Pairs FS Worldwide: The Divine Discipline

[CrazyKittenLady]

Gabriella Izzo with Luc Maierhofer

Also interesting in Juniors: Paola Jurisic (, singles skater so far) skating with Ivan Khobta () and Violetta Sierova () skating with Robert Löwenherz ().

Wow

Good for Luc, sad for Austrian men's singles.
Violetta and Ivan skating with other partners doesn't make any sense at all. Wonder what is the backstory here.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Isn't it a training camp for pairs? I'm surprised to see Gabbie Izzo as I thought she had decided to move on from skating. But it's always possible to change one's mind. She surely loves skating and perhaps she's decided to try again. Maybe she will have more success obtaining her release, if indeed she partners with Maierhofer, and they decide to skate for Austria.

I'm intrigued by the Brooke McIntosh/ Marco Zandron possible match-up. They look good together in the photo. It will be interesting to see what happens with these possible pair-ups. Or are they all just there for practice and workshop demonstrations?

 

[labgoat]

When I opened the YouTube page on my computer this evening I was offered this video from the pairs' FP at the Olympics in 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUxmWc_Y9w4. Shen and Zhao were my late wife's all time favorite pair so I thought I should post this in her honor.

Great pair, great taste from your late wife - what a lovely memory of them and for you of her

 

[saine]

Isn't it a training camp for pairs? I'm surprised to see Gabby Izzo as I thought she had decided to move on from skating. But it's always possible to change one's mind. She surely loves skating and perhaps she's decided to try again. Maybe she will have more success obtaining her release, if indeed she partners with Maierhofer, and they decide to skate for Austria.

I checked back to where her retirement post was posted in the Retirements thread here. Her Instagram post was deleted, so she may have reconsidered. I'm happy to see that, I liked what I saw of her in pairs. Plus retirement doesn't have to be permanent. Maybe she needed more time to get the technical elements down. She should have graduated by now, so no issues if she needs to relocate again.

I'm intrigued by the Brooke McIntosh/ Marco Zandron possible match-up. They look good together in the photo. It will be interesting to see what happens with these possible pair-ups. Or are they all just there for practice and workshop demonstrations?

There were spottings of her practicing with a mystery man from Europe posted in the Canadian thread. He looks to be the mystery man, so I think they're likely a team now.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

There were spottings of her practicing with a mystery man from Europe posted in the Canadian thread. He looks to be the mystery man, so I think they're likely a team now.

The pictured pair-ups are definitely interesting. Is this a pairs training camp in Germany? Do you think Zandron is looking to gain his release from Spain to skate for Canada? Or, is Brooke looking to be released? Zandron is originally from Italy, of course.

Maybe [Gabbie] needed more time to get the technical elements down. She should have graduated by now, so no issues if she needs to relocate again.

Yeah, it was likely more a combination of factors: Wanting to finish school; not necessarily adjusting well to the relocation to Canada. Although she and Thierry seemed to click, perhaps it was not working out as well as initially anticipated. Plus, not knowing when she might get her release... Gabbie's boyfriend, Spence Howe, was also going through shoulder surgery and rehab. Perhaps she was able to take some down time and be by his side to support him through that period.

I wonder if these apparent pairings happened via parties reaching out to each other personally, and/or coach facilitation? I don't think Gabbie, Brooke, or Marco were on IcePartner Search. And apparently Luc Maierhofer switched from singles. I do not see anything on their IG accounts about partnering. But it looks like Maierhofer was experimenting with pairs elements in 2022. Certainly, if Gabbie and Luc have decided to join up, he is a tall guy which might be best for her.

 

[saine]

The pictured pair-ups are definitely interesting. Is this a pairs training camp in Germany? Do you think Zandron is looking to gain his release from Spain to skate for Canada? Or, is Brooke looking to be released? Zandron is originally from Italy, of course.

I think it depends. They would be eligible for the split couple rule for GP assignments based on Brooke's placement at Worlds 2023. But there's only so many seasons they could make use of it.

There's two factors at play for me:

1 - He hasn't competed internationally since the Olympics. If they were looking to compete internationally next season, he would likely have an easier time being released. Brooke's last competition was mid-November 2023, so they'd miss the GP season.

If Canada releases her November 2024, they'd be able to try for the Euros minimums at Zagreb. But that's assuming Canada is not being as strict with their release policy as they tried to be with Soucisse/Firus. Brooke is a JWC medalist, GP medalist, competed at Worlds and YOG (with Brandon Toste), and was a National silver medalist in Canada. They may not make it easy for her on that basis.

2 - How much do they want to compete internationally? They wouldn't have as much domestic competition for spots in Spain, and would likely be able to go to Euros/Worlds/Challengers more easily. In Canada, there'd be competition for the 4CC/Worlds spots, plus only a single Challenger assignment based on how Skate Canada is operating. But that may be fine for them for their goals.

