2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Free Skate LIVE Coverage

1) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)
 Music: Mulan

• Huge split 3twist
• Some issues on both sets of SBS jumps
• A lot of position changes, but not the beauty we're used to from the other teams
• Very sloppy death spiral positions, grip changes to up the level
• There is not much of a performance here, no attention to character, who are they even playing?
• Gigantic throw, as per the Chinese tradition
• This is very much a string of elements with no artistry at all
• They look happy to have made it through the program, very winded

46.37 (TES) + 42.02 (PCS) = 88.39
49.52 (SP) + 88.39 (FS) = 137.91

2) Yue Zhang & Lei Wang (CHN)
 Music: Singin' In the Rain

• That's a very cute opening
• Was that only a split double twist? From the Chinese?
• A little timing issue on the SBS jumps
• Good ice coverage on that lift, I like the spinning exit; cleaner positions than the other Chinese team
• They look like they're having a lot of fun out there
• Some unison problems on the spins, he is rotating much faster than her
• Nice smooth throw, not the power of Dong/Wu
• Turn out of the 2nd throw, a little low on the landing
• Backward entrance adds difficulty to that lift
• That spiral with her foot on his shoulder is unique, it's risky for him
• Major skid getting that final lift up, that could've been really scary
• Much more attention to performance than Dong/Wu, I appreciate the commitment

46.77 (TES) + 45.43 (PCS) = 92.20
48.04 (SP) + 92.20 (FS) = 140.24

3) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)
 Music: Viva La Vida, Yellow

• I'm loving Meagan's braid
• She looks smaller than normal to me for some reason
• Really good split twist, I love the footwork into it 
• This is a very well composed program
• Hand down from Meagan on the first jump, but they still execute the 3-jump combo
• Fall from Meagan on the second jump sequence, some thing has looked really off with her this week
• Eric has really grown on me, my eye is going to him more than Meagan now
• I love that swinging entrance into the spins
• I love it when the spins transition the music into the 2nd piece
• It's nitpicky, but his shirt is a little too blousy for me
• He's looking really unsteady on these lifts
• Good save muscling out that throw, she's a fighter
• She floats like nobody's business into those lifts
• Hand down and maybe a 2-foot on the 2nd throw
• They are giving up a ton of points here and there
• Not the dream free skate they had a Canadians, but they still have Worlds left to peak

62.27 (TES) + 52.96 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 114.23
57.53 (SP) + (FS) = 171.76

4) Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN)
 Music: Heroes by Phillip Glass

• This music kills me but I won't hold it against them
• I can't imagine rehearsing to this music daily
• The split twist is still eluding them, but it's getting there
• She' the veteran, she should be able to land these jumps
• Slight unison on the spins
• The free skate is usually where the "newness" in this pair shows
• She just sat that throw down, perhaps a speed issue
• They are having trouble relating to this music
• Another fall on the throw, he looked to mouth "I'm sorry" to her
• They're really unraveling, I'm praying for safe lifts
• She seems to have no energy whatsoever, but he still looks strong
• That carry lift needs more ice coverage and perhaps a more robust section of the music to be effective

49.45 (TES) + 49.66 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 97.11
57.68 (SP) + 97.11 (FS) = 154.79

5) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
 Music: The Man in the Iron Mask

• This team has been focusing on PCS over TES, we'll see if it shows
• Sloppy shoulder catch on the split 3 twist
• Slight unison break on the SBS jumps
• More unison issues on the 2a sequence
• Paige is usually such a firecracker but this program doesn't have any life to me
• More unison problems on the spins
• I like that they're having fun, but they're a little too smiley for this dramatic music
• That hydroblade entrance into the death spiral was cool
• They still look pretty high energy about halfway through
• Rough entrance into that lift, a struggle to get up, you could see Paige talking him through
• Not a lot of distance or height on these throws, but at least they're landing them
• Very labored on the lifts, I think the backloading of the program is backfiring at this altitude

49.99 (TES) + 50.70 (PCS) = 100.69
57.97 (SP) + 100.69 (FS) = 158.66

6) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig
 Music: Daphnis et Chloe

