Olympic Figure Skating for Dummies Vol III: The Pairs
In 2006 and 2010 I did skating info posts on the contenders for those who don't follow the sport closely. Since I write an info cheat sheet every Olympics for my friend, I'm keeping up the tradition. This year I'm going to do four separate posts for the events. First up: the pairs!
In skating, there is one adage that has always been true and shall ever be: you can't win it in the short program, but you can lose it. With the 10-year-old IJS scoring system (how time flies!), it's possible to move way up in the long program (e.g. Volosozhar/Trankov going from 9th to 2nd at 2012 Worlds after a disastrous short), but a strong short program is generally vital to reaching that podium.
The top contenders
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov -- Russia
Four years ago in Vancouver, Tanya was skating for the Ukraine with Stan Morozov, and Maxim was stuck in a miserable partnership with Maria Mukhortova, who could go for an entire competition without looking him in the eye or talking to him (a remarkable feat for a pairs team!). Stan knew he was holding Tanya back, and encouraged her to team up with Maxim. Stan and Tanya were a couple off the ice as well, and he became one of Tanya and Maxim's coaches.
Honestly, from the get-go it seemed clear that it would only be a matter of time before Tanya and Maxim got together off the ice as well. They have never officially confirmed it, but it's generally accepted that they are banging. They clearly adore each other, and Max Instagrams the most adorable things, bless his heart. Stan still coaches them, so obviously it all worked out!
They're so exquisite and I love them, but I wish I liked their material more. I've rarely loved any of their programs, and this year's Jesus Christ Superstar free skate is okay, but Max's sartorial choices this season leave something to be desired. He's such a handsome man and can look like this, so the bad hair and hippie yellow Jesus pants are not doing it for me. But back to the skating! They are the best in the world (reigning world champions), and have exceptional technique. They were shaky at the Grand Prix Final in December (losing to the Germans) and Europeans in January. I think they tend to be overmarked, but if they nail it, they will be on the top of the podium. Yet if they make mistakes, the door will be cracked open.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy -- Germany
Fun fact: Aliona grew up in the Ukraine and used to skate with Stan Morozov -- oh, the incestuous world of skating! She and Robin are four-time world champions and are the silver medal favourites. But they did beat the Russians in December, so anything is possible. Quirky and ballsy, they took the bronze in Vancouver in 2010, which was a huge disappointment for them. They stayed in the last four years for another shot at Olympic gold, and will need to be perfect to get it.
Earlier in the season they were trying the throw triple Axel without success. It's a huge risk with huge reward, but Aliona landed hard on it in the short program at the GP Final in December and had obvious hip pain in the Kiss and Cry. They took it out of the long program there, but they will likely go for it right at the end of their free skate in Sochi. What do they have to lose, really? If she lands it, the jump could vault them to the top of the podium. Go big or go home is their approach, and I'd love to see them nail it.
Qing Pang and Jian Tong -- China
At 34 years old, Pang and Tong have had a remarkable career. They won silver in Vancouver and are two-time world champs. A couple off the ice as well, they first went to Worlds in 1999. Amazing! The past few seasons have been very difficult for them since Jian has suffered from debilitating injuries. He remarked in 2012 that it hurt every time he bent his knees, and uh, you bend your knees a LOT in skating. But the Chinese federation did not want them to retire since the junior Chinese teams were still too junior. It was honestly painful at times to watch him suffering on the ice.
But they have enjoyed a resurgence in their final season, and are the sentimental favourites for the bronze medal. They're a lovely team, and their Les Miz long program is gorgeous. Rooting for them to finish their illustrious career on a high note!
The strong contenders
Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford -- Canada
Meagan and Eric won bronze at Worlds last year, but this season seem to have lost some favour with the judges. Their strength is their technical content, including the only side-by-side triple Lutzes in the competition. They've really worked on their artistry, which was clear in the team event last week, where they had a gorgeous short program to music Eric composed for his former coach, Paul Wirtz. Paul died of cancer several years ago and was the brother of Chris Wirtz, who coaches D/R's Canadian rivals, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch. Skating really is a tiny, tiny world. Fun fact: Eric used to live with Dylan's family since he was training away from home.
