Cain/LeDuc fan thread.. the beginning.

Spiralgraph

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Okay, Sylvia prompted me to start this thread. I'm a big fan of US pairs in general and I especially have high hopes for this team. For such a new pairing they've already achieved a lot. The bronze medal in their first Nationals is pretty good. Anyone else want to chime in on how you like Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc?
 

aftershocks

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Thanks for starting this fan thread for Ash & Tim. I'm looking forward to seeing their progress.

Linking IceTalk for Episode #22 with Darlene and Peter Cain (parents of Ash & coaches of Ash & Tim -- interesting discussion of Ash/Tim's first season trajectory) http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk

And here are various links I'm bringing over from their GSD thread and U.S. pairs thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNlkN7bhk6k U.S. Nats sp PSA-winning best pairs sp at 2017 Nationals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxrvHzfaLw Golden Spin of Zagreb sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTP8h2Uw4U Golden Spin of Zagreb fp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VriKtG6hkuQ Golden Spin medal ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5Z6sTmM0k NBCSN interview after Natls sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ni-Lv5A-k TSL interview after Natls sp

@clairecloutier's interview with Ash/Tim for Figureskaters Online: http://figureskatersonline.com/news...-to-stay-connected-and-just-trust-each-other/

http://figureskatersonline.com/cain-leduc/ FSO home page for Ash/Tim


For everyone who enjoy Ash/Tim, what ideas do you have for them re music for next season? I was thinking maybe jazz, or folk, or pop rock, or movie themes that might work for them. It must take a lot of listening to try and come up with something that is just right. I suppose they will likely continue with Serge Onik for their choreographer for next season? Or, maybe Onik will do one program, and they might get a different choreographer for the fp? In the IceTalk interview, their coaches indicate they are working on adding difficulty to their lifts, and tweaking entry positions and holds for their throws to get more height. :)
 

AngieNikodinovLove

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Even tho they were a first year team I felt there PCS were wayyy lowww.. especially for choreo and interpretation. I would have them as the best in the USA when it comes to those components.

In their very first competition in August/Sept one of the positions in their SBS spins was a layback.. I THOUGHT WAS AWESOME.. they took that out at their next competition and it never appeard again. Was it not valued enough? I want ISU to reward innovation and this team is full of innovation. If I dont see their innovation get proper recognition in PCS scores it will turn me off to pairs.

I remember SOOOOO MUCH about Cain & LeDuc and Sui & Han... I remember almost NOTHING of Tarasova & Morosov......
 

aftershocks

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In their very first competition in August/Sept one of the positions in their SBS spins was a layback.. I THOUGHT WAS AWESOME.. they took that out at their next competition and it never appeard again. Was it not valued enough?

That's exactly been my question. I figured that they dropped it out because it might not get the same points as the I-spin? That would be my first question to them in an interview. I'd love to see them bring back the sbs layback spin and pick up additional points with more difficult lifts, etc. And I'd like to see them increase speed and precision on their combo spins.

BTW, boo to Dave Lease for his incorrigible nerve to randomly mention Cain/LeDuc disparagingly in Junior Worlds wrap-up no less, when the topic of discussion was not even about pairs. :rolleyes:

Sending good vibes to Ash/Tim and I'm still wondering what they are gravitating toward for music selections. They must be listening to music these days or at least thinking about the musical directions they want to go in for the Olympic season. :D
 
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Spiralgraph

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Bumping up this thread to congratulate Ashley and Tim for being Selected for the World Team Trophy in a couple of weeks. I wasn't expecting it, so I hope they make the most of the opportunity and show fans that there's more than one American team that shows promise and can compete well.
 

Sylvia

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^^^ Cain/LeDuc are off to Tokyo today for WTT, per her Instagram. They have a final chance to improve their ISU SB scores - as of now they are #25 on the total scores list.

Here was Ashley's Instagram post from a week ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSkDvi8FOB6/?taken-by=icegirlash&hl=en
It ends: "... It's always been a dream of mine to compete in Japan and now it's finally happening! See you soon Tokyo"
 
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Sylvia

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http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk
Ep. 29: Philip Hersh/Ashley Cain & Timothy LeDuc
Following the announcement of Mao Asada's retirement from competition, host Jackie Wong and journalist Philip Hersh discuss the Japanese skater's legacy and the impact she made on the sport. Then [at 33-minute mark], U.S. pairs skaters Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc share the story of how they teamed up and talk about how quickly they've gelled in the 10 months they've been skating together.

