Grand Prix of Espoo 2023 Pairs FS: “(D)Espairs”

[Frau Muller]

HUNGARIANS break the mold! Well done!

 

[skatingguy]

Pavlova, Maria/Sviatchenko, Alexei
Coach: Dmitri Savin, Fedor Klimov,Sofia Evdokimova
Music: My Perception of Love, Iron 2021

3Tw 4
3T+2Aq+2A+SEQ
Throw 3F
3Sq - he stumbled out
Axel Lasso Lift 4
Choreo Sequence
Throw 3Lo
Reverse Lasso Lift 4
Hand/Hand Press Lift 4
Back Inside Death Sp 3
Pair Combo Spin 3

After the first flight that was the most amazing skate in the history of the sport. I think this was the perfect team to skate to start the second flight. They're boring, they're consistent, and they got through elements in that manner, and my nerves feel a bit better now.

124.66 = 1st Place
186.19 = 1st Place

 

[beckab81]

Mark’s audible sigh & then his relief that 3 lifts were done safely tells you all you need to know about this competition.

 

[Belsornia]

Well, better snoozy than scary.

Pavlova is one of the most technically proficient pairs women at the moment (still a bit disappointed it didn’t work out with Nagy) but their skating is the definition of getting the job done.

 

[skatingguy]

Hase, Minerva Fabienne/Volodin, Nikita
Coach: Dmitri Savin, Knut Schubert,Rico Rex
Music: The Path of Silence, Power of Mind

 

[airgelaal]

One of those pairs that you forget about even before their program starts

 

[JoannaLouise]

Well at least Nikita got one 2s in there for you @airgelaal

 

[beckab81]

@airgelaal does it count if only 1 partner does the 2S?

 

[Colonel Green]

The extremely rare popped throw.

 

[airgelaal]

@airgelaal does it count if only 1 partner does the 2S?

Of course, at least he tried

 

[honey]

You don’t see a popped throw every day.

They are quite nice to watch though. Lots of good quality, if a little snoozy.

 

[Colonel Green]

Somehow they almost have the TES lead despite two popped elements, which either speaks well of them or very poorly of the faux-Hungarians.

 

[skatingguy]

Hase, Minerva Fabienne/Volodin, Nikita
Coach: Dmitri Savin, Knut Schubert,Rico Rex
Music: The Path of Silence, Power of Mind

3Tw 3
3T+2A+2Aq+SEQ - he two-footed the toeloop, and hand down on the 2nd Axel
2S - she doubled, he tripled
Throw 3Lo
Reverse Lasso Lift 4
Back Outside Death Sp 2
Pair Combo Spin 4
Axel Lasso Lift 4
Throw 2S
Choreo Sequence
Hand/Hip Lift 4

This performance clearly showing that this is a first year team, as compared to the quality of the elements in the short program. Much to admire after such a short time together - he did an Ina Bauer on the exit of the Axel Lasso Lift just to rub it in the face of the teams in the first group.

129.13 = 1st Place
192.72 = 1st Place

 

[Frau Muller]

H/S - beautiful. Their elegance, long lines and facility somehow reminded me of The Protopopovs!

 

[peibeck]

German pair has nice skating skills. He even makes an effort at being expressive. And bonus, lifts looked better than anyone else so far, even if not perfect footwork on his part.

 

[PRlady]

They actually look like a smooth pair which at this point is amazing. She looks like Ashley Cain in that catsuit.

 

[skatingguy]

Conti, Sara/Macii, Niccolo
Coach: Barbara Luoni
Music: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, Cinema Paradiso

 

[thvu]

Hase & Volodin are stunning together. So glad they medalled!

 

[Colonel Green]

The judges clearly like Minerva.

 

[Sally1214]

Aw...Minerva's reaction in the K/C...❤

 

[beckab81]

Cautious skate from the Italians, they won’t be happy with their scores

 

[Colonel Green]

They had less than a point and a half on the Germans after the short program, and are about five and a half points back on the technical mark (plus fall deduction). Looks like they're going to drop.

 

[thvu]

Cautious skate from the Italians, they won’t be happy with their scores

I agree. That spark is definitely missing. That skate felt clinical.

 

[airgelaal]

I believe in Cheng and Lei

 

[peibeck]

Italians have been very meh this season. Not bad, but zero fire or attack.

 

[honey]

I think they did themselves a bit of a disservice by keeping this long program. This coupled with a similar style short program is too much the same. They could have benefited from trying something a little outside their comfort zone I think. They are capable skaters and I think could handle more than what they are peforming.

 

[skatingguy]

Conti, Sara/Macii, Niccolo
Coach: Barbara Luoni
Music: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, CinemaParadiso

3Tw 3
3T+SEQ - he fell on the opening jump
3S
Reverse Lasso Lift 4
Throw 3Lo
Toe Lasso Lift 4
Choreo Sequence
Throw 3S
Hand/Hip Lift 4
Back Inside Death Sp 3
Pair Combo Spin 4

Solid skate for the Italians.

123.60 = 3rd Place
188.60 = 2nd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Peng, Cheng/Wang, Lei
Coach: Yang Ding
Music: The Sorcerers Apprentice

 

[Belsornia]

At GPdF the camera zoomed in for an intense close up on Sara Conti’s face and it could have been Maya Usova returned from the early 90s, so now I can’t see Sara without seeing Usova.

 

[Wyliefan]

Whoa.