2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating | Page 14 | Golden Skate

2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating

I think they are the top team. They're both going to land those pesky triples, their lifts are amazing, they have undeniable chemistry. and it all works.
 
skylark said:
I've had lots of company all week, but I finally got to view the whole program today. And it is stunning. For anyone who's liked a particular aspect or aspects of Ashley and Timothy's skating and partnership, this program is literally a jewel. It's a sparkling diamond, a tribute to Ashley and Tim's ability to skate as one...
So, Enjoy! here's a link to the entire program, which On Ice Perspectives posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwdSbl1yCqk
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Thank you for the link! I do like this program quite a bit. Even brought a few tears. However, I'm wondering how much the filming technique/camera angles affect the viewer's perception of the program. Seeing it so up close and at different angles makes it seem more artistic and moving than the usual TV camera work. The viewer feels more involved; it's more intimate. I'd like to see all of the top pairs teams with On Ice Perspectives and compare them all this way. That is to say, I don't think it's fair to compare a "TV angle" SP vs an OIP SP.
 
ice_tulip said:
Thank you for the link! I do like this program quite a bit. Even brought a few tears. However, I'm wondering how much the filming technique/camera angles affect the viewer's perception of the program. Seeing it so up close and at different angles makes it seem more artistic and moving than the usual TV camera work. The viewer feels more involved; it's more intimate. I'd like to see all of the top pairs teams with On Ice Perspectives and compare them all this way. That is to say, I don't think it's fair to compare a "TV angle" SP vs an OIP SP.
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They also get to reshoot parts… and film in sections so they have more energy the entire time.
 
Yeslekyelnats said:
They also get to reshoot parts… and film in sections so they have more energy the entire time.
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Whether the video was shot in one piece or 10, the fact remains that this is an impressive program. The camera angle did not magically enable them to land the twist, SBSs & throw — all shown in one piece. And maintaining energy throughout a program has never been an issue for them. Yes, they of course will need to deliver this same quality in live competition. This video is just a glimpse of what is possible.

And there’s good news about Ashley: Yesterday, she posted a photo of herself (fully masked) back on the ice; her quarantine has ended. She obviously will need to take it slowly, since ongoing fatigue is one of the residuals of this horrid disease.
 
mrrice said:
What are you guys thinking of Alexa and Brandon as we head into the new season? Do you think they're the Top US Team heading into the Olympics?
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I saw them live at Cranberry and would suggest that K/F’s closest peers would be Moore Towers/Marinaro. This is not a bad thing, as MTM are a very capable team.

I do wish that Cain Gribble/LeDuc had been able to compete there as well, so we could have had a head to head comparison of the US pairs field!

I will also say that Chan/Howe’s flamenco SP is beautifully constructed and paced, and that whoever choreographed this, is very talented and other pairs should be considering using him/her. JMHO.
 
Seven Sisters said:
I saw them live at Cranberry and would suggest that K/F’s closest peers would be Moore Towers/Marinaro. This is not a bad thing, as MTM are a very capable team.

I do wish that Cain Gribble/LeDuc had been able to compete there as well, so we could have had a head to head comparison of the US pairs field!

I will also say that Chan/Howe’s flamenco SP is beautifully constructed and paced, and that whoever choreographed this, is very talented and other pairs should be considering using him/her. JMHO.
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I would have LOVED Cain Gibble/LeDuc to have been there.

I also enjoyed Chan/Howe as I did all of them really😀
 
Seven Sisters said:
I saw them live at Cranberry and would suggest that K/F’s closest peers would be Moore Towers/Marinaro. This is not a bad thing, as MTM are a very capable team.

I do wish that Cain Gribble/LeDuc had been able to compete there as well, so we could have had a head to head comparison of the US pairs field!

I will also say that Chan/Howe’s flamenco SP is beautifully constructed and paced, and that whoever choreographed this, is very talented and other pairs should be considering using him/her. JMHO.
Click to expand...
According to their ISU bio, Olga Ganicheva is their choreographer.
 
Just watched the OIP for C/L, is it rlly is stunning. Its true that it's never going to look that way on tv but still. I love the program, I love the details and how balletic it is, especially since the other two teams went the other direction with their shorts. I'm hoping they were running that program all day cuz Timothy looked worryingly winded after. But OIP is rlly a genius channel and I hope we get to see a lot more programs this way throughout the season.
 
noskates said:
I think they are the top team. They're both going to land those pesky triples, their lifts are amazing, they have undeniable chemistry. and it all works.
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Yes, overall Alexa/Brandon can cover all of the bases. Plus, they are also favored, if they keep producing. They need to clean up the small mistakes and stoke their confidence because no matter how good they are, it's obvious international judges want to see them prove themselves again and again before fully rewarding them. U.S. skaters always have to work harder. And even when U.S. skaters are successful, on the level or close to of Nathan Chen, there are always complaints and nitpicking from certain fans.

The thing about it is: U.S. pairs discipline has a lot of strong teams that need an opportunity to compete and to improve, and opportunities are limited. Nothing separates C/J from K/F, except for the sbs jumps. Also, K/F have better form on throws. But C/J have the absolutely superb, top-notch 3-twist, which usually garners mostly 5s and some 4s. K/F's 3-twist didn't seem as high or straight up in the air as it seemed last season. They should still get mostly 3s and 4s, not 2s on that element. Jess has lovely positions in lifts and death spirals. Alexa is very athletic and she performs wonderful lifts with Brandon, but I see more athleticism than memorably graceful positions. Both have very good death spirals. K/F excel on the throws and sbs jumps. They are about equal on choreo and music selection. C/J have a slight edge on connection because they have a magical chemistry and are more familiar with each other having skated together somewhat longer.

