Me too. Even though I was pretty daring in my predictions ... but not the right direction!I just got about a 20 in predictions for Pairs.
Agree 100 percent. I tried to say this recently. But you have said it so much better. However much I admire K/F skating, beautiful elements, I just can't get on board with their expression, emotion, or performance.I just wish Alexa could vary her expression, with the plastered-on smile often augmented by the slash of red lipstick she favors. She always looks so brash and brassy, like she's doing a Broadway show stopper number, no matter what the theme/mood of the program is. They could relate to each other more, too.
No. American pairs are definitely not in need of three spots if they keep skating like this. What are they gonna use those spots for? Clean your house and then try to win those spots. At the moment I feel like Georgia deserves two spots more than America deserves three. They might have talent in spades, but to go on a Challenger after none of them managed to qualify for GPF and still lose 2/3 spots on the podium is not something to be that much proud of. And mind you, all of the other teams besides L/M gave them plenty of change to make that podium.The U.S. was so close to bringing back three spots for Worlds and Olympics, which the U.S. pairs discipline needs, because they are deep in pairs talent.
Me, too. I think most of us did not do well here. If anyone picked Audrey/Misha to win - they have my utmost respect!I just got about a 20 in predictions for Pairs.
Definitely deserved more PCS here, but I'm not sure they're yet top 5. Although, the American pairs are giving them all the chances, and on the right day, they might even sneak into the podium and surprise one or two of the Russian pairs.While J/R were somewhat overscored in IdF with 69.21 PCS, they were arguably robbed of a silver here. 64.72? That's pretty crap - they were at least 67-worthy. Of course, it comes down to silly errors denying them a medal yet again like the twist in the SP, but they can at least take solace in being the #1 Canadian team and putting together a 130 FS. No major errors in the FS. Clearly they have the ability to do well in either program... now they just need to put together their IdF SP and their Golden Spin FS and they're suddenly a top 5ish team.
Send Lu/Mitrofanov and Cain-Gribble/LeDuc to Worlds. The other U.S. teams are responding way too tentatively to pressure.
Ha ha, sure. In terms of talent, the U.S. pairs discipline is deep in talent, whether you think so or not. It's not even debatable, so your dismissive attitude just is what it is. The testament to the U.S. being deep in talent is Lu/Mitrofanov winning Golden Spin of Zagreb, as the U.S. fourth-rated team. Honestly, K/F and C/J have tremendous qualities, which a lot of times is not fully rewarded. Still, both K/F's and C/J's overall quality in comparison to other teams in this field is what kept them relatively high in the standings, when they should have actually both made the podium. I'm saying 3 spots are needed for the U.S., based on the depth of talent. The bottom line is U.S. teams have to convince the judges. They have to earn it, even when the path is made harder for them. They have to believe in themselves when the opportunities arise to grab medals and competitive respect. Come prepared to do battle, or stay home. Easier said than done for every pairs team whether you think so or not.No. American pairs are definitely not in need of three spots if they keep skating like this. What are they gonna use those spots for? Clean your house and then try to win those spots. At the moment I feel like Georgia deserves two spots more than America deserves three. They might have talent in spades, but to go on a Challenger after none of them managed to qualify for GPF and still lose 2/3 spots on the podium is not something to be that much proud of. And mind you, all of the other teams besides L/M gave them plenty of change to make that podium.
Not really. The Georgian teams were received very well by the judges, perhaps more than they should be received in the scoring at this stage of their development. They are both exciting teams, but winning spots for Worlds is a slow and difficult process, as the U.S. pairs discipline can tell ya. So don't get ahead of yourself now. Hopefully, Metelkina/Parkman get sent to Worlds and do well, so that they win an extra spot for their compatriots. Still, both Georgian teams have a lot to work on. I feel once again that U.S. teams aren't always given their due, which adds to the pressure they face.And mind you, all of the other teams besides L/M gave them plenty of change to make that podium.
You are exactly right. In the heat of emotion, I definitely over-reacted. This is a nice win for Lu/Mitrofanov, but they don't need to be placed in a position where they feel undue pressure to perform well. The judges at Worlds are unlikely to receive L/M with high scores. And L/M would have to skate in the first or second group, which would be another drawback. The real problem I feel is that the competitive set-up of the sport is just faulty. It's very hard for teams to fully develop with the dearth of competitive opportunities and narrow windows to make an impression, and there are as you indicated, huge expectations and high technical demands placed on the top skaters chosen for competitive berths throughout the season. Moreover, the scoring system sucks.No, the last thing we should do is overreact to a Sr B and ignore the entire rest of the year. There's no numerical evidence that says that would be our best potential team. Alexa doesn't normally fall on her back on throws- K/F have never fallen on that throw. She grabbed the back of her neck after the program, so hopefully she's fine; it was an awkward slip after she was trying to save the throw. Calalang/Johnson habitually miss jumps under high pressure, yes, that's true. That, combined with the fact that they've never been to Worlds or even 2 GPs this season, and they're unproven in higher level competition.
