2021/2022 Canadian Pairs: News and Updates

[Frau Muller]

At the Olympics it was

1. Sui/Han
2. Tarasova/Morozov
3. Mishina/Galliamov
4. Boikova/Kozlovskii
5. Peng/Jin
6. Knierim/Frazier
7. Miura/Kihara
8. Cain-Gribble/Leduc
9. Safina/Berulava
10. Moore-Towers/Marinaro
11. Barquero/Zandron
12. James/Radford

Only K/F, M/K and CG/L will be at Worlds of the teams who beat them. If you put Metelkina/Parkman in S/B's place, that's still 5th. Not that everyone will skate the same as at the Olympics, but yes top 5 is definitely possible.

That’s quite the visual! Possibly two US pairs on a Worlds podium? Holy cow.

 

[Karen-W]

That’s quite the visual! Possibly two US pairs on a Worlds podium? Holy cow.

You think Terry and NBC were thrilled with the best US pairs finish at the Olympics in 20 years a few weeks ago...

 

[skatfan]

Did I miss the news that the Chinese pairs won't be competing?

All we know for sure is that they are not on the list published today. Lots of speculation but it doesn’t look good.

 

[screech]

Did I miss the news that the Chinese pairs won't be competing?

Looking at the full list of entries on Wikipedia (IMO easier to look at then the ISU entries list), China has no skaters going to Worlds in any discipline.

While I know it's not likely, with all the teams not attending, how amazing would it be if W/M came and skated lights out and made top 5 (or even crazier, medalled!)

 

[Sylvia]

@RoseRed, I’ve re-posted your list in the Pairs discussion thread here (if anyone would like to join in ): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/pairs-discussion-thread-2021-22.108538/page-6#post-6223348

 

[overedge]

I'm really hoping that W/M just skate completely lights out.

That would definitely be one of the fairy-tale endings that sports broadcasters love to gush about....

 

[Sylvia]

Per the ISU list, Panetta/Trasher are eligible for jr worlds (the scores are 23 SP and 34 FP).

Chloe PANETTA / Kieran THRASHER

CAN

2021 John Nicks Pairs Challenge at Middle Atlantics

09/09/2021

25.93

J

ISU JGP Baltic Cup 2021

01/10/2021

41.03

J

Just noticed today that CHLOE PANETTA / KIERAN THRASHER are now listed with McIntosh/Mimar in pairs for the rescheduled Junior Worlds, April 13-17, in Tallinn: https://skatecanada.ca/events/#tab-id-2

 

[Sylvia]

From Jan. 2022:

Looks like Purich/Chudak are back on the ice! Baby steps young lady, baby steps.....

Bryce Chudak announced his retirement from competition today: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-iFiZvg9E/
He will coach at the Golden Edge Skating Academy in Calgary, AB, where his mother is the director/owner.

 

[Cant Skate]

I can certainly understand him wanting to move on with his life. Any news from Natasha about continuing or retiring? I feel that's it's time for her to move on to Disney or cruise ships where she can still skate and perform but maybe with slightly less risk. Poor girl has taken a beating.

 

[Colonel Green]

KMT gave an interview that goes into detail about the difficulties this season:

But the struggle actually started before the season began. During the summer of 2021, Moore-Towers started getting panic attacks for the first time in her life, stemming from anxiety she had around executing a triple-twist.

It's a pairs element she's been doing with various partners for over 10 years and, although it's not a technical requirement at the high-performance level, it is necessary to be competitive.

"I was actively looking for other partners for Mike because I was certain that I could not do this anymore," Moore-Towers said. "[The twist] has never been my favourite element, it's just never been my friend.

"Whenever I thought about putting my body through this thing that just doesn't make any sense in my brain, I was having these really aggressive and scary feelings."

At one point, Moore-Towers even had a panic attack on the highway and had to pull over and call her coach Alison Purkiss from the side of the road.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kirsten-moore-towers-michael-marinaro-world-championships-1.6394170

 

[Habs]

KMT gave an interview that goes into detail about the difficulties this season:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kirsten-moore-towers-michael-marinaro-world-championships-1.6394170

Well, this explains lot. I've never been a huge MT/M fan but I admire Kirsten for being so open and candid.

 

[victorskid]

Kirsten responded to the CBC post on Twitter linking to the article and said

This was a tough interview. Maybe the toughest ever for me. I think it might shed light on some answers regarding our season and decision to forego the world championships. Wishing the most good vibes to our friends in France this evening

https://twitter.com/Kirsten_MT/status/1506654745062170624

 

[angi]

KMT gave an interview that goes into detail about the difficulties this season:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kirsten-moore-towers-michael-marinaro-world-championships-1.6394170

This part in the article really broke my heart :

Seeing their friends get this opportunity cushioned the blow for Marinaro, who admitted he's going to try and keep busy while world championships are happening.
"Mike has been there for me for everything since day one," Moore-Towers said of her partner. "And I love him so much, cherish his opinion and value his voice and like to think I would give him anything in the world that he asked for.
"I think it says a lot that I could not give him this."

