2013 Skate America: Pairs Short Program Recap

Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS) are world class.  Their commitment to the characters sets them apart from everyone else but the Germans. The power, speed, and precision don't hurt either. I feel like I'm watching a piece of theatre when I watch them skate. The impressive thing is that your eye goes to both of them equally and not just to one or the other. Even down to the death spiral, they never break character. Total Short Program Score: 83.05

I will try to stifle my hatred of the "ass up" death spiral because I loved the program as a whole. I personally love light, whimsical short programs and this was certainly it. The costumes were unique without being over the top and their lifts are always spectacular. I am enamored with that final spin and how the speed never dissipates when they change levels. The peck on the cheek was to die for. Total Short Program Score: 71.51

I was impressed by Stolbova & Klimov (RUS) minus his odd facial hair. They had a quiet power about them, very commanding, and very Russian. This program is going places and they are ready to step up as the 2nd Russian pair team. Nothing about the piece blew my socks off, but they are an easy team to watch, it didn't feel anxious or nervous like I do with a lot of pair teams. Total Short Program Score: 64.80

Berton & Hotarek (ITA) had an acrobatic short to say the least. That one-handed lift was unreal and everything about the piece screamed "circus trick". I couldn't take anything in the program seriously because of that insane shade of yellow. Total Short Program Score: 63.85

Okay so I was really surprised by Castelli & Shnapir (USA) today. After being default US champs, you guys really stepped it up. Speed and attack were great and aside from Simon doubling that SBS jump, the rest was awesome. They have a lot to work with in that great throw 3Sal, a pizzazzy footwork sequence, thrilling final lift, and the overall energy. Hopefully the confidence stays up for the free and the rest of the season. Total Short Program Score: 62.56

There is a fine line between aggressive and frantic. Today Denney & Coughlin (USA) stumbled over that line. Tosca is a dramatic piece, but it was all over the top. The twist was so high and the unison was perfect on the SBS jumps, but she couldn't possibly maintain that pace and wiped out on the throw. The piece didn't do much for me, probably because the music is so "been there done that". I much preferred Castelli & Shnapir. Total Short Program Score: 62.06 

Overall I got a good vibe from Zhang & Toth (USA) today. They had the double fall on the SBS jumps, but the twist, throw, and lifts were strong. The Carousel Waltz is music they can feed off of. I get his character, but she needs to work more on establishing hers. The final pose was so Broadway! Total Short Program Score: 55.83

I liked Purdy & Marinaro's (CAN) drama-filled opening, but the emotion never went anywhere for me. It's Unchained Melody, amp up the romance for heaven's sake! She doesn't seem gritty enough for a pair girl, you have to jam that leg out and land those elements girlfriend! I think this piece of music was too mature for a young team. Total Short Program Score: 50.26

2013 Skate America: Pairs Preview

Pairs is a discipline I run hot and cold with. I was all about them after that 2002 debacle and then they faded away for me until Shen & Zhao won the Olympic Gold in 2010. The rivalry between Savchenko & Szolkowy and Volosozhar & Trankov has been thrilling for me in the past two seasons and I truly hope they are back and forth up until their Olympic Free Skate. That being said, let's talk about this event. The paris will skate their short Saturday 10/19 at 12:00pm EST and their free on Sunday 10/20 at 2:30pm EST.

Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov (RUS) are the overwhelming favorites here. They will win unless they withdraw. I am hearing fantastic things about their Jesus Christ Superstar free (notice the abundance of British musical theatre tunes at this event) and I'm sure they won't disappoint. This event will be about getting their timing down and building strength and speed so they can ace this season. Anyone in the arena to watch them live in Detroit will be in for a treat.

Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) have been developing a healthy rivalry with their

countrymen Duhamel & Radford, and it's been great for their performance over the past two seasons.They are coming off of a win at the US Classic in Salt Lake City and US events have always treated them well. I'm not sure what to make of their Fellini Medley free skate, but they've always been a little offbeat in their choices. They're a contender for a Grand Prix Final spot and they have a great shot at taking silver here to keep themselves in the running.

Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA) seem to be the logical choices for the third podium spot. Their Phantom of the Opera free skate (another ALW?) should be an overdramatized tacky mess, but they are consistent which is something most pairs cannot say. The rumor mill was busy last season that they weren't getting along anymore and/or that John's body was too wrecked to compete, but I think they'll press on through this season to make it to the big dance.




