2023-24 US Pairs Discussion - Chan you count Howe many teams we have?

[ice coverage]

Announcer… What is so freaking hard about ma-ra-vee-ya?

And now, the hardest working guy this week. Jon Ma-ra-vee-ya. Not Maraviliar!

Belated FYI/follow-up re pronunciation of Jon Maravilla's last name:

I don't belong to Kiss and Cry, so only now have come across the quoted comments in Nats threads.

I spoke directly to Jon in Columbus. He politely requested that announcers use the pronunciation of: "mah-rah-vill-ee-ah."

He specifically did not want announcers to say: "-vee-ya" or "-vill-ah."​

 

[Sylvia]

U.S. pair skaters listed on IPS as of today (March 9) who competed Novice or higher this season:
-Michael Chapa, 21 (Novice Pairs silver medalist at 2024 Nationals; based in Chicago area)
-Nathan Rensing, 26 (based in Irvine, CA)
-Taisiya Shapovalova, 13 (7th in Novice at the U.S. Pairs Final last November; based in Irvine, CA)
-Tallulah Tanner, 14 in June (8th in Novice at the U.S. Pairs Final)

Competed at 2023 Nationals in Junior:
William Church, 20
Lilianna Murray, 18

William Church's profile is no longer on IPS.

March 16:

Ashley Fletcher/ Aaron Felberbaum (Jr Pairs) Split. He is on IPS as of today
https://www.icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7588

Felberbaum had a recent tryout with Addyson McDanold (Novice level singles skater from MN) in Irvine, CA, according to her, his and Chris Knierim's Instagram stories.

Carter Griffin, 18, has an IPS profile as of today (April 11): https://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7619

Last week Deanna Alston posted a clip of a throw 3S with Griffin at Great Park Ice: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6MTQVCRjo4/
Alston's IPS profile: https://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7458

BTW, I normally only post about tryouts that the skaters themselves have publicized via their social media accounts.

Nickolai Apter, 17 (3rd at Novice Nationals with Milada Kovar, 14) listed himself on IPS yesterday: https://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7637

 

[Sylvia]

Jessica Calalang (a student at UC Irvine) posted an Insta story yesterday captioned "Congrats to UCI's newest Anteater" Isabelle Martins - it was in reply to this Barrington (Illinois) high School Class of 2024 post confirming Isabelle's college decision: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6XCkQWOcQk/

 

[marshallpond]

Watch out for this junior pairs team coming out of Boston (unless they decide to do novice pairs as the girl is only 10 but has her triples)! Will be very exciting. Zach Lopinto is aiming to do a Maravilla this year competing both in junior pairs (if they do junior) and junior men

𝐎𝐥𝐠𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐯𝐚 & 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐯 on Instagram: "🚨Beginning of a New Pair Team Journey ⭐️💪🏻🙌🏻🚨 • • • • • #figureskating #pairskating #pairteam #newpairteam #usfigureskating #tripleflip #iceskating #fyp #viral #iceskater"

856 likes, 10 comments - olgalexcoaching on December 20, 2023: "🚨Beginning of a New Pair Team Journey ⭐️💪🏻🙌🏻🚨 • • • • • #figureskating #pairskating #pairteam #newpairtea...".

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Watch out for this junior pairs team coming out of Boston (unless they decide to do novice pairs as the girl is only 10 but has her triples)! Will be very exciting. Zach Lopinto is aiming to do a Maravilla this year competing both in junior pairs (if they do junior) and junior men

𝐎𝐥𝐠𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐯𝐚 & 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐯 on Instagram: "🚨Beginning of a New Pair Team Journey ⭐️💪🏻🙌🏻🚨 • • • • • #figureskating #pairskating #pairteam #newpairteam #usfigureskating #tripleflip #iceskating #fyp #viral #iceskater"

856 likes, 10 comments - olgalexcoaching on December 20, 2023: "🚨Beginning of a New Pair Team Journey ⭐️💪🏻🙌🏻🚨 • • • • • #figureskating #pairskating #pairteam #newpairtea...".

www.instagram.com

Who is the girl?

 

[Wyliefan]

"Check out our new pair! We're not going to tell you their names!" is certainly a take.

 

[Sylvia]

"Check out our new pair! We're not going to tell you their names!" is certainly a take.

I believe she is 10-year-old Deborah Liu (3rd in Juvenile at Eastern Sectionals last November): https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1fG9JrrrpT/
It’s a bit early to hype her/a beginning pair team that young, IMO.

 

[Karen-W]

I believe she is 10-year-old Deborah Liu (3rd in Juvenile at Eastern Sectionals last November): https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1fG9JrrrpT/
It’s a bit early to hype her/a beginning pair team that young, IMO.

Agreed! I do think it's great that she's willing to and interested in starting pairs so young but she's 2-3 years from being old enough to even compete on the JGP, lol.

