U.S. Pairs 2017 - News & Updates, Part VII

[Spiralgraph]

I hope while Alexa was recovering from her surgery Chris took the opportunity to improve his skating/expression. Much like Brandon Frazier worked with Zueva to develop his skating while Haven Denney healed from her injury. We shall see soon.

 

[olympic]

I hope while Alexa was recovering from her surgery Chris took the opportunity to improve his skating/expression. Much like Brandon Frazier worked with Zueva to develop his skating while Haven Denney healed from her injury. We shall see soon.

Chris always needed to straighten his back and shoulders more, and get into his knees but maybe that is tough for a taller guy.

 

[azcalder]

The top pairs' men are all hovering around 6' - 6'-2. Radford is 188 cm, Morozov is 187 cm, Trankov is 187 cm, Bruno is 184 cm. Even Andrew Poje (ice dancer) is 190 cm. Actually I hope he spent the time training his sbs jumps with a partner that is Alexa's size, so they don't lose so many points in those elements. What they gain in the twist, they wipe away with the jumps.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I hope while Alexa was recovering from her surgery Chris took the opportunity to improve his skating/expression. Much like Brandon Frazier worked with Zueva to develop his skating while Haven Denney healed from her injury. We shall see soon.

Child, he better have.

 

[Jammers]

Say what you want about Zueva but skaters who have gone to her have dramatically improved their skating and expression such as Brandon and Nathan. Obviously she has a team around her that helps too.

 

[aftershocks]

Chris always needed to straighten his back and shoulders more, and get into his knees but maybe that is tough for a taller guy.

In general, it is more difficult when you're tall to be a figure skater. And yet there have been a number of talented tall figure skaters, including Robin Cousins, Peter Oppegard, John Zimmerman, Todd Sand, Laurent Tobel, and more recently Nic Nadeau of Canada.

Here are some clips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg2lPhTYGNw Robin is so great at getting into his knees, and he's such a dancer too, with superb musicality!
It's so funny seeing the bare rinksides, with no ads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpGOA3l57TY Robin's 1980 Exhibition to Michael Jackson tunes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7sSuPpmcc Satan Takes a Holiday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l08mmPKzabo Watson/Oppegard 1998 Olympics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvp96fqlRTk Stiegler/Zimmerman 1997 U.S. Nationals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x14mYVPj3VY Meno/Sand 1995 Worlds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpT8vn4ZzQ Laurent Tobel 1999 Worlds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09OaljG4lEY Nicolas Nadeau 2017 Canadian Nationals


It truly depends on the individual skater, as to their flexibility, skating skills and aesthetics. It depends on how much tall skaters (or indeed any skaters) wish to apply themselves to focusing on movement qualities, e.g., taking ballet classes, learning performance skills, and getting in touch with more body awareness, in addition to understanding the importance of posture and getting into the knees.

 

[Sylvia]

Cain/LeDuc and Scimeca/Knierim have made it to Korea: https://twitter.com/icegirlash/status/831115059367600129

Happy 26th Birthday to Danny O'Shea today!

Haven Denney doesn't often post on social media - here's her photo montage of her rehab. last year for National Get Up Day on Feb. 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP_w04uggty/?taken-by=havendenney1028

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Cain/LeDuc and Scimeca/Knierim have made it to Korea: https://twitter.com/icegirlash/status/831115059367600129

LETS HOPE they go 1-2 at 4CC!!!!!!



Regarding Haven's post... Damn...

"When I fell during off ice warm up, I didn't get up right away After blowing my whole knee out I had to learn how to walk again one foot, one step at a time. It has taken much patience, Has tested my faith"

Damn and back then none of us had any idea the severity.. A miracle she can skate again!

Nice to see Alexa being so supportive of her. "Pair girl tough!"

OK, let them go 1-2-3 at 4CC!!!!

 

[skatingguy]

LETS HOPE they go 1-2 at 4CC!!!!!!
OK, let them go 1-2-3 at 4CC!!!!

Really - I think the American pairs will be fighting to get into the top six against the 3 Chinese and the 3 Canadian pairs.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Really - I think the American pairs will be fighting to get into the top six against the 3 Chinese and the 3 Canadian pairs.

well, i wasnt serious.

cant we do a little cheering.

