2025 -26 Grand Prix Final Pairs Free Skate

[Miya88]

So in the short program, H/V gave away the silver, if not the gold. On the other hand (hypothesis), a good score in the preliminary round might not have led to a comparable performance in the free skate.

Minerva Hase: “We had been hoping for a flawless free skate all season. Last year, it was a little easier for us to skate the free skate without mistakes, and this year we had many good short programs, but there were always mistakes in the free skate. After the skate, we were both just happy that we finally had ourselves under control. It was a really good skate, and we scored well.”

The short program was successful, except for the moment when Minerva abandoned the routine she had practiced hundreds of times and “visibly started thinking” (I was almost certain that this habit was a thing of the past, which made the question interesting as to how “Minerva, the psychology student” sees it herself). I hope for both of them that this moment of awakening will not only stay with them for the rest of the short program and the free skate, but also remain in their memory as a “lesson” with a long-lasting effect. In the free skate today, we may have seen the initial spark of this change – with by far the best performance of the competition and the highest free skate score of her career. And it must be said that, despite some indisputably low program components (so that they don't run too far ahead of the domestic skaters, let's not kid ourselves...)

My personal “phantom pain” over “Vivaldi” isn't over yet, but today I got up from my chair and joined in the standing ovation from the Japanese (!) home crowd...

yeah, 8+ in components is a crime for such performance, but I blame it on skating in first group. I think it is unfair but thats how it is.

 

[ManyCairns]

1. Deanna STELLATO-DUDEK &Maxime DESCHAMPS CAN
FS: "Poeta en el Mar" by Vicente Amigo; "Amor Dolce Muerte" by Vicente Amigo; choreo by Lori Nichol

[...]

Oh noooo, Deanna and Max are still struggling with the SBS jumps and throws, they're bleeding a lot of points in GOE and that was a rough fall on the 3STh. They had a really rough skate at a Challenger a few weeks ago and that repeated here. I'd really like to see them adjust the music edit of this program before Canadian Nationals; I think it would be so much more effective if they got to the high-intensity Poeta music sooner as the first part of this program feels very one-note. That might also help with the cleanliness of the program, I feel like Deanna really responds well to intense music.

Absolutely! Not only is the music one-note at first, that note is very low energy and even a little dampening/ depressing. Even if skated cleanly and well, it gives a negative impression. I realize they are setting up a progression and a contrast or an overcoming, if you will, with the Poeta music, but it is far too much of a downer.




re: Metelkina/Berulava

They really have to do something about these lifts, his technique (and/or strength) is not stable. Also, so many small errors, I wouldn't even put them above P/S (well, for my predictions, it would be helpful if they stayed ahead, but fairness-wise, it's a no from me).

There’s too many things that took me out of that program. The phone call, the scary lift, and the rest break in the middle. They seriously need to fix the lift; it’s been awry all season and is a disaster waiting to happen.

I do not get the scores for this team. Yes, they are fast, but the terrifying lifts and little bobbles here and there leave me at their results.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Again, total joke with M/K gifted the win. All we ever hear is: "they so fast; skating skills; knee bend."

I try not to get emotionally involved, but the sport is hard to watch with the inept, unfair, highly political judging. It's been this way since forever, though. Skaters can help themselves by bearing down, believing in themselves, receiving resources and backing unfailingly, but at the end of the day, luck, politics, and prevailing perceptions are the deciding factors in who reaches the podium.

It often helps to have home field advantage, so perhaps the Italians have a chance for gold in Milano if they skate as well or better. Otherwise, it's looking like C/M are a solid bet for the Olympic podium, with M/K political favorites for gold. There are a number of other teams in the hunt for the podium.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

germans should be second at least with that free, but they needed a mistake from italians, unfortunately

Yep, after popping that jump in the sp, it's nice to see how strong and confident Hase/Volodin came back. Got to give their coach, Savin, a lot of credit. He coaches Pav/Svia, the Russian' Hungarians' too, and they are much improved this season, with the help of excellent choreographers. It's no coincidence that Japan fed sent their up-and-coming team, Nagaoka/ Moriguchi to train with Savin.

