Canadian Pairs 2018/2019 Season News and Updates

[Rafter]

Sure Bardei looks fine (although the 3sal in this video is << ), and yes their twist is gorgeous, I guess I was coming at this more from the guy's perspective. I think Drew Wolfe is the best male pair skater we have in Canada at the moment and I think he should be given a stronger partner to reach his full potential. Camille has nice qualities, but her late start to pairs is still quite evident in their pair elements, and now her singles elements are declining. I know they are a couple off the ice now though, so I suppose it's unlikely they will split on ice while that holds true.

I guess just if I were Mike Slipchuck, I'd be looking at the current state of our pairs, looking at our strongest pair boys (IMO Drew and Trennt), and teaming them up with the strongest partners available (IMO Brasseur and Seguin). Heck, I'd even put KMT with one of them, although she and Mike are doing fine (I just wish they'd seek outside choreography, I don't think Marcotte understands their strengths - that new SP, yikes). But this is Canada, not old school USSR, and we don't tend to encourage mixing and matching here

I disagree about Wolfe. He has the strongest skating skills but he and Ruest can barely do a 3twist! Even their double twist last season was not strong.

 

[barbarafan]

Justine is now 17. She looks way older which is a good thing, IMHO. And yes, she looks amazing. Total rockstar.

I'm usually good at picking out teams with potential and this one totally reminds me of when I sat in the stands in Kamloops, BC in October 1998 and saw Sale & Pelletier for the first time.

So I guess we have a fan club of two for Brasseur & Bardei now!

Hey what about me?
This was only their first competition..He competed pairs before without a problem. Their only problem is her landing the throws..I wish they could steal Lubov for a week for a week or so. Le sigh

 

[Lara]

Definitely keeping my fingers crossed for Brasseur and Bardei's development.

 

[happycamper2554]

Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michard are in Ellenton, FL hanging out with Jim Peterson's pairs

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzR7ShnbpA/?hl=en&taken-by=evelynwalsh_

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Justine is now 17. She looks way older which is a good thing, IMHO. And yes, she looks amazing. Total rockstar.

I'm usually good at picking out teams with potential and this one totally reminds me of when I sat in the stands in Kamloops, BC in October 1998 and saw Sale & Pelletier for the first time.

So I guess we have a fan club of two for Brasseur & Bardei now!

Three!

 

[jlmart]

Brasseur/Bardei are registered for the Georges Ethier competition in Quebec starting Sept.20. It will be interesting to see how they have progressed by then now that their first appearance is out of the way.

 

[Rock2]

Agree about B/B. She’s stunning, he’s strong. Just worried about his SBSs. Hopefully QSS was just nerves because he hasn’t competed in over 2 years.

Oh yeah, in juniors he landed his jumps.
I'm told they land them regularly.

I wouldn't panic over any bad skate this year. It's all about acquiring elements and learning to compete. Anything they accomplish is a bonus. I'll really dial in next year.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I'm not a big fan of watching tiny, young Pairs skaters, but IMO, if young Pairs skaters show good work ethic, and perhaps fearlessness, I think they should be sent out as early and often as possible to compete. The individual partners may or may not grow and remain together, but gaining experience under their belt not only to compete more, but to learn to deal with travel and major time zone changes at a young age, would be a good investment and provide more future options up the ranks, particularly in such a thin field in an expensive sport. There are lots of reasons that young juniors might be paired with whoever is local or willing to move, because they're too young to move alone, but when they're older, they could bring experience to a new rink.

 

[anna2940$$]

I heard the other day that Bilodeau has asked Walsh to do a tryout. Makes complete sense to me since she is being held back with Michaud with her jumping abilities as she has a 3loop and 3flip and has won all her singles events this season. I don't know her personally but know she is well liked by several skaters and judges and the only one of those girls that have won a National title and is the strongest jumper, therefore, would be my first choice too. Hopefully that tryout works out cause I would love to see them together as Canada's top team

 

[starrynight]

Walsh/Michaud have been assigned to Skate Canada International isn't that right?

It would be fairly late on in the season for her to break up the partnership and lose the SCI assignment to skate with Charlie. But if the long term gains were there then I can see why she would do it. Charlie Bilodeau is a strong skater with good results, so of course it would be a good partnership for her.

There would be a bigger height difference for Evelyn with Charlie than with Trennt. However, from Charlie's perspective, Evelyn is about 14cm taller than Julianne.

