A Divine Sport blog

[clairecloutier]

Here's my review of Ice Chips 2017: https://adivinesport.com/2017/04/11/ice-chips-2017-review/

 

[maureenfarone]

Thanks for your excellent review of Worlds! Always enjoy reading your comments.

 

[clairecloutier]

Thanks @maureenfarone! Glad you liked it!

 

[kittyjake5]

Thank you @clairecloutier. Love your spot on reviews!

 

[clairecloutier]

Thank you @clairecloutier. Love your spot on reviews!

Thanks @kittyjake5!

 

[clairecloutier]

Here's my review of Ice Crystals 2017: https://adivinesport.com/2017/05/09/ice-crystals-2017/.

Ice Crystals is the annual club show for Colonial Figure Skating Club, one of the biggest clubs in the northeast. This year's special guest star was Shawn Sawyer.

 

[barbarafan]

Here's my review of Ice Crystals 2017: https://adivinesport.com/2017/05/09/ice-crystals-2017/.

Ice Crystals is the annual club show for Colonial Figure Skating Club, one of the biggest clubs in the northeast. This year's special guest star was Shawn Sawyer.

Here's my review of Ice Crystals 2017: https://adivinesport.com/2017/05/09/ice-crystals-2017/.

Love Shawn Sawyer....are there any vids?

 

[clairecloutier]

No vids, sorry, @barbarafan. I can either take notes & write when going to events, or take videos, but not both LOL. Sorry.

 

[skatesindreams]

Here's my review of Ice Crystals 2017: https://adivinesport.com/2017/05/09/ice-crystals-2017/.

Ice Crystals is the annual club show for Colonial Figure Skating Club, one of the biggest clubs in the northeast. This year's special guest star was Shawn Sawyer.

Thanks, Claire, as always.

 

[barbarafan]

No vids, sorry, @barbarafan. I can either take notes & write when going to events, or take videos, but not both LOL. Sorry.

I understand but thanks for the review.

 

[jkl]

Great review as always!

 

[clairecloutier]

So I recently did a new interview with Castelli/Tran for Figure Skaters Online. Here it is: http://figureskatersonline.com/news/2017/06/07/marissa-castelli-mervin-tran-were-skating-for-us/.

Marissa/Mervin spoke pretty candidly about last season and their hopes for next year. We also talked just a bit about current trends in pairs skating and where U.S. pairs need to improve (in their opinion).

And, a little teaser ... I am working on my "Best, Most & Worst of Pairs 2017" column. Should hopefully be ready soon. Another thing to look for--I have my first interview with a ladies competitor coming up soon! (Not one of the big names, but someone U.S. ladies fans will recognize.)

 

[semogal]

Great interview!! I really like Marissa and Mervin and I was heartbroken over their treatment by USFS after Nationals. It sounds like this might be their motivational moment kind of like how Charlie White used his 2009 World's placement to fuel D/W's rise to the top. Here's hoping that C/T have a wonderful season.

 

[maureenfarone]

Great interview Claire! I'm really happy to hear they are working on their 3twist. The other big issue of course is the side by side jumps so I'm really happy they are now working with a jump coach.

 

[topaz]

I'm so proud of you Claire, great interview.

“We were very disappointed,” Castelli said of the decision. “We were very disappointed in our federation for not choosing us to do any competitions after that.”

I was disappointed too. I felt it was a slap in the face to this team.

 

[Mad for Skating]

Best, Most, and Worst of Pairs!!! I'm thrilled to read it!

 

[paskatefan]

No vids, sorry, @barbarafan. I can either take notes & write when going to events, or take videos, but not both LOL. Sorry.

You're only human!

 

[kittyjake5]

So I recently did a new interview with Castelli/Tran for Figure Skaters Online. Here it is: http://figureskatersonline.com/news/2017/06/07/marissa-castelli-mervin-tran-were-skating-for-us/.

Marissa/Mervin spoke pretty candidly about last season and their hopes for next year. We also talked just a bit about current trends in pairs skating and where U.S. pairs need to improve (in their opinion).

And, a little teaser ... I am working on my "Best, Most & Worst of Pairs 2017" column. Should hopefully be ready soon. Another thing to look for--I have my first interview with a ladies competitor coming up soon! (Not one of the big names, but someone U.S. ladies fans will recognize.)

Great interview! Add me to the list of disappointed fans for the way they were treated by their Federation.

Wishing Marissa/Mervin the best for next season they have the talent to make a statement!

 

[clairecloutier]

Well, here it is .... My "Best, Most & Worst of Pairs 2016-17" column!

Included are my top 10 short programs of the year (with videos), top 10 long programs, top 10 costumes, etc., etc.

Enjoy! https://adivinesport.com/2017/06/14/best-most-worst-of-pairs-2016-17/

 

[Spun Silver]

Thanks for the great overview, Claire. As usual you give me a lot of things to watch and rewatch. The only quibble I have is - not a word for Stellato and Bartholomay? Their SP at Nats was one of the marvels of the season for me! She is our Lubov!

 

[FSFan24]

Yes Thank you for the great overview!

 

[clairecloutier]

Thanks for the great overview, Claire. As usual you give me a lot of things to watch and rewatch. The only quibble I have is - not a word for Stellato and Bartholomay? Their SP at Nats was one of the marvels of the season for me! She is our Lubov!

Thanks Spun. With Stellato/Bartholomay, I definitely looked at their Nationals SP as one of the possibilities for my top 10 SP list. For me, it didn't quite make the cut--there were just so many great short programs this year--but it was definitely terrific. (I/M's SP didn't quite make it, either, surprisingly!) I agree Deanna is a huge talent. (Frankly, though, Nate needs to do a bit more to get up to her level artistically IMO.)

 

[Mad for Skating]

Great review! I really agree with your assessments of the season! The only thing I'll add is that Denney/Frazier, the Knierims, and Stolbova/Klimov all had gorgeous SP costumes and deserve an honorable mention but I know, it's hard to pick just ten!

 

[semogal]

Thanks for assembling the videos Claire! The perfect distraction from real world craziness this week.

 

[skatesindreams]

Well, here it is .... My "Best, Most & Worst of Pairs 2016-17" column!

Your thoughtful commentary; and hard work, are much appreciated!

 

[maureenfarone]

Thanks Claire for your very entertaining post as to the best, most and worst of pairs. I agree completely with the worst costumes. I was also shocked when Marissa and Mervin didn't receive any post Nationals comps and like you I really enjoyed their Journey program.

 

[clairecloutier]

So, here is my first interview with a current ladies competitor--U.S. Junior ladies pewter medalist Emmy Ma. Here's the interview link.

I really fell in love with Emmy's skating this year. I find her so exquisite to watch--her spins, skating skills, and musicality are special. So it was really exciting to meet and chat with her about her skating.

 

[Mad for Skating]

Awesome interview! Thanks for sharing!

 

[cgh_11]

Thank you! I always enjoy your blogs...very insightful

 

[clairecloutier]

Here is my interview with U.S. pairs team Denney/Frazier for Figure Skaters Online:

http://figureskatersonline.com/news...ow-everyone-that-we-still-have-a-lot-to-give/

Check it out! Haven & Brandon talk quite candidly here about their challenges last season, as well as their plans for this coming season.