2025 World Championships Pairs Short Program

[aroundtheworld778]

My guess would be that Max and Deanna overtake K/O, and I don't think Ellie and Danny can beat any of the four teams ahead of them.

The most likely scenario would be that Alysa and Misha overtake two teams, and if I were absolutely FORCED to make a bet, I'd say the best chance would be Aussies and the Hungarians, while holding off Lia and Trent and the rest of the tightly packed field near their current placement.

On paper, it will be very difficult for USA to earn placements adding to 13... but they don't compete on paper. Athletes actually have to perform, and we haven't seen any of these teams compete a long program at peak condition in AGES.

Still, I think it's more likely that Canada reaches the Magic 13 than Team USA. But there's a chance.... which was the point of my post. Anything can happen.

I guess I'm more excited about seeing Canada or Italy getting three spots rather than USA. If USA gets three spots, then it's likely KO, Chan/Howe, and Shin/Nagy, the latter two are not very exciting in competition (door is open for Flores/Wang who will go senior this coming season, but are still quite green). On the other hand, I'd be thrilled to see Laurin/Ethier or Beccari/Guarise at Milan.
Just my personal opinion, no offense to the skaters who I know all work so hard, plus who knows what kind of improvement can be made over the summer.

 

[TontoK]

I guess I'm more excited about seeing Canada or Italy getting three spots rather than USA. If USA gets three spots, then it's likely KO, Chan/Howe, and Shin/Nagy, the latter two are not very exciting in competition (door is open for Flores/Wang who will go senior this coming season, but are still quite green). On the other hand, I'd be thrilled to see Loucas/Ethier or Beccari/Guarise at Milan.
Just my personal opinion, no offense to the skaters who I know all work so hard, plus who knows what kind of improvement can be made over the summer.

My observations on spot allocations were just that - noting the Team USA possibilities and remarking that prior to the event I did not believe them to be credibly imaginable. That should not be confused with cheering for an outcome. At the end of the event, I'll be neither excited nor disappointed. The spot allocation will fall out one way or another, and I'll be fine with it. That includes all federations in all disciplines.

My one small rooting interest in pairs is in whether the citizenship gods smile upon Alisa Efimova, because I think this team has potential for great improvement over the next year, and I'd like to see it.

 

[cailuj365]

My one small rooting interest in pairs is in whether the citizenship gods smile upon Alisa Efimova, because I think this team has potential for great improvement over the next year, and I'd like to see it.

Same!

I want to tell Efimova to just relax and trust her training going into the free skate. My understanding is that she can do the jumps in practice without problems. She always looks so disappointed in herself when she misses the SBS jumps, because they could honestly be top 6 if she hits them. This probably puts a lot of pressure on her. But still, they have many great qualities, and the fact that they are even here competing at Worlds after just 2 years together is a tremendous achievement and a testament to how well they work together.

Conti/Macii had the skate of the SP for me. I'll be rooting for them for the free skate tonight.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I guess I'm more excited about seeing Canada or Italy getting three spots rather than USA. If USA gets three spots, then it's likely KO, Chan/Howe, and Shin/Nagy, the latter two are not very exciting in competition (door is open for Flores/Wang who will go senior this coming season, but are still quite green).

Well, it would be nice for Canada, Italy, and the U.S. to all have 3 spots for pairs. But that's not how the sport works, sadly.

For me, excitement is palpable for U.S. pairs gaining 3 spots for 2026 Olympics and Worlds, and it happened. Deservedly so! The U.S. should have had 3 spots in pairs at 2022 Olympics. That they didn't was an absolute crime. Calalang/ Johnson (such a wonderful quality team) had enormous bad luck, starting when 2020 Worlds was cancelled due to the pandemic. Then a false drug claim hampered Jessica in 2021, preventing C/J from rightly competing at Worlds that year. The U.S. teams who competed nearly got 3 spots, and they should have without a doubt. The U.S. had great depth in pairs at that time, with 4 teams in the top 15 in World standings! In any case, C/J missed out in 2022, the third year in a row. Then, they had to sit and watch the drug scandal that took place at the Olympics. I still miss C/J's effortless triple twist so much. This current result for U.S. pairs is welcome and deserved.

BTW, I think you are wrong about a spot going to Chan/Howe. They are probably still in the mix, but the two teams who got the 3 spots will surely take priority. I realize that Efimova does not yet have U.S. citizenship, but never say never. Chan/ Howe may benefit, but they will first have to pick it up and compete better next season. McBeath/Parkman are another top U.S. team with the citizenship drawback, but that does not mean Flores/Wang will be swooping into seniors next season and rising above all the talented teams in front of them. I suppose you forgot about Val & Max who were out with injuries this season.

For sure, U.S. fed is hoping to send Shin/Nagy to the Olympics. They put S/N together, so they are definitely grooming them. The third spot will likely be battled out between Chan/Howe and Val/Max, if Efimova does not have citizenship in time.

 

[reneerose]

Miura/Kihara were fabulous. So much abandon everywhere.

I finally got round to watching the SP a few days ago. Yes I'm behind. But abandon and fierce are the right words for this team. Love them so much! Always love Shae Lynn Bourne's choreography.