2023 World Figure Skating Championships Pairs Short Program

[Lamente Ariane]

I must admit, I don't really understand the scoring for some of the pairs here. I don't want to complain or start a controversy or anything like that, but for example Hocke/Kunkel were scored very low, eventhough other pairs with similar mistakes didn't get dinged in scores half as much.

PCS for them seemed a bit stingy yeah

 

[Skater Boy]

I am impressed with the quality - few falls but I have to admit the skating doesn't have the oomph, the power, the amplitude of the likes of the former top Chinese, Russians and Duhamel and Radford as well as Aliona and Bruno. It's a bit or a lot flat. But I thought Deanna and Max skated well and could have been two points higher; I fear them skating early will hurt them against say Chan and Howe and the Italians.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Is it me or is Belinda being weirdly harsh on Emily and Spencer

 

[Ichatdelune]

Is it me or is Belinda being weirdly harsh on Emily and Spencer

She is

 

[yesterday]

PCS for them seemed a bit stingy yeah

Still more than Lia/Trennt and close to Brooke/Benjamin and Kovalevs

 

[TT_Fin]

That final spin was wow.

 

[Skater Boy]

I love the confidence of the Americans Chan and Howe but the twist was too generous. The judges I guess are being generous to the later teams on GOEs. As I suspected Chan and Howe have been given the nod over Deanna and Max. So I would favor them for bronze. Nothing against the Italians but like ice dance a bit bland. Nice position in spins by the us pair but too generous next to Deanna and Max.

 

[TontoK]

A fine showing for Spencer and Emily, not perfect. My guess is second, it certainly won't beat Deanna and Max.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Like she made a point of "simple skating going into the 3T" and "LONG entry to the lift" and... if that's what it takes to be safe and get the elements done, considering they haven't been together that long, I'm fine with that, actually? Especially since I remember the aborted lift at GPF and I would rather Spencer be ABSOLUTELY sure he has Emily before lifting her.

 

[yesterday]

their SB is 67.xx
why should they go into the lead for sure?

 

[auser]

Love how close Chen/Howe skate during stsq.

 

[Dawn825]

 

[Lamente Ariane]

"Will they stay in the top 4" what? Um, yes!! Come on, Belinda, did they spit in your drink or something?

 

[yesterday]

There's the beef again it seems

 

[Skater Boy]

Wow the judges were very generous to the second Americans. I would have had them closer to the second Canadians not Deanna and Max. Even with some flaws very nice scoring. You can start to see the pecking order how teams are held up or not. Watching the ITalian you can tell they are favoured for the bronze. Because their throw jump had a bit of an issue with the landing but they got far more generous points than some teams.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

I haven’t been following pairs for a while, too little on tv nowadays… question - why are SO many teams speaking russian in kiss and cry but representing other countries - Australia, Netherlands, Hungary? Is it because Russia was banned or did this start a long time ago? How do they get citizenship?

Started a long time ago (and not just Russian, transnational partnerships with US/CAN members are very common), nobody had a problem with it until the last year or so
You don't need citizenship to compete at Worlds, only Olympics.

The situations for each of those pairs you named are variable, so try not to be quick to judge.

Australia - The coaches (Pachins) are Australia-based and have built their careers there. G/GM and the previous high-level pair Alexandrovskaya(RIP)/Windsor used to split time 50:50 between Pachins in Australia and Mozer Team in Russia (who Pachins knew through former connections). But now G/GM are just Australia-based with occasional short-term camps in NA/EU. Anastasia's English is OK but not entirely comfortable, Hektor (Greek-Australian) picked up Russian very well so it's understandable they speak her language together.

Netherlands - Danilova/Tsiba train in Russia, with Russian coaches, she is Russian. But then, a lot of European pairs used to train there since it is one of the strongest places for pairs.

Hungary is the only real controversial team, there's been a recent furore about how the new Hungarian fed director (Armenian ex-Soviet) has gradually maneuvred to make the national team almost entirely of Russian origin.

 

[rollerblade]

Vocal Oblivion does not have the same ring.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Ooh, that level 1 death spiral miiight be costly? In terms of making the difference between placements.

 

[Ichatdelune]

The death spiral may be costly considering they're aiming for the podium

 

[Seven Sisters]

That little bit when they dance together, right as they start the step sequence, it gets me every time. And that voice! I just love this one.