Door wide open for Castelli and Shnapir

[gsk8]

The door is wide open for Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir heading into the US National Figure Skating Championships later this month.

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[eyria]

Fingers crossed for my hometown team! :-) The key will be keeping their confidence up . . . Suddenly coming in as favorites definitely adds to the pressure. I hope they can cope with it and put out solid performances.

[Mathman]

Thanks for the fine article JR and gsk8. I hope they rise to the occasion.

[Joubabe]

I hadn't realized they've been together for 7 years. That makes me feel more comfortable about them probably being the flag bearers for U.S. pairs in this pre-Olympic season. And I love their new tango long program!

[pangtongfan]

I like them better than Denney & Coughlin anyway. I hope if they win Nationals they build on that and improve enough that D&C just wont be handed the #1 spot easily when they return.

[Skater Boy]

the door is more than wide open; someone laid out the red carpet and threw some roses at them too - now it is their's to lose.

[dorispulaski]

I do hope they can win it. It's been an awfully long time since a team from New England won Nationals, or even went to Worlds.

[demarinis5]

Fingers crossed for my hometown team! :-) The key will be keeping their confidence up . . . Suddenly coming in as favorites definitely adds to the pressure. I hope they can cope with it and put out solid performances.

I do hope they can win it. It's been an awfully long time since a team from New England won Nationals, or even went to Worlds.

I have always liked this team, they certainaly have the talent and programs to win Nationals.
Thanks for the great article!

[sk8ingcoach]

I only first noticed them this season. I was firstly amazed by her huge throw 3S and speed throughout all elements.

I have high hopes for them to win nationals.

Although i really like the team of Scimeca & Knierim, i hope that the judges give Castelli and Shnapir the components they deserve over S&K

[eyria]

Just read a USFSA announcement stating that Yankowskas/Reagan have withdrawn from Nationals. This probably won't affect Castelli/Shnapir too much, as they would have been favored over the brand-new team of Y/R, but still, it does remove another possible obstacle from their path.

I am disappointed about this withdrawal. I was so looking forward to seeing Caitlin on the ice again.

[blue_idealist]

Just read a USFSA announcement stating that Yankowskas/Reagan have withdrawn from Nationals.

I am disappointed about this withdrawal. I was so looking forward to seeing Caitlin on the ice again.

Yeah, at this point, Y/R's first nationals will be right before the Olympics!