Steve Hartsell has a new partner!

[Pupiczech]

Please see his journal at www.hartsells.com

He and Marcy Hinzmann have formed a partnership.

[The Village Idiot]

Wow - I thought they were both done....good for him...

got a chuckle out of "Pairs tryouts are tough. Shiner courtesy of Jayne Mayne." haha...

[Trillian]

Great to hear this news confirmed publicly. :) After what I've seen of Marcy's skating, I think Steve has made an excellent choice. I look forward to seeing how these two do together!

[Cerulean]

I'm glad that Steve was able to find a new partner, and I really hope that things work out for them. It is interesting that Brandilyn Sandoval had also tried out with him, I had not heard that. and now we gain insight as to why he might not have teamed up with Janey Mayne, other than age issues.

It will be interesting to see if they do well enough to be given international assignments next season.....

[Chris_E]

Good for him! Hopefully he can have a successful partership with her. He deserves some happiness, after the last few years.

Chris

[Scott]

Good for Steve. I wonder where they will be training. Marcey will be quite a bit different for hiim than his sister. Entirely different look. I wonder if they will be ready to compete this season. I also wonder ihow he will be dealing with his injuries. Good luck to them.

[Aaron W]

They will be training in Detroit. Marcy is making the move.

Good luck to Steve & Marcy!!! :)

[Nickel]

Hi Pupiczech!

Good news! :D I've been waiting patiently. Wish them both well for us! Can't wait to see how they look together.

Robyn

[Pupiczech]

Aaron is right, they will be training in Detroit. They will be ready for Skate Detroit and the Indy Challenge. Steve is injury free (except for the banged up face) and ready to skate, in fact has been skating since March.

[osteria]

Happy for Steve finding a new partner.

What are Steve and Marcy's ages?

[Trillian]

[quote:5f3b4a4993="osteria"]What are Steve and Marcy's ages?[/quote:5f3b4a4993]

I think Steve is 24 and Marcy is 19 or 20?

[shopper]

wish them both all the best.

[jkl]

I read Steve's journal entry about the new pairing. I thought his remarks to both Brandilyn and Jayne showed a guy with a lot of class. :D

[Spinner]

Woo-hoo! This is great news. I'm especially thrilled they'll be competing at the Indy Challenge. I wish them both the best and much success in the coming years.

Pupiczech, please keep us updated on Danielle too if you can. :)

Take care,
Spinner

[olivia]

Can someone bring me up to speed about Danielle? Thanks in advance (I feel so out of the loop :? ) I'm guessing she decided to leave the world of competitive figure skating and, perhaps, continue on with her education. What a difficult decision that must have been for her.

Anyway, I'm happy that Steve's found a new partner since it appears he's still very much interested in competing. Great for him and, yes, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this new pair!

O-

[Debbie S]

It was announced (I believe on the USFSA web site) that Danielle was retiring to go to the U of Richmond and was also going to be teaching skating in the Richmond area.

[Pupiczech]

http://hartsells.com/danielle's_diary.htm

Here is a link to Danielles last journal entry. I will try to contact her tonight to see if she can update us on her life in Richmond, VA.

[loveskating]

That is so great to hear...in both cases. I was just thinking that the outlook for pairs in the U.S. was not so good...but hopefully, this improves them a lot!

I look forward to seeing them skate as soon as they can work out that timing and unison and will pray to the SkateGods for them that it does not take the normal 3 years...let's hope more like Sale & Peltier than like Ina & Zimmerman!!!!

I don't know them, but they seem to be the very best people possible and I wish everyone great happiness.

[olivia]

Thanks so much for the info., Debbie and Pupiczech :)

It was devastating to see the Hartsells at Nationals. Now, *that* was one of those true bummers of the sport -- reminded me of Babalonia/Gardner. :(

It's nice to know both Steve and Danielle are looking toward their futures.

O-

[Rachael]

I'm glad he found a new partner quickly. Good luck to all of them!

[imanta]

Does anyone know anything about Marci Hinzmann? How old is she? Who did she skate with before?

[Trillian]

[quote:28f28850fb="imanta"]Does anyone know anything about Marci Hinzmann? How old is she? Who did she skate with before?[/quote:28f28850fb]

In her bio from the 2001 nationals, Marcy's DOB was listed as 5/26/82--which would mean she just turned 20. (I finally looked it up because I wasn't sure I was remembering correctly.) She previously competed in singles, and I believe her only pairs partner was Ronnie Biancosino. They finished 10th in the junior division at the 2001 nationals and 12th (out of 13) as seniors this past year. My impression from seeing a tape of the event was that she still looked fairly rough around the edges as a pairs skater, but had strong solo skills which will hopefully help her develop into a very good partner. She's also pretty small and obviously isn't likely to grow anymore, which should help a lot.

