2016-2017 Grand Prix selections

[Jammers]

In many ways, ice dancing is not as predictable as some may think it can be, and success at the junior level doesn't necessarily predict ongoing success at the senior level.

In 2013-2014, both M/C and PP made the JGPF, and M/C medaled, but in 2014-2015, neither team made the JGPF. They were supplanted by two Canadian teams who later finished 5th and 6th at Worlds 2015, while M/C won silver and PP were 4th. So it is not even a sure thing that the two US teams will be on top in the coming season at the junior level: they have a target on their backs, and it's easier to pursue than to be the pursued.

The Russian team of Yanovskaya / Mozgov won everything in sight for two junior seasons (except JW 2014, which was won by Hawayek / Baker) but bombed their freshman year on the GP and now they have split.

No one expects M/C to go right to the top when they move up but this would have been a good reason to go Senior this season so in the Olympic season they might have gotten those first year jitters out of the way.

 

[cathlen]

Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier will replace Aaron/Settlage at Skate America due to their split : www.usfsa.org/story?id=89869&type=media

 

[Layback11]

Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier will replace Aaron/Settlage at Skate America due to their split : www.usfsa.org/story?id=89869&type=media

Well, that clears up the TBA a bit, since it can't go to D/F anymore.

 

[aromaticchicken]

Well, that clears up the TBA a bit, since it can't go to D/F anymore.

Now it looks wide open for Castelli and Tran to get that TBA at Skate America.

 

[Layback11]

Now it looks wide open for Castelli and Tran to get that TBA at Skate America.

Seems like it. (I highly doubt another team would look good enough in the next month to get it, even as C/T haven't competed yet this summer.)

 

[chuckm]

Castelli / Tran were entered in the Quebec Summer Skate last week, but they withdrew. Other Senior teams competed at Skate Detroit last month and did fairly well: Calalang / Sidhu, Pfund / Santillan (who got the Lombardia Challenge).

 

[tulosai]

Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier will replace Aaron/Settlage at Skate America due to their split : www.usfsa.org/story?id=89869&type=media

Yaaaaaaaay!!!

 

[cathlen]

Due to Penny Coomes injury, Coomes/Buckland are crossed off the list. No replacement yet.
New additions:
Cup of China - Xibei LI/Guangyao XIANG in Ice Dance, Xiangning LI in Ladies, He ZHANG in Men
NHK Trophy - Miriam ZIEGLER/Severin KIEFER in Pairs

 

[skatemd1]

I'm not sure why you keep talking about the field and Grand Prix events. McNamara/Carpenter would have received 2 Senior Grand Prix events this season if they went Senior and their placements at those events would give them 2 events again next year, the Olympic year.

Shibutani/Shibutani were able to be the #2 ranked American team in 2011 because they were simply better than the competition. Why could McNamara/Carpenter, and others, not do the same? Yes the U.S. currently has 3 strong teams, but other teams could simply exceed them, at least one of them, in the Olympic season. To me the best chance of making that happen would be actually competing in Seniors to get the experience (and judge recognition). What's the point in just sitting back?

Who knows, maybe by 2018 Nationals we could have seen McNamara/Carpenter and Parsons/Parsons both ascend to astonishing levels, making all of the current U.S. teams look outdated in comparison. It comes down to putting the work in and making it happen, assuming the talent and guidance is there. Doesn't matter what the competition is. You just have to work on heightening your own level. Without the necessary experience, though, it won't happen.

I agree and think when both these Jr teams (M/C and P/P) move up to Senior they will be real contenders, as both are extremely well trained and original (in very different ways). They will both move up next year in any case so we will find out. I know Jr. success doesn't always carry over, but I'm pretty sure these teams will. Consider that: right now the highest Jr. free dance score ever recorded was not earned by Davis/White or Virtue/Moir or the Shibs. It was earned by M/C at the end of their "perfect" 2016 season. The highest Jr. short dance score ever recorded in the history of the sport was earned by the Parsons last season, and they hold the 2nd highest free dance score and, like M/C, are consistently hitting high 150s and 160s as Juniors. They are both already ranked in the top 25 worldwide. Yes, scores vary, but I think it's clear both of these young teams are for real and will be chasing the top rungs in Senior in a few years, and my guess is, just like the Shibs, they will both get there. Very exciting to think about for Team USA's future...

 

[Lyssa]

Viktoria Kavaliova and Yurii Bieliaiev will replace Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland at Trophée de France.

 

[cathlen]

I'd like for British team that was competing at Lombardia to replace Coomes/Buckland at NHK Trophy. They're really good!

 

[TangoTraumatica]

I'm not as familiar with the Parsons as a team so I can't comment on them. Regarding M/C...I agree that they're consistent competitors, but they are going to have a hard time competing in the US senior field. Her free legs are honestly atrocious for a junior world champion. The current US seniors have polish and poise that the M/C are lacking.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I'm not as familiar with the Parsons as a team so I can't comment on them. Regarding M/C...I agree that they're consistent competitors, but they are going to have a hard time competing in the US senior field. Her free legs are honestly atrocious for a junior world champion. The current US seniors have polish and poise that the M/C are lacking.

The Parsons, him in particular, have beautiful extended free legs.

 

[Crossover]

Some people may say sister-brother teams tend to have some limitation and wall compared to other teams, but the Parsons do not resemble to each other much in appearance wise which would be an advantage for them.