So for release, Canada would be quicker. For more international competitions, Spain.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

^^ Yes, I think you summed up their situation and partnership options very well. The other consideration is also coaching preferences and location logistics regarding the citizenship process. Overall, since Zandron is not Spanish by birth, he surely has no deep or complicated ties to Spain, which might make a transition to Canada easier for him, than Brooke trying to obtain Spanish citizenship while apparently training in Germany. In any case, I believe that Zandron and his former partner trained in his native Italy, which did not seem to hamper Zandron receiving Spanish citizenship.

Apparently, the current training camp where the photos were taken is in Germany, where they may wish to remain while repping Spain. Who knows?

 

[Diana Delafield]

I think it depends. They would be eligible for the split couple rule for GP assignments based on Brooke's placement at Worlds 2023. But there's only so many seasons they could make use of it.

There's two factors at play for me:

1 - He hasn't competed internationally since the Olympics. If they were looking to compete internationally next season, he would likely have an easier time being released. Brooke's last competition was mid-November 2023, so they'd miss the GP season.

If Canada releases her November 2024, they'd be able to try for the Euros minimums at Zagreb. But that's assuming Canada is not being as strict with their release policy as they tried to be with Soucisse/Firus. Brooke is a JWC medalist, GP medalist, competed at Worlds and YOG (with Brandon Toste), and was a National silver medalist in Canada. They may not make it easy for her on that basis.

2 - How much do they want to compete internationally? They wouldn't have as much domestic competition for spots in Spain, and would likely be able to go to Euros/Worlds/Challengers more easily. In Canada, there'd be competition for the 4CC/Worlds spots, plus only a single Challenger assignment based on how Skate Canada is operating. But that may be fine for them for their goals.

So for release, Canada would be quicker. For more international competitions, Spain.

I don't normally get into these discussions, but if I were Brooke, I'd go for competing for Spain, for the expanded international opportunities. Also, just a smidge of ladylike revenge. I don't recall reading any formal announcements about her splitting with her former partner, just that suddenly he was pairing up with a smaller skater with a famous pedigree. I may have missed something, but It made it sound as if Brooke was dumped, and changing countries might give her more chance to compete against her ex on the world ice and show Canada what they lost.

I may be totally wrong, of course, since I'm going solely on what I've read in threads here. But I tend to be protective of taller pairs girls, having been one myself, and knowing that even though I was lucky to have one loyal partner for more than ten years, other pairs girls like myself had their careers cut short because of the lack of tall partners.

 

[TeamGubanova]

Wow

Good for Luc, sad for Austrian men's singles.
Violetta and Ivan skating with other partners doesn't make any sense at all. Wonder what is the backstory here.

no but they also skated together. they are prolly acting as examples for the relatively newer pair guys. Their coach Zelensky is a head coach so i think this is likely.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I don't normally get into these discussions, but if I were Brooke, I'd go for competing for Spain, for the expanded international opportunities. Also, just a smidge of ladylike revenge. I don't recall reading any formal announcements about her splitting with her former partner, just that suddenly he was pairing up with a smaller skater with a famous pedigree. I may have missed something, but It made it sound as if Brooke was dumped, and changing countries might give her more chance to compete against her ex on the world ice and show Canada what they lost.

I may be totally wrong, of course, since I'm going solely on what I've read in threads here. But I tend to be protective of taller pairs girls, having been one myself, and knowing that even though I was lucky to have one loyal partner for more than ten years, other pairs girls like myself had their careers cut short because of the lack of tall partners.

Yes, the pictured training camp is in Germany, so it seems that this is where these apparent new partnerships plan to remain. I have similar thoughts regarding Brooke's situation post the recent, kept quiet break-up with Ben. Possibly, Zandron and his coaches reached out to Brooke when it became known that she no longer had a partner. She and Ben clearly showed a lot of talent together on the international competitive circuit. I was surprised when things seemed to go south for them so quickly.

On reflection, it did appear that Brooke had continued to grow, which must have required a lot of adjustments for her and Ben in their training and competitions. Zandron is seemingly even taller than Ben, so that's probably a good fit for Brooke. Plus, a change of scenery and a fresh approach to her skating can be helpful. She could also benefit by learning to express more emotion.