 

[nguyhm]

So in the short program, H/V gave away the silver, if not the gold. On the other hand (hypothesis), a good score in the preliminary round might not have led to a comparable performance in the free skate.

Minerva Hase: “We had been hoping for a flawless free skate all season. Last year, it was a little easier for us to skate the free skate without mistakes, and this year we had many good short programs, but there were always mistakes in the free skate. After the skate, we were both just happy that we finally had ourselves under control. It was a really good skate, and we scored well.”

The short program was successful, except for the moment when Minerva abandoned the routine she had practiced hundreds of times and “visibly started thinking” (I was almost certain that this habit was a thing of the past, which made the question interesting as to how “Minerva, the psychology student” sees it herself). I hope for both of them that this moment of awakening will not only stay with them for the rest of the short program and the free skate, but also remain in their memory as a “lesson” with a long-lasting effect. In the free skate today, we may have seen the initial spark of this change – with by far the best performance of the competition and the highest free skate score of her career. And it must be said that, despite some indisputably low program components (so that they don't run too far ahead of the domestic skaters, let's not kid ourselves...)

My personal “phantom pain” over “Vivaldi” isn't over yet, but today I got up from my chair and joined in the standing ovation from the Japanese (!) home crowd...

The pop (1S) from Minerva was so uncharacteristic (and shocking) and the first thought that came to my mind was whether she was "distracted" for a second worrying if Nikita would fall (or not) after completing his jump. I could be way out on the left field but I could not get that out of my mind. I'm so happy that they had a great free skate and were satisfied with what they have accomplished - that in itself is a reward. Sometimes a flawless program is worth more than a medal although I'm happy that they are on the podium.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The pop (1S) from Minerva was so uncharacteristic

Ah, you mean 'uncharacteristic' since she became transformed under Savin, and brilliantly paired with Nikita Volodin.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I do not get the scores for [Metelkina/ Berulava]. Yes, they are fast, but the terrifying lifts and little bobbles here and there leave me at their results.

Exactly! Metel/ Beru are an over-praised flash over substance team. When push came to shove, they lost it mentally at their last GP event in the fp. Of course, meltdowns can happen to athletes, and maybe it was a good thing for them to experience, to feel humbled and not over-confident from the hype and that undeserved 78 sp score at their last GP! They have good tech elements, usually, but overall they are not a solid, refined, nor a well-defined team stylistically. Berulava is also scarily messy on the lifts.

I especially wish that skating commentators would drop the lie that Metel/Beru are juniors new to seniors. No, in 2021-22, both were fairly new to seniors with their former partners. After splitting with their former partners and joining as a new team, they sought to compete in both juniors and seniors for two seasons. Thus, they went back to juniors while still keeping their skate blades in seniors. They are not ingenues.

 

[lady_bee]

I just finshed writing congratulations letter to Sara & Niccolo for posting in the Present Box in the venue.
They were fabulous last night and I wanted them to win, but they didn't, understandably IMO.
I understand why you guys saying Miura & Kihara was overscored as they made mistakes in both of short and free, still I think they deserved to win.
H&V could've win if they didn't make mistake in short, but their mistake was bigger than those of M&K.
C&N was flawless in both their short and free, but their overall skill looked weaker especially lifts,which is M&K's strength.
Well, that is only my opinion

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I just finshed writing congratulations letter to Sara & Niccolo for posting in the Present Box in the venue.
They were fabulous last night and I wanted them to win, but they didn't, understandably IMO.
I understand why you guys saying Miura & Kihara was overscored as they made mistakes in both of short and free, still I think they deserved to win.
H&V could've win if they didn't make mistake in short, but their mistake was bigger than those of M&K.
C&N was flawless in both their short and free, but their overall skill looked weaker especially lifts,whis is M&K's strength.
Well, that is only my opinion

Excuses, excuses. Conti/Macii skated better than Miura/ Kihara in both programs and deserved to win, without a doubt. M/K won cuz they are held up with mistakes and given scores out the wazoo when they manage to skate clean. IMHO, quite clearly.

