Grand Prix of Helsinki 2018 - Pairs Final - A Glimpse at Possibilities

The winners of the day, Russia's Natalia Zabijako & Alexander Enbert

The level of difficulty is not very high in the pairs competition in Helsinki, but like I said yesterday, this is a chance for some of the pairs we usually see around the podium to have a taste of being top contenders. It's going to be a great lesson for all of them, I'm sure.

Laura Barquero/Aritz Maestu start off with an improved performance since yesterday, despite a few mistakes still creeping in: the side-by-side combination is way out of sync and the Axel lasso lift is very shaky. That being said, all the other lifts are breathtaking - they make great use of her unbelievable flexibility. Score: 98.63 -> 149.54.

Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara begin with a dodgy 3Twist lift, after which she double-foots the 3Flip and falls on the throw version of the same jump. So, today is not a day for the Flip. I really like the very last part of the choreography, when everything seems faster because the music picks up pace. Score: 99.43 -> 145.65.

Taeok Ryom/Jusik Kim skate to Je ne suis qu'une chanson. She double-foots the side-by-side 2Axel and he almost loses his balances after launching her into the throw 3Salchow. She is also a bit shaky during the choreographic sequence. Nevertheless, this is a good performance for them. Score: 117.37 -> 174.24.

Unfortunately, Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Nathan Bartholomay are experiencing a bit of a nightmare here. She singles out of the throw 3Salchow and steps out of the throw 3Loop, and he singles out of the 3Salchow and doubles out of the 3Toeloop. They also seem to struggle with some of their lifts, running out of space and managing slow, awkward dismounts only. Score: 102.77 -> 159.21.

Daria Pavliuchenko & Denis Khodykin's music was the soundtrack of The Great Gatsby

Technically, Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin are not bad at all, despite the sudden ending of their Group 4 lift. However, I feel their presentation needs some work, as does their connection to each other while skating. Score: 121.81 -> 185.61.

Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer are better artistically than the Russians, and almost manage to be on the same par with them, but then at the very last minute, he can't hold the last lift. This is likely going to take the bronze medal away from them. The other mistake is her double-footing the side-by-side 3Salchow. Score: 112.12 -> 174.81.

I always look forward to Nicole della Monica/Matteo Guarise's costumes, but those are the only things I want to remember from their performance today. They both step out of all the side-by-side jumps, then she puts a hand down on the throw 3Loop and double-foots the throw 3Salchow. Score: 117.59 -> 185.77.

Natalia Zabijako/Alexander Enbert give us less-daring, but steadier lifts. Mistake-wise, he falls on the 3Salchow, but everything else is clean, even a throw 3Flip that is ridiculously off-axis. They skate to a song entitled Toi et moi - their programme is quite the class act. Score: 130.92 -> 198.51.

Thus, the favourites at the start of this event are back on top, with the Italian pair taking the silver medal. Another Russian pair takes the bronze; kudos to them for staying strong when their main rivals faltered.

Quote of the competition:

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