 

[Sylvia]

I previously mentioned young Deborah in the U.S. Women's news thread here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...n-the-dance-floor.111091/page-21#post-6558233

ETA:

Sofia Jarmoc (Novice pairs champ with Luke Witkowski) was a member of SCoB's Act I Theatre on Ice Junior team that won the gold medal in Bordeaux, France last week.

 

[Sylvia]

2024 U.S. Pairs Bronze Medalists Sydney Cooke (will be 22 in late July) & Matt Kennedy (23) skate to "Tiny Dancer" by Florence + The Machine at the Patriot Figure Skating Club's 3rd Annual Ice Show, "Music Legends" in Newark, DE. Filmed April 27, 2024 by Jordan Cowan of On Ice Perspectives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q7FMnUwLmU
They have a new team account: https://www.instagram.com/team_cooke_kennedy

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats to Drew Meekins, Natalia Mishkutionok & Danny O'Shea on winning the the 2023-24 USFS/Professional Skaters Association joint EDI Award for Developmental Coaching Team of the Year - announced on PSA's Facebook page earlier today: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=959305169532613&set=pb.100063594161394.-2207520000&type=3
The presentation of these awards will take place on Wednesday, May 15, at the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating "Access to Excellence Reception" in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

[ice coverage]

A hint today of things to come at Detroit Skating Club , plus a training clip of Carpenter/Maravilla:

"... Saya and Jon are training hard in the off-season and we are having so much fun at DSC! We have some new pair teams to show off soon! Keep your eyes open! The pairs program is growing!!⁠ ..."​

​

Athlete Centered Skating on Instagram: "ACSkating | DSC⁠ Saya and Jon are training hard in the off-season and we are having so much fun at DSC! We have some new pair teams to show off soon! ;) Keep your eyes open! The pairs program is growing!!⁠ ⁠

29 likes, 1 comments - athletecenteredskating on May 3, 2024: "ACSkating | DSC⁠ Saya and Jon are training hard in the off-season and we are having so much fun at DSC! We have some new pair teams to...".

www.instagram.com

(Garrett Lucash/Athlete Centered Skating moved to DSC from SCOB in March.)

ETA:​

IIRC, according to DSC and/or ACS Instastory within the last few weeks, they offered a "tryout"-type event for both ice dance and pairs. For skaters new to the discipline(s) of interest, IIRC ... and maybe also for some already searching for a partner? Maybe that event had some good outcomes??​

 

[Stephanie]

(Garrett Lucash/Athlete Centered Skating moved to DSC from SCOB in March.)

Interesting news. I wonder what this means for Maxim Naumov.

 

[Karen-W]

Felberbaum had a recent tryout with Addyson McDanold (Novice level singles skater from MN) in Irvine, CA, according to her, his and Chris Knierim's Instagram stories.

Seems like this partnership is now confirmed -

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[Karen-W]

For anyone worried about McBeath/Parkman's status - they're listed for Team B funding this coming season and Katie just posted on her IG story earlier about them going on a trip somewhere - he got bumped up to a higher seat class on their flight, lol.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

For anyone worried about McBeath/Parkman's status - they're listed for Team B funding this coming season and Katie just posted on her IG story earlier about them going on a trip somewhere - he got bumped up to a higher seat class on their flight, lol.

On a similar note, I feel marbed is in teen a funding

Tee-hee

 

[Karen-W]

Kam/O'Shea have been in Montreal getting choreo with Marie-France Dubreuil - they didn't specify which program.

Ellie Kam on Instagram: "Thank you @iceacademyofmontreal and @mf_dubreuil for an amazing program. We are really proud of all the work we put into laying down a really unique piece that showcases our skating. Looking forward to sharing it with everyon

elliekam.w on May 7, 2024: "Thank you @iceacademyofmontreal and @mf_dubreuil for an amazing program. We are really proud of all the work we put into laying down a re...".

www.instagram.com

Chan/Howe have a GoFundMe to help with training this season - https://www.instagram.com/stories/e...ig_story_item_share&igsh=MWd4bDlwZGR1NnNpYg==

 

[Sylvia]

2024 U.S. Pairs Bronze Medalists Sydney Cooke (will be 22 in late July) & Matt Kennedy (23) skate to "Tiny Dancer" by Florence + The Machine at the Patriot Figure Skating Club's 3rd Annual Ice Show, "Music Legends" in Newark, DE. Filmed April 27, 2024 by Jordan Cowan of On Ice Perspectives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q7FMnUwLmU
They have a new team account: https://www.instagram.com/team_cooke_kennedy

Cooke/Kennedy have announced their program music for their Senior debut season:

Sydney Cooke & Matthew Kennedy on Instagram: "2024-25 Program Announcements!! Our senior freeskate will be an Elton John medley with 🎵”Your Song” @elliegoulding & 🎵”Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” @eltonjohn ,Taron Egerton (Rocketman)💥 We will also be s

