Pairs Discussion Thread 2021-22

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
ICYMI, @clairecloutier spoke to Bruno Marcotte at Worlds in Montpellier "to get his take on Miura/Kihara, Moore-Towers/Marinaro, and the issues facing Canadian pairs" among other things:
With this season ending, Marcotte’s own thoughts are turning to the next quad, and how to prepare his students Miura/Kihara for continued success. He expects to see some rules changes (although nothing momentous) announced after the ISU Congress in June.
“After every quad, typically, there are rules changes,” Marcotte said. “I like this, because it challenges the athletes. I work with them on meeting the demands of the new rules. I do think we will see more side-by-side jump combinations in pairs in years to come. I don’t think we will see any more throw quads until they change the point values [of quads]. Until then, the risk isn’t worth the reward.”
Marcotte said that Miura/Kihara have already started working on some new jump combinations. “Because we don’t want to be behind the pairs who are leading the way,” he explained.
ETA link to the ISU's Junior Worlds pairs recap (April 15, 2022): https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...nior-pairs-title-for-georgia?templateParam=15
 
Last edited:

AYS

🌻
Messages
24,660
ICYMI, @clairecloutier spoke to Bruno Marcotte at Worlds in Montpellier "to get his take on Miura/Kihara, Moore-Towers/Marinaro, and the issues facing Canadian pairs" among other things:

ETA link to the ISU's Junior Worlds pairs recap (April 15, 2022): https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...nior-pairs-title-for-georgia?templateParam=15
Nice article @clairecloutier !
 

AxelAnnie

Like a small boat on the ocean...
Messages
14,463
You know, when you think about it, all retirements should be sent to FSU for both our opinions and advice before they even THINK of retiring.
 

Karen-W

Checking Senior Bs for TES mins...
Messages
36,155
From the Russian news thread in GSD:
Quoting myself, it seems that Kostiukovich/Sviatchenko did not work out, because another gossip says that Sviatchenko went to Sochi to skate with Marie Pavlova. She was skating for Hungary. I wonder if she already received citizenship. If she did, Pavlova/Sviatchenko could skate for Hungary.
Sounds like Pavlova/Nagy are no more, which I sort of suspected when they weren't sent to Worlds. That's a real shame since they showed a lot of promise this fall and at Europeans.
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
@hanca posted this earlier today in the Russian news thread in GSD:
Quoting myself, it seems that Kostiukovich/Sviatchenko did not work out, because another gossip says that Sviatchenko went to Sochi to skate with Marie Pavlova. She was skating for Hungary. I wonder if she already received citizenship. If she did, Pavlova/Sviatchenko could skate for Hungary.
Sounds like Pavlova/Nagy are no more, which I sort of suspected when they weren't sent to Worlds. That's a real shame since they showed a lot of promise this fall and at Europeans.
Cross-posting here - Maria Pavlova obtained Hungarian citizenship back in February, according to this post of hers: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZuQ8oHI-N8/
 

hanca

Values her privacy
Messages
12,547
@hanca posted this earlier today in the Russian news thread in GSD:


Cross-posting here - Maria Pavlova obtained Hungarian citizenship back in February, according to this post of hers: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZuQ8oHI-N8/
At least Hungary will have a pair, if the gossip about Pavlova/Sviatchenko is true. The situation with pairs at worlds looked a bit sad, so the more pairs the better! (Though it is just a gossip, it may be just a tryout and it may not work out.)
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Canon (ISU sponsor) has published an interview with Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara, conducted in Tokyo in April 2022, in Japanese:
Google translated excerpt:
Kihara: We want to simply deliver the joy of skating. The judge once said, "Pair competitions always have a painful face and slip, but you guys are always laughing, so I like it." I wasn't aware of the value of, but I thought it was wonderful. Pairs use their physical strength for each technique, so it's tough, and their seriousness is easy to see on their faces. That's why it seems that we are laughing freshly, and I don't want to erase this smile.
Miura: Many people say, "It seemed fun to slide with a smile, and I was impressed." I want to continue this smile.
Kihara Yes. Everyone likes skating, so I do it, but when it comes to competition, it's easy to forget that feeling. I want to continue to convey the pure feeling of "I'm doing it because it's fun" as a smile.
Sounds like they're aiming to skate 8 more years together! :D
 

