Forcefield

I couldn't stomach some things said in the article (he's single-handedly rewriting world-class figure skating? um, how about no), but the fluff part is still great, Nathan shows again that he is very humble and down to earth, and the image of baby polar bear Nathan is cute. http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2017/11/21/utah-native-nathan-chen-is-changing-figure-skating-and-his-next-stop-is-the-2018-winter-olympics/

On the Nathan v Shoma v Hanyu narrative, GPF is so important because if Nathan wins there, he would have won over his two biggest competitors for the season going to Olympics. But if Shoma wins GPF and Nats, it'll be his momentum and story as the front-runner. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. I did for GPS for the top 6 and we're currently at 3 of them out so. Also, with Nathan he has USFS on his side too and it's media for being the front-runner for the U.S. so Shoma actually needs all the help he can get. (With Skate Am coming, I saw an article about Nathan as if he singlehandedly brought the current state of Men's fs to where it is today with his quads and ballet background. I may be exaggerating because I couldn't stomach the unnecessary stuff despite the good fluff. But really, you can't get any more hype than that.)

I miss Yuzu. I think if this was a normal season if he was training at this time and we were guaranteed to see him in a few weeks I probably wouldn't miss him like this. Hoping he's somewhat enjoying his abrupt 10+ days of recovery period in Japan, though I still want him to return to Toronto before GPF. I initially hoped that he would make an appearance somewhere for skating discussions or news, but thinking about it and well no it's actually an awful idea.

Timing is always such a shame. Honestly I was worried during the summer when Orser said Hanyu was in great shape, because that means he'd had to keep to that state for the entire season which is difficult. But glad Orser is back! I trust his views and hopefully he will give Hanyu good advice. Which means I also hope to see Javi make a comeback in France and be a spoiler for many people's predictions especially the radical ones who have been writing the uncles off.

Wonder if this was from an interview? Anyway, I'm always glad to have Kanako and Hanyu in the same sentence. I'm kind of glad to see so much support of Hanyu's decision to add the 4lutz by people who knows him or understands his ideal, not necessarily from the media or some others though who says he needs it to stay relevant blegh.

I know. I thought so too. Like, why would you reveal something so personal like that? And it was lack of shrewdness on his part, or maybe he was as shaken as Yuzu. But it helped calm the media down, I think. Of course, him being injured should have been enough, but for some people it never is.

Kind of unrelated but interesting nonetheless and hopefully will eventually in future years affect skating and figure skating outside the EU as well. http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN1DE1KK

I think TCC's media game is strong this year, and it makes me proud to know Yuzu has his team behind him. My initial reaction when we learned about Yuzu's WD from NHK and that he did it with tears was, Why'd Briand have to reveal that Yuzu was crying when making his decision? (also mixed with, Oh no my bby was crying! T_T). In hindsight, it probably helped the disappointed sponsors, media, fans, & etc. understand how hard of a choice this was for him even if it was the right choice.

Yep, I agree. Just saying people will discuss many things using past examples to predict on whether Yuzu will get or lose ogm in PC, and tbh I get some relief knowing how differently things can go, but well at the end if the day it all depends on Yuzu and the skaters (as well as the judges).

I think it's so interesting in that there are so many different narratives to fit the situation at hand. To some people it may have already been decided last year already with the men's curse that the worlds winner won't win ogm unless you're dick button or smth, for some it's what yuzu did prior to sochi in that the person with the momentum from gpf will win ogm, for others its the youngsters with quads as higher bvs that will cushion lower pcs and splats. I don't know much about figure skating history so it's always interesting to read, thank you. Also I also think Plushy is doing a lot of pr for himself in Japan (not so much for him in russia and their dark horse), but it's also pr for yuzu and maybe inspires him so well I'll take it.

Even if I had gone to the sendai photo exhibition already I would go again just to see the new pictures of Yuzu at the place and his sweet multiple thank you's. Unfortunately I'm across the world. I wonder if Yuzu having been there will help boost attendance a bit.

What did Kanako guess? Can anyone please translate or give an overview?

Did they have a banquet last year for the GPF?

I'm also regretful that we won't see a wedding ceremony at GPF again.

