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Dobre

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It's just my opinion that he and Chantelle would be able to do even better if they were focused full-time on dance, and at this point clearly dance is their ticket to the Olympics.

It's a risk either way. There's no clear ticket for them in dance unless Australia qualifies for the team event at the Olympics. Kerry & Dodds are currently #26 from Worlds (only 24 teams qualify for the Olympics). That #26 doesn't include a #3 team from Russia, the new Min & Eaton partnership from Korea, the Georgian junior team that made the JGPF, or any other new countries that might climb onto the scene prior to 2022. (Though the Israeli team has recently dissolved & there is no guarantee that athletes from some of those other countries will get citizenship). And it is no easy thing to climb up the ice dance ranks when neither partner started off in the discipline. Plus, you are putting your future in the hands of someone else. And while Kerry is above Dodds at home, the men are a lot more volatile. Injuries happen and it's not impossible that Brendan could make the top ten at Worlds during a qualifying season.

So nothing cut & dried about this decision, IMO.
 

Colonel Green

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It's a risk either way. There's no clear ticket for them in dance unless Australia qualifies for the team event at the Olympics. Kerry & Dodds are currently #26 from Worlds (only 24 teams qualify for the Olympics). That #26 doesn't include a #3 team from Russia, the new Min & Eaton partnership from Korea, the Georgian junior team that made the JGPF, or any other new countries that might climb onto the scene prior to 2022.
See, that's pretty much my point. They're much more likely to improve their standing and snatch a spot in dance if it's their full focus.

Whereas Dodds getting to compete in men's essentially rests on hoping Brendan Kerry gets injured or whatever.
 

Dobre

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See, that's pretty much my point. They're much more likely to improve their standing and snatch a spot in dance if it's their full focus.

I don't know that they are, though. And I don't know that they aren't. It's a big question.

Very few dance teams climb into the Olympic qualifying portion of the field without at least one member that has competed in dance since the JGP level. I mean, it's deceptive because you look at the Olympic field from 2018 and you think, gee if Tankova & Zilberberg could make it, then anyone could. But Tankova & Zilberberg didn't earn that spot. Tobias & Tkachenko did.

Here's what happens in dance. The coaches are looking around. They have _ number of experienced & competitive athletes from Russia, USA, & Canada that cannot make those major international teams. And those athletes are looking for a way onto the major international scene. They are looking at the political scenario right now. And asking themselves where is a window in? Korea? Azerbaijan? Armenia? Can you maybe qualify as a second team for Lithuania in case Reed doesn't get citizenship? What if you bring in a ringer & go skate for Australia? How about Czech Republic? Who can I put with Ichilov for Israel to improve the odds? And on & on.

So you're not only having to get better, which certainly would be likely to happen if Kerry & Dodds focused on dance. But everyone is getting better, right? And even when you do--even when you get better and you are training with a former World Champion in ice dance for your coach and paying for Zoueva to do your choreography and medaling in Challenger events and making the FD cut at Worlds, all of which Torn & Partanen had accomplished prior to 2018--you can still get beaten by teams like Mysliveckova & Csolley (brand new during the Olympic season), teams that some people were counting on not getting citizenship (Mansour & Ceska), teams that a top coach puts together mid-quadrennium (Min & Gamelin, Lorenz & Polizoakis, & Muramoto & Reed). You can get better, but you don't know where the bar is. It may not be defeating the two teams right above you. You may need to defeat a team that is 50% a whole lot higher up the ranks.
 
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Colonel Green

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I don't know that they are, though. And I don't know that they aren't. It's a big question.

Very few dance teams climb into the Olympic qualifying portion of the field without at least one member that has competed in dance since the JGP level. I mean, it's deceptive because you look at the Olympic field from 2018 and you think, gee if Tankova & Zilberberg could make it, then anyone could. But Tankova & Zilberberg didn't earn that spot. Tobias & Tkachenko did.

