U.S. Pairs 2018 - News & Updates, Part VIII

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Brandon Frazier announced his and Haven Denney's new coaching team -- John Zimmerman, Silvia Fontana, Jeremy Barrett -- on Twitter today: https://twitter.com/Brandon_F1992/status/999787907165585409
"It’s been a few months but we have been hard at work with this incredible team! Can’t wait to start a new season and a new chapter with these amazing coaches"

ETA: D/F won their 2013 Junior World title with Zimmerman.
 
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I was looking ahead to the JGP season, and I'm curious who we'll see out there for the US. They have a full 12 spots this year.

I checked the ISP and I believe there are only three pairs on there that are junior-eligible: Feng/Nyman, Lockley/Prochnow and Hom/Jerosch. Lu/Mitrofanov and Wang/Howe were juniors nationally this year, but neither is still age-eligible for juniors this coming season.

Of course, teams can get added to the ISP over the summer, so I checked the next few teams from juniors at US Nationals. The 5th and 6th place teams (Kopmar/Barrett and Peterson/Schwab) have at least one partner too old. After that there's the 7th place team (Rose/Meyh) and the 8th place team (Hanns/Ogren). Sarah Rose is junior-eligible, but I don't know the rest of their ages.

Then maybe a novice team or two, and any new teams.

And maybe some people have split - I don't follow US junior pairs very closely.

But anyways, it seems like there's plenty of spots open because even if the 3 on the ISP get two spots each, that still leaves six spots.
 
RoseRed said:
I checked the ISP and I believe there are only three pairs on there that are junior-eligible: Feng/Nyman, Lockley/Prochnow and Hom/Jerosch. Lu/Mitrofanov and Wang/Howe were juniors nationally this year, but neither is still age-eligible for juniors this coming season.
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Correct.

@RoseRed, I posted earlier in this thread that the following junior teams split after Nationals (at least one partner listed on IPS*): Kopmar/Barrett* 5th, Peterson/Schwab* 6th, Rose/Meyh 7th (eta: both no longer are listed on IPS), Hanns*/Ogren* 8th, Findley*/Rounis* 9th, Secunda*/Eisenach 10th. In Novice, Ashler*/Dennler 5th, Bush/Chapman* 9th.

Posted earlier - Ainsley Peterson has since teamed up with Matthew Rounis (he's too old for ISU Junior).
Sylvia said:
According to her latest IG post, Alexandria Yao (who competed in one JGP last fall and Senior at Nationals with Jacob Simon) has committed to attending Columbia University in NYC this fall - congrats and best wishes to her!
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Yesterday Dalilah Sappenfield posted a clip of Eliana Secunda (18 this past December) & Jacob Simon (now aged out of ISU Junior) doing a throw triple loop -- perhaps they are teaming up?

ETA - "New junior pair team Grace Knoop and Blake Eisenach day 1." (clip of a throw triple toe loop) https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLvqaglDk6/?hl=en&taken-by=jpcoach
Eisenach turned 18 in April; Knoop will turn 18 in July (so she is 17 in ISU years for the coming season).
 
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@Sylvia so out of the top ten in Jr at Nationals, only 2nd (Feng/Nyman) and 3rd (Lockley/Prochnow) are left to do juniors this season? Wow.

So I guess apart from the 3 on the ISP, we might expect to see a couple novice teams and some of the new teams on the JGP.

I wonder if the US will end up using all the JGP spots.
 
Hey, I missed the news about Brandon and Haven moving back to train with John Z! I do like Berton/Brubaker as coaches, so hopefully they will have success with their younger teams going forward. Surely Haven and Brandon enjoyed their time working with B/B. However, this is a good time for H&B to make a move and go for it with everything they've got. They are familiar with John Z, having worked under him for a period as juniors entering the senior ranks. At that point, John Z was trying to put together a coaching staff, but a tentative collaboration didn't work out with Ingo Steuer, who is more of a lone wolf type of coach. And after H&B switched to Ingo as their sole coach, fate intervened with Haven's serious knee injury which led to H&B having to restart their promising pairs career. I wish them luck with this new reboot in Florida. It should be fun for them to train with the always exciting to watch James/Cipres.


