What are your thoughts on the depth of Pair Skating?

[lariko]

I hope that we will see B/K deliver both short and free in a scored higher level internal competitions flawlessly this year, then it will be a good time to share the links. But the aestetics of both programs and the dramatic delivery was awesome in test skates. While it is hard to avoid pressure from all the external factors not connecting specifically to the sport of figure skating, I hope they would, because for me this is the best shot at the defining pair programs of the year. Obviously, sport is sport, so no matter how wonderfully the program is designed, the perfect execution, at the right moment, might not happen.

 

[moonvine]

But when you say that, you ARE taking away from Deanna.

Very much so.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well let's face it the US has had to do almost total rebuild of it's Pairs division considering that in the last year or so they have been competing without their top 5 teams from just a couple of seasons ago. They went from having the most depth outside of Russia by the end of the 2022 season to being decimated by early retirements and breakups. The one veteran team expected to carry the US during this rebuild C/H have been no shows for the last 18 months because of injury.

Honestly, Chan/Howe, in 2022-23 were not actually veterans to the same degree as Ashley & Timothy, and Alexa & Brandon (A&B, while they were only together a few seasons, both had years of experience with their respective former partners).

Spencer & Emily partnered in 2019 at the suggestion of a top U.S. figsk official. At the time, Spencer was considering retirement after splitting with his former partner, Nadine Wang, due to shoulder issues. The tryout with Emily was successful and they moved forward. When Spencer & Emily went into the 2022-23 season, they were uncertain how well they could compete because Spencer was still having shoulder pain flare-ups. Emily also revealed during the 2023 off-season that she often experiences issues with her ankles (which probably explains some of her tech inconsistencies on landing jump elements).

Chan/ Howe won 2 silver medals on the GP during the lean, transitional pairs season of 2022-23. They carried that momentum into 2023 Worlds where they placed fifth. C/H are well-matched and at their best, a competitive team. Their placement at 2023 Worlds raised their profile and future expectations due to Alexa & Brandon deciding not to continue, albeit A&B never announced official retirement.

As we know, Spencer made the necessary, but difficult decision to undergo shoulder surgery during the 2023 off-season. Thus, due to Spencer's rehab, C/H did not compete in the 2023-24 GP season. They returned for the sp at 2024 U.S. Nationals (placing first), but they had to WD from the fp. When sent to 2024 Worlds, they could not repeat their prior year's placement. Plus, new teams have formed and other hungry teams have improved worldwide.

The above summary is more detailed and accurate than stating erroneously that "C/H have been no-shows the past 18 months because of injury." It is also not exactly accurate to say C/H were "expected to carry the U.S. during this rebuild." I do not think that's true. There were hopes and crossings of fingers that C/H might be able to repeat their successful prior season, but there was uncertainty mixed with expectation because of Spencer's surgery and rehab. Meanwhile, the U.S. was looking toward Kam/ O'Shea to improve their weaknesses, with notable reliance upon Danny's accomplished veteran status.

The U.S. is also looking to the future with hopes for some promising new teams, including Efimova/ Mitrofanov and McBeath/ Parkman, both of whom had to wait out international competition last season due to retaining releases and/ or waiting the required period for new country representation.

 

[TallyT]

But when you say that, you ARE taking away from Deanna.

Maybe it's not well worded, but acknowledging when there's a weaker field is what we do...? (Okay, what we so often don't.)