- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
That black on her was
though.
Pairs FS Worldwide: The Divine Discipline
- Thread starter BlissfulSynergy
- Start date
though.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
I saw your post with those costumes, and they caused me to watch more of her BOTB programs than I had watched before. That's actually what led me to say what I did about loving colors on her! Always before that, I'd admired how wonderful
she looks in her black cat suits. When I was reflecting in the post above about colors, I was also remembering Aljona's (firecracker) hot pink cat suit that she wore for Pink Panther. And I think I'd like to see Vanessa in a brightly colored cat suit too.Although of course, it's about the skating and all this talk of costume is just a bit of lagniappe.
I still think costumes can sometimes influence viewers on a subconscious level, even if said viewers think it's frivolous.
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- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
@BlissfulSynergy said:
I used to feel that Jonathan tried to be fair more often, and of course sometimes he still does, as in your example about Vanessa. Lately I've noticed that when Dave actually tries to backtrack on his earlier negative critiques, Jonathan still shows, first with his face and then with words, that he's stuck in a negative ditch about certain skaters. I particularly notice that Dave has tried recently to be fairer in his comments about Ashley and Timothy, or more particularly Ashley. Jonathan may not watch TSL videos after they've made them, because he just hasn't caught on to the difference in Dave's attitude. Dave even has been more fair, retroactively, about Ashley Wagner. They just savaged her when she was competing, and now Dave apparently wishes Diva Wagner was still around.
Dave Lease isn't alone, of course. Many posters around here seem to be more appreciative of AW now. Not having noticed, while she was competing, how much she contributed to the sport, particularly with performance, choreo and interpretation -- and especially with how well she delivered what she could do, and kept US women in the forefront of the conversation.
Back to Pairs. I can't get over how much I love Deanna Stellato with Maxime Deschamps. Deanna's positions, her attitude on the ice, her dedication to detail, presentation and posture, it's all beautiful. Also, their lift positions and originality are to die for.
I used to feel that Jonathan tried to be fair more often, and of course sometimes he still does, as in your example about Vanessa. Lately I've noticed that when Dave actually tries to backtrack on his earlier negative critiques, Jonathan still shows, first with his face and then with words, that he's stuck in a negative ditch about certain skaters. I particularly notice that Dave has tried recently to be fairer in his comments about Ashley and Timothy, or more particularly Ashley. Jonathan may not watch TSL videos after they've made them, because he just hasn't caught on to the difference in Dave's attitude. Dave even has been more fair, retroactively, about Ashley Wagner. They just savaged her when she was competing, and now Dave apparently wishes Diva Wagner was still around.
Dave Lease isn't alone, of course. Many posters around here seem to be more appreciative of AW now. Not having noticed, while she was competing, how much she contributed to the sport, particularly with performance, choreo and interpretation -- and especially with how well she delivered what she could do, and kept US women in the forefront of the conversation.
Back to Pairs. I can't get over how much I love Deanna Stellato with Maxime Deschamps. Deanna's positions, her attitude on the ice, her dedication to detail, presentation and posture, it's all beautiful. Also, their lift positions and originality are to die for.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
So do I! I even started a thread about them once. Now in the archives, but you can look it up: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/mirror-pairs.86120/#post-2613572But I love mirror pairs
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
I went back to that thread - thank you for the link - because I sort of remembered it but wanted to re-read some of it. There's a post in there from July 2020 from someone saying they wish that Nicolas Nadeau would switch to pairs and be part of a mirror pair!
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
You mean Nic and his coach were already thinking about a switch to pairs?
What about Nic with Winter Deardorff for Canada? If Winter is willing to switch countries...
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I agree! Vanessa also looked fabulous in these famous gray costumes! Mucha bellissima!That black on her was
Grand Prix/Grenoble : Vanessa James et Morgan Cipres frôlent l'exploit
INTERNATIONAUX DE FRANCE / PATINAGE. Pour l'épreuve en couple, les Français Vanessa James et Morgan Cipres ont réalisé une superbe performance ce samedi soir...
www.youtube.com
It will forever be a shame that the judges refused to fully reward them for this wonderful program in their home country! Vanessa's short hairstyle was kickin' it with flair during this performance!