Per the Knierim's recent coaching change, I was looking back at some of their performances this season. The talent is there with some great elements (lifts, throws, throw twist). And then there's the need for them to ace their sbs jumps consistently. So perhaps working under pairs diva extraordinaire Aliona will help A&C with some of their missing ingredients.

It's hard to figure some of the miscues A&C have experienced in recent performances. Probably due to their mixture of injury and illness-related setbacks, that also led to emotional strains? Alexa did seem to be experiencing a great deal of emotional stress at Worlds and Olympics. Hopefully, a change of scenery, a different approach, and a more rigorous training regimen can make a difference? Music selection and program concepts are also key. I also think that A&C have lacked in their ability to spark and connect with each other on the ice. Of course they have a connection and a spark, but it's never been brought out adequately in their skating. Paint it Black came close. It will indeed be interesting to see how their leap of faith move and hard work will pay off.

I am equally eager to see the progress of other teams like reigning 4CCs champions Tarah & Danny. They had such a gorgeous fp this past season -- I hope they keep it for another year! Of course, it's no secret that I am charmed by the expressive abilities, enthusiastic attack, synchronicity, and lovely lines of Cain/LeDuc. Deanna & Nate are sure to bring some additional excitement and growth this coming season. It will be fascinating to see the reveal of their work with Dubreuil/Lauzon. I also look forward to seeing how newly paired teams Serafini/Tran and Calalang/Johnson will develop.

I dearly wish that the speedy and talented team of Smith/Reiss would go to John Zimmerman in Florida. I'd love to see what John Kerr and John Z's team could do for them. Obviously S/R are also a U.S. team with huge talent but who lack some missing ingredients to knit everything together in a groundbreaking next level way. I mention this about S/R prior to having seen the news about Haven & Brandon switching to Zimmerman. I realize that S/R recently made a move from Boston to Sappenfield, and it's not good to bounce around. So maybe S/R will stick with Sappenfield. But since S/R are in their mid-to-late twenties, they really need make an impact and some noticeable progress soon. It's such a shame that the sport doesn't offer more opportunities. In the case of Pfund/Santillan, I think they need more help financially in order to be able to have sufficient training time.

It's too bad there won't be two spots for U.S. pairs at 2019 Worlds. The sport really needs to rethink how they organize competitions. I've been saying for some time that the ISU needs a lower level competitive tour track for up-and-coming senior level skaters to have a chance to develop. It doesn't work well for lesser accomplished senior skaters to be sent to Worlds where they won't make the fp. Allow lower tier skaters more opportunities to compete and develop at alternative events in which they can battle against other skaters of similar ability. Highly skilled skaters having to sit out Worlds because of the antiquated country-based athlete selection process is so counterproductive! It keeps the sport behind the curve and places unnecessary curbs and limits on too many budding careers. For pairs, the ISU definitely needs to expand to at least 20 placements moving to fp at Worlds. There's too much depth to be cutting off talented skaters. It's too frustrating and demoralizing.
 
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New interview with Cain&LeDuc by @clairecloutier : Here

They announced the SP music "Bella belle" by the Electric Swing Circus

(I don't know if it's a coincidence but I did name that group as one of my music suggestions :inavoid: )

Thanks for asking such good questions! I love that they want to bring more ice dance style of movements to pairs, really looking forward to see the results of the collaboration with Camerlengo.
 
^^ Ah the sp sounds like a lot of fun! I wanna get up and dance! And they said that was their aim with last season's fp too. :cheer2: Great choice with Bella Belle :lol: @levineismine -- surely your suggestion played a role. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsgxkDG5lQ :rollin: :smokin: Get it Ash & Timothy :encore:

And thanks a bunch to @clairecloutier for another great interview. I love Ash & Timothy's synchronicity, enthusiasm and positive outlook. Great insights on their past season and their thought process after the sp at Nats. It was so cool seeing them come out and have fun in their Great Gatsby fp, which I had been dubious about at the beginning of the season. They stuck with their vision and the challenges, and it ended up working so well for them.

