Pairs FS Worldwide: The Divine Discipline

[GoneWithTheWind]

Cleo Hamon and Denys Strekalin (French pairs team) are taking a break from skating as Cleo is suffering from burnout, according to this post on their Instagram. This explains why they were subbed out of Nebelhorn Trophy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUFihV4oaAG/?utm_medium=copy_link

Wishing Cleo a speedy recovery and hope they can return to skating when they feel ready and able to do so.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Let’s not find Russian pairs disappointing just yet. I saw this music announcement on FSU today:

Daria Pavliuchenko & Denis Khodykin
SP: "Be Italian" (from Nine) by Fergie
Choreographer: Betina Popova

I absolutely cannot wait to see this one, and if possible, it makes me love them even more than I do already!

Yes, P/K looked good last season, but didn't get assigned to Worlds. At this point, I'm a bit down on B/K. Their programs aren't that interesting. Plus, I think both B/K and M/G have overdone PCS. They are still young and growing teams, who are very close in ability to P/K. If T/M didn't have so many problems in recent years, the younger Russian teams would not be beating them, at all. T/M have not carried themselves like the champions the judges would clearly love to be consistently rewarding. So, T/M's woes gave B/K and then M/G lots of opportunities to shine. And Moskvina's magic sealed the deal for both teams. This season, B/K's programs aren't doing much for them. They seem to have fairly decent technique still, but their heads don't seem to be in the right place, coupled with so-so programs. In terms of physical aesthetics, M/G trump B/K.

Since I haven't seen P/K in a long time, I'm very interested in seeing their programs. Apparently, P/K didn't make the Russian test skates. It's going to be a battle for the three younger Russian teams to see who goes to Euros, Worlds, and Olympics. I don't see a scenario where T/M aren't sent, especially with Eteri as their coach. M/G are defending World champions, so that's a huge asset in their favor. So, possibly P/K, if clean and more dynamic, may be able to capitalize against B/K this season.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

For anyone who's interested in skating podcasts. Michael Marinaro teamed up with Trennt Michaud to create Ice Lab Podcast. They are up to 14 episodes, the latest is with Patrick Chan. Their 12th episode is with Kirsten Moore-Towers, etc.

Placing this here, since Trennt and Michael are pairs skaters:

Ice Lab Podcast

Sports Podcast · Updated Weekly · Hosted by Trennt Michaud, Roman Sadovsky and Michael Marinaro. We take you through a bit of our lives and interests, in and out of the arena. This podcast will share with you different information and…

podcasts.apple.com

In the first podcast episode, which debuted earlier in the summer, Trennt reveals that he has been recovering from patella tendonitis -- possibly a reason why we haven't seen him and Evelyn competing since 2020 4CCs. Trennt/Evelyn didn't compete at the 2021 SC Challenge, and they pulled out of 2021 Autumn Classic. They are listed as subs for 2021 Finlandia Trophy. I don't recall their GP assignments.

Meanwhile, Michael reveals in the first episode that he's been on a weight gain and conditioning program, apparently to help beef up his muscles for pairs guy needs. He says that it's difficult for him to put on weight, no matter how much he eats. He's working with a nutritionist and a fitness coach.

Gossip on forums is that Evelyn and Trennt skated well at Skate Canada's high performance camp. I really hope that at least Michael M and Trennt M are not being negative toward Eric & Vanessa. The pairing of J/R has brought some buzz and more attention to Canadian pairs this season, which is good p.r., aside from some of the initial OTT negative reactions to J/R in some quarters. No matter the overall outcome, I see the pairing as a win-win for SC.

KMT/MM and W/M are surely working their butts off to be highly competitive with J/R, which is good for SC pairs. And, if J/R can work out the technical miscues and snafus (I think they need a new fp, without 'falling' in the lyrics, plus some brighter costumes for at least the fp), they are physically and aesthetically well-matched enough to place within the top eight at Worlds with KMT/MM to maybe get three pairs spots, though it's not guaranteed. That outcome is even less of a guarantee with W/M as the second Canadian team at Worlds. While, J/R's showing at AC indicates they need to rethink some things, it's still early enough in the season for them to regroup. If it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world. I think J/R are brave to be trying to do this in an Olympic season, as a new pairing. Neither of them deserve the negative disdain being leveled at them, and especially at Vanessa, from many quarters (including from Meagan Duhamel, as a commentator at AC, and on the latest TSL episode).

