2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating | Page 37 | Golden Skate

2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

TontoK said:
When Ashley and Timothy first paired up, I was very excited at the prospect of this team. I soured on them a bit over the years, being particularly unimpressed with Timothy's strength in lifts and the twist.

Now, it seems as though everything is coming together for them. He's stronger, they're faster, the connection is beautiful, the elements are much improved.

It will be a shame if they don't go another cycle.
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Wow, that seems a long shot (eta: I was referring to a whole additional quad mainly being the long shot), given their ages, and ups and downs over the years. I'd see Ash & Tim having a superb Worlds and deciding they've met their goals and made their dreams realities, but if they continued, I'd certainly love it. I just really enjoy what they put on the ice - their lines, positions, moods. They've about become my favorite pair ever --- ok, not Mishkutenok/Dmitriev in my heart, but close.

I don't understand talk of K/F retiring. I recognize that making the Olympic team is a huge accomplishment, but I don't think they came back just for a few seasons only, even having made the Olympics.
 
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Since there will be no Russians at Worlds, AND no Chinese skaters, the pairs podium looks like it will be Knierim/Frazier, Cain-Gribble/leDuc, and Miura/Kihara, but in what order? Looks like the US is well on their way to getting that third pairs spot for next season.
 
ManyCairns said:
Wow, that seems a long shot, given their ages, and ups and downs over the years. I'd see Ash & Tim having a superb Worlds and deciding they've met their goals and made their dreams realities, but if they continued, I'd certainly love it. I
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I think you mean given Tim's age. Ashley is 26, while Timothy is 31. Another quad is certainly doable, or at least another two years, if they are motivated and interested in pushing it awhile longer with all of the training, etc. There are a lot of older skaters still competing these days, what with better training methods and dietary considerations. It's about what they really want. Ashley is married, yet she's still only mid-twenties heading to later twenties, and that's still young. So she has a lot of time remaining to think about family planning.

Meanwhile Alexa is 30 (31 in June), and Brandon turned 29 last November. They too could stretch it another two to four years, if they really wanted to do so. I'm not certain they do. Since they've had the Olympics experience already, maybe they will stick around for another year or two. Certainly, without three Russian pairs at Worlds this year, they would have the high possibility of reaching the podium.

Certainly, Miura/Kihara of Japan will be gunning for the Worlds podium with the Russians absent. Do we know whether or not Sui/Han are calling it a career, or will they compete at Worlds? Peng/Jin have a chance too. But honestly, I think our top pairs are very competitive with Peng/Jin, and also with Miura/Kihara.

ETA:
Oh, I see that the Chinese pairs aren't planning to compete at Worlds? I missed your post earlier @MCsAngel2. I agree that in that case, going by the placements at the Olympics, it makes sense that the two U.S. teams and Miura/Kihara would move up to podium position. But anything can happen. For sure, the Georgian teams will be vying. (Will there be two Georgian pairs teams contending at Worlds?) I'm wondering if MT-M/MM are going to Worlds, or just James/Radford and Walsh/Michaud? The Spanish team (Barquero/Zandron) will certainly try hard, but they are rather slow and a bit inconsistent. The Georgian teams are still young and need more experience. It will definitely be interesting.
 
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Yes the Americans have a decent chance at the podium, especially if they can land their side by side jumps.


It is a sadly depleted list of pairs entries at World's.

No Russians

No Chinese

Barquero tested positive for doping, and the case had not resolved yet, so she & Zandron won't be there.

Moore Towers & Marinaro retired, and were replaced by Walsh & Michaud.

The Georgians only qualified one spot. Metelkina & Parkman have it.

Only one French pair will be there.

It looks more like a Senior B lineup.
 
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BlissfulSynergy said:
I think you mean given Tim's age. Ashley is 26, while Timothy is 31. Another quad is certainly doable, or at least another two years, if they are motivated and interested in pushing it awhile longer with all of the training, etc. There are a lot of older skaters still competing these days, what with better training methods and dietary considerations. It's about what they really want. Ashley is married, yet she's still only mid-twenties heading to later twenties, and that's still young. So she has a lot of time remaining to think about family planning.