 

[Sylvia]

All 3 pairs are practicing in Chuncheon (here they are demonstrating lifts outside the rink to Jason's amazement ) and will head later today to 4CC in Gangneung - photo shared by Ashley Cain: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQezFBzh0ng

ETA:

For those who don't have an IN season pass subscription, I came across these 2017 Nationals pairs videos uploaded by the skaters and/or their families:

Junior Pairs silver medalists Elli Kopmar/Jonah Barrett (age-eligible for JGP in 2017-18)
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17Zp6mqm_0
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEkQacQLmDs (corrected link, thanks to aftershocks below)

Junior Pairs bronze medalists Alexandria Yao/Austin Hale (her Team USA debut & their international debut together at Bavarian Open later this week)
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx9WLhnSlb8
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g9kw3S6fDU

 

[aftershocks]

Really - I think the American pairs will be fighting to get into the top six against the 3 Chinese and the 3 Canadian pairs.

Yeah well, in all seriousness, I doubt all three Canadian pairs will repeat being ahead of a healthy and in top form S-K/K with quad twist. Again, that's if Chris/Alexa are in top shape. Plus D/F skated better than Luba/Dylan in the fp at Skate Canada, despite D/F not placing third as even Luba/Dylan expected after their poor skate. I don't think D/F and M-T/M2 have yet met head-to-head. M-T/M2 looked in good form at Canadian Nationals after being off most of the season due to Kirsten's concussion. So, let's not forget that S-K/K aren't the only team coming back from a lay-off.

Oh yeah, right huh, Sui/Han are coming back too from being off all season due to Sui's surgery. And Haven has miraculously come back from a serious knee injury.

Despite the switched Chinese pairs looking very good together, they are still new teams. Peng/Jin are not necessarily as consistent as Yu/Zhang have shown to date.

I wonder why there's this presumption that U.S. pairs and U.S. men must always always be looked down on before an event happens. Ultimately, it doesn't matter so much where U.S. pairs place at 4CCs (or any team) as long as they all do the best they can, enjoy experiencing the Olympic venue, and learn from whatever transpires.

Junior Pairs silver medalists Elli Kopmar/Jonah Barrett (age-eligible for JGP in 2017-18)
SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17Zp6mqm_0
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17Zp6mqm_0

You posted Kopmar/Barrett's sp twice. Here's their fp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEkQacQLmDs

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Some news about the US pairs at 4CC

Apparently Alexa had 2 surgeries...

Quad twist isnt competition ready ATM

"Alexa's illness was GI-related, and for a long time, we didn't have a diagnosis," said Dalilah Sappenfield, who coaches the skaters in Colorado Springs. "From April to August, we didn't know what was going on. Her illness came and went. She had surgery in September and a second surgery in November. Fortunately, they found some great doctors, and everything is headed in the right direction again."

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/02/14/215961158

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Another relevant Scimeca Knierim/Knierim excerpt from IN's 4CC preview by Lynn Rutherford:

The team plans to do all of their big elements in Gangneung, including triple toe loops in the short program and two sets of triples in the free skate, with one major exception: the quad twist, which is not quite ready for competition.
"On the whole, Alexa's illness forced us to take time to work on the details -- not to relearn everything but to work on skating skills, union, a lot of mirror work," Sappenfield said. "Chris took the time Alexa was off the ice to develop his skating skills and his jumps."

ETA:

Valentine's Day in Korea - "L-O-V-E" video filmed on the bus, featuring Jason Brown and the 3 USA pair teams: https://twitter.com/jasonbskates/status/831493568204124164

 

[aftershocks]

Lynn Rutherford's 4CC preview for IN: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/02/14/215961158

From the article:
"The competition is the biggest international assignment yet for Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc, who teamed up in May and placed fourth in Kansas City."

I wonder when IN is going to make a correction? Ash and Tim were first in the short program and third overall in Kansas City.

 

[Cleo1782]

From the article:
"The competition is the biggest international assignment yet for Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc, who teamed up in May and placed fourth in Kansas City."

I wonder when IN is going to make a correction? Ash and Tim were first in the short program and third overall in Kansas City.

They rarely change their errors. In almost every article on IN about Deanna and Nate the say Deanna won the National Junior title. She didn't she won the Novice title in 1999 and skipped juniors domestically to skate seniors in 2000 Nationals She did compete internationally on the junior stage, won the JGPF and was second to Kirk at JW in 2000, both beating Senior Medalist Sasha Cohen. No one has corrected that error as far as I can tell.

 

[feraina]

From the article:
"The competition is the biggest international assignment yet for Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc, who teamed up in May and placed fourth in Kansas City."

I wonder when IN is going to make a correction? Ash and Tim were first in the short program and third overall in Kansas City.

It says third now. Actually it already said third yesterday when I first looked.

 

[aftershocks]

Yep, lots of errors creep in. They had recently tried to add a whole extra year to Joshua Farris' age. Perhaps IN or the journalist come to FSU, discover their mistakes and then correct them. Or else, they receive accuracy notes from fans or from the parties in question, and then eventually make the necessary corrections.

