Vartmann & Blommaert split

[Skater Boy]

I don't think Germany will earn three spots with the current roster. Aliona and Bruno might win gold but the second pairs is two weak probably to help get 3 spots barring a disaster from several of the Canadians, Russians and or Americans.

 

[cathlen]

I don't think Germany will earn three spots with the current roster. Aliona and Bruno might win gold but the second pairs is two weak probably to help get 3 spots barring a disaster from several of the Canadians, Russians and or Americans.

I also doubt in keeping 3 spots. I doubt the second German team will even qualify for Free Skate at Worlds. At least not with the result they got in Mentor Cup (it has just ended): http://www.pfsa.com.pl/results/1617/MTC17/CAT011RS.HTM

 

[tulosai]

The German fed could always just not send another team other than Aliona and Bruno, like the French fed did last year in ice dance.

If I were them I'd be seriously considering it.

 

[blue_idealist]

Do Hase/Seegert have the minimum scores?

 

[cathlen]

Do Hase/Seegert have the minimum scores?

Yes. Without any problem.

 

[hanca]

I don't think Germany will earn three spots with the current roster. Aliona and Bruno might win gold but the second pairs is two weak probably to help get 3 spots barring a disaster from several of the Canadians, Russians and or Americans.

If Savchenko/Massot managed to win gold, they would earn three spots, wouldn't they?

 

[SnowWhite]

If Savchenko/Massot managed to win gold, they would earn three spots, wouldn't they?

If their second pair doesn't make the free skate I don't think so. I haven't looked at the numbers, but last year Fernandez won the men's title and Spain's second man missed the free skate. They have two places for World's this year. Correct me if I'm wrong.

ETA: If they only send one pair, they can get 3 spots if they place 1st or 2nd

 

[Sabine]

It seems that Ruben is teaming up with 16 yr. old Annika Hocke. She has placed 3rd at Sr. Nationals this year and she has done some pair skating before. So at least she will have the basics in pair skating and she is a good single skater and an extremly good performer (better than Mari has ever been). So they could have a chance to make it to the Olympics in such a short period.

 

[MaiKatze]

Wow....well, good luck to them. I've always thought the chemistry between Vartmann/Blommaert wasn't there. I also thought the age gap was obvious, and she might have been too heavy for him? He didn't look that strong...I hope Mari can find a partner, too. Although this is significantly harder as a woman.

 

[gabriele]

Wow....well, good luck to them. I've always thought the chemistry between Vartmann/Blommaert wasn't there. I also thought the age gap was obvious, and she might have been too heavy for him? He didn't look that strong...I hope Mari can find a partner, too. Although this is significantly harder as a woman.

The age gap with Mari was 3.5 years. With the new partner it will be 8 years. Not quite sure I get your point....

 

[tulosai]

The age gap with Mari was 3.5 years. With the new partner it will be 8 years. Not quite sure I get your point....

This... I am legitimately flabbergasted. I certainly never noticed or thought about any age gap with Mari and Reuben either.

 

[MaiKatze]

Well that is obviously my impression and my opinion. I always thought she looked and had a more mature feeling than he had. But that could also be because both of their former partners (Prölß/Van Cleave) had a very different dynamic, to me at least. Doesn't mean that you have to feel the same.

 

[bramweld]

Its unfortunate that they split, but Annika is a very good catch. All the best to Mari as she tries to find a new partner. A word to the wise, when embarking on a partnership always take a deep breathe and take your time. If you don't like and respect your partner, uncomfortable conflicts will come up and true to form men will leave, regardless of their part in the conflict. Men hate arguing, so if you don't respect them, no matter how desperate you may feel, let them go and wait, if you can.

 

[QuadThrow]

Ruben and Annika Hocke announces their partnership officially now. They are going to practice mainly in Berlin because Annika still goes to school. Their aim is the Olympics next year. They seem to be quite ambitions with all the lifts and throws they have to learn. Aljona and Bruno have to get silver at worlds to get the two spots for Germany.

http://www.figureskating-online.com/hocke-blommaert.html

There is a big age gap of 8 years but the physical differences seem to be much better than with Mari. He should have split earlier if he had seen the differences comming with Mari.

 

[NanaPat]

Ruben and Annika Hocke announces their partnership officially now. They are going to practice mainly in Berlin because Annika still goes to school. Their aim is the Olympics next year. They seem to be quite ambitions with all the lifts and throws they have to learn. Aljona and Bruno have to get silver at worlds to get the two spots for Germany.

They need silver to get three spots. They only need 10th or better for two spots.

 

[Skater Boy]

They need silver to get three spots. They only need 10th or better for two spots.

or is it 12th for two spots?

 

[Sabine]

They need silver to get three spots. They only need 10th or better for two spots.

So if S/M would win oder get silver Germany would earn 3 spots. If they just come in top10 it would be 2 spots. What I don't get is, could the second German pair Hase/ Seegert spoil these spots with their result at worlds? Is there a case Germany could just get 1 spot (even if S/M come in Top10)?

 

[gravy]

So if S/M would win oder get silver Germany would earn 3 spots. If they just come in top10 it would be 2 spots. What I don't get is, could the second German pair Hase/ Seegert spoil these spots with their result at worlds? Is there a case Germany could just get 1 spot (even if S/M come in Top10)?

Skaters that don't qualify for the free skate automatically get 16 points. In order to get 2 spots with 2 entries at Worlds, the total needs to be 28 or less.

Aljona and Bruno only need to place 12th or higher to get 2 spots for Germany if another German team is there. If Hase & Seegert withdraw, S&M need to be in the top 10 for 2 spots. If they win silver or gold in the case that Germany only sends one team, Germany will have 3 spots.

 

[Sabine]

Thanks. Now I understand how it works. So two spots are nearly guaranteed for Germany if Sawtschenko/ Massot skate at worlds (Top10 will be no problem). If Germany would like to have the chance of 3 spots they better don't send Hase/ Seegert.

 

[Alex D]

Not sure if you already know, but Mari has found a new partner and they will most likely start with practice around April. More about this, once it´s official. I know the name already, but I want to wait a bit longer until she announces it herself. Both will be coached by Maylin and Daniel Wende at Oberstdorf.

He should have split earlier if he had seen the differences coming with Mari.

The reason for the split, is of private nature and has not that much to do with both skaters, but a third party involved. It´s not Annika, just to make sure, you guys don´t start blaming her. In the end, the split was pulled off in a very unlucky way, but this is not on me to judge and I wish both German teams, all the best for the future and that everyone hopefully has learned something from this.