2012 NHK Pairs Short Program SP

[dorispulaski]

Live Results website:http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpjpn2012/SEG005.HTM


StN. Name Nation
Warm-Up Group 1
1 Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM USA

2 Lindsay DAVIS / Mark LADWIG USA

3 Anastasia MARTIUSHEVA / Alexei ROGONOV RUS

Warm-Up Group 2
4 Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE ITA

5 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA

6 Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH CAN

7 Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV RUS

[blue_idealist]

Looks like KMT and Dylan have a good chance at a silver medal. Can I hope that they could possibly beat B/L?

[Mrs. P]

Looks like KMT and Dylan have a good chance at a silver medal. Can I hope that they could possibly beat B/L?

I have them beating B/L. They have great programs this year!

[Elisheba]

Start orders are up:

1 Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM USA
2 Lindsay DAVIS / Mark LADWIG USA
3 Anastasia MARTIUSHEVA / Alexei ROGONOV RUS
Warm-Up Group 2
4 Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE ITA
5 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA
6 Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH CAN
7 Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV RUS

[samson]

All looking good. What do you guys think Castelli and Shnapir's chances at medaling are? Based on what I've seen so far in the grand prix I think they have a real shot. That would be really exciting.

[missysays]

Super excited to see that Martiusheva and Rogonov got a second Grand Prix! I hope they are able to skate well so that they'll continue to get more international competitive experience. When they skate well, they are gorgeous and really interesting to watch. For me, they stand out a mile above the other skaters in their style and on-ice presence. They just need that confidence that comes from consistently executing their elements in competition.

[ImaginaryPogue]

All looking good. What do you guys think Castelli and Shnapir's chances at medaling are? Based on what I've seen so far in the grand prix I think they have a real shot. That would be really exciting.

Agreed. The top two will likely be B/L and M-T/M. C/S, M/R and DM/G are the contenders for bronze.

[rvi5]

Speaking of Mervin Tran, he is now 22 as of September 22. Since Japan does not permit dual citizenship, wouldn't he be expected to renounce his Canadian citizenship and apply for Japanese citizenship?

The way I see it, one of the following would need to happen:

-Tran renounces his Canadian citizenship, applies for Japanese citizenship if possible, and competes for Japan.
-Takahashi applies for Canadian citizenship, loses her Japanese citizenship, and competes for Canada.
-They remain as is, and are never able to compete at the Olympics.
-Japan changes it's rules, looks the other way, or makes an exception.

Any other possibilities?

[Skater Boy]

I was just wondering how did Scimeca and Knerim get chosen to compete? Seems so random with tonnes of teams out there why would skaters who I think are in their first year together with no pedigree - 7th and 10th at nationals get selected. Maybe I haven't kept up; because I don't think they would have a huge fan base or have shown that much promise compared to other Russian, American, Canadian or Chinese teams in particular. I am sure they are awesome people but just wondering it just seems so "odd"

[Mrs. P]

I was just wondering how did Scimeca and Knerim get chosen to compete? Seems so random with tonnes of teams out there why would skaters who I think are in their first year together with no pedigree - 7th and 10th at nationals get selected. Maybe I haven't kept up; because I don't think they would have a huge fan base or have shown that much promise compared to other Russian, American, Canadian or Chinese teams in particular. I am sure they are awesome people but just wondering it just seems so "odd"

I think all the pairs above them either 1.) have two events already 2.) broke up 3.) are not competing in the GP.

Consider the W/D they're replacing is another new team Yankowakas/ Reagan, it doesn't seem all that random.

Here's the Nationals list:

1. Denny/Coughlin - 2 events, 2 bronze
2. Marley/Brubaker - had 2 events, broke up.
3. Evora/Ladwig - Evora retired, Ladwig got two events with his new partner.
4. Donlan/Speroff - They only had one event.
5.) Castelli. Shnapir - the got two events
6.) Cain/Regan - Broke, then got two events w/ Yankowakas, only to W/K due to injury
7.) So Chris Knierm with his new partner seems like an logical choice.

[eyria]

Rooting for Marissa & Simon to make the podium!! This is a great opportunity for them; hope they can take advantage of it. A medal here would really help their momentum going into Nationals. Also looking forward to seeing Scimeca & Knierim for the first time.

The rest of the field--ehh. Bazarova & Larionov need a new coach, I think. Or a new choreographer, or dance instructor, or something. They are stagnating. They really have not improved at all since 2010. Something needs to change for them. As for MT-M/DM, I am not much of a fan. They are like the Canadian version of D/C. Solid athletically, but artistry is not really there, and I don't see much potential for improvement.

[Skater Boy]

I think all the pairs above them either 1.) have two events already 2.) broke up 3.) are not competing in the GP.

Consider the W/D they're replacing is another new team Yankowakas/ Reagan, it doesn't seem all that random.

Here's the Nationals list:

1. Denny/Coughlin - 2 events, 2 bronze
2. Marley/Brubaker - had 2 events, broke up.
3. Evora/Ladwig - Evora retired, Ladwig got two events with his new partner.
4. Donlan/Speroff - They only had one event.
5.) Castelli. Shnapir - the got two events
6.) Cain/Regan - Broke, then got two events w/ Yankowakas, only to W/K due to injury
7.) So Chris Knierm with his new partner seems like an logical choice.

Okay but why does it have to be an American team?

[sky_fly20]

Okay but why does it have to be an American team?

because they were the only Pairs left on the alternate list that has met the minimum TES when they won at Cup of Nice

[Mrs. P]

Okay but why does it have to be an American team?

I'm not sure if so much that they're American so much that they won Cup of Nice, beating Stolbova/Klimov, who are GP bronze medalists. That probably caught some folks attention.

ETA: Ah sky_fly20 had the actual answer.

[chuckm]

Speaking of Mervin Tran, he is now 22 as of September 22. Since Japan does not permit dual citizenship, wouldn't he be expected to renounce his Canadian citizenship and apply for Japanese citizenship?

The way I see it, one of the following would need to happen:

-Tran renounces his Canadian citizenship, applies for Japanese citizenship if possible, and competes for Japan.
-Takahashi applies for Canadian citizenship, loses her Japanese citizenship, and competes for Canada.
-They remain as is, and are never able to compete at the Olympics.
-Japan changes it's rules, looks the other way, or makes an exception.

Any other possibilities?

It is way, way, way too late for Tran to make it to Sochi. It is extremely difficult to obtain Japanese citizenship. Tran is a Canadian citizen of Southeast Asian (Vietnamese/Cambodian) descent with no ancestral ties to Japan, and he lives and trains in Canada. Japan requires a minimum of 5 years residence in Japan in order even to apply for citizenship. Members of the liberal party in Japan say they will champion Tran's request for an exception, but Japan has never permitted exceptions even for highly qualified people who have lived and worked in Japan for decades, so it seems it's not going to happen for Tran.