2020-21 Canadian Pairs News & Updates

[TAHbKA]

Kind of waiting for Duhamel to write a pair of her pupils left the school and the FSU go 'oh... erm... right'

 

[Karen-W]

She's not under any obligation to support him.

Just as he isn't under any obligation to her to continue skating professionally with her if she isn't interested in pursuing the same opportunities. It's a two-way street.

 

[Lemonade20]

Yikes, that’s quite the post from Meagan. Personally I think she should take a break from Instagram and live her life off of social media for awhile.

I agree, social media isn't the place to air out personal issues.

 

[MsZem]

Assuming this is true, Radford is doing to Duhamel what Savchenko did to Szolkowy back in 2014, except Duhamel and Radford had their time to do shows, so not the financial hit Robin may have taken. And it's not like Duhamel doesn't have other things to do.

Robin did not write a dramatic post, moved on with his coaching career, and eventually posted a very gracious comment when Savchenko and Massot won their OGM. Duhamel is welcome to do none of those things, but she really hasn't been doing herself any favors on social media lately. Perhaps a digital detox is in order.

 

[honey]

I tend to agree Meagan should probably take a little social media break right now, but she is responding to people publicaly and providing some additional insight. She responded to someone on the TSL Facebook page, saying that she was never asked about if she wanted to come back to competition by Radford. This seems to be where she feels betrayed. He is coming back to competition with a new partner and he didn’t ask her if she was interesting in coming back before getting a new partner.

 

[Gris]

Her post specifically said "have felt betrayal in the worst of ways the past couple of years" so it seems like it's more than just Radford returning to competition with a new partner.

I do agree that posting all these on social media is not the best idea though.

 

[overedge]

Just as he isn't under any obligation to her to continue skating professionally with her if she isn't interested in pursuing the same opportunities. It's a two-way street.

I agree. I was responding to a post that was focusing on what she said, that she should be supportive of him instead of throwing shade.

 

[floskate]

If Meagan wants to post her feelings on this she has every right to do so. She's a big girl now and I'm sure she can handle whatever reaction comes from it. That is her truth and no one has any right to put a lid on it. I can completely see why she feels the way she does.

 

[kwanfan1818]

So somehow the thinking is Eric would have a more successful pro career with Vanessa rather than the partner with whom he won 2 World Championships and an Olympic bronze medal?

James/Radford might have more opportunities in Europe for shows. And I can't imagine the Japanese shows wouldn't want Radford. If I had to guess, it would be that he would be the person in the D/R pair who forged the personal connections, because she isn't the most diplomatic person.

Radford is doing to Duhamel what Savchenko did to Szolkowy back in 2014, except Duhamel and Radford had their time to do shows, so not the financial hit Robin may have taken

He was the one who cancelled the immediately post 2014 Worlds shows (to which S/S were invited), but he said it was because his back was ailing badly. Similarly, Bourne and Kraatz went back and forth, and, allegedly, one of them agreed to stay in an extra year (2003) for a shot to win Worlds, and to postpone skating in shows, which theywanted to do after SLC, and then, IIRC, the one who wanted to compete another year refused to do shows after they won Worlds.

 

[mattiecat13]

I always liked Duhamel and was thrilled for her when she and Eric won the bronze medal. However, I can see how she might be a bit...intense...and perhaps Eric wanted a different kind of partnership this time. I can also understand how the loss of show/tour income would be upsetting to her. But if Eric told her his plans ahead of time and was respectful about it, then it's his choice and his life.

 

[Colonel Green]

KMT “liked” this tweet; looks like next season is going to be a grudge match.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384176136213516293

 

[rhapsody]

Robin did not write a dramatic post, moved on with his coaching career, and eventually posted a very gracious comment when Savchenko and Massot won their OGM.

IG wasn't as big back then so no, Robin did not write a dramatic post but you're clearly misremembering things if you think it was all sunshine and rainbows between him and Aljona in the German press at the time.

 

[4rkidz]

I fell in love with Evelyn and Trennt at nationals in 2018. I’d also be crushed if they missed the chance to go to the Olympics. They are the future of Canadian pairs.

if they are the future of Canadian pairs then, they don't have anything to be concerned about? More competition the better as far as I'm concerned.

 

[aka_gerbil]

if they are the future of Canadian pairs then, they don't have anything to be concerned about? More competition the better as far as I'm concerned.

I feel this is a situation where politics could heavily come into play in nationals judging.

 

[Colonel Green]

I feel this is a situation where politics could heavily come into play in nationals judging.

I don’t see much benefit to the federation in sending a short-term inferior team to the Olympics.

 

[aka_gerbil]

I don’t see much benefit to the federation in sending a short-term inferior team to the Olympics.

Unless they want the attention of having a world champion/Olympic medalist who was part of the OGM team in 2018 back on the team.

