Having just watched pairs sp on Youtube, many thanks to the person who uploaded it, and to the poster who linked it here. Thumbs down to IceNetwork for their totally crappy sound and horrible video feed (very poor quality)! Youtube version offered excellent quality audio and video (except for the fact that the first two pairs performances were missing).
Politics as usual were rampant in judging of the top pairs. It was a good competition overall. Clearly, Marchei/Hotarek are looking good for a new pair and they really bring the drama and performance quality. Yet, they only had a double twist, so I feel they were slightly overmarked/ favored. Definitely, many teams are close in quality of elements and execution, so judging is not easy. But when the marks are exceedingly close, it seems to me that politics determines the placements. For example, Seguin/Bilodeaux are an excellent team, but since they are just out of juniors their scores were kept down. M/H have very good jumps and throws, but only a double twist so politics gave them the edge. There are a bunch of teams close together in the middle which clearly shows not that much quality difference. But I don't agree that James/Cipres are 2+ points behind the middle teams ahead of them in sp. They should be closer to 59 or 60. Lubov/ Dylan were good, but slightly tight (especially Dylan), but their quality should have held them a bit above 61 in the scoring although I agree with their placement generally, but it should have been more like 61 for them, 62 for M/H, and I think Seguin/Bilodeaux should have been in front of Marchei/Hotarek at between 62 and 63. Denney/ Frazier are much closer in skill and quality to their teammates, Scimeca/Knierim, than the politics allows. I thought D/F's scores should have been 64+.
James/Cipres had a rough time with their coaching change this season, and I'm glad they switched back, but clearly their development has been hampered by politics. They are very talented but have never been a political favorite with the judges which doesn't help added to whatever fed politics they also have to deal with. Now, with new teams on the international scene being favored over them, it must be so deflating for they are a truly talented and charismatic team. Too bad that it also looks like they are having some problems in their partner relationship (based on their body language after the sp). ETA: Well, clearly I was wrong about significance of J/C's body language after the sp. It was just probably more that Vanessa was disappointed with her sp performance. They sure came out with power and determination and nailed their fs to move up 4 spots. Good for them.
Tarasova/Morosov skated very well, but the only thing they have over the two U.S. teams right now is elegance of line, slightly better unison and consistency on sbs jumps, and the Russian tradition in pairs. T/M were overscored in sp. I agree with their placement, but I think they were a bit overmarked. OTOH, Kavaguti/Smirnov wuzrobbed big time because Worlds is taking place in China. Sui/Han overmarked due to having dynamic tricks and no fear. I give S/H credit for their difficulty and flair with their well-choreographed sp, but they are simply not better than Peng/Zhang or Kavaguti/Smirnov. Duhamel/Radford outshined everyone and deserved their standing, but I would have had K/S in second, with Peng/Zhang in 3rd, Sui/Han 4th and Pang/Tong in fifth. I appreciate P/T love of the sport and their patriotism, but I'd rather see them showing what they still have in shows, or on a professional circuit, not coming back to senior Worlds just because Worlds is taking place in their home country.
At this rate, the U.S. should be shown more love so that 3 U.S. pairs could compete at Worlds in Boston 2016!