Karen-W

Checking Senior Bs for TES mins...
Messages
36,155
Here is a video from Denys Strekalin & Oceane Piegad, who have been skating together about 2 months, talking about their goals for next season. In it, they specifically mention coming to the US for a pairs training seminar this summer and working with Vanessa James during the coming year. While it's no official announcement, it does seem to confirm what most of us suspected would happen regarding James/Radford being a one-season-and-done wonder.

 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Grace Hanns (8th in Senior Pairs at 2021 U.S. Nationals with Jim Garbutt & currently listed on IPS) was at the Bercy rink near Paris with coaches Bruno Marcotte and Bruno Massot, both of whom had teams at last week's Junior Worlds in Tallinn (2nd photo shows Hanns with a group of French pair skaters, including the Kovalevs): https://www.instagram.com/p/CciztVmr7FL/

ETA that the new team of Piegad/Strekalin and Coline Keriven also are tagged in the group photo but not Tom Bouvart (is he there?) with whom Kerivan announced a new partnership back in March: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbX4QMmorOJ/

ETA #2 - Bouvart's Instagram 2 days ago has a photo of him training with Keriven: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcidG6GIaqW/
 
Last edited:

Karen-W

Checking Senior Bs for TES mins...
Messages
36,155
Grace Hanns (8th in Senior Pairs at 2021 U.S. Nationals with Jim Garbutt & currently listed on IPS), was at the Bercy rink near Paris with coaches Bruno Marcotte and Bruno Massot, both of whom had teams at last week's Junior Worlds in Tallinn (2nd photo shows Hanns with a group of French pair skaters, including the Kovalevs): https://www.instagram.com/p/CciztVmr7FL/
Wonder if she's there for a tryout. Isn't Noel-Antoine Pierre also listed on IPS?
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Knierim/Frazier article by @Jayar (April 20, 2022):
Excerpt from the end:
Once the [SOI] tour is over, Knierim and Frazier plan to take some time away from skating to enjoy a well-earned vacation. When they finally return home, they plan to discuss what their future may hold as a team and as individuals.
"Alexa and I really haven't circled around to discussing our future, we've really been living in the moment," Frazier admitted. "We've spent the last two years working and building up a plan, and now after achieving a lot of things we had hoped to achieve, we both we just want to enjoy the tour and when we get back in June, I know we'll circle back around and talk and see what our interests are."
Knierim added, "I think we'll just listen to our hearts. I believe a huge reason Brandon and I have been able to be successful is because we are vulnerable and honest with each other, and I think that's what has propelled us forward. When it comes down to it, we'll just listen to our gut and intuition on what is next for us individually and will be able to express that without concern."
 

UMBS Go Blue

Слава Україні!
Messages
15,633
Random news sighting: looks like Sui Wenjing was honored in early April on center stage inside the Great Hall of the People by Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang. (gifted non-paywall link below; scroll down for picture)

 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
There were 7 French pairs: Piegad/Strekalin, Hanns/Pierre, Kerriven/Bouvard, Kovalev/Kovalev, Faula/Belmonte, Vouillamoz/Giniaux and Ehrard/Pellegris.
Grace Hanns updated her IPS profile after she returned from France; Noël-Antoine Pierre is still listed on IPS.

From Piegad/Strekalin's IG (3rd one is a clip): https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWZ_GWoJ69/
"Our month ended with the chance of a collaboration with@guillaume_cizeron. Your experience shared with us is priceless. We can't wait to work with you again!"

