2023 Grand Prix Espoo Pairs Free Skate

[slider11]

Ugh...disappointed for Ellie and Danny. He is such a strong pair skater. And Ellie is fantastic in the lifts. Those jumps though. I wonder if they'd be better focusing on double axels and forget the triples. I know there has to be variety but the fall on the jumps are just so jarring for Ellie. How many more falls can this girl endure? I'm wondering with the throws if Danny is just too forceful and Ellie can't handle the velocity. Hoping they can regroup and perform better at Naitonals.

 

[labgoat]

Its hard to change programs as a pair - timing is rusty and mistakes happen. Right decision, but needed more time. Get healthy kids. Take a nice sauna to heal.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Brooke McINTOSH / Benjamin MIMAR
Les Miserables by C.-M. Schonberg

3Tw3
3T+2T+1A+SEQ
3S (far apart, Benjamin falls)
5ALi* (Benjamin falls mid-lift, I think Brooke's OK)
3LzTh (foot down)
ChSq1+ 0.50
BiDs2
5RLi4
3LoTh (fall)
3Li2 (bit of a bobble towards the end)
PCoSp3

FS: 90.66 (4th)
TOT: 147.27 (3rd)

oh my god?!?! that was terrifying? how did they keep going after that? this group has been cursed and I will be sending the ISU my therapy bill. I really hope Ben and Brooke are okay and get checked out after this skate.

 

[elektra blue]

what's happening with the lifts today?

 

[4everchan]

Don't go to sleep now, after seeing this, you may end up with nightmares

i think i will need to visualize max before I go to bed

 

[Ares]

Why does this program start off with what sounds like an obscene phone call?

This wouldn't be figure skating without some occasional cringeworthy voiceovers. IIRC it was Laetitia Hubert who was a pioneer in this regard with her iconic prostitute program from the 90s, truly an unsung hero - we have to give the credit where it's due.

 

[labgoat]

The gasp I just let out, dear god. And I just wanted to write that Brooke and Ben looked so much better here

Me too, I seldom shout loudly, but I did here.

 

[TT_Fin]

I think the rules should be changed and dangerous exits to lifts should not be rewarded. They do not give much to audience, they are just done because pairs are trying to get levels and more points.

 

[sworddance21]

I just got here after looking at Jackie's twitter. Good Lord, I think I'm afraid to turn on the stream.

 

[4everchan]

what's happening with the lifts today?

Rinky decided he needed some lifts to much on.

 

[Ares]

Pairs today

They both fell on a lift, yikes. Fortunately no harm done to either I think. When they were doing a lift again I was scared and "clutching my pearls".

 

[4everchan]

i think this is about the best way to fall if you have to fall on a lift... but yeah

 

[4everchan]

Mark, Skate Canada supportive? Yes... for pairs and dance... UGH.. don't get me started. i am already in a bad mood.

 

[labgoat]

I'd like to see points awarded for simpler lifts held for more rotations as an option since the complexity of these lifts sometimes is so dicey.

 

[Weathergal]

The gasp I just let out, dear god. And I just wanted to write that Brooke and Ben looked so much better here

Same - my husband was in next room and he wondered what happened because I gasped so loudly.

 

[labgoat]

Warm-Up Group 2
5 Maria PAVLOVA / Alexei SVIATCHENKO HUN
6 Minerva Fabienne HASE/ Nikita VOLODIN GER
7 Sara CONTI / Niccolo MACII ITA
8 Cheng PENG / Lei WANG CHN

 

[elektra blue]

this is not how i wanted the Kovalevs in 5th...

 

[Jumping_Bean]

I think the rules should be changed and dangerous exits to lifts should not be rewarded. They do not give much to audience, they are just done because pairs are trying to get levels and more points.

I mean, most of the lift issues don't happen on the exit, but during position changes (=shifts of balance), or on the pickup. Not sure changing exit rules would help the most or if there's anything else that would have a better effect

 

[4everchan]

this is not how i wanted the Kovalevs in 5th...

I put them in 4th... so imagine what could go wrong for one of these teams in the final flight if my predictions end up working out... (i put Peng Wang in 5th, imagine....)

 

[Ares]

I'd like to see points awarded for simpler lifts held for more rotations as an option since the complexity of these lifts sometimes is so dicey.

Does anyone know when exactly complex, longer lifts became a standard in this discipline? I remember watching some old clips of Pairs competition from the 60s and everyone was doing short and simpler lifts.