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I wonder if releasing this news is a primer for his withdrawal announcement. By releasing news that he's improving, but isn't on the ice yet, people can see that less than 2 weeks of training isn't optimal and he might not be able to make it. If he suddenly announced next week he wasn't going, people might be more worried because it will have been over a month since NHK, without news and fears often grow when there is no news .

I would love to know when that simulation is... and where. If it isnt in Kingston(like other years), but closer to Toronto, i'd go... even if yuzu wasnt there. Their lineup is great anyway!!!

Seeing so many pages, I knew something was up... so, ok. Yuzu is having pain still, which is normal for only a few weeks post injury. I imagine there is no little uncertainty inside him right now, but I hope he is now wise enough to know that you cannot rush things and that he can still do well after injury. Olympics is 2 months away which is plenty of time if you dont do something ill advised. It is good news that he isn't rushing to get ready for Nats, and I actually hope he does not go if he still has not gotten back on the ice by now. He has achieved so much that he shouldnt feel pressured to get ready for an event that really doesn't determine his future anymore either, other than desire to have the title. Shoma's GPF showing certainly didnt put pressure on him, which it would have if he had been outstanding. It would not surprise me if he travels to the event though, to be on hand when the team is announced as that seems a big deal there (and to be with family for the holidays).... but staying home to train would not surprise me either.... I would absolutely adore it if they found some minor local competition for him in say, january.... the tiny crowd would get the best gift ever

Where is this from? Love it. Makes me think he'd be awesome at some friend's stag party or something, lol.

And that ice coverage is why she's landing quads...... Sincerely hope Patrick is just keeping low key... wouldnt Olympic team gold be enough motivation??? Do the quads you are comfy with, skate the programs the way you want and go out with a bang? But, only Patrick knows what is right for Patrick.

It did seem pretty lackluster this time around... but it's true that the "young ones" in any sport often perform better when they have to raise their level to that of the top guys. With so many of those guys missing, the tension they've come to expect wasn't there, the pressure was very different.. I guess it's similar to a tennis tournament without Roger, Rafa and Novak competing... there are still quality contenders, but the feeling of the competition isn't the same. Even the feeling of winning isn't quite the same. I expect very different performances from everyone come Olympics, barring injury of course. Part of me wonders about 4cc... i know it's too close to Olys and the risks associated with that and everything, but if there is a lot of rust when/if he competes at Nats... or if he can't compete at Nats....

ITA. Way over the top, but you had to keep watching. She did the skating, Bukin jusr drifted around and lifted her sometimes, lol. I watched them from 1984!!! Her posture was terrible for a dancer... early yuzu criticism was his posture... wonder I

I think they post more about other skaters than Yuzu... probably a deliberate move to protect him a bit, imho. Yay, someone gave me a yuzu photo instead of a star... thank you!!! I am hopeless that way, so thanks a bunch!!!

Yep, that's Stephen Gogolev. Nice 4lutz!

It's not even 6pm in toronto right now... maybe many are practicing... maybe it was an off day today so he didn't go to TCC...we have no idea what his training schedule is....

Wow, lovely banner!! Great job, people. It is barely 5am here, so I doubt Yuzu is awake yet on our Dec.7th, but I am sure he already got lots of wishes from his family in Japan. I am sure all the messages/ gifts from his fans have been arriving all week... hope he had/has fun going through them and feels everyone's continued support!!

Personally, I believe Putin knew all about it... it's long been known that he wants to return Russia back to its former glory and boost national pride... and achieving athletic excellence at the Olympics has always been a way to do this, for any country. Of course, you'll never find evidence of this. But, that's just imho.... So, the skaters will be able to go (unless Putin declares otherwise, fingers crossed he lets them all go). This is good news. They have to look at the bright side. I"m sure they've been tested by other doping control authorities for a while now, so they'll be able to show they are clean. I understand the importance of flag and anthem when standing on the podium, but I would think sitting on the couch at home is far worse than having to stand on the podium with a gold medal around your neck. To win a gold medal, there's a lot of pride in that achievement... and everyone knows where you are from, just by virtue of what you're NOT wearing.

I hope they choose to go. They are lucky to be even given the chance since many thought they would be banned outright. And the fact they are called "Olympic athletes from Russia" that was a bit more than they could have been given too.... it seems the IOC did the best that they could think of to include the clean athletes. I have a feeling Putin will let them go..... boycotting never wins or makes any point... and only the little guys, the athletes, end up being hurt.

This would be such a Games changer... I have mixed feelings.... as a figure skating fan it feels very wrong to exclude them... but in sports where we have seen repeated doping infractions, I agree with it.... Interesting to see how the Russian skaters react to this decision performance wise, no matter what is decided, considering GPF is days away... Whose idea was it to have Evgenia speak?

They could call It the Shizuru Arena... teehee. Blend of their names.Like Brangelina...just kidding.

Glad she withdrew. Health is most important. She most likely would have won if she'd competed (considering she still did well at NHK with the injury), but there was no need for sacrifice here. The big competitions are still to come. I am sure she will be back even more determined and full of fight.

Good luck to Wakaba here. How she does here against Satoko is a big deal....

Ok, my hand is slapped...And yeah, my original comments are meant for levity. no offence intended.

Our future, your past... kind of like world time zones when my night is Japan's morning... after SA, I really miss the top figure skaters... Yuzu, Javi, shoma etc... ... good news, though, less than a month until J Nats... only a couple of weeks until GPF...

Hmmm, now that it's getting colder, raccoon may go to sleep for the winter... although in toronto i think it takes longer to do that.... being warmer in the city and all....

Well, if he is arriving in Toronto today, there is a chance of snow too (or rain).... it is also Santa Claus Parade today!!

What did Wakaba say on her instagram?

Even if he didn't do many transitions into his 4lz, it's not as if any of the other top guys do much in the way of footwork into their solo quads...

Oh hell. My calm for the sp just went out the door if he does the 4lz in it...

I am sure they will all have input into the 4lz decision based on condition post injury and how quickly he regains form and he'll have the final say... but you know in his mind (even if he takes it out) he'll be thinking "I"ll get revenge on you, 4lutz... someday, somehow"