Nikolaj Memola 'open' to pairs or ice dance

[ajingmarg]

You know, I'm all for him if he wants to ry something new.

But what I REALLY can't wrap my mind around is that it is possible for a lady to switch from singles to pairs in adulthood.

You learn as a baby, don't fall on your head. Your body automatically protects itself. Now all of a sudden you have to unlearn everything that you learned from age 2 on up and allow yourself to be tossed through the air on the slim hope that someone will catch you, or least that you will land on your feet.

Audrey Shin isn't an example?

 

[withwings]

Audrey Shin isn't an example?

Valentina Marchei. Valentina was fantastic!

 

[moonvine]

Valentina Marchei. Valentina was fantastic!

The obvious example is Queen Deanna.

 

[FlossieH]

I am wondering what Nikolaj's aim is? Is he considering a different discipline because he did not get selected for the Olympics? If so, I think he just needs to regroup and adjust his aim to 2030. If he stays fit, then he has a very good chance of that - as a singles skater. I can't see Rizzo managing another Olympic cycle because his body only just made it through this one. There don't seem to be any top skaters coming through juniors at the moment, and I don't think Gabriele Frangipani or Raphaelle Zich will find the consistency needed to overtake Memola. There is a good chance that he and Daniel Grassl would be the front runners for the Italian men's selection for 2030, if Grassl keeps going until then,

 

[4everchan]

Don't underestimate my Frangi

 

[TT_Fin]

Isn't he dating Lucrezia Beccari? Matteo is not young, is Nikolaj clueing he might team up with her?

 

[TT_Fin]

Isn't he dating Lucrezia Beccari? Matteo is not young, is Nikolaj clueing he might team up with her? In this case pairs. I think she is not tall enough in dance with him.

 

[4everchan]

Beyond the transition, what Nik is saying is that he wants a very very long career in skating and he is just being realistic about longevity in singles vs pairs and dance. Skaters in partnered disciplines are reaching much higher ages so indeed, if a skater wants to skate into their 30s, considering a transition is smart.

 

[Mathman]

Audrey Shin isn't an example?

It is precisely these examples that blows my mind. To me, it seems like a miracle.

But then, it is somewhat miraculous that anyone can skate across a frozen pond with deer antlers strapped to his feet.

 

[Mathematician]

Is there any evidence he is actually weak or has he mentioned it himself before? Otherwise I don't know why assume he can't reasonably develop adequate upper body strength. It's largely about technique I think. He already has core and stability strength which is the most important. Holding a smaller lady over your head with a locked arm is reasonable with training for most guys. I don't think it would be hard for Memola. The core stability while skating is the difficult part and he has most of this already. What could make it hard though is his arms being long so the distance to a full lock-out is greater. I doubt his arms are much longer than some taller pairs skaters though.

He could be awesome in a same-sex pair in either discipline, given his height.

Pairs? I don't know. I don't think he is lifting a man over his head or vice versa... Such capability is rare in general. A same-sex ID couple could probably score well eventually but I don't know how possible it is for pairs.

Slender doesn't always mean weak though - I've seen many athletes, ballet dancers etc looking slim but having incredible strength.

True. I don't see why Memola can't just be an average guy.

the amount of jacked up guys I've seen who turned out to be much weaker than slim pilates ladies is

But this I don't believe—exaggeration. Maybe less capable in specific bodyweight movements they never trained before, but the bodyweight difference itself must be accounted for also.

 

[4everchan]

Is there any evidence he is actually weak or has he mentioned it himself before?

saw him compete live in Montreal.... slow, rough edges... very far from what's needed in ice dance but also in pairs.

Otherwise I don't know why assume he can't reasonably develop adequate upper body strength. It's largely about technique I think. He already has core and stability strength which is the most important. Holding a smaller lady over your head with a locked arm is reasonable with training for most guys. I don't think it would be hard for Memola. The core stability while skating is the difficult part and he has most of this already. What could make it hard though is his arms being long so the distance to a full lock-out is greater. I doubt his arms are much longer than some taller pairs skaters though.

I don't know. he is very very tall so getting into a pairs lift position is quite far up for him. I can foresee back and shoulder problems. His arms are definitely longer than most people

Pairs? I don't know. I don't think he is lifting a man over his head or vice versa... Such capability is rare in general. A same-sex ID couple could probably score well eventually but I don't know how possible it is for pairs.

I don't see it in pairs... I can imagine it in dance but how many countries allow it ? Just Canada ? or more ?

True. I don't see why Memola can't just be an average guy.

He is far from an average guy... he is 6 foot 5... or 195 cms.

 

[Mathematician]

saw him compete live in Montreal.... slow, rough edges... very far from what's needed in ice dance but also in pairs.

Yea, I meant regarding musculature. No comment on his skating ability. I'm not an expert on this not sure how likely he is to improve.

I don't know. he is very very tall so getting into a pairs lift position is quite far up for him. I can foresee back and shoulder problems. His arms are definitely longer than most people

Yea, I think it's the biggest issue.

I don't see it in pairs... I can imagine it in dance but how many countries allow it ? Just Canada ? or more ?

I thought UK already allowed same-sex dance? Though like you I'm not convinced it's going to be generally "allowed" either on any large scale. They should have started pushing harder for same-sex skating a few years ago to get it established by now. With current trends in Europe I don't think there will be much success moving forward.

He is far from an average guy... he is 6 foot 5... or 195 cms.

It's not crazy for his generation, but yea, by average I meant just in muscular strength. My whole post was just discussing this one aspect. There may be other hurdles that make it harder for him.

 

[4everchan]

Yea, I meant regarding musculature. No comment on his skating ability. I'm not an expert on this not sure how likely he is to improve.

Yea, I think it's the biggest issue.


I thought UK already allowed same-sex dance? Though like you I'm not convinced it's going to be generally "allowed" either on any large scale. They should have started pushing harder for same-sex skating a few years ago to get it established by now. With current trends in Europe I don't think there will be much success moving forward.


It's not crazy for his generation, but yea, by average I meant just in muscular strength. My whole post was just discussing this one aspect. There may be other hurdles that make it harder for him.

I read weak at times as skating weak but I understand now that you mean solely physical strength.

Well I didn't arm wrestle him but I like my chances J/K