anirien

4 hours ago, Yatagarasu said:

 

To be fair, considering how expensive skating is and how for most of them the ideal moment to try and cash in from their victories is right after, this also plays a huge part in the decision to move on. It's understandable, as money is scarce and it's a rare few who have managed to reach this during their competitive career. I wish it was more like say tennis, or even swimming but unfortunately it is not. 

We were really, really lucky that Yuzuru has the immense drive but also that he is so popular during his career that this is a non-issue.

Oh, absolutely. Yuzu also had the advantage that skating is so popular in Japan that he can make good money still being a competitive skater. I do think it's tough for the sport though, when the Olympics attracts new eyes to the sport and new interest in the skaters and then inevitably a lot of the skater the viewers get interested in stop competing. IMO part of why Yuzu is so popular is because he attracted a lot of new fans from Sochi and kept them watching the sport afterwards. He's been great for skating, but I wish we had more stars like him who could grow the audience.

2 hours ago, airi said:

And it's one of reasons I want it, no time to be overthink anything! Just take it like it is  But ok that just me, I know  

 

Absolutely, from perspective I think a lot more people can see it that in that 2013/14 season or before, well, I was of course amazed by young Yuzuru by then, even already in 2011 when was the only time I actually got to see him skating in person, not to mention Worlds 2012. Olympic champions are forever in history books, but I don't think Olympic gold automatically makes someone a legend (anyone remember Lysacek or Sotnikova?). Or maybe my definition of a legend is a bit different  . After Yuzu won in Sochi I didn't have that feeling yet, even though it was obvious that he will do a lot more amazing things. But. The moment for me was NHK. I envy those who had that moment sooner, really 

 

It's true, Lysacek and Sotnikova didn't leave much of an impression on the sport.  Sotnikova may have more in Russia but not to the extent or affect someone like Evgenia winning would have had. The rare thing is really Olympic champions who stay in the sport after winning and continue to improve as athletes. Most reach their peak for the Olympics and retire or aren't able to maintain it.  The most memorable ones are usually those who had notable careers in addition to the Olympic Gold, which can't really be said for Sotnikova. If Yuzu had immediately retired he might have been similarly forgotten, but he stayed in the sport and cemented his legacy.

3 hours ago, airi said:

I think I'm the only one who doesn't mind waiting for ACI for programs reveal  I even think it will be cool if the first time we hear the music and see the actual program is ACI practice

 

For Yuzuru legend status, I'd say it's defnitely NHK 2015. I remember watching it on TV live and I really couldn't believe what I see (I mean Seimei, I couldn't watch the SP live). For me, that Seimei at NHK changed the figure skating really, and certainly my view on it. GPF later, too, but I remember that moment after NHK Seimei like it was yesterday.

NHK was definitely the big moment, but there were seedsof it before that allowed NHK to just sort of solidify his status. First it was that he was on Olympic Champion who was still competing and still so young. Olympic Champions are kind of legends to start with and not a lot of them keep going after winning. Then it was his base value, he had a really high base value, hadn't hit his ceiling potential (and still hasn't lbh) and hadn't skated totally clean, so I think there was an awareness that something like NHK could happen if he went clean. And finally he was out there landing quad loops in shows and galas. I think all of that kind of put the expectation out there that he could become a GOAT, but it took NHK for him to solidify his reputation.

2 hours ago, kiches said:

I'm like anierien, I knew as soon as Shoma fell on his quad loop that Yuzu had essentially cinched the gold. I have a habit of checking scores and calculating minimum scores during the competition to see what competitors need to take first. It was obvious Shoma would need near his personal best to try and take first place, and with one fall in the program at the top that wasn't going to be possible anymore. No lie, it immediately released all my tension while watching Shoma's skate and I was able to enjoy the rest of it much easier knowing right away who would be in first.

I remember being super nervous all through Javi and even Shoma. Mostly I remember reaching for my bff's hand when Shoma fell but then she got excited for Yuzu and I told her I didn't want to assume anything because you never know what Shoma might YOLO. I was pretty sure he'd won at that point though, but to be honest I kind of still don't believe it. I've been a fan since before Sochi and it was always the ultimate dream that he might win twice, even though I knew how unlikely it was, so even now I'm still kind of awed it actually happened?

3 hours ago, Bilge said:

 

About social media thing, i’d still follow even if he just open one and never post anything or maybe post one or two news every once in a while but i think its better this way

Where's the option for "when Shoma fell on his quad loop?" 

