New US Sr. Pairing

[Spinner]

Just received word from Nashville that Bert Cording and Tiffany Steigler are training. Bert's currently in the west coast/LA area training with her for one month. They'll then return to Nashville for another month of training. Their future home past the next two months is yet undefined, but I suspect she may be the one moving to train full-time in Nashville. Bert's got his 3toe and 3Salchow, while Tiffany only has her 3toe. My source who watched the tryouts was quite impressed with the look and line of the team..."magical" I believe she said. ;) More updates as I get them!

Also, regarding Bert's partner from last year Molly Quigley, she's considering a job offer skating on a cruise ship.

[purplecat]

I wish them the best!

[Meredith]

Magical's good! Best of luck to them.

[11yrskate]

This is good news, Tiffany has always been one of my favorites. Hopefully, they will be successful and stay together.

[haribobo]

Thanks for the info! So if all the teams now together end up staying together, the field for senior pairs next year is looking like:

Scott/Dulebohn
Don/Hunt
Orscher/Lucash
Inoue/Baldwin
Spielberg/Joeright
Handy/Allen
Hinzmann/Parchem
Stiegler/Cording
Roth/McPherson?
Evora/Ladwig
Phibbs/Patrick
Pensgen/Trent
Howerton/Pottenger
Appel/Harris

Anyone I'm forgetting?

[Catherine M]

This is very good news. Even though the Steiglers' freeskate at nationals was a train wreck, you could easily tell that Tiffany still has "IT".

Wish them both the best of luck as they begin developing their partnership.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by haribobo
Anyone I'm forgetting?

Someone mentioned on the Unseen Skaters board a while back that Katie Beriau and Joe Gazzola (who both made Easterns in singles this year, in senior ladies and junior men respectively) are skating together in Simsbury with Vadim Naumov as coach, and will be competing senior purely because of his age. Haven't heard anything about that recently, but assuming it works out, we'll have to watch for them at Easterns also.

Also, add Tiffany Sfikas & Jeff Weiss to your list.

And will Brittany Vise & Nick Kole be moving up, or trying another year in juniors?

[Screenie]

Molly Quigley will be skating on a cruise ship? She is such a good skater, I'd love to see her still compete.

Joe Gazzola's age is a problem for Junior pairs? How old is he?

[jkl]

I spoke to Molly today and she will skate on the Royal Caribbean Line. She leaves in May. Molly will be marvelous at this. She's a very entertaining skater to watch. She will surely be missed by the Nashville FSC.

[11yrskate]

Add Sandoval/Ibarra if they have definitely paired together.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Screenie
Joe Gazzola's age is a problem for Junior pairs? How old is he?

Well, he could actually compete junior in the U.S. regardless because there's no upper age limit, but the poster on the Unseen Skaters board said his age was a problem so I'm assuming he'll be over the international junior limit next season. That would mean turning 21 before July 1st. I didn't realize he was quite that old, but having seen him, it sounds about right.

Then again, that was just an anonymous poster on a message board--for all we know, they aren't going to be competing as seniors at all next year. Guess we'll see.

[Abahple]

I hope Vise and Kole stay junior another year. They really don't have the maturity of a senior team yet, and she's so young! If they do, they have a very good shot at winning the title. They might go senior at Indy, just to test the waters.

-A

[drdave98]

I'm glad to see the bro/sis team split up. As young kids, it's cute seeing bro and sis skating together, but when they grow into young adults, it's sorta eerie seeing a brother and sister express emotional feelings on the ice. There's no way Tiff and Johnny could look each other in the eyes like Jamie and David and show a connection. I think it's a good break-up and an overdue one too.

[winston]

ANYBODY KNOW IF JOHNNY IS STILL SKATING?

[Catherine M]

Originally posted by winston
ANYBODY KNOW IF JOHNNY IS STILL SKATING?

I've heard that he is no longer skating. What his future plans outside of skating are, I don't know.

[drdave98]

The logical answer is Johnny will start selling cars.

[jkl]

Does anyone have a Steve Hartsell update? Just curious.