Meanwhile Alexa is 30 (31 in June), and Brandon turned 29 last November. They too could stretch it another two to four years, if they really wanted to do so. I'm not certain they do. Since they've had the Olympics experience already, maybe they will stick around for another year or two.
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Yeah, I think both teams could stick around for another quad if they really and truly want to do so but I'm not sure of the realistic likelihood of it. I would love to see more of Frazier and Knerim and in the current environment where indeed more pairs and dance skaters are continuing into their late 20's and even 30's it would certainly not be out of the question that if neither becomes injured they could skate 4 more years. And Cain and LeDuc also certainly wouldn't be ruled out just because of their age, as you note if anything the pair as a whole is younger.

I personally think Knerim and Frazier are the more likely of the two to continue at least for a few more years but definitely not because of their ages, if anything as you also note Knerim may be starting to think about family planning and how if she does go another quad she will be close to 35 which starts to be an iffy age at which to begin trying to start having kids, though also in today's day and age many many many people successfully do start their family at this age, and the vast majority of them naturally too. So the reason I think they are more likely to continue is that bluntly I don't think Cain and LeDuc can realistically hope to get any better results than they got this season no matter how long they continue to skate. Knerim and Frazier on the other hand, given a few more years experience, MAY just have the potential to get onto major podiums even in competitions which are not watered down as this Worlds will be. They'll know that and I can't imagine it won't tempt them at all.
 
tulosai said:
I don't think Cain and LeDuc can realistically hope to get any better results than they got this season no matter how long they continue to skate.
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I really have to disagree with you, especially seeing how Ashley/Timothy have continued to improve from to season to season. Even in their first season, they steadily improved. And, they've come back strong every year. They made some dramatic improvements from last season, in fact (with throw landings, lifts, 3-twist, becoming more consistent on sbs landings). I wouldn't count them out at all. If not for Ashley's ankle sprain, they likely would have finished in 7th place ahead of Miura/Kihara at the Olympics.

Ash/Timothy have had ups-and-downs, particularly in 2019 - 2020 and into the 2020 - 2021 season. But they worked things out. They got to go to Worlds in 2021. And they took advantage of that opportunity. They worked hard in the off-season and came back very strong going into the fall. Even Ash contracting COVID did not keep them from having an excellent fall season heading into 2022 Nationals and the Olympics.

Ash/Timothy have just as much opportunity to excel as do Knierim/Frazier. Calalang/Johnson are also extremely talented, but they have to figure out their sbs jumps that are holding them back.

We'll see regarding what K/F and C-G/LD decide regarding continuing or not into next season and beyond. I would think that if K/F can manage to win a watered down Worlds, they would consider retiring. It might not get any better than that. They will have lived their dreams, unless they wish to try for more. It's just going to be difficult to beat Russian pairs teams, if/when Russia might be allowed to compete internationally again. In the coming seasons, with Sui/Han likely retiring, I think Peng/Jin are beatable, although P/J do get a lot of love from the judges.

Any win is a win though, regardless of who competes or doesn't.
 
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BlissfulSynergy said:
I think you mean given Tim's age. Ashley is 26, while Timothy is 31. Another quad is certainly doable, or at least another two years, if they are motivated and interested in pushing it awhile longer with all of the training, etc. There are a lot of older skaters still competing these days, what with better training methods and dietary considerations. It's about what they really want. Ashley is married, yet she's still only mid-twenties heading to later twenties, and that's still young. So she has a lot of time remaining to think about family planning.

Meanwhile Alexa is 30 (31 in June), and Brandon turned 29 last November. They too could stretch it another two to four years, if they really wanted to do so. I'm not certain they do. Since they've had the Olympics experience already, maybe they will stick around for another year or two. Certainly, without three Russian pairs at Worlds this year, they would have the high possibility of reaching the podium.

