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It's true Shoma's program was a bit empty (but no different than his other programs), but i guess that since transitions are no longer a separate category, and his skating skills are excellent... the edges, speed and flow... those all counted towards it. And he does present well, hitting the notes and skating to the music. At least he didn't get PCS like Jason and he didn't deserve to... and judges finally agreed .... (how on earth Nathan beat Jason on PCS, I'll never understand that one). And yeah, the GOEs on that flip are crazy.

I hope it stays this way. Mastery of the blade is the goal, and that includes everything you can do on the blade.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the judging. Remember everyone here saying skating would become just jumps? It didn't happen, at least not yet. Shoma as always is a blend of good skating and quads, Junhwan was frickin' amazing (also a blend of good skating and quads), and Ilia who is the only one in that top group who is purely a jumper, settles for bronze. I had a huge fear that Ilia would get a PCS quad bonus, but the judges really held back. I'm surprised but not surprised. Each Olympic cycle they sort of do a reset and that seems to have happened... for the moment. The skating in general was really good. Jason, Kevin, even Keegan held it together when he's so often fallen apart. I found it to be really enjoyable today. I am so happy for the entire final flight, and a few good skates before it. Very entertaining. Lol. I find it funny (but not haha funny), that they forced Yuzu out, but then reward his type of skating once he was gone (meaning quality over quantity). He could have easily won this with how the judging was. Pretty sad.

I'm still hoping Rika can resolve her injuries... then Kaori has even more competition.

Was so sad for Mai. Consistent all year, finally getting marks she deserved... her top competition for medals before her (Loena, isabeau) had falls... the stars were aligning for a podium finish... but she looked more nervous than I've seen her all year. The last 2 passes were errors... I think if she'd landed even one of those triples the bronze would have been hers. What a time for having your season's worst performance however, a great season and now she has SOI, WTT... and many other shows. Still proud of her. Kaori... also looked very nervous, but held it together enough for first J ladies' back to back titles. Such a powerful girl!! Speed skater who can jump invading the ice, lol!!!

I'm glad it ended with such joy, dancing to Dynamite ( even if I have a strong dislike for it). I think it was a much needed release after the heavy emotions of this show. Even after catastrophic events life must, and will, go on...as we all know. The pictures are just amazing. Yuzu continues to hit all the right notes, in every way. David with a chaperone tag also got my attention, lol.

From the clips I've seen and what I've read from reporte, GIFT was a resounding success. I'm so happy for Yuzu. I'm thinking Rondo was cathartic for him and every one of his watching fans.

Just a beautiful picture!!!!! Gorgeous!

Seriously? I burst out laughing (not that you got suspended), but that he puts me in mind of someone still throwing toys out of his pram by doing so. He's just too much....

Thanks to Twitter I saw that amazing Phoenix costume/intro.... and Rondo was great!!! The big hands.... kind of weirded me out!!

I'm feeling ill... but not from a virus... My internet is spotty, my laptop isn't working... there's no way I can see this fabulous event BUT, I want everyone else to enjoy this event. I wish Yuzu a fabulous night and may it be everything he hopes for and more!!! Please give some detailed reports my fellow satellites. I'm sure I'll be up early thinking about everyone!!

So glad Yuzu is doing SOI. He loves skating and performing. He's now done/doing his own major shows where he carries the entire thing and that can be exciting and stimulating... but maybe exhausting and possibly isolating and lonely. How nice to be able to collaborate with others, work with choreographers, grow, and maybe do group numbers...he can reach more fans and see skaters he considers acquaintances/ friends etc.. This is his world, these are his people, no matter what some fans may feel about certain people etc.. I anticipated his participation in these tours (probably FaOI too), so it's no surprise to me.

I've seen gymnastics and figure skating together in shows before, in the US, with top skaters and gymnasts. Interesting, but not mind blowing. But, it being Yuzu and having Kohei I'm sure it will be far better than those were. Looking forward to it.

Tessa Virtue is engaged to hockey star Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I remember a friend of mine saw them together before their relationship went public... happy for them.

What did he say? Didn't see it.

Lol. Is it even possible for him to be more passionate about skating????

Yay, Mai!!!! After a stellar short program, the ladies' free program comp was disappointing. Eery skater had issues. Mai delivered until her last jump, but Kaori had a bad, bad outing. It was a tiring few weeks and every skater looked out of energy. I wonder how they will perform at J Nats, just a couple of weeks away..... I think with this result Mai has done enough that JSF will have to pick her for the world team, at least, I hope so... and Kaori will def be chosen... I would love a world podium with both on it.... Shoma skated well, and so did Sota. Glad they both delivered and Ilia got bronze. The J skaters just skate so much better overall.

Yaya, Mai!!! Her season of reward continues.... lovely skate and getting marks for it!!!

Tokyo Dome... damn! That's like performing in Toronto's skydome ( where the Blue Jays play)... wow. You go, Yuzu!!!

@Geo1 thanks for your detailed encounters with the players and places we all know. I have to say I noticed you at ACI, and noticed your lengthy chats with Ghislain when I also attended the event. I'm a very shy, (but observant) person so didn't come and say hi despite knowing you from here. I'm so glad you had these up close opportunities that most of us never have/will. Great memories!!!! Nice to see you post @Fay. It's been a long time and you've been missed.

Me too. It's like, after all of her health issues and 4th places, Cinderella is finally getting her prince... and in this modern version that means GP wins, deserved good scores, and smiles from spiral through Ina bauer!

I didn't bother with the men today. I knew Ilia would win. I saw his program earlier this year and was so underwhelmed...it's nothing bit strokes to jumps and then some other stuff. It's just not even interesting. I know he'll just get more pcs each time, for no reason and I'm tired of it. Usually this happens if youre an Eteri skater, but (hate saying this), at least her skaters had transitions, good spins etc... even if there were other issues. This is just anti figure skating to me. I hope he proves me wrong over the years.

Mai!!!!!!! Not as good as Sheffield, but with that smiral, you'd never know it. Girl just loves to skate and her second career (post hospitalization), is so good so far. She and Kaori together at GPF! So happy for her, and it's in Finland, where her Cinderella brought her up to 5th at worlds after her disastrous short. Nice that Rika is slowly climbing back with the newly returned 3F. I think of some coaching camps, and how she'd be pushed... not with tracy/Brian. It's a long race, not a sprint.

I seem to recall Yuzu being described as an alien on this board many times. Just saying.

I love her soooo much. Finally! She got what she deserved. So happy for her. And I love both programs for her this year. People talk about overcoming injuries or broken bones, but when you have an illness that affects your joints and you fight every day it's an entirely different thing. I see her like yuzu this way, with his asthma. That she can do this, with ghat, shows her mental strength.