 

[Bladesonice3792]

Yes I agree with the height side of things as well. Planning for the next 4 years though I do think both Evelyn and Charlie would be a perfect match for each other as I believe she has a lot more to offer as displayed in her singles programs this summer and Michaud is holder her back (jumps, skating skills and body movement abilities/style). Just my opinion but I do hope this works out and they keep in mind the long term goal

 

[starrynight]

What about Julianne Seguin and Trent Michaud? They would have a good height difference of 20cm and are the same age.

It's a shame that if this does go ahead there are two lots of choreography, costumes, training etc that has gone to waste. I suppose this time of the quad everyone is looking long term. But this would have been much smoother had in happened in April, May.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

I like the idea of Segun+Michaud and Walsh+Bilodeau. The split would be great for the four of them...

 

[Rock2]

I like the idea of Segun+Michaud and Walsh+Bilodeau. The split would be great for the four of them...

I'm starting to wonder if people are going (Chiquita)bananas on these boards.

Julianne and Trennt aren't a match on any dimension of skating beyond the high difference improvement.

And, no offense to Evelyn who is giving this pairs thing a good go, but I have a lot of work ahead of me to wrap my head around the fact that Charlie killed a partnership of such promise to upgrade....to......
.......
.......
.......
her.

Let me mediate on this and get back to you when this all makes as much sense to me as it does to y'all.

(Yes, that means I won't be getting back to you).

 

[starrynight]

Everyone's memories are probably a bit clouded by the bad short program at Worlds, but when you look at Seguin/Bilodeau's free skate from 2018 Nationals, it was just perfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5932DJRh1c

A really special kind of performance. I remember when Sequin/Bilodeau exploded onto the scene in 2014/2015, they were obviously quite special.

@Rock2 I totally understand why you are confused a split would happen for Charlie to switch to Evelyn Walsh (whose season is very much underway with Trennt). I think a lot of us thought he might have had someone in mind that indicated there were more serious tactics at play. Especially seeing as he was saying the idea was to try to get to the very top.

Particularly as there are (as far as I know) no Ilinykh/Katsalapov style personal dramas behind the scenes that precipitated this.

Although, I just went back and watched a video of Bruno Massot skating with Daria Popova and I should say that's its remarkable what a change in partner can do for some skaters (although Bruno's big talents of lifting and throwing were always there). And there were so many people who outright mocked the partnership of Savchenko/Massot at the beginning (who quickly had to eat their words).

(Is it too late for Charlie to ask Julianne to take him back?)

 

[Alvyne]

Did the tryout happen? And would Wash really leave Michaud? Everyone is reacting like it's a done deal but W/M just spent the last week training in Florida.

 

[shutterbug]

Did the tryout happen? And would Wash really leave Michaud? Everyone is reacting like it's a done deal but W/M just spent the last week training in Florida.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm3WpQFFIJC/?hl=en&taken-by=trenntmichaud.
Seems surprising that the time, $$, and effort would be invested in this if a split was imminent (?).

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

I'm starting to wonder if people are going (Chiquita)bananas on these boards.
Let me mediate on this and get back to you when this all makes as much sense to me as it does to y'all.

(Yes, that means I won't be getting back to you).

Someone who-knows-it-all... It's not like the internet is lacking of these ones... You sure seems to know more than some level 5 coaches.
Someone might have a different opinion/assessment than you... you know?
What are you credentials to tell people what to think in here?

 

[Bladesonice3792]

Someone who-knows-it-all... It's not like the internet is lacking of these ones... You sure seems to know more than some level 5 coaches.
Someone might have a different opinion/assessment than you... you know?
What are you credentials to tell people what to think in here?

I agree. Why do you think you are the best and knows what’s best for everyone and that your opinion is always right. I bet you have never even skated pairs before so maybe think a bit before you type something so harsh and opinionated on here cause from what I hear at compititions, no one else agree with your insulting words. You are no better than anyone else

 

[barbarafan]

Everyone's memories are probably a bit clouded by the bad short program at Worlds, but when you look at Seguin/Bilodeau's free skate from 2018 Nationals, it was just perfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5932DJRh1c

A really special kind of performance. I remember when Sequin/Bilodeau exploded onto the scene in 2014/2015, they were obviously quite special.

@Rock2 I totally understand why you are confused a split would happen for Charlie to switch to Evelyn Walsh (whose season is very much underway with Trennt). I think a lot of us thought he might have had someone in mind that indicated there were more serious tactics at play. Especially seeing as he was saying the idea was to try to get to the very top.

Particularly as there are (as far as I know) no Ilinykh/Katsalapov style personal dramas behind the scenes that precipitated this.