Ksenia Stolbova & Fedor Klimov (RUS) are in a crucial year in

their career. There are so many young powerful Russian pairs, they aren't too far removed from that, so they better step it up if they are going to make that Olympic team. A good showing here will set them on the right track.

Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA) are my prediction for the next US pair to break up and fizzle out. They essentially won the US title by default last season because so  many top teams were injured. Rumors flew that they had a poor work ethic and they were only staying together so they could go to worlds. They aren't a favorite for the Olympic team, but if they want to change the minds of US Figure Skating, they best hold it together here.






Podium Predictions:
Gold: Volosozhar & Trankov (RUS)
Silver: Moore-Towers & Moscovitch (CAN)
Brozne: Denney & Coughlin (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Purdy/Marinaro (CAN)
Berton/Hotarek (ITA)
Stolbova/Klimov (RUS)
Castelli/Shnapir (USA)
Zhang/Bartholomay (USA)

2012 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Pairs Preview

Podium Predictions:
1) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig 
2) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin
3) Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker
4) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin


Last year we had a sentimental favorite in Yankowskas & Coughlin and they won gold. This year we have another sentimental favorite in Evora & Ladwig, a team that has been so close to gold for so many years but can't ever quite get there. I don't want to suggest that if they win it will be by default, but they have so much more experience skating together than most of the teams in this event that it's not even funny. I say it all the time, but we can't truly appreciate the beauty of the pairs elements and the artistry if they don't land the jumps. I truly think they will win, but I want them to get their gold in high fashion with two clean programs.

Denney & Coughlin own the last two gold medals from the US Championships, albeit with different partners. They teamed up in the summer and have been quite successful together. They've avoided major mistakes in competition, but their connection, artistry, and polish need fine tuning. They are a solid bet for one of the top two spots and a spot on the world team. If they are clean and Evora & Ladwig make mistakes, they'll likely win. The judges seem to really like them so I don't see them going below second unless they fall apart.

I really took to Marley & Brubaker last year at Nationals. I have always been a Rockne fan and found Mary Beth very refreshing. They had a solid debut in 4th last year and they've been able to get some international exposure at 4 Continents and Skate America. They have a lot of work to do in terms of artistry and building Mary Beth's confidence, but they'll get there if they STAY TOGETHER. I cannot stress enough how much I want these teams to stay together. They have switched coaches from John Nicks to Meno & Sand which should work out well in my opinion. Mr Nicks is a fantastic pairs coach, but he is aging and he has singles students to worry about. Meno & Sand are arguably the most successful US Pair team ever so they know what they're talking about.

Fourth is a tough position to call because anyone could land there, but I'm going with Vise & Baldwin. They had a very respectable showing at Skate America and skated two clean programs. They don't have all the acrobatic tricks of the younger teams, but they have a maturity that only comes with years and years of experience. I'm not about to suggest that they are world class or that they will ever contend for any major international titles, but it would be nice to see them on the podium.


Competitors:


Andrews/LeDuc-BYE
Cain/Reagan-BYE-6th at 2011 Cup of Russia (138.02)
Castelli/Shnapir-BYE-7th at 2011 NHK Trophy (149.02)
Chanel-Bautista/Harris-3rd at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (124.67)
Denney/Coughlin-BYE-4th at 2011 Skate America (175.40); 5th at 2011 NHK Trophy (163.75)
Donlan/Sperof-1st at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (152.73)
Evora/Ladwig-4th at 2011 Cup of China (170.63); 4th at 2011 TEB (169.58)
Fehr/Biver-BYE
Marley/Brubaker-BYE-7th at 2011 Skate America (144.80)
Poapst/Knierim-BYE
Scimeca/Dimitrov-4th at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (110.80)
Vise/Baldwin-BYE-6th at 2011 Skate America (155.42)
Zhang/Bartholomay-2nd at 2011 Eastern Sectionals (131.08)

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: 2011 NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Spellbound Concerto

• They look soooo young
• Good energy off the top
• He steps out of the SBS 3T
• Pop the twist to a single
• She is hardly getting any height on that throw, or distance
• Major unison errors on the 2A series
• This is a very junior-looking program
• She stops in the middle of the spin completely and holds out her wrist, I don't know if his blade hit her or what?
• Very freaky and I hope she's okay!

