Yatagarasu

My first thought about ^^ that is gloves Yuzuru, gloves

I don't think he was held back by internal politics, I think he simply did not want to go. Too many things 'leaked' including that whole like a post/remove a like ages now ago. This is why so many got in a huff and why there's so much ugliness in the Chinese part of the fandom. It's been brewing for ages and now they have confirmation that he isn't going, it's not pretty.

Easy folks. Emotions are running high because everyone wants what is best for Boyang. When TCC was announced as a possibility one thing we could agree on was that it was a fantastic opportunity and so many were super excited over it because of that. Now that he isn't going, all that emotion went different ways but it was bound to happen. It'll settle down, for all of us. About TCC - Nanami Abe pushed Yuzuru to go for a reason. Athletes do outgrow their training environments. Many leave to get better training, and end up living quite far away from home. In this season alone we have Zhenya, Marin, Eunsoo (these two are minors, for example) etc or Yuzuru, Javier, Mao, Yu na, or in ID almost the whole of Montreal etc. This is actually a pretty common thing in skating. And somewhat reflective of the issue we have of too few training centers but that's another story. When it comes to Boyang's particular current training environment, TCC is better, objectively. From the facilities, to the coaching team, to the reputation they have and would bring with themselves. This is something Boyang's current training place in China cannot match. His biggest problem, his SS, are not going to find a solution there that they could have found at TCC. He also isn't going to get the reputation boost he would have gotten at TCC. It will just continue as it has been more or less and while he will improve, it's fine to think just how much more it could have been at TCC. Another positive here is that he would have been much closer to Lori and working with your choreographer on that program is always good. Now, in terms of Boyang himself. Yes, even if he had been willing, it doesn't mean that TCC would have been a good fit. As we always repeat, it is neither a magical cure, nor is it a good enviorment for all skaters. Rippon certainly did not fit there, so he changed coaches and found his right place at Raf's. But we'll never know as he isn't going. This doesn't change the qualities TCC has and that it is an elite place. And realistically, it could also have been a very good fit for Boyang and brought great results. We should acknowledge both possibilities. Since Boyang is unwilling, all of this is a moot point anyway as if you are unwilling, even if you end up going, it's simply not the same. The chances of being fully committed and absorbing everything that is offered lowers and that's that. In that sense, this is the best decision for Boyang but at the same time, it may still be the wrong decision. We have no idea why he isn't going; the official explanation is a classic PR mess of a - ho hum um hmm yeah. so. there you go. - which cracks me up something awful but at the same time, it does leave so much room for speculation. Yes, Boyang is very attached to his old coaches and his current training environment. He is comfortable there. His family is there. His English isn't at a good enough level. All true. At the same time, there's no harm, in a calm discussion, to acknowledge that while all of that is true, being comfortable in China can also be a negative as he may be reluctant to get out of his bubble and step into a different, much more challenging, environment. Because it won't be Boyang the top dog, but it will be Boyang, just another skater, next to the top dog, and some other elite athletes and upcoming elite athletes. It's a change. His coach will have him, and all the others, quite different from what he has now. Now the big thing, why many are raising questions about him, is that there is one thing that differs about Boyang - he is state funded. Taxpayers are paying for all that he does. Should this mean he needs to dance to their tune? No but at the same time, the responsibility he has is slightly different to that of say Yuzuru or Jason. Zhenya is probably closest to him at TCC because she is partially still being helped by RusFed. I have seen quite a few Chinese fans asking questions due to this and it's their right to ask. He isn't doing this on his own money. He's doing this on essentially 'their' money. So when we combine all of this, I think it is easy to see why some are deeply unhappy and even more so, considering some of the history Chinese skating has. In the end, this is Boyang's own choice and he'll have all the responsibility for it. It's no small matter. I hope he has weighed this thoroughly because it won't be easy. He cannot have another WC 2018 and hope a lot of folks will wave it away; they won't. CSA is going to be watching and I guarantee they cannot be happy now. It's turned into this really complex matter and we are going to have many different opinions on the matter. Criticism and support. I think this sort of divergence that has occurred in a pretty steady fan-base shows how messy the situation is. In the end time will tell. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, as that always goes. In the mean time, agree to disagree on some matters and take comfort that all of this is coming from the place where peeps feel strongly for Boyang and want him to succeed.