I think they are on the right track working with Camerlengo. And how enlightening about the details and benefits of their work with Nina Mozer. The technical insights on changing holds and arm placements are fascinating to hear a team discuss. Timothy articulated so well the journey of the first two seasons for a new team, and specifically for them what it's been like learning, adjusting, growing, and finding their groove. It's the journey and the process (the hard work, the ups-and-downs, the never-say-die grit) that means the most and allows for the luck, the magical moments and the opportunities to happen. Everything else is icing on the cake. Bon appetit Ash & Timothy! :respec: Thanks for taking us with you on your journey. :D Shout out to Ash's fiance Dalton, and to those cool parents and coaches, the Cains!

Much appreciation to you @clairecloutier, as always for pursuing your passion and sharing with your fellow fans. :saint:

We don't know the music cuts yet for W.E., but here's the soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFGMDQSHHhA&list=PLFC16DC672CE38BD8 (A definite change of pace, and I'm anticipating what they will create together) :summer:

So Camerlengo is doing choreo for both programs, right?

As far as the ISU eliminating the sbs spins in the fp, let's see how that ultimately turns out. I hope the conference going on now will end with them putting back in the choreographic sequence for pairs fp. The ISU needs to think of better ways to test out proposed changes and to be more inclusive in their decisionmaking process for rules changes and moving the sport forward in beneficial ways. The current lack of vision and hamhandedness is so frustrating.
 
Here is a new blog from Tarah & Danny about how things are going with them right now. :biggrinbo

Link: http://figureskatersonline.com/kayne-oshea/alongupdate/

FYI: I don't know what their SP music is yet but I do know that they're keeping their Swan Lake LP for this coming season since they didn't get to skate it very much last season. I'm very happy about this news and can't wait to see it again! :cheer:
 
HeatherC said:
Here is a new blog from Tarah & Danny about how things are going with them right now. :biggrinbo

Link: http://figureskatersonline.com/kayne-oshea/alongupdate/

FYI: I don't know what their SP music is yet but I do know that they're keeping their Swan Lake LP for this coming season since they didn't get to skate it very much last season. I'm very happy about this news and can't wait to see it again! :cheer:
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I wish them the very best for the coming season. Any idea if they will be doing any summer competitions?
 
maureenfarone said:
I wish them the very best for the coming season.
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+1! And above all, I wish them injury-free season! *fingers crossed*

maureenfarone said:
Any idea if they will be doing any summer competitions?
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To go back to the C/LD interview posted by @levineismine, they said this:
FSO: Obviously, next year is going to be challenging for U.S. pairs, with the United States having only one berth for Worlds. Is that something that U.S. Figure Skating (USFS) has talked about with you and other senior U.S. pairs? As in, how do we deal with this situation, and how do we move forward and get more spots for the future?

Cain: I think that they’re trying to give us all the resources so that [the U.S.] can be a top team again, a top country in pairs skating. They’re really going out of their way to give all of the [pairs] teams resources. They’re making sure that people are ready way before Champs Camp, way before Skate Detroit. So by the time Nationals comes around, they know that the teams they’re sending out are going to be strong. I think that’s where things are at right now. There’s only so much that they can do. Because, at the end of the day, it comes down to two people that are out on the ice, and if they want to do their job.
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So... It sounds like all the teams vying for that one Worlds spot are aiming for an early start to the season. There's probably a good chance we'll see them all do some summer competition, unless injuries or other things get in the way. (Which hopefully doesn't happen.)
 
aftershocks said:
It doesn't work well for lesser accomplished senior skaters to be sent to Worlds where they won't make the fp.
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Fortunately now the ISU came to their senses somewhat and are allowing 20 pairs to advance to fp at Worlds. In re-reading the above passage from a previous post, I want to point out that I was not referencing Deanna & Nate with those comments. Deanna/Nate would have made the cut at recent Worlds had 20 pairs been allowed to advance.
http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/wc2018/SEG005.HTM
I was speaking about lower level pairs from all countries who need the opportunity to compete in order to improve. And obviously many also need more substantial financial support in order to be able to put in adequate training time to be competitive.

