Who’s Who of the 2017 Grand Prix Series, Part 2: Pairs
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Here’s the second part of our Grand Prix previews, covering the dynamic pairs discipline!
With high-flying throw jumps and twists where the female partner is thrown several feet into the air, pairs skating is the most breathtaking - and dangerous - discipline of figure skating. Pairs teams are scored on a wide variety of elements, including synchronized jumps and spins, throw jumps, lifts, twists, etc. (For more information on elements in pairs skating, see our introduction to skating guides.) The current pairs field is the strongest that it’s been in years, with several contenders at the top and no way to predict who will ultimately occupy the highest position in the world. Recent seasons have also seen the rise of teams from countries without a strong pairs or skating background. If you haven’t watched pairs skating before and if you like badass ladies with short hair now’s a good time to start!
WENJING SUI / CONG HAN
Representing: China
Ages: 22/25
ISU Personal bests: SP 81.23, FS 150.83, total 232.06
ISU Season’s best: N/A
Notable titles: 2017 World Champions, 2015 & 2016 World Silver Medalists, 4-time Four Continents Champions, 2-time Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalists
Programs: SP - Hallelujah; FS - Turandot
Grand Prix events: Cup of China, NHK Trophy
Resilience is Wenjing Sui’s middle name. After teaming up with Cong Han in 2007, the pair enjoyed runaway success on the junior level, winning the Junior World Championships 3 years in a row and the 2012 Four Continents title before they were even fully seniors. But the all-too-common tragedy of injuries struck; Wenjing was diagnosed with a chronic bone injury in her feet, and Sui/Han were forced to miss most of the 2012-13 season. Inconsistency during the 2013-14 Olympic season caused them to miss a spot on China’s Sochi Olympic team. Turning disappointment into motivation, Sui/Han reinvented themselves at the beginning of the new Olympic cycle, polishing their skating and establishing themselves as China’s leading pair with a silver medal at the 2015 World Championships. However, Wenjing’s injuries continued to loom over the team. Even as they set personal bests and new records - they were the first pairs team to perform a clean throw quad salchow and quad twist in the free skate, at the 2016 Four Continents Championships - Wenjing’s ankle ligaments were all but destroyed and she was unable to walk without pain. She underwent surgery on both feet in May 2016, two months after Sui/Han won their second World silver medal. After several months of rehabilitation, Sui/Han made a triumphant return to competition at the 2017 Four Continents Championships, blowing away the rest of the field. They followed up a month later with two nearly flawless performances at the 2017 World Championships, winning their first World title with a mesmerizingly emotional free skate to “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, which told the story of their partnership and journey.
Sui/Han are known for their charisma, range of expression, emotional connection on the ice, and powerful technical elements, especially their quad twist and throw triple flip. They are capable of gaining high Grades of Execution. If they can perform consistently on the Grand Prix, they will likely qualify for the Final and set themselves up for the Olympic title in Pyeongchang. However, the team will need to overcome their habitual weakness, the side-by-side jumps. Sui/Han will begin their international season at home in Beijing, competing two weeks in a row at Cup of China and NHK Trophy.
Random off-ice facts: Wenjing enjoys watching the anime Natsume’s Book of Friends. She started skating after she met a skating coach living above her grandmother’s car wash. Cong was scouted for skating when he was in kindergarten. He once bought Wenjing a ukelele because she thought it was pretty. Despite their relative youth, Sui/Han are the longest-lived pair in the current field, having skated together for 10 years.
ALIONA SAVCHENKO / BRUNO MASSOT
Representing: Germany
Ages: 33/28
ISU Personal bests: SP 79.84, FS 150.46, total 230.30
ISU Season’s best: 211.08
Notable titles: 2017 World Silver Medalists, 2016 World Bronze Medalists, 2016 & 2017 European Silver Medalists
Programs: SP - Ameksa: Fuego; FS - La terre vue du ciel
Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Skate America
The oldest female pairs skater in the current field, Aliona has had a storied career. With former partner Robin Szolkowy, she was a 5-time World Champion and 2-time Olympic bronze medalist. Following Robin’s retirement after the 2013-14 Olympic season, Aliona teamed up with Bruno Massot, who previously skated for France. Savchenko/Massot debuted internationally in the 2015-16 season and immediately climbed to the top of the pairs field, winning silver at the 2016 European Championships and bronze at their first World Championships in the same year. The team began training a throw quadruple salchow and throw triple axel, continually attempting them in competition during the 2016-17 season, although they never landed either jump cleanly. An injury Aliona sustained while practicing the dangerous throw 3A caused the team to withdraw from the 2016 Grand Prix Final. They fought back to win silver at both the 2017 European Championships and World Championships, scoring less than two points behind Sui/Han at the latter. Savchenko/Massot’s strengths lie in their creative programs, lifts, and enormous triple twist, but their risky throw jumps can sometimes derail their performances. They started their season at the 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy, placing second behind the Russian team Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov. At Skate Canada, Savchenko/Massot will face home favorites Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford, as well as the rising French stars Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres; they will compete against Duhamel/Radford again at their second Grand Prix event, Skate America.
