Jenny Kirk and Fedor Andreev?

[jcspkbfan]

In her latest diary entry, Jenny Kirk talks about skating pairs with...Fedor Andreev:

http://www.figureskatersonline.com/jenniferkirk/diary.html

It doesn't sound like either one of them plan to give up their singles careers any time soon, but I imagine they'd make a great looking couple on the ice! If they do decide to compete seriously in pairs, I wonder if they'd represent Canada or the U.S.? :lol:

[Trillian]

Wow...wouldn't have occurred to me, but it's an interesting idea. I've always thought both of them would be good pairs skaters, but I never would have thought they'd skate together. It's pretty early to think about it in terms of which country they'd represent, since it doesn't sound like they'd even compete this season, but there is one thing to keep in mind. If they continue skating singles, I think they'd both have to represent the same country in that discipline as well. If that's the case, they might have a decision to make at some point.

[JDC1]

I think that would be a great idea particularly if her body doesn't respond well to the 7 jump grind that is now expected by the ladies in the LP. I was thinking Naomi Nari Nam should find herself a partner, she's such a wonderful skater and small enough so it should be easy but oh well. It'd be great to see Jenny and Fedor do an exhibition sometime.

[Jenny]

In a recent QA on a Fedor website, he makes it quite clear that his heart is in Canada, and he has no intention of competing for the US. Although, that could change I guess. As someone noted on another board, they could compete and US nats this year and have a good shot at winning! OTOH, Jenny could likely do quite well at Cdns. Such a move would by either would take them out of contention for 2006, if that is their goal.

Personally, I'm thinking this is just Callaghan's way of making them both work harder, and bringing discipline to their training. I look forward with interest to seeing what both come up with next season.

Jenny

[AxelAnnie22]

Well.....that is an interesting turn of events. Given the state of Pairs in the US, and the depth of the Ladies field here, I wonder why more ladies aren't considering it.

However, I can't imagine that at this point in Jenny's career it would be good for here either physically or competitively, to bifurcate her focus. Gotta be harder on the body to do the added skating. And, gotta take away from her LP SP work. Hope she "chooses" one or the other sooner rather than later.

[Smiley0084]

Well Jenny could win Canadian nationals in a heart beat in the ladies event...

[Artemis]

Originally posted by Smiley0084
Well Jenny could win Canadian nationals in a heart beat in the ladies event...

Well I don't know about that. Jen has placed higher than Jenny a lot of the times they've met up at internationals. But Jenny would be a near certainty for the podium in Canada, and Jen's bound to retire sometime ... and I'd love to see how it would shake up the competitiveness of the Canadian women.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Artemis
Well I don't know about that. Jen has placed higher than Jenny a lot of the times they've met up at internationals.

Actually, "a lot" is stretching it. :) They've met five times since 2000--twice at Grand Prix events, twice at Four Continents, once at the Sears Open. Robinson has only beaten her twice, and once was the Sears Open, which isn't quite a traditional competition format. Otoh, it's worth noting that both times they met last season, Robinson came out on top. Which makes it look to me like Kirk had a clear edge at one point, but doesn't anymore. I still think any competition between them would be pretty close, though, and if Kirk can manage to skate cleanly, she can probably win.

I question any potential plan for this pairing to venture into competition, though, the more I think about it. It seems like they'd face all sorts of logistical problems, especially if the Olympics is their goal. No way could Andreev get U.S. citizenship in time for 2010, let alone 2006, unless he wants to marry a U.S. citizen. (And considering that his current significant other has problems of her own in that regard, I highly doubt it.) How long does the Canadian citizenship process take?

And then of course there's the matter of trying to medal at nationals, which I doubt would be any easier in the U.S. than in Canada. Canadians can joke all they want about the state of U.S. pairs, but only if you want to blatantly ignore the international results from last season where the U.S. did every bit as well as Canada on the whole. A brand new team composed of two people who haven't skated pairs before might be able to break through--these two are terrific singles skaters and probably a super physical match, after all--but it ain't gonna be easy anywhere they go.

[fan]

it takes 3.5 years for canadian citizenship, less if jenny has spent significant time already in canada

[lilwish]

I don't know how to feel about Jenny skating pairs. I think I would rather see her concentrate fully on singles. Perhaps the idea is that she is TOO tense and focused on it and this will free her up? What I am mostly struck by, as always, when I read her diary entries is just how genuine and sweet and lovely she really seems to be. She is truly beautiful inside and out.

