I am sure that Danny O'Shea is also dreaming about the Olympics! I know I am gonna get crap for even suggesting to break up a partnership!
D/F are still very much capable of beating them, too.He's probably more likely to get there with Tarah than with a new partner, even if it's Alexa, especially with the Knierims no longer taking up a spot. Now their competition would only really be CG/L and C/J.
I would hate to see Denney and Frazier Split, but Denney has the same jumping issues as Chris since her injury and Frazier may be a good match for Alexa. Should be interesting how this may create some shuffle in US Pairs.Wonder when the merry go round begins. If she grabs a partner from an existing team this could ripple through our teams.
Frasier is an interesting option. While it will be tough to get to the Olympics with Alexa it might be tougher with his current partner
This was my thought. I actually like all of the teams we currently have now just fine but I think Alexa and Brandon could actually be fairly strong, and he’s already an established pairs skater...the next few months will definitely be interesting!Wonder when the merry go round begins. If she grabs a partner from an existing team this could ripple through our teams.
Frasier is an interesting option. While it will be tough to get to the Olympics with Alexa it might be tougher with his current partner
This was my first thought was well.I am sure that Danny O'Shea is also dreaming about the Olympics! I know I am gonna get crap for even suggesting to break up a partnership!
When Denney/Frazier ended their long program at Nationals, Haven leaned down and touched the ice. I wondered to my friends if she was done, and we were thinking who Brandon could partner with but of course never thought about Alexa. Brandon is a really strong skater and could do well with Alexa. Of course it's all my own thought about Haven...At Nationals, I told my friend Alexa and Brandon should team up. While I think O’Shea is a stronger skater, Frazier is bigger and would do some things that Alexa is used to (big twist, lifts, throws, etc). I hate to say that bc it would break up a US team, but when watching the event it’s what I thought would be best for US pairs.
Also, I’m sure this news is making for interesting convos and thoughts with all US teams. Alexa is quite the catch as far as US pair girls are concerned!
Wow. I had been expecting the Knierems to withdraw from the Worlds Team but I wasn't expecting him to retire while she tried to find a new partner. It will definitely be interesting over the next few months to see how it shakes out with other IS pairs teams.
Oh, and by the way, I think all the naysayers who told many of us in this thread that we were dead wrong in our interpretation of Chris' "completely over it" body language this fall and at Nats and 4CCs owe us at least an admission that we were right after all.
Great comments about Pfund/ Santillan's blog, Aftershocks. Did you see the video he posted also? A compilation of their elements from all their programs, some of which I totally forgot about! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Jht568ryY
This may cause a reshuffling of who is skating with who in US pairs, yes. We'll have to see.
OMG, one thought: Mervin Tran. Although he's not a US citizen yet, and I'd hate to break up a partnership... but Mervin Tran. Unless Alexa is too tall for him. I think she's 5'2"? Mervin is about 5'9".
He's probably more likely to get there with Tarah than with a new partner, even if it's Alexa, especially with the Knierims no longer taking up a spot. Now their competition would only really be CG/L and C/J.
Oh, and by the way, I think all the naysayers who told many of us in this thread that we were dead wrong in our interpretation of Chris' "completely over it" body language this fall and at Nats and 4CCs owe us at least an admission that we were right after all.
I understand that Nate Bartholomay is interested in returning to pairs. He had knee surgery, which is why he'd had to step away for a bit, but plans to return once he's healed up. He's 5'10", so they'd need to see if her (relative, for a pairs skater - she's 5'2") height is an issue.
Sounds like if you are a US pairs girl you might get a little paranoid
We play a game of which singles skaters should go to pairs or dance every year. Emmanuel Savory? I'm not advocating - just throwing another name out.Any singles guys who could become pairs skaters?
Counterclockwise is the more common direction.Isn’t Savary a counter clockwise skater? That would limit his options.
D’oh I meant clockwise. I’ll edit.Counterclockwise is the more common direction.
Ideally, the man already has US citizenship or already has the US citizenship process well in progress (Tran, for example, perhaps does, as he's been in the US for at least a couple of years now, with an apartment here and etc.)
And why, pray tell, is it so very important for (the collective) you to be acknowledged as "right" following this very sad announcement?
Seriously? Is it really too much to expect people to own when they were vastly mistaken?It's not a game where someone (especially fans who are not skaters) wins.
It's two lives. And perhaps many others. Skaters all. Skaters with lifelong careers.
It's happy, sad, tragic and yet somehow peaceful.
Please let it be what will be.
Seriously? Is it really too much to expect people to own when they were vastly mistaken?
There isn't any gloating or "winning" in my original comment, just simply pointing out that a lot of people who picked up on something being very wrong with Chris' emotional health were, indeed, not mistaken in what they saw and yet they were pretty soundly shut down by the Knierem supporters in this thread. A little bit of mea culpa on top of that humble pie would be nice from them right now.
Seriously? Is it really too much to expect people to own when they were vastly mistaken?
There isn't any gloating or "winning" in my original comment, just simply pointing out that a lot of people who picked up on something being very wrong with Chris' emotional health were, indeed, not mistaken in what they saw and yet they were pretty soundly shut down by the Knierem supporters in this thread. A little bit of mea culpa on top of that humble pie would be nice from them right now.
Very Insightful.Well Put. A lot is a stake for pairs changes at this level with people who have invested in a partner. Alexa is very talented, however a different partner could be complicated. (I don't mean relationship wise) She has tendencies and habits that won't necessarily align with Brandon or Danny for example. Different techniques that may be difficult to change by either partner. A new partner at this level is a huge challenge.It's not a game where someone (especially fans who are not skaters) wins.
It's two lives. And perhaps many others. Skaters all. Skaters with lifelong careers.
It's happy, sad, tragic and yet somehow peaceful.
Please let it be what will be.
I wonder why Brian Johnson isn't on your short list? I'm not advocating for that, but I don't see Leduc, O'Shea, Frazier or Tran being apt to split with their partners. Mitrofanov either, really. Also, Canadians are out of the running. None of them is going to be able to get US citizenship by 2022, which is Alexa's goal. Although it might be interesting to speculate whether she'd be willing to compete for Canada, if given a chance.It has to be a very short list of potential partners: O'Shea, LeDuc, Frazier, Tran, Mitrofanov, Bardei, Bilodeau, Nadeau. Not sure if there are any Russians available. The timing is right to put your name out there. She is a fabulous pair skater. I hope she finds her Trankov/Massot.
Seriously? Is it really too much to expect people to own when they were vastly mistaken?
There isn't any gloating or "winning" in my original comment, just simply pointing out that a lot of people who picked up on something being very wrong with Chris' emotional health were, indeed, not mistaken in what they saw and yet they were pretty soundly shut down by the Knierem supporters in this thread. A little bit of mea culpa on top of that humble pie would be nice from them right now.
Wonder when the merry go round begins. If she grabs a partner from an existing team this could ripple through our teams.
Frasier is an interesting option. While it will be tough to get to the Olympics with Alexa it might be tougher with his current partner