LOL! C/M have improved in all aspects of their skating. I say this as a non-fan who has constantly criticized them for their weaknesses. But I fairly give credit where credit is due. And C/M deserve credit for improving and for skating so well at GPF, better than Miura/ Kihara. But, M/K are on home turf at GPF so they win. C/M will be on home turf at the 2026 Olympics. Let's see what happens then. In any case, Japanese and Italian feds are kinda united in their political interests, especially in regard to pairs.

M/K's lifts are okay and fairly solid, but they ain't the best lifters in the pairs discipline, and they def do not have the best 3-twist, nor the best death spiral, nor the best sbs jumps, nor the best spins, nor the best throws. They are very good to decent to okay in these areas. They are tops in speed, SS, and knee-bend. They do not rule in the other categories. And, they do not have great aesthetics. They are not a musically expressive team. They skate over the music. Kudos to Shae-Lynn Bourne and Marie-France for camouflaging M/K's utter lack of musicality.

 

[Reah]

Again, total joke with M/K gifted the win. All we ever hear is: "they so fast; skating skills; knee bend."

I try not to get emotionally involved, but the sport is hard to watch with the inept, unfair, highly political judging. It's been this way since forever, though. Skaters can help themselves by bearing down, believing in themselves, receiving resources and backing unfailingly, but at the end of the day, luck, politics, and prevailing perceptions are the deciding factors in who reaches the podium.

It often helps to have home field advantage, so perhaps the Italians have a chance for gold in Milano if they skate as well or better. Otherwise, it's looking like C/M are a solid bet for the Olympic podium, with M/K political favorites for gold. There are a number of other teams in the hunt for the podium.

I remember S/M, who enjoyed no home advantage whatsoever (perceived or actual) in 2018. They also had no political lobby (quite the contrary: the Germans themselves entertain the most corrupt bunch of politicians you can find anywhere in the world, and these criminals didn't and don't give a damn about figure skating). “Instead,” they received scores from the Chinese judge, who openly cheated them in front of everyone. In addition, due to their extremely different personalities, they even fought against their own partners. There was only one thing that could help: proving themselves to be true champions! (How that worked is written in the history books). In some respects, this also applies to their successors, a realization that Minerva now admits (according to an interview with sports.ru). Responding to their mishap in the SP with the best personal performance of their career... (I'm lost for words).

In C/M, I see equal competitors; both pairs convey to me what it means to “unleash the magic on the ice,” that certain goosebump feeling that could be felt in the free skate...

 

[lariko]

Exactly! Metel/ Beru are an over-praised flash over substance team. When push came to shove, they lost it mentally at their last GP event in the fp. Of course, meltdowns can happen to athletes, and maybe it was a good thing for them to experience, to feel humbled and not over-confident from the hype and that undeserved 78 sp score at their last GP! They have good tech elements, usually, but overall they are not a solid, refined, nor a well-defined team stylistically. Berulava is also scarily messy on the lifts.

I especially wish that skating commentators would drop the lie that Metel/Beru are juniors new to seniors. No, in 2021-22, both were fairly new to seniors with their former partners. After splitting with their former partners and joining as a new team, they sought to compete in both juniors and seniors for two seasons. Thus, they went back to juniors while still keeping their skate blades in seniors. They are not ingenues.

Frankly, imho, juniors is where they are safer with those lifts. Senior teams don't skate like this. I know they get a lot of flack for it, but it was a good move.

 

[lariko]

So, the scoring in free skate is interesting.

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Two judges put H/V into 3rd in FS, with significantly lower score than other seven judges. Georgia and Hungary -- both interested in keeping Germans as low as possble, since both Geo and Hungary is yet to skate their free and are ahead.

Italy and Japan put them in second, with each respective nation eventually placing their country into first.

for Italians, the Hungarian votes with Italy, both judges giving Italians way higher scroes than other judges. Georgia votes with Japan, placing Japanese first.

For the Georgians, 4 judges put them in 5th. 5 judges who put them in 4th are: Finland, Germany, Georgia, Italy and Japan. So, Italians didn't reciprocate the higher score to Hungarians. So, Italian simply supports their own and Hungarian were sinking H/V or really, really loves the Italians for Oly. Finland is neutral. Japan-Georgia are reciprocal, accidently or deliberately is your pick.

