2023-24 US Pairs Figure Skating

[moonvine]

I have been checking Audrey Shin's IG, hoping to discover if she and Balasz are going to partner. Audrey posted an IG story from a distance showing Gracie Gold doing a sbs jump with Kai Kovar (a very tall young U.S. men's singles skater). Again, though, like when Gracie recently skated with Danilo Siianytsia, is this session with Kai just for fun?

Nothing else has yet been posted by Audrey regarding her pairs learning progress. Balasz is fairly quiet on his IG too.

I would die of happiness if my Queen were to skate pairs. Or dance. With anyone and for any country.

 

[skylark]

Ashley Cain and Danylo Siianytsia having "Some fun times getting to work" together, doing pairs elements. from Trudy Oltmanns IG.

Trudy Oltmanns on Instagram: "Some fun times getting to work together with @icegirlash and @_siianytsia_official_"

150 likes, 3 comments - trudyoltmanns on May 6, 2024: "Some fun times getting to work together with @icegirlash and @_siianytsia_official_".

www.instagram.com

They completed 3twist, beautiful SBS 3salchows, and amazing throw3salchow. Plus they had nice synchronization on their SBS spins, and also did pair spin and death spiral. A very basic lift. But gosh they look good and this was fun to see.

I'd love to see Ashley pairs skate competitively again. These IGs are good vehicles for showing how good Danylo is.

 

[skylark]

Picture of John Nicks with the Cain family. I think both Mr. Nicks and the Cains as coaches were honored with receiving the USFS Presidents Award for Excellence. Please correct me if I'm mistaken ... but it's a lovely picture either way!

Darlene Cain on Instagram: "We are honored to receive the Presidents Award of Excellence this year! Thank you @usfigureskating and @skatepsa for such a wonderful evening with colleagues and friends. Thank you @childrenshealthstarcenter Euless and @da

120 likes, 9 comments - the.cains on May 19, 2024: "We are honored to receive the Presidents Award of Excellence this year! Thank you @usfigureskating and @skatepsa for such a wonderful evening with colleagues and friends. Thank you @childrenshealthstarcenter Euless and @dallasstars for giving...

www.instagram.com

ETA: John Nicks received the Legends Award at the event.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Most likely, Ashley & Danylo were simply working out together for fun. Ash is back from touring with Disney's 'Frozen.' She thanked Danylo for giving her the chance to perform pairs moves again. Ash is also coaching. Plus, she's suffered more than one concussion. I doubt that she's coming back competitively. Anyway, Ash seems slightly taller than Danylo.

Gracie was practicing with Danylo sometime ago, and with Kai Kovar recently. She's probably doing it for fun, too.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Speaking of Kai Kovar, he was pictured in an IG story with Audrey Shin in an off-ice setting. Perhaps they are simply close friends.

Meanwhile, Balasz Nagy appears to be on vacation, traveling in Europe (maybe back in his home country, Hungary). This may mean nothing came of a possible Shin & Nagy tryout. That would be unfortunate, especially if US fed's actions were part of the reason for Lui & Nagy splitting after only one season. Why not bear down and work harder with Chelsea on solving her jump landing issues rather than looking for Lui/ Nagy to have substantial immediate success?!

Balasz is such a good pairs skater. I hope something will work out for him, soon! And for Danylo, too!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Anna Kellar of Anything GOES has interviewed Ellie & Danny:

https://anythinggoe.com/focusing-on...om-experience-with-ellie-kam-and-danny-oshea/

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

So I see on Balazs' and Tarah Kayne's IG that they are in Budapest together, probably on vacation. Audrey Shin put a emoji on the post. Doesn't mean more than that, of course. But it's still interesting. Anyways, I wish we could hear one way or the other what's up for Balazs and Audrey partnering, or not. It wasn't quite as difficult and convoluted to be informed sooner than later about these things, in the days before social media took over.

BTW, it's well-known that Tarah and Balazs had/have been dating, so there's nothing unusual about them vacationing together. Tarah has moved on from competing to coaching and blogging.