• A little messy on the split twist, but that's never their strong suit anyway
• Both step out of the SBS jump, but in perfect unison
• This is the best choreography of the whole event in my opinion
• Fall on the 1st throw
• She looks tentative, never a good sign
• She may have singled the axel, I couldn't tell
• Fantastic twist into that stand on his thigh
• Very smooth in and out of the death spiral
• Beautiful 2nd throw
• Very nice elements thus far aside from the throw, no falls on the jumps here from Amanda at all, step in the right direction
• Their lifts are more grand than anyone else, bar none
• I wish his shirt were the same color as the midsection on her dress
• Great toss into that final lift
• Lovely spin positions, but a little slow in that pair spin
• Clunky exit out of that final lift, an unfortunate way to end the program

54.30 (TES) + 53.94 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 107.24
60.75 (SP) + 107.24 (FS) = 167.99

7) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)
 Music: The Soul of Flamenco

• She's bringing out her inner diva on that elaborate entrance
• This program grows on me every competition
• Quad throw! Two-footed, but hey!
• 4twist, rough catch, but at least they're getting it done
• A little out of unison, but strong 3-jump sequence
• They seem more calm here, not as frantic as earlier in the season
• She could stretch out the free leg and foot more on the death spiral
• A little unison break in the spin position change
• Her flexibility on that spiral is phenomenal
• This program is light years better than it was in September
• Fantastic 2nd throw, that got so much difference
• That upside down entrance into the press lift is really cool
• Ohh scary moment mid-lift, she puts her arms on his shoulders to save her balance
• A lot of speed on that last lift, good rotation
• Great program from them, they look more grown up every time
• They look exhausted, breath kids breath!

75.54 (TES) + 59.54 (PCS) = 135.08
66.75 (SP) + 135.08 (FS) = 201.83

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

• This team couldn't be more different from what we just saw
• Only a split 2twist
• Hard spill for Narumi, nearly fell on her face
• Wow what a mess on that SBS sequence, she singled, he stumbled and cut the 2nd jump
• If they had Sui/Han's technical tricks, they'd be unstoppable with their elegance
• She's one of those skaters who can't hit a bad position, other pair ladies must watch he rlifts
• A two-foot and a step out on the 1st throw, same on the 2nd
• He nearly skated over her on the 2nd throw, that was terrifying
• It must be so hard to keep going after all those mistakes
• And they nearly skated into the board out of their 2nd lift, just not their night at all
• Lovely extension and toe point in that 3rd lift, exit could've been more smooth

55.32 (TES) + 55.25 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 109.57
61.54 (SP) + 109.57 (FS) = 171.11

9) Caydee Denny & John Coughlin (USA)
 Music: Nessun Dorma

• Their elaborate entrances to center ice are too high drama even for me
• This program is growing on me, I hated the guitar early in the season but it suits them
• Gorgeous split 3twist
• Nice throw, a little scratchy, but good glide out
• Near perfect unison on the SBS jumps
• It was a fight, but landed the 2nd SBS sequence
• They have great spin unison for a new pair, that's usually the hardest thing to ma
• The lift positions are just not attractive, a stern Russian ballet teacher could work that out in no time
• Awesome 2nd throw, huge roar from the crowd
• That catch-foot position is slightly more attractive because the bum isn't sticking up
• Here is that carry lift that John dreams about everyday
• Her foot gets scarily close to his head up there
• A big scary on that headbanger at the end, he bent his knees and barely muscled her back up                     

62.82 (TES) + 59.25 (PCS) = 122.07
63.35 (SP) + 122.07 (FS) = 185.42

10) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
 Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor by Rachmaninov

• Come on guys, earn  yourself a medal!
• This program suits them so well, and it's appropriate for their age situation
• Mary Beth falls on the same jump she missed in warmup
• A little crashy on the split twist, looked labored
• She steps out of the double axel, she looks a little antsy today
• I love their SBS split jumps, I must've missed that at Nationals
• Good spinning unison, that's a big area of improvement over last season
• Good throw, good job Mary Beth
• Her lift positions are improving at every event
• That pair spiral is beautiful, she looks so happy to be out there
• Very nice carry lift on one leg, good ice coverage
• It would be great to see some more variation in the lift positions, but that will come
• Two-foots the 2nd throw, again a good save
• They gave away a lot of points here and there, it's going to be close if they land on the podium

60.91 (TES) + 56.56 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 116.47
62.42 (SP) + 116.47 (FS) = 178.89

1	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	201.83	1	1
2	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	185.42	2	2
3	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	178.89	3	3
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	171.76	8	4
5	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	171.11	4	5
6	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	167.99	5	6
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	158.66	6	7
8	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	154.79	7	8
9	Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG	CHN	140.24	10	9
10	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	137.91	9	10