Yep, Vanessa was great with Brian McGrattan in the 5th season, and even greater with Akim Aliu in the 6th season of BOTB!
BOTB costume designers worked so beautifully with Vanessa. She already has a strong sense of style, and so in collaboration with the designers, Vanessa stole the show in her season 6 outfits!
Ah, yes! When I first heard they were partnering, even before seeing them together, I felt they matched physically and aesthetically (having seen Maxime with previous partners who didn't quite fit his elegance and his skill-set). When I saw Deanna/Maxime skate together in their debut season, I knew I was right. They both have long torsos, and a similar elegant movement style. In fact, they have a striking resemblance to the point where they could be fraternal twins. In any case, their chemistry is sparkling. They have come along together quite nicely. I too enjoy their different musical choices. It's always great to see something attempted that charts a slightly different path.
I forget Deanna/Max's coach's name, but I shouldn't because he's obviously been working very well with them. He also assists Julie Marcotte in her coaching enterprise with James/Radford. I enjoyed the Quebec championships videos, because we got to see the skaters and coaches together waiting for the marks right after performances, which we didn't get to see at Cranberry Cup/ Cranberry Open/ Lake Placid Ice Dance events -- because the streaming camera apparently wasn't set up to cover the skaters post their performances.
I found these videos below of a young Deanna as a singles skater! I remember her from back then. Uber talent flowing out of every pore and every part of her body:
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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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- Sep 1, 2020
Ah well. Nic has found an on-ice partner in his girlfriend, Emmanuelle (Emma) Proft, also a former singles skater.
A key question I have is whether or not they are a mirror pairs duo?
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2016
I believe that Emma is also a clockwise jumper, but I don't remember for sure.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
How cool is that if Nic has found a pairs partner in his girlfriend who also happens to skate in the same direction he skates. LOL!
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
During ice rink re-surfacing at JGP Courchevel II, a music and performance production by Eric Radford was shown. It features Radford, with Vanessa James, Chock/Bates, Star Andrews, Bradie Tennell, Ivan Rigini, and Joey Mallette (with music executed by Lloyd Craven, not sure if I have Craven & Mallette's names spelled accurately. I've never heard of either of them). It's a great idea to show video of unusual skating-related performances during these rink-dead zamboni breaks. LOL!
Ted Barton is always on point and ahead of the curve re fan enjoyment, especially if it was his idea to enliven these ice breaks during events:
youtu.be
Ted Barton is always on point and ahead of the curve re fan enjoyment, especially if it was his idea to enliven these ice breaks during events:
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
I'm taking a post from Mishina/Galliamov's fan fest and giving my thoughts about their new Free Skate. By which I am appalled. I'd be interested in hearing others' opinions.
But I'm more appalled by what I feel is missing -- all of the little touches that brought out their personalities in the Queen music. So many intricate choreographic touches which last year's FS was chock full of. This program seems like it was created as a generic program. Or worse, that it's meant to hold them back. Right now it seems like they're just doing elements (almost the same elements as Queen program). I hope I'm wrong, and that the program will develop to M/G's strengths. But for the moment, I'm skeptical. I am speaking as a *huge* fan of Nastia and Sasha. The one thing I like is the final lift, taken from last year's SP. But even that doesn't seem to fit the mood. Just my opinions. Here's the link to the program:
I agree. In theme it seems more like 1917 going on 1954. At least that's what it suggests to me.
But I'm more appalled by what I feel is missing -- all of the little touches that brought out their personalities in the Queen music. So many intricate choreographic touches which last year's FS was chock full of. This program seems like it was created as a generic program. Or worse, that it's meant to hold them back. Right now it seems like they're just doing elements (almost the same elements as Queen program). I hope I'm wrong, and that the program will develop to M/G's strengths. But for the moment, I'm skeptical. I am speaking as a *huge* fan of Nastia and Sasha. The one thing I like is the final lift, taken from last year's SP. But even that doesn't seem to fit the mood. Just my opinions. Here's the link to the program:
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2018
Have never heard you appalled before, Skylark, so I will have to take a look. Would comment though that as undeniably great as she is, I‘ve always thought that Madame Moskvina tends to be a bit conservative/some would say a bit dull, as to her themes/music choices, especially with young teams (which M/G are—despite being the current World Champs!)
