#but also believing he'd be a good match for g/host

[anewbeginningagain]

Skate Canada's pushing of Piper and Paul was penny smart and dollar stupid. At least I think they woke up towards the end of the season and we'll see more investment in Marjo and Zak moving forward.

I think C/B will def retire, P2 could go either way (they will if they're smart, their criminal overscoring gave them the wrong impression and Canada needs a young team to be able to move up), FB/S will stay if they're able, and I'm pretty sure the Italians will continue. The only thing that could throw a wrench into things is if Russia is allowed back in - they'll be aggressive and they'll push for a podium finish to secure spots (otherwise why would they be making StepBuk contintue?). So the only medal I can see F/G potentially squeezing out is a bronze this upcoming season. If the situation continues like this, I can easily see P/C try to come back because these teams are truly holding the door open for them.

As for the Finnish team, we have to look at it from the perspective of how Finland has stepped in to host events and these medals have sort of been their repayment for it. The best thing about it is that Pirihara get to go to Europeans and Worlds next year. We also have to look at how the different feds are trying to court Italy because it's hosting the upcoming Olympics. The Finns are with an Italian coach, a lot of teams/skaters are training in Italy, so on and so forth. What's interesting is that it looks like the Russians are trying to adopt the Montreal model and moving all the teams to Zhulin to concentrate power (I'm 98% certain that's where Khuda/Bazin are going). There are too many unknowns atm to say anything for sure, but in terms of who will cement themselves within the next 2 years as the team to beat, my money is on LaLa - they have the talent and the tenure.

Yoooo I was right! Khuda/Bazin to Zhulin! Lmfaoooo if he can't get skaters from multiple other countries to come train there, his dream of being Russia's response to Marie-France is dead. I thought he was considering retirement after he got pummeled in the team event? I wish he'd just go tf away already.

As mentioned, I fully tend to believe all top 3 are sticking around. Though I will stan both Madi and Piper if they opened those 80s spotify playlists just to fuck with fs twitter, that will be hilarious tbh.

Not doubt Finland stepped up in a big way, and I also do think T/V are a good team, but their scores and especially the GOE does not match what is being shown of the ice and that's my main criticism. Like they have great lifts but was their combo lift the best of the season? Hell no, their twizzles are often horrible, some of their moves are basic, and the themes they use are repetitive. That should be reflected in the scores.

Also agree about the Russians, I legit fear their return, men is tolerable but the rest of the disciplines are legit suffering tremendously from their presence as much as it's unfortunate to admit as I don't like generalizing about skaters from the same federation this way. But no way in hell should they return, not while they are still state-funded and institutionally doped.

The russian federation is 100% trying to make Zhulin as a copy of I.AM, it's basically I.AM if they were racist, abusive, and sucked at choreography and packaging. They are now sending most teams to him and I won't be surprised if Krylova's team will be convinced to move to him as well. And once he will have top 5 Russian teams and Russian is allowed back in, they will push for teams from Italy, Georgia, Spain, and so on to go to him as well until he will become a dance hub like I.AM is and increase his political force. And this might be the worst development of them all (maybe tied with having Eteri and her minions ruin women skating again, and having Russian pairs doing shitty programs with sbs 3Lz and quad throws and winning stuff). Sigh this is depressing.