U.S. Pairs 2018 - News & Updates, Part VIII

[Skittl1321]

It seems to me that most of the US skaters want other US skaters (and other skaters in general) to do well. They just want to do better.

 

[VGThuy]

Yeah, you always want other people to do well, just not as well as you. Unless you really can't stand somebody, then you wish they don't even swallow that cracker at lunch correctly.

 

[Sylvia]

2018 U.S. Junior Pairs bronze medalists Laiken Lockley, 16, and Keenan Prochnow, 20, recently started a YT channel - their first vlog was uploaded on July 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8rXolIMZfA
(Lockley/Prochnow currently are listed on the ISU website for JGP #2 in Linz, AUT.)

ETA - this article is about their training mate and fellow pair skater, Ryan Bedard, who's sitting in the backseat of the car: http://www.chicagotribune.com/subur...g-the-road-to-nationals-2018-06-06-story.html
Trivia: He was Lockley's former partner.

 

[aftershocks]

Yes, I do. For over twenty years. Do you? And did you read the second part of my post?

So you know one or both personally for over 20 years. Good for you. And if that's actually true, I doubt that makes you an expert on their thought processes and motivations. In answer to your question, no, I've actually never had the pleasure of meeting either Jim or Dalilah up close and personal. I'd be deeply honored and in seventh heaven if I ever had the opportunity. They are two of the best and most accomplished pairs coaches in the U.S.!

Yes, I read the second part of your initial post. Your post in isolation wasn't too presumptuous. You definitely weren't being as salty as some have been about this straightforward development of Dalilah giving K/O some twist tips. Again, good for you. Enjoy the upcoming season!

Meanwhile, do ya think maybe you know Jim and/or Dalilah well enuf to charm them into helping secure some good seats at U.S. Nationals in Detroit for the pairs events? If so, once again, you're on a roll.

And now, the burning question for the off-season is: Who is MrMystery???

Eh, and maybe you're someone who has no need to feel up Jim or Dalilah for good seats!

 

[aftershocks]

Alexa Knierim also posted a comment calling Delilah the ‘twist’ whisperer.

Already noted in my post #642, so maybe you missed it.

Yeah, you always want other people to do well, just not as well as you. Unless you really can't stand somebody, then you wish they don't even swallow that cracker at lunch correctly.

@VIETgrlTerifa, for shame, for shame!

2018 U.S. Junior Pairs bronze medalists Laiken Lockley, 16, and Keenan Prochnow, 20, recently started a YT channel - their first vlog was uploaded on July 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8rXolIMZfA

Kids today and their comfortable sass on social media. They are so laid back about revealing personal things in front of cameras. It is fun getting to know their off-ice personalities.

 

[MrMystery]

Well, perhaps you have more insight than the rest of us. Although openly admitting you have known them for 20 years on a message board is odd, but okay...
Do I think the USFS wants pair coaches to work together? Yes. Do I think Dalilah was more willing to help K/O due to the fact that she no longer coaches Alexa and Chris? Yes. Do I think she is making a mad grab for Tarah and Danny directly in front of their longtime coach? No.
It's a well known fact Tarah has been in Colorado with her knee rehab. The same dr. that did her previous surgery working with her again. Yes, it's the first year Dalilah hasn't had a top team, but every coach goes through some leaner years. I think if something more was involved (ie Tarah and Danny switching coaches) Jim Peterson probably wouldn't be posting nice words on social media for all to see.

I don't disagree with anything you say. And as per my original post, I was merely pointing out a couple of possibilities. But, one thing to keep in mind, is that there is often more than meets the eye in terms of what's posted on social media, and what my be considered isolated incidents. Coached and skaters alike often plot and plan collaborations years in advance. Absolutely not saying that's what is happening here, although it could be. In any event, certainly hope Dalilah was able to give them some help with the twist.

 

[MrMystery]

So you know one or both personally for over 20 years. Good for you. And if that's actually true, I doubt that makes you an expert on their thought processes and motivations. In answer to your question, no, I've actually never had the pleasure of meeting either Jim or Dalilah up close and personal. I'd be deeply honored and in seventh heaven if I ever had the opportunity. They are two of the best and most accomplished pairs coaches in the U.S.!

Yes, I read the second part of your initial post. Your post in isolation wasn't too presumptuous. You definitely weren't being as salty as some have been about this straightforward development of Dalilah giving K/O some twist tips. Again, good for you. Enjoy the upcoming season!

Meanwhile, do ya think maybe you know Jim and/or Dalilah well enuf to charm them into helping secure some good seats at U.S. Nationals in Detroit for the pairs events? If so, once again, you're on a roll.