FS Score: 41.60 (TES) + 41.01 (PCS) = 82.61
Total Score: 45.56 (SP) + 82.61 (FS) = 128.17

2) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No.2  by Rachmaninov

• This is a very serious, grown up program for them
• Simon falls on the jump sequence and totally misses the second jump
• Their lifts always look so great because of his height
• Fall on the throw triple axel, but it may have been rotated
• Very off unison in the spins
• This certainly not the best I've seen from them
• Slight unison issue on the double axel
• Great comeback with the 2nd throw on a great musical crescendo
• That carry lift looks great

FS Score: 53.05 (TES) + 48.04 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 99.09
Total Score: 449.93 (SP) + (FS) = 149.02

3) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: A Chorus Line

• I'm obsessed with this program
• I love the jazziness of the choreography, Michael Bennett would be proud!
• Good solid jumps and a good twist
• Two-foot on the throw or so it looked from my angle
• I'd love to see some more expression in the "What I Did For Love" section
• The 2nd throw looked a little two-footed as well
• Very interesting spin positions
• The crowd is clapping along to the "One" section, I'd love to know if this Japanese audience knows anything about A Chorus Line
• I like this piece because it looks like a complete program to me, and not just a string of elements
• They should be very happy with that skate

FS Score: 52.27 (TES) + 52.62 (PCS) = 105.89
Total Score: 53.12 (SP) + 105.89 (FS) = 159.01

4) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: Clair de Lune

• This is one of my favorite pairs free skates in recent memory, so light and airy
• Low catch on the split twist, it looked like his hands may have slipped on the fabric of her dress
• Great throw, she was rotating at warp speed
• Slow exit out of the death spiral
• The fabric of her dress looks positively gorgeous floating through the spins
• Yuko never straightens her legs fully which really bothers me
• She struggles on both jumps of the sequence, very funky landings
• That moment where he holds her as she runs in the air is my favorite of the program
• She eeks out the landing on the 2nd throw, maybe a little two-footed
• Their lifts are never anything spectacular, where they really excel is in the in-between moments
• Not their best outing with this program, some awkward entrances and exits to lifts and the whole thing looked a little slow

FS Score: 61.13 (TES) + 61.36 (PCS) = 122.49
Total Score: 55.02 (SP) + 122.49 (FS) = 177.51

5) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
     Music: Nessun Dorma

• I zoned out and missed the opening jumps but I heard clapping so that's a good sign
• Slight loss of speed exiting the split triple twist, but great height
• John looked a little wild on both jumps of the double axel series, but landed nonetheless
• Very slow entrance into the throw and she fell, likely short of rotation
• Nice job on the second throw
• Caydee needs to really point that foot
• They have very nice unison in the spins for a team that is so new
• Her spin positions don't hold a candle to Caitlyn's
• That carry lift is ugly, John looks like he his dead lifting
• Ended slightly after the music

FS Score: 55.61 (TES) + 53.66 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 108.27
Total Score: 55.48 (SP) + 108.27 (FS) = 163.75

6) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Adagio in G Minor

• This has been a breakout year for them
• They're an interesting pair because they're both similar in height and size
• Nice 3-jump combination
• Split double twist, she is so tall that a triple would be very hard
• Some of the entrances and exits to the lifts are very awkward and labored
• She puts her hands down on second jumping pass
• Almost perfect unison on the spins
• All of their lifts look slow and labored because she is so tall
• She really opened up out of that throw and made it a double, very abrupt landing
• This is just not an exciting program for me
• Their lifts really scare me because he never looks stable
• One of those ugly death spirals that I hate
• Much improvement, but it lacked spark

FS Score: 52.49 (TES) + 107.60 (PCS) =
Total Score: 56.23 (SP) + 55.11 (FS) = 163.83

