Pairs Competition

[JewelInTheSun]

Aljona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy, Qing Pang/Jian Tong and Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang are the only candidates for the gold medal. I hope, that Aljona and Robin get the world title. But I think, the Chinese will give their best to top them. What are you think, which pair becomes world champion this year? ...

 

[KMK0902]

I think the Germans will end up on top. They're not one of my favorite pairs, but they are good. To me, they just don't connect with each other like for example Dube/Davison.

K

 

[chuckm]

I don't think 'connecting with each other' takes precedence over the ability to land difficult jumps, throws and twists. D/D don't have the technical arsenal at this point to compete for a medal.

I've seen D/D live and didn't notice any great interpersonal connection. I thought they were competent skaters, but not particularly exciting to watch.

 

[Pikachuusb]

I hope Robin & Aliona get the gold. I love their programs. It should be exciting to watch the three teams compete for the gold.

 

[chuckm]

I like the German team better than either Chinese team, and Pang/Tong much better than Zhang/Zhang.

But I think these 3 teams are way ahead of the other competitors in every way.

I like Mukhortova / Trankov better than the mismatched Kawaguchi / Smirnov, but both of the Russian teams are incredibly inconsistent. I think K/S are trying to do tricks that are way beyond their experience at this point, and M/T have trust and personal issues between them that erode their performances.

Dube / Davison are the best of the Canadian teams, despite their troubles this year with sbs jumps and their problems with the 3Z throw. Langlois / Hay are as inconsistent as the Russians, and Duhamel / Buntin have lost too much time to injury, and haven't had quite enough time to gel as a team.

I consider D/D, K/S and M/T pretty much interchangeable and all could finish in any order from 4th to 6th; L/H and D/B are in the next bracket with the Ukrainian team Volosozhar / Morozov (she is wonderful, but he is awful), and the two US teams, both of whom have been away from competition too long, I/B with touring, C/O with injury.

 

[KMK0902]

I don't think 'connecting with each other' takes precedence over the ability to land difficult jumps, throws and twists. D/D don't have the technical arsenal at this point to compete for a medal.

I've seen D/D live and didn't notice any great interpersonal connection. I thought they were competent skaters, but not particularly exciting to watch.

I agree with you that it doesn't take precedence, but I prefer D/D.

I've also seen D/D live, and I think that they connect with each other better than any other active team right now.

I think their lifts are up there, their jumps are at times iffy, and with the current scoring system the double twist doesn't handicap a team as much as it used to. With all that said, I would love to see them on the podium but, realistically I think they'll end up somewhere in the top 5-6.

K

 

[Audrey19]

I'm pretty sure that Aljona & Robin will take the gold. And I hope for it. Every time I see them skate, I think that they must be given the gold, I personally don't see any other possibilities, but of course that's just me.
Nevertheless, I'm sure they'll make it.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Aliona and Robin are head and shoulders better than anybody else this year. but i do not think that they can walk away with it. With a good skate Pang and Tong could do it, or Zhang and Zhang. they have the stuff if they can land it all and sell it.

I really hope that the germans win though, they really deserve it and I do so love watching them.

 

[Kinga]

I also think that top 3 in this competition is quite predictable. S/Sz and two chinese couples are much more consistant and technically much better than other couples. I hope that S/Sz win, because truly, I cannot see anything particular about chinese pairs, especially Zhang/Zhang. They skate without emotion, they don't keep nice lines, they are sloppy and without character. So probably I will enjoy candians, russians, americans more, but I don't think that they can beat chinese this year.
And one more thing - I really support Volosozhar / Morozov, I think that she is one of the best ladies in the business - great technique, beautiful lines, grace and elegance. But, her partner is an issue here... So I feel sorry for her, because she should have been in top and fight with S/Sz and chinese pairs for several years now, if only she had a better partner, who not only completes her technique, but also artistry. I keep fingers crossed for her and I hope that something will change after this season... Otherwise the only thing she can get is maybe bronze in Europeans. And she deserves much more!

 

[waxel]

I think Pang and Tong's LP is breathtaking. I hope they skate well and are appropriately rewarded.

 

[Winnipeg]

I agree with you that it doesn't take precedence, but I prefer D/D.

