Reserve Team Addition

[IceDanceSk8er]

I see that the USFSA added Manon & O'Meara to the Reserve Team and assigned them to Nebelhorn Trophy. I wonder why they passed over Hillary & Justin and Emilie and Brandon?

[Impromptu]

I doubt anyone was passed over. Last year it took the USFSA a couple of weeks to sort out assignments. It might just be that Nebelhorn, which is less than a month away, was the first thing to be finalized.

Although since I really enjoyed watching Manon & O'Meara, I'm happy to see they got an assignment.

[DancerFan]

I don't know about why they were added to the Reserve Team status, though, unless they really need the money now. You don't need to be assigned to an envelope to get an international, do you? As far as internationals go, Lydia and Ryan are going to Oberstdorf, so maybe that's why? (That was decided at Placid.) I'm sure Em and Brandon AND Hilary and Justin are also getting internationals: Skate America, Ondrej Nepala, Finlandia, and Vienna are open and awaiting assignments!

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by DancerFan
I don't know about why they were added to the Reserve Team status, though, unless they really need the money now. You don't need to be assigned to an envelope to get an international, do you? As far as internationals go, Lydia and Ryan are going to Oberstdorf, so maybe that's why? (That was decided at Placid.) I'm sure Em and Brandon AND Hilary and Justin are also getting internationals: Skate America, Ondrej Nepala, Finlandia, and Vienna are open and awaiting assignments!

You do need to be assigned to the Reserve Team envelope in order to get an international (Handy & Allen were before they got Nebelhorn, for example).

See the Reserve Team criteria at:
http://www.usfsa.org/team/criteria.htm
Consideration for pairs or dance teams, who are formed in the 2003-04 year, based on the results of designated summer competitions and input from members of the International Committee and international/world judges. These skaters will be added to this envelope only if they are assigned an international competition. It they medal (top 3) at an assigned competition, they will be elevated to the C Envelope.


USFSA hasn't sent skaters to Nepala in several years, right? Does Finlandia have a dance event this year? (they had pairs only last year, IIRC)

[Trillian]

Maybe they're still working on deciding which internationals Nussear & Forsyth and Gibbons & Pekarek will be getting. Considering that N&F beat M&O in both the OD and the FD at Lake Placid (and didn't they end up first in the overall CD standings too), it wouldn't make sense if they were simply passed over. I'd guess they're getting a later international and it hasn't been worked out yet. And I doubt Gibbons & Pekarek would be left out either, especially since they won the FD. And skaters are automatically added to the national team when they're assigned to an international, so as soon as the assignments are made, these teams should be on the list.

I expected N&F and G&P to come out of Lake Placid with international assignments, but I'm happy Manon & O'Meara were also able to do so well. They're getting off to a stronger start than a lot of people expected, so it'll be fun to see how they progress later in the season.

[oubik]

Originally posted by Sylvia
Does Finlandia have a dance event this year? (they had pairs only last year, IIRC) [/B]

Yes, it has. See the official site:
http://www.stll.fi/finlandia/ft03.htm

[SkateGuard]

Maybe the USFSA is still sorting things out for Nussear/Forsyth and Gibbons/Pekarek....

N/F are unusual, considering they did very well at Lake Placid. Remember, they did win a Jr. World silver medal in 2000, beating Belbin/Agosto. I wouldn't be surprised if N/F got a Grand Prix assingment.

And as we all know, Justin Pekarek is another unusual case. Junior World champ, skating with his girlfriend. He's such a talent that I know the USFSA doesn't want to lose him twice!

Considering that the Lang/Tcherneychev statement came out today, I bet the USFSA has its hands full with ice dance.

Erin
(I can't wait for my turn at Lake Placid..AN 2004!)

[leepn]

I wouldn't be surprised if Goodwin/Bommentre(sp) get an assignment also

[CanAmSk8ter]

I think that could very well happen. I don't think I saw their OD, but I liked their FD, and I thought their compulsories looked decent too.

[leepn]

I think that could very well happen. I don't think I saw their OD, but I liked their FD, and I thought their compulsories looked decent too.


I believe they got 3rd in the OD!

[Trillian]

Depends how many assignments the USFSA can come up with, but I was figuring Goodwin & Bommentre were fourth in line of the teams from Lake Placid, and very likely worthy of an assignment if there were enough to go around. With Lang & Tchernyshev out of the GP, that does open up spots if the USFSA decides to replace them with another couple, and that could mean more spots in B events for other teams. I'd guess that's most of the holdup here, since Nussear & Forsyth are probably being considered for those GP spots.

[KingBob]

I heard that all four teams were getting international assigments. I'm not sure who's going to what, but I know they are all going somewhere.

[icesupport]

For the most part, I would agree with Trillian. IF the USFSA replaces L&T (which I feel they will)in the GP, they will need time to "re-arrange" the teams. I would guess that it may mean switching G-R/M to an earlier event, possibly allowing G/P, N/F, M/O a shot at China & NHK. I would guess that N/F and G/P are the top two selections but don't forget Moxley/Kirsanov though I heard his visa problems continue. Another guess of mine would be that depending on how M/O and M/K do at Obertsdorf might determine if they get another "B" assignment in Oct./Nov.

It was very nice to see the Lake Placid competition and these senior teams compete, not to mention all the other teams. G/P were definitely the surprise as she is one determined skater -- and has really improved in look, confidence and ability. Their FD was excellent. Justin is just a great ice dancer and I heard that he (with coaches review) choreographed the FD and OD!! Had she not tripped in the OD, I feel they probably would have placed 2nd in that dance. N/F looked good and will do very well this year but I felt like it's too early to judge them: give Igor another three months of training and then you can say Wow! M/O was another lovely surprise: solid, she is expressive, need more speed but overall, very nice.

What is nice about all of this is that IMO, any one of these three teams has a shot at the Nationals podium in January, with N/F & G/P and G-R/M the lead candidates, although having recently visited Skating Club of Boston, G-R/M are just now getting their dances together. I am a fan of these two but if I had to compare them against their training teammates today, G/P have better material and look better. It's a good training environment for both teams. And if you look forward a bit, I would guess that anyone of these teams will push Greg/Pet for second in '05, which will be good for dance.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by icesupport
....although having recently visited Skating Club of Boston, G-R/M are just now getting their dances together. I am a fan of these two but if I had to compare them against their training teammates today, G/P have better material and look better. It's a good training environment for both teams. And if you look forward a bit, I would guess that anyone of these teams will push Greg/Pet for second in '05, which will be good for dance.

You haven't seen Loren and David skate full run-throughs of their FD and OD yet. I know that Barret was focusing on getting Hilary/ Justin and Vicky/Kevin ready for Placid, which didn't leave much time for Loren and David. You're absolutely right about Justin choreographing the FD and OD. He's just an amazing skater, and IMO the best male ice dancer the US has right now. But don't count out Loren and David yet! G/P will give them a run for their money this year, which means that senior ice dance should be very exciting to watch.