If they hit all their challenging moves, they could find themselves on the podium. Meagan is one of those skaters with zero poker face, and I find her and Eric delightful.
Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch -- Canada
I love this team. They have great chemistry and connection, and are super adorable and talented. Fun fact: they are not a couple off the ice (and there is an eight-year age gap), but they live down the hall from each other in the same building. Kirsten wanted to move out when she was 19, and her mom was hesitant until she learned Dylan would be nearby. Kirsten says she used to call him over to kill spiders, but now she kills them herself. :D
They were fourth at Worlds last spring, and have an outside shot at the podium with two perfect skates. They are arguably the best lifters in the world, with Dylan doing one lift at the very end of the free skate that starts with his knee down on the ice. They're the only team to do it, and it's fabulous.
Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov -- Russia
This is their first season on the world team, and they impressed in the team event with a sharp and quirky free skate. I enjoy the choreographic touches in their programs, and they could be dark horse contenders if they nail their performances. She in particular seems like a confident competitor.
Peng Cheng and Hao Zhang -- China
You might remember Hao Zhang from the 2006 Olympics with his former partner, Dan Zhang (no relation). She had a terrible fall on the quad throw, and they had to take an injury time out, and went on to win silver. Dan retired a couple of years ago, and Hao now has a young new partner. Their first season, the age difference was really jarring, but she's a much more confident skater now. His rat tail is still jarring. :/
Peng/Zhang are contenders for a top five finish in the pairs event with a very outside shot at the bronze. The question going into the next quadrennial is how long can Zhang last until his body gives out, but as Jian Tong can attest, the Chinese federation will keep him on the ice as long as humanly possible.
Stefania Berton and Ondřej Hotárek -- Italy
10th at Worlds last year, they are having a breakout season and won their first Grand Prix title this year at Skate Canada. I don't think they'll be on the podium barring a lot of mistakes from others, but they are ones to watch. Stefania had a nasty hard fall on her hip in the team event last week and was obviously in pain, so fingers crossed it won't affect them in the pairs event.
Okay, those are my pics for the top teams at these Olympic Games. What do you think?
In skating, there is one adage that has always been true and shall ever be: you can't win it in the short program, but you can lose it. With the 10-year-old IJS scoring system (how time flies!), it's possible to move way up in the long program (e.g. Volosozhar/Trankov going from 9th to 2nd at 2012 Worlds after a disastrous short), but a strong short program is generally vital to reaching that podium.
The top contenders
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov -- Russia
Four years ago in Vancouver, Tanya was skating for the Ukraine with Stan Morozov, and Maxim was stuck in a miserable partnership with Maria Mukhortova, who could go for an entire competition without looking him in the eye or talking to him (a remarkable feat for a pairs team!). Stan knew he was holding Tanya back, and encouraged her to team up with Maxim. Stan and Tanya were a couple off the ice as well, and he became one of Tanya and Maxim's coaches.
Honestly, from the get-go it seemed clear that it would only be a matter of time before Tanya and Maxim got together off the ice as well. They have never officially confirmed it, but it's generally accepted that they are banging. They clearly adore each other, and Max Instagrams the most adorable things, bless his heart. Stan still coaches them, so obviously it all worked out!
They're so exquisite and I love them, but I wish I liked their material more. I've rarely loved any of their programs, and this year's Jesus Christ Superstar free skate is okay, but Max's sartorial choices this season leave something to be desired. He's such a handsome man and can look like this, so the bad hair and hippie yellow Jesus pants are not doing it for me. But back to the skating! They are the best in the world (reigning world champions), and have exceptional technique. They were shaky at the Grand Prix Final in December (losing to the Germans) and Europeans in January. I think they tend to be overmarked, but if they nail it, they will be on the top of the podium. Yet if they make mistakes, the door will be cracked open.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy -- Germany
Fun fact: Aliona grew up in the Ukraine and used to skate with Stan Morozov -- oh, the incestuous world of skating! She and Robin are four-time world champions and are the silver medal favourites. But they did beat the Russians in December, so anything is possible. Quirky and ballsy, they took the bronze in Vancouver in 2010, which was a huge disappointment for them. They stayed in the last four years for another shot at Olympic gold, and will need to be perfect to get it.