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	135.08	75.54		59.54	7.46	7.04	7.79	7.46	7.46	0.00	#7
2	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	122.07	62.82		59.25	7.43	7.00	7.57	7.46	7.57	0.00	#9
3	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	116.47	60.91		56.56	7.04	6.89	7.14	7.25	7.04	1.00	#10
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	114.23	62.27		52.96	6.71	6.50	6.54	6.71	6.64	1.00	#3
5	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	109.57	55.32		55.25	6.93	6.86	6.71	7.14	6.89	1.00	#8
6	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	107.24	54.30		53.94	6.82	6.64	6.61	6.93	6.71	1.00	#6
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	100.69	49.99		50.70	6.57	6.36	6.04	6.43	6.29	0.00	#5
8	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	97.11	49.45		49.66	6.46	6.04	6.04	6.36	6.14	2.00	#4
9	Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG	CHN	92.20	46.77		45.43	5.75	5.43	5.71	5.82	5.68	0.00	#2
10	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	88.39	46.37		42.02	5.54	5.00	5.36	5.25	5.11	0.00	#1

2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Short Program LIVE Coverage

1) Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)

    Music: East of Eden

• Ice Musings and I are not obsessed with this themed entrance
• This looks a little slow for me today
• That was really slow getting into that lift
• That was a save on the throw, she was super tilted in the air
• Good showing overall from the home team
• 35.55 (TES) + 27.80 (PCS) = 63.35

2) Jessica Dube & Sebastien Wolfe (CAN)

    Music: Three Hours After Midnight

• I like her hair a lot and I love the zipper on the back of her dress
• Good speed
• I feel like she's reinvented herself as an athletic skater which is really cool
• 31.28 (TES) + 26.40 (PCS) = 57.68

3) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)

    Music: Singing in the Rain

• I'm loving her right now, so quick and speedy right off the bat
• Nice opening SBS jumps, great unison
• That split twist is so improved from last season
• Landed the throw on 2 feet, that's the only visible error
• Stretch out those legs on the lift honey!
• Nice button on the end
• 34.96 (TES) + 27.46 (PCS) = 62.42 

4) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)

     Music: Concierto de Aranjuez

• Meagan kind of looks like Hilary Swank
• Good fight on those SBS jumps, I don't know how she landed that
• Girlfriend is attacking this
• Did they change some of this choreography, I like it more than I remember it
• She looks oddly hunched over and he is very upright which exaggerates the height difference
• They're looking a bit tired here
• Hands down on the throw
• Something about it looked off today, I can't put my finger on it really
• 31.44 (TES) + 26.09 (PCS) = 57.53

5) Yue Zhang & Lei Wang (CHN)
     Music: The Swan

• All kinds of craziness on those SBS jumps, she doubles and he almost goes into the boards
• Really labored throw, two-footed
• They look really really tired out there, it's like slow motion
• Some nice moments of elegance, but the whole thing just lacks spark
•  24.21 (TES) + 23.63 (PCS) = 48.04

6) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN)
    Music: Red Violin

• Slightly off on those SBS jumps, just a slight unison issue
• Wild on that throw, couldn't control the height, hands down
• A lot of position changes on those throws, not such clean positions though
• That was a decent skate, but no polish
• 27.29 (TES) + 22.23 (PCS) = 49.52 

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

• That was a cute little fist bump
• No elaborate opening poses here
• They are one of the "beautiful, but" teams
• Land those jumps Narumi please
• A little scratchy there on that throw
• Really nice entry into that lift, that's one of the best in the competition
• This music and the choreography is fantastic
• That is the only time you see a "unique entry" and the death spiral position is beautiful as well
• 34.74 (TES) + 27.80 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 61.54

8) Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)
     Music: Country Dance

• She definitely grew
• They look like they were shot out of a rocket, it's a little too high energy for me
• So far so good, as long as they don't fall on a crossover of something, they'll likely take the lead
• I think this music may be arranged differently
• Their presentation quality is a welcome change from the rest of the Chinese pairs who are usually stone-faced
•  37.71 (TES) + 29.44 (PCS) = 66.75

9) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)
    Music: The Man I Love

• That looked like a 2-foot, but that's a HUGE improvement
• She looked so good going in
• That was a beautiful throw, fantastic glide out of it
• So elegant, it's really refreshing to see them hit all those technical elements
• Best short of the season by far
• 32.47 (TES) + 28.28 (PCS) = 60.75

10) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)
      Music: Beetlejuice