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Concerto de Quebec

• Very nice split twist
• Oh wow, Narumi actually landed that first jump!
• This is a gorgeous program that they have here
• I don't know what happened in that jump combination, she seemed to stumble out of the 1st while he stumbled on the 2nd and it was a jumbled mess
• Mervin is the focal point of this team, I hardly ever watch Narumi
• I love that they do the throws back to back right after the halfway point, that follows the Chinese pair programs format
• She two-foots the second throw, possibly short of rotation
• She has a fantastic spiral position
• Not a perfect skate, but it was a huge improvement for them
• Narumi is so excited! So proud of herself for landing the jumps

FS Score: 55.92 (TES) + 58.28 (PCS) = 114.20
Total Score: 57.89 (SP) + 114.20 (FS) = 172.09

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)
     Music: Pina

• I love this music so much
• Slight unison issue on the jumps but they held it together
• Kudos to Robin for such great flexibility on that spiral sequence even if his hip is hiked up
• This is such an innovative program and the choreography is so specific
• Low catch on the split twist
• Did Aliona single her axel?
• I appreciate that they don't simply perform generic lifts, but they are actually specific to the character of the program
• Oh boy, a botched lift, he couldn't get her up over his head and she just slid down his back
• Two-foot on the last throw
• They just lost control of the program right at the end, they are not pleased with that

FS Score: 48.58 (TES) + 63.87 (PCS) = 112.45
Total Score: 59.23 (SP) + (FS) = 171.68

Pl. Name Nation Points SP FS 1 Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 177.51 5 1 2 Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN JPN 172.09 2 2 3 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 171.68 1 3 4 Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK ITA 163.83 3 5 5 Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN USA 163.75 4 4 6 Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE RUS 159.01 6 6 7 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA 149.02 7 7 8 Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ CAN 128.17 8 8 Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES +   PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 122.49 61.13   61.36 7.79 7.54 7.64 7.82 7.57 0.00 #4 2 Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN JPN 114.20 55.92   58.28 7.32 7.29 7.32 7.46 7.04 0.00 #7 3 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 112.45 48.58   63.87 8.14 7.82 7.86 8.14 7.96 0.00 #8 4 Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN USA 108.27 55.61   53.66 6.96 6.50 6.75 6.71 6.61 1.00 #5 5 Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK ITA 107.60 52.49   55.11 6.89 6.71 7.07 6.89 6.89 0.00 #6 6 Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE RUS 105.89 53.27   52.62 6.68 6.39 6.57 6.82 6.43 0.00 #3 7 Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR USA 99.09 53.05   48.04 6.32 5.64 6.00 6.25 5.82 2.00 #2 8 Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ CAN 82.61 41.60   41.01 5.32 5.14 5.00 5.21 4.96 0.00 #1

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
     Music: East of Eden

• I've been trying hard not to like them but they're growing on me
• Basically all they have to do is establish consistency and they'll be #1 in the US
• Huge split 3 twist
• This is a horrible arrangement of this music
• Caydee doubles the SBS toe, just as she did in the warm-up, not the way to win favor with International judges
• I like the weaving footwork, it complements the swell of the music quite well
• I like the entrance into the lift, but she really needs to stretch out that position and milk it for all it's worthy
• I feel like everytime she lands a throw I say she "saved the landing", not quite sure why I'm always surprised to see her land it
• They need more time together to develop the "two shall skate as one" quality, but they've really come along quickly

SP Score: 30.42 (TES) + 25.06 (PCS) = 55.48

2) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Night-Train

• Major issues on those SBS jumps
• Really low catch on the split triple twist
• Good landing on the throw, but she hardly traveled away from him at all
• Everything in this program looks so simple, but I'm glad to see they're taking things slowly until they really master their pair elements; difficult will come later
• I like this music for them, its age appropriate
• Very cute program from them, it won't get a competitive score, but what a great way for them to get onto the International Senior scene

SP Score: 23.99 (TES) + 21.57 (PCS) = 45.56

3) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Phantom of the Opera

• I like this opening, Marissa always brings the drama and it's good to see Simon getting involved
• Weird timing on the split triple twist
• She was off on the jump in the air, I'm surprised she saved it from really splatting
• Nice steps in this softer section of the music
• Simon has beautiful posture, but Marissa is a little hunched which makes the height difference even more noticeable
• Fantastic throw on a great musical crescendo
• I love that they do their signature catch foot position in the lift
• Great program for them, if only she could have landed the jump
• I really like this choreography for them, it brings a new level of maturity