Random off-ice facts: Aliona often designs the team’s costumes. Bruno currently does not have German citizenship; he still needs to pass a German language test in order to become a German citizen and allow the team to compete at the Olympics.
EVGENIA TARASOVA / VLADIMIR MOROZOV
Representing: Russia
Ages: 22/24
ISU Personal bests: SP 80.82, FS 146.76, total 227.58
ISU Season’s best: 218.46
Notable titles: 2017 World Bronze Medalists, 2017 European Champions, 2016 Grand Prix Final Champions, 3-time Russian National Medalists
Programs: SP - Piano Concerto No.2 (Rachmaninoff); FS - Candyman
Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, Internationaux de France
A fairly young team who have been competing together since juniors, Tarasova/Morozov had a breakthrough season in 2016-17, winning the Grand Prix Final, European Championships, and bronze medals at the 2017 World Championships. The team is known for their solid technical elements, especially their triple twist, and they have also performed the quad twist in competition. With the health of teammates Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov still in question, Tarasova/Morozov have gradually set themselves up as Russia’s leading pairs team and the latest in a long line of champions from that country. Although they slightly trail behind Sui/Han and Savchenko/Massot in PCS, their technical ability makes them a strong threat for any podium. They began their season with a win over Savchenko/Massot at 2017 Nebelhorn Trophy, and will open their Grand Prix season at Rostelecom Cup, where they will face off against reigning Russian National champions Stolbova/Klimov. At Internationaux de France, their second Grand Prix, Tarasova/Morozov will compete against home favorites Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres.
MEAGAN DUHAMEL / ERIC RADFORD
Representing: Canada
Ages: 31/32
ISU Personal bests: SP 78.39, FS 153.81, total 231.99
ISU Season’s best: 202.98
Notable titles: 2015 & 2016 World Champions, 2-time World Bronze Medalists, 2-time Four Continents Champions, 2014 Grand Prix Final Champions, 6-time Canadian National Champions
Programs: SP - With or Without You; FS - Muse Medley
Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Skate America
Teaming up in 2010, Duhamel/Radford steadily rose through the international ranks, breaking through onto the World podium in 2013. They medaled at Worlds consistently for the next 3 seasons in a row, picking up gold medals in 2015 and 2016 with strong technical performances. Duhamel/Radford’s strength lies in their high base values; they are one of very few pairs teams capable of performing side-by-side triple lutzes, and they have landed the throw quadruple salchow in competition several times. However, their risky elements can sometimes backfire. Duhamel/Radford had an up-and-down 2016-17 season. Fighting through Eric’s herniated disc, the team placed 7th at 2017 Worlds, their lowest placement at a World Championships since their debut. They are absolutely capable of rising to the top once again, but as with all other teams, it will come down to consistency. Duhamel/Radford skated a strong short program at the season-opening Autumn Classic International, but fell apart in the free skate to ultimately place behind Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres of France. They will face James/Cipres again at Skate Canada, as well as Savchenko/Massot and fellow Canadians Lubov Ilyushechkina/Dylan Moscovitch. At Skate America, they will compete against Savchenko/Massot and Xiaoyu Yu/Hao Zhang of China.
Random off-ice facts: Meagan is a vegan. She is married to her coach, Bruno Marcotte. Eric is openly gay; in June 2017, he became engaged to his boyfriend, Spanish ice dancer Luis Fenero. Eric is a musician and composer; he composed the 2016-17 free skate music of fellow Canadian skater Patrick Chan.
VANESSA JAMES / MORGAN CIPRES
Representing: France
Ages: 30/26
ISU Personal bests: SP 75.72, FS 146.87, total 222.59
ISU Season’s best: 210.48
Notable titles: 2017 European Bronze Medalists, 5-time French National Champions
Programs: SP - Make It Rain; FS - Say Something/Sense of Freedom
Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Internationaux de France
Living proof that breakthroughs don’t always correlate with youth, James/Cipres had a stellar 2016-17 season after a coaching change to John Zimmerman in the USA. Since teaming up in 2010, James/Cipres showed potential but lacked consistency and harder technical elements until last season, when all their hard work came to fruition with a bronze medal at the 2017 European Championships. They became the first French pair to medal at Euros in 14 years. James/Cipres then placed a solid 8th at the World Championships, and set new personal best scores to win the pairs event at World Team Trophy. Always known for their sizzling chemistry, modern style, and Vanessa’s pantsuits, James/Cipres now have the technical ability to fight for the top. They have attempted the throw quadruple salchow in competition, although they have not yet landed it cleanly. Opening the new season at Autumn Classic International, James/Cipres nabbed a surprise win over Canadian champions Duhamel/Radford. If they can continue riding their momentum, more podium finishes can be expected in their future. James/Cipres will kick off their Grand Prix season at Skate Canada against Savchenko/Massot and Duhamel/Radford, and will face off against the Russians Tarasova/Morozov at Internationaux de France.
