- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
American pairs is always volatile.
2021-22 U.S. Pairs Figure Skating
- Thread starter skylark
- Start date
I read original view in Russian and looked up that piece of translation. Nothing is lost. But as I see it, it is not about declaring themselves #1 team, rather about the advancing to top3 from the second tier of team USA.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2014
I also don’t see anything too bad in making a statement about their intent to reach for the top. It also shows that they are aware they need a bit more polish to reach the level of the other pairs, and that they can’t do that at the moment. As of now, L/M and even C/H are pairs that could lead in the next cycle, assuming the other two retire.
As for C/J, I don’t entertain any ideas about them getting their stuff together to solidify their place in the international scene. Many people have said this, but judges just don’t like a pair that doesn’t have a little bit of consistency going for them.
As for C/J, I don’t entertain any ideas about them getting their stuff together to solidify their place in the international scene. Many people have said this, but judges just don’t like a pair that doesn’t have a little bit of consistency going for them.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2014
Of course. I just don’t hold my breath for them. If they do surprise me, I’m all for it. Especially in light of the fact that there’s still space for a good pair to break into the top5.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
As of 1 hour ago, another US Pair team has arrived safely in Beijing!!!!! 
They traveled with Mariah and Jason.
CORRECTION: tHat IG was apparently posted at the beginning of the flight, so they're en route. Ashley's wording confused me, but I've cross-referenced with Jason's IG.
Thank you, Ashley, for updating us fans of you and Timothy
Check out the other pictures and videos Ashley posted from L.A. over the last couple of days when I've been AWOL from figure skating.
They traveled with Mariah and Jason.CORRECTION: tHat IG was apparently posted at the beginning of the flight, so they're en route. Ashley's wording confused me, but I've cross-referenced with Jason's IG.
Thank you, Ashley, for updating us fans of you and Timothy
Check out the other pictures and videos Ashley posted from L.A. over the last couple of days when I've been AWOL from figure skating.
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- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
^^^
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZVMGIdPO1W/ Ashley, Tim, Mariah, and Jason with a LOT of luggage
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZU1084Pgka/ Mariah, Jason, Ashley, Tim in Olympic clothes
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZVMGIdPO1W/ Ashley, Tim, Mariah, and Jason with a LOT of luggage
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZU1084Pgka/ Mariah, Jason, Ashley, Tim in Olympic clothes
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
CAIN-GRIBBLE AND LEDUC: CREATING THE SPACE TO BE DIFFERENT by Lynn Rutherford (Jan. 27):
https://www.teamusa.org/News/2022/J...-And-LeDuc-Creating-The-Space-To-Be-Different
Excerpts:
https://www.teamusa.org/News/2022/J...-And-LeDuc-Creating-The-Space-To-Be-Different
Excerpts:
Why would Calalang / Johnson retire? She is 27 and he is 26. Surely they have another quadrennial ahead of them.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
I hope so!
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
I try to not predict retirements. I just can’t imagine how they feel being named to 2 Worlds teams, not being able to skate in either through no fault of their own, then after winning silver for the 3rd year in a row at US Nationals not only not being named to Worlds but not even being thrown the bone of 4CCs. I don’t even know if they will have enough world standings points for 2 GPs next year. Of all the skaters who were wuzrobbed, they were wuzrobbed the most.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
^^ Well, maybe Jessica and Brian will be able to use these disappointments as fuel.
Personally, I think it's a greater honor that they are the first alternates for the olympics (as opposed to going to 4CC). It's not even over yet ... but in any case, they are a very important component in this year's Olympic team, all things considered. They can build on that.
As for 2 GPs ... I'm not conversant with the requirements, but I think they'd get at least one. And then I can't imagine USFS not rewarding them by giving them one of the 3 spots at Skate America. So I think they'll be all right. I certainly hope so.
Personally, I think it's a greater honor that they are the first alternates for the olympics (as opposed to going to 4CC). It's not even over yet ... but in any case, they are a very important component in this year's Olympic team, all things considered. They can build on that.
As for 2 GPs ... I'm not conversant with the requirements, but I think they'd get at least one. And then I can't imagine USFS not rewarding them by giving them one of the 3 spots at Skate America. So I think they'll be all right. I certainly hope so.
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- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
Green and Parsons were first alternate to the Olympics and still got to go to (and win) 4CCs.
I just looked and Jess and Brian are currently #15 so they should stay in the top 24. It’s still a poor way to treat them in my opinion.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Not to belabor a point, but my understanding is that that was an entirely different situation. None of the 3 teams of ID skaters had had covid in January, and I recall talk that the Montreal group had been especially vigilant with keeping the skaters isolated and so forth. Compared to the situation with Alexa and Brandon, it was much more stable.
When you think of it, none of the four who are in Beijing now have been immune from the trials of maintaining their paths to the Olympics. Most of them have been zig-zag paths. I was thinking of Alexa saying in an interview (with TSL I think) that since she and Chris won the silver medal at 2013 US nationals, they'd had some hope of getting to go to Sochi in 2014. Their performance at 2014 nationals put them in 4th, so that didn't happen.
Yeah it's been rough for Calalang and Johnson. But if they choose to continue, it's likely they'd get two GP assignments next season even without relying on a Skate America host pick.