Frankly, it is U.S. pairs who need a third pairs spot. KMT/MM and J/R are apparently not planning to come back for a 2022-23 season. So if three spots were managed to be obtained for Canada, which Canadian pairs teams would they go to? Possibly, J/R are only planning to try to make the Olympics this season, so in that case, it would likely be KMT/MM and W/M attending Worlds. In which case, grabbing three spots is less likely. But if J/R make the Olympics and Worlds team for Canada, it might be nice to see Vanessa end her career at a Worlds in France. Still, with COVID, who knows how events and venues will transpire anyway.

The U.S. needs three spots now with the depth they have in senior pairs. U.S. teams need the opportunity to get competition at majors under their belts and on their resumes.

 

[skylark]

Yes, P/K looked good last season, but didn't get assigned to Worlds. At this point, I'm a bit down on B/K. Their programs aren't that interesting. Plus, I think both B/K and M/G have overdone PCS.

Well, you've got me curious. What do you mean by "overdone PCS" -- that their PCS marks have been too high? Looking at the categories and their scores for PCS at Worlds 2021, which is the most recent scored performance I've seen for them, were Mishina/Galliamov's scores for skating skills excessive? I don't think so. Their transitions were incredible, and as Meagan Duhamel said in CBC commentary, it wasn't just that they had transitions, but the transitions were "well done and seemed to be done with purpose." Do you think their scores for "performance" were excessive? All the figure skating pros whose commentary I heard -- the B.Esp duo, Mark Hanratty, Meagan D. and Kurt Browning for CBC, commended their performances in no uncertain terms, so there's the 'performance' category. Composition? Both programs were beautifully choreographed. Interpretation of the music? Spot on and magnificent. I personally preferred the FS interpretation of Queen, but many others loved their interpretation of Esmerelda in the SP.

Quote from Simon: "Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov race into the lead. The best performance by a country mile here this evening.... it wasn't perfect, but there was so much innovation, so much difficulty, lovely skating, and great character too." His commentating partner said, "Yeah, I think you've hit the nail on the head there, Simon, the innovation in that program was second to none. They've got nerves of steel, there's no doubt about that, and they looked to me like they're really well trained, these two ....they look fit, they look sharp, they look very, very confident indeed. That's two, back-to-back, very solid programs."

I've gotten carried away? Maybe. There's much more. I just don't know what you want from the PCS scores. There are always intangibles, of course, such as connection, artistry, emotion, all of which I loved. Those are all subjective, and the judges perhaps saw and liked more than you did. Did you want them to get less points because they shouldn't have gotten "reputation" high marks?

I hope I'm not being difficult, and I'm not good at arguments, obviously. But I'd like to know what you and others are talking about by implying or straight-on saying M/G should not receive such high PCS marks. If that's what you meant. If it's not, my apologies.

But if some people never heard some of this commentary, I'm not sorry to give y'all the opportunity to hear it and enjoy the programs again.

B.Esp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATPXE4erO-o

CBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeqmP1HAqW4

 

[Seven Sisters]

To compliment the commentary Skylark quotes above, here’s a link to what I consider a pretty nuanced and plain-spoken take on M/G, B/K, T/M and others, by a distinguished former pairs skater—

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

 

[readernick]

To compliment the commentary Skylark quotes above, here’s a link to what I consider a pretty nuanced and plain-spoken take on M/G, B/K, T/M and others, by a distinguished former pairs skater—

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

This is a great analysis. I love Moskvina but her pairs' teams are still young. That don't have the same quality of elements, SS, and choreographic details as S/H and T/M do. The difference in quality was obvious at test skates and at Worlds. However, M/G are really adorable. As mentioned, they are humble and kind ( Especially Mishina) and with qualities like that they are sure to grow as skaters.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well, you've got me curious. What do you mean by "overdone PCS" -- that their PCS marks have been too high? Looking at the categories and their scores for PCS at Worlds 2021, which is the most recent scored performance I've seen for them, were Mishina/Galliamov's scores for skating skills excessive? I don't think so. Their transitions were incredible, and as Meagan Duhamel said in CBC commentary, it wasn't just that they had transitions, but the transitions were "well done and seemed to be done with purpose." Do you think their scores for "performance" were excessive? All the figure skating pros whose commentary I heard -- the B.Esp duo, Mark Hanratty, Meagan D. and Kurt Browning for CBC, commended their performances in no uncertain terms, so there's the 'performance' category. Composition? Both programs were beautifully choreographed. Interpretation of the music? Spot on and magnificent. I personally preferred the FS interpretation of Queen, but many others loved their interpretation of Esmerelda in the SP.

