Has there been any news about the Knierims' withdrawal from 4CC? Are they training again?
My unsolicited advice for SK/K is to revert to a set of SBS 2As. That would at least give them a few more points in place of a botched or doubled SBS triples.
For CG/L, there big weakness is the Throw 3Z. I wonder if they would benefit from a throw 3L
After watching Nationals and 4CCs, I do worry that SK/K and CG/L haven't had any clear momentum this season. Something has happened at some point to both pairs, casting doubt on their ability to deliver at Worlds: Knierims recovered from a poor showing at NHK by delivering good performances at Nationals, only to go south at 4CCs. CG/L had fine performances at GS, then did not perform all that well at Nationals and skipped 4CCs. I think there is a path for them to get 3 spots for the US, but the odds are long: All 3 Russian pairs, 2 Chinese pairs and MT/M are still doing better overall. Then, I noticed the Italians DM/G are getting some mojo back, scoring 194 at Euros. C/J also finished 4th at 4CCs with 196. I really wish the USFSA would've made a decision like Skate Canada after 4CCs
It's a solid option for Knierim/Knierim to revert to a 2A. I don't mind them doing 2 triples and making mistakes (nearly all pairs do), but if their confidence level starts to affect the rest of their skating or their attitudes in general, I might have them do 2A until their mindset is good and strong. Peng/Jin's confidence grew by taking out the second triple and focusing on one, and it's a solid strategy for a pair that's going to rack up a lot of points elsewhere.
At the same time, the point difference between 2A and, say, 2T-2T is minimal. It might be worth continuing to do the toes since they are indeed capable (see the Skate Canada LP where they did 3T and 3S with minimal errors). My question is why did they change their SP jump from 3S to 3T (with the new Raf technique they may or may not be fully used to yet) when Chris has always preferred 3S and landed them pretty well last season. If they were ever going to revert to 2A, I would think it would be in place of the 3T, but they are doing that jump in the SP too now. Perhaps there are reasons for switching to 3T that we as outsiders are not privy to. Their confidence was high during Nationals, and they need to keep that mindset. If they aren't in that mindset, make adjustments to your content until your mindset is good again. When this team is confident, they can be great. The mind is a powerful thing. It's fine to make mistakes as long as you don't let them get to you. They should also avoid fixating too much on jumps; focus on the entire package and that will also help them stay in a good mindset.
I've never seen Cain/LeDuc do a throw Lo at any point in their career. Given that their lifts, twist, etc, are weaker than other pairs, I think they will keep pushing for the added difficulty of the throw 3Lz whether they land it or not. In the SP, they have taken out their SBS 3Lo for this season, which is all the more reason I think they will keep trying throw 3Lz.
I'm not really concerned about momentum; virtually all pairs are up-and-down throughout the course of the season. Scores in the mid 190s are very beatable even with bigger mistakes. The Knierims' 4CC's SP score would have been around 70 had they received spin points. They did quite well at Nationals after a rough NHK and have enough experience where momentum shouldn't be an issue.
I don't think it's fair to expect 3 spots from US pairs this year. There's a chance it could happen, but it would be a monumental achievement and would likely require one of the Russian pairs or MT/M to not skate well, and it doesn't feel right to wish for that. The US almost certainly will retain 2 spots, so the comment about not having faith in US pairs seems too negative, even with the wayward Nationals and Grand Prix events Cain/Leduc had. Two US pairs in the top 10 would be a nice goal.
I don't think it's fair to expect 3 spots from US pairs this year. There's a chance it could happen, but it would be a monumental achievement and would likely require one of the Russian pairs or MT/M to not skate well, and it doesn't feel right to wish for that. The US almost certainly will retain 2 spots, so the comment about not having faith in US pairs seems too negative, even with the wayward Nationals and Grand Prix events Cain/Leduc had. Two US pairs in the top 10 would be a nice goal.
Congratulations to Ashley and Tim, who skated yesterday in Lake Placid in the "Dream On" celebration of the 1980 Olympics! https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rj53dlWX-/ ...
Actually ... the figure skating gala and dinner show are tonight, Feb 18.
Mentioning in case anyone nearby wants to make a last-minute decision to attend.