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
I'll be very interested to hear what you think, Seven Sisters! Someone in another forum was taking exception to Moskvina's choreo for Boikova/Kos (sorry I can't recall the rest of his name) ... and saying something similar to your remark. Also, that the main choreographer in her camp died last season, so that may be it. Honestly, I am already hoping they'll go back to the Queen program by the time the Olympics rolls around. Which would be okay. People would have had a different look at M/G and then happy to see a reprise of We Are the Champions.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
You certainly have a strong reaction. Isn't this a test skate performance? It's still the beginning of the season, and they made several mistakes, which they will probably clean up over the course of the season, which will be long (if all the competitions go forward as planned).
You have made a number of critiques, which I guess means you simply don't like M/G's new fp. At least, they will be bringing back their sp from last season. Apparently, this new fp is a reflection of them wanting to move in a different direction and not necessarily repeat a similar fp to their Queen performance. I think that's understandable. I would suggest giving this new fp some time. Perhaps M/G and their team will decide that it might not be working for them and end up scrapping it. But I don't think it's that dire.
At this point, I wonder in what ways Moskvina collaborated with the choreographer (who recently passed away) on ideas for last year's fp. Also, it will be interesting to see what programs B/K will be showing us this season, as B/K and M/G are definitely rivals. Most likely, Moskvina's greatest gift to her pupils is her ability to talk to them and to fill them with confidence, as well as creating interesting moves, and figuring out directions to go in. She certainly worked her magic on both B/K and on M/G in their respective second senior seasons. As a result, both young teams are far ahead of where they might have been without Moskvina's tutelage and confidence-building input.
So from here on out, it should just be gravy for these two young Russian teams, not overwrought pressure. I am aware that B/K were upset after 2021 Worlds, as they were the odds-on favorite to win, or to possibly take silver behind Sui/Han or Tarasova/Morosov, but not behind M/G. So, we'll see what happens this season. Personally, I am not as invested in M/G as you are @skylark. I think they have a lot of time to progress and to gain experience that will bode well for them if they remain steady and focused. I'm also less invested in B/K, as I have detected some of their flaws.
I am interested to see how the third up-and-coming Russian team of Pavliuchenko/Khodykin will fare this season, especially since they were bumped from 2021 Worlds in order for M/G to be given the opportunity to compete. For sure, it was the right decision by Rusfed, since M/G had dynamite programs that caused a lot of buzz, and ultimately led them to victory. Still, M/G were fortunate not only to win, but to be there in the first place. They did their job and skated clean, but they were clearly still rough around the edges. Despite the strengths of M/G's Queen program, they wouldn't have won Worlds had either of S/H, B/K or T/M skated their best.
With all of this in mind, I think it is too much to expect M/G to come out checking all the boxes right out of the box this season. They are still learning and growing. Plus, there are number of beautiful moments in their new fp. Mishina's position on one of the gorgeous throws is beyond text book lovely. As well, some other moves are very nice (some appear to be inspired by moves we've seen other pairs trying with all the innovation going on in pairs today). I don't think all of the moves are necessarily successful, or that they actually flow with the program. It is somewhat of a collection of moves, and they aren't necessarily performing with any great excitement or conviction at this point. But it is early and they are probably still learning the program. I can understand why you don't like it in comparison to last year's program. It is not as unique and lively. Of course, M/G are absolutely talented, but again, they're still learning and growing together as a team. We shouldn't forget that young skaters have to gain life experience as well as competitive experience. These things go hand-in-hand. Plus, it's not easy to come up with new ideas and creative programs.
