Pairs Short Program

[gold12345]

Considering only half their elements were solid tonight I would say they should be happy with a score in the mid 60s. I do think it is a changing of the gaurd though but neccessarily due to politics. Just that K/S probably cant match the technical ability and consistency level of V/T already, and V/T have alot more improvement ahead as far as choreography and overall presentation than K/S do.

I agree.. This isn't ice dance, it's not politics... There are better teams out there than K/S... And when K/S don't skate their best, they aren't going to score great. I used to think K/S always got overscored, and now their scores make more sense to me.

[alithia]

The guard has already changed at Russian Nationals but I saw this one more like a "you can't make mistakes and be ahead of B/L anymore " kind of thing.B/L

[Ilvskating]

Great competition! I'm happy with the top rankings. Looking forward to tomorrow's lps!

[pangtongfan]

I must have missed this info, but someone please tell me "where are the chinese Z/Z??"

not that i am a fan of their skating but....

K

They are probably retired.

[bsfan]

I agree.. This isn't ice dance, it's not politics... There are better teams out there than K/S... And when K/S don't skate their best, they aren't going to score great. I used to think K/S always got overscored, and now their scores make more sense to me.

I don't think K/S were held up by politics. They did have many good skates in the past, esp. short programs. If we are talking about been held up, I can think of many teams, S/S, Chinese team #1 whoever was/is... If K/S were held up, it wasn't out of scope compared to others.

[3T3T]

I think K/S's mark is fair for what they turned out. For a fall and scrappy step sequence after it, they done well to get 62.5. If they had gone clean they would be right in the mix. They still have the best free programme by a long way, it's about them skating for themselves now, a medal if out of their control as things stand. I doubt B/L were thinking they would be skating in the last group.

On the whole a great nights skating all the way down the field. Was really impressed by the Japanese, the Italians, Y/C and D/R. I'm really glad the Czechs made the free, they have had a pretty good season. Disappointing for K/K not to make the free but unless they up the technical content they are going to struggle in the future.

Hopefully tomorrow night is as good but in the last few seasons I feel that the free skating has been error filled and ultimately dissapointing.

[hybfc]

They are probably retired.

injured, and did not compete this season.

[smia]

I wonder if K/S will retire after this season. They're a decent pair but not really improving.

Volosozhar/Trankov could be the first pair in a long time to medal in their first season together. Just a shame they didn't team up four years ago, 24/27 is rather late. However, they're very talented and have made a lot of progress in one year. I'd like to see them with less overused music next year.

I'm glad that Takahashi/Tran had a solid performance. She's been really inconsistent but they're a very elegant pair.

Pang, Bazarova, and Kavaguti's skeletalness makes it hard for me to enjoy their programs. Maybe they're that skinny naturally but their positions just don't look attractive.

[pangtongfan]

injured, and did not compete this season.

Yeah but who really thinks they will be back. They are clearly past their prime, and even if P/T retire then Sui & Han who are eligible for Worlds would be taking over as new Chinese #1. And the delay in Worlds should have given them enough time to be ready to skate given that it was just a broken finger and they were reportedly on the ice months ago. You will probably see them return to skating, but in shows in Asia.

[mousepotato]

The guard has already changed at Russian Nationals but I saw this one more like a "you can't make mistakes and be ahead of B/L anymore " kind of thing.B/L

LOL, if you look at the protocols it was the fall that hurt them, real bad. They only got a level 3 and -3 GOE also a deduction for the fall NOT TO MENTION the skating skills were dinged as well. Smirnov knew he was going to get hit hard for it that is what he reacted the way he did. They are very close to B/L even with the fall and will end up ahead of them after the free. It's not judging, it's skating.

[mousepotato]

I don't think K/S were held up by politics. They did have many good skates in the past, esp. short programs. If we are talking about been held up, I can think of many teams, S/S, Chinese team #1 whoever was/is... If K/S were held up, it wasn't out of scope compared to others.

I agree

SP

Worlds 2007 - 4th - first worlds
Worlds 2008 - 3rd
Worlds 2009 - 2nd
Worlds 2010 - 2nd
Worlds 2011 - 5th - bad fall

[reynycpr]

Meagan DUHAMEL Eric RADFORD - SP

Ouch!
and then to go into sbs 3lutz afterwards...wow

[Joesitz]

Meagan DUHAMEL Eric RADFORD - SP

I would say Duhamel/Radford made a statement in that SP, and I am looking forward to the LP.

The results so far are fine with me, Pang/Tong continue their lyrical while Savchenko/Solkowsky continue the bravado. Two brilliant opposing styles make a decision difficult on which one team is the better. If they continue to be brilliant in the LP, then it will be the opinions of the judges in the PCs and not the tech scores.

[SkateFiguring]

I didn't get to see but the last 2 groups of Pairs but I read that Eric was hurting so badly from the broken nose that he teared up and couldn't see going into the jump!

A hockey player would have stopped and called for penalty.

[demarinis5]

Congrats to Pang/Tong they were spot on brilliant, loved the way they skated their program today, everything was clean, crisp and fresh.
I have watched their video at least 6 times already. Aliona/Robin and Vera/Yuri were great too. Outstanding skating from the top three.