In addition to the throw 4Lp practice, it looks as though [Lu/Mitrofanov are] adding a 3S-Eu-3S. Who knows if the throw is worth the risk, but the jump combo definitely is. It won't be enough to beat one of C/L or C/J if they are hoping to go to the Olympics - they have to beat both of them. I think we agree that the Fed might not have a problem putting them ahead of both of those teams if the situation merits it, but they have to give them a reason to do so.
I like their mindset and their attack, but I haven't really enjoyed their programs as much. The sneak of the new free is encouraging.
Regarding Lu/Mitrofanov, it is great that they are making this push. They truly need to find an expressive program that suits and yet stretches them to find more connection. They are good technically, so it is nice to see them working on upping the technical ante. Adding the euler between two 3 jumps sounds good, and I think it can be more visually pleasing even than the bumpity bumpity bumpity 3-2-2, if executed well.
L/M's weakness is expressing a connection and projecting to the audience. But the good thing is that they both recognize, as related by a commentator, that they have introverted personalities, which means they have to work harder to project outward and to connect with each other. What about some kind of updated version of
Madame Butterfly for L/M?
[K/F] have a potential like no other American team, especially in the GOE department, but we'll have to see how to deal with actually delivering going forward. But that's been the crux for all American teams since ever. They almost never deliver internationally, there's this big moment at Nationals, and then they get to Worlds and it's never there again (again, my history of the American teams is not that deep, but I just never remember them outside of USNats)
Without that mistake they would have been second, for sure. The judges might have even bumped them into the 70s. But it's still short from the Russians, who also had a mistake. Still if you take a look at them, you'll see where their PCS come from. Better yet, compare with M/K, who even when skating side-by-side have more connection than K/F.
K/F are not the only U.S. team with great potential. C/J are right up there on everything in terms of quality GOE, especially with lifts and 3-twist which is arguably even better than K/F's 3-twist. C/J simply need to find a way to gain comfort and consistency with their SBS jumps, and with nervous excitement (which Jessica appeared to experience at 2021 U.S. Nationals).
I think it's a generalization to say that U.S. teams "almost never deliver internationally." Evora/Ladwig delivered hugely and consistently at the 2010 Olympics, but were low-balled by the judges. The U.S. has two teams who set historical records internationally: Inoue/Baldwin (first throw 3-axel at 2006 Olympics); Vise/Trent (first 3-quad salchow on the GP in 2007). Denney/Coughlin were a very good pairing who were consistent technically, but then ran into injury problems which led to their retirement. D/C placed as high as 8th at Worlds. Coughlin had earlier placed as high as 6th at Worlds with Caitlin Yankowskas. The second-to-last highest placement by a U.S. team since the 2002 World bronze medal victory of Ina/Zimmerman. In 2006, Inoue/Baldwin placed 4th at Worlds, 7th at the Olympics, and 1st at 4CCs.
In recent years, the U.S. has seen a number of very competitive teams, who didn't advance farther or had their momentum hampered by injury/ illness, including the Knierims; Denney/Frazier; Kayne/O'Shea, et al. The Knierims had a boffo quad twist and had placed as high as 7th at Worlds, which Alexa has already matched with her new partner of only one year, Brandon Frazier. U.S. teams have had a number of successes in the junior ranks over the years. All the U.S. pairs discipline has ever needed is attention and dedicated development, which in recent years has been happening to a greater degree. But more attention and development, and opportunities for skaters to compete are needed.
Marley/Brubaker were an excellent team with potential (sidelined after Marley's eating disorder). Who knows what Yankowskas/Coughlin might have accomplished had their split not occurred? McLaughlin/Brubaker were a gorgeous team on the rise, when McLaughlin may have experienced growing pains and decided to stop competing. Brubaker is unquestionably one of the formerly best pairs guys in the world, but he ran into a lot of bad luck.
I've always enjoyed watching U.S. pairs teams from Starbuck/Shelley, to Babilonia/Gardner and beyond right down to today. That's a lot of history which I have found enjoyable with or without teams being on the podium. But yeah, right about now, I'd say that U.S. teams are overdue for the chance to reach the podium. Still, the U.S. discipline remains just behind Canada in terms of number of years being off both World and Olympics podiums. Canada went 19 years off both podiums until the success of Underhill/Martini. Ummm, fingers-crossed that if the U.S. ties the Canadian record next year, they will be able to turn that corner the following year and make the Worlds podium, like Underhill/Martini!!!! But don't tell U.S. teams that! We don't want to give them any added pressure to succeed.
LOL, I do love pairs, and I could talk all day about my skating memories.
Still, of course it depends on what and how K/F do in the next year. Here's the link again; 
, grateful to see Mervin still skate... Btw Chris seems like he is doing great as a coach, putting down all the competitive pressure, I am sure he will fix K/F death spiral in the free skate and never let them do level 2 again.
