Olympic Figure Skating Preview: Pairs

Part 3 of my Olympics preview posts. This post will cover the pairs’ individual event. Intro and opinions under the cut!

First of all, just a quick note to you newbies who might not know much about figure skating: Pairs and ice dance both involve two people, a man and a woman. I wish same-sex/same-gender teams were allowed but that’s a discussion for another time. In pairs, the skaters do jumps, throw jumps, lifts, throw twists, and spins. In ice dance, there are no jumps - skaters do lifts and certain patterns of footwork. Ok, now we got that out of the way.

The pairs field in the last few years has been dominated by two teams: Volosozhar/Trankov of Russia and Savchenko/Szolkowy of Germany. Pairs has always been a small field, due to the difficulty in finding a compatible partner, training both partners in the necessary skills, the need for more rink space, and the high rate of partner split-ups. (Most teams I will talk about in this post only teamed up in the last five years and are going to their first Olympics.) Pairs is also the most dangerous discipline of skating - ladies are lifted and thrown several feet in the air, after all. This is all basically to say that very good pairs teams are rare - but they’re very good. As well, pairs and dance teams often have longer competitive lifespans than singles skaters; while a singles skater competing past 30 is practically unheard of these days, there are quite a few pairs and dance teams where one or both partners is over 30 years old.

As always, when I talk about PCS I generally mean how judges tend to score skaters whether they deserve those scores or not.

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TATIANA VOLOSOZHAR/MAXIM TRANKOV

Representing: Russia
Age: 27/30
Season’s best score: 237.71 (SA ‘13)
Personal best score: 237.71 (SA’ 13)
Notable titles: 2013 World champs, 2-time World silver medalists, 2012 GPF champs, 3-time European champs
Music: Masquerade Waltz (SP), Jesus Christ Superstar (FS)

Tatiana and Max teamed up in 2010. Previously, Tanya skated pairs for Ukraine and participated in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics, while Max skated for Russia with another partner and participated in the 2010 Olympics. Both had relatively successful careers with their former partners but their careers really began to take off when they teamed up and immediately clicked with each other. They won the silver medal at 2011 Worlds, their first World Championships together, and quickly established themselves as a top team. Over the 2011-2012 season they developed a rivalry with the German team Savchenko/Szolkowy, finishing second to them every time they competed together that season. In 2012-2013 they established themselves as the top pairs team, beating S/S at both Europeans and Worlds that season. They are the current holders of the world record in the SP, FS, and combined score. Judges give them the highest program component scores in the field by far, and this fact coupled with their technical ability makes them nigh impossible to beat unless they make mistakes - which is exactly what they did at the Grand Prix Final this season, making major errors in the free skate and losing to S/S overall.

V/T are a very technically proficient team. Their twists and throws are huge and all of their elements gain positive grades of execution. Sometimes they have bizarre, unexpected mistakes that cost them a win. The Olympic title is practically guaranteed for them if they can put out decent performances in Sochi and I’m still betting on them to win, but there is still a chance that they could mess it up.

Known for their enormous triple twist, very quality elements, and Max’s yellow pants. They are also a couple.

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ALIONA SAVCHENKO/ROBIN SZOLKOWY

Representing: Germany
Age: 30/34
Season’s best score: 227.03 (GPF ‘13)
Personal best score: 227.03 (GPF ‘13)
Notable titles: 4-time World champs, 2010 Olympic bronze medalists, 4-time European champs, 4-time GPF champs
Music: When Winter Comes (SP), The Nutcracker (FS)

Aliona is originally from Ukraine. As a pairs skater for Ukraine, she participated in the 2002 Olympics. She teamed up with Robin in 2003 and began to represent Germany. In the last decade they have risen to be one of the very top pairs teams, winning four World titles and an Olympic bronze medal. However, they missed part of last season due to injury and Volosozhar/Trankov have the advantage going into the Olympics. In a surprising upset, however, S/S won the Grand Prix Final this season, beating V/T in their first head-to-head competition this season after V/T made major errors in the free skate, while S/S skated clean programs.

S/S are the only currently competing team to attempt a throw triple axel jump. They have never landed it cleanly but a few attempts were close. They won GPF without attempting any throw 3As, but this will likely not happen in Sochi, where V/T have even more of an upper hand. S/S are also prone to mistakes outside of the throw 3A and while they get high PCS, it’s not enough to overcome the Russians. They are probably a good bet for the silver medal and might be able to win gold, but only if V/T make a lot of mistakes.

Known for their interesting and complex choreography and variety of different styles of programs. Their SP music this season was specially composed for them by Andre Rieu. Sochi will be Aliona’s fourth Olympics and Robin’s third, and they are likely retiring after this season.