And now, the burning question for the off-season is: Who is MrMystery???

Eh, and maybe you're someone who has no need to feel up Jim or Dalilah for good seats!

Well, no one, except the parties involved, know if this is a straightforward development or not. I do not have to charm them for tickets. And who I am is all part of the mystery, hence the name.

 

[aftershocks]

Well, no one, except the parties involved, know if this is a straightforward development or not. I do not have to charm them for tickets. And who I am is all part of the mystery, hence the name.

Tee hee, whoever you are, enjoy the coming season. You've been a member for awhile, but you don't apparently post a lot. In this instance, I suppose you couldn't resist and felt you had something 'mysterious' to offer.

I prefer more straightforward insider dish myself.

Not that my feelings matter in the least, but I don't feel you are on to something with your take. At least you are now acknowledging it's impossible for you to accurately decipher the motivations of anyone involved.

 

[Sylvia]

Going back to the teams at last year's junior nationals, after splits, these are the only teams remaining with junior age-eligibility: Lockley/Prochnow and Feng/Nyman. It doesn't look like a bunch of the novices from last season have moved up; Hom/Jerosch (N1) and McClellan/Garbutt (N4) being the notable exceptions. Goldstein/Bearinger, who lead the summer novice scores domestically, skated up to do a junior SP at Skate Detroit.

McClellan/Garbutt must have split (in early summer? they had competed a Junior SP together back in May) because Sarah Rose, now 17, has teamed up with Jim Garbutt, 20, in Junior and they worked with Guillaume Cizeron when he was in Florida, according to her IG post in late June: https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXqvGflg2C/
Rose/Garbutt are with the Zimmerman/Fontana/Barrett group.

Isabelle Goldstein/Keyton Bearinger (N8) are listed for the North American Series competition in North York, Ontario in mid-August along with 3 other U.S. Novice pairs:
Zoe Larson/Nick Hubbart (Int1) - also with the Zimmerman/Fontana/Barrett group, IIRC
Cate Fleming/Jedidiah Isbell (Int2)
Kayla Black/Kamden Black (Int6)

 

[MrMystery]

Tee hee, whoever you are, enjoy the coming season. You've been a member for awhile, but you don't apparently post a lot. In this instance, I suppose you couldn't resist and felt you had something 'mysterious' to offer.

I prefer more straightforward insider dish myself.

Not that my feelings matter in the least, but I don't feel you are on to something with your take. At least you are now acknowledging it's impossible for you to accurately decipher the motivations of anyone involved.

Never claimed to know the motivations. Just threw up two plausible theories, both of which I still stand by as plausible theories.

 

[aftershocks]

Never claimed to know the motivations. Just threw up two plausible theories, both of which I still stand by as plausible theories.

Listen, fair enough. As I already said, no big deal re your original standalone observation. And the last part of your initial commentary was positive. But as I mentioned, I thought it a bit presumptuous of you to think Dalilah necessarily feels she has to immediately "get her hands on a top team." I think Dalilah has some very promising young teams coming up that she surely has more time to devote to in the absence of the Knierims.

And again, I believe it's over-thinking to suggest that Dalilah helping K/O with their twist in response to Jim's request, is anything other than what it is at face value.

 

[aftershocks]

Tai and Randy were so good together -- truly skating two as one. They were also leaders in new innovations with lifts and throws. A very stylish pair with great unison, that skaters today can even learn from watching, IMO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhkikWURLiw

That 1977 Worlds bronze medal winning performance is as good or better than their gold medal winning performance at 1979 Worlds. No sbs triple jumps, but lots of jump sequences throughout the program. Their turning star lift was executed so beautifully. It's interesting how the throw twist had only been recently developed and most pairs only managed double twists that didn't get very high off the ground, and the man barely released the lady. OTOH, those pull Arabians are amazing. I wonder if only skaters who are close in height can perform this move. If so, I'd love to see Cain/LeDuc try it.

 

[jennysk8oboe]

thanks for sharing that, Aftershocks. I had forgotten how lovely the simple elegant moves can be. Can't stand all the contortionist looking lifts these days! And yes, those pull Arabians seem to have been totally forgotten in the last 40 years. Shame.

 

[insideedgeua]

So you know one or both personally for over 20 years. Good for you. And if that's actually true, I doubt that makes you an expert on their thought processes and motivations. In answer to your question, no, I've actually never had the pleasure of meeting either Jim or Dalilah up close and personal. I'd be deeply honored and in seventh heaven if I ever had the opportunity. They are two of the best and most accomplished pairs coaches in the U.S.!

