2026 Olympics Team Event: Pairs' Free Skate

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I agree that is was K/O's best performance but I still think they lack connection with one another. I mean the scores, including PCS were so close that the panel is also split on this

I think K/O have a great style with pointed toes, graceful hands and wonderful speed. I think that connection piece is more important in ice dancing but I take your criticism

 

[4everchan]

I think K/O have a great style with pointed toes, graceful hands and wonderful speed. I think that connection piece is more important in ice dancing but I take your criticism

don't take it personally
they are indeed beautiful on the ice and in the air. I love their lifts. I'd like them to connect better with the music and each other.... but you know, we all have different taste.

 

[lariko]

The commentators did what they’re supposed to do: point out strengths and weaknesses. The Canadian commentators rightly praised the Georgian female skater’s jumps, throws, skating quality, and reliability, and it was fair to point out the obvious weaknesses in her partner’s skating. He is clearly the weakest male skater in the field for pair elements, and without her he would not have the same success. This was also not one of their stronger performances—they looked disconnected from the music and each other and had several small trips and stumbles.

Sandra, while not a commentator I enjoy, is well-qualified to speak about choreography and overall structure and often sees the bigger picture. I think some of the reaction comes from what we’re now used to: safer, more positive commentary from people like Mark Hanretty (who is actually my favorite commentator of all time) and Ted Barton, especially through their work with junior skaters.
Commentary in the 90s and earlier was far more direct. Scott Hamilton openly commented on skaters’ conditioning, Barb Underhill frequently criticized choreography, costuming, music choice, and technique, and Dick Button and Peggy Fleming were famously blunt—often disagreeing with judges, calling out missed calls, and even arguing on air.

Today, commentators almost never ditectly challenge a rotation call or a placement result other than saying well that was a bit generous or something like that. Back in the day Barb Underhill would have had no problem pointing out flaws, errors, and just things that she disagreed with. Sandra comes from that older school. I don’t like her style, and she may have been harsh on the Georgians today, but I appreciate that she didn’t sugarcoat real weaknesses.

They didn't just point it once. Compared to every other skate, that woman kept talking and talking, more and more, none of it positive. She only said they deserved their high GoE for throws and sbs way after the skate after Kurt pointed it out, and she endlessly, just endlesly trashed Berulava. And the other one lied that Berulava and Metelkina went to skate for Georgia because Russians can't compete because of the war, while Berulava (and ethnic Georgian) always skated for his parents' country and Metelkina skated for Georgia since 2020. The amount of shaming and bile was horrid. Those are two young people, one of them Georgian and they didn't do anything wrong. Literally NOTHING to desedve the trashing and veiled insults. And, guess what, if the commentators didn't hype for disaster the entire skate, it would have gone smoothly and nicely for the viewers. Now, we have to be made feel like they are going to be carrying Metelkina out of the arena any second now and Berulava is some dangerous criminal...

I like former skaters as commentators. They at least have some empathy.

 

[discodisco]

They didn't just point it once. Compared to every other skate, that woman kept talking and talking, more and more, none of it positive. She only said they deserved their high GoE for throws and sbs way after the skate after Kurt pointed it out, and she endlessly, just endlesly trashed Berulava. And the other one lied that Berulava and Metelkina went to skate for Georgia because Russians can't compete because of the war, while Berulava (and ethnic Georgian) always skated for his parents' country and Metelkina skated for Georgia since 2020. The amount of shaming and bile was horrid. Those are two young people, one of them Georgian and they didn't do anything wrong. Literally NOTHING to desedve the trashing and veiled insults. And, guess what, if the commentators didn't hype for disaster the entire skate, it would have gone smoothly and nicely for the viewers. Now, we have to be made feel like they are going to be carrying Metelkina out of the arena any second now and Berulava is some dangerous criminal...

I think there is a difference between lying, which denotes intentionality, and being incorrect.

I will concede that Sandra was a bit heavy on the criticism. However, I think all her criticism was valid- just could have been balanced with a few more positives

 

[lariko]

I think there is a difference between lying, which denotes intentionality, and being incorrect.

I will concede that Sandra was a bit heavy on the criticism. However, I think all her criticism was valid- just could have been balanced with a few more positives

It wasn’t a bit. It was blatantly against them. And there is only 5 competitors. Could have checked their facts before rushing in to presume things. Berulava was a flag bearer for Georgia even!

 

[discodisco]

It wasn’t a bit. It was blatantly against them. And there is only 5 competitors. Could have checked their facts before rushing in to presume things. Berulava was a flag bearer for Georgia even!

Yes it was harsh. But let's be honest, he does a better job caring a flag than a partner, and the commentators pointed it out...

Anyway, hopefully Sandra is less critical in the individual competition. I actually loved their program from last year with the aerobics theme, I thought it was really funny and creative- one of my favorites for sure. I find their short programs to be stronger choreographically and presentation-wise than their free programs.

 

[KevinThiem]

rude, what did Tara want you to buy?

Clothes from T.J. Maxx.

 

[Skater Boy]

How nice for KO - because they beat the Canadians - questionable but quite honestly in skating nothing is going Canada's way with the judging or injuries my guess the dream is over for deanna and max and forget piper and paul, but Ko and won it for usa due to Ambers slighlt fall from grace. It is nice each teammate can say they contributed singificantly to gold. THough Ilia must be breathing deeply. Now I am not sure who is the top Japanese manYuma or Sato. Could be Ilia and two Japanese men considering the rest Cha, EGaze, Mikail are even more inconsistent than the Japanese men. But so great for Ellie and Danny to have the skate of their life at the right time and maybe a bit of a break form the judges because I could see the judges giving to Lia Trennt on PCs but it is what it is and the usa comeshome with a gold.