[Scott]

[quote:4459c9979e="Trillian"][quote:4459c9979e="imanta"]Does anyone know anything about Marci Hinzmann? How old is she? Who did she skate with before?[/quote:4459c9979e]

In her bio from the 2001 nationals, Marcy's DOB was listed as 5/26/82--which would mean she just turned 20. (I finally looked it up because I wasn't sure I was remembering correctly.) She previously competed in singles, and I believe her only pairs partner was Ronnie Biancosino. They finished 10th in the junior division at the 2001 nationals and 12th (out of 13) as seniors this past year. My impression from seeing a tape of the event was that she still looked fairly rough around the edges as a pairs skater, but had strong solo skills which will hopefully help her develop into a very good partner. She's also pretty small and obviously isn't likely to grow anymore, which should help a lot.[/quote:4459c9979e]

I thought that Marcie was the stronger of the pair ( with her former partner) but I have to agree with Trillian that she is still fairly rough around the edges. I wonder if at age 20 it will be too late for her to develope into a top notch pair skater. Quite frankly, If I were this team I would skip the Indy Challenge anad train for the US National Competition. The team needs time together to gel. Trying to go into a competition after only two months of training does not make any sense to me. I think we sometimes push things to quickly. Better to prepare for the big event and then go for it at nationals. By trying to compete at Indy I think that their coach is making a huge mistake. The coach should make them wait. HOw in such a short period of time are they going to get two programs together and then get all the elements and choreograhy down to make a good impressioin? It is going to be hard enough to do this for Nationals. If I were their coach I would take time and they show the world a finished product.

[haribobo]

I don't think it's such a big deal for Hinzmann/Hartsell to miss one week of training. So what if they don't have their timing together for Indy? Even if they make a terrible impression...Indy doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things if you are not skating your best at the time. The U.S. pairs field is shallow enough the H/H could come in last at Indy and still make the top 6 at Nationals. In actuality, I think 6th may be a little tough for them to achieve this year, but I think top 10 should be attainable. I think that since both Marcy and Steve competed this past season, they may be more ready for Indy than you think...I doubt they'll be in the top 2 there, but they could turn some heads if they train right. Besides, if they *don't* do Indy, then they will have no competitive experience before sectionals and/or nationals. I wouldn't reccommend sectionals or nationals as any pair's *first* competition. That is just inviting disaster. I think entering Indy was a good decision by both the skaters and the coach. Good luck Marcy and Steve!!! :)

[Aaron W]

It may be pushing it to compete at the Indy Challenge, but I don't see why it's a problem. If they screw up majorly, oh well - it's just Indy. And if they skate well enough to impress the USFSA, they could get moved onto the Team Envelopes (Reserve) and receive some financial funding which I'm sure they'll need.

[Scott]

[quote:b2710bf009="Aaron W"]It may be pushing it to compete at the Indy Challenge, but I don't see why it's a problem. If they screw up majorly, oh well - it's just Indy. And if they skate well enough to impress the USFSA, they could get moved onto the Team Envelopes (Reserve) and receive some financial funding which I'm sure they'll need.[/quote:b2710bf009]

I still think it would be better to come out strong at Nationals than to try and pull off a good showing at Indy. I don't know who will be competing there but to make a team envelope and to receive the limited amount of funding that would come with it may not be worth it. I really think that it would be putting too much pressure on Marcie who has never skated at such a high level as is now being expected. It is a very different world. If I were the coach I would hold all of my cards for sectionals and then nationals.

[haribobo]

Well we will have to agree to disagree, Scott, sorry but I just don't really see how 1 fall competition can hurt this pair. Marcy is going to learn how to play the game sometime.....and she WAS at Nationals last year and the year before so I don't know what you mean about not having competed in the big leagues. Besides, I would not call Indy "a very different world." It's a little competition which usually has 5 or 6 of the sub-top level senior US pairs.

[IdmaIjan]

I'd have to imagine the USFSA will assign this pair to a monitor. The monitor will assess the team, talk to the coach, provide the USFSA with a report and make recommendations to the team. In addition to having a monitor, there are all kinds of high level judges in Michigan who will more than likely stop in at the DSC to watch Marcy and Steve's progress and to give suggestions and support.