 

[moonvine]

Most likely, Ashley & Danylo were simply working out together for fun. Ash is back from touring with Disney's 'Frozen.' She thanked Danylo for giving her the chance to perform pairs moves again. Ash is also coaching. Plus, she's suffered more than one concussion. I doubt that she's coming back competitively. Anyway, Ash seems slightly taller than Danylo.

Gracie was practicing with Danylo sometime ago, and with Kai Kovar recently. She's probably doing it for fun, too.

Don’t I wish Gracie would do pairs for real. Her first trip to Nationals was as a pair! It’s not unprecedented.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Sharing Emily Chan/ Spence Howe's Gofundme to help with training expenses. They are close to reaching their target.

Donate to Emily and Spencer 2024 Training Support Fund, organized by Emily Chan

Hi Y'all~ As you all know, Spencer and I had an unusual season last year wh… Emily Chan needs your support for Emily and Spencer 2024 Training Support Fund

gofund.me

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Gabbie Izzo has been spotted training pairs at a summer training camp in Germany with Luc Maierhofer. They look good together. Check the pairs general thread in Edge for links to photos.

 

[skylark]

Most likely, Ashley & Danylo were simply working out together for fun.

Well, that's what I said.

 

[skylark]

This may mean nothing came of a possible Shin & Nagy tryout. That would be unfortunate, especially if US fed's actions were part of the reason for Lui & Nagy splitting after only one season. Why not bear down and work harder with Chelsea on solving her jump landing issues rather than looking for Lui/ Nagy to have substantial immediate success?!

That's the trouble, IMHO. The process needs to be trusted.

It's only speculation, but I wonder if the "skate-off" between Liu/Nagy and Chan/Howe before Worlds had the effect of Chelsea re-evaluating her situation, if seemed like a no confidence vote. I agree with you that it would be great if US fed would have invested in L/N and supported them with some way to help solve Chelsea's jump landings. She was making progress on the throws. And her lift positions are to die for, plus such joy in skating.

A few months ago, Elena Bechke related how after years of jump landing trouble, she finally took extra jump lessons, I think it was 90 minutes 2 or 3 times a week, in addition to all their other pairs work. Of course, the former Soviet Union paid for it I suppose. But still, you'd think some kind of investment could be worked out.

Balasz is such a good pairs skater. I hope something will work out for him, soon! And for Danylo, too!

 

[Spiralgraph]

That's the trouble, IMHO. The process needs to be trusted.

It's only speculation, but I wonder if the "skate-off" between Liu/Nagy and Chan/Howe before Worlds had the effect of Chelsea re-evaluating her situation, if seemed like a no confidence vote. I agree with you that it would be great if US fed would have invested in L/N and supported them with some way to help solve Chelsea's jump landings. She was making progress on the throws. And her lift positions are to die for, plus such joy in skating.

A few months ago, Elena Bechke related how after years of jump landing trouble, she finally took extra jump lessons, I think it was 90 minutes 2 or 3 times a week, in addition to all their other pairs work. Of course, the former Soviet Union paid for it I suppose. But still, you'd think some kind of investment could be worked out.

Remember, it wasn't just Chelsea's jump problems that they had to work through, it was also Chelsea's multiple concussions. If she wasn't improving significantly or consistantly on both her jumps and throws she may have come to the conclusion that the risk of more injuries trying to progress was just too much of a risk to her overall health. But who knows for sure?

 

[Weathergal]

Remember, it wasn't just Chelsea's jump problems that they had to work through, it was also Chelsea's multiple concussions. If she wasn't improving significantly or consistantly on both her jumps and throws she may have come to the conclusion that the risk of more injuries trying to progress was just too much of a risk to her overall health. But who knows for sure?

I thought about that, too. She had an alarming number of concussions. I hope she's well, and I hope Balazs can continue if he wishes.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

New partnership announced:
Audrey Shin & Balázs Nagy
Coaches: Bruno Marcotte, Andrew Evans and Tammy Gambill

This has been a rumour for a long time, nice for it to be confirmed now. They'll definitely be in the running for the SkAm host spot.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Just announced 4 hours ago, Balazs Nagy and Audrey Shin are new U.S. pairs partners, after all. Get this! To be coached by Bruno Marcotte. Hmm.