[WeBeEducated]

There are so many more emotions to express in skating/music besides "love" that I dont find any problems at all with teams related to one another. the problem was that Johnny was not a serious trainer nor a good jumper, not that they were related.
I loved the Carruthers as a Pair Team, and if both Steiglers had been motivated to progress technically they could have been outstanding.

Larry Ibarra is going to skate with Brandi Sandoval?? she seems a little tall for him! but she is a talented skater and does have a little Pair experience. I think Larry would have made a good partner for little katie Boxwell.

[ice2]

abahple-it seems that of all the junior teams at nationals this year vise/kole seem to be the strongest to move up.from reports it looks like they are technically the strongest team and the maturity would only get better as senior competitiors.

[Dede]

Agree on Vise & Kole!! They certainly have a well balanced overall package!

[yogurtslinger]

ooooh, that's good news. Finally... hopefully, something longterm will actually come out of this pairing. Next to Oksana Baiul, Tiffany is probably my all-time favorite skater... I agree, she has "It", and that's just wonderful to see. It's such a rare talent to be able to express one's inner emotions so openly- through the fingertips, through the eyes.

It's hard to pinpoint that magic. NNN, Sasha, etc. all have marvelous line, carriage, musicality, positions, timing, etc. etc., but (imo) Tiffany just has that something extra. Maybe it's the versatility... she seems equally at ease with classical music and Aretha Franklin, while NNN has a frantic upbeat quality across all her skating, and Sasha has been known to "concentrate" a bit too much. Go Tiffany! ;)

[hulagrl]

saw cording and steigler shooting a commercial this week -- great chemistry together! she is so graceful and beautiful to watch; they both have wonderful skills feeling the music; just lovely facial expressions on her as well (plus she's in terrific shape). they make a handsome pair -- all the best to them!

[vanillalatte]

What happened to the Ganabas? I loved this pair! Talk about the IT factor!!! I hope they are still skating.

[A.H.Black]

No, the Ganaba's have quit skating. I think maturing bodies took their toll.

[Spinner]

Originally posted by A.H.Black
No, the Ganaba's have quit skating. I think maturing bodies took their toll.
Rumor has it Sima tried out with someone, but I can't share more until I'm able...

[vanillalatte]

Spinner, I very much respect your wishes to protect Sima's privacy. Please share as soon as you can! I was very impressed by the Ganabas when I saw them on the Nationals broadcast a couple of years ago. Sima, in particular, has such charisma on the ice and for such a tiny person she just FILLS the rink with her personality and presence. I would be delighted to find out that she has found a new partner and is continuing to skate! With the right partner and the right training, I think she had Nation Champion potential!

[jkl]

Those of us who were at Worlds have heard the rumor. If this pairing comes true I don't see it working as well as his other partners did. NOT nearly as well.

[ellen]

I heard that Sima and Steve Hartsell were to have a try out.

What about Tiffany Vise? Has she found a partner?

[lilpairsk8ter]

Sima and Steve Hartsell? i really dont see that partnership working out if it were to happen. and if anyone has any info let me know.

[Spinner]

Originally posted by ellen
I heard that Sima and Steve Hartsell were to have a try out.

What about Tiffany Vise? Has she found a partner?
Yes, Steve Hartsell is the person I heard had a tryout with Sima. I know nothing more than that, but I will share as soon as I do. And AFAIK, Tiffany Vise is still without partner, but she's tried out with few potential men. Last I talked to her she's not rushing anything and wants to take her time to find the right person.

[KMK0902]

Originally posted by ellen
I heard that Sima and Steve Hartsell were to have a try out.

Wouln't Steve Hartsell be A LOT older than Sima ??

K

[Pupiczech]

"Wouln't Steve Hartsell be A LOT older than Sima ?? "

Your point?

Steve is 25, Sima is 17 or something like that. No less. She has the spunk and attitude that Steve needs to oppose him. I think it would be a great match. Let's see what happens.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Pupiczech
Steve is 25, Sima is 17 or something like that. No less.

