High Hopes for new Pairs team

 After only two months as partners, the pairs team of Kloe Bautista and Tyler Harris entertained the audience at the Saturday Night Ice Show this past Saturday. Lake Placid News discussed their new partnership, career goals, and their favorite skating moves in this week’s edition of Guest Skater Interviews.

 LPN: When did you begin skating?

KB: I was seven years old.

TH: I guess I would say I was around seven too.

LPN: Why did you decide to start doing pairs?

KB: It was my coach’s idea, since I was small and had the frame of a pairs skater. So I tried pairs and I liked it.

TH: I skated singles for a while before pairs, but had a growth spurt and my coach suggested I switch to pairs. I found that I liked pairs better because in my opinion it’s more fun to skate with a partner than by yourself.

LPN: What is your current training rink?

TH: We both skate at the Skating Club of Boston Rink.

LPN: What is your favorite skating move, pairs or singles?

KB: I would say the twist lift (note- the twist lift is a move in which the man lifts the woman and throws her, after which she rotates and twists in the air. The landing is facilitated by her partner, who catches her around the waist and launches her into landing).

TH: The Head banger is my favorite move, although we haven’t tried it yet since we’re still a new pair team. (Note: The “Head banger” is a move commonly seen in shows; in this move, the male skater swings the female skater with both her feet off the ice, holding onto her ankles. The “Head banger” is named because for motion of the move, when the lady is elevated and lowered during the spin, her head is often inches away from the ice.)

LPN: What are your goals for this coming season?

KB and TH: This is our inaugural season, so we are aiming for a Top 10 placement at the National Championships.

 We wish Kloe and Tyler the best of luck on their first season.