2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

[BlissfulSynergy]

From June, on OIP Instagram, a short clip of Audrey/Misha practicing opening of their Ancient Lands program:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNtKdozHCg2/

And this is a cool slo-mo clip of Chris K training a quad twist with young Ellie Korytek who competed virtually last season in novice pairs with Allen Fisher. Ellie K is a very talented young pairs prospect for the future:

https://www.instagram.com/p/COEFA6GH0Gh/

In other news, I read that Tarah Kayne is said to have retired, and that she hopes to skate in shows.

 

[moonvine]

From June, on OIP Instagram, a short clip of Audrey/Misha practicing opening of their Ancient Lands program:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNtKdozHCg2/

And this is a cool slo-mo clip of Chris K training a quad twist with young Ellie Korytek who competed virtually last season in novice pairs with Allen Fisher. Ellie K is a very talented young pairs prospect for the future:

https://www.instagram.com/p/COEFA6GH0Gh/

In other news, I read that Tarah Kayne is said to have retired, and that she hopes to skate in shows.

Oh no. I guess that means she won’t be skating with Balazs.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Oh no. I guess that means she won’t be skating with Balazs.

Right. It seems highly unlikely. Here's a latest Instagram post by Tarah. Not an announcement per se, but apparently squashing any partnership rumors:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQCYiOPrcwf/?hl=en

It appears that Tarah is based in Detroit. Maybe she will do some coaching with Jim and Amanda, in addition to finding show opportunities.

In her original post confirming her split with Danny, Tarah was reflective and philosophical in acknowledging the truism that change is inevitable.

 

[moonvine]

But you're omitting several, including the most famous and shocking ones -- Chris and Alexa. Their axel lift came down halfway through after you can see him struggle to get her to the top of the lift, in a very uncharacteristic way; and then near the end, for the one-handed (group 3 (or 4?) lift, he couldn't even lift her at all. That lift, like Tarah & Danny's, was usually meant to be a grand finish. Not only that, in the sp Chris struggled to catch Alexa from the twist. Of course, after the free skate, they revealed that Chris's left wrist was injured and he'd need surgery even. But we spectators didn't know that at the time. Shock factor. Of course, they were perfectly within their rights not to reveal the injury ahead of time -- many skaters don't want that to be their "story" ahead of a competition.

I suspected an injury when the first thing went wrong - a twist? And absolutely knew by the time the lift went screwy.

 

[moonvine]

With Danny N & Sasha F now working exclusively with Drew Meekins, I wonder what's up now with Nica D & Ian Meyh. Are D/M still paired and with Sappenfield? What about the few other teams who remained under Sappenfield? Have they made other coaching arrangements, or are they in the process of doing so?

What are Winter D's prospects now? Is she on partner search? Is Mark Sadusky eyeing a move to Detroit to reunite with Jim Peterson and his crew? What are Brynne M's plans? Would she and B Nagy be a possibility? Or, are Tarah K and B Nagy considering pairing up on-ice?

Moreover, has Aliona's plans with T.J. ended like a Don Quixote flutzing with windmills fever dream?

I’m anxious to hear about Winter as well. I’m hoping she can find a good partner and a long lasting partnership. Hopefully B Nagy hasn’t thrown in the towel.

 

[skaterpups]

Clip from Sasha & Danny at Broadmoor Open where they won the Sr. Combined

(EDIT) It's the second slide of the slideshow- 3Tw, 3T+2T, 3STh, 5Li
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ4T7h8BO3b/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[Weathergal]

Clip from Sasha & Danny at Broadmoor Open where they won the Sr. Combined

(EDIT) It's the second slide of the slideshow- 3Tw, 3T+2T, 3STh, 5Li
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ4T7h8BO3b/?utm_medium=copy_link

It's great to see Danny skating again! I enjoyed his skating with Nica Digerness. I wish him and Sasha luck on their partnership! Thanks for sharing this clip.

Welcome to Golden Skate! Post long and post often.

 

[clairecloutier]

I wanted to post here an interview that I just did with Drew Meekins (who is Sasha/Danny's coach). Sasha/Danny are part of a new pairs skating group that Drew is launching in Colorado Springs.

Drew Meekins: "Pairs skating is ready for a rebrand" - A divine sport

On first sight, you could almost mistake Drew Meekins for a current competitor in pairs skating (especially these days!). Fit and youthful at 36, Meekins retains an energetic passion for the sport of figure skating. It’s this drive that inspired him throughout his competitive career with pairs...

adivinesport.com

 

[ladyjane]

Thank you @clairecloutier , that was a lovely read about Drew and how he thinks and works.

 

[TontoK]

Breaking news... or non-news... depending on your point of view.

Whatever is going on with Jessica and Brian, they have a new short program to Come Together, the old Beatles song covered by Gary Clark Jr. It has a strong rock vibe to it, very powerful and different.

