Pairs Free Skate

[chuckm]

The triple twist was not allowed in the SP until recently.

 

[piano4112000]

I don't know if anyone notice but I was watching all the paris free programs and notice that Yuko Kawaguchi's face looked huge, you could barely see her chin line, I don't know but it looked bloated. Did anyone notice that because her face was the first thing I saw. Is she sick or something because I don't remember her face that big.

I liked the S/S program and I think they so deserve to win over the Zhang but I thought their score was a little too high for the mistakes that they made, that being said I would still pick them to win.

 

[pengdequan]

I think S/S did deserve their PCS scores, especially compared to the teams that skated right before them. They were head and shoulders above the other teams.

For me,I do not agree with you at all.They did not deserve that high.Z/Z are too high as well,For me,p/T should be less than 2 points than s/s,s/s 62,p/t 60,z/z 58.And what I do not like the scores are that even s/z,t/m cannot get so high totals when they make mistakes.That is ridiculous.And as for me,many of you say s/s desrve the ridiculous marks for pcs because you love them,then z/z deserve good marks for some judges.For me,s/s are just like d/s(RUS),so overrated,also for zhang in pcs,and p/t so underrated.
What is more,this is figure skating,please do not use politics because you know nothing!

 

[slutskayafan21]

The Zhangs should get 48 in the LP for PCS, not 58.

 

[chuckm]

For me,I do not agree with you at all.They did not deserve that high.Z/Z are too high as well,For me,p/T should be less than 2 points than s/s,s/s 62,p/t 60,z/z 58.And what I do not like the scores are that even s/z,t/m cannot get so high totals when they make mistakes.That is ridiculous.And as for me,many of you say s/s desrve the ridiculous marks for pcs because you love them,then z/z deserve good marks for some judges.For me,s/s are just like d/s(RUS),so overrated,also for zhang in pcs,and p/t so underrated.
What is more,this is figure skating,please do not use politics because you know nothing!

Your post is SO incoherent!

 

[mizu_iro]

Oh goodness. Savchenko/Szolkowy were terrific. For the first time, they didn't let the music overcome their performance...the speed, the flow, the finish, the elegance, the innovation! Even with the slight jumping mistakes by Robin, that was completely
If they can get this clean, I don't see either the Zhangs or Pang/Tong beating them. In everything besides the big tricks, the Germans are in a different league, and their throw 3Flip is pretty darn huge as well.

 

[oleada]

I remember Aliona and Robin doing only a double twist in the sp in like 2005. Was it still the rule back then that pairs could only do a double for their sp, or they could just do a double at the time? I wouldn't rule it out for Jess and Bryce to do a triple. If they are serious about the Olympics they must be aware that they need it...

While chuckm is right in saying that the triple twist wasn't allowed in the SP until recently, Aliona and Robin didn't start including the triple twist in their programs until last season.

If they can get this clean, I don't see either the Zhangs or Pang/Tong beating them. In everything besides the big tricks, the Germans are in a different league, and their throw 3Flip is pretty darn huge as well.

I can't either. Even in the "big tricks", they are very well matched. They have a harder throw than the Chinese, and they're equally big. Their technique is better also - Tong & Zhang look like they're tossing bales of hay (this bothered me with Zhao as well). The Chinese teams do have better twists, but S/S's is very good too. And as you said, in the other things it isn't even comparable.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The top Pairs teams all have the same tricks.

What puts them apart is the choreography and performance.

The scores are all subjective.

Joe

 

[skatingfan04]

I can understand waht was said earlier about D/D being slightly physically mismatched, but I really don't think that it will be a big problem for them. He doesn't seem to have a problem lifting her, and he's got more than a head over her height wise. Their lifts were shaky when they moved up to sr's a few seasons ago, but that's been resolved. Personally, I've always thought, and I'm not trying to be biased here, that D/D had some of the nicest lifts in the world. They have difficult positions, speed, they cover the rink from end to end, even in on olympic ice in Torino, byrce has really solid footwork, and Jessica's positions are gorgeous. Are their lifts perfect all of the time? No, but no team's are. Maxim Maranin's strenght was evident, and look whet hapenned to him and Totmianina in 2005. Every team makes mistakes. As for the triple twist, I wouldn't count that out. They had it back on 05, but I guess opted not to do it becauyse it wasn't a generally clean elemnt for them. They're double is also higher this season than it was last. As for throws, they're generally consistant on them. the Lutz, the one she fell on, Is a new element that they tried first at NHK a few weeks ago, so I wouldn't call it inconsistant yet. JMO.

 

[vintagefigureskater]

Just to expand a little (well, maybe more than a little ) on skatingfan04’s comments about one of my favorite subjects ……….

D&D’s lifts have improved substantially over the last year and I would now rate them as very good. Watching them practice and compete at Skate Canada I was very impressed with the improvement in their technique, Jessica’s beautiful air positions, and Bryce’s neat feet and terrific ice coverage. He is quickly becoming an excellent partner. If you look at the protocols from their competitions this season you’ll notice that all their lifts are level 3 or 4, and all have received positive GOE’s. In fact, their level 3 lift in their LP at Skate Canada earned them a whopping 8 points. In their miss on the lift at the GPF it looked like Jessica was not fully locked prior to the lift going up, which is a timing, not a strength issue. As skatingfan04 said, every team makes mistakes. No, they’re not spectacular in this area yet, but I expect them to continue improving as they both mature and get stronger (the strength of the lady is every bit as important as the strength of the man).