 

[tulosai]

I'm not as familiar with the Parsons as a team so I can't comment on them. Regarding M/C...I agree that they're consistent competitors, but they are going to have a hard time competing in the US senior field. Her free legs are honestly atrocious for a junior world champion. The current US seniors have polish and poise that the M/C are lacking.

Well sure, but polish and poise are things that are gained over time... there is a reason senior teams tend to have these qualities far more than junior teams do, and really, it is because this is one of the things that truly only can come with some longevity in the sport and also with some life experience I think... they're gained over time in sports, just as they are gained over time by individuals in life... if you can find a genuinely polished and poised 14 year old, hold onto them. Now of course, some teams and individuals will of course find polish and poise easier and quicker to come by than others.

The free leg is a different question, though I haven't noticed that hers is particularly atrocious...

 

[charmblade]

Has it been mentioned yet that Pogrebinsky/Benoit got the Skate America TBD?

https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/774340230060978176

 

[TangoTraumatica]

The Parsons, him in particular, have beautiful extended free legs.

I'll have to watch some video of the Parsons because I'm a sucker for lovely extensions!

I think that the current SD format gives brother/sister teams disadvantages in some seasons more than others. Madison Hubbell talks about the "ick factor" in her recent interview with TSL, and having trained with some brother/sister teams myself, I think they themselves frequently don't have an issue with portraying the romantic/sexual characters. It's more the judge and audience perceptions that disadvantage sibling pairs when they have to skate blues and tango rhythms.

Of course M/C will gain poise as they age, but that will take time, and that's time they don't have if they want to be serious contenders with the current US field. I don't think that winning another junior circuit will help them in that regard. Right now she especially relies on facial expressions in her performance, and doesn't do it as well as Madison Chock does. I think they're a good team, I just don't think they're going to be an American podium any time soon, unless some of the current field retire or split. When P/C burst onto the scene they looked like seasoned senior skaters, and they had the advantage of going to major international events because they didn't have much competition at home. M/C not only look very much like a junior team, but they will have to fight for senior international assignments from the USFA, giving them fewer opportunities to prove themselves to international judges.

 

[Mrs. P]

I'll have to watch some video of the Parsons because I'm a sucker for lovely extensions!

I think that the current SD format gives brother/sister teams disadvantages in some seasons more than others. Madison Hubbell talks about the "ick factor" in her recent interview with TSL, and having trained with some brother/sister teams myself, I think they themselves frequently don't have an issue with portraying the romantic/sexual characters. It's more the judge and audience perceptions that disadvantage sibling pairs when they have to skate blues and tango rhythms.

Of course M/C will gain poise as they age, but that will take time, and that's time they don't have if they want to be serious contenders with the current US field. I don't think that winning another junior circuit will help them in that regard. Right now she especially relies on facial expressions in her performance, and doesn't do it as well as Madison Chock does. I think they're a good team, I just don't think they're going to be an American podium any time soon, unless some of the current field retire or split. When P/C burst onto the scene they looked like seasoned senior skaters, and they had the advantage of going to major international events because they didn't have much competition at home. M/C not only look very much like a junior team, but they will have to fight for senior international assignments from the USFA, giving them fewer opportunities to prove themselves to international judges.

OT for this thread, the FD from their JGP in Japan is absolutely gorgeous and well-choreographed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GWGz-ffqLM

So back on the topic, with Ellie and Alex getting hte last USA dance spot, we only have the TBD pairs, but I think most guess that Castelli and Tran will get it.

 

[ice coverage]

Has it been mentioned yet that Pogrebinsky/Benoit got the Skate America TBD?

https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/774340230060978176

sabinfire had posted the Ellie/Alex news in the Skate America thread at the time.

(But not over here, AFAIK ... so many threads, so little time ... .)

So back on the topic, with Ellie and Alex getting hte last USA dance spot, we only have the TBD pairs, but I think most guess that Castelli and Tran will get it.

FWIW, Cain/LeDuc and Castelli/Tran went head to head this past weekend at Mid-Atlantics.

Per Lynn Rutherford's live tweeting:

Strong Spell on You short by Cain/LeDuc. Solid 3sals, good footwork, lovely spiral and matching camel spins. 62.40

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774341040295776261​

Exceptionally dynamic, speedy SP from Castelli/Tran, excellent unison on spins. A few minor landing glitches. 61.34

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774345929981882368​

.@MarissaCastelli @skate_moivo Journey FS really builds in 2nd half w/back-to-back difficult lifts into throw 3sal 102.86

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774783939735093248​

.@icegirlash Tim LeDuc A few falls in Our Prayer FS but 3loop-2toe combos and fine spins 98.22

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774785741121519616​

Soooooo ... is it possible that Cain/LeDuc did enough to make a case for themselves??

---

ETA, Fields/Stevens placed second in the FS:

Fields/Stevens interesting SP with nice throw 3 sal, excellent steps into challenging spins. 57.96

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774344909222473728​

@EUStevens Lots of interesting steps and movements in the short . . . look forward to the free.

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774374093500153857​

.@CaitlinFields25 @EUStevens Good speed , lovely positions and great lifts highlight Spartacus free 99.59 unofficial

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/774782043892903936​

 

[tulosai]

The longer USFSA goes without naming Castelli/Tran the more I think they might go ahead and shock us and name someone else... if they were as determined to do it as some of the posters here (myself included) assumed they would be, and weren't actually seriously considering at least one other option, surely they'd have gone ahead and named them by now. I dislike the way USFSA does some things but I don't think they'd just be 'playing games' with C/T by not going ahead and naming them, especially when they've named everyone else... obviously there is some internal debate going on about who it's going to be.