I'm certain the USFSA is very interested in encouraging this new team. If the monitor recommends that Marcy and Steve compete at Indy, then they'll more than likely be there. We'll all just have to wait and see :D Good luck to Marcy and Steve!

[Scott]

[quote:224220b6d2="haribobo"]Well we will have to agree to disagree, Scott, sorry but I just don't really see how 1 fall competition can hurt this pair. Marcy is going to learn how to play the game sometime.....and she WAS at Nationals last year and the year before so I don't know what you mean about not having competed in the big leagues. Besides, I would not call Indy "a very different world." It's a little competition which usually has 5 or 6 of the sub-top level senior US pairs.[/quote:224220b6d2]

I understand what you are saying. I agree that Indy is not a major competition but with Steve Hartsell this team is expected to do more than most new teams off the block. The comment about the big time means that she is going to be more in the spot light than she is used to. People are going to expect more and better than she has had to deliver in the past. This is a lot of pressure. Going to a minor competition and possibly looking new or sloppy because you haven't had the time to prepare will not leave a good impression. I will say what I have said before, why do US Teams always have to rush things? No one seems to have any patience or desire to focus on getting things done right. I hope I am wrong about this because I admire Hartsell and think that propoerly trained this teams could do well. I agree with the comment above that they should easily break into the top 10 this year. A lot will depend on Steve and how he adapts to this new partner.

[11yrskate]

I'm inclined to agree with Scott. If they come out looking sloppy and unprepared, then comments are going to made about that. They may surprise you too. The Detroit Team seems very efficient in getting things done and getting the teams what they need to get the job done. If you have two people who are strong pair skaters, even if one is much stronger than the other, things can happen pretty quickly. Steve's experience will help that. So they may be ready. But if they are not, why let their first outing look bad. Rushing things, like in and out of partnerships. Rushing into competitions, puts to much pressure on a new team. Let them settle into each other. I thing Marci will make a good partner for Steve. I always felt that she was the strongest link between her and Ronnie. I wish this team the best of luck!

[AxelAnnie22]

With regards to competing at Indy - there is good on both sides. Competing gives them a chance to take a spin at a competition before Nationals - waiting gives them a chance at a better debut. Perhaps there are factors we do not know that weight the decision in favor of the early competition.

I have never really paid enough attention to Danielle and Steve to form a very favorable opinion of their skating. The size factor and the sibling factor always bothered me. I am now wondering, and believe me, this is just a questions, how good a skater is Steve. Was he the stronger of the pair? All I really remember is the injuries. I shall have to go back and take another look.

It looks as though she will be a good match for him physically. That will be nice to watch. I wish them good luck. It will be fun to watch.

[Rob]

In that photo, Marcy looks younger than she is.

[imanta]

Hey Trillian--thanks for answering my question! :) I'll be interested to see how they do as a pair. I have never been a huge fan of the Hartsell's skating, but I have always been impressed by them as people in interviews and things like that. Not that they're not good skaters...just not my cup of tea.......

[lrng to skt]

I feel that Danielle was the stronger/better skater; but the match was not good.

Who knows, maybe with a better size ratio Steve will improve.

It's a shame Danielle couldn't logically have as good a chance to continue as Steve i.e., the shortage of male partners, much less male partners who are capable of pairing with Danielle (now if Artur Dmitriev were available 8) ) ...g

[Mistyeyed]

:P I will most definately look forward to seeing this new pair skate next season. In that pic on the H/H website, H looks no more than 13 or 14. I guess that can be a good thing if she is built with a small frame. I hope they do wonderful together. Although, it will be so weird to see Steve skating with someone other than Danielle. But, it's good that they are both happy in their present lives, Steve and Danielle.

[Pupiczech]

A bit of an update on the Hinzmann & Hartsell pairing.

Marcy arrived here in Detroit and started skating with Steve last Monday. They have been working with Marina Zoueva and have their short program choreographed. Steve thinks everyone will be quite surprised with their short as it is far different from anything he has done before. I have only seen about 10 seconds of the program myself but I can see that it is quite nice. Hopefully I will be able to see more this week.

Steve is very excited about the season and skating with Marcy and I think Marcy is too.

We are all looking forward to Skate Detroit at the end of July.

[Aaron W]

Thanks for the update! :)