Not unlike the ladies’ event at Europeans this week, the pairs’ event looks to be another opportunity for a Russian sweep, though it’s not quite the lock that it is with the ladies. Two pairs here will stand out over the rest - it’s a story about the newcomers vs. the veterans, the momentum vs. the comeback.
Europeans predictions
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GOLD Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii RUS - Their season had been pretty immaculate until a subpar free skate at the Grand Prix Final dropped them off the podium there. But they rebounded very nicely to win their first Russian gold over Tarasova/Morozov last month. They are an exciting pair who projects every second of their programs to the audience - and their consistency has helped them shine in their sophomore senior season. I’m givinng them the slight edge for this title.
SILVER Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov RUS - After struggling - at least for their standards - through the first part of the season, Tarasova/Morozov found some of their magic at Russian Nationals, where they were silver to Boikova/Kozlovskii by just a couple of points. Coaching changes and environment changes are always difficult, and they seem to be getting used to it just in time for the season-ending competitions. They’ve definitely got a shot to win their third European title, but they will need to be near-clean.
BRONZE Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin RUS - Sixth at Grand Prix Final and bronze at Russian Nationals, they have put down some very solid performances, particularly in the short program. Their troubles have come in the free skate, which hasn’t quite worked for them as a program.
4. Nicole Della Monica/Matteo Guarise ITA - Della Monica’s dislocated shoulder a few months ago delayed their competition readiness this season. Even though they competed at both Grand Prix events they were assigned, they were nowhere near 100% there. But with a couple more months of training, this will really be their comeback competition this season.
5. Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer AUT - Their first couple of competitions of the season weren’t what they had hoped for, but the season has progressed nicely for them. They had two top five finishes on the Grand Prix, and they have the opportunity to notch their first top five finish at Europeans.
6. Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nolan Seegert GER - It was a momentous first for them - they won their first Grand Prix medal this past fall with a bronze at Rostelecom Cup. Their skating has really advanced over the past couple of seasons, and their pairing basics have visibly improved. At their best, they have the potential to get into that top four.
7. Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini ITA - Now in their fourth season together, Ghilardi/Ambrosini have been starting to come into their own this season. They won their second Italian silver medal in December behind Della Monica/Guarise.
8. Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel GER - Hocke/Kunkel have been focusing on the junior level most of this season, qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final in December and getting sixth there. They will be making their Europeans debut together this week - Hocke was previously at Euros with Ruben Blommaert.
9. Ioulia Chtchetinina/Mark Magyar HUN - In their first season together, they have put down some solid skating internationally, most recently with a fifth-place finish at Golden Spin.
10. Laura Barquero/Ton Consul ESP - The new Spanish pair - and the new Spanish champs - this season have been busy this past fall, competing in four international events already. They were most recently eighth at Golden Spin.