2019-20 Russian Pairs' figure skating

[NAOTMAA]

I find both of these teams a bit lacking performance wise, but M/G have better elements. So, I think they will score better than P/K. At the GPF, Sui/Han (obviously) look solidly gold. B/K are likely silver ( unless Peng/Jin nail their side by sides) and Peng/ Jin are likely to be third. (they will have higher PCS , which they deserve)

I think MT/M, M/G and P/K will only factor into three medals if the other teams have a serious error or two.

I actually don't agree that M/G were underscored in GOE or PCS at NHK. A found all of their elements a bit messy in comparison with some of their previous outings. MT/M may have been overscored but M/G weren't underscored.

B/K will go into the GPF as the Russian #1 so I expect their PCS marks to go up because not only that distinction but also the fact they were flawless during the GP too which the judges will likely want to reward. If they skate clean no way will they lose to the second ranked Chinese team (even if they do skate clean) when the number one ranked team is there. Just look at last season. P/J were boosted up at the GPF when they were the sole Chinese team in competition but at worlds when S/H returned their marks went down to normal pre-absent S/H levels and they got beaten by the Russian #2 team for Bronze. And don't be shocked if they end up losing a close race to M-T/M too. There will be no China 1-2 unless B/K or M-T/M give it away.

I don't expect the Russian fed. to dump T/M (that would be stupid crazy) but I have no doubt they will start throwing more weight behind B/K due to what they have done so far this season. Not just at the GPF but at worlds too because they need a back up just in case T/M don't perform well. So I expect their PCS marks to start rising and to start at the GPF.

 

[aka_gerbil]

I don't expect the Russian fed. to dump T/M (that would be stupid crazy) but I have no doubt they will start throwing more weight behind B/K due to what they have done so far this season. Not just at the GPF but at worlds too because they need a back up just in case T/M don't perform well. So I expect their PCS marks to start rising and to start at the GPF.

Are you sure about that? Skating feds doing stupid crazy stuff is not unheard of. I posted this in the T/M thread, and granted I am not a speaker and am reading articles via google translate, but most everything I've seen on the subject in the Russian press, T/M have already been written off as the past/their time is over now. It’s not “this is a blip”, it’s “their time is up.” Max Marinin said he thinks the judges are tired of them. That is a situation that never ends well for a skater or team. The only person I saw come to their defense was Alexei Urmanov. Particularly with the statistic that no pairs team who had two events and failed to qualify for the GPF has never gone on to make the world podium in a non-Olympic year, things seem pretty shot even for the rest of the season for T/M. I'm just hoping they skate clean for their themselves at this point because I think it's already too late to make a difference for nationals/Euros/Worlds placements.

 

[Skater Boy]

This all is playing into the hands of the French and Chinese. Russia's top two teams T and M and Z and E are a hot mess. Falling apart; lost their mojo or injured. They youu have a bunch of "good" generic Russian teams - totaly forgettable and unknown. But one of them may possibly sneak in for a world bronze. Though they really open the door for the second Chinese team or prehaps a surprise Canadian. T and M seemed to lose their will to live/skate after the olympics. This is a team that could be a one time world champ team like Shiskova and Naumov or Eltsova and Bushkov (sorry butchered their names). Not earth shattering but definitely could do it. Now they look to e off the Russian team. They need to win Russian nats and go to euros and skate clean.. Let the judges decide ad hopefully for them they will regain the pcs et al.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Are you sure about that? Skating feds doing stupid crazy stuff is not unheard of. I posted this in the T/M thread, and granted I am not a speaker and am reading articlean via google translate, but most everything I've seen on the subject in the Russian press, T/M have already been written off as the past/their time is over now. It’s not “this is a blip”, it’s “their time is up.” Max Marinin said he thinks the judges are tired of them. That is a situation that never ends well for a skater or team. The only person I saw come to their defense was Alexei Urmanov. Particularly with the statistic that no pairs team who had two events and failed to qualify for the GPF has never gone on to make the world podium in a non-Olympic year, things seem pretty shot even for the rest of the season for T/M. I'm just hoping they skate clean for their themselves at this point because I think it's already too late to make a difference for nationals/Euros/Worlds placements.

1000% this, which is why I was so angry at the people who were so glad T/M failed at 2018 Olympics because of Candyman.

These people told me I was overreacting that T/M would have time and succeed in another Olympics, but now we can see that's becoming less and less likely. 2018 was their time and now it's gone.

The only thing that made me angier were those who'd protest "Oh no, I like T/M, I'm a fan. I just don't like their programs, or costumes, or personalities..."

If that's so they weren't fans of T/M they were fans of a mythical team that didn't exist. Or more to the point they wanted a team like B/K and now they're here.

So I very much hope those people leave T/M alone now and ignore them. Because with fans like that, who needs enemies.

 

[LadyB]

I'm very much hoping T/M are still given a chance to prove their mettle. I hope the Mozer factor helps, while they weren't helping themselves lately. God knows what it is that stops them from delivering. Two good programmes for once, good costumes and they still got all the technical skills any pair can wish for. A bit of psychological support probably won't go amiss.

On the other hand, I'm so looking forward to see the three young Russian pairs in the Senior GPF, while five Junior Pairs will be there as well. Overall, Russia still rules the pair field and that makes me happy. I'm ready for Torino

 

[coldblueeyes]

I think T/M are still pretty much in the game, but they do have to start going clean in competition. Russia could very well support two gold-worthy teams, and I hope they don't shoot themselves in the foot in the second part of the season if they decide to 'drop' their support for T/M.

