2024 NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate

[figureskatingandrainbows]

6. Ellie KAM / Danny O'SHEA
Stand by Me by Florence and the Machine, choreo by Drew Meekins, Marie-France Dubreuil

3Tw4
3T
3FTh (fall)
ChSq1 +1.71
3S+2A+SEQ
3LoTh (slips off the heel, falls)
PCoSp4
5RLi4
BiDs3
4Li4 (difficult entry, difficult exit, musical, beautifully done, what more can you ask for)
5ALi4

SP: 69.15 (3rd)
FS: 128.29 (1st)
TOT: 197.44 (1st)

This team is so good! They are constantly doing choreography, whether it's the twizzles after the 3Ts or choreo lifts into their throws or split jumps just to accentuate the music. Their SBS jumps are looking so strong, it's just those throws now that are still plaguing them. They do all of their lifts in the second half, which is absolutely insane, and plays so well to their strengths and really helps the program build and finish on a high note. It is the quality of those lifts, and their in-betweens, that will propel them over Hocke/Kunkel even with two falls.

 

[moonvine]

I think it'll be enough. Shut up, Chris.

 

[Seven Sisters]

Well, Danny’s skating is still lovely, and Florence’s voice is still glorious. You can’t have everything

 

[Ichatdelune]

They should podium without issue, but despite their quality skating, terrific transitions, and fantastic lifts if she can only land those throws once in a blue moon... is there a coach who specializes in throws? They need to find one

 

[4everchan]

I like these two and I want to like this Falco program yet I just don't, it's missing something for me... Maybe it needs more Rock Me Amadeus, I don't know

this is exactly it. it needs more of RMA

 

[TallyT]

Sorry @moonvine my karma didn't help

 

[auser]

Lovely 5 rev lasso and group 4 lifts from Ellie and Danny.

 

[moonvine]

*Blows kisses to Mr. O'Shea in the K&C*

 

[Dawn825]

Not her day with the throws, but everything else was special

 

[moonvine]

WHAT is with the towels????

 

[4everchan]

 

[Ichatdelune]

Sumi and Haruna were more evenly matched technically making them more capable of difficult sbs jump combos but I also agree he and Yuna seem to have better chemistry
There was also a larger age gap with Haruna

I forgot about the age gap, chemistry can happen between two partners with an age gap between them but it definitely could be one of the reasons

 

[moonvine]

Will a silver and a bronze get Ellie and Danny to the GPF?

 

[Seven Sisters]

Will a silver and a bronze get Ellie and Danny to the GPF?

I should think it would depend on how our Italian friends do in their next assignments, no?

 

[4everchan]

Will a silver and a bronze get Ellie and Danny to the GPF?

not impossible. not automatic.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

7. Anastasiia METELKINA / Luka BERULAVA
A Necessary End by Saltillo, choreo by Sergei Plishkin, Ivan Malafeev

3Tw3?
3S+2A+2A+SEQ (Luka holds on, steps out of the third jump)
3T
3FTh
5ALi4
3LoTh
PCoSp4
5RLi4
4Li4
ChSq1 +1.25

SP: 70.28 (2nd)
FS: 142.77 (1st) PB
TOT: 213.05 (1st) PB

In terms of PCS and skating quality, Danny and Ellie are probably stronger, but there's no denying the technical prowess of this team, and they do carry great flow throughout the program - their lifts and throws only serve to elevate that continuous flow. I'm not a huge fan of the program, but I did see more of the story they were trying to tell and performance in the opening choreo and the choreo sequence - I'd just like more of that throughout the program.

 

[Dawn825]

Kinda looks like they did the same lift twice??

Otherwise, commanding performance

 

[Flying Feijoa]

Anastasia Metelkina's raggy dress is giving me strong late 90s/early 2000s ice dance vibes...

 

[Ichatdelune]

Metelkina/Berulava with strong tech as expected, but they are yet to make me like their programs

 

[withwings]

...too much make up for Anastasia