Random off-ice facts: Vanessa was born in Canada and competed for the USA and UK before moving to France.
KSENIA STOLBOVA / FEDOR KLIMOV
Representing: Russia
Ages: 25/27
ISU Personal bests: SP 76.15, FS 154.60, total 229.44
ISU Season’s best: 184.78
Notable titles: 2014 Olympic Silver Medalists, 2014 World Silver Medalists, 3-time European Medalists, 2015 Grand Prix Final Champions, 3-time Russian National Champions
Programs: SP - Tango de Besame; FS - Carmen Suite
Grand Prix events: Rostelecom Cup, NHK Trophy
Surprise silver medalists at the Sochi Olympics, where they skated two personal-best programs in front of a home crowd, Stolbova/Klimov appeared to have established themselves as the Russian team to beat for the following Olympic cycle. Their winning free skate at the 2015 Grand Prix Final featured a side-by-side 3T3T2T combination - very rare to see in pairs skating - and nearly broke the World record set by 2014 Olympic champions Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov. Unfortunately, Stolbova/Klimov have been plagued by injuries in recent years, missing the first half of the 2016-17 season and placing off the podium at both the 2017 European and World Championships. As of this season, their health is still in question; they finished 3rd at Finlandia Trophy with a score much lower than what they’re capable of. Stolbova/Klimov are known for their throw jumps and side-by-side jumps when they’re on; their weakness is the triple twist. With unusual, out-of-the-box programs and all-around polished skating, they are a team to be reckoned with at their height; however, their condition on the Grand Prix remains to be seen. Stolbova/Klimov will face their younger Russian teammates Tarasova/Morozov at Rostelecom Cup, and reigning World champions Sui/Han at NHK Trophy.
XIAOYU YU / HAO ZHANG
Representing: China
Ages: 21/33
ISU Personal bests: SP 75.34, FS 136.28, total 211.51
ISU Season’s best: N/A
Notable titles: 2016 Grand Prix Final Silver Medalists, 2017 Asian Winter Games Champions
Programs: SP - Swan Lake; FS - Star Wars
Grand Prix events: Cup of China, Skate America
The story of how Yu/Zhang came to skate together is a convoluted one. With previous partner Yang Jin, Xiaoyu was a 2-time Junior World Champion and the 2016 Four Continents bronze medalist. Hao Zhang, a familiar name on the pairs skating scene, had two previous partnerships. With longtime partner Dan Zhang (no relation), he was the 2006 Olympic silver medalist and 4-time World medalist. Following Dan Zhang’s retirement in 2012, Hao Zhang teamed up with Cheng Peng and competed with her at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Peng/Zhang won a silver medal at the 2015 Four Continents Championships and placed 4th at the 2015 World Championships. After a relatively disappointing outing for Chinese pairs at 2016 Worlds, coach Hongbo Zhao decided to have Yu/Jin and Peng/Zhang swap partners, despite protests from Xiaoyu. Nevertheless, Yu/Zhang competed together for the first time in the 2016-17 season and achieved some significant results, including silver at the 2016 Grand Prix Final and 4th place at 2017 Worlds. Yu/Zhang’s strong points are Xiaoyu’s grace and elegance, as well as their technical elements, especially their triple twist. Their main weakness is their side-by-side jumps; Xiaoyu struggled with them at Cup of Nice, the team’s first international competition of the season, although they won the event overall. Yu/Zhang will face their teammates Sui/Han at Cup of China, and both Duhamel/Radford and Savchenko/Massot at Skate America.
Random off-ice facts: Xiaoyu is fluent in Japanese, having taught herself the language by watching anime. She has given interviews in Japanese with the Japanese media and translated for her teammates.
CHENG PENG / YANG JIN
Representing: China
Ages: 20/23
ISU Personal bests: SP 73.33, FS 136.48, total 204.49
ISU Season’s best: 198.03
Notable titles: 2017 Asian Winter Games Silver Medalists
Programs: SP - Assassin’s Tango; FS - The Butterfly Lovers
Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Internationaux de France
The other half of the Chinese pairs swap, Peng/Jin have received relatively less attention in the Chinese media than Yu/Zhang. However, the team has gelled together admirably well in only a season of competition together and posted solid results throughout 2016-17. They qualified for the 2016 Grand Prix Final, placed 5th at Four Continents, and won the silver medal at the 2017 Asian Winter Games. They kicked off the new season with a gold medal at Finlandia Trophy, despite mistakes in the free skate. Peng/Jin’s skating has a fresh and playful energy, backed up by the trademark technical prowess of Chinese pairs. If they can improve their consistency and continue to polish their skating, Peng/Jin may eventually rise to be one of the top teams of the pairs field. They will face stiff competition at both Skate Canada and Internationaux de France, but clean performances can give them a shot at the podium.