Four judges chose conservative placement of Germany, Japan, Italy: States, Finland, Germany and Canada, with a big gap, Canadians widening it the most, by 10 points.

The Chinese judge is the only one who scores the same way I would have done, top to bottom. Germans, Italians, Japanese, Hungarians, Georgians and Can. I like the Chinese judge.

Since it takes 3+ to influence the result, and the main voting block in favor of Japan doesn't have clear stakes, this is a hive mind decision, imo, rather than a deliberate set up, save for personal self-interest ventures, easily countered by non-particpating judges. Or, perhaps, making friends for the future? Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Hungary makes friends at this point.

 

[skylark]

if not that 1 salchow yesterday germans would have been the winners

this is true, but I choose to look at it a different way. (And Minerva and Nikita are some of my favorites in pairs.)

I think this experience, the passion that they found in their free skate, will give them something they've been lacking ... the ability to connect with each other and their music in a way that the audiences (in the arena, and around the world) can feel what they're feeling and be "on the ice" with them. They know now that they can do it, and matching that artistry and expression up with their gorgeous elements is all they needed. I'm looking forward to the next half of the season.

It's disappointing how R/R are gifted over and over. I used to love their performances, but seeing them gifted just takes the fun away.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

It's disappointing how R/R are gifted over and over. I used to love their performances, but seeing them gifted just takes the fun away.

Ah yes. This is so true. When Miura/ Kihara first showed how good they were together, I was happy for them and excited to see their progress. But no, they had to be hyped-up immediately and rushed to the top to help reach the team medal hopes of Japanese fed. How M/K were gifted at 2022 Worlds completely turned me off. No way to enjoy seeing them actually develop and actually improve their weaknesses because they are given scores out-the-wazoo when they skate clean, and gifted medals and championships when they make mistakes. They began to act so entitled and put-out, too, whenever they weren't on top of the podium.

It's looking like there's no danger of Miura/ Kihara not making top-of- podium at the '26 Olympics. Unless, C/M and or H/V or another team out-of-the-blue create something magical and untouchable in Milano.

 

[lariko]

Given what we have seen in GPF, the pair gold for Japan is the most secure, so the Fed will likely to push as much as they possibly can for favorable perception of R/R PCSs. Which is the most important since everyone's tech is so close. We'll see when we get there. That's said, outstanding performances would be nice even though I doubtbit will alter the gold. I mean, for the sake of argument, even if Pavlova/Svyatchenko skate flawlessly, the chance of them to win OGM is zero.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Given what we have seen in GPF, the pair gold for Japan is the most secure, so the Fed will likely to push as much as they possibly can for favorable perception of R/R PCSs. Which is the most important since everyone's tech is so close. We'll see when we get there. That's said, outstanding performances would be nice even though I doubtbit will alter the gold. I mean, for the sake of argument, even if Pavlova/Svyatchenko skate flawlessly, the chance of them to win OGM is zero.

LOL! Pav/Svia are not really in the conversation for Olympic gold, come on now. They are not really in the convo for Olympic podium either, though it's not an impossibilty, if those ahead make uncharacteristic mistakes. Pav/ Svia just barely made the GPF, in part due to Efimova/ Mitrofanov beating U.S. teammates, Kam/O'Shea out for silver at Finlandia Trophy. Had K/O won the silver with substantive points at FT, they would have edged out Pav/Svia for GPF sixth spot.

Realistically (with the politics having already been determined), it's looking to be between M/K, and Conti/Macii performing b/f a home crowd in Milano, for Olympic gold. If C/M skate as well or better in Milano, with M/K making mistakes, I doubt the judges will be safe leaving the arena if they try to gift M/K again over C/M. (jk)

If Hase/Volodin are clean, they will make the podium, most likely over Sui/Han, Metel/Beru, and Deanna/Max (if the latter bring their A-game to contend). Pav/Svia, Efimova/ Mitrofanov, Kam/O'Shea, and Pereira/ Michaud will be eager to challenge S/H, Metel/Beru, and Deanna/Max for 4 - 7 placements.

