- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Very well expressed.
Ack. sorry about the bold, now I can't get it to go away.
2020-21 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating
- Thread starter skylark
- Start date
Very well expressed.
Ack. sorry about the bold, now I can't get it to go away.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Exactly!
I watched 2018 Worlds, just pairs, again recently and was surprised to see that it was Alexa, not Chris, who struggled the most (and they had their poorest Worlds result, coming in 15th.) I can't find a link to it right now, but that's how I remember it (someone should correct me if I'm wrong), and I especially remember feeling surprised. Chris and Dalilah had to comfort her a lot. I also rewatched 2013 Worlds pair event, and they performed very well. I think that was their first Worlds appearance. So you never know ... some athletes are a bit awed by their first Worlds or Olympics appearance, while others are in their element or have "beginner's confidence." Some are strengthened by repeat trips. It could bode very well for Alexa and Brandon.
Many thanks, again to @labgoat for posting so many of these entire events from previous years! I've enjoyed them so much.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
Glad you enjoyed them!Exactly!
I watched 2018 Worlds, just pairs, again recently and was surprised to see that it was Alexa, not Chris, who struggled the most (and they had their poorest Worlds result, coming in 15th.) I can't find a link to it right now, but that's how I remember it (someone should correct me if I'm wrong), and I especially remember feeling surprised. Chris and Dalilah had to comfort her a lot. I also rewatched 2013 Worlds pair event, and they performed very well. I think that was their first Worlds appearance. So you never know ... some athletes are a bit awed by their first Worlds or Olympics appearance, while others are in their element or have "beginner's confidence." Some are strengthened by repeat trips. It could bode very well for Alexa and Brandon.
Many thanks, again to @labgoat for posting so many of these entire events from previous years! I've enjoyed them so much.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Yes, they were just babies, and Danny had a head full of hair back then.
Hope C/L didn't pull out of Worlds because Jessica is thinking of pairing up with O'Shea or something crazy?!
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
Alexa just posted an Instastory titled "Clean Long Kind of Friday" featuring video of a 3T-2T-2T that looked much better than the 3T-2T combo at Nationals. Make of it what you will.
Here's the link, but I don't think stories are available for long, so see it while you can,
Instagram
www.instagram.com
Here's the link, but I don't think stories are available for long, so see it while you can,
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
www.instagram.com
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2012
That looks much improved since Nationals and adding the extra jump tooAlexa just posted an Instastory titled "Clean Long Kind of Friday" featuring video of a 3T-2T-2T that looked much better than the 3T-2T combo at Nationals. Make of it what you will.
Here's the link, but I don't think stories are available for long, so see it while you can,
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Thanks for sharing Alexa's Instastory. It's great that they are mastering that triple jump combo since it is fairly much a requirement ever since Duhamel/Radford upped the tech ante awhile back. James/Cipres were very solid with that combo element as well. I'm not generally a fan of triple-jump combos to be honest, because I think 3/3s or 3/2s are enough. I don't happen to think that the extra double tacked on adds much of anything, especially not aesthetically, but it is the going thing. It sometimes looks awkward and forced and it always looks outside of the choreography because it is hard to flow easily through that kind of jumping pass for pairs. Still, it's a worthy accomplishment that these very good athletes, Alexa/Brandon, have under their belts as a weapon that can garner points in the current competitive environment.
BTW, another U.S. team with a 3-jump combo is Cain-Gribble/LeDuc, though they have had to guard against under-rotations. But yes, this is something to celebrate when two U.S. pairs teams can bring the difficult sbs jumping passes! U.S. pairs should be shown a lot more respect in regard to sbs jumps! This is an element that's a huge task for all pairs globally. U.S. pairs have also set records in the past with throw jumps, and are in general not far outside the norm these days with sbs jumps. Plus, our teams are deep, talented and competitive, and have been for some time now.
I believe D/R used to bring sbs 3-lutzes, 3-t 2-t 2-t, throw quad salchow, along with needed aesthetic refinements (Duhamel practiced ballet to improve her positions on lifts). OTOH, Duhamel had a slight wrap on some of her jumps, and her landing position was often low on the quad throws, but she got the job done with such passion, fervor and self-belief. That goes a long way.
