2022-23 US Pairs Discussion - Second to None!

[Sylvia]

March 13th Boston local news report on Chan/Howe (filmed at SCoB):

Boston-based figure skating pair ready for World Championships

Emily Chan and Spencer Howe took home silver at Nationals two months ago, punching their tickets to Worlds in Japan.

www.wcvb.com

Plus 2 practice clips filmed rinkside by the reporter: https://twitter.com/NaokoFunayama/status/1635392401044033539

 

[Sylvia]

Tatjana Flade's 14-minute video interview with Emily Chan and Spencer Howe after they won the silver at 4CC in Colorado Springs (February 12, 2023) and uploaded to Ice Skating International Online's YT channel on March 17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h197ezT_M5Y

 

[sk9tingfan]

I don't know how Gabriella Izzo does it, but she is pursuing pairs skating as a second act:

https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/1637801609336856577

 

[Sylvia]

Shae-Lynn Bourne is in Japan with Alexa & Brandon: https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/1637654759011414016

Ellie Kam shared a clip of the new throw 3Lo she and Danny were practicing last week before heading to Worlds: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpv9YMlsqST/
ETA that rockerskating tweeted about seeing it in practice today and I think it's good Kam/O'Shea are showing it at Worlds even if they may not end up attempting 3LoTh in competition (we'll see soon enough).

 

[Karen-W]

Shae-Lynn Bourne is in Japan with Alexa & Brandon: https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/1637654759011414016

Ellie Kam shared a clip of the new throw 3Lo she and Danny were practicing last week before heading to Worlds: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpv9YMlsqST/
ETA that rockerskating tweeted about seeing it in practice today and I think it's good Kam/O'Shea are showing it at Worlds even if they may not end up attempting 3LoTh in competition (we'll see soon enough).

They didn't attempt it during their first practice, so my bet is they don't attempt it during competition.

 

[Sylvia]

Fan Zone article on Kam/O'Shea by Rachel Lutz (March 20):

A Whirlwind Partnership for Kam and O’Shea Leads to A World Championships Spot in their First Season - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Before this season, Ellie Kam's experience in pairs skating was fairly limited. She had only watched her more seasoned partner, Danny O'Shea, compete on television

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[Sylvia]

NBC Sports' video of Knierim/Frazier's Worlds silver medal winning FS (includes Alexa's shout out to Todd and Jenni in the kiss & cry afterwards): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAqUkLw9qwE

With Shae-Lynn Bourne (who choreographed their SP and was with them at Worlds):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1638904050866372608

My screenshot of Jenni Meno Sand's Instagram story photo after the medal ceremony:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1638973180634099712

 

[Sylvia]

TeamToddandJenni's Instagram post yesterday: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqdoqrev3Hh/

Christine Binder…you are our rock!!
I’m so happy that Great Park pairs had the opportunity to work with my friend Katia Gordeeva this week.

Tagged in the group photo from Great Park Ice: McBeath/Bartholomay, Korytek/Chapman, Rivers/Rensing and ... Isabelle Martins/Ryan Bedard (back together again?).

 

[ice coverage]

... Isabelle Martins/Ryan Bedard (back together again?).

IIRC from January, Isabelle had reposted the video below on her Instastory ... which at the time I interpreted (along with her emojis in the comments on the TeamTJ post) as acknowledgment that she was being lifted by Ryan in off-ice class at Great Park.
Got me wondering whether Isabelle and Ryan will compete as partners again.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnVS8f5jc6V/ (Jan 12)​

(The faces of the pair closest to the camera in the January video are recognizable as Isabelle and Ryan.
The other four pairs are recognizable as Delis/Schwab, Korytek/Chapman, Park/Griffin, Rivers/Rensing.)

 

[ice coverage]

Nice opportunity for Naomi Williams/Lachlan Lewer :

Lachlan's Instastory this afternoon says, "So excited to be able to be perform at this show" -- attached to SCOB's reel promoting its Ice Chips shows coming up on Friday and Saturday.​

Naomi is a member of SCOB.​

For the longest time, SCOB had not publicized any Ice Chips cast other than its big headliner Nathan Chen, although SCOB's promotion very recently featured Chan/Howe (and Izzo).

