I'm so exhausted. I didn't catch the pairs free skate event in real time. There's so much to digest and so much going on in figure skating, and in the world in general. I can't keep up with all that's been happening. Hopefully, the events at the recent Olympics will lead to helpful and positive change, and not continued sweeping everything under the rug for future scandals to arise repeatedly.
With the Olympics being in Beijing (and China setting pairs as the premier ending to figure skating events), there wasn't a lot of doubt that S/H would likely prevail. I felt like nothing was left for chance in S/H's approach this season. I believe they were helped by the pandemic ending up causing cancellation of so many events in the lead-up to the Olympics. This made it perhaps easier for Sui to pace herself with her training and competing (they barely competed) since 2020. Sui/Han looked a bit shaky at 2021 Worlds too. But they retooled and left no stone unturned for being ready by Beijing. It worked out for them, and home field advantage was a huge asset.
Sui/Han performing the quad twist was genius strategy. That's the element which helped them win in the long run. S/H's magic and ginormous strength of will was on display throughout, despite the salchow landing being such a bugaboo for Sui (likely in large part, due to her rehabbed foot injury).
While I'm happy for Sui/Han finally achieving their dream, it would have been equally special to see T/M win gold. Both teams have been through so much over their careers. I'm sure all of these skaters have great respect for each other.
It was sad to see Hase/Seegert going through such despair. It was brave of them to go out there. I hadn't heard about Seegert's injury, but I knew by the point of the first and second lift that something was not right with Seegert. Even from the beginning, he was the one who struggled, which was uncharacteristic.
T/M came so close, and a lot of people didn't think they would be in this position. I certainly was hoping, and in the back of my mind, I never counted T/M out. I much preferred seeing T/M winning over M/G who truly need more seasoning. As for B/K, they are good people and fine athletes, but I'm less enamored of their skating. With Russia's deep field, I can see B/K being surpassed -- still competitive for sure, but they will be battling a great many talented up-and-coming Russian teams. It is clear that their close rivals, M/G, are more talented. And T/M are superbly more talented than anyone when they are in-the-zone, and in-sync. A few heart-in-mouth moments on the jumping passes and one of the throws, but T/M were very much on, and apparently able to control their nerves, what with no one expecting them to persevere for the podium.Nah I wanted T/M to win gold, but didn't dare hope because even with their amazing programs at this competition there would have been objections and "S/H Wuz robbed" and I realised it wouldn't be worth the palaver.
I'm still hoping for Worlds!
With the Olympics being in Beijing (and China setting pairs as the premier ending to figure skating events), there wasn't a lot of doubt that S/H would likely prevail. I felt like nothing was left for chance in S/H's approach this season. I believe they were helped by the pandemic ending up causing cancellation of so many events in the lead-up to the Olympics. This made it perhaps easier for Sui to pace herself with her training and competing (they barely competed) since 2020. Sui/Han looked a bit shaky at 2021 Worlds too. But they retooled and left no stone unturned for being ready by Beijing. It worked out for them, and home field advantage was a huge asset.
Sui/Han performing the quad twist was genius strategy. That's the element which helped them win in the long run. S/H's magic and ginormous strength of will was on display throughout, despite the salchow landing being such a bugaboo for Sui (likely in large part, due to her rehabbed foot injury).
While I'm happy for Sui/Han finally achieving their dream, it would have been equally special to see T/M win gold. Both teams have been through so much over their careers. I'm sure all of these skaters have great respect for each other.
It was sad to see Hase/Seegert going through such despair. It was brave of them to go out there. I hadn't heard about Seegert's injury, but I knew by the point of the first and second lift that something was not right with Seegert. Even from the beginning, he was the one who struggled, which was uncharacteristic.