2024 Skate America Pairs FS

[moonvine]

Just an aside—does anyone remember how many pairs spots the US has at Worlds this year? I have a feeling that it’s not more than two.

Believe it’s 2. Will be 3 again after Ellie and Danny medal.

 

[slider11]

Teams look like they are just meshing into their programs. Many elements were slow and methodical. I do think E/M looked the most ready. But I agree with the podium.

 

[4everchan]

Ellie and Danny were better. Though I disagree with the people sitting next to me that the judges are “anti American.”

I don't think they were. And I don't think the judges were anti-american. I mean, after the ice dance shenanigans, this seemed like a very well judged event. But even if Ellie and Danny had won the LP, I doubt they would have won by a big margin enough to win overall.

 

[momrk]

Ellie and Danny are showing a lot of improvement overall. Very happy with the three podium finishers.

 

[museksk8r]

I’ll have to catch the replay to see Miura and Kihara. Congratulations to them! I am shocked that there are 2 American pairs on the podium and even more shocked to see the Georgian and Hungarian teams off the podium. Eteri must be pissed!

 

[skylark]

Well, the high point of this competition for me was Alina (ETA: Ack! I mean Alisa and Misha. There's nothing like a beautiful skate with no falls or other big errors, IF and when the performance and emotion are as important. It just gives such a lift to the spirit. Alisa has an ethereal look and head positions gorgeous.

Ellie and Danny are coming along. And Riku/Ryuichi deserved the win and I enjoyed their skate, but their SP was perfection.

 

[Sabine]

I think so. They appear tall and long-limbed making us forget they are fresh out of juniors. It will take them some time to develop their senior selves. I just wish them good health because their potential is very exciting.

Both have skates Seniors before with their old partners and before ISU raised the age limit. It's not new to them.

 

[Ruthypegs]

This is not GP FS but as we talked it is not so popular here in Nordic countries nobody bought the rights. I suppose the amount, I mean lack, of viewers were quite a disappointment to Viasat company. A little comparison: There was national soccer final today. Sold out with 8600 viewers. It is more than big FS events here, and it was 8th biggest town here. At national FS final, maybe something like 200 and mostly other skaters and their relatives.

It's similar over here in GB - FS final is not well attended (maybe 150-200), and also mostly other skaters and their relatives). It's such a pity for the skaters to skate to a mostly empty rink.

 

[rain]

Checking in late on this one — the real world has really intruded on my skating this weekend, lol. But I had some thoughts:

I think the Finnish team has a lot of potential, though they were out of synch with each other for the entire free skate here right from the opening steps. Very powerful team that I think needs time to gel with an experienced pairs coach.

I loved Vaipan-Law/Digby. Hopefully they can work on those side-by-sides because this is an absolutely dynamite team. They've got the tricks (aside from the jumps) but they also have musicality and that je ne sais quoi that draws you in. It helped that their program is really well choreographed. That they had lower PCS than the Hungarians, who looked like they were trying to keep up with their music at times, is a travesty.

I guess we couldn't get through a season without some version of Je Suis Malade, I guess, sigh. Efimova/Mitrofanov skated great here. What they need is an acting coach. She especially had zero expression throughout that piece. It's the missing link.

Metelkina/Berulava were VERY generously scored for a mistake-strewn program. The hood is ridiculous. They have some lovely qualities but that was a bit of a mess.

Kam/O'Shea I really appreciate how effortless they make the lifts look. So many pairs no longer do.

Miura/Kihara have chosen such interesting music this year. Loved this. I think this program can really grow this season and be something really special by the end. Not perfect, but class of the field.

 

[Skater Boy]

Believe it’s 2. Will be 3 again after Ellie and Danny medal.

yep. USA even if they don't medal should have enough for 3 spots especially in light of Canada trending down its top two teams - Deanna and Max and lia and trennt who are going no where fast I wonder if Alexa would come back with either partner? She might just to get an ollympic medal She has that "never enough" vibe like she wants more and she wants it all. competition is not great even the Japanese struggled here. She can beat all the Euro teams and Canada and even could beat japan?

 

[Sai Bon]

A rivalry with Wales for long place names?

Hey, don't forget New Zealand! taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (Maori for ‘the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one’)

 

[Sai Bon]

I'm thrilled for Riku and Ryuichi after their struggles last season and early this season as well. I like their change of music genres and the way they are expressing the emotion in the music. They clearly have some work to do with the twist and jumps, but I'm sure they will get there.

 

[moonvine]

Hey, don't forget New Zealand! taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (Maori for ‘the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one’)

I’ve got to visit there someday.

 

[moonvine]

yep. USA even if they don't medal should have enough for 3 spots especially in light of Canada trending down its top two teams - Deanna and Max and lia and trennt who are going no where fast I wonder if Alexa would come back with either partner? She might just to get an ollympic medal She has that "never enough" vibe like she wants more and she wants it all. competition is not great even the Japanese struggled here. She can beat all the Euro teams and Canada and even could beat japan?

Chris was done. I doubt he’s become less done after taking over that program in Oak Ridge or wherever it is. He looks much happier as a coach than in his final couple of years as a skater

 

[Diana Delafield]

Hey, don't forget New Zealand! taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (Maori for ‘the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his kōauau (flute) to his loved one’)

Ooh, that's a new one for my collection!