[Skatingsarah]

Humm, Fedor has just had quite a season I would personally rather him build on the momentum that he already has. Not saying the pairs isnt a good thing for him but his singles really had an up year last year. Jenny isnt all that bad of a free skater just some minor technical errors but pairs can cover that up well. Presentational wise these too would really balence one and other out, I would hate to see Fedor leave and represent USA. He would have a hell of a time with the USA men. Jenny on the other hand would do better here in Canada but it really wouldnt be the same, cuz we all know inside shes really not Canadian. I think I would want a canadian champion who actually has put alot of time into Canada not switching over and trying to get the easy way out. I'm waiting for Joannie to surprise us all and pull out something amazing this season so she can take the crown away from Jen...finally. Actually if you look at it we would just have 2 jenns to complain about in Canada, I think the one we already have is enough. But cheers to her cuz she's still the best we got.

[JDC1]

I doubt they'd try and compete in both disciplines, too draining physically and it takes too much time working on programs.

[Annes]

And then of course there's the matter of trying to medal at nationals, which I doubt would be any easier in the U.S. than in Canada. Canadians can joke all they want about the state of U.S. pairs, but only if you want to blatantly ignore the international results from last season where the U.S. did every bit as well as Canada on the whole. A brand new team composed of two people who haven't skated pairs before might be able to break through--these two are terrific singles skaters and probably a super physical match, after all--but it ain't gonna be easy anywhere they go.

Well, other people of different nationalities also joke about the state of US pairs ;) . It might be noted that L/A did manage to place top five, unlike any of the US pairs that struggled to place top 10, but that would be titchy!
This last year certainly was less than stellar for both the Canadian and US Pairs, but hardly a throwaway season. I'm quite impressed with the improved fields for this years' nationals (particularly the presence of I/B and P/W). I for one will be watching Wakamatsu and Fecteau (she's originally a single skater) with interest. If they (and later Lee/F) manage to make the podium first try, that might give me more hope for teams such as the cloud-spun K/A.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Annes
It might be noted that L/A did manage to place top five, unlike any of the US pairs that struggled to place top 10, but that would be titchy!

Yep, but that just tells us that Canada has one very strong pair. Look at the results of all the other teams besides L/A, and things were just about equal last season. One pair doesn't exactly constitute "depth." Canada does have a few promising new partnerships--but so does the U.S., so I wouldn't think it reasonable to predict either country will be much more successful than the other in the immediate future.

[missflick]

Originally posted by Skatingsarah
Jenny on the other hand would do better here in Canada but it really wouldnt be the same, cuz we all know inside shes really not Canadian. I think I would want a canadian champion who actually has put alot of time into Canada not switching over and trying to get the easy way out.

Umm, skatingsarah, I take issue with this remark.

Fedor is Russian born but the audiences I saw didn't seem to give a rat's a$$ about that. They applauded his great performance at the 2000 and 2003 nationals, and know what a hottie he is.:lol:

Besides, if a good US skater is what it takes to give the ladies field an uplift, so be it. Not that it is bad as it was back in, say, 1995 when J. Ro won the title with 2 triple jumps.:roll:

[Skatingsarah]

Originally posted by missflick
Umm, skatingsarah, I take issue with this remark.

Fedor is Russian born but the audiences I saw didn't seem to give a rat's a$$ about that. They applauded his great performance at the 2000 and 2003 nationals, and know what a hottie he is.:lol:

Besides, if a good US skater is what it takes to give the ladies field an uplift, so be it. Not that it is bad as it was back in, say, 1995 when J. Ro won the title with 2 triple jumps.:roll:

I know its terrible that Jen won it all with only 2 triples but Jenny kirk already has make a name for herself in the USA. I don't know I'm a really big Canada supporter and its not that I dislike USA (dont take this the wrong way) I just think she should you know finish the job she's already started. Fedor on the other hand moved to Canada at a young age, I'm not 100 percent sure on this but I dont think he ever represented Russia. He most certainly didnt represent russia in any senior division. I would just like to see a Canadian that has worked there way up through the ranks like Joannie take it.

But when you actually think of it, will this partnership actually go into motion or is it talk and even then the whole decision of canada or USA representation would be a whole different can of worms.

[schnood]

Originally posted by missflick
Umm, skatingsarah, I take issue with this remark.

Fedor is Russian born but the audiences I saw didn't seem to give a rat's a$$ about that. They applauded his great performance at the 2000 and 2003 nationals, and know what a hottie he is.:lol:



Fedor essentially grew up in Canada, didn't he come here when he was about 9 or 10? And he is a citizen.

