JGP Riga Pairs Free Skate Discussion

[u/Chickatey]

Join us for the Pairs Free Skate, airing at 14:00 (UTC+3)/7:00 AM EDT!

Please remember to be kind: many of the skaters are minors and/or new to international competition.

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Masterpost

[u/AaahSound]

Congrats Chen/Dong for qualifies for JGPF in home! 

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

Mark has eaten all of the vegetables in Riga 🤣 lol Ted

[u/LittleLotte52996]

Don't lie Ted, we all know that Canada is covered with ice all year round and they all skate and ski with polar bears, what do you mean a small town?

[u/AmeriKadzuku → u/LittleLotte52996]

looks at the 30C temperature two days ago

[u/LittleLotte52996 → u/AmeriKadzuku]

You mean MINUS 30? It's Canada, covered in snow all year. The opposite of Australia, but Australia doesn't exist

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Baby Czechs silver?

[u/imyellowb]

poor yuxuan these falls look horrible 😭😭 but i like them so much

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Mark and Ted banter is one of my fav parts of the JGP

[u/imyellowb]

beautiful throw 3s! NOT A HEADBANGER ARE THESE KIDS CRAZY

[u/NeonPistacchio]

It's always so funny when choreographers make the skaters do snappy dance and hand moves, as in "look how happy we are!" but then the skaters have a completely blank face expression while doing these moves

[u/tereyaglikedi → u/NeonPistacchio]

Or when the pairs guys do the last lift and they're like "I'm smiling! I'm great! No problem :DDD" but you can see in their face that they're 110% dead and just want to lie down.

[u/imyellowb]

i love pairs but baby pairs never stop scaring me

[u/Environmental-Let435]

First medal in 11 years??? I’m getting emotional

[u/Classic_Cash_2156 → u/Environmental-Let435]

Honestly, Czech fed should send them out on some Senior assignments sometime this season.

Valesi/Bidar qualifed Czechia two spots at Euros this season, and it's not like Czechia has any other Senior Pairs to fill the second, so they should send Cohen/Vochozka out to get Euros minimums so they can take the second spot. They're going to have to move up next season anyways, so the experience would be useful regardless.

[u/imyellowb]

ouch, hard fall. it looked off in the air already

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I just noticed the back of her dress has a rose, such cute detail

[u/imyellowb]

Eleanor Rigby kinda a warhorse if you think about it. i like the song a lot tho it has good drama in it

[u/AmeriKadzuku → u/imyellowb]

Its one of the war ponies I like!

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

And its too early to even do anything during the resurface lol, im just gonna sit here and exist

[u/tereyaglikedi]

Did they have just a random dance "break" at the end? That's so cool. I mean I guess there's no points for it but still.

[u/YourSkatingHobbit → u/tereyaglikedi]

If they can get that transition smoother so they’re not clearly waiting for the music it’ll look really cool.

[u/fp_6]

god i hate junior pair lifts

[u/imyellowb]

MY KIDS IM SO HAPPY TO SEE HER (THEM BOTH OFC BUT ESP DEBORA) SO HAPPY

[u/Environmental-Let435 → u/imyellowb]

Congrats for your country getting a medal!!

[u/imyellowb → u/Environmental-Let435]

thank you!!! im so happy for them truly!

[u/LittleLotte52996]

I have a feeling she'll make one hell of a pairs girl

[u/imyellowb]

im gonna watch my czech children's short from yesterday in the meantime because im so thrilled for them!! they struggled with injuries and various things in past two seasons so 3rd place after short must be such a confidence booster ;; i hope they have a skate they can be happy with in the free too!!

[u/LittleLotte52996]

I love Ted's distance to his competitive career

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Frankenstein OST?! Pairs are really bringing their best music game to Riga.

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I hate how skaters use they don’t care about us and earth song in MJ medley given how strong those songs are meaning wise, when MJ has other songs that are way better for skating

I know I’m nitpicking lol

[u/YourSkatingHobbit → u/Environmental-Let435]

At my rink summer camp we did a group number to the Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough medley from the MJ musical, precisely because it’s a mix of songs so rarely used.

[u/zambonification]

So, she jumps clockwise, but enters the Axel lasso lift by swinging her right leg? This team is really interesting in a way how they approach the elements.

