Although all of Deanna/ Max's programs are listed on Wiki as choreographed by Julie Marcotte, I am confused because I know that Deanna/ Max worked at Oakton Edge Academy in Illinois, with Timothy LeDuc on at least one of their programs for last season. Was it more about working on fitness and ideas with LeDuc that they took back to Julie Marcotte?
Deanna/ Max are back in Illinois this summer to work with LeDuc and the Knierims, as per Deanna's IG.
Deanna has family in Illinois that she visits in June. It seems to be downtime for her, but she also brings Max and her coach with her to do a little skating. They train full-time in Canada with Marcotte as choreographer, with whom they’ve had great success. I’ve never heard LeDuc mentioned as choreographer; it seems to be more of a few-day visit among former competitors/friends (Illinois is crowded; ice time for a pair team is limited, so having friends there can help). Alexa, as we know, was one of Deanna’s recent head-to-head competitors for major medals; it would frankly be weird for them to work together unless Alexa is so vehemently against any sort of comeback chance in the future, which K/F haven’t indicated they are (she also has very limited coaching experience). As I said, Deanna brought her own coach with her. Of course choreographers can change from one season to the next, so you never know, but S/D have seemed happy with Marcotte.
Miura/Kihara’s programs have received plenty of criticism, but we should also remember how injured Ryuichi was last year and what a race it was for them just to compete at all in the second half of the season. It may have been more about merely surviving through the programs and being able to get through the elements, rather than worrying about choreography.
Choreographers get the bulk of the criticism, but skaters will often change up their choreo just to be able to do their programs. Everyone can do choreo or an element in isolation on Instagram, but it’s being able to put it all together in the heat of a major competition that is an entirely different story.
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, this can obviously be true for all skaters, whether or not they are dealing with nagging injury-related issues. Most skaters, including Kihara, never tend to make excuses regarding injuries, no matter how badly such injuries impact their competitive results. Spencer Howe may receive some sympathies for his shoulder problems, surgery and rehab which deep-sixed their season. But there will not be any asterisk attached to his and Emily's 2024 Worlds result. Chan/ Howe's stature has been impacted and they will have to prove themselves once again. Another example: It is only now in the off-season that we are hearing about Michael Parsons having dealt with knee problems during the past season. Nary a peep out of him during the season.
You need to check out both of their Instagram posts about, yes, working together and being supportive of each other's goals (neither said anything about coaching, which does not mean Alexa did not share training tips and ideas). Alexa and Jessica Calalang were direct rivals, too, and they have also always been the closest of friends and supporters.
