Time to switch singles to pairs? | Golden Skate

Time to switch singles to pairs?

Winnipeg

Final Flight
Joined
Oct 30, 2007
I just saw a clip of Sasha in SOI and I got the impression she would make a lovely pairs skater. How long does it take for a talented singles skater to switch? With the right partner, could she make 2010?
 
The lady in a Pairs team MUST have a strong back in order to land the throw jumps. Sasha has suffered in the past from stress fractures in her spine. I would think that Pairs skating would be a big no-no for her.
 
yes, after seeing her in all those lifts i think that pairs would be graet choice for her. But i doubt HIGHLY that she will commmit to all that new training.
 
I always thought Sasha would've made a great pairs skater. Her triple salchow and double axel are her best jumps, her non-jumping elements are good, she's very small...
 
If not Sasha, I wish Yukina Ohta would move over...
 
doing pairs would be okay for her, but first she would have to get rid of the Fear factor, look. in the group scene with the men, she hung on for dear life and look terrified when she was lying flat. it looked like she dug her fingernails in the guys shoulder to hang on.
 
How long does it take for a talented singles skater to switch?

I have seen motivated skaters pass all their pair tests, starting from scratch, in less than 12 months (with an experienced pair partner). That doesn't mean they were good in that time, just that they passed the tests so they could start competing at senior.

So a talented, motivated, healthy, more-guts-than-brains skater starting today, could be competing in Senior within a year. Whether they could make the World team in two years -- who knows. It would be hard, but then the pair ranks are pretty thin.

Don't know if Sasha is all four of the above.
 
... more-guts-than-brains ...
I feel that way about any skater who takes up pairs :eek:. But especially those who switch over after success as a singles skater. Naomi Nari Nam, Yuka Sato, even Kyota Ina.

It just seems to me that training your muscles to truly accept the idea that, yes, this guy really is going to catch me on my triple twist, no he's not going to bang my head on the ice in a too-aptly named headbanger -- that just seems like somthing you would have to train from childhood, like family trapeze acts in the circus.
 
doing pairs would be okay for her, but first she would have to get rid of the Fear factor, look. in the group scene with the men, she hung on for dear life and look terrified when she was lying flat. it looked like she dug her fingernails in the guys shoulder to hang on.

considering the show is taped when it's brand new a lot of the programs/skaters look scary/scared... not as polished...

wasn't there a rumor once upon a time that she and Johnny were playfully doing pairs moves? or am I completely confused (and no I'm not confusing them with Jenny Kirk and Fedor Andreev)
 
If not Sasha, I wish Yukina Ohta would move over...

If I remember correctly, Yukina did, at one time, try to find a partner - though I can not remember if it was for pairs or dance - but was either unsuccesful or it didn't last long. Does anyone remember more about this?

edit: I really wish more lower-ranked female skaters in the US (or Japan too) would consider pairs skating. A lot of them are just not competitive in the deep fields in these countries, and can't get the harder triples, and would be good for pairs skating. Sadly, I imagine finding a partner is hard, and for some reason, pairs is viewed as slightly "less" somehow, than singles skating.
 
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I dunno, I just think it's weird that pairs is looked at as an alternative

it's like saying "Hey I'm not good enough so let's take up pairs" like pairs is easier or something...
 
That's not that I meant, that pairs is easier at all. I think female pair skaters are the bravest people in skating. :rock:
 
I'm not saying that's what you were getting at, that's just how the idea comes off to me lol

I think female pair skaters are the bravest people in skating

maybe that's why more girls DON'T switch over.
 
I've often thought that Alissa Czisny would make a lovely ice dancer with those long legs and graceful style...
 
If I remember correctly, Yukina did, at one time, try to find a partner - though I can not remember if it was for pairs or dance - but was either unsuccesful or it didn't last long. Does anyone remember more about this?

It was dance that she tried in the US although I don't know how it went for her.

I don't know if Yukina has ever considered doing pairs.

But personally, I feel that pairs may be too dangerous for a skater like Yukina who has already had major injuries that might not completely heal. Although I've never tried or closely observed pair practices myself, I feel that the risk of injuries could be a lot higher in pairs because of throw jumps, lifts, and spins close to each other, compared to doing elements on your own. Perhaps, I heard too many painful stories that make me feel very scared.

In any case, Yukina had a pretty good placement at Nationals as a single (7th) despite relatively weak jump contents (she only had Sal and Toe for her triples) and a couple of major mistakes. She seems to me to be capable of placing higher next season. Now that she placed 7th, I am wondering if she could make one assignment for the GP series next season. It would be wonderful if she does. :love:

p.s. I personally also feel like watching Yukina as an ice dancer sometime in future. She would be very beautiful :love: (but the guy gotta be as beautiful as she is to match her!).
 
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Yeah. Wasn't Drew Meekins looking for a new skating partner? They'd look cute together.
 
I would nominate Shawn Sawyer as a partner for her - of course they would have to skate for Canada!! They did share the same ice in a show and I was hoping they would both do spirals at the same time. Oh well, it did not happen. Still I think Shawn would be a great choice for Sasha to skate with.

However, back to your question. I kind of doubt Sasha would switch to pairs at this late date - although Yuka Sato teamed up with her hubby - mind you Jason was already a pairs skater. Hey you never know!!
 
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