No matter how it turns out this week in the pairs event at the 2022 US Figure Skating Championships, there’s bound to be heartbreak. After all, there are four pairs who have all scored within five points of each other this season internationally competing for the two spots available for the Olympics. Whether a pair goes to Beijing or to Tallinn (for Four Continents) could come down to one fall or one popped jump or one missed lift - there’s a lot at stake in a matter of six minutes for their four pairs.
2022 US Championships predictions
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GOLD Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson - Am I going on a limb here? Yes. Is this based on what I’ve seen in practices this week? Yes. Calalang/Johnson have been looking really solid, particularly on their side-by-sides, which have been their biggest obstacles. They have had a history of bringing their best to Nationals over the past couple of seasons. And if their practices have been any indication, they are much more solid than they were at Skate America - I’m making my first bold prediction of the week and calling them the champs.
— AS OF 5 JANUARY 7:55PM CT, KNIERIM/FRAZIER HAVE WITHDRAWN —
SILVER Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier - The reigning champs are looking to continue a strong season in which they took their first international Grand Prix medal - a bronze at Internationaux de France. They haven’t put out their most consistent in competition yet, and they will need to avoid little errors here and there to repeat.
BRONZE Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy LeDuc - Champions here three years ago, Cain-Gribble/LeDuc have always been in the mix at Nationals. Key for them will be not only their side-by-sides, but also a clean short that puts them in a good position going into the free skate. If they can figure out how to hit and fully-rotate their solo jumps, they could very well win this whole thing and head to their first Olympics.
4. Audrey Lu/Misha Mitrofanov - This is the pair that could really make some surprise waves this week. Among the top American pairs, Lu/Mitrofanov are not on par with the other three pairs in their foundational pairing, but they make up for it in the technical department - their twist is always a level 4, they have the most difficult side-by-side elements, and most of all, they have proven to be the most consistent of the pack this season. They come in on the heels of a win at Golden Spin over Knierim/Frazier
5. Emily Chan/Spencer Howe - In their second season together, Chan/Howe have built a really strong foundation, particularly in their power across the ice. They were recently ninth a Warsaw Cup among a field of strong international pairs, and they have a shot at that top five, which would presumably give them a spot at Four Continents.
6. Katie McBeath/Nathan Bartholomay - Seventh here laset year, McBeath/Bartholomay are in their second season and have made noticeable improvements in their pairing and their skills. McBeath has settled into her new role as a pair skater, and they will be battling Chan/Howe for that fifth spot.