Here's what happens in dance. The coaches are looking around. They have _ number of experienced & competitive athletes from Russia, USA, & Canada that cannot make those major international teams. And those athletes are looking for a way onto the major international scene. They are looking at the political scenario right now. And asking themselves where is a window in? Korea? Azerbaijan? Armenia? Can you maybe qualify as a second team for Lithuania in case Reed doesn't get citizenship? What if you bring in a ringer & go skate for Australia? How about Czech Republic? Who can I put with Ichilov for Israel to improve the odds? And on & on.

So you're not only having to get better, which certainly would be likely to happen if Kerry & Dodds focused on dance. But everyone is getting better, right? And even when you do--even when you get better and you are training with a former World Champion in ice dance for your coach and paying for Zoueva to do your choreography and medaling in Challenger events and making the FD cut at Worlds, all of which Torn & Partanen had accomplished prior to 2018--you can still get beaten by teams like Mysliveckova & Csolley (brand new during the Olympic season), teams that some people were counting on not getting citizenship (Mansour & Ceska), teams that Shpilband or another top coach puts together mid-quadrennium (Min & Eaton and Lorenz & Polizoakis). You can get better, but you don't know where the bar is. It may not be defeating the two teams right above you. You may need to defeat a team that is 50% a whole lot higher up the ranks.
All of that is still, I would say, the more likely route than hoping Brendan Kerry can't go.
 

barbarafan

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I thought their technique improved. It was a developmental year for them and hopefully they will stick to it and come out much stronger then before. They need to stick to the plan. Short term pain for long term gain.
Don't jump down my throat but I found their elements super good and everything else was improving except their marks. I really found them undermarked in the competitions I watched and it really confused me.
 

insideedgeua

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But I mean...why would he? He's still the National silver medallist, and he just earned his best-ever SP score at 4CC. He's skating even better as a singles skater than he ever has, and he and Chantelle are improving with each outing as dancers.

If he wants to choose then he should choose, but I don't like the idea of forcing him to give up one or the other when it's obvious that he's more than good enough to do both.

He seems to be an exception to the rule, when he’s handling both very well.

I guess he has to factor in that if Brendan was injured at any time ( hopefully not), that he would be next for the men’s Olympic spot. Imagine if he gave up singles and that scenario played out and the Olympic spot went to someone else.

Aside from that, people telling him to switch to dance discounts all that he has done in singles. Up until this year, Brendan’s best result at 4CC had been 13th. That’s where Andrew finished this year. No wonder he doesn’t feel inclined to ‘give up’.
 

insideedgeua

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All of that is still, I would say, the more likely route than hoping Brendan Kerry can't go.

I don’t doubt that you’re right about dance being his most likely route to the Olympics, but I can understand his reluctance to just quit one for the other.

He certainly looks to be in the best shape of his life and seems to be managing both with ease. I think if you spoke to him you’d also find that he still loves and enjoys singles and it’s not just about the Olympics for him.
 

mag

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Don't jump down my throat but I found their elements super good and everything else was improving except their marks. I really found them undermarked in the competitions I watched and it really confused me.

I think the marks reflect their small fed and a few mistakes here and there. I do think they have potential but it is going to take some time build a reputation.
 

starrynight

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I think that Russia will be a good match for Alexandrovskaya/Windsor.

For a whole lot of reasons. They have done their best work whilst training there in the past. Also, for the sponsors back home, it sounds a lot more ~serious and business like~ than Canada.

And for a young team, having Katia's mother around might be a good thing to help provide some grounding for them.
 

sammyf

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He seems to be an exception to the rule, when he’s handling both very well.

I guess he has to factor in that if Brendan was injured at any time ( hopefully not), that he would be next for the men’s Olympic spot. Imagine if he gave up singles and that scenario played out and the Olympic spot went to someone else.

Aside from that, people telling him to switch to dance discounts all that he has done in singles. Up until this year, Brendan’s best result at 4CC had been 13th. That’s where Andrew finished this year. No wonder he doesn’t feel inclined to ‘give up’.