Four Continents immediately after not making an Olympic team is often not that thrilling of an experience; it tends to feel somewhat sad. Usually the skaters who had less of a chance of making the Olympic team enjoy it more. This year's pairs field was especially watered down, so much so it barely felt like an international event (it's pretty absurd skaters were given full World Standings points, but it's possible literally every competitor may have withdrawn if the ISU hadn't). If you give a skater the option of being Olympic alternate or attending 4CC in an Olympic year, I think everyone would choose the former. The pandemic has impacted every skater in some sort of negative way, not just the Olympic alternates.
Yeah C/J missed Worlds twice, but they weren't actually named to that first World Team and had to rely on someone WD'ing, so they technically weren't supposed to be there in the first place, which could have softened the blow. And then the second Worlds they missed-- while the drug test situation was really unfortunate, it's still a failed drug trust. If it was indeed lash serum that was the culprit as has been reported, that's not the type of product I'd feel that comfortable using as an athlete no matter what the ingredients are, just due the nature of what the product is intended to do. As an athlete, you can never be too careful regarding what you put in/on you body. I don't think Jessica was trying to do anything wrong, but I'm guessing she won't be reaching for hair growth products again any time soon. But yeah, regardless of what the circumstances were, missing competitions for 3 seasons in a row is tough. If you think about it, literally every skater has missed competitions with the pandemic, so it's been somewhat tough for everyone.
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- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Here's a fun picture of Alexa, Brandon, Ashley and Tim in front of the Olympic rings ...
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
For sure. I expect C/J to continue. I don't see any reason for them to retire. I can see Alexa (at age 30) taking a break to have a baby and coming back, or not in 2024 with an eye on 2026 Olympics. Since Timothy is 31 (he'll be 32 in May), he may be interested in retiring. Ashley is 26. But like Alexa, she's married and she may wish to start a family and call an end to her skating career. But Ashley could just as easily decide to keep going another year or two, if Timothy is also game.
If Misha said this, I wonder who he heard it from that these two veteran teams are going to retire. And since U.S pairs is deep in talent, L/M shouldn't feel like they are the only team who is going to 'take the place' of the veteran teams. L/M's own teammates, Chan/Howe are a very talented team with potential. They just need to believe in themselves more (especially Emily), and they could easily surpass L/M, in terms of presentation skills and better lifts. Also, if Calalang/Johnson get their sbs jumps together with more belief and confidence, they actually are the heirs apparent to the top veteran U.S. teams, especially in terms of superior talent on all of their elements aside from sbs jumps (and they could benefit from more distance and finesse on throws).
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Awhile ago I wrote a post that I have a new perspective on. When I get the 3-a.m-dark-night darkness, I prop my Lenovo in bed and watch Ashley and Tim's SP or FS from Nationals (or Chelsea/Danny's LA comp FS) in slow motion, muted. With the calm, beauty and harmony of movement, it reminds me of who I am at heart. I can return to Sweet Dreamland.
Watching Ash/Tim in slo-mo, I can see many times that they look at each other during their programs. Then I feel guilty about having posted here, many months ago, that they should do more of that. They probably do much more now because these programs are more developed, refined in the details. Also, their bodies and souls are in such harmony that they more or less transcend.
I still agree with Bruno Massot, who said in 2018 that it was important that he and Aljona worked hard to make those details of their connection more visible to the audience. But Ashley and Timothy make their connection so naturally that it resounds on an intuitive, almost unconscious level.
Watching Ash/Tim in slo-mo, I can see many times that they look at each other during their programs. Then I feel guilty about having posted here, many months ago, that they should do more of that. They probably do much more now because these programs are more developed, refined in the details. Also, their bodies and souls are in such harmony that they more or less transcend.
I still agree with Bruno Massot, who said in 2018 that it was important that he and Aljona worked hard to make those details of their connection more visible to the audience. But Ashley and Timothy make their connection so naturally that it resounds on an intuitive, almost unconscious level.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Meagan Duhamel did a great analysis of the Team Event for TSL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHc6D7weAQ&t=68s
Around 18 minutes, she discusses the US team entries. She has some very interesting remarks about Ashley and Timothy and their skates at nationals. The whole interview/analysis is great, but these 20 or 30 minutes are so relevant to this thread.
Around 18 minutes, she discusses the US team entries. She has some very interesting remarks about Ashley and Timothy and their skates at nationals. The whole interview/analysis is great, but these 20 or 30 minutes are so relevant to this thread.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Full article re Audrey Lu's grant from Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund:
Audrey Lu Wins Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund Elite Athlete Award - U.S. Figure Skating
After a challenging start to her year, pairs skater Audrey Lu has a lot to celebrate. After winning bronze at the 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in
usfigureskatingfanzone.com
Thanks to @purplecat for posting the news re Audrey on Jan 11 in a U.S. Nats thread.
(Jacob Sanchez is the developmental recipient this time -- the same category for which Lindsay Thorngren was the inaugural recipient.)
Coming attractions for fans especially of @caingribbleleduc:
In a recent interview by CNN's Jake Tapper, Gracie said that she will be headlining a national tour of Ice Dreams -- joined by Ashley/Timothy and Jeremy Abbott.
The Ice Dreams website has been known to be over-ambitious in announcing plans (which apparently have not come to fruition) ... but at least for now, it is showing quite a few stops for the tour.
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