U.S. Pairs 2019-20 season - News & Updates, Part X

[haribobo]

SENIOR
Knierim/Knierim 194.22 Mid Atlantics
Calalang/Johnson 178.21 Detroit
Lu/Mitrofanov 169.75 Cannon TX Open
Serafini/Tran 162.69 Mid Atlantics
Digerness/Neudecker 148.09 Detroit
Mokhova/Mokhov 143.77 Detroit
Timlen/Highgate Brutman 114.66 Mid Atlantics
Lockley/Prochnow 112.69 Skate Milwaukee

TBD- Cain/Leduc, Kayne/O'Shea, Denney/Frazier, Chan/Howe, Pfund/Santillan

JUNIOR
Finster/Nagy 139.11 Detroit
Smirnova/Siianytsia 138.34 Cranberry
Martins/Bedard 136.87 DancePairs Chicago
Deardorff/Johnson 133.42 Mid Atlantics
Knoop/Eisenach 113.52 Mid Atlantics
Fleming/Isbell 106.62 Cranberry
Gonzalez/Jerosch 103.82 Mid Atlantics
Flaum/Wellman 102.66 Mid Atlantics
Burden/Pagano 101.97 Detroit
McClellan/Rounis 100.37 Detroit

 

[insideedgeua]

USFS' International Assignments page lists Digerness/Neudecker as having withdrawn from Nebelhorn Trophy as of today.

ETA that they both were in NYC this past weekend but were not listed as competing at MidAtlantics.

Danny’s mom wrote on Facebook that Nica has an ankle injury, but she doesn’t specify what this is. As they still seemed to be out and about exploring NYC, I’m hoping this means that the injury isn’t too serious. It’s a shame they had to withdraw from Nebelhorn.

 

[Sylvia]

Jessica Calalang & Brian Johnson have received the Skate America TBA spot so their Grand Prix debut together will be in Las Vegas.

ETA: And this will be Brian's first GP!

 

[clairecloutier]

Laiken Lockley wrote a piece about her experiences with online school vs. in-classroom school:

Traditional In-School Classes Are More Beneficial to Students than Online School Classes

The other morning, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about school when I was caught off guard with a statement that agitated me. I told her I had been slightly enjoying school since we started, when she proceeded to say, “Yeah, I would like school too if I only went for...

www.rmhspacer.com

Good job!

 

[Jayar]

Laiken Lockley wrote a piece about her experiences with online school vs. in-classroom school:

Traditional In-School Classes Are More Beneficial to Students than Online School Classes

The other morning, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about school when I was caught off guard with a statement that agitated me. I told her I had been slightly enjoying school since we started, when she proceeded to say, “Yeah, I would like school too if I only went for...

www.rmhspacer.com

Good job!

Meh. If she wanted to go to school full time, she still can. Nobody is twisting her arm to be an athlete first.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Congratulatory shout out to USA having F&N in SECOND place after a sp at a JGP!!! And ahead of 2 Russsian teams. Great score for them.

Hope they rock in the free!!!!

 

[olympic]

Woo! Monster score by C/L in SLC. Beating Tarasova / Morozov!

 

[casken]

I'm loving seeing everyone sh*tting all over that score on twitter, even some of their fans.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Woo! Monster score by C/L in SLC. Beating Tarasova / Morozov!

I know, I already posted over in the other pairs figure skating thread. I can't believe it. I just found the T&M video and now I'm waiting for their's.

What a monster score for Ashley and Tim

Ashley and Tim are the leaders over Russia and China. So happy for them. Such genuine thrills for them

Ashley CAIN GRIBBLE & Timothy LEDUC USA SP 2019 US International Skating Classic

Ashley CAIN GRIBBLE & Timothy LEDUC USA SP 2019 US International Skating Classic #CaindLeDuc #FigureSkating #ISUChallenger

m.youtube.com

 

[olympic]

I know, I already posted over in the other pairs figure skating thread. I can't believe it. I just found the T&M video and now I'm waiting for their's.