...
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No, I meant just what I said. Even recognizing as I do C-G/L's absolute ages, and their ages compared to other teams, what I meant by their ages PLUS their ups and downs is that they are in a different place in their career paths, than, say, K/F, even though K/F are also not a younger couple. Ash & Tim have had ups and downs with injuries and consistency, etc. and they are not a younger team, though I'm sure physically they could go on if they choose. But I can easily see them considering this season a very worthy pinnacle to their careers, and retiring. If they continue, no one will be happier than I am -- I'm a huge fan. But they may well decide they have said what they want to say as artists on competitive ice, regained their National title, did well at the Olympics, hopefully have a STUNNING Worlds, and are ready to end the competitive side of their careers.

Like I already said about K/F, I don't think they went to the trouble of teaming up for just 2 seasons, even though competitively they have been a VERY successful two seasons. I think they'd like another Nat title, maybe another Worlds appearance after this year. I definitely see them staying 1-2 years.

Whether either or both teams stay, I'm happy to cheer them on!
 
ManyCairns said:
No, I meant just what I said. Even recognizing as I do C-G/L's absolute ages, and their ages compared to other teams, what I meant by their ages PLUS their ups and downs is that they are in a different place in their career paths, than, say, K/F, even though K/F are also not a younger couple. Ash & Tim have had ups and downs with injuries and consistency, etc. and they are not a younger team, though I'm sure physically they could go on if they choose. But I can easily see them considering this season a very worthy pinnacle to their careers, and retiring. If they continue, no one will be happier than I am -- I'm a huge fan. But they may well decide they have said what they want to say as artists on competitive ice, regained their National title, did well at the Olympics, hopefully have a STUNNING Worlds, and are ready to end the competitive side of their careers.

Like I already said about K/F, I don't think they went to the trouble of teaming up for just 2 seasons, even though competitively they have been a VERY successful two seasons. I think they'd like another Nat title, maybe another Worlds appearance after this year. I definitely see them staying 1-2 years.

Whether either or both teams stay, I'm happy to cheer them on!
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Well, none of us know what either team are planning to decide. So it's anyone's guess. I hope both teams decide to stick around, but either pair might decide they've done enough, and achieved their dreams, especially if both teams medal at Worlds.
 
Has it yet been revealed who Kate Finster's new partner is? It was mentioned in the partnership splits thread that Finster has moved on from Matej Silecky to another partner. There is a 10-year gap in Kate's and Matej's ages, so maybe that was a factor in the switch.

Still, I thought Kate/Matej looked good together. I suppose she found a better fit age-wise.
 
I thought Kate/Matej looked good together, and I also thought Kate's skating matured and improved with Matej. That surprised me, since I am a huge fan of Balazs Nagy.

I can't get over the nagging idea that, if in fact the decision to split with Matej was because of their age difference, then that factor had to have occurred to Kate and her team before they teamed up last year. And in that case, I feel it was unfair of Kate to partner with Matej for a year and then "move on." Especially because it seemed to me that he gave it his all.

Of course, skaters are human beings and have a right to split up as they see fit and pursue an opportunity with another.

To turn to a happier thought, I'm so looking forward to the pairs event at Worlds, especially Ashley and Timothy.

I read the quotes from Goldenskate's Twitter, quoting Ash/Tim's pre-Worlds interview. Does anyone have a link?
 
tulosai said:
Yeah, I think both teams could stick around for another quad if they really and truly want to do so but I'm not sure of the realistic likelihood of it. I would love to see more of Frazier and Knerim and in the current environment where indeed more pairs and dance skaters are continuing into their late 20's and even 30's it would certainly not be out of the question that if neither becomes injured they could skate 4 more years. And Cain and LeDuc also certainly wouldn't be ruled out just because of their age, as you note if anything the pair as a whole is younger.