James/Cipres managed to come up with great programs (both sp and fp) every year in the last three years of their career, but by that point, they'd been together for about 7 years, and had gone through many ups-and-downs. They hit pay dirt when they came to the U.S. to work with John Zimmerman and his team. Everything finally came together with wonderful ice dance choreographers, great music, moves, and costumes, and the signature chemistry and excitement they always brought to the ice. The influence and impact J/C had on pairs over the last years of their career is still being felt (along with what Savchenko/Massot brought). Just as the innovation brought by Steuer, Savchenko, Szolkowy has become such a notable feature of how pairs teams move and approach the discipline today.
Again, it's a slow process, and it's rare for young teams to be innovative and exciting every time out. You said that you miss the quirky details of the Queen performance that showed M/G's personality. In my opinion, they were acting out the moves they were given to do as part of expressing the music and performing the choreography. I'm not sure the moves in the Queen program were particularly an authentic expression of M/G's actual personalities. It was a performance. They were confident and excited about working with Moskvina. That was apparent. And so, they were lucky to win prematurely. They celebrated, and now they have come back down to earth and they have to move forward and continue to work hard if they want to win more championships. But if I were them, I would just be thinking about continuing to learn and to enjoy the journey and the present moment, so that they don't get caught up in any pressure to win again this season. Right now is a time to improve and to refine and polish their skills. They would do best to keep their heads down and work on making the World team again.
At this point, I'll be happier to see Tarasova/Morosov put pedal to medal and elevate themselves to the top of the podium, where so many for so long have believed they belong. T/M have the programs and the team behind them to finally achieve this goal. But they are the ones who must do it and prove it on the ice. Let the other young Russian teams work hard and not get ahead of themselves and stay humble.
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I suppose this is Boikova/Koslovskii's new free program. I haven't seen discussion about it in other threads here, which was mentioned earlier.
This fp by B/K definitely comes across as a bit boring, especially the music selection. The opening move seems to be emulated from a movement theme we saw in Liu/O'Shea's free program at summer competitions (choreographed by the Kerrs). B/K, like M/G appear rusty with a few mistakes, but it is still early season. Dmitri has grown by leaps and bounds. With his relatively large frame, he also appears to have filled out a bit with natural weight gain consistent for young men growing into manhood in their early 20s.
Based on what I've seen so far from the top three Russian teams, Tarasova/Morosov have the better free program.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Canada has always been known for producing World Champion and Olympic Champion Pair Skaters. Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul dominated the Pairs discipline 1956-1960 and became the first Canadian Pair team to win an Olympic Gold medal in 1960. Since then Canada has always been strong in pairs FS. In fact Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul introduced the death spiral, which was a Canadian invention. Of course right now team Canada is rebuilding because many top teams have since retired from competitive FS. I'm sure Canada will once again have a team on the podium.
https://skatecanada.ca/corporate/barbara-wagner-and-robert-paul
https://skatecanada.ca/corporate/barbara-wagner-and-robert-paul
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- Sep 1, 2020
^^ Thanks for posting @Ladskater. Canada has a history to be proud of in pairs skating! It is an illustrious and stellar history. I appreciate you posting because I am fascinated by pairs skating. I've been doing some research for a few years on the medal history at Worlds and Olympics. In addition, your reference to the death spiral spurred me to check further. I have learned something new about the death spiral that I wasn't aware of previously.
I discovered there are some inaccuracies in your first link, and a notable omission in the second link, which I will comment on later. Reviewing the the history and the stats that I've been marveling over in recent years, it's actually been since the 1950s that Canada began paving a strong competitive presence in pairs skating. Yet, it was U.S. sister/brother team, Karol & Peter Kennedy, who were the first North American pairs team to win the World championships in 1950. Moreover, it was WWII and the devastation of Europe, which gave North American skaters in general the opportunity to begin making headway not only in the pairs discipline, but NA skaters also gained the chance to build a stronger competitive profile in singles disciplines. Skating disciplines prior to the 1950s had been largely the domain of European athletes. Starting in the late 1940s, after WWII, U.S. men absolutely began dominating the men's division at Worlds with Dick Button, the Jenkins brothers, James Grogan, Ronnie Robertson, and Tim Brown. Plus, U.S. men won the Olympic gold medal from 1948 through 1960. U.S. women also won multiple World championships and Olympic medals throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, prior to the tragedy of the Sabena air crash in 1961. Perhaps the historic singles dominance by U.S. skaters is ultimately why the U.S. federation began to place a major focus on their singles disciplines.