At Euros, J/C should not be a factor against a clean T/M, neither P/J or MT/M later on. At this moment in the season, though, only one russian team actually beat the Canadians, and with the WC there this season...

 

[Skater Boy]

I think we are fooling ourselves if JC are not a factor against T/M. JC are France's no. 1 AND CROWD FAVE!

 

[coldblueeyes]

I think we are fooling ourselves if JC are not a factor against T/M. JC are France's no. 1 AND CROWD FAVE!

At the moment, against a clean T/M, I don't think they have, especially in the SP. But as I mentioned, if Russia decides to dump T/M, and they keep making mistakes, many more teams might rank ahead of them.

 

[Artemisa]

I think we are fooling ourselves if JC are not a factor against T/M. JC are France's no. 1 AND CROWD FAVE!

No they are not and the reason is they lost the momentum ... the crowd loves them is true ... but they skip the season and pairs isn't ice dance and they weren't world champion or euros to skip a season and there scores be the same ... a clean T/M beats J/C ... even a clean Boikova and Dima probably will beat them .. I think even the M/G will beat them at least in the SP... it's true they are the number 1 french team but they aren't consistent ... and T/M is the number 1 russian team and Boikova and dima ... well they are the "backup" number one or the number 2 russian team .. and I think if they skate clean in the GPF .. the RF will push them in euros in worlds...

 

[coldblueeyes]

No they are not and the reason is they lost the momentum ... the crowd loves them is true ... but they skip the season and pairs isn't ice dance and they weren't world champion or euros to skip a season and there scores be the same ... a clean T/M beats J/C ... even a clean Boikova and Dima probably will beat them .. I think even the M/G will beat them at least in the SP... it's true they are the number 1 french team but they aren't consistent ... and T/M is the number 1 russian team and Boikova and dima ... well they are the "backup" number one or the number 2 russian team .. and I think if they skate clean in the GPF .. the RF will push them in euros in worlds...

Well, J/C are the current European Champions. But even last season the kind of growth B/K had compared to them was astounding, and if you factor in how much their scores grew this season, if clean, B/K won't be reached by anyone at Euros. Maybe T/M.

 

[Artemisa]

Well, J/C are the current European Champions. But even last season the kind of growth B/K had compared to them was astounding, and if you factor in how much their scores grew this season, if clean, B/K won't be reached by anyone at Euros. Maybe T/M.

I forgot they won ... for some reason a thought they were second and T/M first ...

 

[flanker]

I forgot they won ... for some reason a thought they were second and T/M first ...

T/M were european champions consecutively in 2017 and 2018, J/C were 3rd in 2017, it sometimes confuses me as well at what year who was gold and silver...

 

[madforskating]

TBH, I think Boikova/Kozlovskii have a shot to win the GPF. I still think Sui/Han are the world's best, but B/K have been looking so strong this season and if S/H leave the door open at all, B/K could slip in for the win. I like both teams, so it's going to be exciting.

 

[Sugarpova]

it's true they are the number 1 french team but they aren't consistent ... and T/M is the number 1 russian team

TM is anything but consistent :hopelessness:
I hope at Euros they will be.
Imo Euros is anyone's game. BK is the lekely cleanest now. But we dont know in what shape JC will be. IF BK & TM make mistakes JC can win but with both of them clean I doubt it.

 

[coldblueeyes]

Russian teams are pretty comfortable going into the free, especially the two on the podium. P/K will have to skate a good FS, but they have a good cushion against M/G.

Now, B/K's score definitely came back to Earth, though they still have a chance at getting the gold.

 

[madforskating]

All three Russian pairs skated very good short programs! I particularly enjoyed Pavliuchenko/Khodykin; I think they performed this program flawlessly. With all due respect to Sui/Han, I would've had Boikova/Kozlovskii in first because today, they skated much cleaner. It should be a great battle in the free skate!

 

[Artemisa]

All three Russian pairs skated very good short programs! I particularly enjoyed Pavliuchenko/Khodykin; I think they performed this program flawlessly. With all due respect to Sui/Han, I would've had Boikova/Kozlovskii in first because today, they skated much cleaner. It should be a great battle in the free skate!

I liked very much the 3 pairs ... and I agree today S/H didn't deserve to be first ... when other teams skate perfectly clean and you faill you don't deserve to be first

 

[LadyB]

I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to the FS!!!! That was sensational! Russia remains a pairs powerhouse. I love them all, I think I'll support them as a package (with a bit louder shouting for the young Mozer Teams Speaking of which: the juniors were great as well. The talent keeps coming, Panfilova/Rylov are defo Senior material.
Watching Pairs at RusNats will be this year's best Christmas treat for me

 

[gordana]

I liked very much the 3 pairs ... and I agree today S/H didn't deserve to be first ... when other teams skate perfectly clean and you faill you don't deserve to be first

I agree with you. But reputational judging is so reputational. How it would just be cancelled once and for all?

 

[3T3T]

I thought the Finals (Senior & Junior) were a great advertisement for Russian Pairs skating. 8 out of the 12 Pairs from Russia. B/K can push S/H but it won’t be easy. My favourite was P/K, the judges could have been more generous on PCS. The only disappointment was there was no ‘Crack of Doom’ from M&M.

Also the variety of coaching teams was great to see, no one group dominating but Moskvina and her charges leading the way.

I wonder should we be worried about the no show of S/N in Zagreb? Maybe she still is sick.