What a monster score for Ashley and Tim

Ashley and Tim are the leaders over Russia and China. So happy for them. Such genuine thrills for them

Ashley CAIN GRIBBLE & Timothy LEDUC USA SP 2019 US International Skating Classic

Ashley CAIN GRIBBLE & Timothy LEDUC USA SP 2019 US International Skating Classic #CaindLeDuc #FigureSkating #ISUChallenger

m.youtube.com

Wow. The improved height on the throw and the security on the lift! They now look like a pair that belongs in the final group

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Wow. The improved height on the throw and the security on the lift! They now look like a pair that belongs in the final group

The most difficult SBS jump

The most difficult throw

The most difficult SBS Spin

 

[happycamper2554]

On the other hand i felt Kayne and O'shea were underscored here. i thought there elements looked improved. Maybe i didn't see a good quality video.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

wrong thread

 

[olympic]

On the other hand i felt Kayne and O'shea were underscored here. i thought there elements looked improved. Maybe i didn't see a good quality video.

I just watched CG/L, K/O and C/J.

K/O - I guess they could have been scored a little higher. They looked really determined and I think their team may have found a way to disguise the fact that it looked like he pulls her around the rink: She skates behind him or he is holding her / guiding her in between elements. Their first 2 elements looked eked out. I've seen them land better SBS jumps and I assumed their twist would've been stronger. Their score would've been in the upper 60s with just a bit more improvement on those 2 elements.

C/J - My faves. Sad about the fall [I hope this doesn't become a pattern. They are a US pair after all]. But, interesting that with a major mistake and w/ K/O clean, C/J are only 2.5 points behind them. They show strong elements [throw, twist, lift] and pull over +1 when they are clean. K/O don't necessarily do that.

 

[shan]

I love Calalang and Johnson! I think they have so much potential.

Congrats to C-G/L on their great SP!

 

[Willin]

Watching the teams in person (and on video) I have to say SK/K are the best US Pair all around - but they're very hard to watch because you always feel like they'll blow it somewhere. D/F are much worse in person than on screen - it's obvious they're lacking artistry and since they don't hit the jump elements that often those aren't too exciting either. K/O are great to watch when they put a whole package together, but their packaging is often off in a way that a whole package rarely seems to happen. C/L are very obviously newer and less fluid and the other teams in person - but they're also the most consistent, have the most consistently high difficulty, and have the best packaging. For that reason I think C/L are the US's best shot, especially if they can continue to grow into their skating like they have been doing.

 

[twinsmom]

K/O - I guess they could have been scored a little higher. They looked really determined and I think their team may have found a way to disguise the fact that it looked like he pulls her around the rink: She skates behind him or he is holding her / guiding her in between elements. Their first 2 elements looked eked out. I've seen them land better SBS jumps and I assumed their twist would've been stronger. Their score would've been in the upper 60s with just a bit more improvement on those 2 elements.

C/J - My faves. Sad about the fall [I hope this doesn't become a pattern. They are a US pair after all]. But, interesting that with a major mistake and w/ K/O clean, C/J are only 2.5 points behind them. They show strong elements [throw, twist, lift] and pull over +1 when they are clean. K/O don't necessarily do that.

I was at the competition. K/O skated really well last night. I have never really noticed before, but it was very obvious to me last night how much better Danny is than Tarah. My friend and I were very surprised that their twist hasn't improved since they've switched to Dalilah, since she seems to have a magic touch with that element (at least it's been my observation that her teams almost always have superior height and technique). K/O's twist is still really small. But I enjoyed them.

So, so sad about C/J. They are fabulous - I've long loved her especially. Could they send her to a jump specialist to fix that problem? They would be so great if they could get the jumps settled.

We were sure T/M were going to be in the lead before the comp started. Their speed is amazing, but she had the problem with the landing of the throw (scrape of her edge), but I think what did them in was the footwork. It was soooo slow, and they had the time deduction because of that. He was clearly dying from the altitude at the end of the program. And C-G/L were really improved. Their twist was the best I've ever seen from them, the lift was great, the spin was great. But I was surprised they went into the lead. Thrilled for them.