Getting back to pairs specifically, prior to the 1950s, the U.S. team, Beatrix Loughran/ Sherwin Badger, won bronze medals at Worlds in 1930 and in 1932. Loughran/Badger were the only North American pairs team to medal at Worlds and Olympics prior to WWII (they won Olympic silver at Lake Placid in 1932). In 1947, the U.S. brother/sister team, the Kennedys, won silver at Worlds. Then, in 1948, Canadians Suzanne Morrow/ Wallace Diestelmeyer broke through to win bronze at Worlds. Morrow/Diestelmeyer were the first Canadian pairs team to medal at Worlds. They also won a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Kennedys won another World silver medal for the U.S. in 1949, and as mentioned earlier, they became World champions in 1950. It wasn't until 1979 that another U.S. team won gold at the World championships (Tai Babilonia/Randy Gardner). The Kennedys won two additional World silver medals (1951, 1952). During this era, there were a couple of other U.S. pairs teams who won bronze at Worlds (Davies/Hoffner, 1949; Nancy & Ronald Ludington, 1959 -- the Ludingtons also won Olympic bronze in 1960).
But it was a Canadian pairs team, Barbara Wagner/ Robert Paul, who arose and began to dominate internationally, winning four straight World championships from 1957 through 1960, and the Olympic gold medal at Squaw Valley, in 1960. Thus, the winning excellence of Wagner/Paul is what gave Canadian pairs its historic legacy. Had the Kennedys or other U.S. teams won multiple World championships or grabbed Olympic gold at any point during that era, then perhaps U.S. pairs skaters might be viewed with more respect, which they are still due nonetheless, for their many achievements and contributions to the pairs discipline.
The omission in your second linked article: Canadians Francis Dafoe/Norris Bowden
Dafoe/Bowden won World silver in 1953 behind Jennifer & John Nicks of Great Britain. Then, Dafoe/Bowden won two straight World pairs championships (1954-55). Dafoe/Bowden were precursors to Wagner/Paul, but have seemingly been overshadowed by W/P's exploits in the late 1950s. Also, Maria & Otto Jelenik of Canada, are originally from Czechoslovakia. They emigrated to Canada in 1948 with their family, after fleeing the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia.
Of course, the caption in the second-linked article states that the Canadian teams pictured are "all of the Canadian world champions [in pairs] since 1960," which is true. Still, there's no reason to cut off mentions at 1960, especially since Wagner/ Paul won four straight World gold medals from 1957 through 1960. The article writer should have included Dafoe/Bowden among the pictured Canadian pairs champions. D/B are the first Canadian pairs team to win gold at the World championships! Plus, they won gold two years in a row (1954-55), in addition to an Olympic silver medal in 1956. It's not as if there are any additional Canadian pairs (besides the strangely overlooked Dafoe/Bowden) who won Worlds. Thus it doesn't seem necessary nor helpful for the writer to mark a cut-off date at 1960. It is the 1950s which is the seminal era in skating for both the U.S. and Canada!
So, actually six Canadian teams are World champions in pairs, while the U.S. has two pairs teams who are World champions. Thus, despite U.S. pairs leading the original medal breakthrough at Worlds historically, Canada has more hardware, especially in terms of World and Olympic gold medals in pairs. As well, Canada has two pairs teams who won Olympic gold: Wagner/Paul (1960); and Sale/Pelletier, who controversially tied for Olympic gold with Russians, Berezhnaya/ Sikharulidze (2002).