• That was nearly a fall on the split twist, she went way off to the side
• A lot of ice flying on those SBS jumps, but landed
• This is kind of weird choreography, but it suits the music well
• Very crooked position on the throw, but she managed to land it
• 31.28 (TES) + 26.69 (PCS) = 57.97

2012 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Preview

Podium Predictions:
1) Duhamel & Radford (CAN)
2) Sui & Han (CHN) 
3) Denney & Coughlin (USA)

Choosing against a Chinese pairs team may be counter-intuitive, but I'm going with the heartwarming story and Duhamel & Radford (CAN) have great momentum going into this event. Since the event is in North America, Colorado Springs specifically, this is practically a home game for them as they won't have to adjust to much of a time difference and there will certainly be a decent Canadian crowd. They are coming off the high of winning Canadian Nationals decisively and they have ambitions technical elements that rival the top teams in the world. They won't get the PCS of the top European teams, but their unison and chemistry is undeniable and they won't face the best in the World until the compete in Nice in March. This will be a good test for them to see how ready they are to contend on the big stage.

Pre-season, it seemed an afterthought that Sui & Han (CHN)  would be contenders for the World podium this season after a stellar debut last year, but they've fallen off a bit with inconsistencies and technical mistakes. They are moving in a more mature direction with a Tango Free Skate, but they still look like a junior team to me. If they hit here, they could win, but they have yet to do so this season and I won't believe it until I see it.

I'm finally drinking the Kool-Aid and buying into Denny & Coughlin (USA) after a convincing win at US Nationals last week. I'm not saying they have World medal potential, but you can't deny that they are consistent and have had a good overall freshman season. Their artistry needs work, but they have solid pair technique and their unison is pretty spot-on for a new team. Time will tell if they can break the curse of the other American pairs and actually go the distance. Their "elegance" is non-existent, but but that is a learned trait and they do have one of the most important intangibles, the competitive edge. Their packaging also needs an overhaul, from costuming to hair and makeup.

A personal favorite of mine is Takahashi & Tran (JPN) and I'd actually love to see them win, but they are so inconsistent. If one of them isn't falling on the side-by-side jumps, its the other. They are elegant and have an on-ice maturity beyond their years, but inconsistency is a major problem and somebody needs to teach them how to compete.

Another team to watch out for is Marley & Brubaker (USA) who made a big splash at US Nationals, winning the short program and nearly taking the title save for a few uncharacteristic mistakes. Though they won't be thought of as medal contenders this season, this is a polished, athletic team on the rise and they have plenty of gas left in the tank with many years left to climb the ranks

On the opposite end of the pairs spectrum you have Evora & Ladwig (USA) who are entering the twilight of their careers without  much international success. We can't keep making excuses for them by saying "they are great, but..." and they just need to man up and land those jumps if they are ever going to crack the top 6 at Worlds. We saw a US pair do it last season but that was after they put together 2 perfect programs. Will Evora & Ladwig ever win a major international medal before they retire? They have as much of a shot as any to do that here if they hit. 

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: Skate America Pairs Free Skate [LIVE BLOG]

I'm loving Mary Beth Marley's costume. I'm really pulling for Marley & Brubaker to have a clean free skate, regardless of placement. She's just come so far! I feel like Aliona always wears her warm-up jacket out in the warm up.

1) Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER)
     Music: Your Highness by Steve Yablonsky

• 8th after the short was a huge surprise, I had them pegged for top 4, or 5th at the lowest
• His costume is very similar to that of Don Baldwin in the short
• Not enough height on the split twist, not a clean catch
• I love Daniel's long flowing edge out of  the throw
• Maylin puts her hand down in the first jump of the combination
• Both struggle on the side by side triple salchows, she doubled I believe
• I like their athleticism in this program, but they're struggling on elements
• Even the exit from that lift seemed rough
• They just don't look like themselves
• The star lift with him on the inside spread eagle was great!
• She was so tilted on that throw 3flip, steps out and puts a hand down
• This will not be a program they're happy with
• They have some intricate positions in their lifts, nice innovations
• I hate that death spiral, anything other than a traditional death spiral is ugly to me
• Good pair spin positions, but the speed was lacking
• The final pose seemed out of the character of the piece to me

FS Score: 46.25 (TES) + 46.35 (PCS) = 92.60
Total Score: 48.94 (SP) + 92.60 (FS) = 141.54

2) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
     Music: Legends of the Fall, Time To Say Goodbye

