2025 Worlds: Pairs' thoughts and comments

[paulusfr]

I got the feeling that a lot of skaters looked exhausted after a long season.

Judges definitely LOVE the team from Japan — of all places, a country where the discipline's significance is close to zero. She didn't even try to land those throws. But apparently this is not a disruption of the program's flow and cohesion.

Apart from the last lift, Hase and Volodin did very well in the free, but I didn't get much emotion from it. They weren't quite as musical as usual and seemed tired in the end, or maybe the program has grown stale. So them planning to change it is probably a good thing.

Minerva said that she was very nervous before the skate: "I felt like I was hyperventilating".
"Once I landed the jump combination, though, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted."
"That element had been stressing me out so much these past two weeks because it just wasn’t working in practice."

Minerva also shared some plans in the interview to the DEU:
"On Monday, we’ll fly to Toronto for four to five days and start building our new short program with Mark Pillay and Paul Boll. The music will be composed by a French composer. After that, we’ll have two weeks of training in Berlin, where we’ll work on new lifts, spins, and elements. Then we won’t train together for three to four weeks — Nikita will fly home for vacation, and I will too. We’ll also be breaking in our new skates during that time. At the end of May or the beginning of June, we’ll fully resume training and start working on our new free skate. For the free skate, we’ll collaborate with the world-renowned choreographer Benoît Richaud. He’s an expert in the free skate style we want for the Olympic season. With these two programs, we’ll have a strong combination and be well-prepared for the Olympics."

Volodin mentioned in another interview that in the short program, "we’ll be focusing on expressing emotions — like in this year's short program".

P.S. Efimova and Mitrofanov deserved a small bronze in the FS.

 

[lauramartha3]

Owe, so sorry for Danny. BTW, I think his "throws" are pretty consistent (he has worked with other partners; but Ellie can't land any of them). I think if she can't do them by now (I can't remember her ever landing one), they should rethink their partnership. I don't mean to be negative, but she's going to hurt herself physically (and maybe mentally) if she keeps it up.

 

[saine]

Owe, so sorry for Danny. BTW, I think his "throws" are pretty consistent (he has worked with other partners; but Ellie can't land any of them). I think if she can't do them by now (I can't remember her ever landing one), they should rethink their partnership. I don't mean to be negative, but she's going to hurt herself physically (and maybe mentally) if she keeps it up.

If she's having issues with landing throws, then maybe they need to simplify their approach and take out the fancy transitions. Making an element that she's having difficulty with more difficult isn't helping, and she gets all the blame for not meeting the difficulty before she can show she has the basics down.

 

[TontoK]

Of all the events, this was the most unsatisfying for me.

I like the Japanese, but thought the Germans should have won, even taking the SP into account.

I like Deanna and Max, but they were kind of flat in both segments.

Not to wish ill on anyone, I'm glad the Georgians were odd man out on the podium. Excellent elements but no program. That might fly in juniors, but not here.

I'm really proud of Alisa and Misha. I've liked this team for a couple of seasons, and I'm glad things are headed in a good direction for them. That 2A/2A sequence has never really worked, but even with flaws, it's a point getter. Ellie and Danny finished about where I thought they would.

The biggest disappointment for me was Lia and Trent. I liked them last season, and they've had a decent year, beating both Americans (rightfully so) to earn a medal at 4CC. I didn't expect this outcome from them. Side beef: I thought the third Canadian pair was underscored in the short.

 

[4everchan]

Of all the events, this was the most unsatisfying for me.

I like the Japanese, but thought the Germans should have won, even taking the SP into account.

I like Deanna and Max, but they were kind of flat in both segments.

Not to wish ill on anyone, I'm glad the Georgians were odd man out on the podium. Excellent elements but no program. That might fly in juniors, but not here.

I'm really proud of Alisa and Misha. I've liked this team for a couple of seasons, and I'm glad things are headed in a good direction for them. That 2A/2A sequence has never really worked, but even with flaws, it's a point getter. Ellie and Danny finished about where I thought they would.