 

[4rkidz]

I feel very sorry for Meagan and can completely see why she is so upset.

And...

I’m quite excited and intrigued to potentially see Vanessa skating again.

I have the same conflicted emotions LOL.. It is a sport after all and the best should compete.

 

[4rkidz]

I feel this is a situation where politics could heavily come into play in nationals judging.

in dance maybe but pairs is too technical - the cream rises.

 

[dramagrrl]

I hate to see this potential pairing causing a rift between Meagan and Eric. One of my favourite things about their partnership was how loyal they seemed to each other and how happy they looked together as they achieved their goals, especially in Pyeongchang. They called each other "soulmates", etc. and it seemed completely genuine. I was hoping he had her blessing if he is going to pursue a return to competition with a new partner, but it doesn't seem that way.

 

[MsZem]

IG wasn't as big back then so no, Robin did not write a dramatic post but you're clearly misremembering things if you think it was all sunshine and rainbows between him and Aljona in the German press at the time.

I remember it well, and obviously the gracious post did not come in 2014 But Robin didn't go all over what happened, and he got on with his life like an adult.

KMT “liked” this tweet; looks like next season is going to be a grudge match.

What will she do, go after them with a bedazzler?

 

[overedge]

What will she do, go after them with a bedazzler?

 

[Colonel Green]

What will she do, go after them with a bedazzler?

Bedazzled crowbar, Gillooly-style.

 

[kwanfan1818]

If everyone comes in healthy -- relative for skaters -- I suppose it's possible for three of the top five teams could have sub-par Olympics and that James/Radford could be competitive for an individual medal if there are enough burnt sacrifices.

But what good is a one-year partnership going to do for Skate Canada? Get one higher placement in each segement of the Team Pairs Event, if they gel immediately, all of the stars align, and they compete as well as Volosozhar/Trankov did their first year, where they were Russia, not competing against Russia #1, 2, 3. I think Canada is going to be fighting to make the TE final less than the podium, given the weakness in Ladies, and that the Men's SP can be a bit of a crapshoot; Bychenko was 2nd in the segment in 2018, and France isn't going to be sending Besseghier.

It might make sense to push a high-level Ladies skater, but that ship has sailed, unless Duhamel wants to row back. They've got MT/M: it's not like they're relying on W/M to carry the team on their first Olympics. MT already delivered in the TE in 2014 with Moscovitch.

 

[love_skate2011]

Is this for real ?

Radford is 37, James is turning 34, Shes no Savchenko thats for sure, maybe its for shows ? I cant see them being competitive let alone staying until 2026, I would understand the grudge from other skaters, why not invest in younger skaters, this will just prolong Canada's lost generation.

 

[MsZem]

Radford is 37, James is turning 34, Shes no Savchenko thats for sure, maybe its for shows ? I cant see them being competitive let alone staying until 2026, I would understand the grudge from other skaters, why not invest in younger skaters, this will just prolong Canada's lost generation.

Radford is 36. James will be 34 in September. She last competed two years ago, and was in great shape then.

If the younger skaters can't compete with these two, um, senior citizens, they probably aren't going to make a splash internationally.

(Zoe Jones is 41)

 

[4rkidz]

Is this for real ?

Radford is 37, James is turning 34, Shes no Savchenko thats for sure, maybe its for shows ? I cant see them being competitive let alone staying until 2026, I would understand the grudge from other skaters, why not invest in younger skaters, this will just prolong Canada's lost generation.

if she wasn't interested in competing - why would she get a release from France?

 

[Colonel Green]

But what good is a one-year partnership going to do for Skate Canada? Get one higher placement in each segement of the Team Pairs Event, if they gel immediately, all of the stars align, and they compete as well as Volosozhar/Trankov did their first year, where they were Russia, not competing against Russia #1, 2, 3. I think Canada is going to be fighting to make the TE final less than the podium, given the weakness in Ladies, and that the Men's SP can be a bit of a crapshoot; Bychenko was 2nd in the segment in 2018, and France isn't going to be sending Besseghier.

Singles (especially men’s) is inherently chaotic, to be sure, but at the most recent Worlds, among the four countries jockeying to make the team event and maybe take bronze (Canada, China, France, Italy) Canada’s top man and lady smoked everybody but (of course) Japan. They’re not on the borderline of making the final at the moment.

France also may not even qualify this time.

 

[tony]

They want to compete, it's the real deal, and when she was released is when the buzz started going around a few weeks ago.

 

[Seerek]

Does Skate Canada think they're in that much trouble for the Olympic Team Event bronze?

Before this, I was always thinking MT/M were going to be doing both segments as it was. This might change things a little.

 

[Colonel Green]

Does Skate Canada think they're in that much trouble for the Olympic Team Event bronze?

One imagines this was the skaters’ initiative, not the fed’s. Most of what happens in skating is not centrally directed.