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

[Spiralgraph]

Cain and LeDuc have improved which is what I want. In addition to what ANL posted their pair spin is slow and labored so I hope they will work on that too. But I'm really happy they had no major problems and their program looks very good. Yay for their first win.

 

[Yazmeen]

They are definitely my current favorites - aside from the bobbles on the throw landings, that program was gorgeous and packed with beautiful choreography. And so well done so early in the season, Bravo!

 

[Sylvia]

Pairs Scoretracker is updated (U.S. Classic, Digerness/Neudecker 4th at Lombardia Trophy, Feng/Nyman 4th in SP, 6th overall in their season debut at JGP Canada):

https://unseenskaters.wordpress.com/scoretracker/current-pairs-scores/

 

[her grace]

Liu/Meyh have the highest domestic score of junior pairs, and they're age-eligible, too. Too bad they won't get a JGP. Hope they can get a junior B.

 

[Sylvia]

The 5th pair dropped out of Nepela Trophy so no ISU World Standings points for Stellato/Bartholomay, Cain/LeDuc (they got 300 points for winning gold in SLC last week) or the 2 remaining pairs in Bratislava.

However, I'm hearing (unofficially) that S/B might get another Challenger assignment to make up for this situation... Nebelhorn next week perhaps?

 

[clairecloutier]

That is so unfortunate for S/B and C/LD .... I was worried about this at both U.S. Classic and this event. I hope S/B do indeed get another Challenger.

Is it allowable to send 3 entries to a non-host Challenger event? Because I wonder if it would make sense to do that with U.S. pairs going forward, to help head off things like this.

 

[Sylvia]

Is it allowable to send 3 entries to a non-host Challenger event?

Yes, as long as there's not an entries limit by the organizer.

 

[Sylvia]

Cain/LeDuc and Stellato/Bartholomay go 1-2 in Bratislava! This is Deanna & Nate's first international medal together and Coach Jim Peterson confirms that they will go to Nebelhorn Trophy next week (2 photos on his IG): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn_a65GH_Yu/?taken-by=jpcoach

ETA: Their names have appeared in the Nebelhorn pairs entry list today as the 3rd U.S. pair.

 

[Catherine M]

That's great for Deanna & Nate to be allowed in at the last minute for Neblehorn. Thanks German fed for giving them a a chance to improve and get some badly needed ISU points.

I'll have to watch the freeskates later today as Youtube is blocked at work.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Congratulations to Calalang & Johnson for scoring 100 and change in their free skate at Autumn Classic with 0 deductions.

Not a bad first outing.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Now all of a sudden 3 USA pairs are entered in One JGP event?

ANL doesn't understand, and may need @Sylvia ........

http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpcze2018/SEG005.HTM

 

[Sylvia]

RUS, CHN, USA and CAN had the top 4 placing pairs at 2018 Junior Worlds and so they were allowed to enter up to 3 pairs in each of the 4 JGP events. Ostrava is the first time USA has done so.

The 3 USA pairs at the SP draw in Ostrava: https://www.instagram.com/p/BoL2rpxn2sd/?taken-by=coach.dalilah

Finster and Nagy received their first Team USA jackets for this competition: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6zbGwlTqU/?taken-by=coach.dalilah

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The 3 USA pairs at the SP draw in Ostrava: https://www.instagram.com/p/BoL2rpxn2sd/?taken-by=coach.dalilah

How adorable is Team USA????!!!!




Oh Dear, is Nagy a future PORNY?? Calm down ANL, Calm down!!!!!!!

 

[Sylvia]

USA has 3 pairs entered at Nebelhorn Trophy this week, too, with Stellato/Bartholomay added just last week. The Knierims finally will make their season debut here (they've been training in Europe for the past few weeks).

Here was part of the feature article on 2018 U.S. junior champions Audrey Lu/Misha Mitrofanov that was published in the August/September issue of SKATING magazine: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...lities-in-audrey-lu-and-misha-mitrofanov.aspx

 

[aftershocks]

An audio swap of Kayne/O'Shea in exhibition, skating to I hate you, I love you, by Gnash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8_FEV-XlWw

Does 'audio swap' mean this is not the song they actually skated to? No matter. They looked great and I love it. Are there any fan cam vids available of K/O's recent Evening of Champions sp performance?

 

[Sylvia]

Does 'audio swap' mean this is not the song they actually skated to?

Yes. This is K/O's exhibition number from 2016 Nationals after they had won the title and the song they skated to was "Manhattan" by Sara Bareilles.

Are there any fan cam vids available of K/O's recent Evening of Champions sp performance?

I haven't found anything. They're scheduled to make their season debut at Finlandia Trophy, so not much longer to wait.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well, Im loving what Im seeing from all 3 USA teams is Ostrava... They all seenmed to have done really well!!!