[Greg D]

I hope Jenny will have a great season. She should be one of the beneficiaries of the new system. Her conditionning is just amazing. She is able to land 5 triples/ 3/3s in the last two minutes of her LP. She has a great opportunity to make the world team again.
The fact that she is trying exhaustive pair and single practices shows that her hip injury is a bad memory. I have heard she was in amazing shape already. She had troubles with her jumps because of her injury.

A healthy Jenny could definately beat Sarah or AP for the 3rd spot.

Is Fedor strong enough for the lifts? He may need to spend more time in the weight room. I mean, he is no John Zimmerman! It may be a strategy from Callahan to refresh Jenny's single career. :twisted
:D Her pair coach is Callahan, that sounds weird too, has he coached many pairs in the past?

I really would want to see her healthy again! The jumping bean is back!

[memememe76]

Well, look at Daniel Igali, the great Canadian wrestler. He was an accomplished wrestler in his native Africa (I suck for not recalling the specific nation), but I don't believe anyone would make his victories any less profound or thrilling.

That said, I do understand. If Jenny actually competes for Canada and does very well, it's hard to then say that Skate Canada is improving its program for female singles skaters.

[antilles]

I don't think it matters what country a skater was born in. Most Canadians love Bourne and Kraatz, and he was raised in Europe. I believe he was in his late teens when he moved to Canada. Did anyone take less pride in their World Championship because he wasn't born in Canada?

We've already lent Tanith Belbin to the US, so maybe we could get something in return. :)

[sk8tn]

I read that Callahan himself competed in pairs.

[missflick]

Originally posted by schnood
Fedor essentially grew up in Canada, didn't he come here when he was about 9 or 10? And he is a citizen.

He was 7 I believe, when his mother moved to Ottawa.

[missflick]

Originally posted by memememe76
Well, look at Daniel Igali, the great Canadian wrestler. He was an accomplished wrestler in his native Africa (I suck for not recalling the specific nation), but I don't believe anyone would make his victories any less profound or thrilling.

The country was Nigeria. He left because as a Christian, he wasn't treated very well in a predominantly Muslim nation. But I digress.

Well, I for one would welcome JK with open arms.:D

[NorthernLite]

Originally posted by Greg D

A healthy Jenny could definately beat Sarah or AP for the 3rd spot.


Especially since Sarah isn't competing eligible track next year. :D

[catija]

i love fedor and jenny kirk.....but it would also be interesting if fedor and daria grinkova skated pairs someday :)

[leap of faith]

Originally posted by missflick
The country was Nigeria. He left because as a Christian, he wasn't treated very well in a predominantly Muslim nation. But I digress.

Well, I for one would welcome JK with open arms.:D

He also wasn't able to further his education while training. In 1992 he was supposed to go to a qualifying competition for the Olympics and they got told at the airport to go home there was no money. When the opportunity came in 1994 to stay in Canada after the Commonwealths he took it and has repaid our country back in so many ways while being able to provide some help to his family in Nigeria.

It was Netty Kim who won the 1995 Nationals with 2 triples. Jennifer was second that year. Things have improved greatly since then with clean Short programs and ladies completing 5 triple long programs.

[missflick]

Originally posted by leap of faith
It was Netty Kim who won the 1995 Nationals with 2 triples. Jennifer was second that year. Things have improved greatly since then with clean Short programs and ladies completing 5 triple long programs.

Actually, I meant the 1996 nationals. J. Ro did do two triples in her long. Josee totally bombed. JR got to go to the Edmonton worlds. I remember this so well, as this was our worst nationals. Elvis pulled out due to injury. Sebastien Britten won despite falling three times. The pairs didn't fare much better.:roll:

[catija]

i remmeber...josee only did a triple lutz and doubled everything....maybe even fell on one or two jumps

then somehow she managed to finished 3rd at the first grand prix series

[Lise]

Josee fell on the lutz, doubled everything else. Jen landed the lutz and I'm not sure which other jump..

[missflick]

Originally posted by Lise
Josee fell on the lutz, doubled everything else. Jen landed the lutz and I'm not sure which other jump..

No, she landed her Lutz. It was the only 3 jump she did (and oddly enough, the hardest one). She never did have the nerves for competition, unfortunatley.

[Sydney]

missflick is right, Josee did the 3-lutz. Hardest jump in her program, because it was the 3-lutz at the end, not even the first one. Then she went for 3-triple toe and missed (might have fallen, I've blocked it all out). I remember that what was weird about the program is that she didn't fall all over the place, she just kept doubling everything. If anything could be said about Josee, is that she usually went for the triples and wouldn't cop out by doubling or two-footing. And man, could she skate.