 

[Sylvia]

Chan/Howe's promo for Ice Chips: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqdmLuhAIKS/

If anyone attends an ICE CHIPS show this weekend, feel free to post your impressions, highlights, etc. in this GSD thread:

Spring-Summer 2023 Club Ice Shows & Benefits

Starting this thread now because Johnny Weir's Instagram story yesterday mentioned that tickets were selling fast for his last planned appearance at the Skating Club of Wilmington's Annual Spring Ice Show in Delaware on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 7 pm...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

2023 Junior Pairs bronze medalist Lilianna Murray, 17, is listed on IPS. In her Extra comments section: "I have dual citizenship in both the US and Great Britain. I am working on my triples as well as jump combinations and testing in dance to further improve my skating skills. I passed my Senior moves in the field with honors in 2022."
Jordan Gillette, with whom she competed for 2 seasons, has aged out of ISU Junior, having turned 21 in December. Their Team USA bio: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...nbsp--lilianna-murray-and-jordan-gillette/766

Junior Pairs national champs Ellie Korytek/Timmy Chapman have been doing shows since Nationals and posted this video of themselves "getting ready for next season": https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqoyWSUggXX/

 

[Wyliefan]

@Sylvia and @ice coverage, you were right -- Martins and Bedard are together again! She's relocating to California after the school year ends for training.

Isabelle Martins ⛸ on Instagram: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you know… so I would like to officially announce that Ryan and I have decided to re-

445 likes, 30 comments - isabelle_skates on April 8, 2023: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you k...".

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

@Sylvia and @ice coverage, you were right -- Martins and Bedard are together again! She's relocating to California after the school year ends for training.

Isabelle Martins ⛸ on Instagram: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you know… so I would like to officially announce that Ryan and I have decided to re-

445 likes, 30 comments - isabelle_skates on April 8, 2023: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you k...".

www.instagram.com

And, just a refresher - their ISU bio from last season before they split - http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00108108.htm

They are senior-eligible, but he turned 21 last November, so they would not be junior-eligible unless the ISU makes some sort of age change as rumored.

 

[ice coverage]

@Sylvia and @ice coverage, you were right -- Martins and Bedard are together again! She's relocating to California after the school year ends for training.

Isabelle Martins ⛸ on Instagram: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you know… so I would like to officially announce that Ryan and I have decided to re-

445 likes, 30 comments - isabelle_skates on April 8, 2023: "Over the course of the last couple months I have been going back and forth to train in California with @teamtoddandjenni as some of you k...".

www.instagram.com

Welcome back to Martins/Bedard! Their training clips in Isabelle's Instagram post look promising.
Ryan reposted on Instastory and added, "Super excited for this season!! "

According to their USFS bio from 2021-22, Martins/Bedard originally paired up in April 2015.
Their history together is several years longer than any current U.S. senior pair partnership, with the exception of the Mokhov siblings.

And, just a refresher - their ISU bio from last season before they split - http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00108108.htm

... he turned 21 last November ...

Side note: Ryan Bedard turned 22 in January 2023.
ISU's date format is Day.Month.Year.

Going back to the Mokhov family ... Maria Mokhova and her mother/coach recently were interviewed by the Fox station in Lansing:

Mason family of figure skaters find their element with Team USA

Figure skater Maria Mokhova (16) has been skating since was two-years old. Now, the Mason resident represents Team USA, skating as a pair with her older brot...

www.youtube.com

https://www.fox47news.com/neighborh...gure-skaters-find-their-element-with-team-usa (companion article on Mar 22)​

ETA:​

Linzy Fitzpatrick/Keyton Bearinger's 2023-24 free skate music = Pirates of the Caribbean.​

Linzy Fitzpatrick on Instagram: "Free Skate 2023-24: Pirates of the Caribbean. Swipe to reveal a snippet🎶 We are so in love with how choreography went this past week. Thank you @jpcoach01 for all your hard work and time spent on this! Can’t wait to s

237 likes, 4 comments - linzyxchristineApril 7, 2023 on : "Free Skate 2023-24: Pirates of the Caribbean. Swipe to reveal a snippet🎶 We are so in love with how choreography went this past week. ...".

www.instagram.com

(Apr 7)​

 

[Debbie S]

Alexa's IG post on the upcoming WTT seems to confirm a pending retirement ("third and final run"). It sounds like Chris Knierim will be coaching K/F at the event.

Alexa Knierim on Instagram: "Headed to Tokyo tomorrow for the final competition of the season. 🇯🇵🎉 World Team Trophy is one of my favorite events. This will be my third and final run at this phenomenal competition! First time with @chris_knierim. Se

3,947 likes, 56 comments - alexa_knierimApril 9, 2023 on : "Headed to Tokyo tomorrow for the final competition of the season. 🇯🇵🎉 World Team Trophy is one of my favorite events. This will ..."

www.instagram.com

 

[skatfan]

Alexa's IG post on the upcoming WTT seems to confirm a pending retirement ("third and final run"). It sounds like Chris Knierim will be coaching K/F at the event.

Alexa Knierim on Instagram: "Headed to Tokyo tomorrow for the final competition of the season. 🇯🇵🎉 World Team Trophy is one of my favorite events. This will be my third and final run at this phenomenal competition! First time with @chris_knierim. Se

3,947 likes, 56 comments - alexa_knierimApril 9, 2023 on : "Headed to Tokyo tomorrow for the final competition of the season. 🇯🇵🎉 World Team Trophy is one of my favorite events. This will ..."

www.instagram.com

A nice full circle moment for them. They will be missed!

