Grand Prix pair events are generally incredibly competition - only eight pairs at each competition, and there has been a lot of depth among the top 20 pairs in the world over the past few years. This week’s 2021 Skate America is no different, with five pairs who finished in the top 12 at last season’s Worlds competing here. For me, the potential biggest story will be the rise of Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara, a pair who could make a whole lot of waves this season.
2021 Skate America predictions
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GOLD Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov RUS - Just when you thought Tarasova/Morozov might have found a new gear after their coaching change, some of their inconsistencies came back to hit them at Finlandia Trophy, where they finished second behind Mishina/Galliamov. Their programs this season truly gives them a complete and coherent look as a pair, and they come in as the slight favorites to take their second Skate America title.
SILVER Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara JPN - For me, this is the pair to watch this week. Miura/Kihara had already started off with great promise when they teamed up a couple seasons ago, but watching them now makes you really appreciate how much they’ve turned that great promise into a genuinely superb pairing. This will be their first Grand Prix outside of Japan, and I expect them to wow everyone at this event.
BRONZE Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii RUS - There was something about them having lost the momentum that they had built in 2019-20 when Worlds was cancelled that seem to continue to plague their confidence. Last year was, by no means, a bad season for them, but they did go in with high hopes and ended up with bronze at Worlds, which was lower than they had hoped. Their throw flip and their side-by-sides have become a bit of a liability for them.
4. Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier USA - After a blazing start to their partnership last year, it felt like they lost a bit of steam toward the end of the season and were missing elements that were generally solid for them. They are once again having a fast start to their season, having won the John Nicks Challenge a few weeks ago. The podium is not out of the question, but they will have to hit the big stuff to get there.
5. Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson USA - The mystery of Calalang/Johnson’s sudden withdrawal from Worlds last season was finally solved - Calalang had failed a drug test that later turned out to be the result of a chemical reaction of an ingredient in one of her skincare products. With Calalang now cleared and back in competition, a weight has been lifted off both their shoulders. They were fourth at Finlandia Trophy a few weeks ago.
6. Evelyn Walsh/Trennt Michaud CAN - The two-time Canadian silver medalists come into this Olympic season knowing that it will be a battle to get on that Olympic team for the Canadian pairs. They have grown immensely as a pair over the past few seasons and are putting out their best material ever. It will be important for them to get off to a solid start and build momentum.
7. Chelsea Liu/Danny O’Shea USA - After competing a season in China, Liu is back to the US with O’Shea. Their pairing is a strong one, and has already resulted in some solid scores and performances earlier in the season. The side-by-side jumps will be the hurdle for them.
8. Alina Pepeleva/Roman Pleshkov RUS - Ninth at Russian Nationals last year, they will be making their Grand Prix debut here. They were promising juniors but have yet to convert that promise in the senior events we saw them in domestically last year.