At this time, IMO T&M is the superior pair and superior skaters...
In terms of experience and quality of their elements when they are at their best, for sure T/M are superior to B/K. But it isn't always the team with the superior elements and greater experience who win.
I would say the same re Alexa & Chris Knierim at their best especially when/if they land their jumps which has been rare statistically, they're right up there with the top teams in the world. Moreover, the power and quality of the Knierims' 3-twist, lifts and throws is greater than the same elements of Moore-Towers/Marinaro. What I think T/M and the Knierims appear to be suffering from is a crisis of confidence, although it takes different forms and is for different reasons. Meanwhile, M-T/M at their very best can lay it down and get the kind of score they got in the sp at 4CCs, even though they aren't actually the best team overall on paper. But by working on improving their elements overall, having great programs, believing in themselves, overcoming nerves, having the political backing, and laying it down like they did in 4CCs sp, they can get the points.
At 4CCs, the Knierims appeared to get down on themselves about the jumps in the sp (because that is known to be their Achilles heel weakness). By not succeeding on the jumps, that sometimes seems to lead to them losing concentration on other elements they should ace with no problems (like sbs spins at 4CCs, and death spiral at NHK).
The biggest weapons Sui/Han have going for them are fierce desire, strength of will, and self-belief, along with all the rep they have with the judges. S/H have not been that strong all season, particularly not at GPF. It may have to do with some of the injury problems they've had which can impact training and confidence on elements in competition. I don't particularly care for S/H's sp. I don't think it's really their vibe, even though they can handle it. Perhaps this style was chosen in order to show range. Usually S/H bring their level up when they need to, but since they haven't performed on the GP for three straight seasons, it's possible they could be losing endurance in their first full season back. Plus, the pounding that Sui takes on the jumps can't be helpful for the injury she's been rehabbing which is what kept them out of fall competitions the prior three seasons. If S/H don't pull out a win at 4CCs, they'll have time to regroup for Worlds and come on strong. But at the moment, overall, they appear vulnerable technically.
M-T/M deserve to be in first, and I had a feeling they were going to take advantage of their huge opportunity skating last in the sp and knowing that some top teams had faltered. M-T/M show where you can get with self-belief and determination. Political backing and being #1 in Canada since D/R retired is also hugely beneficial for them.
Calalang/Johnson are a quality team with speed, power, great chemistry, lovely skating skills and wonderful programs. Since they are a fairly new team (even though they both have a lot of pairs experience with other partners), the judges seem to skimp a bit on PCS. So they have to continue building their reputation as well as their confidence on the jumps, which as we've seen in some recent competitions, they can land when they're on.
Too bad the audience vibe and attendance isn't that great at 4CCs due to fears over the Corona virus.
With J/C out and their competitive future uncertain, I think it hurts the overall stylistic excitement and variety we've seen in pairs over the past three seasons. There are certainly plenty of teams who are willing and able to step forward and carry on, so we'll see what happens. But I hope the excitement and innovation will continue. I'd been looking forward to seeing what Shae Lynn Bourne was working on with J/C.
It would be cool if Shae Lynn brings her sass to the fore with more pairs teams because the ice dance choreographer influence on pairs is truly what has infused the pairs discipline with energy and excitement over the past three seasons, epitomized in the programs of J/C (as much as some fans have not wanted to recognize or admit). The way Denney/Frazier's revamped
Lion King fp was structured and choreographed this season was exciting and energetic. It's too bad they weren't able to continue building momentum with their trajectory this season. I've noticed some other teams picking up on the potentially powerful effect of capping off the end of their fps with several lifts that build.
) it probably is a huge blessing for T/M not to have won. They did some of their best skating when they were skating in the shadows of V/T and S/K. It was only when they became the defacto #1 that they seem to really tense up and become more unstable. Now they got B/K sharing some of the attention and pressure they look far more relaxed. I don't think they ever liked being the leaders and being chased so they probably like how things are now. The weight of the nation isn't on their shoulders alone so perhaps it will make them better fighters against S/H.