I found this very interesting article about the current pairs scene written in the lead-up to the recent Pyeongchang Olympics:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-era-with-disturbed-dance-moves-idUSKCN1FY0BH

Thanks for posting the recent update on Tarah/Danny. The below detail about her surgery I recall reading before, but it's still :eek: amazing and gutwrenching:

"Dr. LaPrade in Vail, Colorado worked true magic and used a cadaver hamstring to craft me a new tendon..."

ETA:
Good luck to Tarah & Danny. I'm glad to hear their excitement for their new sp. And I hope no mention of a new fp means they will be bringing back their gorgeous Swan Lake stunner. There's lots more to explore with that program! :)
 
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aftershocks said:
Thanks for posting the recent update on Tarah/Danny. The below detail about her surgery I recall reading before, but it's still :eek: amazing and gutwrenching:

"Dr. LaPrade in Vail, Colorado worked true magic and used a cadaver hamstring to craft me a new tendon..."
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That sounds like an awful surgery! So much rehab!

But that statement about the surgery makes no sense. I've heard of using cadaver tendons, but not a cadaver muscle to make a tendon. Or maybe some people consider the tendons as part of the hamstrings?
 
Looking back at sp results at Milan Worlds, it really is a shame and a reflection of the backwards competitive situation that exists: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/wc2018/SEG005.HTM

Not only would Deanna/Nate have advanced (with 20 pairs rule), perhaps some pressure would have been taken off Alexa/Chris. Indeed, it isn't fair to see some of the lowest non-qualifying teams on this list having the chance to compete at big time Worlds while more accomplished and skilled pairs from the U.S. have to compete at Nationals next season for only one spot at Worlds. I know U.S. pairs are upbeat and working hard. That's all they can do: show how competitive they can be. Force recognition and further changes that can benefit more opportunities and growth.
 
Sylvia said:
Brandon Frazier announced his and Haven Denney's new coaching team -- John Zimmerman, Silvia Fontana, Jeremy Barrett -- on Twitter today [May 24]: https://twitter.com/Brandon_F1992/status/999787907165585409
"It’s been a few months but we have been hard at work with this incredible team! Can’t wait to start a new season and a new chapter with these amazing coaches"
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USFS' press release was published on June 7: http://www.usfsa.org/story?id=91545&type=media

Might as well re-post this in this thread, too... Haven Denney (who rarely posts on social media) thanked Charlie White yesterday for choreographing her and Brandon Frazier's programs (plural): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjs81CPls-h/?taken-by=havendenney1028
 
Sylvia said:
From the USFS website: Nationals Pairs Camp will be held June 9-15, 2018 (Junior & Senior teams) and June 12-15, 2018 (Novice teams) in Westminster, Colorado.
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Cain/LeDuc spent some time in Colorado Springs (OTC & World Arena) before the camp: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjx-0wrj5KD/?taken-by=icegirlash

Ashley Cain had mentioned in @clairecloutier's FSO interview that Nina Mozer (and Robin Szolkowy, based on her IG post) would be returning to coach at the National Pairs camp.
 
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^^ That's cool. Ashley thanks Dalilah Sappenfield and Robin Szolkowy for their help at OTC training center in advance of U.S. pairs camp.