The biggest disappointment for me was Lia and Trent. I liked them last season, and they've had a decent year, beating both Americans (rightfully so) to earn a medal at 4CC. I didn't expect this outcome from them. Side beef: I thought the third Canadian pair was underscored in the short.

Wow... I could have written this post.

 

[labgoat]

If she's having issues with landing throws, then maybe they need to simplify their approach and take out the fancy transitions. Making an element that she's having difficulty with more difficult isn't helping, and she gets all the blame for not meeting the difficulty before she can show she has the basics down.

Danny OShea had a broken foot and had surgery immediately after the event.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/ne...skating-helps-earn-usa-historic-olympic-spot/

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Ellie HAS landed throws this season. Not all of them, true, but some.

 

[4everchan]

How many throws has Ellie landed when it really mattered : US Nationals, 4CC and Worlds ?

I agree with @saine : when the transitions are too difficult, remove them, land the throws, and then, when there is confidence, add the transitions back in.

There is no point trying to get bullet points if the GOE is going to be -5 anyways... Makes absolutely no sense.

Regarding Danny's injury : is that affecting the timing on the throws ? I doubt it... it probably affected his SBS jumps.

I like Danny and Ellie : they could be a stellar pair with more consistency. I am less and less put off by the major age gap... I guess one can get used to almost anything... except that I do find that the judges have a tendency to hold them up... and if that continues, that's the major NO NO for me. I do not like "chosen ones' and most of the times, when I feel a skater or a team is constantly being held up, I get cynical (sorry, I am not perfect LOL) and I no longer support them

So I wish them well... but that doesn't mean we can agree with their strategy of adding transitions on elements they do not master.

They don't even need those transitions because they have them everywhere else on elements they succeed easily like the twist and lifts.

 

[TontoK]

Wow... I could have written this post.

Well, it is a brilliantly crafted post, so how could you not like it?

 

[moonvine]

Owe, so sorry for Danny. BTW, I think his "throws" are pretty consistent (he has worked with other partners; but Ellie can't land any of them). I think if she can't do them by now (I can't remember her ever landing one), they should rethink their partnership. I don't mean to be negative, but she's going to hurt herself physically (and maybe mentally) if she keeps it up.

I’ve seen her land them numerous times.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Shout out to my favourite pairs team of this season, Vaipan-Law and Digby, who had two beautiful programmes that were a little different from the usual pairs music choice of either bombastic or bland ballad.

They've done a great job of slowly building momentum over the season and managed to keep it together for Worlds. They climbed 8 worlds placements since last year, and, if they keep on this trajectory, would be well placed to get into the top 10 at next year's Worlds.

I really like this team - beautiful to watch, and they seem to support each other well.

 

[Karoltyna]

Of all the events, this was the most unsatisfying for me.

I like the Japanese, but thought the Germans should have won, even taking the SP into account.

I like Deanna and Max, but they were kind of flat in both segments.

Not to wish ill on anyone, I'm glad the Georgians were odd man out on the podium. Excellent elements but no program. That might fly in juniors, but not here.

I'm really proud of Alisa and Misha. I've liked this team for a couple of seasons, and I'm glad things are headed in a good direction for them. That 2A/2A sequence has never really worked, but even with flaws, it's a point getter. Ellie and Danny finished about where I thought they would.

The biggest disappointment for me was Lia and Trent. I liked them last season, and they've had a decent year, beating both Americans (rightfully so) to earn a medal at 4CC. I didn't expect this outcome from them. Side beef: I thought the third Canadian pair was underscored in the short.

Georgians annoy me... I see how good they are and yet I fail to watch them with excitement... Maybe, just maybe, they should do a Mortal Combat program. I almost enjoyed Luka helping Misha with his ex.

 

[Tutto]

Georgians annoy me... I see how good they are and yet I fail to watch them with excitement... Maybe, just maybe, they should do a Mortal Combat program. I almost enjoyed Luka helping Misha with his ex.