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QING PANG/JIAN TONG

Representing: China
Age: 34/34
Season’s best score: 213.98 (GPF ‘13)
Personal best score: 213.98 (GPF ‘13)
Notable titles: 2010 Olympic silver medalists, 2-time World champs, 2008 GPF champs, 5-time 4CC champs
Music: Lady Caliph (SP), Les Miserables (FS)

Pang and Tong have been skating together since 1993 and are the oldest competitors in this field. They’ve been skating together since before some skaters at these Olympics were even born, and it shows in their remarkable chemistry and synchronicity. Sochi is their fourth Olympics together. I’m not even going to recap their entire career and accomplishments, just know that there are many. They were at the top of their game in the 2009-2010 season, eventually winning the silver medal in Vancouver behind Chinese legends Shen/Zhao. Unfortunately, age and injuries have taken their toll over the last four years; they are both held together by duct tape at this point. They finished fourth and fifth at the last two World Championships. Tong struggles with landing jumps, and they both have persistent side-by-side spin issues. However, they skated two brilliant programs at the Grand Prix Final this season and won the bronze medal there, so there’s fight in them yet. They probably don’t have a chance for anything more than a bronze in Sochi, and they would need clean programs - and some help from other teams - in order to medal. But making it this far and still being near the top is pretty impressive in itself, and they are lovely to watch regardless.

Known for their elegance and chemistry. They were engaged in 2011 and are planning to retire from competition and get married after the Olympics.

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KSENIA STOLBOVA/FEDOR KLIMOV

Representing: Russia
Age: 21/23
Season’s best score: 207.98 (Euros ‘14)
Personal best score: 207.98 (Euros ‘14)
Notable titles: 2014 European silver medalists, 2012 European bronze medalists, 2014 National champs
Music: Surrender (SP), The Addams Family (FS)

Ksenia and Fedor teamed up in 2009. They were successful in the junior ranks before moving up to senior and have gradually improved over the last few years. This season they won their first National title and finished second at Europeans, setting new personal best scores. In the past they have been inconsistent but seem to be building momentum leading up to their first Olympics in Sochi. As the Olympics are held in Russia, they will likely get high PCS. If they can skate well there, they have a good chance at a medal.

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VERA BAZAROVA/YURI LARIONOV

Representing: Russia
Age: 21/27
Season’s best score: 201.61 (Euros ‘14)
Personal best score: 201.61 (Euros ‘14)
Notable titles: 2012 GPF silver medalists, 3-time European medalists, 2012 National champs
Music: Charlie Chaplin (SP), Polovtsian Dances (FS)

Vera and Yuri teamed up in 2005. Vera tends to be the more watchable of the pair, with gorgeous lines and extension, especially on lifts. They often have trouble landing side-by-side jumps and when they do land them, they’re usually not synchronized. When they’re clean, they have high scoring potential and a definite chance for the Sochi podium, but whether they can land everything remains to be seen. This season they finished second at Nationals and third at Europeans. Sochi will be their second Olympics.

Known for their hilariously mistimed SBS jumps, Vera’s beautiful lines and magnificent bitchface. (Russian ladies tend to have amazing bitchfaces.)

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KIRSTEN MOORE-TOWERS/DYLAN MOSCOVITCH

Representing: Canada
Age: 21/29
Season’s best score: 208.45 (SA ‘13)
Personal best score: 208.45 (SA ‘13)
Notable titles: 2011 National champs, 2013 4CC silver medalists
Music: Micmacs (SP), Fellini Medley (FS)

Kirsten and Dylan teamed up in 2009. They have really rose to prominence in the last two seasons, finishing fourth at 2013 Worlds. They have good scoring potential and might be able to win a medal if they’re clean, depending on how other teams do. I really like their SP this season, so pay attention to that. Sochi is their first Olympics.

Known for their ridiculous exhibition programs and fun performances.

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MEAGAN DUHAMEL/ERIC RADFORD

Representing: Canada
Age: 28/29
Season’s best score: 193.38 (GPF ‘13)
Personal best score: 204.56 (Worlds ‘13)
Notable titles: 2013 World bronze medalists, 2013 4CC champs, 3-time National champs
Music: Tribute (SP), Alice in Wonderland (FS)

Meagan and Eric teamed up in 2010. They both had varying levels of success with other partners prior to teaming up. Sochi is their first Olympics. They won their first ISU Championship at 2013 4CC and won the bronze medal at 2013 Worlds in Canada. They are the only currently competing pairs team attempting side-by-side triple lutz jumps. This season they tended to be inconsistent and messy, but if they can get it together for Sochi, they might be able to win a medal if other teams do badly. Eric composed their SP music for this season.

Known for their SBS lutzes and Meagan’s tendency to talk nonstop in the kiss n’ cry.