• I think Tiffany Vise is a little to old for that hair ribbon
• Wrong music played for them, I haven't seen that in a while
• That has to rattle you a little bit once you're in character
• They can't stop laughing, now they'll be announced a 3rd time
• I love this music, I've choreographed pieces to it so it's very close to my heart
• That double twist was very clean, and the catch was clean and high
• I love the spread eagle entrance into the throw triple loop, gorgeous flow out
• Triple-toe double toe from him, single toe for her
• I really enjoy seeing them jump and spin in opposite directions
• I really don't like these "innovative" death spiral positions at all
• This is a very elegant piece, we're used to more athletic pieces from them so it's a nice change
• Side by side triple salchows were lovely
• I think the spiral requirement in pairs is silly, the men never look good doing them  and there are so many other elements
• The counter balance on his skate is very cool
• Hands down on the throw triple
• Good quality spins, dangerously close at certain points
• I think Code of Points has been great for pairs because we get higher quality choreography between the elements
• Very solid performance for them, should easily be in first

FS Score: 53.00 (TES) + 50.87 (PCS) = 103.87
Total Score: 51.55 (SP) + 103.87 (FS) = 155.42

3) Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor by Rachmaninov

• I'm pulling for them, hoping for a good clean skate
• Did she stumble a little on the opening pose
• She fell really hard on that side by side triple toe
• Very good speed here, I like to see that
• Huge height on the split triple twist, catch was a little low
• She falls again on the triple salchow, must be nerves because she is a very strong jumper
• Their spins are greatly improved from last season when they debuted
• Two footed throw triple lutz, but that is a harder throw than most will do
• Her lift positions are much stronger than last season
• Interesting spiral sequence
• I like this program and I think they have a lot of growing room
• I wish they had been able to compete at Nebelhorn so this wasn't their first event of the season
• The lifts are very nice
• Rockne is such a strong partner and I'm sure he's being very patient with her
• Fall on the throw triple salchow
• I really like the innovative positions of their pair spin
• Poor girl, she has to be so upset with that program

FS Score: 44.28 (TES) + 47.36 (PCS) - 3.00 (DED) = 88.64
Total Score: 56.16 (SP) + 88.64 (FS) = 144.80

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

• This piece is based on the German postmodern dancer & choreographer Pina Bausch, who I happen to love!
• Gorgeous throw triple flip
• Very strong side-by-side jump sequence
• I really like their spiral sequence, if that's possible
• This is unique music, and their in between choreography fits it perfectly
• I'm loving this music!
• These costumes are quite subdued for them!
• I'm not a fan of even their death spiral, but at least it fits the theme of the program
• This is great choreography, this program is going to be outrageously good by Europeans and Worlds
• They act this very well and he lets her be the star
• These lifts, entrances and exits included are so cool
• Great pair spin programs
• I'm enamored with this program!
• The speed is one thing they can work on but the rest is brilliant

FS Score: 60.41 (TES) + 64.12 (PCS) = 124.53
Total Score: 59.45 (SP) + 124.53 (FS) = 183.98

5) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)
     Music: Henry V

• Their costumes look like they were bought from a Tudors salvage sale, which is obviously quite fitting
• I loved them last season but they fizzled, can they keep a high level for a whole season this year?
• Triple toe-triple toe in sequence, slight loss of unison in the second set
• Seriously lacking height on the split triple twist
• Step out and maybe a hand down for Dylan on the triple salchow
• I really like this music, it's a nice look for them
• They are losing some speed after that stumble on the jump, could be running out of gas
• Great height on the throw triple loop
• This middle section seems slow, they are lacking in their choreography and musical interpretation
• This is a very grandiose musical choice, in the same vein as their Les Miserables free last season
• Her free leg seems bent in the spins and his foot seems flexed
• That star lift out of the lunge position at the end of the program has become somewhat of a signature for them
• I like them a lot and hope they stay together in order to grow in their maturity and musical interpretation

FS Score: 61.65 (TES) + 56.18 (PCS) = 117.83
Total Score: 59.60 (SP) + 177.43 (FS) = 177.43

6) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
     Music: Doctor Zhivago

• Her costume is a little much for me, it's very 1994 Lillehammer-esque
• Can they actually land their elements today?
• She turns out of her side by side triple toe
• Gorgeous split triple twist with a clean catch
• She seems to have little to no confidence in her skating
• Nice throw triple flip, but tentative on her part
• Side by side double axel sequence, loss of unison at the end
• This program needs a lot more speed 
• They are beautiful, but they need more expression
• I hate to say it, and usually I love their grace, but this program is a little boring for me
• Slight unison issue on the spins, and they hit some ugly positions
• That program was just okay for me, it needs a little more oomph