ETA:
I would add that even Gabbie probably does not have good feelings regarding how her nascent partnership with Thierry Ferland was treated by either USfigsk or Skate Canada. Apparently, both federations were somewhat at loggerheads, leaving Thierry and Gabbie hanging without definite timelines regarding her release. And then, their ability to smoothly master elements together apparently wasn't working overall anyway. As well, Gabbie had experienced a lot of difficulty finding a U.S. partner, so why should she return to represent the U.S. with an Austrian partner? There would certainly be more opportunity in Austria for Luc and Gabbie to gain international competitive assignments than in the U.S.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Finally announced today, Balazs Nagy and Audrey Shin are new U.S. pairs partners, after all. Get this! To be coached by Bruno Marcotte and Andrew Evans. Hmm.

IG link to follow! I'm so thrilled for Balazs, especially, and Audrey has a great partner!!! She apparently has what it takes, too !

ETA:

Instagram

www.instagram.com

Happy for Balazs and Audrey. Too bad about Chelsea, if indeed, she was left no alternative but to announce her second retirement when news broke that Balazs was asked to try out with Audrey. There was obviously high expectations for Balazs and Chelsea to have immediate success. And that's the problem. There's too much rush expectations for matchups, especially those skaters with singles or formers pairs success, to excel immediately.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I think this is U.S. fed all the way, enlisting Marcotte's help. I know that Marcotte worked with Ellie Kam on trying to get her jumps and throws more consistent. Ellie did figure out the sbs jumps, but not the throws, at least not in competition.

I wonder why U.S. fed went full steam ahead with Bruno Marcotte and Co? I guess to get a well-established pairs coach, particularly since Todd Sand is no longer coaching full-time with Jenni Meno in Irvine due to his life-threatening heart-attack and long recovery. I am less than enthused if Julie Marcotte is going to do the choreo for Shin/ Nagy. Now, of course, Julie has done some interesting work in the past with pairs teams, but certainly nothing memorable or outstanding recently. I don't like anything that Julie has done for Miura/ Kihara. Most of their music choices have been bland and forgettable; same for their choreo. Please, I hope Shin/ Nagy think outside the box regarding choreo and music.

I also wonder if we will ever see a similarly gorgeous, effortless, sky-high triple twist that Balazs had with Chelsea. Sigh. Bruno Marcotte is not known for having pairs teams with exceptional twist technique. Even Miura/ Kihara have still not managed to completely correct the body contact on their twist dismount, despite the judges ignoring the flaws every time and giving them overly high GOE for their twists. Of course, Balazs learned his twist technique from Sappenfield, who had aerial acrobatic knowledge because she hails from a family of acrobatic trapeze artists.

 

[Weathergal]

II am less than enthused if Julie Marcotte is going to do the choreo for Shin/ Nagy. Now, of course, Julie has done some interesting work in the past with pairs teams, but certainly nothing memorable or outstanding recently. I don't like anything that Julie has done for Miura/ Kihara. Most of their music choices have been bland and forgettable; same for their choreo. Please, I hope Shin/ Nagy think outside the box regarding choreo and music.

I had the same thought about the possibility of Julie Marcotte's choreography for them.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I'm not sure why Tammy Gambill is listed as one of their coaches? I suppose she's going to be employed to help Audrey gain a comfort level during her transition to pairs?

We'll see what happens. I'm just gonna wait and see. Plus, the fact is, there are a lot of promising looking teams gearing up worldwide, even as the ISU has threatened to cut the pairs field at Worlds to only 16 teams. And they are planning the stupid cut-off qualifying round, too. That really is not conducive to developing new pairs teams or actually growing the sport. It's like a game of tic-tac-toe and musical chairs. So many teams joined, so few with a real chance to succeed, especially if they aren't able to show great promise and consistency right off the bat!

Meanwhile, does anyone have music and choreographer ideas for Shin/ Nagy?

ETA:
Hello again. Calling all pairs fans to weigh in here, rather than continuing to comment in the New Partnerships reference thread regarding Shin/ Nagy and their coaching team. @skylark @saine @Diana Delafield @PaulE @elbkup @moonvine @iluvtodd, et al. What are your takes, music ideas, choreographer suggestions, etc?

 

[bobmcm]

I'm not sure why Tammy Gambill is listed as one of their coaches? I suppose she's going to be employed to help Audrey gain a comfort level during her transition to pairs?

We'll see what happens. I'm just gonna wait and see. Plus, the fact is, there are a lot of promising looking teams gearing up worldwide, even as the ISU has threatened to cut the pairs field at Worlds to only 16 teams. And they are planning the stupid cut-off qualifying round, too. That really is not conducive to developing new pairs teams or actually growing the sport. It's like a game of tic-tac-toe and musical chairs. So many teams joined, so few with a real chance to succeed, especially if they aren't able to show great promise and consistency right off the bat!

Meanwhile, does anyone have music and choreographer ideas for Shin/ Nagy?