Interestingly, after Canadians Debbi Wilkes/Guy Revell won bronze at the 1964 World championships (and tied for 1964 Olympic pairs silver), the Canadian pairs discipline suffered a podium drought at Worlds and Olympics which lasted nearly 19 years. In 1983, Underhill/Martini broke the drought by winning a World bronze medal. U/M then famously captured the 1984 World championships the following season. From the 1980s onward, we are in the modern era, which is the time period current fans are mainly familiar with. Although Babilonia/Gardner of the U.S. are remembered by some fans for winning Worlds in 1979, they seemingly are recognized more for dramatically losing the opportunity to compete for gold at the 1980 Olympics, due to Randy's leg injury. Still, during the 1970s, Tai & Randy were notable for having the talent to get on the Worlds podium multiple times amidst a sea of Russian and East German pairs teams!
Additional U.S. teams who made Worlds and Olympics podiums during the nearly 19-year Canadian podium drought: Vivian & Ronald Joseph; Cynthia & Ronald Kauffman; JoJo Starbuck & Ken Shelley; Caitlin & Peter Carruthers. Later, during the 1980s and 1990s, Kuchiki/Sand; and Meno/Sand won medals at Worlds, but not at the Olympics. Kyoko Ina/ John Zimmerman were the last U.S. pairs team to medal at Worlds, in 2002. Yet, U.S. pairs teams have competed significantly and set throw jump records during the nearly 19-year podium drought which the U.S. pairs discipline has coincidentally experienced, similar to Canada during the late 1960s through the early 1980s. Hopefully, the U.S. will break their pairs podium drought soon instead of surpassing the record drought previously experienced by Canadian pairs. Of course, it might be Russian pairs dominance which will continue to impact overall results at Worlds and Olympics
I discovered there are some inaccuracies in your first link, and a notable omission in the second link, which I will comment on later. Reviewing the the history and the stats that I've been marveling over in recent years, it's actually been since the 1950s that Canada began paving a strong competitive presence in pairs skating. Yet, it was U.S. sister/brother team, Karol & Peter Kennedy, who were the first North American pairs team to win the World championships in 1950. Moreover, it was WWII and the devastation of Europe, which gave North American skaters in general the opportunity to begin making headway not only in the pairs discipline, but NA skaters also gained the chance to build a stronger competitive profile in singles disciplines. Skating disciplines prior to the 1950s had been largely the domain of European athletes. Starting in the late 1940s, after WWII, U.S. men absolutely began dominating the men's division at Worlds with Dick Button, the Jenkins brothers, James Grogan, Ronnie Robertson, and Tim Brown. Plus, U.S. men won the Olympic gold medal from 1948 through 1960. U.S. women also won multiple World championships and Olympic medals throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, prior to the tragedy of the Sabena air crash in 1961. Perhaps the historic singles dominance by U.S. skaters is ultimately why the U.S. federation began to place a major focus on their singles disciplines.
Getting back to pairs specifically, prior to the 1950s, the U.S. team, Beatrix Loughran/ Sherwin Badger, won bronze medals at Worlds in 1930 and in 1932. Loughran/Badger were the only North American pairs team to medal at Worlds and Olympics prior to WWII (they won Olympic silver at Lake Placid in 1932). In 1947, the U.S. brother/sister team, the Kennedys, won silver at Worlds. Then, in 1948, Canadians Suzanne Morrow/ Wallace Diestelmeyer broke through to win bronze at Worlds. Morrow/Diestelmeyer were the first Canadian pairs team to medal at Worlds. They also won a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Kennedys won another World silver medal for the U.S. in 1949, and as mentioned earlier, they became World champions in 1950. It wasn't until 1979 that another U.S. team won gold at the World championships (Tai Babilonia/Randy Gardner). The Kennedys won two additional World silver medals (1951, 1952). During this era, there were a couple of other U.S. pairs teams who won bronze at Worlds (Davies/Hoffner, 1949; Nancy & Ronald Ludington, 1959 -- the Ludingtons also won Olympic bronze in 1960).
