I will say this: I don't think anyone, at least in the US, is *encouraging* pairing 12 to 14 year olds with skaters in their late teens or 20s. I think those steps are taken out of desperation due to the shortage of pairs guys/lifting partners. (Maybe when lifting partner, rather than guy, becomes more accepted, there will be less of a shortage?)
I don't think desperation is a good enough reason.
I did indeed listen to Chris Knierim's interview, within a day of its posting. He is very thoughtful. He made clear that the distressing (to me) age gap in one pair he was coaching was due to what he viewed as extenuating circumstances, it was not ideal, and every precaution would be taken for the protection of the minor, non-lifting partner.
I still don't like it and I don't like that the system of points encourages the lifting partner being so much taller and larger than the non lifting partner, so they can "safely" complete the tricky elements.
Would Tai and Randy, even accounting for jump differences, even have a chance today?
I don't think desperation is a good enough reason.
I did indeed listen to Chris Knierim's interview, within a day of its posting. He is very thoughtful. He made clear that the distressing (to me) age gap in one pair he was coaching was due to what he viewed as extenuating circumstances, it was not ideal, and every precaution would be taken for the protection of the minor, non-lifting partner.
I still don't like it and I don't like that the system of points encourages the lifting partner being so much taller and larger than the non lifting partner, so they can "safely" complete the tricky elements.
Would Tai and Randy, even accounting for jump differences, even have a chance today?