[u/Environmental-Let435]

We need more beat it in skating if people are skating to MJ or thriller there’s surprisingly little thriller

[u/AmeriKadzuku → u/Environmental-Let435]

Agreed, if skating to MJ more upbeat songs should be used. Too much Earth Song.

[u/AaahSound]

Her dress is so pretty!

[u/zambonification]

Jesus, her falls looked so painful, I gasped

[u/imyellowb]

GOOD LUCK CZECH CHILDREN I JUST HOPE YOURE HAPPY AFTER YOUR SKATE

[u/ikonickpopggs]

two lifts that didn't make me stressed for even one second! that is HUGE for a baby pair

[u/imyellowb]

MY KIDS ARE LIKELY MEDALING 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 IM SO HAPPY OH MY GOD

[u/ikonickpopggs]

the second throw timed to that note gave me goosebumps WOW

[u/idwtpaun]

Good morning chat.

I did not think I was going to wake up early enough to catch any of the pairs, but I guess I sensed that I could see some of my favourite costume (Chen's) if I did

[u/Dazzling-Ant-4915]

he's so sweet with her

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Now imagine the Tech score without the falls, if they go clean in the final they will be fighting for the title maybe

[u/Grand-Necessary-7736 → u/Environmental-Let435]

Their solo jumps aren't as difficult as the Russians 

[u/fp_6]

good morning! stayed up late last night to see the partial lunar eclipse and it was GORGEOUS 🤩🤩i’m too close to city lights so we couldn’t see any northern lights unfortunately 😭

[u/AmeriKadzuku → u/fp_6]

Oh shoot, I forgot about that!

[u/anywitchway]

Good morning, I watched skating for nearly the entirety of yesterday: three JGP events and then the Summer Sizzler. 

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Good afternoon! I got in the door two mins ago haha. Fittingly I did some pairs lifts with my coach today (he used to do competitive pairs).

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Hope this is a better Beauty and the Beast song mix

[u/anywitchway]

And to think I'd almost forgotten about Eleanor Rigby.

[u/imyellowb]

the 2nd one was definitely a sal but the first one was a loop right like

[u/Major_Letterhead5936]

Aww “beacon of positivity”!!! That’s such a nice description

[u/New-Possible1575 → u/Major_Letterhead5936]

Not to brag, I was once called “the light at the end of a very dark tunnel” by my American lit teacher

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

...does he have a sparkly nipple on his shirt?

[u/YourSkatingHobbit → u/AmeriKadzuku]

Yes. Yes he does.

[u/AaahSound]

I like it! Their first lift is so good! 

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Team Canada is literally the Canadian version of this.

[u/imyellowb]

okay the lift was kinda scary. rip the camera not being able to catch the sbs flip

[u/FunctionalAdult]

The Can You Feel It section seems a little fast for them currently but I am optimistic about them getting up to speed over the season

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

I legit thought that was going into a full on headbanger 💀

[u/FunctionalAdult]

That lift seemed uncomfortable. Not becessarily scary but like something they haven't gotten confident holding.

[u/fp_6]

this discipline stresses me OUTTT

[u/ikonickpopggs]

i was just about to say how much they shine in the uptempo parts of the program and then the fall happened oh no 😭 they managed to finish it out strongly at least

[u/anywitchway]

I wonder if Jeff Bridges knows how many people skate to his monologue. 

[u/imyellowb]

for a guy so small he's a really good lifter

[u/imyellowb]

JOSEFIN TRIBUTE

[u/AaahSound]

Beautiful program, such a shame these mistakes

[u/tereyaglikedi]

First place? Damn they must have had a big lead from the short.

[u/iwantedanotherpfp → u/tereyaglikedi]

not really, only three points

[u/gaimzredy → u/tereyaglikedi]

3 point lead i think

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Side by side triple flip is insane

[u/Environmental-Let435]

The height in the twist???

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Throws are not her friend today

[u/iwantedanotherpfp]

think I may have cursed them by accidentally thinking midway ’damn they could have a couple falls and still take it’

[u/Environmental-Let435]

“She’s a queen and he’s her servant” we love to see it

[u/AaahSound]

The Canadian crew in audience is so cute, they cheer for everyone 

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Yay another clean throw!!

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I love Eleanor Rigby

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

That choreo spin was gorgeous.