I personally think Knerim and Frazier are the more likely of the two to continue at least for a few more years but definitely not because of their ages, if anything as you also note Knerim may be starting to think about family planning and how if she does go another quad she will be close to 35 which starts to be an iffy age at which to begin trying to start having kids, though also in today's day and age many many many people successfully do start their family at this age, and the vast majority of them naturally too. So the reason I think they are more likely to continue is that bluntly I don't think Cain and LeDuc can realistically hope to get any better results than they got this season no matter how long they continue to skate. Knerim and Frazier on the other hand, given a few more years experience, MAY just have the potential to get onto major podiums even in competitions which are not watered down as this Worlds will be. They'll know that and I can't imagine it won't tempt them at all.
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I mean as far as family planning goes Michelle Kwan just had her first child and she’s 42. Alexa could always pull a Deanna Stellato❤️
 
It just occurred to me that if one of the US pairs should win Worlds, that they would be only the third US team to do so joining Karol & Peter Kennedy(1950) and Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner (1979).
 
This just in from Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez:

"💃•🕷⭐️🇺🇸 We are so excited to announce our music for the 22-23 season!​
Our short program will be created from the Leonard Bernstein masterpiece “West Side Story” and our Freeskate will be from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!"​
​

I hope that they can qualify for ISP in the new season. :pray:
Good luck, guys! ❤️

ETA:

Wow, their second position in this lift is amazing! (Video also posted today.)



 
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moonvine said:
I mean as far as family planning goes Michelle Kwan just had her first child and she’s 42. Alexa could always pull a Deanna Stellato❤️
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Yeah but Michelle was pretty open that her journey was not easy and included IVF. If one hopes to have their kids naturally leaving it until one's 40's is really taking a big chance, and after that things like IVF don't always work out either. If having kids is a true priority and you're in a committed relationship I think it's not controversial to say that most people wouldn't want to leave it till age 42 given the choice. I'm 'only' in my mid 30's and have already reached the age where I don't feel I can casually ask friends, even very close friends, about their plans as regards kids because the chance that they are trying to have kids and struggling and my comment will be hurtful is no longer an abstract possibility but a real one.
 
I'm not trying to be judgmental but do you think this issue is any of our business? Of course, we always speculate about teams and retirements on this figure skating forum but the decision to have kids or not have kids and at what age to do so is very personal and is not directly related to the question of retirement since women can and do have kids, take a year off, and continue skating. Some even go on to win Olympic medals.
 
Audrey Lu is listed in the "Ladies" category in the cast of Harvard's An Evening With Champions shows on Apr 9-10.

Misha Mitrofanov and Hazel Collier are listed as a Pair in the EWC cast.
(Hazel is a SCOB skater who has competed at Nats in Junior Women.)

The other Pairs in the cast are Chan/Howe and Walsh/Michaud.

The cast was announced today.

www.aneveningwithchampions.org

Cast

SEE OUR AMAZING 2025 CAST BELOW! HOSTS Emily Hughes : 2006 Olympian, 2007 U.S. National Silver Medalist, Harvard Class of 2011 Paul Wylie : 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Hall...
www.aneveningwithchampions.org

(BTW, for me, the EWC has an extra-appealing cast this year.
Lots of my favorites: Michael Parsons and Caroline Green! Amber Glenn! and more.
Plus Olympic medalists Hubbell/Donohue.)
 
labgoat said:
It just occurred to me that if one of the US pairs should win Worlds, that they would be only the third US team to do so joining Karol & Peter Kennedy(1950) and Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner (1979).
Click to expand...
ice coverage said:
This just in from Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez:

"💃•🕷⭐️🇺🇸 We are so excited to announce our music for the 22-23 season!​
Our short program will be created from the Leonard Bernstein masterpiece “West Side Story” and our Freeskate will be from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!"​
​

I hope that they can qualify for ISP in the new season. :pray:
Good luck, guys! ❤️

ETA:​
​
Wow, their second position in this lift is amazing! (Video also posted today.)​
​
​

​
Click to expand...

Thank God. I was expecting a retirement announcement (just because that’s what skaters are doing right now)
 
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