I agree - but that's why his spontaneous reaction to C/L vs. Italians was so interesting.
He's bought and paid for, but not by C/L. Maybe once in while he blurts out the truth.
2018-19 U.S. Pairs' Figure Skating
- Thread starter skylark
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He's bought and paid for, but not by C/L. Maybe once in while he blurts out the truth.
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- Nov 30, 2016
I agree - but that's why his spontaneous reaction to C/L vs. Italians was so interesting.
He's bought and paid for, but not by C/L. Maybe once in while he blurts out the truth.
They do work with Nina Mozer, so there is a Russian connection.
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- Nov 12, 2017
I agree. They had one good Grand Prix event. In the other they completely aborted a throw (I've never even seen that happen before). Then there was the disaster at a challenger event.
Are you forgetting Four Continents or just choosing to ignore the fact that they beat each of the other U.S. pairs by 12+ points? Which of the pairs that couldn’t beat C/L (and also rank behind them in WS) would you send instead of them?
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- Nov 20, 2015
The mistakes at the Russian Grand Prix were different than the fluke disaster at Zagreb. They had performed well at every event prior to Russia. And they had skated well at Zagreb until the fall, and then as tough as Ashley is, she got up and finished the program after a fall that could have killed her. (I'm not saying she should have finished the program). But all in all, they actually had a very positive season and continued to improve things.
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- Aug 12, 2014
I believe the Italians do as well, at Mozer's workshops in Italy. Or is it a different Italian pair? If it's the same one, then any bias would be cancelled out.
Johnny also praised C/L' FS to the skies, at Nationals. Every compliment he gave them was earned, without taking anything away from any other pair. He gave credit to all the positive elements/qualities that were completed to the other US Pairs as well.
I like Johnny's commentary in general, not just for the pairs.
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- Aug 12, 2014
A lot of people seem to conveniently forget, don't they.
I wouldn't forget it. But let's not pretend the other teams skated their best at 4CCs. Or that all the teams in the mix were at 4CCs. As I said before, C&LD were the most solid of the U.S. pairs this season. They have shown improvement. But . . . could Scimeca-Knierim & Knierim or Kayne & O'Shea defeat them on a good day? Sure they could. (Unfortunately, Haven doesn't seem likely to get her jumps back after the injury. I feel for Deanna & Nate as they lost out on those 4CC points so that Kayne & O'Shea could get another shot and K&O did not deliver at 4CCs. But at least for now probably S&B are not at the same level basics-wise (which is no surprise considering how briefly she has been skating pairs). Should she start conquering those throws the way I have seen her conquer the jumps, I would consider revisiting that perspective. For now, though, I'd say S-K&K and K&O are the ones that could do it on the right day.
(My favorite U.S. pairs team is Feng & Nyman, though that's all her "IT" factor and raw material. No idea if it will develop to the point I believe it could reach should he dial in, someone give them the right packaging, and she master those throws).
C&LD did their job this season. Kudos to them for that. They can continue to develop. It can only help.
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- Oct 20, 2005
I understand that USFS held a Pairs Mixer (mini-camp) in Dallas over the past few days. Katie McBeath & Brynne McIssac were two senior ladies of note there. I'm sure other notable skaters were there, too, but that's all my friend knew. Also reported a SBS 3Lz from a junior-eligible camp pairing . . . now that would be fun if it works out.
So, at least there is effort to help skaters find their people, which is proactive and encouraging!
So, at least there is effort to help skaters find their people, which is proactive and encouraging!
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2015
Oh, I would love to see those too, especially Katie, find their way into pairs. I've been a Katie fan for a long time.
The issue isn’t a bunch of hypotheticals as to how certain pairs on their best days could beat C/L (of course measured against actual competitions by C/L & not by what score they could have IF ONLY ...). The issue is what U.S. pair has done the best THIS SEASON in actual competition against other U.S. pairs. I don’t see how the choice for WTT could be anyone other than C/L.
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- Nov 30, 2016
Look back at this thread of comments. The original comment was Ice Dance saying that C/L are unreliable, but the rest of the US pairs were worse this season. It had nothing to do with who should go to WTT.
As far as I can tell, in this discussion, you're the only one who's talking about WTT assignments. Other posters were just discussing how consistent C/L are.
The topic of WTT selection started in this thread with post #196; several people then addressed the subject, not just me:
“Did anyone see that it seems like they are sending Ashley and Tim to World Team Trophy? I was hoping they would give either Tarah and Danny or Nate and Deanna another opportunity for the season. Especially because Tim and Ashley started the season so early and the concussion issues.”
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- Jan 15, 2018
This wasn't because because I didn't think they were deserving. I clearly stated that the other reasons that they should send someone else to this competition that is really not important. It's not like the I thought they need a seasons best. I more wanted to open the discussion of whether it would be in USFS interest to send someone else to try and get another team some momentum. Tarah and Danny due and the two disappointing free skates they had to end the season and Nate and Deanna due to their disappointment of not being selected to four continents. However it seems like Tarah and Danny just want to move on from this season since it seems like they declined being the alternates for WTT hand have already announced a program for next season. I was just curious if they even thought of sending someone else.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Well said.
Looking back at US pairs, the last team to win Nationals two years in a row were Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir in 2013 and 2014. The Knierims are two-time champs, in 2015 and 2018 ... and I recall well how worried Alexa was in 2018 waiting for their marks, because Tarah and Danny had skated so well. But the point is, it's nerve-wracking and hard to repeat as a national champion. Everyone including Ashley and Tim will have to start new. I think C/L's experiences this year will give them a lot of confidence going forward ... but all the top teams will be hungry.
Fun Trivia for the Day: Looking at wiki pages for US championships, I discovered that Brittany Vise skated pairs from 1998-1999 with Jeremy Abbott! (or useless trivia, depending on your point of view.
)The purpose of selecting competitors for WTT is to try to win the event for the U.S.; there will be plenty of early-season Senior B assignments that can be used to build momentum for next year.
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- Jan 15, 2018
Why? winning the event doesn't get you anything. Why not start trying to build for next year as early as possible. Whatever pair we send is probably going to finish second to last anyway.
Using that attitude, how would winning the Olympic team event “get you” anything?
No, WTT is not of Olympic stature, but a team win there carries with it a chance to promote an “on the rise” storyline for the U.S. skaters. Gold medals talk. Not to mention that this event offers rather large prize money.
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- Jan 15, 2018
The goal is to build up U.S. pairs and think giving more opportunities is more important then prize money or anything else that would come from that. Plus I worry about potential fatigue for Cain and Leduc , they have been competing since June. In my opinion it would have been smarted to send someone else. but feel free to disagree.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
So happy that Ashley and Tim get to continue their season at WTT. 
Folks think it’s a cheesefest, but too bad, I like cheesefests. The point is to field the team that will get the most points for the US of A, and Ashley and Tim proved themselves at Worlds, and deserve it.
Plus the payday is :thumbsup: and given how we fund/don’t fund skaters, good for them.
Folks think it’s a cheesefest, but too bad, I like cheesefests. The point is to field the team that will get the most points for the US of A, and Ashley and Tim proved themselves at Worlds, and deserve it.
Plus the payday is :thumbsup: and given how we fund/don’t fund skaters, good for them.
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