How well would Sato/Dungjen do in the eligible ranks?

[Alexa]

Watching this pair, they have improved so much each year, and look great this year. Where does everyone think they would rank if they were eligible? I am sure they are probably missing some required elements, and need improvement in certain areas. I am not an expert on comparing the various pairs, so I was just curious on how those that know more about pairs would rate this pair.

[leap of faith]

I think they'd do alright at US nationals. In regards to the SP they have the same content as all the top teams.

The only place I see them coming up a bit short is in the long. I haven't seen them do a throw other than the 3 sal.

Another factor which I don't really pick up on is speed. How do they compare to the other US teams?

During and event this fall the commentator on Canadian Television said that if eligible they could win US nats this year.

[Skatingsarah]

Technically I think they wouldn't do that bad, but they would do very well in ARTISTIC thats for sure
The only thing is they arent very diverisified yet. They really stick to the Classy peices.
Imagine if they were skating for a long time together! If she can pick things up this fast, they would have been AMAZING
-Sarah

[Ruth215]

I think Jason would have trouble with the triple jumps and his lack of speed was one of the factors that kept Jason and Kyoko from doing better internationally. As professionals though, they are lovely to watch and I've enjoyed seeing them perform a lot this season.

[uyeahu]

Jason's basic skating seems to have improved so much since her started skating with Yuka though. Does anyone else notice this? I never enjoyed him as an eligible because he had had such poor posture and "hockey" technique. Lots of scratchiness to his skating, but with Yuka he seems to have discovered his edges, and he has nice soft knees. Maybe it's just that when they skate together, it's so hard not to watch Yuka that I don't notice his flaws as much, but I'm really enjoying them this year. So perhaps his speed has improved as well? I guess that was the point I was trying to make. :lol:

[Pupiczech]

It's funny you mention the scratchiness of his skating. While watching them on the Brian Boitano special I made a comment to my sister about the noise. And yes, they are slow. I watch them practice a bit and compared to the teams at DSC going to Nationals Jason and Yuka are very slow. But beautiful to watch, together and apart. I wish though they would share/teach some of their beautiful lifts with/to my favorite pair at DSC, Hinzmann and Hartsell.

[spiralsrfun]

This is so weird....I was just discussing this with my partner yesterday during their skate on the Boitano special.

We both agreed that they could do "very" well compared to the current eligible international field, and even better in the USA.

When they first teamed-up...I didn't expect much, but it's very clear that their personal chemistry mixed with their work ethic and talent has proved me wrong...they are quite good in many, many ways.

Not only are they technically sound, but their presentation skills are very good.

To be fully competitive, IMO they would need to improve on the following:

- sbs 3toes - Jason's weakness
- sbs spins - tighter and more together (but not bad)
- add a throw 3/loop (shouldn't be a problem for Yuka)
- lift difficulty, speed and variation (the biggest thing to work on IMO)

Other than the above, I really feel they could do very well if they were eligible, especially at US Nationals, where they could be on the podium (if not the top) for sure.


*(edited to correct typo)*

[Alexeiskate]

Originally posted by spiralsrfun

To be fully competitive, IMO they would need to improve on the following:

- sbs 3toes - Jason's weakness
- sbs spins - tighter and more together (but not bad)
- add a throw 3/loop (should be a problem for Yuka)
- lift difficulty, speed and variation (the biggest thing to work on IMO)

Other than the above, I really feel they could do very well if they were eligible, especially at US Nationals, where they could be on the podium (if not the top) for sure.

spiralsfun,

Why would you think the throw 3loop would be a potential problem for Yuka. I would think the opposite since that is her best triple. Yuka already has good posture and air sense for a secure individual 3loop so I don't think having Jason throw her would throw her timing off that much on the jump. The 3sal is also a strong jump for Yuka as a single skater and look how secure she is on the throw 3sal.

[spiralsrfun]

It was a typo...sorry. :oops:

I meant to say it shouldn't be a problem for Yuka. ;)

[Alexa]

Speed was a big factor I was wondering about...I am glad some of you brought it up. I remember last year it always seemed to me that Yuka and Jason were so slow compared to the others, but have noticed a vast improvement this year. However I could not tell how they compare to others.

I am just always so impressed with their presentation...they give such clean, complete programs that so many young pairs are missing. I don't know if it is that Yuka and Jason have had so much experience performing that it is easy for them or what.

[chattykathy]

I think if they were actually to put together a program that was intended to compete in eligible competition they would be able to do it and well. I think Yuka had lots to teach Jason about skating, while he was drilling her on pair tricks. But you can't transform their artistic program into one to take to Nationals. This program is supposed to be slow but he really would have to work on his speed. I get the feeling after watching Yuka skate she could do anything she really wants, including throw triple loops.

[Samskate]

This is interesting since I was thinking about them after the Boitano special too. Also since several other recent times I've watched them. I really think Yuka can do almost anything very well. As has been said many times, she's considered a skater's skater. However, I think it's Jason who has some basic weaknesses in his skating, as several other posters have already said. When they have a problem, it's usually his mistake. Hopefully, as they work more together, they will work through the weaknesses. Overall, they are a delight to watch. Don't know how they would do if eligible, but it would be interesting to see, wouldn't it?

[Lee]

After seeing them live at the Sears Open, I think they'd do quite respectably in both US Nats AND internationally. They have a magical quality to their skating that really wins over the crowds, but it's not because of 'flash-bang' tricks either. The technical elements are pretty darned solid, considering Yuka's history is NOT as a pairs skater.

Too bad we won't get a chance to find out just how they would have made out as eligibles...

[memememe76]

A question: Have they ever done 3 twist? That could hamper them.

[Aussie Willy]

I can't comment on them recently because I haven't seen their latest programs. But I do have a couple of their programs and always wondered how Yuka, with the right partner, would have gone as a pairs skater and I think she would have been a wonderful pairs skater.

[bunghodog]

I think they would do fine at Nationals, they probably could win, they have great line and are a beauty to watch, but technically I just don't think they could hang at worlds.