I agree and I also say that judges equally annoy me... Anastasiia/Luca got 64.37 PCS for their 'no program' LP and Alisa/Misha - 64.83 for the program which earned one of the biggest standing ovations of the whole championship
It is a joke, right?
Detailed scores:
A/L
Composition 8.11
Presentation 7.82
SS 8.18

A/M
8.07
8.32
7.89

I suggest PCS should really be called ''Pro Consistency Score'' as it is nothing to do whatsover with the artistic impression, choreography etc but everything with reputation & politics

 

[Tutto]

Honestly, there is something about Danny and Ellie that I love. Not sure what it is, but they have this it factor and a great connection. I think that there East of Eden program is my favorite program from the last few years. If they are able to get those stupid throws down, then they really don't have any noticeable weaknesses as far as I can tell. They are another team that really could do some damage if they were to develop consistency and bring her up to Danny's level. I personally like Chan and Howe as well and think they are great, and that both of these teams are better than the current US national champions if they speak to their potential

I am genuinely intrigued by that you think Ellie/Danny have a great connection. All I am able to see is a very tense, frightened even, Ellie (I would be in her place!) who is probably anticipating another fall on a throw, and a permanent smile on Danny's face which I first thought very endearing but with time it started annoy me because 1) it is kinda a constant in no relation to the music or what's happening on the ice 2) in the contrast to Ellie's face expression looks very odd
Having said all that I do appreciate their good SS, transitions and lifts. I just don't perceive them as a pair.

 

[4everchan]

I agree and I also say that judges equally annoy me... Anastasiia/Luca got 64.37 PCS for their 'no program' LP and Alisa/Misha - 64.83 for the program which earned one of the biggest standing ovations of the whole championship
It is a joke, right?
Detailed scores:
A/L
Composition 8.11
Presentation 7.82
SS 8.18

A/M
8.07
8.32
7.89

I suggest PCS should really be called ''Pro Consistency Score'' as it is nothing to do whatsover with the artistic impression, choreography etc but everything with reputation & politics

I call it the Political Creative Scoring

 

[Tutto]

I call it the Political Creative Scoring

Spot on!

 

[withwings]

I agree and I also say that judges equally annoy me... Anastasiia/Luca got 64.37 PCS for their 'no program' LP and Alisa/Misha - 64.83 for the program which earned one of the biggest standing ovations of the whole championship
It is a joke, right?
Detailed scores:
A/L
Composition 8.11
Presentation 7.82
SS 8.18

A/M
8.07
8.32
7.89

I suggest PCS should really be called ''Pro Consistency Score'' as it is nothing to do whatsover with the artistic impression, choreography etc but everything with reputation & politics

Agree. Georgians skate empty, there is no content, no soul in their programs and, imho, there is something that actually turns away from their skating. I barely can force myself to watch them to the end.

 

[Karoltyna]

Agree. Georgians skate empty, there is no content, no soul in their programs and, imho, there is something that actually turns away from their skating. I barely can force myself to watch them to the end.

They are boring and you can't see a connection between them. Not that I expect the pairs to pretend to be in love or something, but I would like to see that they are enjoying skating at least. Still, I think Nastia deserves a partner that will let her flourish.

 

[macy]

They climbed 8 worlds placements since last year, and, if they keep on this trajectory, would be well placed to get into the top 10 at next year's Worlds.

wow thats impressive, i didn't realize! they are on a great trajectory.

 

[cailuj365]

I suggest PCS should really be called ''Pro Consistency Score'' as it is nothing to do whatsover with the artistic impression, choreography etc but everything with reputation & politics

I wrote the following post in 2024 GP France Men's thread:

I don't ever consider PCS to be anything more than a consistency score. Once fans realize that, the judging makes so much more sense. There can be *some* variation, like if someone has truly great musicality or SS, you can get 5+ more PCS than you otherwise would have, and if you're really terrible at presentation, you'll have less PCS than others, but most PCS comes from consistency.

Really, if you're technically consistent with big elements and at least somewhat watchable/likable, your PCS will start in the 8s and then naturally get bigger over time. The fact that Metelkina/Berulava didn't consistently get 8s here actually tells me that the judges don't really like them that much. Their performance and music were both so boring, and their presentation PCS was rightly in the 7s, even lower at Worlds than at Europeans. Plus, they made a lot of little errors that really deflated it.