FS Score: 58.72 (TES) + 55.60 (PCS)  = 114.32
Total Score: 59.62 (SP) + 114.32 (FS) = 173.94

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

• I can't decide whether I want to like them or not
• Clean side by side triple throws, slight unison issues
• That split triple twist is World class, I'd like to see a quad attempt
• Double axel-double axel sequence, Caydee singles it; not a good way to pass top teams
• Really nice throw triple loop
• This choreography has a lot of arms, but not much else for me
• This arrangement of Nessun Dorma makes me want to throw up
• I hate to admit it, but they do have some decent chemistry out there, I wonder why?
• Throw triple flip was clean, but it lacked the height of their first throw
• They spins are very well synchronized for a new pair
• They've done all their difficult elements minus a lift at this point
• Her positions are improved from when she skated with Jeremy, but could still be more stretched
• This is a strong start for them, regardless of placement
• Nice difficult entrance and positions in that final lift
• They should be thrilled with that
• I'm not sure if that is enough to pass the Canadians or not

FS Score: 59.36 (TES) +56.42  (PCS) - (DED) = 115.78
Total Score: 59.62 (SP) + 115.78 (FS) = 175.40

8) Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)
     Music: Totentanz

• Nice opening jump sequence
• I hate this piece of music
• Good height on the split twist
• Side by side triple salchows
• This is a nice enough program, but it's not really doing much for me
• It's not nearly as interesting as Savchenko & Szolkowy's free skate, but they may have enough of a buffer from the short program
• They are skating really slowly
• Turn out of the throw triple salchow
• They used to be such an athletic pair but now with her height, they could work toward re-establishing themselves as an elegant pair
• Very clean skate from them, good comeback after a year off
• They look exhausted!

FS Score: 56.96 (TES) + 58.85 (PCS)  = 115.81
Total Score: 62.85 (SP) + (FS) = 178.66

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America Pairs Short Program [LIVE BLOG]

Wow, Dan Zhang is super tall now!!

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

• I don't like her lipstick, but I like her dress a lot
• it still hurts that she's not Caitlin
• That triple twist was huge with a very clean catch
• Nice clean triple toes, slight unison issues
• They seem to have a very strong personal connection to one another for only being together a few months
• Very slow in the footwok, speed will pick up as they get more experience
• A little bit of a wonky entrance into that overhead lift
• I don't know how Caydee saved that throw, very tilted in the air
• I still hate that she isn't Caitlin, but that was a solid skate

SP Score: 33.82 (TES) + 25.80 (PCS) = 59.62

2) Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)
     Music: Pirates of the Caribbean by Hans Zimmer

• They only do a split double twist, so that will her their TES
• Very good height on the throw triple loop, hand down
• I think it's interesting to watch teams that jump and spin in opposite directions
• Here head almost hit the ice on that death spiral
• I really like their speed and edging on the footwork
• She tripped up a bit at the end, unfortunate

SP Score: 27.12 (TES) + 24.43 (PCS) = 51.55

3) Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
    Music: Singin in the Rain

• I love that they are doing a cute, jazzy short program
• Very good unison on those side by side triple toes
• Very cute choreography, loving it so far
• Really good height on the the split triple twist, a little bit of a rough catch
• Hands down maybe on that throw triple lutz, but kudos to them for trying a harder throw
• I am just smitten with this program
• Very great energy throughout
• Nice lift
• They showed AMAZING improvement

SP Score: 29.68 (TES) + 26.48 (PCS) = 56.16

4) Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)
    Music: A Transylvanian Lullaby by John Morris

• Fantastic throw triple loop, that's what happens when you practice throwing over couches
• This is signature Lori Nichol choreography
• Other than lacking some speed, they look just as good as they did before they took their year off
• I'm not in love with this program, it is a little bland for me
• They are clearly a class above all the other skaters we've seen
• That was an abrupt ending to the program

SP Score: 34.17 (TES) +28.68  (PCS) = 62.85

5) Kirsten  Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)
     Music: Borsalino by Claude Bolling

• Fast rotation on the  split twist, but not a clean catch
• Good side by side triple toes
• That throw triple loop was so tilted, she saved it
• I love their lift entry with Dylan in the lunge
• This program has some nice potential, but they can really up the performance ante
• That was scary when she stepped over the back of his skate boot, looked like a sliced achilles waiting to happen

