Nussear/Forsyth withdraw from Finlandia

[Mayra]

Anyone know why N/F have withdrawn from Finlandia? :(

http://www.usfsa.org/team/assign.htm

Here's hoping it isn't a result of some major injury or a split.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by Mayra
Here's hoping it isn't a result of some major injury or a split.

A split looks likely, unfortunately :(, as they are no longer listed in the Reserve team envelope as of today (8/27):
http://www.usfsa.org/team/athletes.htm

I would think that any formal announcement will be made on their official site at some point.

[Mayra]

Very sad to hear. :(

Good luck to both skaters in whatever path they choose to follow.

[DancerFan]

I have also heard that they have split, unfortunately. I was looking forward to seeing what these two talented skaters would do this year.:(

[Trillian]

:roll:

Well, if they have split, I wouldn't hope for too much out of either of them competitively in the future. Emilie will have to deal with the lack of male partners, assuming she's planning to look. As for Brandon, this was at least his seventh partnership, counting the last time he skated with Emilie. If you can't make it work in the first seven tries, it probably ain't gonna work. There's a reason the expression is "third time is a charm," not "eighth time is a charm."

Besides, these two just didn't look as good with other partners. Even if they do choose (and are able) to continue, I wouldn't expect them to do as well with anyone else.

Any chance there's another reason for their removal from the team envelopes? Like perhaps, since their placement on the envelope was contingent to their being assigned to an international, withdrawing from the international caused them to be removed? Unlikely, I know, but just an idea.

[Smiley0084]

:( If the spilt rumor is true, then that is too bad. I thought they had a decent shot at making it to the olympics in 2006.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by Trillian

Any chance there's another reason for their removal from the team envelopes? Like perhaps, since their placement on the envelope was contingent to their being assigned to an international, withdrawing from the international caused them to be removed?

Still very possible. According to Toeloopy over at FSU:
"According to very reliable [source,] Emilie and Brandon have not broken up. Emilie has some family issues that require her attention and will return to skating when they are resolved. She and Brandon are still planning on competing this season, but Finlandia is no longer an option for them."

[Trillian]

Good to hear they haven't split. I thought getting back together was a great move for them and it seems to have been successful so far, plus I do think it's by far the best shot these two skaters have at making it to worlds or the Olympics. Everyone has off-ice things that take priority over skating once in a while and I wish Emilie (and her family) the best.

[Sylvia]

FYI, N&F's official site has been updated with the latest info:
http://www.ice-dance.com/nussear-forsyth/
(click on "News and Updates")

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Sylvia
A split looks likely, unfortunately :(, as they are no longer listed in the Reserve team envelope as of today (8/27):
http://www.usfsa.org/team/athletes.htm

I would think that any formal announcement will be made on their official site at some point.

Unless my browser is acting weird, Em and Brandon are still listed on the Reserve Team

[EdemamePirate]

Sylvia..all I see is from 8-8 that they were assigned to Finlandia. Is there an update I am not seeing? Can someone tell us what it is? Thanks.

[Sylvia]

The USFSA updated their international assignments page and Team USA/athlete bios page yesterday (both pages now say "updated 8/27/03"). Nussear/Forsyth's names were removed from the Reserve Team envelope and they are listed as "withdrawn" from Finlandia Trophy.

If you're still seeing an update date earlier than 8/27, then you need to hit "reload/refresh" or clear your cache.

EDITED to add: Looks like the USFSA has added back Nussear/Forsyth in the Reserve team envelope today! :) Glad to see it -- there must have been a mixup yesterday.

[dess]

Originally posted by EdemamePirate
Sylvia..all I see is from 8-8 that they were assigned to Finlandia. Is there an update I am not seeing? Can someone tell us what it is? Thanks.

For anyone that is having problems with the updated information on Emilie and Brandon's site here is a cut and paste of the new information:

08.27.03 - Emilie and Brandon still intend to compete this season, however a family matter requires Emilie's presence in Connecticut. Since this has cut into their training time, they regretfully have withdrawn from Finlandia. As soon as the family matter is resolved, Emilie expects to return to skating. The team looks forward to competing at Midwestern Sectionals.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Sylvia
If you're still seeing an update date earlier than 8/27, then you need to hit "reload/refresh" or clear your cache.

Gee I didn't know you could do that :)

My cache is cleared, and history...and Em and Brandon are still there. Having chatted with Brandon a few minutes ago, this is news to him too.

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Sylvia
If you're still seeing an update date earlier than 8/27, then you need to hit "reload/refresh" or clear your cache.

Just checked the usfsa website, the team envelopes show that they were updated today, and Em and Brandon are still there.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by IceDanceSk8er
Just checked the usfsa website, the team envelopes show that they were updated today, and Em and Brandon are still there.


Just to clarify what I posted earlier -- Nussear & Forsyth's names were removed from the Reserve team yesterday, but they have since been put back. I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding yesterday.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by dess

08.27.03 - Emilie and Brandon still intend to compete this season, however a family matter requires Emilie's presence in Connecticut. Since this has cut into their training time, they regretfully have withdrawn from Finlandia. As soon as the family matter is resolved, Emilie expects to return to skating. The team looks forward to competing at Midwestern Sectionals.

Connecticut ????!!!!????

Iggles gets queasy when the word "Connecticut" is used in relation to Emilie and Brandon.

