moni

Yes I was and it really was for free but there weren't many big names. It looks much more interesting this year. Not sure if I can be there for all 3 days but I'm definitely going to be there on Saturday for ladies and men FS.

Wow, couple of big names there, especially ladies. I definitely plan to go this year again since it's just 1h driving from my town and tickets are so ridiculously cheap. I've never seen Gracie live before, so I'm looking forward to see her and wishing her good start of new season .

Part 3 - fancams.

Part 2 - competitions & shows [all gifs made by me from these (tv) clips: x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x]

Sorry for spamming, I'm really bored. Part 1 - practice [all gifs made by me from tv clips: x, x ,x, x, x, x, x, x, x]

Yuzu (pinterest, getty) Shoma(x) Mikhail (x, alamy, x) Adam ( x, pinterest) Nobu (x) Michal(x, pinterest)

Anna (x), Evgenia (x) Elizebet (x, x) Sasha (x, x, x) Michelle, Miki (x) Rachel (pinterest) Carolina, Sonia (x)

Brian Orser (source1, source2) Kento Nakamura (source1, source2)

(don''t remember source, sorry) https://twitter.com/GeumNa/status/607086827564957696

flying sit spin (3:45):

9-10 September 2017 (source)

So, I rewatched his Chopin SP from Boston (probably more than million times, LOL) and here are some possible mistakes I found in his StSq. But it depends on how strict the judge is (Yuzu had few shallow edges, or at least it looked like it to me from that camera angle). He had some unclear edges on some of his choctaws but I don't think this caused Lv3 because he did at least one clean choctaw in both directions. But his first loop (his exit RBI edge was probably not deep enough) or/and his second rocker(again, probably rather flat RFI edge) could be invalid and thus he could not fulfill the requirements to have 11 different turns and 5 different types of turns(if loop was invalid) or one difficult combination on each foot (if rocker was invalid). All the other turns seem clean too me. Here is my analysis (it starts right after his second spin), on the first sheet I wrote down all of his steps+edges (blue color means difficult turn) + possible mistakes (red colour) at Worlds, Nationals, GPF and NKH. On the second sheet there is a summary of which requirement of Lv4 he (probaly) didn't fulfill. It's a little bit different than this analysis from NHK 2015 made by another fan. Although most of the relevant steps match, I found one more rocker and choctaw and one less counter. I'm far from an expert but this is what I'm seeing in those videos. If someone here knows about steps, please tell me whether I'm right or wrong! Tomorrow I will try to do the same with LGC at 4CC.

Exactly. For example last 2 seasons (in both SP and FS), Yuzuru was doing one combination on his right foot and two on his left foot. So if he made a mistake in his first combination on his left foot but did his second combo cleanly, it would be counted. Next season it won't be. But to be fair, I don't remember seeing him making a mistake in his combo on his left foot. If there were some mistakes, it was either in the combo on his right foot (H&L NHK...) or in some solo turns(loops, choctaws..).

I think the reason Yuzu got Lv3 in Boston and 4CC is that he made a small mistake during some of his turns. Probably wrong/unclear edge or putting free foot down too soon or similar thing. Because of this, one/some of his turn/turns was/were not counted. Right now I can't tell the exact moment but maybe later when I have time I will watch it in slowmotion and check every turn carefully. It is something you can't notice in real time unless you are really an expert. Why do some others get Lv4 so easily? It depends on a particular skater, some are just very good at steps (Patrick, Shoma...). But in general, many skaters don't do step sequence at such a high speed/such deep edges/so much upper body movement as Yuzu, thus are less prone to make a mistake and it is easier for them to do it more precisely.

Well, in 2012 he said this but maybe changed his mind since then... or soon will (have to) do: source

RE: popping jumps I don't know whether Yuzu and skaters doing quads could relate to this but I have some experience with popping (only doubles, though) and it's mainly mental. The head suddenly says "NO!" and the body follows. - lack of confidence - lack of concentration - overthinking/trying too hard - nervousness/tension - a mistake during the takeoff and getting scared of a bad fall - messing up the timing - just a bad day when everything feels wrong And about the tendency to pop into singles/doubles/triples. It depends on the severity of mistake during takeoff and probably on the type of the jump, too. And I might be wrong but I think it depends also on the moment you start to doubt about it. If it's right from the beginning it will be a single or double and if it's later it will be a triple? If anyone has more knowleadge/experience on this I'm interested to read about it.

BTW, is there any other footage of Yuzu's 4Lz attempts except these four? His technique fascinates me. 2014 TCC media day (2:40) : https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x29ekg5 2014 FAOI Toyama (12:47) : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27qx8k NYOI 2016: https://www.instagram.com/p/BEd_N7GKEJr/ WTT 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CAbVUhqkVg?