 

[Sylvia]

For those want to hear Scimeca/Knierim's FS music to the Ghost musical - their practice run through yesterday in Gangneung (they skipped the jumps & throws, did 3twist and the lifts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B97RxOl70o

ETA:

Denney/Frazier SP run through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuZmhl0lZFI

Cain/LeDuc SP run through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzSlsMna1w4

Cain/LeDuc will skate #4 (1st in 2nd warm-up group), Denney/Frazier #10 (3rd in 3rd group) and Scimeca/Knierim #13 of the 14 teams in SP.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

For those want to hear Scimeca/Knierim's FS music to the Ghost musical - their practice run through yesterday in Gangneung (they skipped the jumps & throws, did 3twist and the lifts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B97RxOl70o

Ohhhhh, I LIKE!!! The music is romantic and ethereal...not tacky at all!!!!!

And that twist was GORG... with a side of marinara!!!!

Lifts were great too.... YAYYYYYYYYYYYY

 

[Cleo1782]

Yep, lots of errors creep in. They had recently tried to add a whole extra year to Joshua Farris' age. Perhaps IN or the journalist come to FSU, discover their mistakes and then correct them. Or else, they receive accuracy notes from fans or from the parties in question, and then eventually make the necessary corrections.

I think they may correct them if they are informed. In S/B's case I don't think anyone corrected them or really cared that much cause it not a huge error like age or a current National placement.

 

[aftershocks]

Ohhhhh, I LIKE!!! The music is romantic and ethereal...not tacky at all!!!!!

And that twist was GORG... with a side of marinara!!!!

Lifts were great too.... YAYYYYYYYYYYYY

They look good. I like the music, and they seem to be moving with a new maturity and connection (as also reflected in their music choice, per Sappenfield's comments in the recent IN article).

I suppose they have worked on their jumps in initial unfilmed practices, and will maybe try them during warm-up before the sp? So right now they are more or less conserving their energy?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well Thank Goodness USFSA granted the petition for my Scimerim (tho was not a surprise).

69 points is respectable for their first time back out. That was also the same score they won the SP with at Skate America 2 seasons ago. But yes much progress in the scene has happened since then.

So much progress that USA may not send 2 pairs to the Olympics....

Cain & Leduc got a personal best but still some lackluster scoring.

When comparing SP scores with Euros SP scores USA has got to kick it into gear (and ladies and men too. Dance - you're golden.)

Added later: Just watched Scimerim SP on youtube. The best dressed they have ever been! Not bad. For sure the best pair in USA. Music a bit of a cliche. At least its a version I havent heard. The ending needs to be re-choreographed in a major way... it just kinda ends.. no impact or nuttin...

Chris Knierim looking HOTTT! And who doesnt love Alexa?

 

[olympic]

Very good from Scinierim for their season debut! Especially when you consider she was on an operating table for the 2d time last Fall. They would actually be in front of MT/M if she had landed a good Throw 3F and just kept it a little more in synch on the spins. They are more than capable of that.

 

[toddlj]

At Bavarian Open, in the Junior Pairs short program, Yao/Hale easily got the 20 minimum TES they needed to qualify for Junior Worlds (they are first alternates)
They will need 30 TES in the LP.

They are currently in 3rd
3 Alexandria YAO / Austin HALE USA 47.13 27.88 21.25 5.44 5.19 5.31 5.44 5.19 2.00 #3

 

[Catherine M]

Does anyone know why the Hubbarts broke up?

Both are on Icepartner search so it seems that they continuing on but not together.

 

[Carolla5501]

Watching the 4cc. I think the teams currently at the top of the US better step it up. I think if Cain LeDuc keep at it they will be champions next year

 

[Spiralgraph]

Watching the 4cc. I think the teams currently at the top of the US better step it up. I think if Cain LeDuc keep at it they will be champions next year

I agree with you. Consistency seems to be the main issue with all our pair teams. That and keeping healthy. If Cain and LeDuc keep progressing and remain solid with their jumps, I think they could be US champions.

 

[Jammers]

I agree with you. Consistency seems to be the main issue with all our pair teams. That and keeping healthy. If Cain and LeDuc keep progressing and remain solid with their jumps, I think they could be US champions.

Even so S/K who have been out all season beat C/L handily by over 25 points.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Notice that I wrote next year. And added a proviso that Cain/Leduc should keep working hard to improve. Right now you are right but right now I would say the edge on sbs jumps goes to Ashley and Tim. A year is a long time. Let's get through this season first.