And the influence of ice dance on pairs choreo continues apace: Camerlengo choreographing both programs for Cain/LeDuc. Charlie White choreographing both programs for Haven/Brandon, and fp for French pair James/Cipres. Dubreuil/Lauzon choreographing for Deanna/Nate (she's also worked previously with Luba/Dylan and Seguin/Bilodeau). John Kerr choreographing for Italian pair Della Monica/Guarise. Shae Lynn's choreo for Kayne/O'Shea...

ETA: Former ice dancer Judy Blumberg choreographed K/O's sp last season (but they ultimately chose to abandon it in favor of going back to their Take Me to Church sp)
 
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@victorskid pointed out in the Katia/Harley coaching switch to Montreal thread that Mervin Tran is training with his new partner (Olivia Serafini) in California. No official announcement has been made yet, right @Sylvia?

So if Serafini/Tran are training in Aliso Viejo, are Meno/Sand going to be their coaches? I suppose Mervin is eager to continue competing eligibly if he's now willing to change coaches and training locations.
 
aftershocks said:
@victorskid pointed out in the Katia/Harley coaching switch to Montreal thread that Mervin Tran is training with his new partner (Olivia Serafini) in California. No official announcement has been made yet, right @Sylvia?
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Correct, there has been no "official" announcement to date. Mervin confirmed on IG recently that "I moved to California from Montreal": https://www.instagram.com/p/BjUyGDpj_8M/?taken-by=skate_moivo
So if Serafini/Tran are training in Aliso Viejo, are Meno/Sand going to be their coaches?
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Yes, as far as I've heard.
 
aftershocks said:
^^ That's cool. Ashley thanks Dalilah Sappenfield and Robin Szolkowy for their help at OTC training center in advance of U.S. pairs camp.

And the influence of ice dance on pairs choreo continues apace: Camerlengo choreographing both programs for Cain/LeDuc. Charlie White choreographing both programs for Haven/Brandon, and fp for French pair James/Cipres. Dubreuil/Lauzon choreographing for Deanna/Nate (she's also worked previously with Luba/Dylan and Seguin/Bilodeau). John Kerr choreographing for Italian pair Della Monica/Guarise. Shae Lynn's choreo for Kayne/O'Shea...

ETA: Former ice dancer Judy Blumberg choreographed K/O's sp last season (but they ultimately chose to abandon it in favor of going back to their Take Me to Church sp)
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Tarah and Danny skated to Take Me to Church in 2016 and 2017. Last year their sp was to Phantom. Massimo Scali choreographed it. Also, Krylova did Deanna and Nate's sp this year as well.
 
Cleo1782 said:
Tarah and Danny skated to Take Me to Church in 2016 and 2017. Last year their sp was to Phantom. Massimo Scali choreographed it. Also, Krylova did Deanna and Nate's sp this year as well.
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Thanks. I recall that they brought back Take Me to Church in 2016-2017 after starting out with a different sp. In 2015-2016 they also started with a different sp (Espana cani) and then used Take Me to Church for U.S. Nationals, where they won. Unfortunately, Tarah's Wiki page is not updated through last season, so that's where I got confused.

Yep, I liked their Phantom sp All I ask of you, at Nationals and 4CCs, but their Swan Lake fp is much more memorable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOynyVNNj1I sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-avphCZGA3g fp

They look like their speed has improved, so I hope to see more improvements over the coming season. It's great they are keeping their Swan Lake fp -- it's a great vehicle for them.
 
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Correct. Her wiki is not updated lol. But I only remember the change because (unfortunately) the last performance of Take Me to Church was at US Nats in 2017 where she fell on the throw 3 lutz and suffered a concussion on top of her knee problems :/ Agreed this years fp is more memorable than their sp-but I didn't Hate Phantom 2.0, although I wasn't a huge fan of the repeat. Although I heard they were huge fans of it, so let them skate to what they want.
 
^^ It probably always helps if you really enjoy and are motivated by what you're skating to. T&D really seem to enjoy the music of Phantom, and that makes a difference. I guess changes come when a program is either too ambitious which can cause execution problems, or either the music and/or choreo aren't working, etc.
 
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