Regarding their throws, if you look at their protocols from the GPF, they're doing a 3loop in the SP and a 3loop and 3lutz in the LP. Outside of Renoue & Baldwin doing the 3axel, and the odd team attempting a quad, I’m not sure which teams are routinely doing more difficult throws than these. They have been landing the 3lutz consistently in practice and I expect we will see it performed cleanly in competition this season.

As for the 3twist, their double twist is definitely improved this season and they are working on the triple in practice. They were doing the triple as juniors, so I think it’s a bit premature to suggest that they won’t ever be able to master it. Given that they had the 2nd highest TES in the LP at the GPF, the lack of the triple doesn’t seem to be hurting them much in any event.

The mismatch for me with this team is not their size, but their leg lengths. Jessica has long legs and a short body and Bryce the opposite. The appearance of this could be minimized by putting Jessica in a different style of dress with a longer skirt, possibly something like Joannie’s gorgeous LP dress. It would also help to give her a more adult appearance. I swear she looks about 10 years old in some of my photos from Skate Canada :

http://skateshutterbug.zenfolio.com/p482503399/?photo=h3EADA473#1051567219
http://skateshutterbug.zenfolio.com/p482503399/?photo=h3EADA473#1012669434

Overall, I find D&D to be a very well rounded team with excellent sbs spins and death spirals, good pair spins, rapidly improving footwork, and of course the wonderful sense of being a real “pair”. Since turning Senior they’ve had a tough go of it with all of Jessica’s assorted injuries hampering their ability to progress. When training time is limited, you can either learn or compete, not both. But, at only 20 & 21 years of age they are nowhere near their peak, and I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to grow and add to the diverse mix of styles at the top of the pairs field. If they skate very well at Worlds this year, they could possibly challenge P&T for the bronze.

Whew, I think I’m worn out now .

 

[beep_beep]

Hi everyone1
I just have a question...Did Aliona and Robin get behind their music after their side by spin. Because I remember they usually do the sudden pause thingy when the music changes and they've just done their sbs spin, but this time, they spun a bit longer after the music change.....Did anyone else notice that?

thanks in advance!
cassieandcheetah

Uhmm...I didn't pay attention to that during the feed, but I there is a hugh possibility that the sound and the image during the stream weren't synchronized (wouldn't be the first time...). I haven't watched it on youtube yet, but check if the applause comes too after the big elements. If they do, I think your doubt is solved.
cheers

 

[skatingfan04]

My thoughts exactly, vintagefigureskater! The only place where I think they can improve technically, other than the twist, would be to upgrade that double axel sequence, as beautiful as it is, and add in another triple. Is a double axel a mandatory jump in a SR pairs FS? BTW, thanks for the photo link.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Uhmm...I didn't pay attention to that during the feed, but I there is a hugh possibility that the sound and the image during the stream weren't synchronized (wouldn't be the first time...). I haven't watched it on youtube yet, but check if the applause comes too after the big elements. If they do, I think your doubt is solved.
cheers

I don't think it's a computer glitch...because the ending still was right on time....well they might have lengthened the music a bit so they could do more spins who knows....I'm not trying to nit pick though, I just love this team to death!

 

[oleada]

My thoughts exactly, vintagefigureskater! The only place where I think they can improve technically, other than the twist, would be to upgrade that double axel sequence, as beautiful as it is, and add in another triple. Is a double axel a mandatory jump in a SR pairs FS? BTW, thanks for the photo link.

It's not.
I agree, that could be a good idea. But I think one of them (not sure which one) doesn't have a triple toe.

 

[pengdequan]

Your post is SO incoherent!

Thank you!But I want to say that you do not understang figure skating.How can skaters with such can achieve these high marks for pcs?Ok,in your opinion,these marks show they are better than s/z,t/m,right?

 

[pengdequan]

Oh goodness. Savchenko/Szolkowy were terrific. For the first time, they didn't let the music overcome their performance...the speed, the flow, the finish, the elegance, the innovation! Even with the slight jumping mistakes by Robin, that was completely
If they can get this clean, I don't see either the Zhangs or Pang/Tong beating them. In everything besides the big tricks, the Germans are in a different league, and their throw 3Flip is pretty darn huge as well.

Skating skills mean a lot,I do not think they use their knees very well and they do not have that eases.As for speed,look at s/z,their speed is the best in history of figure skating.
Yeah,they are elegant,they deserve the best pcs marks that night,but 65 too high!And cannot you see the connection between p/t in their eyes,they really skate with their heart!Paul Wylie agree with that,so I like the way p/t understand the music!

 

[oleada]

In terms of choreography - yes!

 

[backoutsideedge]

Skating skills mean a lot,I do not think they use their knees very well and they do not have that eases.As for speed,look at s/z,their speed is the best in history of figure skating.

Shen & Zhao the fastest team in history? Now this I definitely think is ridiculous. B&S and G&G skated way faster than S&Z ever did. S&Z are no way the fastest team.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Shen & Zhao the fastest team in history? Now this I definitely think is ridiculous. B&S and G&G skated way faster than S&Z ever did. S&Z are no way the fastest team.

I so agree!!! B/S and G/G were the fastest teams! S/Z don't even come close. The real question though is, which team was faster, B/S or G/G???

 

[oleada]

Skating skills mean a lot,I do not think they use their knees very well and they do not have that eases.
!

Gosh, S&S have excellent skating skills - better than all the other teams at the final. Especially compared to the Zhangs who have such stiff knees.