World Team Trophy preview article today featuring Ashley and Timothy: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/04/19/225243454
 

olympic

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http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk
Ep. 29: Philip Hersh/Ashley Cain & Timothy LeDuc
Following the announcement of Mao Asada's retirement from competition, host Jackie Wong and journalist Philip Hersh discuss the Japanese skater's legacy and the impact she made on the sport. Then [at 33-minute mark], U.S. pairs skaters Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc share the story of how they teamed up and talk about how quickly they've gelled in the 10 months they've been skating together.

World Team Trophy preview article today featuring Ashley and Timothy: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/04/19/225243454

Super. Glad that they used their spectatorship at Worlds to watch the top teams and make decisions regarding what they need to do.

Interesting to know that they will try a 3F-2T-2L. I wonder if they will keep the 3L.
 

Jun Y

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I just listened to the podcast with Cain and LeDuc and was touched by Ashley Cain's candid discussion about the endless criticism of her height throughout her career since 13 years old. She's honest and real about the struggles she went through. The joy and excitement of the new partnership are also palpable. It's obvious that they love skating pairs and value the opportunity to compete again. I can't help but root for them.
 

aftershocks

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Indeed! I think Ash and Timothy ;) were wonderful in the sp and were unfortunately lowballed in the marks for a wonderful and inspired skate at the tail end of the season (when they weren't anticipating competing again at that)! I don't have a problem with WTT sp placements overall, but I do have a problem with some of the scoring.

And showing their stick-to-itiveness and their grit, after that fluke fall* in their WTT fp, C/L recovered very well and completed their program with flying colors! There are so many positives about this team. :cheer2: *I think Ash's blades touched Timothy's as they were preparing for their fp spiral which led to the freak fall; as Ash said 'ice is slippery,' which were my words exactly even before she said it post-performance.

I too enjoyed listening to C/L's IceTalk podcast with Jackie Wong. And I say to all the OTT height naysayers, take a pill and chill please! And that includes you, Dave Lease! Ashley & Timothy have gorgeous lines and wonderful promise. Their personalities mesh so well, and I love their positive and thankful approach. They are also very hardworking & gutsy and I can't wait to see what more work and inspired choreograpy and music might do for them. :summer: We need a hearts and flowers smilie!

For me, it was love at first sight last summer for Timothy and Ashley. :encore: I really liked both of them with their former partners too. Together, they are so lovely and quite special. They should be better rewarded for their very difficult sbs triple loops and consistently difficult triples overall. This is especially true since U.S. pairs have not been known to be as clean and accomplished on sbs jumps. I want to see that feature improve for all U.S. pairs. And like I said a little while ago in the James/Cipres thread:
... why not have a series of pairs camps in the U.S. in which all pairs coaching teams in U.S. take part (and that means Zimmerman with J/C). And invite expert guest coaches like Moskvina, et al? Take some ballet classes Pairs teams!!! Not because we want to see ballet on ice. What we want to see is more stretch, line, body awareness and control beyond athletic awareness. Plus drill, drill in exercises to increase blade mastery because that's where speed and confident lean into edges derives from. And gain some softness in the knees (hint: ask Downtown Jason Brown how he does it) :) Go my favorite pairs teams!!! :saint:

Of course, Ash & Timothy already have great lines and stretch, but training in ballet could still help them, and especially drills in developing better blade skills to increase their speed and ice coverage.

Loving you Ashley and Timothy!!! :rollin:
 
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AngieNikodinovLove

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^^^ What an amazing song! Kudos for picking a non-warhorse.

Same style of Spell On You but the SP is their strength! Loving it thus far!!!! Yippee!!!!!
 

aftershocks

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Thanks @AngieNikodinovLove and Claire! :)

Kudos for picking a non-warhorse.