Ah thank you! That's great to hear too. It's definitely the best call to have a professional tailor their meals. They really do know what they're doing, and it keeps the athletes healthy. It's not an easy thing to balance and this sport especially with it's particular requirements can lead to trouble, so knock on wood.

It's definitely not a reason to write him off, especially as this sport is so very unpredictable in general and there are four long years to go. Writing anyone off, or proclaiming so and so is a sure thing for the top at this point is really premature. I do thinks some folks will only be convinced if Boyang keeps performing well, and improving, and then there are some who won't be convinced by anything, so my advice is just let it go. Keep supporting him and time will sort everything out. And your nerves will be in a far better state too!

When he walked in with the bodyguards? That was so cool, the Emperor had arrived and was greeted appropriately

Actually I would say TCC is an objectively better place. It's not just about the facilities but about the team there and the CSA wanted to send him for the same reason that it is probably the most sought out place right now for training; be it short or long term. That doesn't mean of course that it would fit Boyang perfectly or that he would achieve the best results there as not every coach/training enviorment fits every skater but that bit aside, I would place it on top right now. In general, I think Boyang's decision is his to make as he will be the one to carry all the consequences, good or bad, from choosing as he did. TCC would have brought benefits, in many ways, had he chosen to go. Since he didn't feel the move, forcing him to go would have been madness because how well can you even train, and use the opportunity presented to you, if your heart is not in it? We have to wait and see what will happen, and which way the scales will tip in the end. 4 years is a long, long time and Boyang may very well be just fine. I am kind of even more sorry for Hanee now. He did want to move to Raf, was ready and then the rug was yanked under him at the last moment and he ended up paying for it afterwards too, so it really makes me all the more bitter towards CSA and how they treated him.

Awww but that's why the SP is perfect, it was just pure fun. And fainting, heart palpitations, scraping people off the floor and dogs eating earrings

I can't tell if she means that is all she ate, or she reduced her rice intake that was a side dish to whatever else, say veggies, she had. I hope it is the latter because eating just that is in no way healthy. There are so many better ways to reduce weight and this would only be a recipe for further trouble. Skaters do sacrifice a lot but their health has to be the point where they draw the line.

I am going to say that our Archives are a gem. A gem. When you go back and take a look at say Oly Men's Short thread? It is A++++ comedy gold. We were sort of chill until the last two groups and then satellites lost it. I think by the time we had This is Sparta post I was wheezing. Seriously, fantastic pick me up if you need one. Though new satellites might be a tad ahem, speechless at that mayhem. We really don't bite though. Really. We drink. And yell this is Sparta. And we are totally sane - ish

They would be quiet because they would sign an NDA first. It's standard practice if you really want something kept quiet. I don't think it's a bad thing to have fun with the early disclosures plus those who will have negative meltdowns will have them whenever that happens. Otherwise it's just a fun thing to do until the season starts and it helps pass the time.

Glitter everywhere, Yuzuru would approve

I think it's in our job description to be dramatic and extra. We follow the man, who is the extra extra I hope we don't have to wait for ACI and tbh, I don't think we're going to. Even when he was very late due to injury post Boston he still announced them so I think in one way or another, we'll get the news. There may not be a media day but he could use a simple interview or even 24hr or something else to say what the programs are.

And in news, Fedor is trying out with Elena Pavlova as his new partner. We'll see if the trial works out.

We could say not only did we have a duck up, we had a 'Canadian duck' up

Image training (with perhaps music in the background)? While sitting on the ice cause he is the Extra Man ™?

