Providence Journal photo / Freida Squires
By Ed Klajman
Special to The Journal
LONDON, Ontario -- They were tired of figure skating, tired of each other, and bitterly disappointed after finishing fifth in the pairs at last year's national championship.
So Cranston's Marissa Castelli and partner Simon Shnapir went their separate ways at the end of the 2011-2012 season. They spent weeks apart, both reflecting on the possibility of ending a six-year partnership.
Eventually, they met for a frank, clear-the-air talk.
"We hit an all-time low," said Castelli, who went to Cranston West High School. "And we had to really evaluate it and figure out what we both wanted, and we both finally sat down and looked at each other and we said: 'We want to go to the Olympics. And we want to stand on the podium at nationals.' And that's when we really decided to pick it up and train like we've never trained before."
This week the two will compete in the World Championships here in London. Castelli, 22, and Shnapir, 25, will be introduced for Wednesday's short program as U.S. champions.
"Worlds is a big event, but we're going to treat it just like any other competition," said Castelli. "We're hoping to put out two clean programs and to place in the top 10."
The competition wraps up with Friday's free skate.