The Pairs Take the Gold

The first medals will be given in just a few hours time, but who will be on the podium is a tricky question to answer.


  • Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir deliver a solid program, despite lack of synchronicity in the side-by-side spins. They get 108.32 points. Overall: 164.00.


  • It's a shame that Mari Vartmann/Aaron Van Cleave had so many mistakes (he missed the combination, she fell on the throw Triple Loop, the spins were dodgy, she fell after the last jump) because the program really seemed interesting to watch. The Germans' score: 85.76. Overall: 133.12.


  • Nicole Della Monica/Mateo Guarisse's program was far from what music as expressive as "The Phantom of the Opera" deserves. Besides the poor presentation (the costumes didn't help either), the Italians missed the Triple Salchow, the Double Axel, the Double Salchow and were too far away from each other in the side-by-side spins. They got 88.21 points. Overall: 136.03.


  • Stacey Kemp/David King's performance was so-so. Beautiful music and costumes, but many mistakes (Triple Flip, Double Axel, etc.) brought them a score of 84.96 points. Overall: 133.56.


  • Stefania Berton/Ondrej Hotarek skated as if they had nothing to lose (which is kind of true) and showed us a  fabulous program. It really is a big shame that their SP was so disappointing. The Italians obtained 112.70 points. Overall: 171.77.


  • 'Adorable' is probably the wrong word to associate the OST of Chicago with, but Wenjing Sui/Cong Han's program was exactly that. Although they still have a lot to learn about presentation, they had a few original elements that gave us a pleasant surprise. She seemed to have hurt herself during the program, so I'll take this chance to say I wish her the best. Their score: 108.24. Overall: 165.89.


  • Many mistakes for Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang, and they all come from the same huge experience difference between them. They get 167.18 points. Overall: 167.18.


  • Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov's program is messy and inconsistent. The Russians will have a hard time getting back to where they were a couple of seasons ago. Their score: 122.81. Overall: 184.72.


  • Former World champions, Qing Pang/Jian Tong still remain the most elegant pair, but their elements are starting to be constantly sloppy. He missed the combination and she double-footed the Triple Salchow. The Chinese get 130.69 points. Overall: 194.64.


  • Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres deliver a beautiful program, but their countless small mistakes lead to only 119.19 points. Overall: 180.17.


  • Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford controlled their emotions and gave their best today. Their score: 130.95. Overall: 204.56.


  • Throw Triple Axel and all, Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy knew at the end of their routine that they had lost the World title. Interesting and expressive as all their programs are, the Bolero was peppered with mistakes. They got 132.09 points (to the dismay of the entire arena). Overall: 205.56.


  • It was hard to smile for Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov after finishing their program. After a few small mistakes, they had gained control over the program just to fail spectacularly on their last lift. Their disappointing score: 121.61. Overall: 191.59.


  • The silliest mistake you could imagine kept us on the edge of our seats, but Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov's program was out of this world (even with his ridiculous fall). Elegant, technically flawless and with impeccable presentation skills, the Russians obtained 149.87 points. Overall: World champions (aka 225.71 points).
It really is the start of a new era in Pairs figure skating. Congratulations to Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov for a well-deserved gold medal, congratulations to Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy for their Throw Triple Axel and the silver medal, and congratulations to Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford for winning a Bronze medal at home and making history with their Triple Lutz.

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