Instagram clip from On Ice Perspectives:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CREaHlXHfqZ/

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Right. It seems highly unlikely. Here's a latest Instagram post by Tarah. Not an announcement per se, but apparently squashing any partnership rumors:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQCYiOPrcwf/?hl=en

It appears that Tarah is based in Detroit. Maybe she will do some coaching with Jim and Amanda, in addition to finding show opportunities.

In her original post confirming her split with Danny, Tarah was reflective and philosophical in acknowledging the truism that change is inevitable.

Doesn't mean it wasn't a consideration before Tarah decided to just outright retire.

 

[twirlingaround]

Breaking news... or non-news... depending on your point of view.

Whatever is going on with Jessica and Brian, they have a new short program to Come Together, the old Beatles song covered by Gary Clark Jr. It has a strong rock vibe to it, very powerful and different.

Instagram clip from On Ice Perspectives:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CREaHlXHfqZ/

It looks great! Hope they can get the TBA for Skate America

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

It looks great! Hope they can get the TBA for Skate America

I'd love for them to get the TBA too, but as they are not in the ISP, can they be given the assignment?

 

[ManyCairns]

Breaking news... or non-news... depending on your point of view.

Whatever is going on with Jessica and Brian, they have a new short program to Come Together, the old Beatles song covered by Gary Clark Jr. It has a strong rock vibe to it, very powerful and different.

Instagram clip from On Ice Perspectives:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CREaHlXHfqZ/

Wow, that music seems like a superb fit for them -- both seemed very into, esp. Brian.

 

[TontoK]

I'd love for them to get the TBA too, but as they are not in the ISP, can they be given the assignment?

My understanding is that if they are not in the International Selection Pool (ISP), then they are not eligible for ISU events.

Of course... I'm ready to admit I'm wrong if that is the case.

 

[TontoK]

Wow, that music seems like a superb fit for them -- both seemed very into, esp. Brian.

The only thing I don't like about what I see is the opening pose. Everything else is strong and tough, but that opening pose with the fake smiles to the camera (and eventual judges) looks a little "high school cheerleader" to me.

C'mon Brian and Jessica: Embrace your inner badass.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

LOL, I just saw the OIP clip of C/J's new sp in my feed. Honestly, it is a different program for them, but even in their first season they showed range with a Latin-themed sp (Salsation), and a modern classical theme from a movie score (Nocturnal Animals). Since then they've performed to a variety of other music genres including rock, romantic ballad, and another edgy modern classical music score, this time from the television series, Game of Thrones (Light of the Seven). So, yes,C/J possess tons of range, and seemingly can adapt their movement style to all kinds of music, with their current sp music being a cover version of the Beatles' classic pop rock song, Come Together (Right Now Over Me). I believe the choreographer is Benoit Richaud.

I wonder if the choice, Come Together, has other connotations for them in the sense of dealing with some difficulties and 'coming together' to battle the obstacles rather than splitting apart? I don't have too much of a problem with their expressions during the opening pose, when they look toward the camera, which will likely be a glance at the judges when they perform competitively. Maybe they could offer a bolder look and vibe in lieu of cheesy smiles. Anyway, if they won't be competing internationally this season, they must be preparing to be ready to do battle at 2022 U.S. Nationals. The choreo looks interesting, and they are both into it, but at only 53 seconds, we don't get to see much. I'm wondering why OIP cut the filming just when C/J launched into their sbs salchows. Most of the times, clips like this do not include any jumps. Did C/J want to show jumps, but had problems on their landings? Or is it just a tease that OIP cut the clip in the middle of their rotations?

Jess/Brian's fp to Nocturnal Animals at 2019 U.S. Nats appears at 20:01 in the below video. Fortunately, the music is not blanked, like the original selections of Stellato/Bartholomay and Deardorff/Settlage were (both of these teams coincidentally split soon after this event, but they had really wonderful music and performances, so it's too bad their music had to be dubbed over):

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[ice_tulip]

I'm wondering why OIP cut the filming just when C/J launched into their sbs salchows. Most of the times, clips like this do not include any jumps. Did C/J want to show jumps, but had problems on their landings?

My immediate impression is that they had a problem on the landing. I think they just should have left out the SBS because leaving it in partially just brings it to our attention that they are still likely having trouble with them.

It's very odd and disappointing that C/J aren't in the ISP. I wish a reason would be provided. It just opens the door to speculation. They're still training and creating a new program. They don't appear injured. So it seems their exclusion from ISP is not their choice, but a matter of eligibility. Are they unable to travel internationally for some reason? Are they under investigation for something? What could it be?

 

[Jammers]

So what is C/J's endgame here? Sit out the international season and then hope they magically can land all their jumps at Nationals and make the Olympic team? Insane strategy.

 

[TontoK]

So what is C/J's endgame here? Sit out the international season and then hope they magically can land all their jumps at Nationals and make the Olympic team? Insane strategy.

I don't know if it's so much of a strategy as a reality they must deal with.

If they are not in the ISP, then they don't even have a choice to compete in international events. As to why they are not in the ISP... that remains a mystery. I'm really not sure how many domestic events they could choose to compete in.