All-women pairs, why not?

[gsrossano]

Female-Female and Male-Male pairs are referred to as "similar pairs" and are allowed by the rules. In a "non-qualifying" competition (in other words a local competition -- not regionals, sectionals, etc.) these kinds of events can be held. Only pairs of the same makeup can compete against each other.

Female-female similar pairs were not uncommon in the late 40s and 50s when there was even a greater lack of males than today (due to the wars).

These kinds of events are rarely held as free skating events, when they take place at all. They are still seen in "showcase" competitions (artistic program competitions) and are usually referred to as "duets." They are usually female-female pairs. A club could offer a similar pairs free skating event, but probably wouldn't get any entries.

If a boy wants to skate pairs he will be pursued by a hoard of available girls and skate as part of a "normal" pair, even in a shwocase competition.

 

[STL_Blues_fan]

After I'd posted that it occured to me that I have seen a dance pair do that, LOL and I think it was Marina Anissina lifting Gwendal, but I have never seen a female pair skater throw her male partner even just goofing around on the ice. There is some truth that techinque plays a part in the action of lifting the pairs partner but could the female sustain that kind of strength throughout the time duration of a competitive program?

Last season SOI or COI had a female skater throw her parner - a single jump of course. I can't recall who was it!!!!!! I think it could've been Sale and Peltier, but I am not sure.

Didn't Rudy and Johnny goof around during a COI practice and Rudy lifted Johnny?

Italian ice dancer perform the reverse lift and I am pretty sure so do the D&S (French).

I think it would be cool.

But as merrywidow mentioned, 4 and 8 never have been all that popular, and to the best of my knowledge, these events never have been part of Worlds competitions, only the nationals.

And, I would also like to inquire as why can't an all girl pair portray romance (or all guys)? We have a number of brother and sister teams (both ice and pair) that get good marks on artististry, so they have no problems portraying the "romance" (yuk!).

 

[SeaniBu]

Didn't Rudy and Johnny goof around during a COI practice and Rudy lifted Johnny?
.

Yes. Please someone redirect me to the pic I lost it and I really want that one!

 

[heyang]

Last season SOI or COI had a female skater throw her parner - a single jump of course. I can't recall who was it!!!!!! I think it could've been Sale and Peltier, but I am not sure.

I think Isabell Brasseur threw Lloyld Eisler for a single during one of their exhibition programs done in drag.

 

[Tinymavy15]

No thanks - I am a traditionalist. I don't even like the new trick used by ice dancers - the woman lifting the man. I can't see either all male or all female pair teams working. It would look ridiculous. Aslo pair teams are supposed to have chemistry between the two male and female partenrs in order to convey certain moods - like romance. All male and female teams would be limited on their themes.

It might be okay for something like this for a show number, but not for competition.

i have to agree wit you. I could not get used to it. I think that two good figure skaters (women) would not want to share the spotlight. Also, much of the sports reqired elemnts such as throws and lifts would be too difficult. Yes, it is possible for a woman to lift and throw another, but the girl doing all the throwing would have to be built up muc more than her partner, and probably be much taller.. and it would look silly. Yes, i would like to see a duet from the Asada sisters or somthing along those lines.. the johnny/sasha swan program would be exquiste.. but only for some sort of special exebition or show.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Last season SOI or COI had a female skater throw her parner - a single jump of course. I can't recall who was it!!!!!! I think it could've been Sale and Peltier, but I am not sure.QUOTE]


yes i saw sale and pelliter do this move on SOI once. it was funny.

 

[Alsace]

Female-Female and Male-Male pairs are referred to as "similar pairs" and are allowed by the rules. In a "non-qualifying" competition (in other words a local competition -- not regionals, sectionals, etc.) these kinds of events can be held. Only pairs of the same makeup can compete against each other.

Female-female similar pairs were not uncommon in the late 40s and 50s when there was even a greater lack of males than today (due to the wars).

Dorothy Hamill recounts her similar pairs "career" in her autobiography which would have occurred in the 60's.

 

[IDLERACER]

And I still can not find the pic of Johnny and Rudy practicing a lift.

Johnny would actually be a much better partner than Kristie was for Rudy...They are both clockwise skaters. Sasha isn't, which is why she and Johnny would be an akward pair. (This is also the reason that John Zimmerman really cannot skate very effectively with his wife). Perhaps Johnny ought to pair up with Alissa Czisny...she's another lefty.​

 

[antmanb]

After I'd posted that it occured to me that I have seen a dance pair do that, LOL and I think it was Marina Anissina lifting Gwendal, but I have never seen a female pair skater throw her male partner even just goofing around on the ice. There is some truth that techinque plays a part in the action of lifting the pairs partner but could the female sustain that kind of strength throughout the time duration of a competitive program?

Well the same sex pairs could shift it around - not necessairly have one designated lift-or and the other be the lift-ee, they could take it in turns!

In exhibtions i've seen Peggy Schwarz throw Mirko Muller into a a throw axel. It was definitely more "assisted" than actually thrown.

I understand that Isabelle Brasseur throw Lloyd Eisler in exhibtions too.

Ant

 

[gsrossano]

But I doubt many teams would form with same sex. If any.

Before a same sex pairs event took place at a championship level, there would have to be some demand shown at the local level. Since same sex pairs events are already allowed by the rules and no one asks for them, and you only see them in showcase events, that says to me the skaters just aren't interested in a same sex pairs event. If they were interested clubs would offer them -- no changes to the rules required.

As to what a female-female free skating program would look like -- nothing says it has to look exactly like a mixed gender team. The lifts wouldn't have to be exactly the same, etc. A female-female team could do a lot of difficult content. If they wanted to do a similar pairs FS program.

I have organized my club's competition for several years. At one time we offered artistic events for pairs (similar or not). There was no interest. I have never had a skater or coach come to me and ask for a similar pairs event. If they asked we would do it. I claim the interest for similar pairs FS events just isn't there. Just like there was no interest in fours (in the US).

 

[Piel]

If there were female same sex pairs male viewership of figureskating would go throught the roof. I would really dig seeing Peter T. and Evan doing that matador footwork section from "Carmen". That would be really hot. Yes with the right music watching the guys out strut each other on the ice would make me very happy. Imagine Plushy and Alexi, battle of the Brians 2007, Rohene Ward vs. Johnny Weir, Rudy and Eman.................the drama would be fabulous.

 

[Mathman]

If there were female same sex pairs male viewership of figureskating would go throught the roof.

I was afraid to say it!

 

[Tinymavy15]

i just wanted to mention this.. i am surprised nobody else did.

in most ISI competions there are events for "couples" usually two girls skating a program together. I actually chreograped a said program two or so years ago for two little girls at my rink. It was really cute.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I am sorry but no thanks - call me a traditionalist but I can only see a male and female skating together for a competitive routine. It's Ok for an exhibition but not for competition. There is nothing I love more than seeing a man and a woman skating together on the ice. This has nothing to do with my political opinions since this doesn't reflect my feeling towards homosexuality. It's something I'd like to be kept the way it is. Plus, the ISU wouldn't approve of it.