No. American pairs are definitely not in need of three spots if they keep skating like this. What are they gonna use those spots for? Clean your house and then try to win those spots. At the moment I feel like Georgia deserves two spots more than America deserves three. They might have talent in spades, but to go on a Challenger after none of them managed to qualify for GPF and still lose 2/3 spots on the podium is not something to be that much proud of. And mind you, all of the other teams besides L/M gave them plenty of change to make that podium.
What? You would send them to Worlds off the result of a single Senior B?Whoa-ho-ho-ho! Who showed up? Lu/Mitrofanov! Send Lu/Mitrofanov and Cain-Gribble/LeDuc to Worlds. The other U.S. teams are responding way too tentatively to pressure.
Golden Spin was not an exceedingly deep field. There were some names here, many of whom underperformed. After their silver at Warsaw, perhaps C/J needed to get back to the rink and work, work, work on their snafus. Both C/J and Knierim/Frazier possess the superior talent to go 1 and 2 in this field. Yes, that was possible. So was the possibility of James/Radford breaking out to skate clean sp and fp in this, once again, not that deeply experienced field.
Knierim/Frazier simply have no excuse and they know it. Yep, the judges do not do them any favors much of the time. But, they have got to show up and show out. Especially when the top scores in the sp were that close. I knew that the Georgian team (Safina/Berulava) who landed percentage points in first after the sp, are a nice team, but inexperienced and still developing. The judges like their elegant style. But personally, for me, I am much more engaged by the edgy difference of Metelkina/Parkman, so this Georgian rivalry will be so much fun to watch in coming seasons. Yes, M/P are a bit rough around the edges, but very interesting, and very talented.
It is different when you're young and hungry and going after reaching the top. But that transition has to be made when you are nearing the end of your career with a new partnership. A transition from young and hungry to experienced but new together. By now, K/F should have made that transition. They were in a great position, because again, Safina/Berulava were not a solid #1. All K/F had to do was block out that Lu/Mitrofanov skated great. Keep eyes on the prize! It was there for K/F for the taking. Oh boy.
I really wonder about how U.S. fed is gonna process this. They better not process it as K/F are still favored. Unless K/F come out blazing blades and hitting it like they want to win it at U.S. Nationals, they shouldn't be favored. I do love them, but they have disappointed time and again. Like I said, in this field, both K/F and C/J have the talent to go 1 and 2, with Lu/Mitrofanov 3 for that matter. But again, there was tight scoring among a lot of talented teams who underperformed in either the sp and/or the fp, including K/F and C/J. This is not looking good for how the Irvine teams present under competition conditions. I don't know what the underlying problems are in not fulfilling their tremendous talent. They have to believe they can do it. There aren't that many opportunities to break through to where the judges consistently reward you. If you keep freezing up with nerves when you can taste first place, or the podium in any number of competitions, you just aren't going to make the cut globally. Domestically, we shall see.
The extra sad thing is that Knierim/Frazier coming together so quickly over the pandemic season was hugely inspirational, I believe, for many teams (including the veteran pairing of James/Radford, and the coming together of a number of new partnerships internationally). Sadly, K/F were also tight at 2021 Worlds (as were Ashley/Timothy). The U.S. was so close to bringing back three spots for Worlds and Olympics, which the U.S. pairs discipline needs, because they are deep in pairs talent. But, there's only two spots available, so U.S. Nationals will be pressure-filled. The question is, which U.S. teams are on a roll with momentum and fierceness competitively?
In terms of the other top teams at Golden Spin, I'm happy that Metelkina/Parkman made the podium. There are some exciting partnerships developing in pairs worldwide. So I hope going forward we will see more competitiveness at the top against the Russians always running away in the scoring.
Nope, I was just overly emotional in the moment, and I posted without thinking it through for a beat. This was such a good chance for K/F. The win was up for grabs. Not that it's so important a competition in the scheme of things. But hopefully, K/F learn something to get themselves on track when they need to be. It's up to them. K/F, C-G/LD, and C/J are excellent teams, but they all have to believe in themselves. Lu/Mitrofanov are coming on strong, but they are still developing and gaining in experience. It's really nice to see L/M coming out of their shells and having programs that show their maturity and that they can perform well.What? You would send them to Worlds off the result of a single Senior B?
I can’t make too many other comments as I fell asleep again and the stream is blocked…but I doubt (hope) that USFS doesn’t do anything off the results of a single competition.