2023 European: Pairs' thoughts

[gsk8]

Recap with quotes on the SP and FS

Conti and Macii break 70-point mark at Europeans

2023 European Figure Skating Championships Pairs’ Short Program Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii of Italy broke the 70-point mark and currently the lead the Pairs discipline after the short program at […]

www.goldenskate.com

Conti and Macii make history; Italian pairs 1-2 at Europeans

2023 European Figure Skating Championships Pairs Free Skate Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii made history after winning the first European Pair’s title for Italy at the 2023 European Figure Skating Championships […]

www.goldenskate.com

Russia has dominated (or medaled in) the Pairs' event for for nearly 70 years. With the current ban, this opened the door to new history being made, highlighting European teams that have been in the wings.

What are your thoughts on the performances? Which was your favorite and why? Which team do you feel has made the most improvement since the beginning of the season?

 

[Skater Boy]

I know these teams gave it their all. The top two teams from Italy have a good shot, or are the favorites for world bronze in light of the Canadian woman's extreme illness. paAt the same time they are unspectacular enough that another American or potentially Canadian team could take the bronze. This is the season of opportunity because of the Russians and China not competing in pairs plus Canada being weaker than normally and their top team in doubt with a serious undiagnosed illness. Italy's chances also increased with the Georgians injured too. I understand they earned their medals against the competition there but in the back of my my mind I can't help but not note no Georgians and no Russians. In general the Pairs competition was kind of a Challenger level event.

 

[Anna K.]

I definitely found somebody to love
More than one pair, actually.

And I know who will fix them: Aliona

 

[Ares]

I know these teams gave it their all. The top two teams from Italy have a good shot, or are the favorites for world bronze in light of the Canadian woman's extreme illness. paAt the same time they are unspectacular enough that another American or potentially Canadian team could take the bronze. This is the season of opportunity because of the Russians and China not competing in pairs plus Canada being weaker than normally and their top team in doubt with a serious undiagnosed illness. Italy's chances also increased with the Georgians injured too. I understand they earned their medals against the competition there but in the back of my my mind I can't help but not note no Georgians and no Russians. In general the Pairs competition was kind of a Challenger level event.

Why Chinese teams are not competing? I thought their draconian anti-covid measures were lifted already?

 

[Andrea82]

Why Chinese teams are not competing? I thought their draconian anti-covid measures were lifted already?

Peng/Jin are not competing so far.
The other 2 teams (Wang/Jia and Zhang/Yang) have competed at Golden Spin of Zagreb in December and they are still (at the moment) entered for 4 Continents.