In addition to Ashley/Timothy, Chock/Bates also are performing.
How I wish I could go! Lake Placid Arena is worth the trip in itself, as is the village. Then to see two of my favorites ... AshleyTim, and MaddieEvan!
If you look closely at Ashley's instagram and play it, you can see several of the names of the hockey team, where the sections are named after them. Mark Johnson, Jack O'Callahan, and a few others.
If I'd heard about this before just now, I would have made plans to go! Sounds like a great show and a trip down memory lane for the likes of me~
Um ... you weren't lucky enough to be there in 1980, were you? You probably would have been only a babe in arms, if that ....
When I was there in Nov. 2017, I talked to someone who was in high school while the new arena for the '80 olympics was being built. She said they'd look out the windows and see the building going on.
Regarding the 2As in the LP, I was thinking about the 2A-2T sequence they performed back at 2015 Worlds and prior. Then they could do a solo triple of their choosing. In the SP, all pairs are limited to one solo jumping pass. A good 2A would not be far behind 3T or 3S which is what every team is doing, with just a couple of exceptions. Then, they could do their big twist, throw 3Z, DS and lifts which are world class for them
The Knierims have been pretty clear that they believe in sticking with Raf's program for the next two years. I think it was Timothy Goebel who outlined (in TSL interview) the number of times you need to do a jump in competition before you can count on it. But I agree that I'd love to see them go back to the salchow in the SP and the 2A+2T in the FS. And then rely on their sky-high GOEs to carry the program through. Of course, CG/L and K's may both be doing the elements in question well in training. Both teams, the Knierims especially need the boost in confidence of good performances.
I noticed at nationals that the Knierims had changed their Group3 lift and their Axel Lasso lift back to how they did them formerly. I was so glad. The Axel they were trying early in the season added difficulty and had Alexa upside down and curled around Chris's arm, but it was scary. Also, I've been worried all year when they did the Group3 lift one-handed. Both of those variations could over-stress Chris's wrists, it seems to me. It's a little sad, though, that they've one by one dropped the changes Aljona made, which were intended to take them up a notch and challenge for a world medal. And even though I'd been wanting them to change the lifts back, I thought it dampened the effect of the choreography of the FS. I was surprised I felt that way. But I did love the change they made of switching the squat to a carry movement -- half a head-banger, for lack of a better description. I'm not sure all the changes really worked with the choreography, but it may be I was just used to the other choreo.
No, not there in person, I'm just talking about watching on TV! My mom and I loved David Santee! Linda Fratianne was the talk on the school bus -- no kidding -- when she didn't win. Tai and Randy's heartbreak -- and so on and so on. And we loved Scott H., too -- he was still "waiting his turn" in 1980.
Well, as long as we’re off topic....David Santee was da bomb. still remember those blonde curls....
3 spots for US pairs isn't at all far-fetched given what the Knierims and Cain/LeDuc have been scoring this season, .... The goal for US pairs should be to skate as well as they can. People who measure their success based on a 3rd spot are out of touch.
It was good for Alexa & Chris to be exposed to all of Aljona's ideas, no matter if they use them or not. Aljona also changed Alexa's throw 3F technique, which really messed with her throw all of last season, and she is just starting now to look herself again with throws. (I do think Aljona helped Alexa with the throw 3Lo though). It was very encouraging how strong their throws were at Nationals. Aljona's way isn't the only way, and I feel this way about Raf as well. If he's making too many changes to the jumps, it's okay to make adjustments.
No, not there in person, I'm just talking about watching on TV! My mom and I loved David Santee! Linda Fratianne was the talk on the school bus -- no kidding -- when she didn't win. Tai and Randy's heartbreak -- and so on and so on. And we loved Scott H., too -- he was still "waiting his turn" in 1980.
I only saw Tai and Randy. If the pairs came first, that may be why I couldn't stand to watch anything else. But it was mainly because I was crazy busy at that time.
I didn't know who David Santee was at the time. But I was at Nationals a few years ago when he served as an escort for someone. Maybe his brother? I don't know, but I remember him entertaining the whole arena, just by his actions. Walking out, he kept stopping to ostentatiously and comically take selfies. He was really cute.