tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post1662945119612971085..comments2024-03-27T00:19:55.641-07:00Comments on Aunt Joyce's Ice Cream Stand: US Nationals Preview: The PairsOlympicEffecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11708554152461551887noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-39033076497378533172011-01-21T09:59:12.145-08:002011-01-21T09:59:12.145-08:00Aside from being Russian and tall, I don't see...Aside from being Russian and tall, I don't see the Shnapir/Grinkov comparisons. I like Castelli/Shnapir's LP though this year so I will root for them. <br /><br />Davis/Left don't have a triple twist the last time I saw them which was November. Maybe they got it recently, but there are pairs who "have" it, but can't do it cleanly and would probably get the same points with a double. Coughlin is a very big guy, 6'2" and built, but I never got the impression that he looked out of shape. I agree about Donlan though, someone please feed her.<br /><br />I like how Yankowskas/Coughlin relate to each other on the ice this season. I'm not loving any American pairs right now, but this team stands out to me over the others. I think E/L are doing pretty well too. Really, all four have been ok this yr.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-78804333721366138272011-01-21T03:47:44.360-08:002011-01-21T03:47:44.360-08:00The dark days of American pairs are alive and well...The dark days of American pairs are alive and well. It sucks, because they all seem like nice spunky people, but the lack of attention to detail is excruciating. Y/K are the only ones who seem to bother with things like unison but they're barely getting around the ice. C/S could actually compete at a respectable level in some years - maybe. He reminds me of Sergei Grinkov - though she is very much no Katia.simonbelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12678012611781164943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-7902004523310129572011-01-20T23:07:13.664-08:002011-01-20T23:07:13.664-08:00I really love Davis/Leftheris. They are technicall...I really love Davis/Leftheris. They are technically sound with two sbs triples, a triple twist and 2 gorgeous throw triples. I hope they do well!!!! Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-48919083733767617012011-01-20T22:09:52.129-08:002011-01-20T22:09:52.129-08:00Am I the only one who thinks that John Coughlin lo...Am I the only one who thinks that John Coughlin looks out of shape? Whenever I see him, I always think he's another who is a bit too fond of the Guiness. On the other hand, Gretchen Donlan has slimmed down like whoa. John Coughlin needs to give her one of his sandwiches.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-73004920488098943252011-01-20T19:18:44.848-08:002011-01-20T19:18:44.848-08:00I'm excited to see Donlan/Speroff in Greensbor...I'm excited to see Donlan/Speroff in Greensboro. I know they lack difficult content in terms of sbs jumps, but they have such a great chemistry together. I can't wait to see how much they've improved since the summer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-42221437549049825652011-01-20T19:06:40.437-08:002011-01-20T19:06:40.437-08:00I know the Keauna/Mary Beth comparisons are probab...I know the Keauna/Mary Beth comparisons are probably inevitable, but I personally hope we don't see them. It's not fair to compare a girl who will probably have a long career in skating to one who quit in what seems like a state of depression just few months past her 17th birthday. She never gave herself a chance to reach near her full potential (whether that could have come with Rockne or someone else). This Marley/Brubaker pairing will not have the same type of pressure to get great as fast as possible because they are so new and nobody is expecting anything. I think both girls have different strengths and weaknesses anyway. Keauna was an exciting talent, and I for one, will miss her presence this year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-1230854496537458572011-01-20T18:44:49.609-08:002011-01-20T18:44:49.609-08:00Donlan/Spiroff have a decent twist, too. But they ...Donlan/Spiroff have a decent twist, too. But they don't seem to have two throw triples like the top 4... And not SBS triples/2As either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-37640963469274201862011-01-20T18:40:52.801-08:002011-01-20T18:40:52.801-08:00Well D/B and E/L do have a throw triple lutz. And...Well D/B and E/L do have a throw triple lutz. And I would say that E/L's lifts are generally as good as Y/C, probably better. Their twist isn't bad either. These four teams probably have the only decent twists of the competition. I do prefer the artistic quality of Y/C over these others (well, her anyway, but he's getting better). <br /><br />I honestly find the pairs field a little depressing this year. It's very competitive, but I think that has more to do with D/B "coming back down to earth" and losing some of their insane consistency rather than because we have so many good teams now. I will give credit to E/L, Y/C, and C/S for improving. I have warmed up to them a bit. And no, a brand new team that skates rather Juniorish and has yet to land a "real" throw triple (the one I saw them land was maybe the smallest throw Rockne has ever done) doesn't excite me either. Sadly, I predict one of the favorites will have a meltdown and this new team of MBM/B that's really not ready will end up medaling. Yawn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-31779411775512536562011-01-20T18:30:07.379-08:002011-01-20T18:30:07.379-08:00I really like both of Yankowskas/Coughlin's pr...I really like both of Yankowskas/Coughlin's programs and love Castelli/Shnapir's Avatar program. I don't really like the other pair teams. Y/C and C/S both have better throws, lifts and big twist. The other 2 teams don't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-1672286104758118862011-01-20T18:13:18.540-08:002011-01-20T18:13:18.540-08:00They are all dull. I hate them all, I would rath...They are all dull. I hate them all, I would rather watch Allison Taylor compete all around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-74791266682823460842011-01-20T18:10:25.385-08:002011-01-20T18:10:25.385-08:00the injury of simpson/miller? overdosing on guine...the injury of simpson/miller? overdosing on guiness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-19786705322628070272011-01-20T17:46:29.076-08:002011-01-20T17:46:29.076-08:00Well, yea, but so what. There aren't that many...Well, yea, but so what. There aren't that many US pairs, and I enjoy watching the ones we do have, and it's sad to see any skater go down last minute with injury.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-4693294464141190532011-01-20T17:39:33.947-08:002011-01-20T17:39:33.947-08:00It's not like they're that good anyway.It's not like they're that good anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-39714266695882566162011-01-20T17:37:17.985-08:002011-01-20T17:37:17.985-08:00I am curious about the injury of Simpson/Miller, s...I am curious about the injury of Simpson/Miller, since it seems to be secret. Hope it's not serious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-26593799653507758412011-01-20T17:28:58.384-08:002011-01-20T17:28:58.384-08:00Jeremy is soft in the middle and balding. I so ge...Jeremy is soft in the middle and balding. I so get the middle aged comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-25377367634853651542011-01-20T17:24:16.806-08:002011-01-20T17:24:16.806-08:00Oops, I meant "INexperienced little girl"...Oops, I meant "INexperienced little girl"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-55432592475426222392011-01-20T17:23:22.770-08:002011-01-20T17:23:22.770-08:00I love the Ava Maria LP of Yankowskas/Coughlin and...I love the Ava Maria LP of Yankowskas/Coughlin and the Avatar LP of Castelli/Shnapir. Both teams are really committed to the character of their programs. I like Y/C's short program this year as well. I'm also rooting for Evora/Ladwig to do well because I love their "late bloomer" story. And I want Denney/Barrett to do well simply because she is a "veteran" woman now instead of an experienced little girl, and think it's important to show that pair skaters can get through that transition without giving up in the teen yrs (cough Keauna cough).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-88603485181236724962011-01-20T17:12:49.236-08:002011-01-20T17:12:49.236-08:00Yankowskas* Sorry.Yankowskas* Sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387050766907671577.post-34301230793009329892011-01-20T17:12:07.093-08:002011-01-20T17:12:07.093-08:00I hope Yancowskas & Coughlin just stay focused...I hope Yancowskas & Coughlin just stay focused because this is their year to win. I've been impressed by how well they've presented themselves this season and they've obviously learned a lot in previous years. <br /><br />I'm not on board yet with the Marley/Brubaker team. I think her leg line is like Caydee Denney's and the only reason why it may be overlooked is because she's still doll-sized and cute. I'm just not ready to embrace them yet until they clean up the elements, learn how to connect, and don't hold back. Right now they are concentrated on getting through things rather than doing them full out. It would be a sad reflection of the current US pairs landscape if they could contend for Worlds this year.<br /><br />Jeremy Barrett looks middle aged? That's mean. That's really not why people don't get as excited about his skating... His posture and presentation just aren't that great, it has nothing to do with his looks. Still, with the way US pairs is, they could easily win again. And on a shallow note, I think he's relatively handsome and doesn't look middle aged at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com