Breaking my pessimism a bit, Shoma's hometown is Nagoya, isn't it though? I'm actually sure even if Yuzu isn't there, GPF Nagoya will be packed and viewers will tune in because of that. At least I'll be happy for Shoma if he is able to face the pressure and make the people of his hometown proud by getting on the podium. I actually think because of the location there's a high chance Shoma might beat Nathan there, again if he can handle the pressure.

If not allowed to post, please PM me the link? I'm thinking dark thoughts and it might heal me. Although crutch speed-walking Yuzu is doing his hardest to make me smile already. Why do I find everything he do so cute and charming?

Nathan and Shoma gets a lot of candies though, and both are very loved by the judges. (I feel really bad for Boyang.) Unfortunately, judges don't seem to care what protocols say about them, never have. THIS. So depressing. I see candies everywhere and miraculous improvements in skating score-wise, even if the actual skating says otherwise. One reason I do think ISU will allow it to happen is because they want to build hype for Olys, and it doesn't matter if viewers don't think it deserves a world record score, it will if they need it to be. ISU never seems to care about any of that. And really, I'm just being in my cynical mood right now and thinking the darker thoughts.

I want Patrick, Javi, and Yuzuru to make an explosion of a comeback, so much! But there's no chance anymore for Patrick and Yuzu on the international scene before their Nats, unless something changes in their schedules, which means the rest of the youngsters are going to be throwing down all they've got and making their own statements and building momentum, without Yuzu and Patrick being able to do anything about it. And I think someone's going to break Yuzu's w.record, in the short or long (not combined) at GPF. Kohei's words sounds so much like something Yuzu will say. And I always love it when Yuzu refers to not only other figure skaters but also athletes in other fields. He truly does make the most out of his meetings with other people. Another thing I respect so much about him is his willingness to learn from everyone around him.

I'm too naive, or maybe ignorant of medical conditions and the world, or both. I didn't think he'd need crutches. Yuzu power-walking with them though, what an image. Glad that he is heading back already though.

Truly a situation of don't count your eggs before they hatch situation as a reminder for me. I'm so glad I didn't take being able to see Yuzu skate in real time for granted previously and tuned in for COR and ACI, as NHK and GPF is no longer possible. As a Yuzu fan truly its important to treasure every moment we get to see of him. Multiple reasons have been said, but I'm truly glad Yuzu is bringing back Chopin and Seimei again. Now I just need more Yuzu updates eventually perhaps after the competition to heal my broken heart for him. It's even okay if he goes ninja mode and stays off camera until Nats for his sake and recovery and JSF does the updates.

I just had a nightmare about NHK. The gala was held in between the sp and fs so basically the day before the big competition. Yuzu wore a casual tshirt and jeans and everybody thought he'd do Change as his ex but he did seimei. Preparing for his last jump, he skated too close to the boards and missed it. He decided to slide on his hands and do a front flip then pose for the end. He had an apologetic cheeky grin on his face and Tracy watched from the boards applauding him, but I just went 'wtf was that?!' Then on competition day since Yuzu did seimei the night before, he changed his FS to some obscure country song. He went on ice in a 18th century dress and folk danced on ice. I think not only me but the rest of the audience was horrified. Then he tried to do a back flip and fell, ripping the entire bodice of his dress. I couldn't watch after that because I was too embarrassed for him and it was an awful program. So basically, this nightmare prepared me for NHK. I'm ready for anything...maybe.

Not serious about this, but Yuzu got his silver quota done, but what about his yearly GPS rivalry with Patrick? The pattern is broken. But Yuzu probably broke it when he did better than Skate Canada at COR. But more seriously this Olympic season is really shaping up to be a monster year, with the monster on one side and skaters on the other. And mighty unpredictable.

I don't want to count any eggs before they hatch. I hope that even with Patrick out Yuzu gets his decisive victory here and not just because the competition is thin here. I also think it'll be a boost for him. Eta: basically, even with Patrick out I'm still nervous.

I thought she said no men deserved a gold in Sochi. If she said that too, wow. Surprised she likes him now, but I give her props for appreciating skaters that prove her wrong. I think she was on the train for Seimei 2015-2016, so something happened between Sochi and that.

Yuzu looks like an evil overlord whose trying to intimidate and strangle Satton. Should have photoshopped him so his hands ended up elsewhere.