After watching T&M's sublime "Romeo & Juliet" routine, I thought that they deserved an appreciation thread-since quite frankly, they seem to get little of that.
After first seeing them skate 4 years ago, I didn't think much of them, however seeing them skate in Torino, there is so much to be impressed about: their line, stroking, unision, and overall quality of their skating. Not to take anything away from any other pair, (especially the Petikhs-who are my absolute favorite eligible pair team ) but T&M were THE absolute class of the field last night.
In the past I have compared them unfavorably to G&G, M&D, B&S-who are IMHO, THE Holy Trinity of Pairs skaters , and I know a lot of other posters have complained that TT&MM don't compare to the previous Russian champions, but they shouldn't have too. TT&MM are a great pair, and just because I don't think that they are in the same league as G&G, M&D, B&S, doesn't mean that TT&MM aren't a wonderful pair in their own right.
I'm sure coming from the Russian Pairs Dynasty certainly has many advantages, but I also some disadvantages as well, as fans are always expecting you to live up to such high quality standards.
T&M should be very proud of themselves-they rose to to the challenge, and quite frankly, impressed me much more than I thought they would.
It is great to see any skater make such improvements over the years, and it is especially impressive to see T&M, after their fall (don't think we can have a T&M thread without mentioning that-huh ) Tatiana's health problems and more.
I know that TT&MM have been criticized as being "unemotional" or "cold", but I also think they have tons of guts & fortitude.
so to TT&MM!
After first seeing them skate 4 years ago, I didn't think much of them, however seeing them skate in Torino, there is so much to be impressed about: their line, stroking, unision, and overall quality of their skating. Not to take anything away from any other pair, (especially the Petikhs-who are my absolute favorite eligible pair team ) but T&M were THE absolute class of the field last night.
In the past I have compared them unfavorably to G&G, M&D, B&S-who are IMHO, THE Holy Trinity of Pairs skaters , and I know a lot of other posters have complained that TT&MM don't compare to the previous Russian champions, but they shouldn't have too. TT&MM are a great pair, and just because I don't think that they are in the same league as G&G, M&D, B&S, doesn't mean that TT&MM aren't a wonderful pair in their own right.
I'm sure coming from the Russian Pairs Dynasty certainly has many advantages, but I also some disadvantages as well, as fans are always expecting you to live up to such high quality standards.
T&M should be very proud of themselves-they rose to to the challenge, and quite frankly, impressed me much more than I thought they would.
It is great to see any skater make such improvements over the years, and it is especially impressive to see T&M, after their fall (don't think we can have a T&M thread without mentioning that-huh ) Tatiana's health problems and more.
I know that TT&MM have been criticized as being "unemotional" or "cold", but I also think they have tons of guts & fortitude.
so to TT&MM!