Vise/Ibarra Split

[adrianchew]

I've just got word that Tiffany Vise and Larry Ibarra have split, due to some issues that couldn't be resolved. I'm going to leave it at that and wish them both the best of luck in their future endeavors - and to whomever they pair up with next.

There should be an official USFSA announcement sometime this week probably - at which time we'll probably find out the replacements for Junior Worlds (guessing it might actually be Howerton/Pottenger who are 2nd alternates, not certain if Roth/McPherson who are 1st alternates will take the assignment). Tiffany's younger sister - Brittany, along with her partner Nicholas Kole are 3rd alternates currently.

[Spinner]

Well crud, that's too bad. I wish them both well in the future. I also suspect H/P will get the assignment. I wonder how many more dings our pairs situation in the US can take.

[legjumper]

Well, I'm bummed! I wish Tiff and Larry the best--they're both great pairs skaters. I hope to see them back next season with new partners. :)

[haribobo]

WOW. I did not see this coming. But both are pretty good and I wonder what they will do next. Not a big fan of the opposite rotation with them so I hope they can both find partners that match their direction this time.

[IgglesII]

Well, this sucks! Sorry, icetiff :(

[Scott]

Oh boy, here we go again. More promising teams splitting. We have to find a formula that will keep teams together. Yikes!!

[haribobo]

A formula for keeping teams together who don't want to be together?? Sounds like a bad idea to me!

[Louis]

For the second year in a row, a team has split *before* Junior Worlds! What's up with that? :(

[MyTripleFlutz]

As a jaded skater, break-ups rarely faze me.... but when I saw the title of this thread I actually gasped and said out loud "Nooooo!!!!" I really thought that Tiff and Larry were one of the few bright spots of Senior pairs this year.

This bites. Tiff, I wish you all the best, you and Larry were great together. I am very sorry that things didn't work out for you and I hope everything is okay in your world. ::crossing my fingers for you:: :(

[adrianchew]

Guessed wrong - Roth/McPherson did accept Junior Worlds or at least their names are now on the USFSA roster...

http://www.usfsa.org/news/2002-03/juniorworlds-preview.htm

[Scott]

Adrain, R/M accepting this assignment surprises me. I am afraid that they may have a hard time dup;icating their past performance and may not medal. That would not be good.

[lilwish]

this is too bad. we really enjoyed them at nationals. All the best Icetiff...

[IgglesII]

That's a shock? A team that starts the season being handed 2 Grand Prix assignments, now fighting to stay on everyone's radar - why wouldn't they go to Junior Worlds?

[michele]

icetiff - I'm sorry to hear this as I enjoyed what I saw of you and Larry, but best of luck in the future. I'm sure it was a difficult decision. :(

[Debbie S]

I'm so sorry about the break-up, icetiff. I enjoyed watching you and Larry last year in person and this year on TV. I'm sure this must be a difficult time for you, but you are a great skater and I'm sure it won't be long before you find a partner.

Best of luck to you in the future in whatever you decide to do. :)

[Aaron W]

Oh my. I didn't see this coming at all. Like others, when I saw the heading of this thread, my jaw dropped. Good luck icetiff in finding a partner!

I've been informed that Roth & McPherson are remaining together despite the problems they've had this season, and are planning on going to Junior Worlds.

[Trillian]

Wow--it's a rare split in U.S. pairs or dance these days that I didn't guess/know was coming, but this one does surprise me. Best of luck to both skaters in the future.

As for Roth & McPherson, I doubt they'll do as well at junior worlds as they did last year, but I'm glad to hear they're staying together. After the problems I'd heard about them having at summer events, I was rather pleasantly surprised when I actually saw them this season. Yes, they hit a bumpy patch, but to me they still look reasonably well-matched with the potential to come back from their recent problems. After all, missing an entire season due to injury does matter. It may not work out for them, but they're still young enough that there's no harm in trying. I wish them the best also.

[haribobo]

Interesting news about Roth/McPherson. After Nationals, I was definitely thinking a split was imminent, since she seems to have outgrown him. But if one more season of poor results is what they need to convince themselves that a split is the right move, well I guess we can do nothing but sit back and watch. I rewatched their Jr. Worlds performance (from 2001, last year they didn't go) and it was really nice and they had great unison and presentation. Since then, Kristen has grown both taller and more muscular, which seems to be too much for Michael (who isn't the biggest guy out there, so I don't blame him!) to handle. And they look more like two people thrown together than a pair now. I do feel bad that she has had to endure an injury and I'm not saying any of this is easy, but with their best interests in mind for the long run, it seems so clear to me that they need to start over with new more size appropriate partners than work so hard on something that can't work. :/ I guess we will see.

[KBW]

Oh, man, I really enjoyed this pair, they had a lot of potential! I hope they can find success with other partners, I really like both of them. My jaw dropped along with many of you all.

[bunghodog]

That is upsetting, I think the problem with USA Pairs and Dance is keeping a team together, I really liked vise/Ibarra.

[icetiff]

Thanks guys for all your support ---"I'LL BE BACK"!!!!!!:D

[purplecat]

Oh that saddens me. I wish the best to both of them!

[Lee]

Good luck, Tiff...in whatever your future holds!

[Terri]

I'm looking forward to seeing you skate in the future Tiffany. Best of luck!

[unafaluna]

I was sorry to hear of this teams'deciding to split. I enjoyed watching them and thought they had a great future. However, I almost immediately thought of Vice/Parchem as a team. Does anyone have any imput about this?:)

[chattykathy]

However, I almost immediately thought of Vise/Parchem as a team

I suspect one of the main reasons they split is that they were a mirrored pair, thanks to all who answered its Tiffany that jumps "backward". At senior pairs historically the style hasn't been too successful. (exception: Rudy Galindo and Kristy Yamaguchi) Larry and Tiffany really pulled it off well, good choreagraphy helps alot!

I think there are probably a good line up of girls that jump Aarons way waiting for a tryout, if he is going to continue.

[icetiff]

ChattyKathy- The main reason wasn't the mirror skating . We actualy had good responses from judges on the mirror skating.

[Aaron W]

Originally posted by icetiff
ChattyKathy- The main reason wasn't the mirror skating . We actualy had good responses from judges on the mirror skating.

I know some people don't exactly like it, but I always found it interesting to watch you and Larry. A mirror pair is pretty unique and IMO enjoyable to watch. I wasn't sure what international judges thought, but I knew what I thought and they were good thoughts. :)

[Chris_M]

Hey Tiffany
You rock! i am sure you will find another partner soon... you got the talent and experience behind you... I will talk to you later!!:D

[Ivan W]

Originally posted by chattykathy
I suspect one of the main reasons they split is that they were a mirrored pair, thanks to all who answered its Tiffany that jumps "backward". At senior pairs historically the style hasn't been too successful. (exception: Rudy Galindo and Kristy Yamaguchi) Larry and Tiffany really pulled it off well, good choreagraphy helps alot!

I think there are probably a good line up of girls that jump Aarons way waiting for a tryout, if he is going to continue.

You forgot Watson & Oppegard (sp) - 1988 Olympic bronze medalist

[chattykathy]

I stand corrected. I am pitifully a product of my generation, and I dont really mean mine, but more like my daughter's, since she is the skater. I never saw Watson and Oppegard skate, I should hunt up a tape.

[michele]

It's worth noting though that IIRC Watson and Oppergard had the "advantage" of being able to spin in the same direction.

But I'm glad the mirror skating wasn't the issue for Tiff and Larry since I never minded it either.