Team USA jacket? Check. First senior international competition? Underway. Winter Deardorff and Max Settlage are ready to make a statement on the U.S. senior pairs stage.
The team will make their international debut on the senior circuit today at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in Salt Lake City after finishing 12th at the 2018 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships in San Jose, California, earlier this year. After pairing up in March 2017, Deardorff, who previously competed in the novice ladies division, had a long road ahead in her transition to senior pairs.
"I didn't even know I was trying out with Max until I was on the plane," Deardorff explained. "I never wanted to do pairs in my life. I was too scared and never thought I would trust someone until I met Max."
The team's chemistry was evident right off the bat, and Settlage knew he had found a perfect match after taking a year off. "I was really finding a purpose and making sure I still had a passion for skating," the Flagstaff, Arizona native said. "We definitely gelled right away personality wise. I think we each bring something to the table that helps the other. That is what has made our partnership so strong."
The two have been training in Colorado Springs, Colorado, under a world-class team of coaches, choreographers and off-ice instructors. With a combination of on- and off-ice training, Deardorff and Settlage have had the opportunity to hone their skating skills and overall presence on the ice.
The Cincinnati native glowed about their new program, a contemporary performance set to "Berlin" by RYX. "We are excited to show off our new short program. We literally changed it two weeks ago. I think this one really suits our style a lot better. It highlights our strengths and helps with our skating skills."
Settlage elaborated, explaining, "[Our style] is really suited to modern music. This routine lets us feel the music a little more and take our time with it."
Over the last year of ups and downs, Deardorff explained how her goals have evolved from mastering new skills to feeling prepared to put on a good show. "My goal this year is to go on the ice feeling confident and ready to attack the program. One of my goals was to get the [Team USA] jacket, and now I want to go out there and really trust myself on the ice."
Happy for his teammate, Settlage continued, "We are really improving on matching and we have been focusing on making every finger match, every breath the same. We have really learned to skate as one person."
Despite turning up the heat this season, the duo continues to celebrate their instant friendship off the ice. "He always brings me stuff without me asking even though I don't really like it," Deardorff said. "He always brings me Starbucks or pays for my boba tea. He's a very caring person."
"I like that she pushes me to be my best," Settlage added. "We can joke with each other, but be serious when it calls for it. We can just have fun together."
From pre-competition dance parties to impromptu football lessons by Deardorff, the pair jokes that they have become an old married couple. "I feel like I've learned how to be in a relationship," laughed Deardorff. "I've grown up a lot learning how to communicate with another person and being pairs with him. You have arguments, but you have to learn how to get through it and progress."
Smiling at his partner and friend, Settlage said, "I'm excited to experience [the international circuit] with her because I want to show the world what we got and now we have been given a platform to do that. It's only up from here."
"I am very stoked for my first international competing with Team USA. It's always been my dream," Deardorff beamed.
Hard work has definitely paid off for this pair and the best is yet to come.
Watch Deardorff and Settlage's international debut this week live and on demand on
NBC Sports Gold, and keep up with all of Team USA on the
U.S International Figure Skating Classic Competition Central on the Fan Zone.
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