Agreed! Seems like they are working on defining and carving out their style/ brand. :)

Reposting from Cain/Leduc thread in GSD:
@clairecloutier has already posted this info in the U.S. Pairs thread. I'm carrying it over here with additional info and pics from Ashley's Instagram and Twitter:

http://figureskatersonline.com/news...nt-to-step-up-our-game-in-every-way-possible/
https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/864148371707052032
https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/864099430986690560

New sp: I'll Take Care of You, Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOLTrrcWE5c
New fp: Medley from The Great Gatsby (2013) soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsfwHcHvWtY&list=PLd-9sPyjLPb9D-XN3Rkf-2s22Jj4cV8sl
I can't wait to see what the cuts will be from GG soundtrack :watch:

Ash and Timothy are working with two choreographers for the new season, Serge Onik who choreographed both their programs last season, and Cordero Zuckerman, a former competitive skater who worked with Timothy during their cruise ship days.

Per Timothy: "Zuckerman and Onik have complementary styles... the direction we want to take our skating is through classical moves, but with a modern feel..." :respec:

Is this a teaser, or are they just goofing around? :lol:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTsbuhdlKXO/?taken-by=icegirlash&hl=en

Young Ash with her mom, a Mother's Day tribute: :)
https://twitter.com/icegirlash/status/863921306357596161
 
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Sylvia

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Excerpt from the FSO article:
The two worked with two choreographers this season. In addition to Serge Onik, who choreographed both their 2016-17 programs, the two brought in Cordero Zuckerman, a former competitive skater with whom LeDuc worked during his stint performing on cruise ships. LeDuc said both Onik and Zuckerman have a modern style of choreography.
Zuckerman competed once at "big" U.S. Nationals, placing 10th in Novice in 2010.

I've posted a recent video of Cordero Zuckerman skating a self-choreographed piece outdoors on a frozen lake in this GSD thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/in...-skating-on-mountain-lake.96982/#post-5073159

Zuckerman participated in Young Artists Showcase 6 (choreography competition) and his videos from November to December 2015 are on his YT channel - here's his short bio/introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moH4rkpelHE
 
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aftershocks

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^^ Thanks for posting that YAS intro on Cordero Zuckerman! It's fun seeing his performance work on board cruise ships. I wonder if there are any videos available of Timothy skating on cruise ships. I wish Timothy would provide us with some clips. :D

I also love Cordero's cool outdoor video in Alberta, Canada. It has such a modern, edgy flavor and a music video sensibility! That's great fun to see in connection with figure skating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUuyQisW8zE :cool:

Here's more of Cordero from YAS 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE0lGAETr28 Interesting skater with fun moves; I like his style
Here's Cordero skating with Agnes Zawadski (2015 YAS competition):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgPq5EqzX9s Nice to see Agnes skating again :)
Cordero as Fred Astaire on Ice (cruise ship show program):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI2OD1PdAk4

A group number choreographed by Cordero for YAS competition; it looks like Timothy LeDuc is one of the skaters in this lovely group program:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZIL2RbLiDM

Ashley Cain's World Team Trophy vlog:
http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v1373603683 :D

Caduc at AAC dinner (Skating Club of NY):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTOzxbYFQRd/?taken-by=icegirlash&hl=en
 
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Sylvia

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Brooklee Han has written quite a few articles during her internship with IFS (since late last year -- great opportunity for her! :)) -- her C/L one recapped their 2016-17 season.

Re-posting from the U.S. Pairs thread... Cain/LeDuc are currently in Italy (Ice Rink PinƩ) working with Nina Mozer and her team - 2 photos from Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BW3Q4EMnG0W/
She celebrated her 22nd birthday there: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWxjwPWnjW_/
Here's a USFS-posted mini Q&A with Cain/LeDuc [7/14/17]: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWifHJOlSEW/
 
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Spiralgraph

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Sigh, they had a rough time at Cup of China. Disappointed a little, but I'll still hope they can and will improve.
 

nimi

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Apparently Ashley was ill (stomach bug or something) during CoC which is also why she chose to wear her practice outfit instead of the gold dress.

source: Ashley's twitter

Hope she gets healthy quick and they won't lose precious training time.
 

AngieNikodinovLove

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THEY were inspiring this time....

Jumps - Check
Lines - Check
Twist - major improvement - check
Lift - check
Throw.. NO HAND DOWN- check
Spins - check
Death Spiral - check

:)
 

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