For the first time in forever, I find myself extremely excited about US pairs and think this will be an exciting event to watch at Nationals. Also the selection will have an added layer of importance with the team event.
Which pairs does everyone think will top the podium? Who would you actually like to see on the podium?
My personal rankings:
1. Castelli and Shnapir- having seen them live, they are just so striking. Their pairs elements are to die for and there's a fearlessness to their skating that's amazing. Also a sentimental favorite since they've been on the scene significantly longer than any of the other pairs
2. Scimeca and Kneirim- technically solid, loads of potential, some lovely positions but have lots of room to grow in PCS
3. Denney & Frazier- a Denney I actually enjoy watching! Who knew?!?! I think the next quad could be big for them.
4. Donlan and Speroff- they have everything except unfortunately consistency with their elements.
Unfortunately I think it will go more like:
1. D/C- it breaks my heart to predict this and I will be utterly delighted to be wrong. Yes they can land jumps but I just find their programs and their attempts at "artistry" (which is basically skating with their mouths open) cringeworthy. However USFSA probably trusts them most to skate clean in the team comp and they've earned that trust. Now if PCS (choreo and interpretation especially) were scored properly, C/S and even s/k with a mistake or two would be about tied with a clean D/C but I digress
2. C/S- I expect them to fight like hell in Boston to defend their title & make the team. I really think she'll pull off the quad at home. They were fabulous in the recent NJ disson show and skated like rock stars who were already Olympic medalists. If they can bring some of that confidence to competition, they could beat any of the current competition.
3. S/K- last year I really believed they could be in the hunt for the title but they don't feel like the same team- think its a combo of his injury and the weight of expectations that weren't there last year. Also the programs are very meh.
Wildcard- K/O. Don't think Z/B are in the Olympic picture barring some insanity
Which pairs does everyone think will top the podium? Who would you actually like to see on the podium?
My personal rankings:
1. Castelli and Shnapir- having seen them live, they are just so striking. Their pairs elements are to die for and there's a fearlessness to their skating that's amazing. Also a sentimental favorite since they've been on the scene significantly longer than any of the other pairs
2. Scimeca and Kneirim- technically solid, loads of potential, some lovely positions but have lots of room to grow in PCS
3. Denney & Frazier- a Denney I actually enjoy watching! Who knew?!?! I think the next quad could be big for them.
4. Donlan and Speroff- they have everything except unfortunately consistency with their elements.
Unfortunately I think it will go more like:
1. D/C- it breaks my heart to predict this and I will be utterly delighted to be wrong. Yes they can land jumps but I just find their programs and their attempts at "artistry" (which is basically skating with their mouths open) cringeworthy. However USFSA probably trusts them most to skate clean in the team comp and they've earned that trust. Now if PCS (choreo and interpretation especially) were scored properly, C/S and even s/k with a mistake or two would be about tied with a clean D/C but I digress
2. C/S- I expect them to fight like hell in Boston to defend their title & make the team. I really think she'll pull off the quad at home. They were fabulous in the recent NJ disson show and skated like rock stars who were already Olympic medalists. If they can bring some of that confidence to competition, they could beat any of the current competition.
3. S/K- last year I really believed they could be in the hunt for the title but they don't feel like the same team- think its a combo of his injury and the weight of expectations that weren't there last year. Also the programs are very meh.
Wildcard- K/O. Don't think Z/B are in the Olympic picture barring some insanity