Bruno Massot recently posted a group photo of his skaters on the one year anniversary of his school in Caen: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdJVISQMmK_/
L to R:
Keriven/Bouvart (new)
Vouillamo/Giniaux (10th of 10 at 2022 Junior Worlds)
? & Lucas ?
Ben Jalovick (competed as a Sr. singles skater in U.S., incl. at 2019 Nationals) & Pauline ? (new)
Faula/Belmonte
Noah, a pair skater from Spain
 
Last edited:

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Ruben Blommaert is "Happy to announce we [he & Alisa Efimova] are able to represent @deutsche_eislauf_union 🇩🇪" in the 2022-23 season: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdk2ae2u3gV/

Isabella Gamez & Alexander Korovin plan to make their debut for the Philippines in 2022-23 (her April 6th post - eta - that was originally posted in the OAS news thread in GSD): https://www.instagram.com/p/CcA3TiQvIjH/

April 8th: https://twitter.com/phskating/status/1512295727875035139
"Our PHSU President Nikki Cheng welcomes our pair skating team Isabelle Gamez and Sasha Korovin to the Mall of Asia Skating Rink [in PHI]. They will be staying for a few weeks to help jumpstart competitive pairs skating in the country."
 
Last edited:

miffy

Bad Brit
Staff member
Messages
12,039
I am really pleased that both Efimova and Korovin will be able to compete internationally. I was such a fan of theirs and I think it was a shame they couldn’t switch countries together (as they weren’t going anywhere in Russia), but I am glad they have at least found partners and got a release.
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Sui/Han article, published on May 12, 2022 based on China Daily's May 3rd interview:
The Chinese pair won their second world title in 2019, but their preparations for the Beijing Games were interrupted when Han underwent hip surgery in April 2020. But they kept waiting and supporting each other throughout the injuries and setbacks, and eventually conquered the biggest stage together.
“I just felt so lucky to meet Han, and together we achieved something incredible,” says Sui. “And we set great examples. Before us, it was hard for skaters of our physical stature to reach such a high level in pairs skating, but we showed the possibilities.”
On Feb 19, their gold-winning performance to the song at the Beijing Games wowed the world-and Sui burst into tears in Han’s arms after finishing. For the pair, the rhythm and the lyrics of the song is the perfect match of their stories of dedication and the support of each other, especially during the hard times.
“We have great communication, and we feel that song is just like our story,” Han explains. “And we used the song just twice and both times achieved success.
“The song [Bridge Over Troubled Water] is really famous. And, as the world faces the challenges of the pandemic together, through the song, and our performances at the Olympics, we hoped to build a golden bridge in the hearts of people to connect the world.”
Sui and Han have started a new chapter of lives, seeking new possibilities. Sui is learning public speaking, as well as English and Japanese. She has also started writing her autobiography.
“I just feel people need to continue to explore. And through the process, we can earn the recognition of people from different sectors. I think that’s a way of gaining more confidence,” says Sui.
ETA that this article is based on a video interview - link is posted here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...d-to-beijing-2022.100886/page-49#post-6258474
 
Last edited:

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Translation of a matchtv.ru interview with Alina Efimova, now representing Germany with Ruben Blommaert (they have been named to the 2022-23 national team along with Hase/Seegert, Hocke/Kunkel & Roscher/Schuster - link is in the German news thread in GSD):
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Safina/Berulava article by Tatjana Flade (May 25):
The team started out in Perm, Russia, where they were training under coach Pavel Sliusarenko. Both are Russian-born: Safina comes from Tcheliabinsk in the Ural mountains, while Berulava is originally from Moscow. However, he has Georgian ancestry and has competed for Georgia since the 2019-20 season.
“When we had the idea to pair Karina and Luka, we thought that it would be difficult to take them to a level that makes it possible to get out of Russia,” Sliusarenko said. “At first, we had plans for Junior competitions and everything went well.”
“It has been a difficult season, but the main goal when they were paired was to get to the Olympic Games,” Sliusarenko explained. “This is not only the dream of the athletes, but also the dream of the coach. As the coach, I realized that they could make it and that they would not look out of place there.”
“When we started, we just worked very hard and hoped for the best,” Safina noted. “We mastered the elements quite quickly. It was harder to skate the whole program with all elements.”
The skaters and their coach were only disappointed with their result at Worlds. The team did well in the Short Program, but there were some small mistakes in the Free Skate.
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
21-min. interview in Russian with Galina Pachin, Hector Giotopoulos-Moore and Anastasia Golubeva in Australia (May 23):

Machine translation of the text on the Russian language version:

Coaches Galina and Andrey Pachin have been in Australia for almost 30 years. For all the time, only three pairs of figure skaters from Australia have won international competitions, two of these pairs are students of Galina and Andrey.