I'm happy to see this progress from Alexa/Brandon. Kudos to them and keep up the good work!
BTW, another U.S. team with a 3-jump combo is Cain-Gribble/LeDuc, though they have had to guard against under-rotations. But yes, this is something to celebrate when two U.S. pairs teams can bring the difficult sbs jumping passes! U.S. pairs should be shown a lot more respect in regard to sbs jumps! This is an element that's a huge task for all pairs globally. U.S. pairs have also set records in the past with throw jumps, and are in general not far outside the norm these days with sbs jumps. Plus, our teams are deep, talented and competitive, and have been for some time now.
I believe D/R used to bring sbs 3-lutzes, 3-t 2-t 2-t, throw quad salchow, along with needed aesthetic refinements (Duhamel practiced ballet to improve her positions on lifts). OTOH, Duhamel had a slight wrap on some of her jumps, and her landing position was often low on the quad throws, but she got the job done with such passion, fervor and self-belief. That goes a long way.
I'm happy to see this progress from Alexa/Brandon. Kudos to them and keep up the good work!
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
You mean C/J. Jessica was paired with Danny ages ago, and then they split for whatever reason. Jessica has a beautiful partnership with Brian Johnson. There's no reason whatsoever for Jessica & Brian to split. They are probably working diligently on strengthening their jump technique and their confidence on their jumping passes.
Why Danny is at the Irvine rink will likely be revealed in due time. He may find a new partner there, but it's certainly not Jessica. I can't see this happening unless something unforeseen has occurred that is bordering on disastrous. Jessica/Danny's former partnership, which few fans were even aware of until now, is in the distant past.
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- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
FWIW: Although Danny O'Shea was at Great Park not so long ago, it is possible that he is more like a moving target, so to speak.
More recently, he appeared in Instagram/Instastory content at a club in an entirely different part of the country. He was not tagged, but he was recognizable. Seemed to be day-of content from the present (in other words, nothing suggested that it was throwing back).
More recently, he appeared in Instagram/Instastory content at a club in an entirely different part of the country. He was not tagged, but he was recognizable. Seemed to be day-of content from the present (in other words, nothing suggested that it was throwing back).
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- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Well I for one hope Danny finds a quality partner soon. He's too good to not be skating pairs, unless he chooses not to compete anymore.
And I feel similarly about Tarah. She may not have been as good as Danny but she had some good aspects to her skating and I'll miss her.
And I feel similarly about Tarah. She may not have been as good as Danny but she had some good aspects to her skating and I'll miss her.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
Aww they were very cute. What a small world skating is sometimes. When I posted, I had no idea that Danny was anywhere near the C/J training base. I love C/J together and wish the best for Tarah and Danny. I wish everyone could get their Olympic dream.Yes, they were just babies, and Danny had a head full of hair back then.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
Yes, the ISU posted all of it on their website.
K/F are on the Worlds entries at the ISU website which is impossible without meeting minimal TES criteria.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
Alexa K did a "takeover" of USFSA Instagram stories yesterday, posting various pics/videos of training at Great Park.
One of the video clips featured Jessica and Brian practicing.
I take that as a subtle knockdown of rumors that they're splitting up.
One of the video clips featured Jessica and Brian practicing.
I take that as a subtle knockdown of rumors that they're splitting up.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2020
Yes, that's right. And the death spiral was looking really good with a very nice position and posture from both of them. I hope they come back stronger after Summer. But also, the curiosity of knowing/confirming that whatever thing that happened won't affect their health or motivation for next season is killing me.
I'm rooting so hard for them!!
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Ashley and Tim are looking fierce and well trained. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMhzOc9jlDL/
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Jessica/Brian were never splitting up. I don't even know why that would have gotten started as a rumor. Silly to think so with the talent and magic C/J have together. Sure, they experienced setbacks this season, but it doesn't negate their huge talent. Apparently, C/J felt the need to take time out to work on solidifying a new jump technique and working diligently on improving their areas of weakness, so that they will be stronger going forward. That's a good thing.