@xeyra, I only reacted to the fact that you said the difference in BV can't be more than 10-15 points. I just wanted to show that it actually can. But yes, only against Nathan, not Shoma/Javi. I know GOE/PCS will change and the skaters won't stay static but really the worst possible scenario (and still not very likely) is Nathan having 3 more quads than Yuzu. And I wrote it also because some people (not you and not necessary on the Planet) are panicking "what if Nathan lands all his 7 quads". Well, if he lands it all he will make the history and it will be great but at the same time if Yuzu skates perfectly clean he won't have to worry about Nathan's score. IMHO, I just don't see Nathan to be Yuzu's greatest threat. That's all. It won't be an easy competition/season, there are 6 great skaters, each of them capable of winning (each of them with various qualities including the ability to blind judges) but right now Yuzu has very good chances and I'm not pessimistic. I'm looking forward to new season and all their programs. Just 2-3 weeks and we'll see Yuzu's.

BV is important but it's nothing if the skater doesn't deliver. For example Nathan in Helsinki. I think Yuzu can afford to have more than 10-15 point lower BV (I'm not saying he should, just that he can). I remember you did some great statistics about scoring and BVs some time ago, so I'm quite surprised you wrote this. We can compare Nathan at his best (2017 4CC - 7 quads) vs. Yuzuru at his best (2015 GPF - 5 quads): 1. (I know these are different events + different years but I just want to show that BV isn't everything, even when Nathan might be overscored and Yuzuru underscored as it was at 4CC, IMHO) 2. hope I didn't mess up the numbers, it's almost 3 a.m. here SP: BV GOE PCS TOTAL Yuzuru 47.45 14.36 49.14 110.95 Nathan 53.15 6.43 43.54 103.12 difference -5.7 7.93 5.6 7.83 FS: BV GOE PCS TOTAL Yuzuru 95.19 25.73 98.56 219.48 Nathan 106.48 9 88.86 204.34 difference -11.29 16.73 9.7 15.14 Overall: BV GOE PCS TOTAL Yuzuru 142.64 40.09 147.7 330.43 Nathan 159.63 15.43 132.4 307.46 difference -16.99 24.66 15.3 22.97 we can observe some facts: Yuzu can easily make up the BV disadvantage by getting high GOE+PCS: overall, his BV was lower by 17 points, yet he beats Nathan's score by almost 23 points thanks to GOEs and PCS Yuzu got more than double Nathan's GOE (in SP, in FS and overall, too), the total difference is more than 24 points Yuzu's PCS in both SP+FS were more than 15-point higher compared to Nathan But this was Yuzu in 2015. Since then he has added 4Lo and maybe will upgrade even more for next season. So will Nathan. However, this was an example that Nathan with 7 quads scores lower than perfect Yuzu with 5 quads, so even though Nathan might have 8 or 9 quads overall next season (scary!!!) Yuzu will have 6 or 7, so the difference in BV won't change THAT much and it will be mainly about who skates the most clean. (Shoma and Javier might be more dangerous in terms of upping the BV.)

My opinion on clean Yuzuru vs. others, especially Nathan: First of all, it's REALLY SOON to worry now because we don't know their layout/programs/condition/etc. It would be great to see everyone skate clean both SP and FS but I'm afraid it just isn't possible. But THEORETICALLY, if everyone skated clean both SP and FS, including Yuzu, I'm sure Yuzu would set a new record - i.e. above 330 (I don't think judges would want to hold him back if he did a perfect SP AND perfect FS). A lot can (and probably will) change next season but until now: almost clean Shoma was 11 points off 330 (with MUCH higher BV and with VERY VERY VERY lenient judging and technical panel) clean Javi couldn't break any of Yuzu's records (with similar BV, although he was close, especially in SP) clean Boyang was 27 points off 330 (with MUCH higher BV) Patrick... he's never scored above 300 (although now he plans to add more quads so he has a potential to score much higher) Can clean Nathan with 7 quads score more than 330? BTW, has he already confirmed 7 quads? Or is it just another speculation? Anyway, Nathan has great potential and his weapons are quads but here are some of my thoughts about his disadvantages: he probably won't backload much (while Yuzu/some others probably will and are VERY USED TO IT) he doesn't have best quality quads (sure, he can improve but OTHERS WILL, TOO. Plus he seems to be more interested in quantity rather than quality) he has long setup for his quads (not sure if this can be improved significantly over 1 summer) clean Nathan will probably have high PCS but no way anywhere near CLEAN Yuzu, because: he lacks skating skills and maturity and it takes long time to develop those (longer than 1 summer) he doesn't have natural flow and fluidity which Yuzu/Patrick have always had and it's quite obvious (not sure if this can be improved at all) with 7 quads there is not too much room to have great intricate choreo (just my speculation based on his empty FS last season with "only" 6 quads) people expect Nathan to improve in everything (and I'm SURE he will) but you should also expect Yuzu/others to improve, too! Yuzu is aware of other skaters and he's always one step ahead EVERYONE (fans/rivals/coaches). A lot will depend on the skating order, panel of judges, their momentum, luck, etc... but right now my opinion is that PERFECTLY CLEAN Yuzu can win against all odds and I think in this case judges won't hold him back. And as many have already said: the most important thing will be to skate clean. And Yuzu knows it. And I trust him. We all should. However, *IF* Nathans wins over perfect Yuzuru, it will be one huge scandal and @¯\_(ツ)_/¯summarized it perfectly:

@yuzuangel toe loops: I'm not sure if I understood your problem with your left foot and J-shape correctly but here are some tips (sorry if this wasn't your problem): 1. Have you tried any different entry? For example, for me it's much easier doing them from right inside 3turn. 2. If you do the right inside 3turn entry, you don't need to do that extra step which you do after the left outside 3turn (and which probably messes your timing?) and therefore you can focus on position of your left foot even before and throughout the inside 3turn and have better control. 3. When you hit the ice with your left toepick it's important to place it straight in line with the right foot. If you cross it too much to the right, it will twist your body. 4. And also your left toe should be turned out and not turned in. sit spin: 1. You can also experiment with different entries: for example, right inside 3turn - left outside 3turn. (sorry, I know I'm talking too much about inside 3turns but I really love them ) My observation: it's a bit more difficult than back crossovers but I can spin faster. 2.I had the same problem with keeping my free leg straight and my coach advised me to hold my ankle with my hands. It also helped me to get lower and feel better (in terms of balance). 3. And good old-fashioned shoot the ducks help, too. @axelnojutsu Don't worry! Just go for it! It's fun.

Yes, patience is very important. The key is just don't give up and the improvement will gradually come. But even more frustrating is when you've already mastred some trick but the next day/next couple of days you can't do it at all. It's like . But later, you'll be able to do it again. Sometimes there are good days and sometimes bad. Really, the best advice I can give you is just don't give up. Re: spinner You can read some information about it here. And here is an example how you can use it to practice (this vid includes only spins but you can use to it improve yout balance and posture, too). For example, Yuzu uses it, too. You can see he's standing on it while playing with his ball. It looks easy but when you try it you'll find out that it actually isn't 1:14-1:18

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjI2ODI5MzUy.html

When I was learning skating backwards, we practiced these exercises/moves in the following order. It takes some time (weeks or months, depends on how often you skate) but don't give up and just be patient - you'll get it. 1. swizzles(lemons) 2. half swizzles 3. swizzles with change of edge (crossing your feet when they meet) 4. I don't know what's the name of this move: it's like slalom (skiing) but backwards - both feet together and using only knees and edges to push... anybody knows the name of it? 5. chasse 6. crossovers 7. glide on (1 foot) outside edge 8. outside crossrolls 9. glide on (1 foot) inside edge 10. inside crossrolls 11. change of edge on 1 foot (the initial goal was to do 2 changes: starting on inside edge and doing inside-outside-inside change, but now after 3 years of skating I can do as many as I want) Also, I would advice you to use off-ice spinner. It not only good for spins but you can use it for practicing all the turns (you can feel the inside and outside edge on it) and to find your balance (you can practice spirals, too) and later even take off for jumps. This is a really good explanation - it's exactly how it was explained to me when I was learning them. You have to think about the position of your shoulders and arms (LFO, RFI, LBO, RBI 3turns: left arm in front of you, right one to the side and RFO, LFI, RBO, LBI: right arm in front of you, left one to the side) but the turn itself happens thanks to he bending of your knee and the weight transfer from the arch to the balls of your feet. And your head is also important - always look to the direction you're going to turn. I'd like to add that the backward 3turns are almost the same as forward ones, the only difference is the weight transfer - it's from the arch to the heel. I have Edea Chorus (my coach is an Edea dealer, so all the kids at our rink have basically no choice but use Edea, LOL) and I'm very satisfied with them - now I have my 2nd pair. My first pair was Edea Overture and it took me almost 2 years to wore them down. I don't have any experience with Riedell but I don't think you have to worry about wearing them down so soon. And in general, if you're a beginner, it's better to use the boots for beginners. Those are softer, so it'll be easier for you to learn basics (especially bending knees properly, using ankles, feeling for the ice etc.) You'll need an upgrade once you're able to jump axels, but it'll take some time (most probably some years).

This video has real music if anybody is interested... just skip to 0:13