Sima won't be 17 until later this year--she was born sometime after July 1st of '86. I remember that for sure because she and Amir weren't able to compete internationally as juniors following their '99 nationals win--she turned 13 too late in the year. I want to say her birthday is in October.

Either way, though, not a big deal. It's not an unusual age difference and couples have been quite successful with as many or more years between them.

I find this an interesting prospect and will be curious to hear what becomes of it. I wasn't overly impressed with Sima and Amir for the first few years I watched them (I recall thinking they were highly overmarked the year they won their junior title), but their last nationals performance actually really impressed me and I thought at the time that Sima in particular might have some big-time potential. It would be nice to see her competing again.

[pittypat]

Originally posted by hulagrl
saw cording and steigler shooting a commercial this week -- great chemistry together! she is so graceful and beautiful to watch; they both have wonderful skills feeling the music; just lovely facial expressions on her as well (plus she's in terrific shape). they make a handsome pair -- all the best to them!


Can't wait to see them !!!!!!!! :D

[Proudmom]

What was the commercial for and will it be televised?

[BABYSKATES]

The commercial is for MCI and I have no idea when or where or if it will be shown. Tiffany and Burt look fabulous together.

[ontherock]

Ian Moram, a former member of Canada's Junior National team has recently teamed up with a girl from Kentucky... I think they are going to represent the US... I saw tehm skate the other day and was totally amazed at their style.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by ontherock
Ian Moram, a former member of Canada's Junior National team has recently teamed up with a girl from Kentucky...

Samantha Skavdahl of the Northern Kentucky FSC? She turns 14 in July. How old is Moram?

[Catherine M]

Originally posted by Sylvia
Samantha Skavdahl of the Northern Kentucky FSC? She turns 14 in July. How old is Moram?

I can look up his age in my media guide from 2002 nationals at home this afternoon. I think he's around 23-24 as when he skated with Chantal Poirier in the 01-02 season, they were sent out on the GP, not the JGP cause he was over 21.

[sam]

quote:

Originally posted by Sylvia
SamantOha Skavdahl of the Northern Kentucky FSC? She turns 14 in July. How old is Moram?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Moram is 23, he is not skating with Samantha Skavdahl but rather Jessica Miller, 22 .. and have been training together since last September, their coach is Bruno Marcotte. At this time from my understanding they have not made a decision on which country they will represent. And yes....they have great style........;)

[Sylvia]

OK, Jessica Miller and Ian Moram... that makes more sense, age-wise! :) Thanks for the info, sam, and best wishes to them. Will they be relocating their training base to the Vancouver area with Bruno Marcotte?

As mentioned elsewhere recently, Jessica's former pair partner, Jeff Weiss, has teamed up with Tiffany Sfikas.

[Trillian]

Jessica Miller is originally from Kentucky (or originally represented that club when I first heard of her, anyway :)) but trained in San Jose for several years when she was with Weiss. She was my first thought when I read that Moram had a partner from KY because of the age thing (and experience--she's been in seniors for a while). Glad to hear she was able to find a new partner.

[SPICYMEATBALL]

Is Jessica Miller related to Stephanie Miller who coaches in Kentucky? I know that "Miller" is a fairly common name so it is not exactly a given that she would be. I guess that if she were she would be training in Ky. so she probably isn't.

[sk8termom]

Jessica Miller is Stephanie Miller from the Northern Kentucky Skating Club's daughter.

[chattykathy]

Yes Jessica Miller the pair skater is Stephanie Millers daughter. There is a big family resemblance.

That makes lot more sense than Samantha Skavdahl.

[Dave Amorde]

Originally posted by Trillian
<The Ganaba's> last nationals performance actually really impressed me and I thought at the time that Sima in particular might have some big-time potential. It would be nice to see her competing again.

Sima has done very well in the past as a single, including winning her division at SWP Regionals in 2000 (I think I got the year right). The girl has some serious skills, and real spunk on the ice.

http://SWPSkating.com/simaganaba.html

[skategene]

have a friend who went out to be an extra in the mci commercial and she said that it will air April l4 th all around the country...no one knows where or what channel...supposedly it will be on many.8-) :roll: :o