Earlier in the season they were trying the throw triple Axel without success. It's a huge risk with huge reward, but Aliona landed hard on it in the short program at the GP Final in December and had obvious hip pain in the Kiss and Cry. They took it out of the long program there, but they will likely go for it right at the end of their free skate in Sochi. What do they have to lose, really? If she lands it, the jump could vault them to the top of the podium. Go big or go home is their approach, and I'd love to see them nail it.
Qing Pang and Jian Tong -- China
At 34 years old, Pang and Tong have had a remarkable career. They won silver in Vancouver and are two-time world champs. A couple off the ice as well, they first went to Worlds in 1999. Amazing! The past few seasons have been very difficult for them since Jian has suffered from debilitating injuries. He remarked in 2012 that it hurt every time he bent his knees, and uh, you bend your knees a LOT in skating. But the Chinese federation did not want them to retire since the junior Chinese teams were still too junior. It was honestly painful at times to watch him suffering on the ice.
But they have enjoyed a resurgence in their final season, and are the sentimental favourites for the bronze medal. They're a lovely team, and their Les Miz long program is gorgeous. Rooting for them to finish their illustrious career on a high note!
The strong contenders
Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford -- Canada
Meagan and Eric won bronze at Worlds last year, but this season seem to have lost some favour with the judges. Their strength is their technical content, including the only side-by-side triple Lutzes in the competition. They've really worked on their artistry, which was clear in the team event last week, where they had a gorgeous short program to music Eric composed for his former coach, Paul Wirtz. Paul died of cancer several years ago and was the brother of Chris Wirtz, who coaches D/R's Canadian rivals, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch. Skating really is a tiny, tiny world. Fun fact: Eric used to live with Dylan's family since he was training away from home.
If they hit all their challenging moves, they could find themselves on the podium. Meagan is one of those skaters with zero poker face, and I find her and Eric delightful.
Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch -- Canada
I love this team. They have great chemistry and connection, and are super adorable and talented. Fun fact: they are not a couple off the ice (and there is an eight-year age gap), but they live down the hall from each other in the same building. Kirsten wanted to move out when she was 19, and her mom was hesitant until she learned Dylan would be nearby. Kirsten says she used to call him over to kill spiders, but now she kills them herself. :D
They were fourth at Worlds last spring, and have an outside shot at the podium with two perfect skates. They are arguably the best lifters in the world, with Dylan doing one lift at the very end of the free skate that starts with his knee down on the ice. They're the only team to do it, and it's fabulous.
Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov -- Russia
This is their first season on the world team, and they impressed in the team event with a sharp and quirky free skate. I enjoy the choreographic touches in their programs, and they could be dark horse contenders if they nail their performances. She in particular seems like a confident competitor.
Peng Cheng and Hao Zhang -- China
You might remember Hao Zhang from the 2006 Olympics with his former partner, Dan Zhang (no relation). She had a terrible fall on the quad throw, and they had to take an injury time out, and went on to win silver. Dan retired a couple of years ago, and Hao now has a young new partner. Their first season, the age difference was really jarring, but she's a much more confident skater now. His rat tail is still jarring. :/
Peng/Zhang are contenders for a top five finish in the pairs event with a very outside shot at the bronze. The question going into the next quadrennial is how long can Zhang last until his body gives out, but as Jian Tong can attest, the Chinese federation will keep him on the ice as long as humanly possible.
Stefania Berton and Ondřej Hotárek -- Italy
10th at Worlds last year, they are having a breakout season and won their first Grand Prix title this year at Skate Canada. I don't think they'll be on the podium barring a lot of mistakes from others, but they are ones to watch. Stefania had a nasty hard fall on her hip in the team event last week and was obviously in pain, so fingers crossed it won't affect them in the pairs event.
Okay, those are my pics for the top teams at these Olympic Games. What do you think?