SP Score: 26.56 (TES) + 24.37 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 49.93

4) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: Figaro

• First clean SBS jumps I've seen from them in a while
• She really cuts off that throw landing, I'd love to see a longer edge
• Slow exit out of the split triple twist
• Really slow death spiral
• They zoom so quickly around the ice but get in and out of the elements so slowly, it's confusifying
• For soem reason this program seemed so explosive to me last season, but now it seems like a string of mediocre elements frantically thrown together
• They have very cool entrances and exits for their lifts, but that was a botched exit today, they nearly finished after the music

SP Score: 27.68 (TES) + 26.44 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 53.12

5) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Harlem Nocturne

• They have such an air of professionalism and theatrics about them
• They are owning this ice
• She landed very low, but held onto the SBS 3T
• He totally missed her body in that split twist and she landed on his shoulder
• Whoa scary moment, he caught an edge with her over his head upside down and tripped in the rotational lift, awkward exit, but safe exit
• Nice clean throw
• I like their spin positions, but they need some more speed
• I like the intricacies of the footwork and how they it plays into the small musical nuances
• This pair has really burst onto the scene in the last year, I like their style a lot

SP Score: 30.06 (TES) + 26.17 (PCS) = 56.23

6) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Imagine

• I loved this program when I first saw it at Skate Canada
• Narumi falls on the SBS toes; her jumping inconsistencies have been a major hindrance for them 
• Huge height on the split 3twist, but not a clean catch
• Not a lot of height on the throw, but a good clean landing
• What a fantastic pair spin this is
• This is my favorite pairs short program of the season, its so beautiful and well composed
• Mervin outskates her everytime, I'd love to see her rise to his level

SP Score: 31.18 (TES) + 27.71 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 57.89

7) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: All Alone

• Scary moment there, Yuko falls and Alexander almost trips over her
• Messy start, botched landing on the split twist
• Decent throw there
• I liked this program a lot at Cup of China, but it seems they're fighting so hard for the elements here that they can't really focus on the character of the piece
• I like the choreography and Alexander really dances it, whereas Yuko does not
• That is really an amazing position on that lift
• I dont' know what it is about her that always seems "off" to me, she looks so frail which is part of it
• She also rarely straightens her legs the whole way

SP Score: 26.85 (TES) + 29.16 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 55.02

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)
     Music: Angels & Demons

• Their costumes are always heinous and this is no exception, but I'll give them a pass because I love them
• They go after the throw triple axel and she lands on her side short of rotation
• Good split twist
• Something looked off in the SBS jumps, I didn't catch what happened but somebody doubled I think
• This is such a complete program that you hardly even see the elements
• They have the best spins and the most unique positions
• I love that every second of the choreography reflects the character of the piece, even down to her hand gesture and arm position in the death spiral
• They are upset about the fall on that axel, but kudos to them fro trying it early in the season; I bet they have it by worlds

SP Score: 29.00 (TES) + 31.23 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.23

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	59.23	29.00		31.23	8.04	7.68	7.71	7.82	7.79	1.00	#8
2	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	57.89	31.18		27.71	6.89	6.96	6.93	7.07	6.79	1.00	#6
3	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	56.23	30.06		26.17	6.57	6.21	6.71	6.54	6.68	0.00	#5
4	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	55.48	30.42		25.06	6.43	5.96	6.36	6.36	6.21	0.00	#1
5	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	55.02	26.86		29.16	7.50	7.21	7.14	7.46	7.14	1.00	#7
6	Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE	RUS	53.12	27.68		26.44	6.57	6.46	6.61	6.79	6.61	1.00	#4
7	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	49.93	26.56		24.37	6.18	5.79	6.04	6.29	6.18	1.00	#3
8	Natasha PURICH / Raymond SCHULTZ	CAN	45.56	23.99		21.57	5.50	5.14	5.46	5.54	5.32	0.00	#2

2011 NHK Trophy: Pairs Preview

NHK is shaping up to be a great pairs event based on the performance of each of these teams earlier this season. All but one team has done at least a Grand Prix or a Senior B thus far in 2011. The competition will be tough and though Gold and Silver seem to be wrapped up, I see about four teams in a race for the Bronze. The pairs take the ice for their short program at 2:45 a.m. EST on Friday November 11th with the free skate at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday November 12th.

Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER) come into this event with a win at Skate America under their belts, despite some major mistakes in the short program. They went for a throw triple axel and fell, but if it is not consistent yet, they may not go for it in this event as they'll have stiffer competition. Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS) technically won Cup of China with a higher score than the Germans at Skate America, but I believe that in head to head competition the Germans will come out victorious. But, if they do go for harder tricks and fail, the grace and lyricism of the Russians may win the day. Now to the 4-way battle for Bronze. I actually like Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA) in this event because they've been nothing but consistent since they teamed up and their current top score is better than the rest of the teams in the hunt for Bronze. They may not be 100% on their precision and unison yet, but they are landing their elements which is a big step for a new pair. Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN) are one of my favorite young pairs and they have some amazing elements with a lovely soft quality about them, but Narumi struggles with consistency on her jumps and throws, which kept them off the podium at Skate Canada. If they go completely clean in both programs they should be on the podium, but I don't know what the chances are, especially under the pressure of the home crowd. Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS) are another of my favorite pairs, and I'm enamored with their A Chorus Line free skate, but they are prone to giving away precious points with jumping errors and lack of presentation. Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA) are a surprise breakout team this season, having medaled at two Senior B events and even they could grab Bronze if they go clean and others make mistakes. Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA) and Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (USA) are slightly behind the rest of the field here, but a strong showing could help them improve their confidence and their World Ranking.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
2) Kavaguti & Smirnov (RUS)
3) Denney & Coughlin (USA)

Competitive History:

Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)-1st at 2011 Cup of Nice, 2nd 2011 O Nepela, 10th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 NRW Trophy, 6th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; 167.86 at 2011 Cup of Nice

Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)-4th 2011 O Nepela, 6th 2010 Skate America, 4th 2010 Skate Canada; 159.85 at 2010 Skate Canada 

Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)-4th at 2011 Skate America3rd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 175.94 (Yankowskas/Coughlin) at 2011 Worlds; PB: 175.40 at 2011 Skate America

Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)-5th at 2011 Skate Canada, 3rd 2011 O Nepela, 1st 2011 Winter Universiade, 4th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 4th 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 177.44 at 2010 Grand Prix Final


Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (JPN)-1st at 2011 Cup of China, 4th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 3rd 2010 Worlds, 4th 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 213.15 at 2010 Europeans


Natasha Purich & Raymon Schultz (CAN)-5th 2011 World Juniors, 7th 2010 JGP Final, 3rd 2010 JGP Czech, 3rd 2010 JGP England; PB: 131.77 at 2010 JGP Czech 

Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)-1st at 2011 Skate America, 1st 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Worlds, 3rd 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 217.85 at 2011 Worlds


Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)-4th at 2011 Skate America, 9th 2011 Worlds, 7th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP England; PB: 169.41 at Skate Canada 

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

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2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate LIVE BLOG

1) Natasha Purich & Raymond Schultz (CAN)
     Music: Spellbound Concerto

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 45.56 (SP) + (FS) =

2) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninov

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 49.93 (SP) + (FS) =

3) Lubov Iliushechkina & Nodari Maisuradze (RUS)
     Music: A Chorus Line

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 53.12 (SP) + (FS) =

4) Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)
     Music: Clair de Lune

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 55.02 (SP) + (FS) =

5) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)
     Music: Nessun Dorma

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 55.48 (SP) + (FS) =

6) Stefania Berton & Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
     Music: Adagio in G Minor for organ and strings

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 56.23 (SP) + (FS) =

7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
     Music: Concerto de Quebec

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 57.89 (SP) + (FS) =

8) Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)
     Music: Pina

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FS Score:  (TES) +  (PCS) - (DED) =
Total Score: 59.23 (SP) + (FS) =

2011 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Pairs Free Skate

Here we are with the senior pairs in their free skate. We are starting at about 10:50 EST with the first two groups of three, we'll then cut to ice dance and come back live on NBC for the final groups in pairs and dance. **denotes my picks in USFSA Fantasy Skating