I think @Katt is probably right here, in the sense that it's a question how much Brian is willing to get into it again after everything. He is the one people look for, so when you're already in that position, and then something like this happens, you're probably a bit weary of attempting something again. I certainly couldn't blame him especially as the complications in general surrounding the Chinese fed are well known. And he's not lacking for talent, and others will keep coming to him so it's not like he has to risk it; TCC is sitting pretty right now and pretty well poised for the future. But maybe, if he spots someone really out there. In general though, I suspect he'll be more cautious.

Kazuki's 4T is coming along! Knock on wood and all that, the success rate is still not satisfactory apparently but it's moving! I'm happy as the way things are he is going to need it. He cannot compete with Dai on PCS no matter what he does.

From what I've seen so far, and I don't mean now, Boyang simply does not want to go. Now how he got to that aside but he doesn't. Ultimately if he is unwilling better for both as not only would Boyang feel rotten but the atmosphere would be soured and it's really not conducive to a nice working enviorment. Then, would he have really progressed if he was forced into it? Big question. He's the top dog in China, comfortable in his enviorment and it suits him. His family is there, as well as friends. At TCC all of this would change in some way. Of course, at the same time, not going to TCC has its potential consequences too but he's an adult so he'll have to deal with them. If one day he's plagued by what ifs, it's something to live with. If everything turns out for the best, then naturally, it couldn't be better. I wouldn't say that remaining in China is the same thing as suddenly being trained by Orser. Eunsoo's PCS didn't jump out of nowhere. Big name coaches matter for a reason and the person by the boards counts. It shouldn't but it's pointless to go into it when reality is what it is. I would say it would have helped him in that way, as much as actual training would too. It is not a solution for everyone and not the right fit for everyone but it is so sought after for a reason. I cannot say I approve or disapprove of Boyang's decision; it's his choice to make and he's the one who will have to deal with what comes after but this is how I see it. Anyway, tbh, the rest of this announcement sounds more like saving face, for both the Chinese fed and Brian, considering we had the big deal over Boyang there and then suddenly everything went belly up. So they're covering it by talking about cooperation etc, when in reality it is probably a few training camps. But big words will smooth out the situation and nobody is left looking awkward.

I just remembered a comment by TAT from last season, about Wakaba and her SP. She was commenting how she well she was expressing the music, it was sort of a surprise for her as Wakaba is Japanese but got to the heart of it, and really that's a good example of what we talked about. She did connect but many won't, so we're left with the need for skaters to skate to that which is closer to them and yet, it's an issue. Anyway, yes, those comments. Well, those are the three big feds indeed. I think in re to this, the judging bias often isn't even intentional in this area. It is simply how it is, you grow up in a certain environment or are immersed in it during education and it's simply closer to you. It's why the need to consciously perhaps keep an open mind to a different aesthetic, at least at first so ISU would need to poke. But they don't with far simpler things so eh, horses and all. Yuzuru's definitely an influencer. You have to keep in mind that there is a whole group of skaters who are growing up now during his era. When you look at Novice and Junior programs you can spot it so easily. That won't go away even once he retires because they were immersed in it while they grew up and in general he's a legend so the need to emulate will be present for a long time. So that's good. Also we're living in an increasingly multi-cultural world so that'll help too, a world that's more and more interconnected and where access to things is growing, which will also help. We do have Russians who are dominating the ladies field but Japanese girls are also very talented. I am not sure what will happen to the guys but I believe in folks like Sota, and Kazuki, and Shun one day. China's in a bit of a lull but Koreans are going strong. Junior levels have new countries where the skating is still in its infancy but it exists. One place where I wish we had more variety is ID. ID is often a mover in skating but there we're still lacking in Asian pairs (Chris and Kana making me sigh again, they had such a huge opportunity). So it's slow and yes, it'll probably go up and down but at least it's started. Another problem is that it's a very expensive sport and in general the issues skating has, so it's slow to spread in the world in certain parts. You need more than a ball and pair of shoes and some grass. It'd probably go faster if we had wider reach. But ah well. Hopefully it'll happen in time.