:??

[Mayra]

Now Iggles, just remember expect the worst but hope for the best! ;)

Mayra- who is very happy this team has not split, and is hoping that all is well with Emilie's family. Good luck at Sectionals!

[what?meworry?]

so, if they have not split, and emilie must return for family reasons, is brandon also traveling there and, if so, with whom will they train????

one would hope not with young, eh? is that possible??? one would sincerely hope not, since he is permanently banned from usfsa.

by the way, at risk of great heat, i've heard from those who saw the competition at lake placid, they looked more like a pairs team in both physical match and choreography, than a dance team. any (reasonably civil) comments regarding that?

[Trillian]

Originally posted by what?meworry?
so, if they have not split, and emilie must return for family reasons, is brandon also traveling there and, if so, with whom will they train????

one would hope not with young, eh?

That's highly unlikely from what I've heard of the situation, but who knows. These two have already made some decisions that have baffled people over the years, so why not one more? It sounds like they're taking a break from training, though, not simply traveling somewhere else together. And if they are still training there are plenty of other dance coaches.

And are we 100% sure Emilie's going to Connecticut at all? I was told her whole family, mom included, is back in Florida now, which is why a few of us were puzzled by this announcement.

by the way, at risk of great heat, i've heard from those who saw the competition at lake placid, they looked more like a pairs team in both physical match and choreography, than a dance team. any (reasonably civil) comments regarding that?

This was a frequent criticism last time they skated together, so it would make sense if it were still true. Their heights and builds do match in a "pairs team" kind of way and one of their strengths is the big lifts which also adds to the impression of looking like a pairs team. Otoh, it didn't hurt them majorly in the results last time. And when it comes down to it, when you have a good match in terms of personality, goals, and plain old chemistry, you've got to be a little flexible about the physical match. Lydia Manon & Ryan O'Meara seem to be operating successfully under the same philosophy right now. And I mean, really--if Emilie and Brandon weren't skating with each other, who on earth would they skate with? You've got to consider what's the best option, not look for perfection.

[Smiley0084]

Whatever happens with Emilie, I hope it all works out for her :)I was really looking forward to seeing N&F compete this year :)

[what?meworry?]

Originally posted by Trillian
And when it comes down to it, when you have a good match in terms of personality, goals, and plain old chemistry, you've got to be a little flexible about the physical match. Lydia Manon & Ryan O'Meara seem to be operating successfully under the same philosophy right now. And I mean, really--if Emilie and Brandon weren't skating with each other, who on earth would they skate with? You've got to consider what's the best option, not look for perfection.

well, how about brandon and lydia? isn't she taller than emilie? any opinion about that physical match? they certainly are both the same competency level.

[WeBeEducated]

It's a sport , isnt it?
Why the constant focus on their physical appearance?
Skaters in singles and pairs usually choose not to overdress.
They dont exaggerate facial expressions in the name of presentation,
and they consider themselves athletes in a demanding sport where elements and technique receive the bulk of the attention. They are given more respect as serious competitors by fellow skaters and fans, as well as the general public.
I feel sorry for icedancers.
Their fans mostly discuss their costumes, weight, and height.
When teams are similar in height(Kristin F. and Brent B. for example) people complain.
When there is a height difference(Flo and Augie for example) people complain.
If judges are going to undermark/overmark a team based on height and weight then it needs to be added to the criteria used for judging icedance, so that the skaters know the truth about the "sport" they work so hard to succeed in.
I hope Emilie and Brandon stay together...they look just fine.
Yes, they are not the exact same height. People complain about that?
When she was with Matthew Gates people complained that she and Matt were too similar in height, didnt they?
The only issue should be whether or not they can REALLY skate, not just fake it with gaudy costumes and exxagerated over the top theatrics.

[Trillian]

Originally posted by WeBeEducated
It's a sport , isnt it?
Why the constant focus on their physical appearance?

Well, one thing to keep in mind--as far as dance goes, because of how closely they're skating and the type of skills they're doing, teams who are well-matched physically are usually able to perform at a higher level. There will be less adjustment needed in terms of how they move over the ice together if there isn't a drastic height difference, and lifts are usually easier for teams who have enough of a size difference. So it's not just about what's aesthetically pleasing--physical build can impact a team's technical abilities, too. That's not to say it's impossible for teams who are a less than ideal physical match to succeed, but it does take more effort, and therefore it is a reasonable thing to discuss.

[SkateGuard]

Remeber, there is A LOT of physical match in ice dance....lean on edges, leg line, toe point, etc. If a team is a good physical match, less time is spent on unison so the team can work on difficult steps, etc. If the team has a large height difference, it is difficult to make chasses, progressive, swing rolls, and other dance moves look exactly alike. In a discipline without side-by-side triple toes, all of these little things become important.

Originally posted by WeBeEducated
It's a sport , isnt it?
When she was with Matthew Gates people complained that she and Matt were too similar in height, didnt they?


They're a great example of what happens when a team is too close in height. I thought Emilie looked taller than Mat on the ice. During their OD at Nationals, Susie Wynne noticed that Mat was bending his upper body during a lift--he was having trouble lifting. However, I didn't think the lift--their final one--was good for the team. Denkova/Stavinski is a good example of a successful team with similar heights.

Erin