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

Why do so many skaters have an obsession with falling or dying on the ice with their music selections?

 

[skatingguy]

Why do so many skaters have an obsession with falling or dying on the ice with their music selections?

It's an expression of how difficult the sport is - or how much their coaches/choreographers hate them - take your pick.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

ooops. meant to put that in the worlds pairs thread. but still, the point stands in any thread about skaters.

 

[puglover]

KMT gave an interview that goes into detail about the difficulties this season:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kirsten-moore-towers-michael-marinaro-world-championships-1.6394170

It seemed so obvious that something was really wrong. My heart goes out to KMT. I really admire her courage in going to the Olympics and Mike is obviously as nice a guy as he has always seemed. I look forward to cheering loudly for them at SOI.

My heart was so full watching Walsh/Michaud.

 

[~tapdancer~]

I have always adored KMT and that interview broke my heart for her. And for Mike. But they have a lot to be proud of in their career and I hope they enjoy their show skating together. Just my opinion but I could see them continuing with the state of Canadian pairs right now. But I want Kirsten to heal so however that needs to happen for her will be the right thing.

 

[Wyliefan]

Kirsten has discovered what it's like to be a nervous fan.

https://twitter.com/Kirsten_MT/status/1506702237661372416

 

[shutterbug]

KMT gave an interview that goes into detail about the difficulties this season:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kirsten-moore-towers-michael-marinaro-world-championships-1.6394170

Not at all surprised. Something was clearly off this season. Having one mental health condition creates a vulnerability to other conditions, especially in periods or stress. My heart totally goes out to Kirsten. She and Mike were never my favorite team, but over the years I grew to respect them as people and appreciate their contribution to pair skating in Canada. All the best to them going forward!

 

[Colonel Green]

Well, congratulations to our improbable World bronze medalists.

 

[CassAgain]

Huge, well deserved congrats. Way to go, Vanessa and Eric! And well done working with Evelyn and Trennnnt for 3 spots!

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Congrats to Eric & Vanessa on being World Bronze Medalists!

Does this result now tie Eric with Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler as being the most decorated Canadian World Pairs Medalists of all time? In terms of # of World Medals at 5 each? Barbara Wagner & Robert Paul I believe have 4 World Medals, all Gold.

If so, Meagan is gonna HATE that lol

 

[manhn]

If Isabelle and Lloyd have 5 World medals (89, 90, 91, 92, 93), I think Lloyd has another medal with a previous partner?

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

If Isabelle and Lloyd have 5 World medals (89, 90, 91, 92, 93), I think Lloyd has another medal with a previous partner?

Oh right! He has another Bronze with Katherina Matousek from 1985 so he leads at 6. The rest of his came in 90, 91, 92, 93, 94.

The 89 medal came from Landry/Johnston.

 

[skatingguy]

If Isabelle and Lloyd have 5 World medals (89, 90, 91, 92, 93), I think Lloyd has another medal with a previous partner?

Yes he does.

 

[skategal]

3 spots next year!!

 

[Aaron MB Fan]

Thanks to Vanessa/Eric and Evelyn/Trennt's performances, Canadian Pairs will have 3 spots at Worlds next year. Assuming Vanessa/Eric don't continue on and Kirsten/Mike retire as expected, the 3 spots for next year will be quite open.

I'd imagine Evelyn/Trennt and Deanna/Maxime will be the favourites for 2 of the 3 spots.

The 3rd spot will be up for grabs. How many other Senior Pairs teams will there be next year? Lori-Anne/Thierry, Patricia/Steven, Kelly Ann/Loucas would come back as Seniors and Brooke/Benjamin will move up to Seniors from Juniors. Any other Juniors expected to move up? Nicolas has a new partner so that would add another possible team. Do any of these teams have the World minimums?

 

[happycamper2554]

The 3rd spot will be up for grabs. How many other Senior Pairs teams will there be next year? Lori-Anne/Thierry, Patricia/Steven, Kelly Ann/Loucas would come back as Seniors and Brooke/Benjamin will move up to Seniors from Juniors. Any other Juniors expected to move up? Nicolas has a new partner so that would add another possible team. Do any of these teams have the World minimums?

Zach dalemans mom also sold he has a new partner. Is he able to be a jr internationally?

 

[skatingguy]

Zach dalemans mom also sold he has a new partner. Is he able to be a jr internationally?

No, he's just turned 22.