I think it's several things, not just one, that's causing it. For one, figure skating was quite Eurocentric, in both expression and aesthetics and then wider, is, in terms of the West. It's not odd really (though some actually believe in active conspiracies ) considering how we started way back, first with Europeans in Germany in 1891 and Worlds in Russia in 1896 and how it evolved here and then throughout the world. It is slow to accept outside influences and personally, I think this is something that requires active work by ISU especially when it comes to the judging. It needs to be encouraged because it is difficult to penetrate the bubble that exists. I don't quite remember what he said exactly but even Zu talked about this and the lack of appreciation in one of the bigger pressers he had post Olympics. It will probably slowly change but it is slow indeed. While we do have Yuzuru who can introduce Japanese music to us more, or peeps from China/Korea and even that is going slowly, then places that aren't really represented by major players have a mission impossible really. At least for now. Then you have the "safe bets". They're also somewhat connected to the first part, so we have the classical pieces or the warhorses, and lately some songs, that get repeated over and over as everyone knows they are skate-able and the audience will recognize them and it will get them going. These pieces are also often music that on its own has impact. It isn't entirely up to the skater to carry the program - think H&L compared to Seimei. Seimei as a music piece is very impactful and you get all rah rah over it even without the skating, while H&L was almost completely on Yuzuru to express it through his skating. Very challenging and often the reception can be dodgy, as indeed H&L showed. Some of the iffy reception was yet again connected to the first thing I mentioned, as that music is more internal, more contained, more Asian in this instance than the outward aimed pieces that are mostly used. Presentation/interpretation will be 'easier' with those known warhorses and those choices where the music itself carries a chunk of the impression, so all those who are iffy on this part will naturally aim for them. Juniors especially as they are still learning but then it's Seniors that bug me, not the kids who are naturally just getting their footing. Oh and English too. Think how many songs used are in English, because again it's sort of a world language and they are more known and the audiences again will respond more easily if they understand. Choreographers often pick music, yes, so there we're limited to things they know or have access to. Then of course, they have to pick something that fits the individual skater too so that they can connect to the music at least somewhat. Here you can also get into trouble even with a warhorse or well known music, for various reasons - from cultural disconnect to language problems to the skater not being able to 'keep up' with the music or as we say, the music being too big for them. Also when a 'new' piece of music is done, like for example P/C To Build a Home, then you have a tonne of people latching onto it. It's same old, same old that's been happening since forever and new warhorses are born. It's simply easier. Anyway, I think it's a whole list of reasons that get stuffed into a bottle and then shaken and mixed. So we're left with this.

Ooh Empress in the Palace, I know this one! It is lovely! I suppose we keep going back to the fact there's so much available out there yet skating seems to be so limited in the choices. Boggles the mind. I do hope though that as time passes Asian skaters look at their own home as source of music so perhaps a Chinese skater could pick something like this, Koreans can delve into the many fantastic OSTs they have from their own dramas, etc and then it might spread. I am not sure there is another way but of course for this to happen, the judges must be receptive to it. He might go for something like One OK Rock who knows? It is rock and Japanese to boot and we know he listens to them. It'd certainly be a 'new' thing, so I wouldn't complain for sure. Then he could go for something more lyrical if he wants, for the free. And aww, goodness, first time! No, why side-eyeing! It's perfectly understandable to enjoy the wait. There are other peeps here who are having fun with it too. I'm just horribly impatient as I've been through this song and dance a few times by now, and not just with Zu so am in the tap your foot stage. Hopefully he'll put me out of my misery soon

Then come the sparkles and ruffles

*raises hand*

Yes, I prefer that too, though I don't know why but I keep wondering if he'll go for a half-half, much like he did in 2016/17 if he wants something fun for the SP. I'm probably just over-thinking as I the time keeps going tick tock, very slowly, with no news