Yes, I read the second part of your initial post. Your post in isolation wasn't too presumptuous. You definitely weren't being as salty as some have been about this straightforward development of Dalilah giving K/O some twist tips. Again, good for you. Enjoy the upcoming season!

Meanwhile, do ya think maybe you know Jim and/or Dalilah well enuf to charm them into helping secure some good seats at U.S. Nationals in Detroit for the pairs events? If so, once again, you're on a roll.

And now, the burning question for the off-season is: Who is MrMystery???

Eh, and maybe you're someone who has no need to feel up Jim or Dalilah for good seats!

It's not at all surprising that people on a skating forum would know skaters and coaches well.

I've met Jim but I wouldn't say that I know him, but I've known Dee very well for over 10 years. People who have close connections are careful about what they post, sometimes sharing little stories, but I'd never post anything that would really breach someone's trust.

I'm going to suggest that like a few of us, Mr Mystery doesn't need to buy his seats for events.

 

[insideedgeua]

Listen, fair enough. As I already said, no big deal re your original standalone observation. And the last part of your initial commentary was positive. But as I mentioned, I thought it a bit presumptuous of you to think Dalilah necessarily feels she has to immediately "get her hands on a top team." I think Dalilah has some very promising young teams coming up that she surely has more time to devote to in the absence of the Knierims.

And again, I believe it's over-thinking to suggest that Dalilah helping K/O with their twist in response to Jim's request, is anything other than what it is at face value.

I agree, some people are reading far too much into this. Skaters retire or move coaches, it happens. Sappensquad are going through a rebuilding phase, that's life.

Personally I'm hoping for a good solid season for Erika and AJ. They made a lot of improvements with Dalilah but it didn't all come together for them at Nationals. Nika and Danny show a lot of promise, they just need another couple of years to grow and develop. Then there's Sarah and TJ, they're also shaping up nicely.

I can only agree that there's no feeling of Dalilah needing to "get her hands on a top team." She's capable of developing her own teams, it just takes time.

 

[Cleo1782]

It's not at all surprising that people on a skating forum would know skaters and coaches well.

I've met Jim but I wouldn't say that I know him, but I've known Dee very well for over 10 years. People who have close connections are careful about what they post, sometimes sharing little stories, but I'd never post anything that would really breach someone's trust.

I'm going to suggest that like a few of us, Mr Mystery doesn't need to buy his seats for events.

I agree, but I think it's a little weird to brag about it (not saying you are). I think most posters here are smart enough to know who has 'insider' info or knows people in the sport. I think most who are in the know post things that are approved to leak by said person or just present relevant facts. To say I have known Jim and Dalilah for 20 years then backtrack and say well basically this is my speculation is sort of hyping themselves up as an insider with no inside info, ya know? I am sure there are many here who have never paid for a ticket to nationals...
It's cool you know Dee. I am sure you are pleased with her success. Excited about this year for Deanna and Nate. I think I heard/read they are debuting at the Cranberry Open.

 

[insideedgeua]

I agree, but I think it's a little weird to brag about it (not saying you are). I think most posters here are smart enough to know who has 'insider' info or knows people in the sport. I think most who are in the know post things that are approved to leak by said person or just present relevant facts. To say I have known Jim and Dalilah for 20 years then backtrack and say well basically this is my speculation is sort of hyping themselves up as an insider with no inside info, ya know? I am sure there are many here who have never paid for a ticket to nationals...
It's cool you know Dee. I am sure you are pleased with her success. Excited about this year for Deanna and Nate. I think I heard/read they are debuting at the Cranberry Open.

I think that a few people know lots of people in the sport. But yes, it doesn't mean that they can possibly know the internal thoughts of these people. I didn't mean my post to be about me, just to say that it's not surprising that MrMystery could definitely know who he says he knows. This was when someone expressed surprise at the suggestion. I have no horse in the pair race, so it's not just Dalilah's pairs that I'm looking forward to. The skaters I listed were just examples of her being in a rebuilding phase. I also think Deanna and Nate have an enormous amount of potential and Deanna is fierce. Her guts, determination and drive after a long time out of the sport are nothing short of incredible. I'm hoping that they'll nail that quad throw this year.

 

[Carolla5501]

Yes, I do. For over twenty years. Do you? And did you read the second part of my post?

How sad. You have known someone for that long and feel like coming on a board like this to spread rumors or stir up things is a good idea

Apparently “knowing” didn’t equate to friendship.

 

[Cleo1782]

How sad. You have known someone for that long and feel like coming on a board like this to spread rumors or stir up things is a good idea

Apparently “knowing” didn’t equate to friendship.

Lol! Perhaps seeing someone once 20 years ago equates friendship!