But it was a Canadian pairs team, Barbara Wagner/ Robert Paul, who arose and began to dominate internationally, winning four straight World championships from 1957 through 1960, and the Olympic gold medal at Squaw Valley, in 1960. Thus, the winning excellence of Wagner/Paul is what gave Canadian pairs its historic legacy. Had the Kennedys or other U.S. teams won multiple World championships or grabbed Olympic gold at any point during that era, then perhaps U.S. pairs skaters might be viewed with more respect, which they are still due nonetheless, for their many achievements and contributions to the pairs discipline.
The omission in your second linked article: Canadians Francis Dafoe/Norris Bowden
Dafoe/Bowden won World silver in 1953 behind Jennifer & John Nicks of Great Britain. Then, Dafoe/Bowden won two straight World pairs championships (1954-55). Dafoe/Bowden were precursors to Wagner/Paul, but have seemingly been overshadowed by W/P's exploits in the late 1950s. Also, Maria & Otto Jelenik of Canada, are originally from Czechoslovakia. They emigrated to Canada in 1948 with their family, after fleeing the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia.
Of course, the caption in the second-linked article states that the Canadian teams pictured are "all of the Canadian world champions [in pairs] since 1960," which is true. Still, there's no reason to cut off mentions at 1960, especially since Wagner/ Paul won four straight World gold medals from 1957 through 1960. The article writer should have included Dafoe/Bowden among the pictured Canadian pairs champions. D/B are the first Canadian pairs team to win gold at the World championships! Plus, they won gold two years in a row (1954-55), in addition to an Olympic silver medal in 1956. It's not as if there are any additional Canadian pairs (besides the strangely overlooked Dafoe/Bowden) who won Worlds. Thus it doesn't seem necessary nor helpful for the writer to mark a cut-off date at 1960. It is the 1950s which is the seminal era in skating for both the U.S. and Canada!
So, actually six Canadian teams are World champions in pairs, while the U.S. has two pairs teams who are World champions. Thus, despite U.S. pairs leading the original medal breakthrough at Worlds historically, Canada has more hardware, especially in terms of World and Olympic gold medals in pairs. As well, Canada has two pairs teams who won Olympic gold: Wagner/Paul (1960); and Sale/Pelletier, who controversially tied for Olympic gold with Russians, Berezhnaya/ Sikharulidze (2002).
Interestingly, after Canadians Debbi Wilkes/Guy Revell won bronze at the 1964 World championships (and tied for 1964 Olympic pairs silver), the Canadian pairs discipline suffered a podium drought at Worlds and Olympics which lasted nearly 19 years. In 1983, Underhill/Martini broke the drought by winning a World bronze medal. U/M then famously captured the 1984 World championships the following season. From the 1980s onward, we are in the modern era, which is the time period current fans are mainly familiar with. Although Babilonia/Gardner of the U.S. are remembered by some fans for winning Worlds in 1979, they seemingly are recognized more for dramatically losing the opportunity to compete for gold at the 1980 Olympics, due to Randy's leg injury. Still, during the 1970s, Tai & Randy were notable for having the talent to get on the Worlds podium multiple times amidst a sea of Russian and East German pairs teams!
Additional U.S. teams who made Worlds and Olympics podiums during the nearly 19-year Canadian podium drought: Vivian & Ronald Joseph; Cynthia & Ronald Kauffman; JoJo Starbuck & Ken Shelley; Caitlin & Peter Carruthers. Later, during the 1980s and 1990s, Kuchiki/Sand; and Meno/Sand won medals at Worlds, but not at the Olympics. Kyoko Ina/ John Zimmerman were the last U.S. pairs team to medal at Worlds, in 2002. Yet, U.S. pairs teams have competed significantly and set throw jump records during the nearly 19-year podium drought which the U.S. pairs discipline has coincidentally experienced, similar to Canada during the late 1960s through the early 1980s. Hopefully, the U.S. will break their pairs podium drought soon instead of surpassing the record drought previously experienced by Canadian pairs. Of course, it might be Russian pairs dominance which will continue to impact overall results at Worlds and Olympics
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