Marissa Castelli & Mervin Tran

[Barb]

US folks (or people who are knowledgeable about how US works): 'permanent resident' is the same thing as having your 'green card', right?

How difficult/straightforward it is to go from permanent resident status to actually becoming US citizen (if you're not married to a citizen and you don't have family in the US or anything)?

I don´t really know, but I guess it is easier if you have a really good job/if you are highly qualified in your professional field.

 

[Arriba627]

US folks (or people who are knowledgeable about how US works): 'permanent resident' is the same thing as having your 'green card', right?

How difficult/straightforward it is to go from permanent resident status to actually becoming US citizen (if you're not married to a citizen and you don't have family in the US or anything)?

I think it's difficult and the rules are really wonky. An acquaintance of mine married a lady from Norway, and they wouldn't let her stay in the U.S., even though she is married to an American man. After X amount of time, she had to return to Norway. They finally gave up and are now living in Norway.

 

[nimi]

^^Whoah.

I just read on another forum that usually it's 5 years after getting the permanent resident status that you can apply for the citizenship... hwell:

 

[NanaPat]

^^Whoah.

I just read on another forum that usually it's 5 years after getting the permanent resident status that you can apply for the citizenship... hwell:

And you have to live in the US for most of that time.

 

[Arriba627]

:sad4: :eeking: :curse: Darn. This doesn't sound too promising. Come on USFSA, can't we get a special dispensation for Mervin.

 

[Barb]

I loved their LP in Rostelecom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aCsTAhikIk :luv17:

 

[Kitt]

I loved their LP in Rostelecom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aCsTAhikIk :luv17:

Look at Marisa's insane entrance into the death spiral, around 5:00. She backbends and skates backward, UNSUPPORTED! She is fearless!

 

[GF2445]

I loved their LP in Rostelecom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aCsTAhikIk :luv17:

I know right!
I just hope they will put it all together.

 

[slider11]

I know right!
I just hope they will put it all together.

TONS of potential! Just need to get those side by side jumps in place or at least not double them AND I'd like to see a little more emotion on the ice. This is powerful music!

 

[skylark]

:sad4: :eeking: :curse: Darn. This doesn't sound too promising. Come on USFSA, can't we get a special dispensation for Mervin.

It isn't up to USFSA. It took an Act of Congress to get Tanith Belbin's citizenship through in time for 2006 Olympics ... and it took a powerful Senator, Carl Levin, to push that through. Tanith had lived in Michigan for well more than 5 years and had done everything right applying for citizenship.

I think it's difficult and the rules are really wonky. An acquaintance of mine married a lady from Norway, and they wouldn't let her stay in the U.S., even though she is married to an American man. After X amount of time, she had to return to Norway. They finally gave up and are now living in Norway.

That is sad. Our immigration policy has become far too wrapped up in political rhetoric that has no basis in reality.

But to bring it back to Mervin, my personal opinion is that he and Marissa want to be world-class skaters and be sent to worlds & 4cc, but Olympics isn't their highest priority. If it were, he'd surely have been living in USA before now, part or full time, since 5 years is minimum for citizenship.

That said, I'm very happy with them for their FS. It's a big step for neither one to fall on a jump in any one program. I can't remember the last time that happened.

 

[nimi]

Mervissa just got another chance to compete in GP after Duskova/Bidar withdrew from France: http://www.isu.org/docman-documents-links/isu-files/event-documents/figure-skating-4/2017-18-6/gp-6/series-files-10/entries/7517-gp-pairs/file

Fingers crossed it goes better for them than Rostelecom...

 

[Arriba627]

Please, practice SBS jumps LOTS during the next 10 days! :luv17:

 

[sunn1ly]

So happy we will see them in another GP.

 

[slider11]

This is fantastic news! They are right on the edge of a breakthrough! I hope this is the time!! They make such a good team and I think are the USA's best hope for the future.

 

[NanaPat]

This is fantastic news! They are right on the edge of a breakthrough! I hope this is the time!! They make such a good team and I think are the USA's best hope for the future.

They're both 27 years old. That's not old for pairs, but it isn't that young either. But then, Tim LeDuc is also 27. And Chris Knierem is 30.

 

[dorispulaski]

Marissa and Mervin were at Internationaux de France this last week.

Here is their fun gala routine from that event
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qdHZY-4Am3E


Their season's best FS (no commentary)

Marissa lands a great throw triple flip...finally!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YnaI7Cg9Azg

Now if they can only get the jumps sorted.

 

[sunn1ly]

‘We’re not going to be able to be sent to the Olympics, but they’re going to want to send us.’”
Hopefully, our enjoyment will bring you enjoyment,” said Castelli. “That’s our main thing.”
“We decided that this year is about us. We’re skating for us, not skating to please anyone.
We’re not done yet. And that’s why we’re still going strong. We came back, and we’ve worked on a lot of things since Nationals.”

Go Marissa and Mervin.
I am really disappointed in the US federation . When they were second they were not sent to any event after that and were selected for just one GP. And now some scores will not bring them down.
And they are my fave US couple becuase they are fighters and have great skate not just elements.

 

[slider11]

‘We’re not going to be able to be sent to the Olympics, but they’re going to want to send us.’”
Hopefully, our enjoyment will bring you enjoyment,” said Castelli. “That’s our main thing.”
“We decided that this year is about us. We’re skating for us, not skating to please anyone.
We’re not done yet. And that’s why we’re still going strong. We came back, and we’ve worked on a lot of things since Nationals.”

Go Marissa and Mervin.
I am really disappointed in the US federation . When they were second they were not sent to any event after that and were selected for just one GP. And now some scores will not bring them down.
And they are my fave US couple becuase they are fighters and have great skate not just elements.

I love Marissa and Mervin, too. But they need to get those jumps consistent. Their lifts, transitions and usually, throws are fantastic. I love how they relate on the ice. Stay strong and stay together!

 

[slider11]

I read that Marissa and Mervin said they'd like to spend more time with Raf. Fix those jumps!

 

[reneerose]

Yes the SBS jumps also need more improvement for them. I LOVED Marissa's "solo" death spiral in the FP today. Their choreography is intricate unique and creative.