Although, I just went back and watched a video of Bruno Massot skating with Daria Popova and I should say that's its remarkable what a change in partner can do for some skaters (although Bruno's big talents of lifting and throwing were always there). And there were so many people who outright mocked the partnership of Savchenko/Massot at the beginning (who quickly had to eat their words).

(Is it too late for Charlie to ask Julianne to take him back?)

I love both their partnerships the way they are and do not see any benefit in this change. Does anyone know if there is going to be a tryout or is it really just that Charlie asked her for a tryout. Evelyn Walsh is a tad tall but with Trent it does not matter as he has such a great stable base under her. They are progressing steadily and cannot be denied for podium at nationals.

 

[Rock2]

posting fail. (deleted)

 

[Rock2]

Someone who-knows-it-all... It's not like the internet is lacking of these ones... You sure seems to know more than some level 5 coaches.
Someone might have a different opinion/assessment than you... you know?
What are you credentials to tell people what to think in here?

Aw, bummer!
I was having some light-hearted fun with your posting name and was totally setting you up for a similar comeback. You were supposed to write back and say yeah and I think some people have ROCKS in their head, and here's why I believe what I believe....

and then you'd go on to explain why you thought these different combos would be a better match....because I wasn't seeing it.

Sorry you chose to go down the generalized outrage path instead. Le sigh. No fun.

Awright, let me get the rules right. You can make a comment with no substantiation. I can't challenge it unless I have elite level coaching cred. Got it. Note taken, and I'll respect your wishes. Moving on.....

 

[kwanfan1818]

Using your analogy, it's almost like migrating FROM Savchenko TO Papova than the other way around, although you can't make a direct comparison with these individuals.

Typically, this happens when there is a romantic involvement, most famously when Ulanov split with Rodnina to skate with Smirnova -- and in Soviet times -- and when Sand split with Kuchiki, with whom he had won World bronze, to skate with Meno, Averbukh split with Anissina, with whom he had won two Jr. Worlds, to skate with Lobacheva, and several others where it was alleged and denied to be because of a romantic relationship (Katsalapov and Sinitsina, Moore-Towers and Marinaro).

Like in real life, we're surprised when someone doesn't have a new partner lined up before a split.

 

[barbarafan]

Typically, this happens when there is a romantic involvement, most famously when Ulanov split with Rodnina to skate with Smirnova -- and in Soviet times -- and when Sand split with Kuchiki, with whom he had won World bronze, to skate with Meno, Averbukh split with Anissina, with whom he had won two Jr. Worlds, to skate with Lobacheva, and several others where it was alleged and denied to be because of a romantic relationship (Katsalapov and Sinitsina, Moore-Towers and Marinaro).

Like in real life, we're surprised when someone doesn't have a new partner lined up before a split.

Sorry????? are you saying Moore-Towers and Marinaro had a romantic relationship?????

 

[kwanfan1818]

Sorry????? are you saying Moore-Towers and Marinaro had a romantic relationship?????

Whether they were involved at the time they paired or only afterwards, supposedly they were romantically involved at or towards the beginning of their partnership, but not now.

 

[barbarafan]

Whether they were involved at the time they paired or only afterwards, supposedly they were romantically involved at or towards the beginning of their partnership, but not now.

That sounds strange...She was steadily dating Liam Firrus at that time . What source do you have?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Just what was posted and speculated here. I know that she was with Firus at last report, but I have no idea when that relationship started.

When someone leaves a strong partnership for a weaker one, and they are all hetero- or bi-sexual, that is the usual speculation, unless they are coached by Shpilband or it's up to the Fed, like with the Chinese Pairs splits.

 

[barbarafan]

Just what was posted and speculated here. I know that she was with Firus at last report, but I have no idea when that relationship started.

When someone leaves a strong partnership for a weaker one, and they are all hetero- or bi-sexual, that is the usual speculation, unless they are coached by Shpilband or it's up to the Fed, like with the Chinese Pairs splits.

I never read anything here to touch on any relationship between them at the time prior during or after her dumping Dylan. That is why I am confused. Anything I saw indicated she committed to Dylan for next Olympic cycle and then she suddenly decided she could take over the world with a different partner. I had thought she had started up with Liam prior to the breakup but I could be mistaken.

 

[kwanfan1818]

The comments were that she picked Marinaro because he was her boyfriend. Again, could have been speculation, as well as any news that they dated and then broke up.

 

[RoseRed]

FWIW, Kirsten has an IG post with Liam from January 2017 which says they had been together for 2 years. https://www.instagram.com/p/BPuw4PVBzet/?hl=en&taken-by=kirsten_mt