The language around this team has always left me with a different impression. They’re described as opposites who’ve had a difficult, challenging year. I’ve questioned the viability of this partnership on more than one occasion.

Bella posts little training clips
but that means nothing if you can’t translate that into results.

I’ve seen some bts footage from their rink and F/D are just quietly going about their training. None of the chaos we saw at Nationals.

A new team buckling under the weight of a high stakes situation seems wholly unsurprising to me. If it was reaching the point of disrupting competitors, then the coaches should have stepped in. If they can’t work through whatever was happening at Nationals, then I doubt they’ll stay partners for long.

As an elite athlete growing up, I have a lot of empathy for young people in sport. I’ve dealt with my fair share of abusive coaches and toxic training environments. The way that manifests under pressure can get ugly. I’m always cautious to pass sweeping judgements without knowing all the facts.