The US pairs program needs some sort of overhaul.
I just gave the protocols a hard look.
Three US pairs. 1 jump and 1 throw in the SP. 2 jump passes and 2 throws in the LP.
Grand total of these 18 elements with positive GOE: 3
Ellie and Danny: SP jumps
Emily and Spencer: SP jumps
Valentina and Max: LP throw
Overall success rate: 17%. And that's not defining success as "great element!" It's defining success as "not negative." I didn't count the outright falls, but you all saw the same competition as I did.
I know that jumps and throws aren't all there is to pair skating, but they're important. And with the rest of the world is managing them, we end up with all three of our best teams out of the Top 10. And deservedly so.
So, I'm standing by for comments about Emily and Spencer's injury issues (and I do cut them some slack) and Danny's partnering skills (and I freely acknowledge them), and Val and Max's connection (which I see, too).
But the math speaks for itself. Unless our pairs find a way with high impact elements, we're going to continue to languish in the lower-middle pack, fingers crossed to keep two spots. Speaking of which... how would this event have suffered if only two US pairs were there? Or even just one?
There's always this unfair negativity directed against U.S. pairs. Why? What were you expecting? It's not a surprise that U.S. pairs lost a third spot this year. It was uncertain how all three teams would fare, for reasons that are obvious. In addition, as we all know, there were a lot of retirements and splits among U.S. pairs teams after the 2022 Olympics. The U.S. is fortunate that Alexa and Brandon came back after winning 2022 Worlds to help the U.S. discipline during a transitional period. Obviously, it is A&B's silver medal last year, along with Emily & Spencer placing 5th that gave the U.S. three spots in pairs this season. It is what it is that the U.S. discipline was not in a good position to take advantage of and capitalize on those three spots. Still, I don't see any need to be in constant doom and gloom mode about U.S. pairs. Clearly, pairs is a difficult discipline for all teams who compete to perfectly master!
There is no scenario in which the U.S. wasn't going to have 3 spots for 2024, once A&B returned to the battlefield the prior season. Thus, it doesn't make sense to pose a negative 'What if?' about this season for U.S. pairs having only two spots. Three spots were a given. If you want to talk about 'What if?' I suggest focusing on next season when the U.S. will actually have two spots in pairs. But there will be a lot of teams in the mix at U.S. Nationals vying for the two spots, so, it should be interesting. The GP will also be interesting in 2024-25.
Again, as we all know, there are promising new teams in the U.S. with prior substantive pairs experience who could not go to Worlds this year because of releases needed from other countries. So, with releases achieved by next season, we will see how good these teams can be. Spencer & Emily may also be able to get back to top form over the summer. Ellie seems to have figured out the sbs jumps. So if she can figure out the throw landings, she and Danny can become more competitive. They have a synchronous movement quality and an engaging style that some international teams who placed ahead of them technically in the sp, lack. Meanwhile, TSL mentioned a possible split rumor in regard to Liu/Nagy
but so far, there hasn't been any confirmation. TSLDave referenced in his Worlds review that Balasz was asked by U.S. figsk to try out with Audrey Shin.
There are a lot of hungry teams in pairs internationally, so the field was very competitive this season, and it will continue to be in the lead-up to the Olympics. This was an exciting pairs competition at Worlds, especially in the sp! I'm so happy for Deanna & Max making history in winning their first World championship, and I'm also glad for Hase/ Volodin winning bronze.
Boston Worlds is sure to be a ton of fun in all disciplines.
I love Liu, but the jumps are hopeless.