23 minutes ago, Katt said:

TSL like gossip and enjoy talking how skater A has something against skater B. But their info about coaching and program are often right ( i hate to admit this). I think something indeed happened with Boyang's move. He may end up going, he may not. Sigh we have to wait. The Lori/ Tcc clash is just another TSL trash talk so nevermind

TSL's mindset on skating is very much stuck in the past and informed by the past of the sport, back when there was a lot of drama and cattiness happening and gossiped about quite a bit among those who followed the sport closely. I'm not saying things like this don't still happen but my perception of it is that with the advent of social media the skaters all tend to know each other better and are generally friendlier. TSL tends to see everyone's motivations as catty and petty, but I think that says more about them than the skaters they're discussing. 

As far as I know Lori is on good terms with TCC and it's been known for a couple months that she would be doing Boyang's programs, so if that's the reason then this isn't a new development. Jason is keeping the SP he choreographed with Rohene, with Brian's approval. Boyang does need a lot more work on that front than Jason but I don't see Brian calling off the deal unless idk, the Chinese federation lead him to believe Brian would control Boyang's creative direction and then still sent him to Lori. Idk. Brian's always been pretty flexible with Yuzu sort of choosing his own artistic direction while he and DW were a lot more involved with Javi's choices (possibly because Javi didn't have as clear a vision for his choices?). Seems odd to me. I doubt this is the reason, or certainly not the only reason.

4 minutes ago, Eclair said:

well they also did speculate that Brian is saying this to get more ground and leeway about the training plan of Boyang, so that it's him who can decide everything. TSL speculation has not proven to be very reliable though. Their inside info on the other hand are mostly true, so there seem to be some problems about Boyang coming ... 

I think this is an accurate assessment of TSL. They get some insider knowledge and they also hear a lot of gossip which may or may not have any basis in truth. They also have a tendency to assume the worst, ascribe poor motives or behavior and to be highly influenced by trends. Basically take anything they say beyond basic information with a big grain of salt and don't assume their speculation will bear out.

1 hour ago, xeyra said:

 

Rub it in, Jack, will ya!?

This was one of my favorite podiums though, because Yuzu and Shoma tried to link arms behind Nathan and he was so confused. 

Maybe he's trying to psychologically condition himself to accept vegetables.

31 minutes ago, Sammie said:

Come back Oda! 

He should! (Tbh I was rooting for him to comeback last season for the Olympics..)

4 hours ago, Danibellerika said:

So I don't know how many of you guys in here are in the US and have cable, but NBC offers the Olympics in 4K On Demand (though you need a 4k tv and 4k cable box) and it turns out that for the 4k broadcast they have completely different commentary AND different camera angles! A lot of times you feel like you were on the ice (if you have a really big tv, lol)! Charlie White was commentating and he is just so wonderful! I wish we could have him all the time. It's so clear how much he admires and respects Yuzu. He wouldn't shut up about him throughout the broadcast .  And they posed the GOAT question and Charlie said "it's an easy argument to make because he's proven himself time and time again and this, when it matters most, he was able to do exactly what he needed to do when he needed to do it".   I'm trying to figure out how I can capture this before the On-Demand expires (I imagine the file will be massive), but if I can I hope to post!

Oh, I hope you can.  I love Charlie's commentary. Sadly I don't have 4K. Tanith was also very positive on the GOAT question, and extremely complimentary of his skating throughout PC, so I guess it's a family opinion. (Her gasp at his twizzles during his Notte Stella EX is a whole mood.)

1 minute ago, ClarissaH said:

I fully intended to go to sleep before midnight tonight but then Daisuke had to go and drop that bomb. it is now quarter until 1 and I am too excite to even consider sleep. 

Literally same.

I kind of wish he could make GPF, just cause I've never seen him skate live and he's one of my favs. I mean, I suppose IDF could give him the host spot?

2 minutes ago, ClarissaH said:

When it comes to extra slots available at GP assignments, the hosting federation can invite whoever they wish, so for Daisuke to compete at NHK he would just need to be invited, not have to work his way through sectionals and regionals. However, if he wanted to go to Worlds or 4CC, he'd need to compete at nationals and to do that he'd need to go through sectionals and regionals. I now feel bad for the 15 year olds who'll show up and have an Olympic medalist as their competition. 