The most recent achievement is silver at the [world] junior competition in Tallinn, where Hector Giotopoulos-Moore and Anastasia Golubeva won silver.

Hector was born in Melbourne, grew up in a Greek family, but speaks good Russian. Nastya came to Australia for the first time, she has yet to finish school in Russia, but she has a dream to represent Australia at the next Olympics.


ETA: Can anyone here provide a summary? :)
 
Last edited:

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Cross-posting here from GSD threads:

Interview with Karina Akopova & Nikita Rahmanin (interesting to learn that she had planned to skate with Hektor Giopoulos Moore in 2017 but she said the federation would not release her):

Looks like Austria will have a new pair team :) - Drew Meekins & Lorenzo Magri both shared an Instagram story clip of Luc Maierhofer and Italy's Giorgia Ghedini (5th in the Junior Women's event at Merano Ice Trophy in Feb. 2022) doing an off ice lift in Egna, Italy.

Skate Austria's video a few days ago: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeJnIUgMO0r/
A weekend in the spirit of Pair Skating 😍🙌🏻
With many participating pairs, Drew Meekins, Miriam Ziegler & Severin Kiefer shared their knowledge and new insights at the Pair Skating Impuls Days 2022 in Gmunden! ⛸🇦🇹
Special thanks to these coaches for an exciting weekend full of Pair Skating! 🙌🏻
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Article for Father's Day today:
Excerpt from the end:
It was an environment that facilitated a father/daughter relationship that has been infused with joy.
"We're able to be in a competition or a camp or something like that, and we could finish the day and then go have dinner together," Ashley said. "No matter how the day went or how the competition went, we were always able to come back together and go out to dinner and just be enjoying each other's space."
They still spend plenty of time together outside of skating, and Ashley is now part of the Cains' coaching team full time. As Ashley has stepped away from the ice, both father and daughter admit that it's odd moving into a new chapter and Ashley hopes to find new ways to learn from and spend time with her parents.
"I'm trying to get her to pick up golf, but y'know," Peter said, laughing.
"I find it so boring," Ashley said, laughing as well. "Maybe one day. We'll get there."
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Re-posting here from the Italian skating news thread:
Alyssa Montan, 19, is listed on IPS as of 6/17: http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7195
She and Filippo Clerici placed 8th at 2022 Junior Worlds.
Of note... Filippo Clerici has been tagged in quite a few of Milania Vaanenen's IG posts - she's been training in Italy at YGA. Not 100% they've partnered, but it seems a strong possibility.
Link to @Karen-W's compilation of skaters likely eligible for GP selection, including pairs: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...n-do-they-come-out.109729/page-2#post-6267037
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
As posted in the German news thread today, Minerva Hase & Nolan Seegert have parted ways after 8 years together.
Minerva plans to look for a new partner (10 photos spanning their career): https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBnTanIuF2/
Machine translated excerpt:
A heartfelt thank you to Nolan for the past 8 years. Together we achieved our goals, many of which we didn't even think possible.
Nolan: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBrK9CoXEl/
Excerpt:
Probably the hardest moment of my life...
As of today, Minni and me are not are pair team anymore.
I wished for a later ending of our partnership, but Minni wants to go for a new chapter in her skating career.
There is nothing left for me then to wish her all the best for her future, and I am rooting for her success.
Their ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00034724.htm
 

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,004
Re-posting what @Trillian just wrote here for discussion:
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again - I think pairs is dying as a discipline. There’s no country outside Russia with a robust program and I’m not sure why other countries would want to invest a ton in trying to build one.
Opinions?
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information