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Personally, I didn't believe he had healed so quickly... and then hearing that he was fine? It was great to hear, but I was not entirely convinced. It was another lesson where people can overcome things on the strength of will and mind (and painkillers), alone.

He was lying for a good cause, lol!!! It happens a lot in sports to screw up the opposition....

Well, he did lose a spin level so that affects your score... and, being picky, his 4T was not as smooth as he is usually capable of doing.... (but under the circumstances it was perfect). And Brian saying yuzu was disappointed is no surpris when you look at his facial expression... he wanted it on the big stage... just being yuzu!!!

Lol. I work with seniors and I call them boys and girls.... and they are 50 years older than me. Just fun

The only thing I sometimes wonder about, re yuzu living with his mom while here in Canada is how it impacts her. I mean obviously she had to be with him at first, and then for training for his 2nd gold she was essential. But, now that goal is achieved and he is continuing, meaning living away from the other half of the family for even longer ... I wonder if his sister is married yet, or has kids, and then wonder if mom would want to be in Japan to be with them... but then I remember that they probably have everything worked out, and it is really none of my concern!! What they have done is working and, well, if I was in her shoes I would be doing the exact same thing... supporting my child for however long he/she needed me in order to reach incredible goals and achievements. Moms do these things for their kids... mine certainly would, and on that note, Sunday is Mother's Day here, a perfect time to recognize moms.

My heart is happy knowing she is there. That's a surprise... maybe visiting David W... summer camp... if I could wave my magic wand it would be Mai there instead of Med... Edit: yes, there does seem to be a skinny black clad figure... but from that I cannot tell... could be...

LOL. He *managed to get the most out of Gabrielle Daleman, a skater with an athletic style of skating.* Well, in his opinion if Brian can do THAT then surely he can do something with Med... lol!!

Tee hee, yes, I"m not young either....i'd be robbing the cradle with someone yuzu's age, but that doesn't stop a person from looking and appreciating young, good looks! Like they say, when you stop looking, you're dead! But David Bowie? Nah, he was too old for me!! As for music and programs, the other night (inspired by the Med/TCC drama) I had a dream that Med skated to kodo drums for her new sp and I was VERY angry that she took that music when I wanted Yuzu to have it for his sp.... or what Midori skated to for her sp at the Olympics in Calgary... it would suit him very well... a legend skating to another legend's music.... and yeah, it seems to me he sometimes mouths the words to what he's skating to as well... i won't go back and look now specifically , but I've noticed it with english lyrics too which I thought was quite good for him, lol.

I think everyone, other than Eteri, is sounding sensible. Med did well for Russia and is still the most reliable female they have right now because we know Alina is still growing and you never know what that, together with winning Olys so young, can do to a skater. Anyway, Med is mature and consistent (even injured), so it would be stupid to criticize your best chance for world podium again this year. And, so many coaches and skaters know and respect Brian personally from competition, touring, or from watching him successfully coach Yuna, yuzu and javi that most hesitate to say bad things about him. On a side note... I wish more that we could have had wakaba or boyang instead, though.... wakaba for herself and her development and boyang so that yuzu could see that lovely 4lz daily!!!! I want yuzu happy and that would please him everyday, lol!!!! Lastly... SO glad Polina has found a safe haven. So much talent she had/has.... I would be happiest if she came out and smoked all the other Russian girls this season!!!

Brian will not care about any Rusfans or media making issue of his being gay. He said years ago, when he had not come out and he had personal issues that would be revealed in the media, that he was most worried for his young nephews when it became public. However, Canadians didn't care and and he was supported... so even back then it was never about him but his family. That was years ago. He is well loved here, and happy and successful. It sounds like he will enjoy this challenge, helping to transform a known champion. It will be hard if Rusfed doesn't support this, but so far it seems like they do. Note to choreographers: no miming, skipping or waving.... I believe that yuzu's presence figured hugely in this decision. I won't comment on shipping, but she has made no secret of her admiration for him, and his skating, so training with him will really inspire/influence her, as it would anyone. i mean, yuzu chose it because of javi, so maybe she chose because of yuzu. That being said, the place really does offer her everything she needs so it is a good move for her.

I remember posting a million pages back about what I hoped her statement would contain. Glad to see it was pretty much exactly that and nothing at all contentious. Her camp definitely comes off sounding good here compared to Eteri. Now I am off to the read the thousand pagesci missed while having to work... when important things are happening... grrrr.