Quote from Simon: "Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov race into the lead. The best performance by a country mile here this evening.... it wasn't perfect, but there was so much innovation, so much difficulty, lovely skating, and great character too." His commentating partner said, "Yeah, I think you've hit the nail on the head there, Simon, the innovation in that program was second to none. They've got nerves of steel, there's no doubt about that, and they looked to me like they're really well trained, these two ....they look fit, they look sharp, they look very, very confident indeed. That's two, back-to-back, very solid programs."

I've gotten carried away? Maybe. There's much more. I just don't know what you want from the PCS scores. There are always intangibles, of course, such as connection, artistry, emotion, all of which I loved. Those are all subjective, and the judges perhaps saw and liked more than you did. Did you want them to get less points because they shouldn't have gotten "reputation" high marks?

I hope I'm not being difficult, and I'm not good at arguments, obviously. But I'd like to know what you and others are talking about by implying or straight-on saying M/G should not receive such high PCS marks. If that's what you meant. If it's not, my apologies.

But if some people never heard some of this commentary, I'm not sorry to give y'all the opportunity to hear it and enjoy the programs again.

B.Esp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATPXE4erO-o

CBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeqmP1HAqW4

I know you love Mishina/Galliamov. My comments are not a personal slight against them. Russian skaters in general tend to receive overly high PCS in most categories, as a result of their sound technical abilities. That does not mean they are skilled in every PCS category. Before Moskvina, M/G did not emote or connect as well as they did last season. They have improved, but they still have a lot of fine-tuning things to work on. They are young. They are not top-notch skilled at interpretation. They still need to consistently project more. The programs they were given last season helped bring out their personalities, and they projected more, instead of visibly showing that they were thinking about every element. Good for them for their improvements. I know you love them, so enjoy them. They still have a lot to do, and a lot to look forward to. Having been lucky enough to reach the pinnacle prematurely, I don't see them winning lights out from here throughout their entire career. Slow and steady as they go is the better option for long term success, IMO.

For B/K, it depends upon their material (and their nerves under pressure) as to how they perform. Also, right now and last season, they seemed to be in a fretful state-of-mind as a result of M/G moving to their training camp, and breathing down their necks competitively. B/K aren't perfect in all PCS categories either, but they did seem to connect a bit more than M/G prior to last season when M/G broke out with their delightful programs.

Tarasova/Morosov are exquisite technically when they are in-the-zone. Too often, they haven't been. But when they skate well, and even when they skate with mistakes, they consistently get high PCS in categories like interpretation and composition, which isn't their strong suit. They seem to have better programs this season, but there are still some technical hiccoughs they need to iron out. I think most observers are used to T/M not connecting emotionally with each other or with the audience, by now. So, as usual, they get high PCS in some categories where they are not that strong. It is what it is.

ETA:
I previously saw That Skating Show's analysis of 2021 Worlds pairs event, and I was in complete agreement at the time, and even more-so now. Of course, Dylan said it all better than I can, since he's a long-time pairs competitor for Canada, and he knows exactly what he's looking at. If T/M and S/H are in their usual form and mostly clean, they are head-and-shoulders above everyone else in quality elements, experience and skating skills.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Do you think their scores for "performance" were excessive? All the figure skating pros whose commentary I heard -- the B.Esp duo, Mark Hanratty, Meagan D. and Kurt Browning for CBC, commended their performances in no uncertain terms, so there's the 'performance' category. Composition? Both programs were beautifully choreographed. Interpretation of the music? Spot on and magnificent. I personally preferred the FS interpretation of Queen, but many others loved their interpretation of Esmerelda in the SP.

Yeah, commentators at events can tend to be overly effusive in the moment. They aren't the judges. And even the judges are known to not get it right on PCS. That's a given in this sport.

As I said, it's obvious that Moskvina helped M/G tremendously in their sophomore season as seniors. She did the same for B/K in their earlier sophomore season, infusing both teams with confidence, and picking music and choreography that enhanced their talents and camouflaged their weaknesses. Without Moskvina's input, neither team would have found themselves so quickly at the top of the podium. I'm willing to die on that observational hill.