39 likes, 0 comments - team_cooke_kennedy on May 6, 2024: "2024-25 Program Announcements!! Our senior freeskate will be an Elton John medley with 🎵”Your Song” @elliegoulding & 🎵”Goodb...".

www.instagram.com

2024-25 Program Announcements!!
Our senior freeskate will be an Elton John medley with ”Your Song” @elliegoulding & ”Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” @eltonjohn ,Taron Egerton (Rocketman)
We will also be skating to an updated version of last years short program, ”One Woman Man” @johnlegend

 

[Sylvia]

Chan/Howe have a GoFundMe to help with training this season

Direct link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emily-and-spencer-2024-training-support-fund

As you all know, Spencer and I had an unusual season last year while taking the necessary steps to best prepare for the upcoming seasons and our skating career. Of course, unexpected challenges and obstacles are hardly desired, but we know that growing through them is what gives us resilience for the road ahead. We feel so grateful to be on this journey of growth individually and together and can't wait to see what blossoms next. We truly appreciate ALL of the support from our family, friends, fans, and everyone who helped carry us through last season. This season, we plan to come back strong, renewed and ready to get back out there! We can't wait to challenge ourselves to be the best athletes and performers we can be while giving it everything we got.
This fund is dedicated to help support us in our training and journey ahead this year. We are blessed to have your support and truly appreciate every one of your thoughts and wishes.
With Gratitude and Love,
Emily and Spencer

 

[BrightSkates]

Anyone interested in this pair up?
Cain and Siianytisia

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6pnHXkLvhC/?igsh=MmJldWh5OXU4a2t6

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Anyone interested in this pair up?
Cain and Siianytisia

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6pnHXkLvhC/?igsh=MmJldWh5OXU4a2t6

Wait, what exactly is going on here? If they have practiced all of these elements together, are they going to compete together? No…

 

[BrightSkates]

Wait, what exactly is going on here? If they have practiced all of these elements together, are they going to compete together? No…

I mean a triple twist, sbs 3s, DS at her home rink in TX?, throw 3S, SBS Spin, Pair spin- I don't think they are just playing around.......

 

[Karen-W]

Anyone interested in this pair up?
Cain and Siianytisia

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6pnHXkLvhC/?igsh=MmJldWh5OXU4a2t6

Wait, what exactly is going on here? If they have practiced all of these elements together, are they going to compete together? No…

I mean a triple twist, sbs 3s, DS at her home rink in TX?, throw 3S, SBS Spin, Pair spin- I don't think they are just playing around.......

Couple of different death spirals at that, lol.

I'm not sure how recent the videos are - I know that Trudy and Danil were in Dallas several weeks ago with Trudy's daughter Olivia and they got together with the Cains then - Olivia is part of one of the Disney on Ice domestic tours. Ashley's comment on her IG was "thank you for letting me do pairs things again" and didn't seem to be much beyond that. I did find it intriguing that all four (Danil, Ashley, Trudy, the Cains) shared the reel on their IG stories. They looked good together but they also didn't show a lot of difficulty in the lift (didn't see the exit, for instance) and the twist was crashy on the landing. I'd say the potential is intriguing.

 

[Trillian]

I did find it intriguing that all four (Danil, Ashley, Trudy, the Cains) shared the reel on their IG stories. They looked good together but they also didn't show a lot of difficulty in the lift (didn't see the exit, for instance) and the twist was crashy on the landing. I'd say the potential is intriguing.

IMO it showcases the fact that both of them are extremely talented pairs skaters, not necessarily that they have a future together as a team. I could see why they and their teams would want to share the video (I’m sure there was nostalgia involved for her, and it’s certainly not going to hurt his partner search). I wouldn’t read too much into it - but it was definitely fun to watch!

 

[ice coverage]

Garrett Lucash/Athlete Centered Skating moved to DSC from SCOB in March.

Speaking of Garrett Lucash ... honorees from figure skating were named today in three out of eight categories of United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee's 2023 awards for coaches and support staff.

Jenni Meno-Sand is Olympic Coach of the Year.​

Garrett Lucash is winner of Doc Counsilman Science & Technology Award.​

Dr. Caroline Silby is Service Provider of the Year.​

USOPC honors coaches and support staff of the year for 2023

The USOPC today announced its annual award recipients for eight coaches and support staff of the year for 2023.

www.usopc.org

ETA:​

And then from USFS:

Three U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Honored through USOPC Coach of the Year Recognition Program | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

 

[Sylvia]

Jenni Meno-Sand is Olympic Coach of the Year.​

Jenni's tweet yesterday: https://twitter.com/JenniSand4/status/1788680207337230811

What an incredible honor!
Thank you to the USOPC for this award. Coaching is a privilege that I feel fortunate to do everyday. Through skating and coaching I have met some truly inspiring people.
Todd Sand this award is for you too

Nica Digerness & Mark Sadusky both shared recent training clips - link to Mark’s post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uyNA4r8Rx/

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Katie and Daniil have a new team IG account

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