Karen-W
How long do we have to wait for GP assignments?
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I agree that Spain would certainly be the easier option, citizenship-wise, for them. But, Tim's family is involved with the sport, so I'm sure there are some strong ties to the German Fed there already. I'm not sure what Germany's residency requirements are, though certainly the language test could be a challenge if Olivia isn't immersed in it or doesn't have an aptitude for learning other languages.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall of the conversations/politicking is going on behind the scenes between the federations. I don't think another country beside Spain or Germany is an option, since that would require releases from both the Spanish and German feds and I doubt either really wants to give up a very likely Euros Top 10 and potential Worlds Top 10 team right out of the gate.
Skating for Spain would, as noted, be easy to earn the Euros and Worlds spots, while skating for Germany could set up another situation like we had with the Spanish teams for at least the next 3 years between Smart/Dieck and Janse van Rensburg/Steffan.
The other thing I'm wondering is about a possible GP invitation next season - with the 2022 Worlds finish, Olivia is qualified to be entered in the selection pool as a Return Split Couple - and the 194.63 Smart/Diaz earned in Montpellier would place them on the SB list at 14 and guarantee at least one assignment. The only question, in my mind, is if that's predicated on her continuing to represent Spain.
Couple of interesting notes from the interview...
1) they've picked out their FD music for next season already, but haven't started on the RD - Olivia is interested in '80s rock rather than the obvious stuff like MJ or Madonna, etc.
2) Tim is soaking up the IAM dynamic and coaching style and had apparently said that no one in Germany uses the language (physics terms like aerodynamics, etc) in actual coaching environments - he's read those terms in coaching books, etc, but it didn't make sense and now, however Patch is phrasing things, it's all clicking for him. I got the impression that the IAM team felt very strongly that Tim has massive potential.
3) Marie was the one who pushed Olivia to have the tryout with Tim last fall, but she was hesitant since she'd already signed the DOI contract.
All in all, I'm excited to see what they look like whenever they make their debut.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall of the conversations/politicking is going on behind the scenes between the federations. I don't think another country beside Spain or Germany is an option, since that would require releases from both the Spanish and German feds and I doubt either really wants to give up a very likely Euros Top 10 and potential Worlds Top 10 team right out of the gate.
Skating for Spain would, as noted, be easy to earn the Euros and Worlds spots, while skating for Germany could set up another situation like we had with the Spanish teams for at least the next 3 years between Smart/Dieck and Janse van Rensburg/Steffan.
The other thing I'm wondering is about a possible GP invitation next season - with the 2022 Worlds finish, Olivia is qualified to be entered in the selection pool as a Return Split Couple - and the 194.63 Smart/Diaz earned in Montpellier would place them on the SB list at 14 and guarantee at least one assignment. The only question, in my mind, is if that's predicated on her continuing to represent Spain.
Couple of interesting notes from the interview...
1) they've picked out their FD music for next season already, but haven't started on the RD - Olivia is interested in '80s rock rather than the obvious stuff like MJ or Madonna, etc.
2) Tim is soaking up the IAM dynamic and coaching style and had apparently said that no one in Germany uses the language (physics terms like aerodynamics, etc) in actual coaching environments - he's read those terms in coaching books, etc, but it didn't make sense and now, however Patch is phrasing things, it's all clicking for him. I got the impression that the IAM team felt very strongly that Tim has massive potential.
3) Marie was the one who pushed Olivia to have the tryout with Tim last fall, but she was hesitant since she'd already signed the DOI contract.
All in all, I'm excited to see what they look like whenever they make their debut.
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