Random off-ice facts: Peng/Jin have an easy-going relationship. When Cheng struggled with doubts in the early days of their partnership, Yang cheered her up by cooking for her. Yang often hangs out with fellow Chinese skater Boyang Jin. They play around with pairs elements for fun.
LUBOV ILYUSHECHKINA / DYLAN MOSCOVITCH
Representing: Canada
Ages: 25/33
ISU Personal bests: SP 73.14, FS 133.05, total 206.19
ISU Season’s best: 183.80
Notable titles: 2017 Four Continents Bronze Medalists, 3-time Canadian National Medalists
Programs: SP - In the Air Tonight; FS - At This Moment
Grand Prix events: Skate Canada, Internationaux de France
Lubov skated for Russia as a junior, winning the 2009 Junior World title with Nodari Maisuradze. Dylan previously skated with Kirsten Moore-Towers, with whom he won the 2011 Canadian National title and a Four Continents silver medal in 2013. Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch teamed up in 2014 following Kirsten’s decision to split with Dylan. The new team made steady progress, establishing themselves as one of Canada’s top 3 pairs, and achieved a career-best 6th-place finish at the 2017 World Championships, as well as a bronze medal at Four Continents. Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch are known for their unique lifts, transitions, and expressive skating, but Lubov often struggles with side-by-side jumps. They finished 4th at Finlandia Trophy and will compete next at Skate Canada and Internationaux de France, where they have a chance to medal if they can produce clean performances.
Random off-ice facts: Lubov became a Canadian citizen in September 2017, making the team eligible for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
OTHER SKATERS TO WATCH
Julianne Seguin / Charlie Bilodeau (CAN): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and NHK Trophy. 2015 Junior World Silver Medalists, 2-time Canadian National Medalists. Teamed up in 2012. Promising young team hampered by injuries in recent seasons, including a series of concussions suffered by Julianne. Made a solid return with a bronze medal at 2017 Autumn Classic. Can contend for medals on the Grand Prix, depending on their condition. Julianne used to compete in both singles and pairs at the same time, winning the bronze medal at 2014 Autumn Classic in ladies’ singles.
Natalia Zabiiako / Alexander Enbert (RUS): Assigned to Skate Canada and Skate America. 2017 Russian National Bronze Medalists, 2016 Rostelecom Cup Silver Medalists. Teamed up in 2015; Natalia previously skated for Estonia.
Kristina Astakhova / Alexei Rogonov (RUS): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and NHK Trophy. 2016 Rostelecom Cup Bronze Medalists. Teamed up in 2014. Known for their quirky programs.
Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro (CAN): Assigned to Cup of China and Skate America. 2017 Canadian National Bronze Medalists. Missed most of the 2016-17 season after Kirsten sustained a concussion in practice, but finished the season strong at Four Continents and World Team Trophy. Kirsten previously skated with Dylan Moscovitch; she teamed up with Michael Marinaro in 2014.
Anna Duskova / Martin Bidar (CZE): Assigned to Cup of China and Internationaux de France. First skaters from the Czech Republic to win the Junior World Championships in 2016. Placed 7th at their first European Championships in 2017 and 14th at Worlds. Making their senior Grand Prix debut this season.
Valentina Marchei / Ondrej Hotarek (ITA): Assigned to Rostelecom Cup and Cup of China. Placed 9th at 2017 Worlds, started their season with bronze at Lombardia Trophy. One of few teams able to do side-by-side triple lutzes. Teamed up in 2014. Valentina used to compete in singles, winning Italian Nationals 5 times. Ondrej previously skated pairs with Stefania Berton and won the bronze medal at the 2013 European Championships.
Nicole Della Monica / Matteo Guarise (ITA): Assigned to Cup of China and Internationaux de France. 2-time Italian National Champions, 2017 Lombardia Trophy and Finlandia Trophy silver medalists.
Alexa Scimeca Knierim / Chris Knierim (USA): Assigned to NHK Trophy and Skate America. 2015 US National Champions, 2016 Four Continents Silver Medalists. Teamed up in 2012. USA’s top pair in recent years, missed most of last season due to illness. Returned to place 6th at Four Continents and 10th at Worlds. Known for their triple twist. Married each other in 2016.