Senior Pairs Upset

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Castile and Okoliski will be the USA's top pairs team after Tokyo. remember you heard it here first.

All kidding aside, so many teams are looking good for the USA. It's amazing how this spurt of energy suddenly appeared.

I&B had two flubs and opened the door to N/L but it just wasn't the night for either team. So sad for Naomi, and Rena.

Evora and Ludwig coming along nicely. and a few other teams looking good. There is going to be a tight fit for the USA Olympic team to be named.

Joe

 

[dutchherder]

C & O were great last night! Er, this morning! *Yawn*

 

[76olympics]

C & O----I am speechless! WOW! What a great program- I almost forgot COP. Nothing looked labored. That triple twist!!!! I even have to give Peter C. props on his commentary on this program...

 

[merrywidow]

I'm not familiar with Castile & Okolski, at least I can't recall having seen them skate before. Can someone tell me how consistent their programs have been in the past year or was this win just a lucky fluke?

 

[Mathman]

I wouldn't say that it was a lucky fluke but rather that maybe this team is starting to jell and to accomplish what they are capable of.

Certainly nothing they have achieved in the past could have prepared them (or us) for this! Their best result up until now was winning the Nebelhorn trophy with a score of 144.98 (compared to the 178.15 that they just got in Spokane). Their strongest challengers in that event were Vlassov abd Smeekins.

The strangest thing is that they had to go through qualifying even to get to Ntaionals. They qualified by coming in second (to Vise and Trent) in the Midwest Sectionals. I wonder if that has ever happened before -- the eventual national champion did not win their sectional? Their score there was 145.16.

Last year they finished 8th at U.S. Nationals. They also had two grand Prix assignments in 2005, finishing 6th at Eric Bompard and 8th (out of 9) at Cup of Russia, with score in the low 130s.

So I guess time will tell whether they have taken it to a new level or whether they will fall back into the pack.

 

[KwanFan1212]

Evora and Ludwig coming along nicely. and a few other teams looking good. There is going to be a tight fit for the USA Olympic team to be named.

Its Ladwig but I'm getting nitpicky, LOL Thanks so much for mentioning them Joe. I'm really bummed that they didn't get shown last night but hopefully ABC/ESPN realizes their mistake and airs their program in the rebroadcast. They've done that before (added new programs to the rebroadcast) so I have my hopes up that they'll fix this mistake soon. I am SOOOO proud of them for how wonderful they were in Spokane and I'm especially excited that they get a bye to next years Nats! No stress for me in sectionals this year, LOL (I'm hopeful they get some international assignments again this year too!)

BTW-Fun fact...two of the four teams on the podium had to qualify through sectionals last year and they both just threw down new personal bests in Spokane. How about that?!? :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

KF1212 - E&L skated the best I've seen to date. I think they are ready for the challenge.

Merrywidow - C&O were the clear winners and it is surprising that they got to the Nats but I think they will continue to be at Nats and be challenged by the others in the future. Hope they show it on TV.

Joe

 

[SeaniBu]

BTW-Fun fact...two of the four teams on the podium had to qualify through sectionals last year and they both just threw down new personal bests in Spokane. How about that?!? :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

It is the crowd, we should all know how important we are.:agree:

 

[KwanFan1212]

KF1212 - E&L skated the best I've seen to date. I think they are ready for the challenge.

Thanks again Joe! I REALLY wish ESPN had shown their LP. *sigh* :banging:

 

[evenstar]

Definitely a suprise! I certainly would not have predicted this outcome. John is really struggling with his jumps, I hope he can work them out by worlds.

 

[livetoskate]

I would have loved to see Evora & Ladwig's program too. They are always so innovative. Anyone know what they completed? I assume they'll go to 4 Continents and will be televised then.

 

[KwanFan1212]

^^^They will only go to 4CC if one of the three teams above them doesn't go for whatever reason. They're the first alternates.

IIRC, they completed a throw 3 lutz, throw 3 loop, sbs 3 salchows, sbs 2-2 sequence of some kind, and got good levels on all their lifts and footwork. I think there's a better PBP in EWalker's pairs LP thread but they skated VERY well!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Definitely a suprise! I certainly would not have predicted this outcome. John is really struggling with his jumps, I hope he can work them out by worlds.

The sbs jump went from triple lutz to double lutz to double axel and he still can't make it. I thought they might do bunny hops in Spokane. I really feel sorry for Rena.

Joe

 

[kwangoddess]

The sbs jump went from triple lutz to double lutz to double axel and he still can't make it. I thought they might do bunny hops in Spokane. I really feel sorry for Rena.

Joe

John Baldwin needs to give it up and get a job - at his age he should either already be making money off of shows like Stars on Ice or just get a job - he couldn't jump as a single skater and if not for his partner he'd still have nothing concrete to show for all his years of skating. jmho