M/G's programs were buzzworthy, a big step up for them, and well-choreographed. To some degree, I felt there was a little bit of busyness in the sp choreo, but it was a fun program and it helped M/G to emote. The Queen fp, We Are the Champions was a bold and memorable selection. Overall, it was well-executed and entertaining. Still, I found there to be a little bit of crammed moves in some parts, and although M/G skated clean, they appeared rough around the edges on some of the manuevers. That's normal for a young team. They still have polishing and fine-tuning to do. I beg to differ that their interpretation and understanding of the music is 'magnificent.' They are not yet at that type of praiseworthy or mature level of interpretation and performance. They won Worlds after four years skating together, and in their second year as seniors, which is extremely rare. Even they didn't have words for what happened. We all know they got lucky, with the right programs and living up to the right opportunity at the right time. If S/H or T/M had skated clean, or even B/K, we know what the outcome would have been instead.

 

[Yeslekyelnats]

For anyone who's interested in skating podcasts. Michael Marinaro teamed up with Trennt Michaud to create Ice Lab Podcast. They are up to 14 episodes, the latest is with Patrick Chan. Their 12th episode is with Kirsten Moore-Towers, etc.

Placing this here, since Trennt and Michael are pairs skaters:

Ice Lab Podcast

Sports Podcast · Updated Weekly · Hosted by Trennt Michaud, Roman Sadovsky and Michael Marinaro. We take you through a bit of our lives and interests, in and out of the arena. This podcast will share with you different information and…

podcasts.apple.com

In the first podcast episode, which debuted earlier in the summer, Trennt reveals that he has been recovering from patella tendonitis -- possibly a reason why we haven't seen him and Evelyn competing since 2020 4CCs. Trennt/Evelyn didn't compete at the 2021 SC Challenge, and they pulled out of 2021 Autumn Classic. They are listed as subs for 2021 Finlandia Trophy. I don't recall their GP assignments.

Meanwhile, Michael reveals in the first episode that he's been on a weight gain and conditioning program, apparently to help beef up his muscles for pairs guy needs. He says that it's difficult for him to put on weight, no matter how much he eats. He's working with a nutritionist and a fitness coach.

Gossip on forums is that Evelyn and Trennt skated well at Skate Canada's high performance camp. I really hope that at least Michael M and Trennt M are not being negative toward Eric & Vanessa. The pairing of J/R has brought some buzz and more attention to Canadian pairs this season, which is good p.r., aside from some of the initial OTT negative reactions to J/R in some quarters. No matter the overall outcome, I see the pairing as a win-win for SC.

KMT/MM and W/M are surely working their butts off to be highly competitive with J/R, which is good for SC pairs. And, if J/R can work out the technical miscues and snafus (I think they need a new fp, without 'falling' in the lyrics, plus some brighter costumes for at least the fp), they are physically and aesthetically well-matched enough to place within the top eight at Worlds with KMT/MM to maybe get three pairs spots, though it's not guaranteed. That outcome is even less of a guarantee with W/M as the second Canadian team at Worlds. While, J/R's showing at AC indicates they need to rethink some things, it's still early enough in the season for them to regroup. If it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world. I think J/R are brave to be trying to do this in an Olympic season, as a new pairing. Neither of them deserve the negative disdain being leveled at them, and especially at Vanessa, from many quarters (including from Meagan Duhamel, as a commentator at AC, and on the latest TSL episode).

Frankly, it is U.S. pairs who need a third pairs spot. KMT/MM and J/R are apparently not planning to come back for a 2022-23 season. So if three spots were managed to be obtained for Canada, which Canadian pairs teams would they go to? Possibly, J/R are only planning to try to make the Olympics this season, so in that case, it would likely be KMT/MM and W/M attending Worlds. In which case, grabbing three spots is less likely. But if J/R make the Olympics and Worlds team for Canada, it might be nice to see Vanessa end her career at a Worlds in France. Still, with COVID, who knows how events and venues will transpire anyway.

The U.S. needs three spots now with the depth they have in senior pairs. U.S. teams need the opportunity to get competition at majors under their belts and on their resumes.

Didn’t trentt and Evelyn compete at worlds?

 

[ladyjane]

Didn’t trentt and Evelyn compete at worlds?

They did. They were 12th.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Didn’t trentt and Evelyn compete at worlds?

Yep, we did see them at 2021 Worlds, but not at the SC 2020 Virtual Challenge, then there was no SC Nationals and no 4CCs this. So, once since 2020 4CCs. Then they pulled out of Autumn Classic. I thought some of the pulling out of competitions probably has to do with the tendonitis Trennt discussed in the podcast.