IG link to follow! I'm so thrilled for Balazs, especially, and Audrey has a great partner!!! She apparently has what it takes, too !

ETA:

Instagram

www.instagram.com

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Woo-hoo!! It happened!

Just announced 4 hours ago, Balazs Nagy and Audrey Shin are new U.S. pairs partners, after all. Get this! To be coached by Bruno Marcotte. Hmm.

IG link to follow! I'm so thrilled for Balazs, especially, and Audrey has a great partner!!! She apparently has what it takes, too !

ETA:

Instagram

www.instagram.com

 

[Weathergal]

New partnership announced:
Audrey Shin & Balázs Nagy
Coaches: Bruno Marcotte, Andrew Evans and Tammy Gambill

Bruno Marcotte as their coach is nice to hear, but I'm a bit confused about Tammy Gambill. I know she's Audrey's current coach, but... Does this mean they'll be training partly in Canada and partly in Colorado? Does Tammy coach other pairs or has she in the past?

Not necessarily, as I’ve heard that the process is different for Jrs, especially pairs/dance teams, as partner splits happen often. I know a friend who works for a lower level Skate Canada job and she said that when the Skate Canada board votes on the release, they sometimes automatically say that they don’t have wait, as the skater was not the top in the world. For example, it would be a fighting match if Piper/Paul or Deanna/Max wanted to switch. But since she was only Jr and didn’t go to Jr Worlds or Final, my friend doesn’t see a problem.

It will be interesting to see if Canada’s country change proposal passes at Congress. So far ISU is not in favour, so I don’t think it will pass at all.

What is Canada's country change proposal?

 

[icedancefan17]

Bruno Marcotte as their coach is nice to hear, but I'm a bit confused about Tammy Gambill. I know she's Audrey's current coach, but... Does this mean they'll be training partly in Canada and partly in Colorado? Does Tammy coach other pairs or has she in the past?


What is Canada's country change proposal?

50. CANADA, Figure

Rule 109 paragraph 2. c) & 3.

2. Citizenship/Residence/Transfer Permit

c) A Skater who has competed in any ISU Championships, ISU Event and/or International Competition for any ISU Member and who intends to compete in the future for another ISU Member needs a permit from the last ISU Member he previously represented, which permit shall not unreasonably be denied. In addition, such Skater may compete for the respective ISU Member in International Competitions, ISU Events and IS Championships only after a waiting period of twelve months since the Skater competed for any other ISU Member in any such competition has elapsed.

A Skater who has competed for an ISU member in an IS Championship, ISU Event, or International Competition and intends to compete for another ISU Member requires a permit from the last IS Member the Skater represented. This permit must be issued upon receipt of proper documentation and will be effective following a waiting period of one full season since the Skater represented that IS member internationally.

3. Clearance Certificate

Skaters competing for the ISU Member of a country whose citizenship they do not have (except for members of Synchronized Skating Teams under the 25% quota according to paragraph 2.d) above), and Skaters who have competed in any ISU Championships, ISU Event and/or International Competition before and intend to compete in the future for another ISU Member may do so only after obtaining, through the ISU Member for which they intend to compete, a clearance certificate (CC) from the ISU Secretariat.

Reason: Simplification to make a consistent application of this rule for all athletes. Proper documentation would be the formal request for the release to another ISU member.

Council Recommendation: The Council is not in favor because the proposal would interfere with the authority and competence of the ISU Members. The rule as currently in force respects the authority of the ISU Members and, at the same time, provides for avoiding arbitrariness.

My friend said (since she asked someone higher up in Skate Canada), that the rule means that the skater would not be able to compete internationally the entire season. So even if their final international was Oct 2023, under current rules they would be able to compete under another country Oct 24. Instead, Skate Canada wants them to wait basically a year and a half - July 2025 (2025 is an example).

But ISU is not in favour, so the person she asked wasn’t sure if they were going to withdraw the proposal at congress. I’ll have to ask her if she heard anything.

 

[icedancefan17]

Different topic, but does mean Audrey Shin is done singles and only doing pairs?