I knew he would do all the shows if possible. He always wants to perform for the fans. It also means good things for the ankle. Glad for him.And maybe he wants to avoid TCC, lol... just kidding.

He does touch some ladies.. but usually when they hug him first and he has no choice or be thought rude!! Think of all the Russian girls who go for him so that now he's used to it, then the ice dancers who hug him, he did touch Mai a few times on her waist/back at WTT exhibition... so there are some, but yeah, I"m sure he's well aware of shipping and tries to avoid anything if possible. Don't blame him one bit. I've had guys put their hands on my waist for pictures, even if I don't know them well. I don't like it, but some people are more touchy feely than others because of their own culture etc., and here there's no cultural rule/custom against it.... although I do think that may be changing a bit now with this MeToo movement.

Damn, but I wish the time difference was more favourable to me... I will be sleeping when we hear from Med... I am sure it will be vague and polite, she will show gratitude to Eteri and the group for past achievements and now looks forward to her future in ______with ______ and growing as a skater, blah, blah. At least, that is what I presume it will say. But, it's Russia where people can be a lot more blunt sometimes and after what Eteri said, you never know how it will be played...

I was out gardening for a few hours and came back to this barn burner of a thread.... quite enjoyable for me, I have to say, since I really don't care about the players involved other than those already in TCC. Eteri... wow. I can very well believe that Med said that about Alina after her loss... lots of people in a similar situation might say something like that in an emotional moment, or even in a semi-joking manner (kind of like whining * couldn't you have kept her in junior just one more year?*)... but to have your trusted coach reveal it, and make it sound worse than it possibly was? Pass the popcorn. As for Med.. well, when you are confident in your choices/decisions, then it is far easier to be confident about what you say on social media. If she knows she is welcome at TCC, then it is far easier to deal with the mud slinging that may come from other quarters... and remember, she watched the Yulia situation unfold, so this reaction by Eteri is not unknown to her camp. She had an up close seat to what leaving could entail and would have been prepared. I hope the younger girls in Eteri's group take note of this situation. When it happened with Yulia, it could be explained away that it was just bad blood between coach and student... but now with the same thing happening with the coach's supposed favourite, Med? They should all be paying very close attention to how it all unfolds because there is a bad pattern forming. And geez... Eteri, don't drag Brian into this. Everyone in the skating world is wondering whether or not your juniors can keep their quads once they grow up... she knows this herself since she gets rid of girls once they change...

I would pack myself there first...

Wonder where yuzu is now... I am guessing toronto....

Brian will not want too many students. He wants to give everyone attention, treat them equally, especially at the top level, so it would be unfair to everyone if he took on more than 1 or 2 new ones at the top. This year Javi has pretty much left so there was at least one spot available. However, exactly the number TCC considers enough is only known to them.

Med, wakaba, boyang... who else is in line to move in to Javi's soon to be empty apartment? Maybe Trusova (just kidding)...

As many as they think they can handle... and I really do not know the number. I do know they have more guys than girls, though, at least at top level.

I still cannot get my head around Med in TCC. It just seems so wrong, odd, strange... so at odds with what they have done until now.....but, i hope she finds what she is looking for there and positively influences Gabby and Elizabet on the way. One good thing, though, is that she will likely get new choreo, which is something i have wanted since after her senior debut. An interesting experiment for Brian: taking on an already packaged, aged out of Eteri school skater, and seeing what they can become as a mature skater.

I didnt think she should or ever would. Just what ifs crossed my mind. Looking at angles, that is all. I understand all the rest.

I agree, it's not that simple. And yes, her scores would probably drop if she left ... but they will probably drop anyway in the next few years if there are some 15 year old skaters with high technical content and charming artistry that the RusFed wants more than they want Med... it might not be until closer to Beijing, but that's why I said part of me thinks it's a good idea... she's in a tough spot no matter what she does.

Part of me was thinking that changing countries would be good for her too. I know, sounds crazy and it won't happen, but considering the number of strong youngsters coming up in Russia, and the desire for the next hot young thing there, it could be exceptionally hard for her to make it to Beijing for Russia. It is a cold, hard fact. No one has a crystal ball, of course, but it is hard to make that team even as a teenager... imagine as a 22 year old.

I doubt he will watch her jumps that much. She is consistent, not technically awe inspiring on individual jumps. Only boyang would inspire gawking. And please, yuzu has one rippon and that is enough because it made a statement as opposed to flinging arms in the air at every opportunity. Yuzu has bigger fish to fry.