 

[aftershocks]

It's not at all surprising that people on a skating forum would know skaters and coaches well.

I've met Jim but I wouldn't say that I know him, but I've known Dee very well for over 10 years. People who have close connections are careful about what they post, sometimes sharing little stories, but I'd never post anything that would really breach someone's trust.

I'm going to suggest that like a few of us, Mr Mystery doesn't need to buy his seats for events.

Well, lucky you and MrMystery, et al! I'm green with envy, since I can't say the same.

 

[aftershocks]

This was when someone expressed surprise at the suggestion.

It's certainly not surprising that some people on this forum know some coaches and skaters well. Obviously, we all know there are parents of skaters who often post here too. And I'm familiar with fans who are close to skaters and/or coaches. Plus there are FSU posters who competed themselves.

I personally never expressed surprise in regard to MrMystery knowing coaches well. I simply asked whether MrMystery knew either coach personally. Surprise might be in order though when someone professes knowing either personally (especially knowing Dalilah personally) and then coming on here to make such a speculation. Particularly when it kind of suggests a grab for another coach's skaters, when obviously in this case one coach asked for assistance and the other acquiesced and they both pleasantly commented on it. End of story. Ridiculous aftermath discussions on fan boards may lead to coaches/skaters not sharing as much on social media.

 

[MrMystery]

How sad. You have known someone for that long and feel like coming on a board like this to spread rumors or stir up things is a good idea

Apparently “knowing” didn’t equate to friendship.

I didn't say I was friends with either. I said I knew both. I also didn't spread a rumor, just posted a one sentence theory.

 

[danafan]

US pairs did well with the latest grand prix assignments: https://isu.org/docman-documents-li.../17410-pair-skating-2018-19-all-6-events/file

Stellato/Bartholomay were added to Finland and Lu/Mitrofanov were added to NHK.

 

[patinage]

I never thought I'd see the day when the US would have more GP pair entries (11 + TBD) than Russia (10)!

 

[aftershocks]

Personally I'm hoping for a good solid season for Erika and AJ.

Oh yeah, how could I forget about Erika and A.J. now training with Dalilah! They are an exciting team in terms of talent. It's just a matter of them putting it altogether consistently. Hopefully, they will be able to take positive advantage of any and every opportunity this season.

 

[RoseRed]

So with S/B picking up a 2nd spot, that leaves the TBD at SA available for someone else.

Digerness/Neudecker have the best summer score so far. Pfund/Santillan had the best Nationals placement and are the highest on the SB list without a spot, Lu/Mitrofanov are higher on the SB list and just got one GP spot.

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting from the Programs & Choreographers thread:

Alexa and Chris Knierim's Programs, both choreographed by Aljona Savchenko and Benoit Richaud

SP: Castle by Halsey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rfSHisyHdc

LP: Wicked Game [performed by James Vincent McMorrow]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me87-0uZeSA

ETA: Sorry, I should have mentioned that these links just go to their music/song selections, not their skating.

 

[aftershocks]

So with S/B picking up a 2nd spot, that leaves the TBD at SA available for someone else.

Digerness/Neudecker have the best summer score so far. Pfund/Santillan had the best Nationals placement and are the highest on the SB list without a spot, Lu/Mitrofanov are higher on the SB list and just got one GP spot.

I would imagine Lu/Mitrofanov or Digerness/Neudecker will get the TBA spot at SA.

 

[aftershocks]

Re-posting from the Programs & Choreographers thread: [Knierims' sp (Halsey Badlands album, Castle) and fp music choices (Wicked Game by James Vincent McMorrow version)...]

Hmmm, very apropos lyrics!

Sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise
Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne
That's saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
I'm headed straight for the castle
They’ve got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne
That's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Straight for the castle
Oh, all these minutes passing, sick of feeling used
If you wanna break these walls down, you’re gonna get bruised...




And wow, I love the McMorrow version of Wicked Game. Now, the question is: Which cover version of Wicked Game are James/Cipres skating to??? J/C already announced Wicked Game as their fp music, but haven't specified the exact version. And there are so many to choose from!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHQSd4rpLhsv2EGwju8N4foymg1J2XGd6 All versions of Wicked Game

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Re-posting from the Programs & Choreographers thread:

O-M-G... lemme just pop a peanut butter cup and Im gonna dim the lights and watch these!!!!

Thanks for this early bday present!!!!!!!

added 5 min later....Oh, I thought they were videos of their programs.... lol

I hope some cool piece of choreography is put in on the 3:25 mark of the free music. I like that section.

I think both pieces of music are a bit too similar to each other, a bit down, a bit depressing, All thats missing is a 'lil of Lana del Rey lol.