2024 Skate America Pairs SP

[labgoat]

see you for women, time for dinner

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

This was one of the best pairs SPs I've seen in a long time. I don't think we had a single fall, and it's the first event of the GP series! Great job and congratulations to everyone!

 

[Jeanie19]

This was a great competition. No falls.

 

[jgg220]

That was a wonderful start to the Grand Prix, and a wonderful reminder that I need to make use of my mute button more frequently.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

If this event was an indicator for things to come later in the season I would definitely not complain

 

[momrk]

What a great start to the GP season!

 

[FlossieH]

That was a really good event. The standard in pairs is getting high again.

 

[CellarDweller]

See you for the women's event!! I must go prep the ice!

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Bruno just told RikuRyu "Remember this for tomorrow"

 

[withwings]

I love that they're trying a new style, and they skated great.
My only complaint is the boringggg costumes

... imho the program outweighed the costumes
I didn't find their costumes boring at all; costumes rather have a classic, elegant look and they are suited to the music very well

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Great way to start! Hope we can keep the good vibes going for the women

 

[jorge2912]

Bruno just told RikuRyu "Remember this for tomorrow"

Is true , they was amazing

 

[Weathergal]

What a great performance from Riki / Ryuichi - and an excellent program! So happy to see them healthy again and doing so well. And I'm delighted with this Shae-Lynn Bourne program. I'm sorry, but I really wanted to see them break free from the Julie Marcotte choreo.

 

[gsk8]

 

[fehervari]

Eteri Putina still not sanctioned? this is strange to me. on the other hand Metelkina / Beralava's short is very cute. but for me the biggest surprise is the development of Vaananen / Clerici and the biggest joy is the return of Miura / Kihara

 

[gsk8]

 

[gsk8]

 

[gsk8]

 

[IceAge1986]

Well, if you're going for an upbeat '80s program with smiles and sass, choosing a song about violent homophobia is . . . a choice. I'm assuming they don't know what the lyrics mean, but I'll be cringing until my Prevagen kicks in later tonight.

Well, throwing shade on skaters/coaches and their choice of program and packaging is one way, but how about looking at this program from another angle? Both skaters represent Georgia, one of them being native/ethnic Georgian himself. Now, Georgia is absolutely lovely country, unfortunately like many countries around the World it experiences LGBT violence and recently this year quite harsh anti-LGBT laws were passed there. Going for such program during this time and depending on financing and support of local federation - you need to be daring to do that. Just think, how nice it is for one or more teenage girl or a boy back home to have athletes performing for such classic gay anthem, and to have it done in an upbit, positive, cheerful mode. Being a gay person myself and growing up in early 1990s in a lovely country, unfortunately a country with history af anti-gay sentiment (to put it nicely haha) I was so thrilled whenever I could spot anywhere in public sphere any sign, even tiny, sometimes concealed sign of gay theme, gay person, any LGBT message out there. Moreover, I don't know about other members of gay community, but I am personally sick and tired of LGBT motives focusing on sadness, suffering, oppression, negativity and doom. Of course, that is often the reality, but when your daily reality is all that (doom) what you want is something upbit and cheerful, not heavy and depressing - you have depression all around you. Look - I don't know about Anastasiia and Luka and their level of awareness and conscioussness during selection of their short program, but I like to see and assume best in all athletes. And even if, as you suggest, their SP theme/choice was a fluke - what a nice fluke that is for all gay community in Georgia and around the World watching figure skating! Finally, who knows - maybe Anastasiia or Luka or both, or one of their coaches, family members or friends are gay? Gay athletes exist in Georgia, and many people out there speak excellent English (on top of few other languages), and finally many are aware of Bronski Beat music and meaning of their songs - only saying. On another note - this was great event! Bravo to all athletes, coaches and organizers - super impressive! Looking forward to free skate!

 

[skylark]

Ellie and Danny present more like equal partners! I'm so happy to see this! It's apparent in so many ways ... in their speed, in their mutual drive in the program, in the passion with which they perform.

I heard just a bit of the Tara/Johnny commentary, and they said Ellie had told them she feels more like an equal partner now, at least in part because they both found the choreography very challenging.

So well done, Ellie and Danny!