Figure Skating: 10 Skaters to Watch for the Upcoming Season
By Isobel Moody
9. Tarah Kayne & Daniel O’Shea (USA), Pairs
The breakout win at the 2016 US Championships was unquestionably Tarah Kayne and Danny O’Shea in the pairs. The two of them had already had some success. They’d taken a silver medal at the 2014 Four Continents Championships and a bronze at 2015 Nationals. But they had struggled with injuries and remained mostly under the radar. Not only did they beat the favorites in Minnesota, they did so by nearly 15 points. Heads turned at their stirring short program and they followed it up with a solid free. Sadly, falls in both their programs at Worlds left them 13th there.
Technically, this pair is a step below the top pairs of the world. But an upgrade on the side-by-side jumps will close that gap. And their presentation scores are only likely to go up. They’ve got a serious shot at winning their first Grand Prix medal this fall, especially at their second event. But the true test will be when they come to Nationals to defend their title. A successful defense, or even an silver medal with impressive enough skate and return trip to Worlds, will establish beyond a doubt that these two are no fluke win, but here to stay.
Next: Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (CAN), Ice Dance