Cain-Gribble/LeDuc look very sharp and fit in the sp filmed by OIP. And I see that Ashley posted two days ago that she's back on the ice training, which is good to see. Hoping she rebuilds her strength and is able to maintain the excellent form we have been seeing. They have two very good, competitive programs. If C/J don't get the jumps together, C-G/LD will rival them for the second spot.

I have enjoyed watching Liu/O'Shea, but Chelsea simply wasn't on at Cranberry, so their programs didn't pop at all. Some fans say, 'Don't worry, it's early season yet.' TSL seemed to completely write-off Chelsea, after being positive about the pairing early on. They are a new team, and so leeway should be given to see whether Chelsea can overcome whatever the issues are, whether tech adjustments are needed due to her long legs, or whether she needs to learn some nerve-calming strategies. Wishing L/O good luck, as I'm interested in seeing more of them. Tweaks are needed.

The improvements Chan/Howe showed at Cranberry Cup were a nice surprise. They look faster, stronger, and more confident. I hope they can keep building, which means they need some senior Bs, because I doubt they will get the TBA at Skate America. Hopefully, C/J will get the TBA. But Skate America for some reason has two top Russian teams. Why do they allow the top Russian teams so often at Skate America? This means that Knierim/Frazier are working toward bronze, unless they can somehow knock-off Boikova/Koslovskii for silver, or unless Tarasova/Morosov don't bring their A-game. And the latter isn't likely, but even if T/M aren't on, the judges always tend to give them huge scores.

Since Cup of China is apparently cancelled, will there be reassignments. Are any other events now in doubt of taking place?

If Cup of China is being cancelled, will the Beijing Olympics still go forward?
 
ice_tulip said:
I'm wondering how much the filming technique/camera angles affect the viewer's perception of the program.
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You need look no farther than the OIP clip of the end of Liu/O'Shea's sp, which was marvelous because we were on the ice with them experiencing the heart and soul of the program. There's no comparison to being on the ice with them, to viewing in the stands or on a screen. However, being in the arena live is also preferable to watching a livestream on a screen.

We have to recognize that OIP is giving us a different 'perspective,' which we need to appreciate for what it offers. We need to recognize and accept that OIP clips are exciting and valuable, but they are not intended to, and can not replicate performances seen in competition, where the angles and non-existent up-close feel of programs simply make the experience different.

Still, Cain-G/LeDuc are looking very sharp and fit. And it is quite obvious that Ash has improved her form and technique on throw jump landings. Their lifts also look better. And they have matching lines to-die-for. None of that is likely to change in competition, if they are both on, despite how we experience the viewing differently.
 
Oh, I see that the ISU has asked for other countries to apply to take over as a host country in place of China. But should the ISU also be prepping to hold the 2022 Olympics at an alternate location???
 
BlissfulSynergy said:
Oh, I see that the ISU has asked for other countries to apply to take over as a host country in place of China. But should the ISU also be prepping to hold the 2022 Olympics at an alternate location???
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The Olympics have nothing to do with the ISU. That's the IOC. With only six months to go, they're not going to change hosts. China canceling the Cup of China also does not have anything to do with the Olympics. CoC is just one competition, a small one, that was also in Chongqing and not Beijing. Also, with the six-week strict schedule, it doesn't bode well for possible quarantines - but the official reason was lack of inbound flights, and chances are, that will also not be a problem when it comes to the Olympics - again, in Beijing.
 
Gia_Sesshoumaru said:
The Olympics have nothing to do with the ISU. That's the IOC. With only six months to go, they're not going to change hosts. China canceling the Cup of China also does not have anything to do with the Olympics. CoC is just one competition, a small one, that was also in Chongqing and not Beijing. Also, with the six-week strict schedule, it doesn't bode well for possible quarantines - but the official reason was lack of inbound flights, and chances are, that will also not be a problem when it comes to the Olympics - again, in Beijing.
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Okay. Good then if the season can go forward, and the Olympics can take place in Beijing, as planned.
 
Gia_Sesshoumaru said:
The Olympics have nothing to do with the ISU. That's the IOC. With only six months to go, they're not going to change hosts. China canceling the Cup of China also does not have anything to do with the Olympics. CoC is just one competition, a small one, that was also in Chongqing and not Beijing. Also, with the six-week strict schedule, it doesn't bode well for possible quarantines - but the official reason was lack of inbound flights, and chances are, that will also not be a problem when it comes to the Olympics - again, in Beijing.
Click to expand...
That's very reassuring, thank you for this post :pray:
From where I'm standing, it's still too soon to tell who our top pair is, not having seen C/L compete. Inconsistencies, especially on sbs jumps, can screw over any pair at the wrong moment. But since we have plenty of pair spots this year...:jump:I'm happy to watch C/L and K/F push each other to be better throughout the season - they're both very Olympic worthy imo.
 
^^ @Dawn825, haven't you seen the full OIP clip of Ash/Tim's new sp? It's marvelous -- it's been uploaded in full, and for free, on YouTube:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

The U.S. pairs discipline should definitely have three spots available for major Worlds and Olympics competitions, but they don't. Not yet. I agree about the necessity and beauty of U.S. top teams pushing each other! Lifting each other while climbing, for sure. :love2:

ETA: I know it's a filmed training practice, but it's still a good indication of the good form they have fine-tuned.
 
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