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CHENG PENG/HAO ZHANG

Representing: China
Age: 16/29
Season’s best score: 197.37 (GPF ‘13)
Personal best score: 197.37 (GPF ‘13)
Notable titles: 2013 National champs
Music: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (SP), Yellow River Piano Concerto (FS)

Peng/Zhang teamed up in 2012. Hao Zhang had previously skated with Dan Zhang (no relation), with whom he won the 2006 Olympic silver medal and 3 World silver medals. After Dan retired in 2012, he teamed up with then-junior pairs skater Cheng Peng. They’ve made remarkable progress in only two seasons together. They are one of few pairs teams attempting a quad twist (the other team is also Chinese, surprise surprise) and they do it very well. They are capable of getting high technical scores but their PCS is still relatively low. The difference in age and experience shows and the team can sometimes look awkward together, but they’ve improved a lot this season, though they still have a long way to go. They’re probably good for a top 10 finish. Hongbo Zhao (who won the Vancouver Olympics with his partner and wife Xue Shen) is one of their coaches.

Known for their hilarious age difference and enormous quad twist.

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STEFANIA BERTON/ONDREJ HOTAREK

Representing: Italy
Age: 23/30
Season’s best score: 195.61 (Euros ‘14)
Personal best score: 195.61 (Euros ‘14)
Notable titles: 2013 European bronze medalists, 2013 Skate Canada champs
Music: The Mask (SP), Dracula (FS)

Stefania and Ondrej teamed up in 2009. They are the first Italian pairs team to win European and Grand Prix medals. Ondrej used to compete for the Czech Republic. This season they won their first Grand Prix event, 2013 Skate Canada, and set new personal bests at Euros, where they finished fourth. Sochi is their first Olympics and they have a good chance of making top 10.

Known for doing this terrifying lift.

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VANESSA JAMES/MORGAN CIPRES

Representing: France
Age: 26/22
Season’s best score: 185.48 (Euros ‘14)
Personal best score: 185.48 (Euros ‘14)
Notable titles: 2-time National champs
Music: Minnie the Moocher (SP), Angels & Demons/Requiem for a Dream (FS)

Vanessa and Morgan teamed up in 2010. Vanessa originally competed for the US and Great Britain in singles. They have made great progress since they teamed up and are the best French pairs team to come along in a while. They finished 4th at Euros last season and 8th at Worlds. Earlier this season, Morgan suffered a wrist injury, but they recovered well for 2014 Euros, posting new personal best scores there and finishing 5th. They have a good shot at top 10 in Sochi - their first Olympics, obviously.

Known for their energetic programs and performances.

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MARISSA CASTELLI/SIMON SHNAPIR

Representing: USA
Age: 23/26
Season’s best score: 177.11 (SA ‘13)
Personal best score: 177.11 (SA ‘13)
Notable titles: 2-time National champs, 2013 4CC bronze medalists
Music: Black Magic Woman/Smooth (SP), Skyfall (FS)

Marissa and Simon teamed up in 2006. They are the longest-lasting US pair currently competing, which tells you something about the longevity of US pairs. They are the only pair currently attempting a throw quad salchow, which they have come close to landing cleanly. Marissa and Simon have been gradually improving the last few seasons, winning back-to-back National titles, and have a shot at top 10 in Sochi, their first Olympics. However, Simon often struggles to land jumps and Marissa is usually the stronger of the pair.

Known for their hilarious height difference.

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FELICIA ZHANG/NATHAN BARTHOLOMAY

Representing: USA
Age: 20/24
Season’s best score: 168.42 (SA ‘13)
Personal best score: 168.42 (SA ‘13)
Notable titles: 2014 National silver medalist, 2013 National bronze medalist
Music: Carousel Waltz (SP), Les Miserables (FS)

Felicia and Nate teamed up in 2011 and have made rapid progress since then, medaling twice at Nationals. At the 2014 US Nationals they skated two clean programs and won the silver medal, beating Caydee Denney and John Coughlin for an Olympic spot. Sochi will be their first Olympics and they probably won’t make top 10 unless they skate amazingly and other teams don’t, but in any case, making it to the Olympics is quite an accomplishment.

Known for being adorable.

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MAYLIN WENDE/DANIEL WENDE

Representing: Germany
Age: 25/29
Season’s best score: 168.32 (Euros ‘14)
Personal best score: 168.32 (Euros ‘14)
Notable titles: 2-time National champs, 2010 TEB bronze medalists
Music: November Rain (SP), Your Highness (FS)

Maylin and Daniel teamed up in 2008. (She was going by Maylin Hausch back then.) They struggled with injuries and missed all of last season, but came back strong this season with a fifth-place finish at the European Championships. They also got married in 2013.

Known for their graceful skating and chemistry. They probably won’t make top 10 but they’re really nice to watch anyway.