1) Erika Smith & Nathan Bartholomay

   Music: Alexander

• That was a nice cartwheel move at the beginning
• Solid lifts
• Nice throws, they are really putting on a nice showing here
• That group 5 star lift was really stellar, especially with the music
• This music is very nice for them, and I like the choreography as well
• FS Score: 47.00 (TES) + 41.99 (PCS) = 88.99
• 43.60 (SP) + 88.99 (FS) = 132.59

2) Chloe Katz & Joseph Lynch

   Music: Music from Henry V

• That was a bit of a rough catch on the split twist
• Their speed is very nice
• I like that their costumes go together but don't match
• Wow she took a tough fall onto her stomach on the 1st throw, hits boards
• That is unfortunate for her, they were really flying
• She doubles her side by side triple toe loop, he is clean
• Group 5 lasso into hand-to-hip lift with him actually skating crossovers under her
• She holds onto a beautiful triple throw lift
• She shows some nice flexibility
• Their lifts are nicely placed on the hilights in the music
• FS Score: 52.35 (TES) + 42.37 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 93.62
• 46.38 (SP) + 93.62 (FS) = 140.00

3) Lisa Moore & Justin Gaumond

   Music: No, No, Nanette

• I loved them in the short skating to Singin in the Rain
• They have a nice jazzy, whimsical quality about them
• Throw double loop was clean, and she landed safely
• SBS double toe-double toe
• I like Peter Carruthers, am not a fan of the "creative" death spiral where the lady grabs the foot going in
• She was so tilted in the air on that last throw and just crumbled
• FS Score: 43.63 (TES) + 38.51 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 81.14
• 46.44 (SP) + 81.14 (FS) = 127.58

4) Gretchen Donlan & Andrew Speroff

   Music: Stairway to Heaven 

• Nice strong catch on the triple twist, good flow out
• She hung onto that SBS triple landing for sure
• I like the upside down entrance into the press lifts, they shift to a hand to hip with Andrew skating underneath of her
• I though she had that double axle, but she lost her footing
• Gorgeous flowing landing on her throw
• Nice low death spiral position
• They put up some great lifts, especially with difficult entrances
• Their second throw is equally strong
• This is a very nice program, conceptually and choreographically
• They should go solidly into first here
• Andrew is so strong for her and really shows her off nicely
• Gretchen could use some ballet to teach her to stretch out her legs and point her feet
• Coach Sheryl was in tears!
• FS Score: 51.29 (TES) + 46.34 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 96.63
• 48.62 (SP) + 96.63 (FS) = 145.25

5) Becky Bereswill & Trevor Young

   Music: Chicago

• I hope they use actual Fosse movements 
• Her dress is incredible
• They have some nice speed
• Good solid double axel-double toe
• I really love the choreography in this piece
• Opting for a split double twist
• I really like this team and I hope they place high enough to get some senior Grand Prix assignments
• She has learned quickly to process the lifts and throws 
• Becky really eeks out the landing on that throw triple loop, she was so tilted and still pulled it out
• That reverse overhead is so difficult and they hit it like it's nothing
• He lifts her so elegantly and makes her look so light
• This is such an entertaining program and she they've really chose the best selections form Chicago
• Mistake at the end, he loses the pivot on the death spiral and and almost loses her
• FS Score: 47.11 (TES) + 42.84 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)= 88.94
• 48.77 (SP) + 88.94 (FS) = 137.71

6) Molly Aaron & Daniyel Cohen **

    Music: Malaguena

• They are on my fantasy team so I'm pulling for them
• I like that they took a moment to really get into character before beginning
• She puts her hand down on the first throw, but it had a lot of height
• Molly takes a hard fall on the opening jump
• They hit some nice unique positions in their overhead lifts
• Not the best skate they have every done, they won't be too happy about that one
• FS Score: 49.40 (TES) + 43.39 (PCS) -3.00 (DED) = 85.59
• 47.24 (SP) + 85.59 (FS) = 136.83

7) Lindsay Davis & Themisthocles Leftheris

   Music: 

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 97.18
• 51.07 (SP) + 97.18 (FS) = 148.25

8) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin

    Music: Mona Lisa Overdrive/The Mission

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 96.97
•  54.29(SP) + 96.97 (FS) = 151.26

9) Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir

   Music: Avatar

• Missed skate due to late NBC coverage
• FS Score: (TES) +  (PCS) = 100.44
• 51.48 (SP) + 100.44 (FS) = 151.92