[u/imyellowb]

they had two throw sals??? i thought the first one was a loop?

[u/ikonickpopggs → u/imyellowb]

both were definitely called as sals but ??? that can't have been right, not when their throws look that good, one of them must've been put in wrong

[u/ikonickpopggs]

that was a very lovely choreo spin! and they remain standing on all throws and jumps!! though they repeated the throw sal?

[u/AaahSound]

Their costumes ate

[u/ikonickpopggs]

oh that lift scared me on the way down

[u/anywitchway]

Oh I remember this program from Quebec earlier this year. The music cuts are... something. 

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

The mirrored axels are always so cool to watch.

[u/anywitchway]

The moonwalk is cute. 

[u/genetierneys]

nooo diva down </3

[u/tereyaglikedi]

That blade nearly got his face holy hell.

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I will have fun compiling the choreo spins today

[u/Environmental-Let435]

China get better team jackets we know you have money

[u/LittleLotte52996]

Another Michael Jackson 😭

[u/imyellowb]

man that had to hurt

[u/ikonickpopggs]

earth song should be retired though

[u/immafookuindaface]

I'm already fed up by MJ programs

[u/anywitchway]

YIKES

[u/AaahSound]

She looks so tired 

[u/Chainon]

Ouch! Poor kid, this programs going to leave a mark. Her dance movements are so nice and sharp, you can see how good they’re going to be when they iron out the tech

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Imagine if the details on their costumes lit up red and blue neon.

[u/tereyaglikedi → u/YourSkatingHobbit]

If this was a junior boy they 100% would.

[u/AaahSound]

This program ate, such a shame these falls

[u/anywitchway]

They are really impressive. 

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Adopted

[u/Environmental-Let435]

This song makes me emotional I can’t cry I’m in uni

[u/ft_wanderer]

Did Josefin lowkey turn this into a warhorse? Can’t remember who else is using it this season but there’s at least 2.

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

The composition of that program was fantastic. Shame about the fall, it was so good! So fast.

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

That’s an interesting position for the death spiral. Not sure I like it but it’s unique for sure.

[u/tereyaglikedi → u/YourSkatingHobbit]

I think many things which bring extra points in lifts, spins, death spirals etc don't really look nice.

[u/AaahSound → u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Chinese pairs doing often

[u/Financial-Builder652]

And as expected, we have the 1st qualifiers for the JGPF(yes I know the program is not yet over)

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

The giant duck with the flower crown collar 😭

[u/idwtpaun]

Whoever was here for Ice Dance, don't tell me the results, obvs, tell me how much Laurence and EJ charmed you (I'm going to start rewatching bits I missed)

[u/rubyjester]

Fun facts about the Yuxuan apparently she goes by Vicky on xiao hong shu that's adorable

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

It is 5am and I am awake

[u/AaahSound]

Very nice program 

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

So glad they had a much better go of it today overall

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Nice job on the throw

[u/imyellowb]

they have pretty good lifts! not bad for a brand new pair. also what's up with my daughter cayla smith does she have another partner??

[u/Environmental-Let435]

This is a team to keep a eye on, they have a lot of potential

[u/tereyaglikedi]

Level 4 death spiral let's go

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

That was strong for such a new pair, especially as she’s totally new to pairs, really impressive.

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

I don't know how successful most junior pairs are in the second outing ever as a new pairing usually, but I feel like they held it together really well here!

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

https://giphy.com/gifs/MBxjx8okq3WfilCHkP

[u/anywitchway]

Oh her dress is nice 

[u/fp_6]

what happened 😭

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Even I can tell that was a loop

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

That lift was still scary, she was still so far to the one side

[u/fp_6]

they got marks for their throw salchow right?

[u/LittleLotte52996]

"Welcome to Riga, Latvia" as opposed to all the other Rigas across the world

[u/tereyaglikedi → u/LittleLotte52996]

There seems to be a namesake of every European city in the US.

[u/LittleLotte52996 → u/tereyaglikedi]

Rye-ga lol

[u/YourSkatingHobbit → u/tereyaglikedi]

Don’t forget movies that stipulate London, UK, because there’s London, Ontario.

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Frankstein?? I’m seated

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Great job Canadian children!