Surprisingly Andrew is missing from the 19/20 internationals page for both dance and singles. The only event he was on was the Hong Kong one that was moved and he's not listed for the new date. Both his brothers however, have a lot of international assignments. As do the two other senior dance teams. He placed above all of them at nationals. Something must have happened to not even be listed for anything in spring 2020?
 

Orm Irian

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Surprisingly Andrew is missing from the 19/20 internationals page for both dance and singles. The only event he was on was the Hong Kong one that was moved and he's not listed for the new date. Both his brothers however, have a lot of international assignments. As do the two other senior dance teams. He placed above all of them at nationals. Something must have happened to not even be listed for anything in spring 2020?

That is odd, but it might just be that he and Chantelle haven't finalised their assignments yet? Or a mistake in the spreadsheet. There's nothing on his instagram to suggest that he's injured or anything like that.
 

misskarne

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That is odd, but it might just be that he and Chantelle haven't finalised their assignments yet? Or a mistake in the spreadsheet. There's nothing on his instagram to suggest that he's injured or anything like that.

I'm suggesting this too. I think it would definitely be obvious if there was an injury or something.
 

Sylvia

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Brooklee Han looks back on her figure skating career (in 2 parts):

Part 1: http://figureskatersonline.com/news...ack-on-her-figure-skating-career-part-1-of-2/
Excerpt:
For at least the next two years I will remain in Texas, as I am (finally) finishing my undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University here in Dallas. I started studying there part-time this past season and I really like the classes I took and the professors I worked with. I am excited (and a bit nervous) to become a full-time student and explore all of the various academic opportunities the university provides. I am majoring in German and Journalism. I may try to add a political science minor in as well because I seem to be well on my way to a minor without really even trying. If all goes according to plan, I am hoping to graduate spring of 2021.
... once I graduate I want to become an ISU technical specialist. My parents instilled in me from a young age that it is important to give back to organizations and things that have helped us, so becoming a technical specialist and coaching a bit are how I plan on giving back to our sport.

Part 2: http://figureskatersonline.com/news...ack-on-her-figure-skating-career-part-2-of-2/ (She "shares personal photos and stories from when she first started figure skating in New England to her experience of competing for Australia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.")
 

Orm Irian

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There's been an update to the international assignments spreadsheet on the ISA website: Kerry/Dodds are now listed for the Mezzaluna Cup, Nice Metropole, Asian Classic and Open d'Andorra. Clearly it was just a matter of getting the paperwork in order - no lurking unannounced injuries or suchlike. Phew!
 

Orm Irian

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Anything Goe just posted a new interview with Matilda Friend (https://anythinggoe.com/interview-with-matilda-friend/) which has some info about F/B's new programs along with training, fitting training around study, the pains of training in Australia and having to travel to compete, etc. Tilly posted an Insta story a few days back showing off what I presume was her RD frock - broad, sparkly pink and yellow stripes and a halter neck.

Both programs sound good and I'm looking forward to ACI and its good livestream to get a look at them!
 

Sylvia

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I'm very glad to hear that Holly Harris has switched to ice dancing :). I thought she showed a deep connection with her music when she competed on the JGP three years ago (this program was memorable for me): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luxA2YIVItk
She will be 17 in November: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00101088.htm

Jason Chan turned 23 earlier this month: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054495.htm

They are registered in the Senior Dance event at Souvenir Georges-Éthier (Sept. 19-22 in Beauport QC), which will be livestreamed.
 

Bunny Hop

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I'm very glad to hear that Holly Harris has switched to ice dancing :). I thought she showed a deep connection with her music when she competed on the JGP three years ago
I'm very excited about this. I think she'll be great at ice dance. I'm sure I've told this story before, but I first saw Holly at an exhibition at our rink when she was about 8. I thought it would be the generic little kid programme with some skating around, a couple of wonky spirals and maybe a spin, but she was the total package even then, with actual rotated jumps and presentation years ahead of her age. I was blown away by how good she was. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she can do with dance.
 
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