SP Score: 32.30 (TES) + 27.40 (PCS) = 59.60

6) Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wendne (GER)
    Music: Music by John Miles

• Is it just me or does Daniel look a bit like Alexander Gazsi?
• Bad catch on that split triple twist, but I like how they linked it to their throw triple salchow
• Fall by Maylin on the triple toe
• I'm hating this 80s-tastic musical selections, and how do black and white costumes fit? 
• Trip by Daniel on the footwork sequence, they just look a bit frantic for me
• Her positions in the overhead spins could really use work
• I really like the ending pose

SP Score: 25.63 (TES) + 24.31 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 48.94

7) Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)
    Music: Tosca by Puccini

• I always forget that Vera is so young, only 18
• I love they're elegance, if they can just land their elements, they're elite status
• Wow Yuri actually fell this time, usually it's Vera who struggles
• Did she die her hair darker?
• I've been saying for many a season that they remind me of Gordeeva & Grinkov, but not when they fall like that
• Clean throw triple flip, a harder throw than many
• I like their death spiral and that pair spin is to die for
• Very unique entrance and position changes into their overhead lift
• This is lovely choreography, not a moment is wasted
• Stumble by Yuri at the end, they looked unsettled out there

SP Score: 32.43 (TES) + 28.20 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 59.62

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

• Wow, Aliona is all about the fake skin
• I love Ingo!!
• Let me guess, she's the angel and he's the demon?
• They have a very innovative coach which is great to see
• She ate it in the throw triple axel, very tilted, not sure if they'll call it rotated or not
• Struggle coming out of the split triple twist
• She two-footed the triple toe
• Granted she took a very hard fall on the throw, could understandably be shaken
• Their pair spin is so cool, loving it!
• So far no heinous death spirals, I'm okay with that sideways position
• This program is going to be outstanding come the Grand Prix Final, just needs some work

SP Score: 29.48 (TES) + 30.97 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 59.45

2011 Skate America: Pairs Preview

This pairs event won't be much of a competition for the the top spot, but it's going to be a dog fight for the rest of the medals. I'll be live blogging ever moment so check in with me 9:55 pm EST this Saturday for the short program and on Sunday at 4:00 pm for the free skate.

3-time and reigning World Champions Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER) should easily run away with this title. They are so far above the rest of this field that they'll be using the event as a way to test out their new programs in front of the judges rather than worrying about the competition. Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS) are a good bet for Silver because they are gorgeous when their programs are clean, though Vera has been known to have problems on her jumps. Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA), the much-hyped new pair made a strong debut at Nebelhorn Trophy and beat Bazarova & Larionov in the short program, though their weaknesses were highlighted when the Russians blew them away in the free and knocked them into 3rd. They are a very athletic pair and have a lot of drive and enthusiasm, but their polish and chemistry is still lacking and will be until they get some more experience together under their belts.  Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN) are a true wild card because nobody has seen them skate in over a year. In their prime, 06-09, they were World medalists and Olympic medalists, but they've fizzled out since then and rumor has it, the once tiny Dan has gone through a growth spurt which can ruin pair elements.  Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) won a surprise Silver medal here last year but fizzled out later in the season. They have some great tricks but are very rough around the edges and have had consistency issues. They'll need another high-scoring free skate like Les Miserables last season to break win another medal. Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER) are not to be counted out either and have been steadily improving. They are not at the level of their countrymen but they did win a surprise Bronze on the Grand Prix last season. Mary-Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA) are another wild card because they impressed us all with a 4th place at US Nationals and then fell apart last year at Four Continents. Mary-Beth is still new to pairs skating, but I'm expecting more from them now that they've been together for about a year and a half. They aren't in the medal hunt, but they can set themselves up for the rest of the season but skating cleanly and impressing the judges. Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA) debuted at Nebelhorn this season and weren't too shabby.They are an older team and won't have their sites set on medals or titles, but it is great for them to just get out there and get some International exposure.

