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Momentum for U.S. heading to worlds Jan. 23: Tom Hammond, Sandra Bezic and Scott Hamilton look at the U.S. men's and women's figure skating teams for the world championships.

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Pairs champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker have the potential to win, too — someday. They’re explosive and charismatic, and they show flashes of the mesmerizing programs that can make pairs skating so appealing. But they’re still struggling to perfect their side-by-side elements.

“When comparing ourselves to international teams, it’s not just about hitting the elements every time. They look at the big picture and the entire performance,” Brubaker said. “If you look at the Grand Prixs, there’s really been one outstanding skate from a pair team.”

True. Germany’s Robin Szolkowy, the reigning world champion with Aliona Savchenko, can usually be counted on to botch at least one of their jumps, and the Chinese can be erratic. But there’s less room for error for a couple on the rise, as McLaughlin and Brubaker discovered when they just missed the Grand Prix final.

The second American team, Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, is even less experienced, only resuming skating together again in June after a brief partnership two years ago. They’re that rare perfect match, gifted with the same timing and jumping styles that goes a long way in making a successful pair.

They still need polishing, though, and only time does that.

“Our ultimate goal is a year from now,” Barrett said. “As hard as we worked getting here, we’re only going to work harder next year.”

Hopes are higher in ice dance, where the United States has become a powerhouse in the discipline once dominated by Eastern Europeans. If Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto are healthy — they missed nationals while he continues recovering from a back injury — there’s not one, but two couples who can be considered legitimate medal contenders.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the new national champions, were sixth at worlds last year and won the bronze medal at the Grand Prix final.

“Placement matters” at nationals, said Tom Zakrajsek, who coaches Abbott, Mroz and Flatt. “To me, worlds is no different. They want the best placement possible, they want the most points possible. ... If they do their job, I’m sure there will be no problem.”