And that makes ANL very happy!!!!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well one of the lowest scores ever for The Knierims... but MOST EPIC costumes ever!!!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Very good day in Ostrava for all 3 U.S. junior pairs!

4th Sarah FENG / TJ NYMAN USA 58.90 [SP Video] - 2nd time they've made the final group for FS
5th Laiken LOCKLEY / Keenan PROCHNOW USA 54.93 [SP Video]
7th Kate FINSTER / Balazs NAGY USA 50.29 [SP Video]
(17 teams total)

 

[aftershocks]

Well one of the lowest scores ever for The Knierims... but MOST EPIC costumes ever!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON6u6chHh-k

I love Chris/Alexa's new look! They have great costumes, edgy music and choreo. Maybe they were a bit nervous on the shaky sbs jumps, and perhaps too much adrenalin on the throw. Still cool, nonetheless with lots of room to grow.

 

[Dobre]

Wheee! Great skate for Feng & Nyman today. Loved how she came out of that twist--bang--right on the music.

 

[aftershocks]

Cain/LeDuc and Stellato/Bartholomay go 1-2 in Bratislava!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP9XiGtRYCc C/L sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2qsgm8W8I C/L fp

C/L look sharper here and confident, showing some improvements over their previous competition. Continued steady work is needed on refining and perfecting the throw 3-twist and perhaps gaining more distance and control than amplitude on the throws. There was a slight thud on the dismount of one lift. But they obviously have increased their difficulty on lifts. So continued work on control and smoothing out position changes and dismounts will help with GOE. Landings on throws were a bit better as Ashley seemed more solid, but she still needs to work on pulling up more and holding the jump landing flow out without so much forward lean. Still, C/L are looking good, and with keeping at it, they should continue to get better throughout the season. I hope they do work on connecting more palpably and showing off their beautiful lines and unison -- that ability is within their wheelhouse. Take advantage of it.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Well one of the lowest scores ever for The Knierims... but MOST EPIC costumes ever!!!!!

Alexa was rocking the Aliona inspired bodysuit, that's for sure!

Maybe next time they need to skate in burlap sacks just to balance things out.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP9XiGtRYCc C/L sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2qsgm8W8I C/L fp

C/L look sharper here and confident, showing some improvements over their previous competition. Continued steady work is needed on refining and perfecting the throw 3-twist and perhaps gaining more distance and control than amplitude on the throws. There was a slight thud on the dismount of one lift. But they obviously have increased their difficulty on lifts. So continued work on control and smoothing out position changes and dismounts will help with GOE. Landings on throws were a bit better as Ashley seemed more solid, but she still needs to work on pulling up more and holding the jump landing flow out without so much forward lean. Still, C/L are looking good, and with keeping at it, they should continue to get better throughout the season. I hope they do work on connecting more palpably and showing off their beautiful lines and unison -- that ability is within their wheelhouse. Take advantage of it.

Great to see the improvements this season. LeDuc must be one heck of an athlete. Cain is no midget, so to make those lifts look more stable, is impressive stuff indeed.

 

[aftershocks]

^^ Yep, Timothy clearly has had to bulk up physically. He does a fine job -- they both work well together, but they still need to continue to improve their steadiness all around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrhfhggwMvM sp Nepala S/B

I can't find fp at Ondrej Nepala for S/B

Here's S/B's Nebelhorn sp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMnqMcwYCg nice choreo -- for some reason their unison was off on sbs spins & shaky on sbs jumps; they landed the throw they didn't land in sp at Nepala Trophy
Knierims landed in first and S/B in third for sp at Nebelhorn.

 

[breathesgelatin]

Lu/Mitrofanov got the spot at IdF vacated by Esbrat/Novoselov! Great for them to have two GPs their first season on the circuit.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Good for Audrey & Misha!

@aftershocks, Stellato/Bartholomay's FS from Nepela Trophy is blocked (in U.S. only?) on YT due to music copyright (music is Whitney Houston's "Run to You/I Have Nothing”). If they have a good FS performance at Nebelhorn tomorrow, maybe we can get an "alternative" video made.

 

[Firedancer]

New interview with Alexa and Chris:
https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...ck-off-building-year-at-nebelhorn-trophy.aspx

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

AMAZEBALLS

We're gonna have a USA team on the podium in Ostrava!! They rocked their SB!!!!

Congrats to Feng & Nyman!!!!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Aaaaand JGP Ostrava bronze medalists Sarah Feng & TJ Nyman have qualified for the JGP Final in the 6th spot!

Their 3rd place FS (104.54): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y64XNUg3n30

Laiken Lockley & Keenan Prochnow are the 1st alternates to the Final (if I did my math correctly).

Final standings in Ostrava:
3 Sarah FENG / TJ NYMAN USA 163.44 4 3
6 Laiken LOCKLEY / Keenan PROCHNOW USA 140.63 5 7
9 Kate FINSTER / Balazs NAGY USA 128.31 7 9