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


My USFSA Fantasy Picks:
A) Savchenko & Szolkowy (GER)
B) Denney & Coughlin (USA)
C) Marley & Brubaker (USA)


Competitive History:


Vera Bazarova & Yuri Larionov (RUS)-2nd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 5th 2011 Worlds, 3rd 2011 Europeans, 5th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 188.24 at 2011 Europeans 


Caydee Denney & John Coughlin (USA)-3rd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, PB: 175.94 (Yankowskas/Coughlin) at 2011 Worlds; PB: 62.73 at 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy


Maylin Hausch & Daniel Wende (GER)-4th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 12th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2011 Bavarian Open, 3rd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 Ice Challenge, 7th 2010 NHK Trophy, 5th 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 157.42 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard


Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)-8th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2011 Nestle Cup; PB: 144.46 at 2011 Four Fontinents


Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)-8th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Four Continents, 6th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 175.48 at 2010 Skate America


Aliona Savchenko & Robin Szolkowy (GER)-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


Tiffany Vise & Don Baldwin (USA)-7th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 8th 2011 US Nationals, 2nd 2010 Ice Challenge; PB: 165.76 (Vise/Trent) at 2007 Trophee Eric Bompard


Dan Zhang & Hao Zhang (CHN)-5th 2010 Worlds, 5th 2010 Winter Olympics, 6th 2009 Grand Prix Final; PB: 197.82 at 2008 Worlds

2011 Four Continents Championships: Pairs Short Program

**Denotes USFSA Fantasy Skating Team Selections 
Warm-Up Group 1:
1) Mary Beth Marley & Rockne Brubaker (USA)
2) Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (CAN)
3) Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers (CAN)

Warm-Up Group 2:
4) Yue Zhang & Lei Wang (CHN)
5) Huibo Dong & Yiming Wu (CHN) **
6) Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch (CAN)

Warm-Up Group 3:
7) Narumi Takahashi & Mervin Tran (JPN)
8) Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig (USA)
9) Qing Pang & Jian Tong (CHN) **
10) Caitlin Yankowskas & John Coughlin (USA) **

Standings After Short Program

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	71.41	39.29		33.12	8.25	8.11	8.29	8.39	8.36	1.00	#9
2	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	59.98	34.21		25.77	6.36	6.14	6.54	6.64	6.54	0.00	#3
3	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	59.92	35.38		25.54	6.50	6.07	6.46	6.43	6.46	1.00	#2
4	Caitlin YANKOWSKAS / John COUGHLIN	USA	55.25	29.02		26.23	6.61	6.18	6.61	6.71	6.68	0.00	#10
5	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	54.41	28.12		26.29	6.61	6.36	6.54	6.68	6.68	0.00	#6
6	Amanda EVORA / Mark LADWIG	USA	52.23	28.14		25.09	6.29	6.07	6.14	6.54	6.32	1.00	#8
7	Yue ZHANG / Lei WANG	CHN	50.61	28.93		21.68	5.64	5.25	5.46	5.57	5.18	0.00	#4
8	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	50.25	26.77		25.48	6.43	6.39	6.25	6.46	6.32	2.00	#7
9	Huibo DONG / Yiming WU	CHN	46.41	25.41		21.00	5.50	5.00	5.25	5.29	5.21	0.00	#5
10	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	45.60	23.60		22.00	5.68	5.25	5.50	5.61	5.46	0.00	#1

My analysis:

• These were not the results I expected, but because I did not see the event live, I cannot really comment on the results. Things are very tight from 2nd-8th and for several of those teams, the free skate is their strength so I expect a lot of movement if teams put out their best free programs.
• Pang/Tong: they are in a league of their own and should have no trouble winning here, especially with an 11-point lead after the short
• Lawrence/Swigers: they did a nice short with all level 3s and 4s except for their twist; they will need a personal best free skate to stay in second because some of the teams coming from behind can pull huge numbers in the free
• Duhamel/Radford: they pulled some very strong numbers in the short, but the free skate is the strength for several of the teams behind them so they'll need flawless long programs to stay on the podium
• Yankowskas/Coughlin: they only performed side by side double toes and also received negative GOEs on their throw-must have been an off day for them-and their strength is the free skat but  they'll need the free skate they performed at US Nationals to make up a 4.5-point gap to make the podium
• Moore-Towers/Moscovitch: their strength is the free skate and they can put up some huge scores so if they do a clean free, teams ahead of them better watch out
• Evora/Ladwig: Mark's skate broke when toe picking in for the side by side double toes and caused a fall; without that they could have been much higher in the rankings and the free skate is also their strength so they could easily make up the distance and land on the podium with a strong free
• Takahashi/Tran: many expected them to be in podium contention and while they are currently 8th, they could still get there; their side by side triple salchow was downgraded and they also had two fall deductions; a perfect free skate could put them back in the running