Davis & White to regain World title?

**rkuang** · 02-12-2013, 12:29 PM

If D/W wins this title, I think it's highly likely V/M will find another training ground. While I think their training together has really helped them in the past (the results speak for themselves), V/M has often come out on top for the clutch titles. The second that is reversed, the dynamic will change. Frankly, I think they should start training separately before the Olympic year so that nothing distracting gets in the way.

**dorispulaski** · 02-12-2013, 02:47 PM

I recall, back in 2011, after D&W won worlds, there was an interview with some of the Cantonites. The item that came out was that it wasn't the world gold that was the motivator; it was bragging rights for who was best in Canton, a status that is affirmed every new season when the disk with the practice music comes out. The top finishing team's music from the previous year is played first. The coaches offered to have two disks, one with V&M's music first (as Olympic champions) and one with D&W's music first (as the 2011 World Champions). Scott wanted the D&W music first, as a matter, I think, of fairness, and a motivator of the order of Charlie thinking, "lost a bronze medal by 0.04??? Got to get up and work, after 2009 Worlds."

I'm not sure what that all means exactly, but both teams have had & lost bragging rights at Canton now.

Will the one that loses out at Worlds put up with it, or have to move, this year? I can't say.

**Olympia** · 02-12-2013, 03:20 PM

How interesting, Doris! I like the idea of their training together—I remember how cordially they behaved toward one another as they were waiting to go onto the podium at the Vancouver Olympics—but this may be the year when both sets need to train alone, at least for a time, just to focus. But which couple would get custody of the coach?

**chuckm** · 02-12-2013, 04:48 PM

Since V/M are definitely retiring and D/W have made no statements that they are considering retiring, I would think the coach has to stick with the team that's going on past Sochi.

**gmyers** · 02-12-2013, 04:59 PM

I think dw do win worlds and vm retire after Canada worlds - even if they win. No vm in sochi

**chuckm** · 02-12-2013, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by gmyers

I think dw do win worlds and vm retire after Canada worlds - even if they win. No vm in sochi

As long as Tessa is capable of skating, no way would that happen, not with the Olympic team competition gold medal at stake. Canada badly wants to win team gold, and they need V/M to have any chance at doing that.

**meem** · 02-12-2013, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by gmyers

I think dw do win worlds and vm retire after Canada worlds - even if they win. No vm in sochi

I've been waiting for someone to say this. It's what I've been thinking for a couple of seasons now. There is something different about V/M's skating following their winning the gold medal at Vancouver (and I can't quite put my finger on it but IMO something is different).

**gmyers** · 02-12-2013, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by chuckm

As long as Tessa is capable of skating, no way would that happen, not with the Olympic team competition gold medal at stake. Canada badly wants to win team gold, and they need V/M to have any chance at doing that.

Team gold would be appealing for Canada but they might lose their Olympic title which would be less appealing for them even if they did win team gold.

**chuckm** · 02-12-2013, 05:39 PM

V/M wouldn't be competing post Vancouver if they weren't putting their title(s) on the line. I don't see them as quitters.

**gmyers** · 02-12-2013, 07:21 PM

I don't think theyd be quitters! Theyre winners of everything-except gpf.

**noskates** · 02-12-2013, 08:11 PM

I think there is a big difference in being hungry for an Olympic Gold Medal and being hungry to repeat it. I imagine the motivation isn't quite as intense. While I prefer W&D, I think the close competition between these two teams has probably kept V&M going. After you win a major title like the Olympics there is no shame in not defending it, as far as I'm concerned. Just ask Sarah Hughes and Tara Lipinski!

But I would be very surprised if V&M retire before the Olympics in their home country unless one or both of them physically could not skate to the level that's expected of a team of their stature. And even then I bet it would be a heart-wrenching decision!

I LOVE the competition between these two teams. I think they make each other better just by their presence. And as I've said before, as long as it's a North American gold medal, I'll be very happy. If it's W&D, I'll be ecstatic.

**rvi5** · 02-13-2013, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by noskates

But I would be very surprised if V&M retire before the Olympics in their home country unless one or both of them physically could not skate to the level that's expected of a team of their stature.

Do you mean Worlds?

I agree. As I have mentioned elsewhere, Worlds in London is their last chance to re-capture some of what they felt at Vancouver. It's possible a win at Worlds may mean more to them than Gold at Sochi. Although they have fans in Russia to cheer for them, it would not be the same.

**Skater Boy** · 02-13-2013, 09:56 AM

Maybe V and M should have taken a year off. But I hope they refocus and give D and W a run for their money in Sochi. D and W will pick safe music; V and m need another Mahler masterpiece.