ETA:
Hello again. Calling all pairs fans to weigh in here, rather than continuing to comment in the New Partnerships reference thread regarding Shin/ Nagy and their coaching team. @skylark @saine @Diana Delafield @PaulE @elbkup @moonvine @iluvtodd, et al. What are your takes, music ideas, choreographer suggestions, etc?

I know that Drew Meekins did their short program choreo last week, prior to them heading to Canada.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Thanks for letting us know @bobmcm. Do you have any idea of their sp music? Did Audrey Shin train in Colorado then, when Tammy Gambill relocated there for a while? Or did Gambill eventually return to Calfornia with all of her students?

Now, here's for hoping that any of Shae Lynn Bourne, DuBreuil, Nichol, Weaver, Ward, Wilson, the Kerrs, Camerlengo, Buttle, or any other accomplished choreographer besides JMarcotte is slated to do Shin/ Nagy's fp.

 

[FlossieH]

Thanks for letting us know @bobmcm. Do you have any idea of their sp music? Did Audrey Shin train in Colorado then, when Tammy Gambill relocated there for a while? Or did Gambill eventually return to Calfornia with all of her students?

Now, here's for hoping that any of Shae Lynn Bourne, DuBreuil, Nichol, Weaver, Ward, Wilson, the Kerrs, Camerlengo, Buttle, or any other accomplished choreographer besides JMarcotte is slated to do Shin/ Nagy's fp.

I'm confused. I thought Tammy Gambill was still coaching at the World Arena in Colorado Springs? Audrey had been training there with her for a while (since at least 2018), including this past season. Are you saying that Tammy Gambill has left Colorado now? If so, I'm surprised it hadn't been announced anywhere.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I'm confused. I thought Tammy Gambill was still coaching at the World Arena in Colorado Springs? Audrey had been training there with her for a while (since at least 2018), including this past season. Are you saying that Tammy Gambill has left Colorado now? If so, I'm surprised it hadn't been announced anywhere.

No. I was asking whether Tammy is still located primarily in Colorado Springs.

 

[skylark]

Meanwhile, does anyone have music and choreographer ideas for Shin/ Nagy?

ETA:
Hello again. Calling all pairs fans to weigh in here, rather than continuing to comment in the New Partnerships reference thread regarding Shin/ Nagy and their coaching team. @skylark @saine @Diana Delafield @PaulE @elbkup @moonvine @iluvtodd, et al. What are your takes, music ideas, choreographer suggestions, etc?

Look at you, trying to get us invested in Shin/Nagy. Sneaky. LOL. I'm not there yet, but your question gets me thinking. I think it would be cool if they got The Kerrs to choreograph. I'm still not over the beauty of Chelsea & Danny's "Becoming Human" FS. I love the way that all through it, they kept slipping their arms around each other. I thought it was Chelsea & Danny's doing, but then I saw the same movements and dynamic with Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville's FD to Elton John medley with "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road." which I'm almost positive was also choreographed by the Kerrs. Now all I have to decide is if I want to "give" the Kerrs to S/N or not!

 

[Diana Delafield]

I'm not sure why Tammy Gambill is listed as one of their coaches? I suppose she's going to be employed to help Audrey gain a comfort level during her transition to pairs?

We'll see what happens. I'm just gonna wait and see. Plus, the fact is, there are a lot of promising looking teams gearing up worldwide, even as the ISU has threatened to cut the pairs field at Worlds to only 16 teams. And they are planning the stupid cut-off qualifying round, too. That really is not conducive to developing new pairs teams or actually growing the sport. It's like a game of tic-tac-toe and musical chairs. So many teams joined, so few with a real chance to succeed, especially if they aren't able to show great promise and consistency right off the bat!

Meanwhile, does anyone have music and choreographer ideas for Shin/ Nagy?

ETA:
Hello again. Calling all pairs fans to weigh in here, rather than continuing to comment in the New Partnerships reference thread regarding Shin/ Nagy and their coaching team. @skylark @saine @Diana Delafield @PaulE @elbkup @moonvine @iluvtodd, et al. What are your takes, music ideas, choreographer suggestions, etc?

Can't help you with suggestions for this pair as I know nothing about them, don't think I've ever seen them skate (they're Americans and I'm not), and have no idea what music or choreography would be good for them.

However, if anyone wants them to be choreographed by the Kerrs, I'm all for that. I'm distantly related to them and was one of their financial supporters way back when -- in fact, when the teenage Sinead was skating with her first partner Jamie Ferguson. I heard from her mother the story about her lamenting she couldn't find a new partner after Jamie dumped her for a girlfriend from another country, and her kid brother saying "Ahem?" across the dinner table. And her astonishment at the idea, and then their "tryouts" together and the crash course in getting John through his dance tests up to her level, and....on and on. So anything that rewards the Kerrs after all that and gives them paying work gets my vote .