10) Caydee Denney & Jeremy Barrett

     Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• We now have Tom Hammond, Sandra Bezic, and Scott Hamilton as the live commentators, such an upgrade, though I do love Peter Carruthers
• Caydee is so sassy, and Jeremy has worked so hard to live up to her performance levels
• Nice clean catch on the triple twist
• Side by side triple toes, beautifully landed, good work Caydee, such a fighter
• Nice throw triple lutz on a huge musical crescendo
• Jeremy steps out of the first double axel in the sequence but the second set is clean
• This middle section in center ice is gorgeous
• Just beautiful  choreography by David Wilson
• Great spin sequence, great unicson
• Nice position by Caydee in the lasso lift
• Nice strong landing by Caydee in the second throw triple
• Great hand to hip lift
• This is wonderful music for them and they use it beautifully
• That's a nice position by Caydee in that death spiral
• They have such great speed and exuberance in this ending section
• They get such nice lift positions, especially with Jeremy on just one foot
• Great pair spin here at the end, wonderful camel positions
• FS Score: 59.36 (TES) +58.34  (PCS) = 117.70
• 57.79 (SP) + 117.70 (FS) = 175.49

11) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker **

     Music: The Addam's Family

• Marybeth is ready to light it up
• I like their look together
• Not a clean catch, but huge height on the split triple twist
• Nice Triple-double combo
• Oh wow something happened there and they both tripped over each other
• Wonderful recovery into a lasso lift
• I wanted this so much for them
• She recovered so well and landed that lift like a champ
• Nice spiral sequence from both of them
• She gets a great low death spiral position
• They have a really nice look on the ice and performance quality
• They need to work a bit on their side by side jumps, especially the timing, but that will come with time
• She eeks out that throw like a fighter
• They have some phenomenal lifts, what a great pair partner he is
• This little tango moment is so fun
• I love the spin sequence on the traditional Addams Family music
• They stay in perfect unison in the spins until the very last position change
• What a performer she is
• I am so impressed by how fast she has learned all of these elements, what a little champ she is
• I hope they stay together because they have so much potential
• FS Score: 44,16 (TES) + 52.29 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)= 105.45
• 58.10 (SP) + 105.45 (FS) = 163.55

12) Caitlin Yankowskas & John Coughlin **

     Music: Ave Maria

• Alright lets light it up guys, you've got this
• This opening pose is to die for
• I'm crying already, can't contain my emotion
• Opening double axels are crisp and clean
• Gorgeous split triple twist
• Not the most beautiful, but Caitlin lands that throw like the fighter she is
• Great three jump series, so in sync
• Everything looks so effortless, they are just letting it happen and not forcing it or muscling it
• Great death spiral and fantastic spin sequence, spins get a little out of sync at the end
• Caitlin really does look like an angel
• I love the way she seems to float in that spiral sequence
• Gorgeous throw triple, she lands it like it is nothing at all
• Their lifts are effortless because he is just so strong for her and she has such incredible positions
• That ending pose is phenomenal 
• FS Score: 61.97 (TES) + 62.18 (PCS) = 124.15
• 64.30 (SP) + 124.15 (FS) = 188.45

13) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig

     Music: Nessun Dorma

• This should be another big number if they can skate perfectly
• These costumes are gorgeous
• Their triple twist has such quick rotation
• Great Side by side triple toes on a huge musical crescendo
• This music and choreography are fantastic for them
• That was  very strong throw triple lutz
• Now when we get into the more lyrical part of the program is where they really shine
• Slight unison loss at the end of their spins
• Fantastic spiral sequence
• Side double axles, they both fight for each jump, possibly two-footed and/or step out
• Those side by side camels are such an interesting position for spins
• Their lifts are phenomenal and they perform them in the back half of the program to gain a lot of points on them
• Throw triple loop was huge, Amanda has to put her hands down to control it
• That one hand to hip lift onto one foot is just stellar, especially on these musical crescendos
• Not perfect, but a very very nice skate for them indeed
• Exit from the last lift was a little clunky but I think they did enough to stay in second, in my opinion
• FS Score: 62.09 (TES) + 60.26 (PCS) = 122.35
• 62.87 (SP) + 122.35 (FS) = 185.22