Pairs is never my favorite, but I was really looking forward to this competition because of the teams competing. It was a pretty good competition overall.

 

[acraven]

In fairness to Tarah, Danny O'Shea is a former national novice men's champion who had noticeably good skating skills, musicality and posture even then. In the US we're used to seeing a fair number of pair men who are not so skilled. (Is that diplomatic enough?)

 

[Sylvia]

Here's an interview I did with Kate Finster/Balazs Nagy. They are competing this week at the JGP in Lake Placid.

Finster/Nagy: Young Team on the Rise - A divine sport

When Kate Finster and Balazs Nagy began their pairs partnership in late fall of 2017, they were a bit of an unlikely duo. The new partners had a five-year age gap–and also came from different disciplines. Nagy, 20, had been a singles skater for the majority of his career, with only one brief...

adivinesport.com

I hope Finster/Nagy can put their fp performance at Lake Placid behind them.

Kate Finster and Balazs Nagy won the SILVER medal at JGP Gdansk today. They competed well in both programs (166.22 total, 60.91/2nd in SP, 105.31/2nd in FS) and that made all the difference in this particular field.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

OH MY GAGAAAAAA

World class Cain-Gribble & LeDuc

won the sp and the free.. and won the free by 10 points over T&M and 13+ points over P&J!

IM JUST SOOOOO Thrilled for them... SO HAPPY FOR THEM!!!!!

 

[happycamper2554]

OH MY GAGAAAAAA

World class Cain-Gribble & LeDuc

won the sp and the free.. and won the free by 10 points over T&M and 13+ points over P&J!

IM JUST SOOOOO Thrilled for them... SO HAPPY FOR THEM!!!!!

This is the biggest BS scoring. Thats all I have to say about it.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

This is the biggest BS scoring. Thats all I have to say about it.

Oh Dear, here we go....

My favorite didnt win so of course must be BS.... never mind the double and single jumps, messed up death spiral, etc by T&M... you know.......

 

[Ena Grins]

Oh Dear, here we go....

My favorite didnt win so of course must be BS.... never mind the double and single jumps, messed up death spiral, etc by T&M... you know.......

Well, it's possible for two things to be true at once here. Ashley and Tim deserved to win AND their scores were quite generous IMO. But, without a doubt, they are continuing to improve and come together as a pair. I think there's a good chance they'll stay the US #1 team for another year.

 

[olympic]

^I saw the score for CG/L and thought WOW, then I looked at the GOE on the elements and scratched my head, but it also sounded like T/M had an off day. Nonetheless, it was an international panel judging the event and this should give CG/L a huge boost. The video of their SP showed a marked improvement in their overall skating, even over last year.

 

[Rukia]

C-G/L did deserve to win. T/M's PCS was waaaaaaaay too low though. It would have changed nothing to give them the PCS they deserve. In the end the placements were correct.

 

[nimi]

Gotta say that even with those couple of mistakes, that was a really enjoyable performance from C-G/L!

Was this the first time that C-G/L did a reverse lasso lift in competition? Yes I saw that it was only level2 but still, it was a nice looking one... and that BV (6.20) is basically the same what they would get for doing a level4 5SLi, right?

Also, a smart move to choreograph a section where they stop and basically just stand around and breathe and touch their faces before they go for that lift!


ETA: Catching up on JGP vids...

Kate Finster and Balazs Nagy won the SILVER medal at JGP Gdansk today. They competed well in both programs (166.22 total, 60.91/2nd in SP, 105.31/2nd in FS) and that made all the difference in this particular field.

Her lift positions (and jumps) need work, but overall I was pleasantly surprised by Finster/Nagy's FS performance. Nice job!

Kate Finster / Balazs Nagy (USA)| Pairs Free Skating | Lake Placid 2019

Visit https://isu.org/JuniorGrandPrix for more information on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Courchevel, France - August 21 to 24 Lake Placid, ...

www.youtube.com

 

[olympic]

I watched the LPs finally:

CG/L - Pretty much the same as what I posted about the SP. They are skating at the next level. It seems like Ash must continue working on those old bugaboos: checking her landing on the throws and landing the SBS jumps. I wonder why a singles competitor who was considered among the US elite, landing all jumps from the 3Z down, including 3Z-3L a couple of times, yet has trouble on the 3L? She fell on the same jump at 19 Worlds.