 

[skylark]

To compliment the commentary Skylark quotes above, here’s a link to what I consider a pretty nuanced and plain-spoken take on M/G, B/K, T/M and others, by a distinguished former pairs skater—

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

Thank you. I did watch and listen to that when they first put it out, and I seem to remember that I agreed more with Asher Hill. But I'll have to put it into my hopper to re-listen to it. I really really like this commentary team of Dylan and Asher.

I know you love Mishina/Galliamov.

I do, but also, I love the Pairs discipline the best of all, and I find that even if I'm not thinking that way, and even if I have favorites from other disciplines competing in a competition, I'll find myself drifting to make sure I'm able to watch the pairs. Priorities! Also, I have a long, growing list of pairs favorites from various countries. Just a few I've discovered very recently are:

Karina Akopova and Nikita Rachmanin - newly sr. Russian pair - they completely won me over with the BeeGees FS
Karina Safina and Luca Berulava - pair from Georgia who won the FS at Nebelhorn
(Just because ... I have to include a recently discovered US junior dance team who are a dream team for me: Isabella Flores/Dmitry Tsarevski. My point being, that I am always being surprised here and there)

Another pair that I'm newly madly in love with is Chelsea Liu/Danny O'Shea. And I keep being surprised and renewed in my great love for Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Leduc. Katie McBeath/Nate Bartholomay; I especially love watching Katie. Of the newly-competing-internationally Canadian teams, I love Deanna Stellato/Maxime.

This is a completely seat-of-the-pants, incomplete list. To say the least, I am an eclectic pairs-lover and not exactly fickle, but always open to being charmed and entranced by new pairs.

Like most pairs lovers, for years I've loved the gorgeous qualities of Tarasova/Morozov, and despaired every time they aren't able to show in competition what we know they could. I do think that under the management of Eteri, their chances of showing well in competition are looking up, a lot. Still, to me they've lost just a little of their polished qualities in favor of being more energetic (or something). I watched T/M's "Lighthouse" back to back with Savchenko/Massot's "Lighthouse" last week, and the contrast was stunning, and highlighted the connection to their music and each other that S/M had and that T/M still are way lacking, IMO. But that may develop over the season. I want T/M to show their best at long last, and I want Mishina/Galliamov to be allowed to show their best as well. Because I value emotion, expression and performance qualities more, I'm still going to be rooting for M/G.

I do remember that last year, M/G's FS in particular went through a lot of development and changes, which I fully expect to happen again this year. (Sorry for my adolescent-style vocalization of my disappointment about their FS several weeks ago. I lost some of my usual equanimity and balance.)

Go Pairs!

 

[Dreamer57]

After watching Nebelhorn trophy last week, I hope that in 4 years time, Australia have at least TWO spots in pairs for the olympics! I think that they have great pairs developing and it's good to see small Fed countries flourishing
I'm looking forward to Finlandia trophy next week. Seeing T/M vs M/G, plus there is a new British pair and a Finnish pair too! Worlds 2022 could really have a larger number of entries in pairs

 

[skylark]

I'm not sure whether these articles have been posted in the Russian pairs thread, but even if so, this thread might reach people who would be interested and may or may not keep up with all the threads.

I always like Max Trankov's interviews. Here he's primarily talking about Tarasova/Morozov and their team of coaches. What a difference it makes to have an ice rink to go to, "conditions and a system." I thought at first by "conditions" he meant a clearly defined set of expectations, but on second reading, maybe it's the general condition of the rink and their training. Evgenia has said she needs stability to do well. I watched their skates from last week-end. At the end of their SP, they looked happier than I've seen them in a long time. Someone believes they can. I do think the whole situation, with them going to Eteri, proves her brilliance as a manager. And she brings in whatever experts she thinks they need.

"Научился гениальным вещам!" Траньков — о работе с Тутберидзе, Олимпиаде и мечте

После завершения первого этапа Кубка России по фигурному катанию на вопросы корреспондента РИА Новости Бориса Ходоровского ответил двукратный олимпийский... РИА Новости Спорт, 25.09.2021

rsport.ria.ru

Interview of Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Koslovskii. I especially enjoyed Dima's answers to questions, especially the kicker at the very end.

