www.youtube.com

I can't locate his novice pairs performance with Campbell on Youtube, tho' it might be available on U.S. figure skating fan zone.

Are both of Mickey's parents Russian, or just his mother?

Mickey and Nica Digerness went to senior prom together last year. Cute!

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Good luck to the new pairing of Winter Noel & Mickey Alex!
I think I've got it now. Right is clockwise, and left is counterclockwise. So Max & Winter spun and rotated counterclockwise; Winter's new partner, Mickey, spins and rotates clockwise, which is the more common direction.

Uh, are Youtube and Instagram links supposed to appear like that now, with thumbnails?

ETA:
Here's a Southwestern Regionals 2017 singles performance by Mickey, with uber-long hair:

Mikhail Gumba 2017 Southwesterns

www.youtube.com

 

[miffy]

I think I've got it now. Right is clockwise, and left is counterclockwise. So Max & Winter spun and rotated counterclockwise; Winter's new partner, Mickey, spins and rotates clockwise, which is the more common direction.

I think you may have it backwards. Counter-clockwise is far more common is it not?

 

[Clarice]

I think you may have it backwards. Counter-clockwise is far more common is it not?

Yes, more skaters rotate counter-clockwise, also known as "to the left". (Where I get messed up is with ballet pirouettes, because en dedans and en dehors feel totally backwards to me as a skater, but whatever.)

 

[aftershocks]

If you look head-on at a clock face, the right is clockwise, and the left is counter-clockwise. My natural inclination on the ice would be to turn towards my right since I'm right-handed. I don't know if being right or left-handed has anything to do with it though. I would think that turning to my right is clockwise not counterclockwise, but it depends on how we each look at it, so that is for me why there's such confusion. For example, when you look in the mirror, you see reflected back a mirror image, which is different from a head-on image of how others see you, no?

 

[Cleo1782]

If you look head-on at a clock face, the right is clockwise, and the left is counter-clockwise. My natural inclination on the ice would be to turn towards my right since I'm right-handed. I don't know if being right or left-handed has anything to do with it though. I would think that turning to my right is clockwise not counterclockwise, but it depends on how we each look at it, so that is for me why there's such confusion. For example, when you look in the mirror, you see reflected back a mirror image, which is different from a head-on image of how others see you, no?

Most right handed skaters skate to the left. That's basically how you are taught. It's opposite of ballet. As someone right handed I think it's because by skating left you land on your right foot, which is more natural to right handers. Most left handed skaters I knew did jump to the right to land on their left foot. It's what ever comes easier for you. I would imagine if you had an extensive ballet background before starting skating you may choose to jump to the right though.

 

[Clarice]

If you look head-on at a clock face, the right is clockwise, and the left is counter-clockwise. My natural inclination on the ice would be to turn towards my right since I'm right-handed. I don't know if being right or left-handed has anything to do with it though. I would think that turning to my right is clockwise not counterclockwise, but it depends on how we each look at it, so that is for me why there's such confusion. For example, when you look in the mirror, you see reflected back a mirror image, which is different from a head-on image of how others see you, no?

Yes, to the right is clockwise and to the left is counterclockwise, no confusion there. Handedness is only one factor in determining your preferred direction of rotation. I am right-handed (which more people are), and I spin to the left (counterclockwise - which more people do). From years of teaching beginning skaters, I know that the majority of students will naturally spin to the left (counterclockwise). Interestingly, we have a set of mirror twins in our learn to skate program, and they do spin in opposite directions.

 

[Rukia]

People always ask me if I'm left handed because I'm a clockwise rotator. I took ballet for a looooong time as a youth though, way before I started skating. I usually did turns in ballet clockwise, so I think that's why I feel more natural rotating that way.

 

[VGThuy]

I used to think handedness was a factor as well, and it might be, but it's not the only thing that determines whether a skater rotates clockwise/counter-clockwise. I know Maia Shibutani revealed that she's naturally a clockwise skater but she's right-handed.

 

[DFO]

Most right handed skaters skate to the left. That's basically how you are taught. It's opposite of ballet. As someone right handed I think it's because by skating left you land on your right foot, which is more natural to right handers.

Maybe I didn't had the "right" ballet teachers, but the concept of most ballet dancers turning to the right escaped me. My right leg, like my right arm, are dominant, so I'm inclined to de pirouettes on my right leg, which will mean turning to the left.

On the other side, those who are practicing sports where the dominant eye is what count will know that half the right handers got left dominant eye. So, in archery, for instance, many people are learning at their beginning they should be left handers because their left eye is better for targeting.