I've also seen D/D live, and I think that they connect with each other better than any other active team right now.

I think their lifts are up there, their jumps are at times iffy, and with the current scoring system the double twist doesn't handicap a team as much as it used to. With all that said, I would love to see them on the podium but, realistically I think they'll end up somewhere in the top 5-6.

K

ITA I much prefer D and D and have seen them live several times and definitely see a connection.......................:agree::agree::yes:

 

[Jasper]

Pang/Tong are the best technically and artistically. Z/Z and S/S may succeed in this new system but it's crap, it's contrived. P/T skate with the most purity and beauty. I will be supporting them, even though the judges usually have them 3rd to the others.

Also like Dube/Davison and Mukhortova/Trankov.

 

[Tigger]

I agree that Robin and Alionia will win, but I won't be happy about it. I just find their skating a bit mechancial. That said, I've never heard a bad thing about them, so I will be happy for them if they win. I just wish they could reach me the way some of the other Pairs out there do is all. I think they have in them, but haven't found that right program yet.

edited to add...LOL...That wasn't a bit contradictory now, was it?

 

[pengdequan]

I hope Pang/Tong win.Because they make me believe what is love.Even though they do not have the same flow and strong ability like S/S.But they really skate with their heart.Thay never give up even their federation gives up them.And I really do not know why some people say they do not know how to perform.

 

[hongligl]

This season up to now: Z/Z beated S/S, P/T beated Z/Z, S/S beated both P/T and Z/Z. So it seems to me anything could happen for these three pairs.

I would predict that it would be between P/T and S/S for the gold. Z/Z have some trouble health wise, Hao Zhang has two cuts from operation and at least one of them, which is on his leg close to groin is infected and not hearled, still open. Ouch. They lost some training time.
I used to like S/S a lot but not anymore. Their programs are often cute, sometimes bizarr, but don't do anything to me. It was fresh in the beginning but becomes boring after a couple of seasons. I kinda like P/T for the moment. Z/Z' s short programs recent years are very good, but they still lack of presentation in the LP, maybe because it is too difficult. The girl needs to put some emotion into the program.

Anyway, may the pair that skate best win.

I like the V/M girl too and feel sorry for her. She really deserves so much better than him. She's among the best in the current crop.

 

[Kypma]

V&M as in Virtue and Moir, the ice dancers? I love seeing them together... and don't think Tessa would change partners anytime soon. They seem to get along really well, and I don't notice much difference... except for maybe a few problems at 4 Continents, but still.

This being said, for Worlds I'd like to see the pairs skate their best and, asa Canadian, I'd love to see Dubé & Davison in the gala, and, as for the top pairs, I'd like to se all three skate their best, because I haven't watched their programs recently (I saw Savchenko & Szolkowy at Skate Canada).

Kypma

 

[silver.blades]

I think they mean the ukranian pairs team, Volosozhar and Morozov not Virtue and Moir

 

[Kypma]

Thanks Silver Blades... I didn't remember there was another V&M

Kypma

 

[astimegoesby]

I hope that S/Sz win, because truly, I cannot see anything particular about chinese pairs, especially Zhang/Zhang. They skate without emotion, they don't keep nice lines, they are sloppy and without character.

S/Sz are my favourites among the top three contenders right now. I think some of their music choices can be a little monotonous (especially this season's LP music), but I can't think of any other pairs team who could pull off most of their choreography and unique moves.

That being said, I think P&T have come a long way artistically this season, especially during their LP. I hoped at least one of the younger Chinese pairs could someday acheive the same artistic transformation as Shen/Zhao in 2002/03, and while P&T aren't quite at that level yet, they've certainly taken steps in the right direction.

As for D&D, IMO, the biggest flaw in their skating is they seem to be a little tentative compared to the top pairs teams, but given their history of injuries and accidents, I certainly understand why. But that's the one thing I think D&D need to improve on if they want to contend for a World or Olympic title someday. I hope finally getting to compete injury-free this season and being pushed not only by the best in the world, but their own teammates, will give them the motivation and confidence they need in this department.

I also hope the other two Canadian teams skate cleanly and place top 10 and/or high enough to qualify three Canadian pairs teams for next year's Worlds!