I predict this new pair will finish lower than 6 next season. They are about as engaging as the Zhangs without the technical skill to back it up. The new Russian pair will also overtake them. Trankov is the best male pair skater? LOL. The legend began one slow afternoon, Mrs. Trankov had a few vodka, lit up a ciggy, drew a few puffs, and told a waried ragamuffin she found on a rink set up at the local county fair. "Trankov is the best male pair skater," said Mrs. Trankov. "He needs a partner and here's 50 rubles" The ragamuffin thought for a minute. From the corner of her eyes, she took it all in. The rink surface was not much better than the pond in the back of her tiny cottage she shared with her family. The paint was chipping off. Her blades were blunt. The blades felt funny since last spring. The shoes smelled funny a few moons back. New shoes, she thought. 50 rubles is a lot of rubles. She could finally get that faux lashes she'd been eyeing at Moskovsky's. And vodka for dad. A new pin for mom. And a chance to visit Leningrad. The ragamuffin timidly said, "spasib-OK" Began the partnership of the #2 team in Russia.
The heroine: Maria Mukhortova.
The heroine: Maria Mukhortova.