Бойкова и Козловский — о новых программах, работе с балеринами и чизкейках

Действующие чемпионы Европы встречают олимпийский сезон. На контрольных прокатах в Челябинске они представили две прекрасные и совершенно не похожие друг на... РИА Новости Спорт, 28.09.2021

rsport.ria.ru

Interview of Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov. An interesting view of how they were thinking of the Queen FS as a journey of Freddie Mercury. Sasha's final comment makes me think of something one of the B.Esp commentators said during Savchenko/Massot's Olympic FS, that Bruno watched Aljona to make sure they were together. Something that not all pairs do ... just jump the jumps!

"Ссоры нам не нужны": Мишина и Галлямов — об "Эсмеральде" и письмах фанатов

После сенсационной победы на чемпионате мира в Стокгольме Анастасия Мишина и Александр Галлямов стремительно ворвались в элиту мирового фигурного катания. Это... РИА Новости Спорт, 26.09.2021

rsport.ria.ru

 

[ladyjane]

Like @skylark and @BlissfulSynergy I am a great lover of the pairs discipline. I really miss it if there is not a pair competition together with men, women en ID. At least at Lombardia there was a pairs competition but I still was unhappy it did not get Challenger status despite complying with the rules for a Challenger (at least 5 couples from at minimum 3 countries). Happily the Autumn Classic did get that status, but only because there were too few men (and from only one country), so it would have lost its status altogether if the pairs hadn't counted! .

At Nebelhorn there was a full Pairs competition (for different reasons but still), and there's going to be another at Finlandia. Hurrah!

And now to a new pair I particularly like: Laura Barquero and Marco Zandron from Spain. I'm not the first to mention them here but I can't help doing it again. I like them so much. Both at Lombardia and Nebelhorn they made a great impression. Absolutely delightful. They weren't the only ones at Nebelhorn (I was also impressed by the Georgians and Australians) that made me sit up straight, but they were truly top of the bill for me. I'm really pleased to see there being a more diverse group of good pairs than we've had in Europe for quite a while.

 

[skylark]

^^^ Yes, I forgot to mention the new (?) Spanish pair of Barquero/Zandron. I really liked them, although I think I must have missed the Australian pair. Well, I warned that my list was way incomplete. I really enjoyed Hase/Seegert at Nebelhorn too -- you can really see their development, and I've always liked their style and her smile.

 

[ladyjane]

Totally agree about Minerva Fabienne (I do love that name) and Nolan...I hope they'll do well this year after their injuries. It's going to be a big fight in Germany for that single spot with Annika and Robert showing improvement too! Though H/S are in front for now.

 

[skylark]

To compliment the commentary Skylark quotes above, here’s a link to what I consider a pretty nuanced and plain-spoken take on M/G, B/K, T/M and others, by a distinguished former pairs skater—

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

I remembered why I disagree with Dylan. In part, it's because even as a viewer who's not overly invested in the purest of technique, jumping and otherwise, I don't like it when teams or single skaters with obvious mistakes are placed by the judges above other skaters who showed brilliant, clean programs. But the programs have to be both brilliant in some way *and* clean, not just clean. Which, IMO, M/G's programs *and* performances both were.

And S/H's stumbles -- errors -- at 2021 Worlds were obvious even to most general audience members. Placing S/H's FS above M/G's would have been a reputation placement, and/or a placement where viewers remembered S/H's brilliant performances of the same program in other years. Again, just my opinion. And in this opinion, I think I lean more toward the general skating fans' POV than the extremely well-informed. I'm better informed than I used to be, but I still think performance value should be at least equally visible to casual viewers as to the non-casual.

 

[Seven Sisters]

So, pairs fans, are we ready for Finlandia this week?

What an epic pairs contest this will be, with so many pairs programs sending out two of their top entries to compete head-to-head here—James/Radford vs Moore Towers/Marinaro for Canada, Mishina/Galliamov vs Tarasova/Morosov for Russia, Cain Gibble/LeDuc vs Calalang/Johnson for the US, and even Hase/Seegert vs Hocke/Kunkel for Germany. Whoever wins these preseason head-to-heads helps stake their claim for their country’s Olympic spots, I think!

 

[ladyjane]

I'm really looking forward to Finlandia because of all these head-to-heads you mentioned @Seven Sisters, as well as there just being a lot of really good skating couples here in general. It's quite a high level competition. I'm also hoping the great new Spanish pair will hold up here. There's also a Dutch Pair, a couple whom I've only seen once and I'm really interested where they stand now. I've already seen the other Dutch Pair this season (at Lombardia and Nebelhorn), so this will be a surprise. Seeing a new British pair is also great, much as I would love Zoe and Chris to continue forever!