 

[Joubabe]

A nice full circle moment for them. They will be missed!

Congratulations to Alexa and Brandon on an amazing career—world champions and Olympic medalists!

It’s a very sad day for me but if they’re ready to move on then I wish them all the best in life!

 

[Rukia]

Awww I kind of love that Chris will be there with them. What a nice moment for all three of them. I hope they have a wonderful time!

 

[sk8nlizard]

Congratulations to Alexa and Brandon on an amazing career—world champions and Olympic medalists!

It’s a very sad day for me but if they’re ready to move on then I wish them all the best in life!

Has Brandon mentioned or even hinted what his plans are either way? I can’t imagine that he would continue on without Alexa but I feel like she’s been dropping hints and he hasn’t been….

 

[Sylvia]

Has Brandon mentioned or even hinted what his plans are either way?

No, he doesn't use social media as much as Alexa does ... "iloveskatingalot" commented on Brandon's post today ("I hope you [and Alexa] consider one more season. ..."): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq2xABsLoqy/

ETA link to Alexa's post of their 2 lift photos in Tokyo (Brandon's comment: "Why dint you post the one where you were lifting me?"): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq3-18rvoNJ/

 

[Flip Jump]

Has Brandon mentioned or even hinted what his plans are either way? I can’t imagine that he would continue on without Alexa but I feel like she’s been dropping hints and he hasn’t been….

When Isabelle Martins posted about her re pairing with Ryan Bedard (https://www.instagram.com/p/CqzBKlYrONG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) she mentions now being coached by Jenni, Todd, Christine Binder, Nate Bartholomay, & Brandon Frazier. It may be a major inference but I took that to mean Nate & Brandon may indeed be making the move towards full time coaching for the upcoming season.

 

[Karen-W]

When Isabelle Martins posted about her re pairing with Ryan Bedard (https://www.instagram.com/p/CqzBKlYrONG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) she mentions now being coached by Jenni, Todd, Christine Binder, Nate Bartholomay, & Brandon Frazier. It may be a major inference but I took that to mean Nate & Brandon may indeed be making the move towards full time coaching for the upcoming season.

I didn't make that same inference. I suspect they've both stepped up, as experienced pairs men, to help coach the younger teams in Todd's absence now that Chris has relocated to Chicago. We'll see what the future holds, but as of right now, McBeath/Bartholomay are still listed on the USFS' ISP, whereas other skaters & dance teams have been removed (Nathan, Vincent, Wolfkostin/Chen, Pham/Rogers).

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Wolfkostin/Chen

what happened?

 

[sk8nlizard]

I didn't make that same inference. I suspect they've both stepped up, as experienced pairs men, to help coach the younger teams in Todd's absence now that Chris has relocated to Chicago. We'll see what the future holds, but as of right now, McBeath/Bartholomay are still listed on the USFS' ISP, whereas other skaters & dance teams have been removed (Nathan, Vincent, Wolfkostin/Chen, Pham/Rogers).

That makes a lot of sense! Not that I’m convinced they would be a great match, but if Brandon wants to stick around another few years, Ashley Cain seems to still have triples based on her Instagram posts!

 

[Sylvia]

what happened?

They announced their split on Feb. 8 in separate Instagram posts - link to the U.S. Ice Dance news thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...2-23-news-updates.109795/page-23#post-6386102

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

They announced their split on Feb. 8 in separate Instagram posts - link to the U.S. Ice Dance news thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...2-23-news-updates.109795/page-23#post-6386102

WHATTTTTTTTTT. WHYYYHHHHYY. WHYYYYYYYYYY HOW COMEEEEEE

NO FAXES??????

 

[Trillian]

That makes a lot of sense! Not that I’m convinced they would be a great match, but if Brandon wants to stick around another few years, Ashley Cain seems to still have triples based on her Instagram posts!

I’m a big fan of Ashley, but she seems to have moved on, and given her injury history that might be for the best.

Brandon would definitely have options if he wanted to continue, but realistically, he’s a world champion who’s competed for a solid decade at the senior level in two great partnerships. He might be young enough on paper, but I have a hard time imagining he’d want to start all over again except under really extraordinary circumstances. And honestly, I suspect getting to skate with Alexa Knierim already was his “extraordinary circumstances.” But you never know, I guess.

 

[SorrySkater]

Here’s my random idea. What about McBeath/Frazier? Nate likely needs to retire due to injuries. Wasn’t he injured at Nationals? Katie isn’t Alexa, but few are. If she wants to continue, and Brandon wants to continue, it’s a pairing that could work imo.
Thoughts?

 

[hlp728]

What about Jessica Calalang as a possible partner for Brandon if he would like to continue competing? Their lifts would be amazing.