 

[readernick]

Yes it was harsh. But let's be honest, he does a better job caring a flag than a partner, and the commentators pointed it out...

Anyway, hopefully Sandra is less critical in the individual competition. I actually loved their program from last year with the aerobics theme, I thought it was really funny and creative- one of my favorites for sure. I find their short programs to be stronger choreographically and presentation-wise than their free programs.

The Canadian commentary really is the opposite of every stereotype people have about Canadian. I was at first rather shocked at listening to Carol Lane in ice dance but then realized that this is just a style they are going with and I'm amused by how they are only super critical of certain skaters while ignoring major errors from others. So at first I was shocked, but now I'm just kind of enjoying it. No Ted Barton in sight for these Olympics. Still wish I could just watch commentary free. If it isn't, Mark, Tanith, or Ben, I don't want to hear it. Also grateful to the CBC, that I can even watch the programs live. So, I'll stop the complaining.

 

[4everchan]

The Canadian commentary really is the opposite of every stereotype people have about Canadian. I was at first rather shocked at listening to Carol Lane in ice dance but then realized that this is just a style they are going with and I'm amused by how they are only super critical of certain skaters while ignoring major errors from others. So at first I was shocked, but now I'm just kind of enjoying it. No Ted Barton in sight for these Olympics. Still wish I could just watch commentary free. If it isn't, Mark, Tanith, or Ben, I don't want to hear it. Also grateful to the CBC, that I can even watch the programs live. So, I'll stop the complaining.

Thank you for realizing that CBC is providing you access, though you are not paying for it (I pay for it) Complaining about something that is gifted to you is not very polite

 

[readernick]

Thank you for realizing that CBC is providing you access, though you are not paying for it (I pay for it) Complaining about something that is gifted to you is not very polite

It isn't, But, I very much doubt you've never complained about something provided free to you.

Regardless, as I said, I'm grateful. I'm also irritated because I do pay for several services that should give me access to a commentary free stream and none of them do. There are serious issues with way sports are broadcasted

 

[Diana Delafield]

Yes it was harsh. But let's be honest, he does a better job caring a flag than a partner, and the commentators pointed it out...

Anyway, hopefully Sandra is less critical in the individual competition. I actually loved their program from last year with the aerobics theme, I thought it was really funny and creative- one of my favorites for sure. I find their short programs to be stronger choreographically and presentation-wise than their free programs.

I'd watched the event with the sound off and didn't hear the commentators, and I said the same thing about his weakness in lifts. I was watching with the eyes of a pairs girl, and said I wouldn't let him lift me because he's not safe to have below you. You usually can't see your partner during a lift, but you can hear his blades on the ice, and the scraping of those wobbly Mohawks would have me saying "Down!" quite emphatically.

 

[readernick]

I'd watched the event with the sound off and didn't hear the commentators, and I said the same thing about his weakness in lifts. I was watching with the eyes of a pairs girl, and said I wouldn't let him lift me because he's not safe to have below you. You usually can't see your partner during a lift, but you can hear his blades on the ice, and the scraping of those wobbly Mohawks would have me saying "Down!" quite emphatically.

Oh we all know he's a bad lifter. It's just how much it was harped on without very much balance about that good things that team ( specifically she) does. I don't even like the team and it was too much. But, I'll shut up. As 4everchan pointed out, beggars can't be choosers.

 

[4everchan]

Oh we all know he's a bad lifter. It's just how much it was harped on without very much balance about that good things that team ( specifically she) does. I don't even like the team and it was too much. But, I'll shut up. As 4everchan pointed out, beggars can't be choosers.

Haha

Actually, they did say that some of their elements were spectacular like the twist, the abs jumps and also the throws. Kurt also mentioned that the last lift was better. So, to be fair to Sandra Bezic ans Browning, there was balance in their commentary.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Oh we all know he's a bad lifter. It's just how much it was harped on without very much balance about that good things that team ( specifically she) does. I don't even like the team and it was too much. But, I'll shut up. As 4everchan pointed out, beggars can't be choosers.

All it takes is one botched lift on his part and a bad fall from 10' or so to the ice, and her career could be over no matter how good she is/they are with all the other elements.

 

[reneerose]

Unfortunately, a Tara Lipinski commercial was substituted for the scores on my feed.

It's that Survivor-style reality show commercial for the reality TV Traitors show isn't it?

 

[skylark]

Idk,they can do better and they already showed it this season.Looked stiff a bit.Because It is team event it can be slipped,but that happinnes after she land should be lose some points for them since its completely out of choreo sense

Agree. That always throws me out of the program emotionally. So since they're admired for expression, that's not so good.

 

[Arriba627]

I asked this in their Fan Fest but putting it here too -- does anyone know if Danny and Ellie are working with Nina Mozer now? I saw her standing next to Drew Meekins and clapping during their skate. I know she helped Cain & LeDuc a lot, and she might be a great help to them with their throws. Just curious if anyone knows.

 

[Tutto]

I asked this in their Fan Fest but putting it here too -- does anyone know if Danny and Ellie are working with Nina Mozer now? I saw her standing next to Drew Meekins and clapping during their skate. I know she helped Cain & LeDuc a lot, and she might be a great help to them with their throws. Just curious if anyone knows.

I noticed Mozer too and was wondering same as you. No information I could find out so far...

 

[FlyingFeather]

Finally got to watch the replay! I am over the moon! All the gold medals to Kam and O'Shea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M/K looking like gold medal favorites!
I do love the Canadians, and I think they should still be proud of their performance, even with the few glitches which landed them in last place. Pairs was about the tightest competition in the team free.