Do we have a Team GB fan thread? "Skating notes from a small island"

[Sylvia]

Zoe Jones & Chris Boyadji currently are training with Ziegler/Kiefer in Gmunden, Austria (Miriam mentioned earlier that she & Severin are spending May & June there): https://www.instagram.com/p/COsllOWJhje/

 

[millyskate]

I would be really sad if Natasha isn't sent by the BOA. It was hard enough to earn the spot - she really deserves it.

 

[miffy]

Dundee have a 2nd pair team! Lucy Hay and Kyle McLeod have teamed up and are going to skate at novice level this year. There are a couple of short clips on Ice Dundee’s Facebook and Instagram. Looking good so far!

 

[antmanb]

I'm listening to the Natasha McKay podcast now and while I noticed that when she jumps she rotates clockwise, I never noticed that she spins anti-clockwise. They don't really talk much about it other than to note that that's what she prefers, but it must be weird since most jump drills centre about backspins and getting into that backspin position quickly and tighter etc.

I think it was John Curry that did the opposite he jumped anti-clockwise but preferred to spin in a clockwise direction and i'm sure one of his coaches (Fassi?) forced him to spin in anti-clockwise for the sake of helping his triple jumps.

 

[millyskate]

I'm listening to the Natasha McKay podcast now and while I noticed that when she jumps she rotates clockwise, I never noticed that she spins anti-clockwise. They don't really talk much about it other than to note that that's what she prefers, but it must be weird since most jump drills centre about backspins and getting into that backspin position quickly and tighter etc.

I think it was John Curry that did the opposite he jumped anti-clockwise but preferred to spin in a clockwise direction and i'm sure one of his coaches (Fassi?) forced him to spin in anti-clockwise for the sake of helping his triple jumps.

I’ve always thought Natasha’s jumps looked weird - it makes sense now.

 

[Sylvia]

I forgot to post the link to this Scottish article on Lewis Gibson (April 15, 2021):

Ayrshire ice dancer living the dream on road to Beijing Winter Olympics

Prestwick's Lewis Gibson and dance partner Lilah Fear have qualified for the big event.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

 

[Belsornia]

Some GB ice dance partnership news from this off-season/non-season:

Theo Alexander (5th in Juniors at the last GB Nats) is now skating with Lily Matthias (previously in solo dance....and also that Ice Princess documentary). They're training with Marika and Vitaly HB. I think they've got two (maybe three?) years of international junior eligibility.

Alexander's old partner, Phebe Bekker, has been skating with James Hernandez for a while, in New Jersey with Coomes and Buckland. They've got three seasons of junior eligibility - though this profile implies they're aiming for Beijing: I guess people who write copy for homeschooling companies have to hit the Olympics buzzwords!

Hopefully things keep on track and both teams can get some JGP experience this year.

Luke Russell and Aurelija Ipolito have also teamed up and will be skating for Latvia.

And there are several GB dancers on IcePartnerSearch. I spotted Jessica Marjot (S2), Billy Wilson French (J3) and Natalie Nicoll (J7) plus some solo dance girls. I was expecting to see a lot of attrition after all the disruption of the last year, so good to see some new teams forming and skaters continuing on.

I've been out of the skating loop for a while so am not really familiar with any of these skaters beyond James H (nothing like a year with minimal skating to make me interested again ) so hopefully we manage to get some competitions in the new season.

 

[Sylvia]

From the Ice Theatre of London - "All skaters gathered from all over UK to Ice Sheffield for a professional skaters edge class led by Robin Cousins on 19/06/2021. IG live feed of the class!": https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQTzvHsKpMF/

 

[Sylvia]

PJ Hallam interview (link to his GoFundMe is at the end) published by the Anything GOEs blog:

Man of 'Leisure': PJ Hallam on the adversity of a career in a sport Britain forgot - Anything GOEs

PJ Hallam is the current British National champion, and hopes to make the Olympic team later this year.

anythinggoe.com

Excerpt:

His goals for next season are to become British champion again, and if Great Britain qualifies an Olympic spot for the men at Nebelhorn in September, he, of course, wants to go. A skate-off will take place towards the end of July to decide on who will represent the men at Nebelhorn. And after that?
“That’s it, I think I’m done. I think I’m retiring at the end of next season. I’ve been doing this for a long time now, we’re close to 20 years by the end of next season. I just haven’t got it in me. And you know what, the only reason why I’ll carry on is if we get sponsorship, so I don’t have to work as hard. I literally feel like I’m just working myself so hard.
“I want to think about my life now, I can’t keep relying on my parents, as great as they are. So I think that’s next for me, which is exciting. It’s a good thing. It’s sad that it’s coming to an end, but it’s a good thing.”