Given his status in Japan I'm sure they will be freaking out with happiness just to be on the same ice with him.

Just now, LucyH said:

that's true after Yuzu / Shoma, there's quite the dip although I do wonder if this will impede the development of some of younger male skaters... But too early to tell, I'm just so excited to see Dai compete again. He was one of my faves pre Yuzu 

Same. I really started to like Kazuki Tomono this season, so my feelings are a bit mixed on it, but tbh, who knows what kind of tech content he'll be able to put out and who knows how that will stack up under the new judging system. I doubt he'll be super competitive against the top names in the sport, but I could see him making the World team, possibly. It's certainly going to make the other Japanese men have to step it up. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. (Tbh I'm just hoping he doesn't get badly injured again.)

Just now, katonice said:

I think he will need to go through the entire set of regionals/sectionals competitions to reach Nationals. He's been away for quite a while. Unless he only intends to compete at the GP. 

 

But if he wants to go to Worlds in Japan he definitely needs to go to Nationals. 

 

This is like wow. I wonder if he'll do a Challenger like Asian Open Trophy. And who will be his coach?? So many questions!! 

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering. Like, I feel like JSF will want him at NHK, so does he do that and Sectionals/Regionals?

Re: his coach. Hopefully not Morovoz...

9 minutes ago, Yuazz said:

Woa..That's unexpected..

Guys, do you think there will be more skater unretiring? Do u think one of the reason daisuke comeback is because the rules changing? 

Now I'm curious how judges will score the old skaters vs young skaters 

I think the rule change might have had something to do with it for Dai, but tbh, it might be more that he misses competition and isn't satisfied with how his competitive career ended, especially his last Nationals. The Japanese Men's field is a little sparse right now if you compare it to when Dai was at his peak and you also had Nobu, Kozuka, Yuzu, Mura, Machida all competing in that era. Whereas now it's Yuzu and Shoma are the two solid stars and everyone else it's kind of tbd. There's Keiji, but he hasn't been reliable internationally and Kazuki, as the most prominent up and comer. But comparatively the field isn't as competitive as it once was, or is in on the Ladies' side right now.

I don't think we'll get many skaters who've been retired a while coming back. More ones taking some time off now who might come back in a season or two.  

17 minutes ago, WinForPooh said:

Wow, this is the wildest off season ever. I say that in my vast experience of having experienced two. But I still think I may be right.

This is definitely the wildest one I can remember. I think this is the most surprising figure skating news I've heard since Machida randomly retiring. (Though some of the coaching changes this off season!)

Will he have to go through Regionals or can he get some kind of bye? (That NHK TBD spot is 100% for him.)

7 minutes ago, hoodie axel said:

Men's GPF predictions: Boyang, Nathan, Yuzuru, Shoma, Vincent, Mikhail Kolyada.

Idk, I feel like we always get a wildcard no one expected. At least in Men's.

Well, at least I broke some of the monotony for 5 seconds. Got excited when the site actually loaded.

They're up! If anyone can get the site to load... 

False alarm. Those are last season. :\

I think this is the first time we've seen anyone fully rotate it, even in a harness, so that's certainly impressive. I'm worried this will only fire Yuzu up though. 

Been thinking about layouts for this upcoming season. Not sure how much it's been discussed, but I feel like, with the new rules, we may have seen the last of Yuzu's triple flip for, well,  the foreseeable future.

1 hour ago, freyaminnie said:

 If I were the US Fed I would want him against Nathan in SA so Nate could beat him in front of the home town crowd (so they could bragged about how their skater's the BEST like for beating Yuzu in free skate at OWG) , not to mention the Hanyuconomoy will make ticket sells like crazy. 

That's assuming the USFS can remember that Yuzu never wins his first GP. It seems like every season everyone gets collective amnesia and is shocked, shocked! when Yuzu manages to lose his first GP.

45 minutes ago, wingman said:

Oh great! Tomorrow I have a full day so I don't have to think about it at all. SC Zu. SC!!!!

I kind of selfishly hope Yuzu isn't at Skate Canada! I have GPF tickets but SC is so close the temptation to see his first pancake would be very high, even though I probably can't afford both trips. FOMO is seriously business. 

Edit: I've finally graduated to tissue box! 

1 hour ago, Hydroblade said:

xD the actual rank doesn't have a typo, is just that i typed that list rank by rank x___x

That's good! Though I am a loooong way away from that rank.