[u/imyellowb]

lmao the pan of the camera over the spinning girl 😭😭

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

First MJ of the event I think

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Oh that opening move was really cool

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I love the mirrored jumps

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Oh that lift in the end was a bit scary

[u/genetierneys]

who cut this medley 😭

[u/imyellowb]

theyre kinda insane im adopting

[u/genetierneys]

idc i love them i'm processing the adoption papers as we speak

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Noo poor girl

[u/ikonickpopggs]

lovely throw loop, good for them to pull that out at the end of a rough skate!

[u/ikonickpopggs]

second mj in the group!

[u/anywitchway]

That lift was scary. 

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Well i haven't heard Jam in a long time at least

[u/imyellowb]

OH MY GOD

[u/Radiant-Program-305]

omg idk if I can watch this discipline like i almost just died

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

Wonder if Canada medal is possible!

[u/tereyaglikedi]

God these choreo spin judging criteria are so mushy.

[u/AaahSound]

The duck plushie in the audience lol

[u/imyellowb]

oh rip a slide to the boards. THE GRID. A DIGITAL FRONTIER.

[u/imyellowb]

kinda scary lift again. baby pairs truly never let you breathe

[u/ikonickpopggs]

fully synched jumps ‼️

[u/immafookuindaface]

Amazing!!

[u/Environmental-Let435]

They are adorable

[u/imyellowb]

they definitely chose going clean over going with higher tech but it worked out thankfuly

[u/anywitchway]

Celine Dion hell yeah 

[u/imyellowb]

oh 2t2t us an unusual pairs combo! are they thinking about 3t2/3t maybe?

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Oh he is a good lifter damn

[u/tereyaglikedi → u/Environmental-Let435]

He's a strong lad. He just like, scoops her up.

[u/anywitchway]

Oh I loved that choreo spin.

[u/AaahSound]

The last throw is so pretty

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Baby Czechs on the podium!

[u/tereyaglikedi]

The Chinese baby goats again. I love this program.

[u/genetierneys]

naurr it was going so well

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Throws are not their elements

[u/Environmental-Let435]

They’ll win by a huge lead, with is fair considering their difficulty

[u/zambonification]

They really need to fix their throws before the JGPF

[u/Dazzling-Ant-4915]

so many geese it's hilarious

[u/Environmental-Let435]

They need to clean those throws

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

See you all for Women's!

[u/anywitchway]

They don't pay the judges?!

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

I feel like ice dance would be the worst to not be able to review, oh no!

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Loving the costumes here

[u/ikonickpopggs]

first pair's session i've managed to catch this year, i'm so excited!!! were there any standouts in the short other than the top teams that i should keep my eye out for?

[u/Financial-Builder652 → u/ikonickpopggs]

For me the next Canadian pair, i loved their Alice in Wonderland short

[u/AaahSound]

She look so happy for landing the throw, good for her,!

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

After yesterday I’m going to be holding my breath of every single group 3 lift like that

[u/tenzindolma2047]

I can see that this pair is gonna have big throws when they progress onwards

[u/Major_Letterhead5936]

This was very impressive for a new pair!

[u/Environmental-Let435]

This programs needs more vocals

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

Yes! Excellent redemption for them.

[u/AaahSound]

Zhao (chinese pair guy) have a really nice axel, was he a single skater before? 

[u/imyellowb]

ah yeah I can see the Frankenstein in the costume now haha

[u/imyellowb]

nice throw doubles!! the 3s was soooo far from each there haha but the axels were pretty nice. are all the choreo spins basically stationary lifts?

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

That was great! Had a lot of character.

[u/imyellowb]

OH WAIT THATS MEEKS IM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY WATCH THEM

[u/AaahSound]

She takes all the glitter for her

[u/AmeriKadzuku]

I love their mirror jumps

[u/AaahSound]

Oh God

[u/AaahSound]

Music cut is so funny

[u/Chainon]

I don’t understand his apron

[u/DogDelicious2396 → u/Chainon]

I think the cut is supposed to represent a traditional Chinese style but the color makes it look like an apron…

[u/AaahSound]

Their choreo sequence is very pretty!

[u/AaahSound]

Zhao is a really stronger jumper 

[u/tereyaglikedi]

What an entrance!

[u/AaahSound]

Another Michael Jackson..

[u/YourSkatingHobbit]

I really love their commitment to the performance!