When I earlier referenced 'magical performance,' I was thinking of Savchenko/ Massot's amazing and unexpected fp performance at 2018 Olympics, which lifted them from 4th place in the sp to Olympic gold, in undeniable fashion.

 

[Reah]

Es sieht so aus, als ob Miura/Kihara bei den Olympischen Spielen 2026 mit Sicherheit ganz oben auf dem Treppchen stehen werden. Es sei denn, C/M und/oder H/V oder ein anderes Team vollbringt in Mailand völlig überraschend etwas Magisches und Unschlagbares.

The slip-up in the short program, which threatened to cost him a medal, was probably the key to this magnificent free skate—I remain convinced of that. That's probably how it feels when you're on the brink of falling into the abyss and you summon up the strength to prevent that from happening...

In other words, flawlessly executed difficult elements lead to a kind of ecstasy in which you manage to “unleash the energy of victory,” as Marika Kilius tried to describe this state during the “Eternity Free Skate” (these are also things you don't forget). The fraud in 2018 almost cost S/M the victory, but magic triumphed over malice (I am fascinated by how the stories are becoming more and more similar, not because this is intentional, but — hypothesis — because they follow a universal principle).

After the most incredible free skate since the last Olympic Games, a magic formula is haunting my childishly dreamy flirtation:
77.61 + 149.57 + x = Gold.

 

[lariko]

LOL! Pav/Svia are not really in the conversation for Olympic gold, come on now. They are not really in the convo for Olympic podium either, though it's not an impossibilty, if those ahead make uncharacteristic mistakes. Pav/ Svia just barely made the GPF, in part due to Efimova/ Mitrofanov beating U.S. teammates, Kam/O'Shea out for silver at Finlandia Trophy. Had K/O won the silver with substantive points at FT, they would have edged out Pav/Svia for GPF sixth spot.

Realistically (with the politics having already been determined), it's looking to be between M/K, and Conti/Macii performing b/f a home crowd in Milano, for Olympic gold. If C/M skate as well or better in Milano, with M/K making mistakes, I doubt the judges will be safe leaving the arena if they try to gift M/K again over C/M. (jk)

If Hase/Volodin are clean, they will make the podium, most likely over Sui/Han, Metel/Beru, and Deanna/Max (if the latter bring their A-game to contend). Pav/Svia, Efimova/ Mitrofanov, Kam/O'Shea, and Pereira/ Michaud will be eager to challenge S/H, Metel/Beru, and Deanna/Max for 4 - 7 placements.

When I earlier referenced 'magical performance,' I was thinking of Savchenko/ Massot's amazing and unexpected fp performance at 2018 Olympics, which lifted them from 4th place in the sp to Olympic gold, in undeniable fashion.

My point is specifically that they are not in the running irregardless of how they perform, even miraculously

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The slip-up in the short program, which threatened to cost him a medal, was probably the key to this magnificent free skate—I remain convinced of that. That's probably how it feels when you're on the brink of falling into the abyss and you summon up the strength to prevent that from happening...

You mean Massot doing the double instead of triple jump in the 2018 sp. Well, sure. It woke Massot up to a realization and determination of being on point in the fp to help Aljona, and himself, win that Olympic gold medal. Aljona willed it, too, and showed that she trusted and believed they could and would do what seemed impossible, element by element, and getting the jumps done first.

Many different things can happen, of course, when athletes are in the arena with the Olympic circles. They meet the moment, or they don't quite make it. Arguably, Tarasova Morosov skated well enough to win in 2022. But S/H edged them for gold, in part due to their quad twist, and due to skating in home country, despite jump issues.

What 'fraud' do you refer to in 2018?

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

My point is specifically that they are not in the running irregardless of how they perform, even miraculously

Umm, Pav/Svia are still trying to grow aesthetically. They are technically solid but magical? Eh, no. There could be other teams, however, I would not count out to meet the moment, including C/M, Hase/Volodin, Deanna/Max, and possibly even Efi/Mit and K/O. I'm personally not interested in S/H being there and trying to win gold or get on the podium based on their past glory.