Senior Pairs Short Program

[SailorGalaxia518]

Everybody is looking at Mclaughlin and Brubaker to see if they can win their 1st national title in their 1st trip to Senior Nationals. But there are four other pair teams who has a legitimate shot at winning the title.

Here is my list of the 5 pairs who will contend for gold here:

1.) Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker
2.) Rena Inoue and John Baldwin
3.) Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski
4.) Naomi Nari Nam and Themistocles Leftheris
5.) Tiffany Vise and Derek Trent


It starts tonight. What are your predictions?

 

[museksk8r]

The USFSA is in a really sticky situation this season in the pairs event. McLaughlin/Brubaker and Vise/Trent are the only 2 pairs from the top 5 who have had international competition experience this season. There is huge doubt surrounding the performance ability of the other 3 teams in competition. Another issue is that the USA does not have a senior team that has proven consistency combined with senior world championship experience. Pairs is the most difficult event to predict at this year's Nationals, IMO.

My hopeful finish would be:
1. Vise/Trent
2. McLaughlin/Brubaker
3. Castile/Okolski
4. Nam/Leftheris
5. Inoue/Baldwin
6. Evora/Ladwig

 

[Tinymavy15]

i would really like nam and letheris to make the world team, but as in the ladies event, making the team is not the same as medaling. How many pairs get to go the worlds this year? Two? my predictions are that vise and trent and inoue and baldwin go to worlds, while mclaughlin and brubaker win the title and nam and leftheris place fourth. All the teams are similar in terms of what they are capable of, and what they actually complete.

 

[pista04]

If Castile/Okolski can perform like they did last year, or close, I wouldnt doubt they could potentially challenge Brubaker/McLaughlin. I just hope they make the podium again, i truly think they are amazing.

 

[lmarie086]

Definitely can't count out Castile/Okolski. They're a great team I think and I really hope they have an event like last year's Nationals-they were sensational.
It's too bad that McLaughlin isn't age-eligible. She and Brubaker are a great pair.

 

[Pikachuusb]

Im really hoping for Naomi & Themi to make a comeback As long as they make the World team I will be content. I do have a feeling though, that it will be Inoue & Baldwin and Vise & Trent making Worlds.

I have to agree I think its anyone's game as to who will win. I think the fact of this makes it all the more exciting. I cant wait for the SPs to start. I just hope everyone skates to thier best. That being said....

Go Naomi & Themi

 

[Cal Girl]

Not only worlds but who will they send to 4C's? Usually they give the opportunity to those who want it that have made the world team but my guess is since Rena and Jon are on their way out that they will want a new team to get a personal best at 4Cs this year. Who will rise up and who will they send?

 

[flyingnun]

Starts soon is anyone doing pbp

 

[DaveT]

McLaughlin/Brubaker- start inside death spiral, nice triple twist, clean sbs triple salchows, lasso lift, throw triple salchow/hand down, sbs spins/nice unison, straightline footwork, pairs spin.

Can't promise pbp, but will try to get the basics in of the contenders.

 

[Wrlmy]

So nervous for NNN and Leftheris.. Please land that throw Naomi!!

 

[DaveT]

Nam/Leftheris- throw 3? twist, sbs triple toes, he falls. Throw triple salchow, she falls. Inside death spiral, sbs spins/look very far apart, lose unison at end, lasso lift, straightline footwork, pairs spin, scores not up yet, will be well behind Mc/B.

Update: 27.81 + 22.70 = 48.51, 2nd place so far. Themi talking in kiss n'cry about what went wrong.

 

[Wrlmy]

Why can't Naomi ever land the throw sal

 

[DaveT]

Castile/Okolski - open with pairs spin, Kill Bill, they love the offbeat music (wasn't last year lp Requiem for a Dream?), big throw triple twist, steps into nice throw triple salchow, sbs double axels, he falls, I think she may have singled, not sure, sbs spins, straightline footwork, mistep in middle, lasso lift, inside death spiral.

Edited to add: She really smiles, replay shows cool exit from lasso lift, 34.24+25.71=58.95, 2nd behind Mc/B.

 

[DaveT]

Vise/Trent - throw double twist, throw triple loop, almost hand down, sbs triple toes (not really sbs - different directions) she stumbles out, pairs spin, lasso lift, sbs spins, way off or maybe I cannot tell in the different directions, inside death spiral. No offense, but I was bored.

30.98+22.99=53.97, third so far behind Mc/B and C/O.

 

[jjskate]

can some on please post M/B point total

 

[pista04]

Any word/ideas of how Moyle/Pottenger did? And, of course, I wait for Inoue/Baldwin.

And CONGRATS CASTILE/OKOLSKI ON A DECENT SHORT!!

 

[DaveT]

Inoue/Baldwin - sbs double axels, clean, spiral positions into throw triple loop, nice one, split double twist, sbs spins, good unison, lasso lift, inside death spiral, straightline footwork, or perhaps zigzag I should say, a little slow, pairs spin, both directions.

Edited to add: 38.15+27.09=65.24, personal best but in 2nd to Mc/B.

Edited again to add: They said 2nd but I have a lower score written down for Mc/B???

 

[DaveT]

If anyone knows the answer to my who's in first dilemma, feel free to reply.

 

[netnuts]

wow. I/B! I didn't expect them to do this well... They are in really good condition. The choreography is also much more interesting this year... Technical content is not there though... Good for them.

 

[fenway]

wow. I/B! I didn't expect them to do this well... They are in really good condition. The choreography is also much more interesting this year... Technical content is not there though... Good for them.

Yah no kidding. I wasn't expecting them to look as good as they did. A tad slow but that's to be expected. Even so, they looked really good. Hope they can hold it together & maintain the stamina for the free skate.