K/O - It was a solid beginning; neither a big splash but not subpar either. I expected a better twist at this point but it appears they still need to work on it w/ Dalilah. All the usual suspects: landings on throws and SBS jumps. She was really off-axis on the Throw 3Z. I am glad they got rid of the ugly cartwheel entrance to the throw jump. Their new entrances look better and they are getting more amplitude on the throws. The worst part of the program is Anne Hathaway weeping at a point during the performance while they are checking off elements. One of those has to change!

L/M - Quite ambitious and they are good SBS jumpers. They seemed to unwind towards the end: He looked tired lifting her and they finished off the music. I like the ambition of arms overhead on the twist and the difficult SBS jumps. They still need to develop better skating skills, get deeper into the ice.

C/J - SIGH So much talent. He was more on point but she was bailing on the jumps. I hope it was just an off weekend. There is so much to love about their skating. When they hit an element, they puller higher GOE than some of the teams ahead of them. It would be a shame if it were not full realized. And I can I just say, his cakes aren't just cakes, they are shelves!

ETA - Next week at Nebelhorn, The Knierims and D/F compete, and all our top pairs will have competed internationally this season. I'm very interested to see where the Knierims stand vs. CG/L, and even D/F v. K/O

 

[Spun Silver]

ETA: Catching up on JGP vids...Her lift positions (and jumps) need work, but overall I was pleasantly surprised by Finster/Nagy's FS performance. Nice job!

Kate Finster / Balazs Nagy (USA)| Pairs Free Skating | Lake Placid 2019

Visit https://isu.org/JuniorGrandPrix for more information on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Courchevel, France - August 21 to 24 Lake Placid, ...

www.youtube.com

Ahem. This is the vid you meant to attach for Finster/Nagy. What a difference three weeks make! However, their final lift is still the ugliest lift I've ever seen. Not her, she's lovely -- the lift itself!

Kate Finster / Balazs Nagy (USA) | Pairs Free Skating | Gdansk 2019

Visit https://isu.org/JuniorGrandPrix for more information on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. PAIR FREE SKATE START ORDER 13:10:00 - 13:16:00 Wa...

youtu.be

ETA: I assumed you meant to link this one because your post followed Sylvia's about their silver medal at Gdansk. If not, I think you'll be glad to see it anyway!

 

[nimi]

Ahem. This is the vid you meant to attach for Finster/Nagy. What a difference three weeks make! However, their final lift is still the ugliest lift I've ever seen. Not her, she's lovely -- the lift itself!

Kate Finster / Balazs Nagy (USA) | Pairs Free Skating | Gdansk 2019

Visit https://isu.org/JuniorGrandPrix for more information on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. PAIR FREE SKATE START ORDER 13:10:00 - 13:16:00 Wa...

youtu.be

ETA: I assumed you meant to link this one because your post followed Sylvia's about their silver medal at Gdansk. If not, I think you'll be glad to see it anyway!

Thanks for noticing! I watched the last FS group on the archived competition stream and then clicked the wrong sidebar recommendation, it seems... Ooops

I took a look at the JGP standings and it seems to me that F/N might still have a chance at qualifying for JGPF? They're currently 4th, so their fate depends on how the rest of the field (3 Russian teams plus Hocke/Kunkel and Wang/Jia) place in relation to one another in Croatia.

 

[toddlj]

Thanks for noticing! I watched the last FS group on the archived competition stream and then clicked the wrong sidebar recommendation, it seems... Ooops

I took a look at the JGP standings and it seems to me that F/N might still have a chance at qualifying for JGPF? They're currently 4th, so their fate depends on how the rest of the field (3 Russian teams plus Hocke/Kunkel and Wang/Jia) place in relation to one another in Croatia.

Remote, but there are a few possibilities. This would happen if the final standings are RUS/RUS/RUS/CHN/GER, for example.