2023 Skate America Pairs SP - The Best Little Code Whorehouse in Texas

[tony]

Give Balazs a second Grand Prix.

ABBA was a lot more fun than this.

 

[skatingguy]

Plazas, Valentina/Fernandez,Maximiliano, United States of America
Coach: Jim Peterson, Amanda Evora
Music: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

3Tw 2
2T - big problems - he popped, she stepped out
Throw 3Lo - lost the edge - fall
Forward Inside Death Sp 4
Ch Combo Spin 4 - synchronization issues
Step Sequence 2
3 Lift 4 - problems on the transition exit

That was a struggle. Some nice skating skills, but given the mistakes it was hard to judge the program.

49.51 = 6th Place

 

[Amy L]

I agree with those that say Plazas & Fernandez need to change coaches. They aren't improving fast enough, and even if clean, their scoring ceiling is too low to be competitive.

Jim Peterson pairs tend to have a trend of being medium-to-big sized fish in small ponds and not seeming to go for more. That's what I think drove Deanna crazy when she was with Bartholomay imo

 

[floridaice]

@Colonel Green -- you didn't jinx the ice, you cursed it!!!

 

[rfisher]

And, this, Annika, is why you are NOT Savchenko in spite of thinking to the contrary.

 

[BrightSkates]

How is the second group falling, that's not usually how it works

 

[once_upon]

Something about the timing of I love rock and roll makes it hard to do elements. Or at least it seems all off for this choreography

 

[Karen-W]

HocKun - good 3tw, and both mess up the SBS 3s - she fell, nice throw 3lo, let's see what sort of PCS boost they get for being Euros bronze medalists... okay sbs spins to end.

 

[LilJen]

The Germans:
These costumes are so late 1980s, like "wow, women get to wear pants now!" And "hmm, what should we do for his costume? Jeweled vest? Sure!"
Not loving the Joan Jett cover/remix.
Alas, fall on the SBS jumps
Nobody but Javier Fernandez should skate to Black Betty.

 

[JoannaLouise]

They put bedazzling on a Classic Canadian Sweater Vest (TM). It's not very rock'n'roll.

 

[floridaice]

I agree with those that say Plazas & Fernandez need to change coaches. They aren't improving fast enough, and even if clean, their scoring ceiling is too low to be competitive.

I'm wondering home much is a training time problem -- didn't they both say last season that funds were a problem?

 

[Desperado]

And a fourth fall - congrats @Colonel Green. Please use your powers for good, not evil.

 

[Amy L]

Something about the timing of I love rock and roll makes it hard to do elements. Or at least it seems all off for this choreography

I think it's the backbeat that makes rock hard to skate to, it makes skaters look like they are off beat

 

[peibeck]

Hocke/Kunkel: could have had a commanding lead going into the free if they stood up on the sbs jumps. PCS wise I wouldn't put them much above the Canadians.

 

[thvu]

Well, at least the first group was great. Really enjoyed Liu & Nagy, and Pereira & Michaud.

This program just sanitized Hocke & Kunkel even more, which is the opposite of what they need...

 

[LilJen]

Is her name pronounced Hock-uh like the announcer just said?

yes

 

[TAHbKA]

Hotarek!!!!

 

[once_upon]

Uh, she knows it was a gift.

 

[skatfan]

Well that was underwhelming on the whole. I’d probably put the Germans second but ok.

 

[floridaice]

My husband wants to know what is the weirdest thing ever thrown on the ice after a program.

I'll have to show him a Yuzu Pooh Bear avalanche

 

[rfisher]

I think it's the backbeat that makes rock hard to skate to, it makes skaters look like they are off beat

Which is why Carmen is so good for skating.

 

[Amy L]

Annika hiding behind a unicorn

Neither me nor her were expecting first. woah.

 

[Amy L]

My husband wants to know what is the weirdest thing ever thrown on the ice after a program.

I'll have to show him a Yuzu Pooh Bear avalanche

I remember a blow-up doll with a cigarette Pairs event, maybe thrown to a team from a former Soviet country???

 

[peibeck]

They'll need another seat on the plane for that unicorn stuffie!

 

[skatingguy]

Hocke, Annika/Kunkel, Robert, Germany
Coach: O. Hotarek, F. Bianconi, R.Murante
Music: I Love Rock n Roll, Voulez-vous

3Tw 4
3S< - she fell
Throw 3F
3 Lift 4
Step Sequence 4
Forward Inside Death Sp 4
Ch Combo Spin 4

Strongest team in the field. The music is a miss, and the program needs some work. They're not really selling me on classic American rock at this point in the season.

63.59 = 1st Place

 

[Karen-W]

So, basically a 3-way race for the medals and then the rest of the field aiming for 4th, lol.

 

[JoannaLouise]

I desperately want that giant rainbow unicorn stuffie. I need it.

(Yes, I am a grown-up. Why do you ask? )

 

[Sally1214]

Not the performance Annika and Robert hoped for, I'm sure; but, overall, still pretty good. I like their costumes. Actually, I would have put Lia and Trennt in first in this portion of the competition .... but H/K are the favorites ... and, well, reputation counts.

 

[skatingguy]

I doubt Reid will be commentating for ISU ever again. I heard it’s supposed to be Chris Howarth?

That makes more sense - I couldn't remember who was who at this moment.

 

[Sally1214]

Oh dear ... did I hear the words, "quad god" aleady?? Sigh .... it's going to be LOOONG season.