Yatagarasu

Livestream added, with a note that currently it says that only the Friday one is free, they're asking for $ for Sat-Sun.

I was so happy to see Anna back on the ice, yesterday was her first day. 
It also says they didn't rush it but let her recover slowly, as I did expect her back earlier, that was at least the word at the time. Good that they won't rush her now either, so knock on wood she's healthy and fit for Jr. Nats! Welcome back Anna.

Japan Open 2017

This is the thread for Japan Open-related discussion.

Teams:

The Team Competition will be conducted in accordance with the International Skating Union Constitution, General Regulations 2016 and the International Skating Union Special Regulations and Technical Rules for Single & Pair Skating 2016 and related ISU Communications.

The innovation to be tried out in accordance with ISU Rule 367 is to conduct an Open team competition with an ISU free skating program only. The ISU Judging System as per the 2016 ISU Special Regulations for Single and Pair Skating shall be used.

Official site

13 minutes ago, Xen said:

I get that narrative, but I don't endorse the logic behind it. Guess now it's a bit too late to ask how to fight against that, since proclaiming my love of Todd Eldredge's 3A, love for Kurt Browning's footwork, and demonstrating proper understanding of counters, rockers and brackets seemingly don't do anything. 

It's actually reasonably successful, unfortunately and yes, there's nothing you can do about it. I mean as an example, I guess I watch JGP because I expect Yuzuru to Benjamin Button himself? And into a girl no less? 

10 minutes ago, Joey said:

it shows that it is difficult for a lot of people to handle Yuzus popularity - from those just honestly feeling overrun by a hype they personally don't get (which is fine and "their right") to those just flat out bitter.

I think the popularity thing is really a big issue but at the same time, I don't think they quite get how that works. You cannot create that type of popularity. It comes from a mixture of personality and skill in their field, but also that unidentifiable X factor that a person simply has and all of that being present at the right moment. No amount of pushing, PR or twisting is going to create that. People would bottle it and sell it at ludicrous amounts but it is just not possible. Another thing that cannot be done is stifling it. Ah well. 

14 minutes ago, Xen said:

yes I'm a fan of Yuzu, but I also skate, I've followed figure skating for over 20 years, it's disrespectful to dismiss that, and consider that I follow Yuzu cause he's cute (sure he is, but dismissing is skating skills is also disrespectful to him). 

Exactly but it's just a part of wider narrative that has been going around for quite some time now.

You're a Yuzuru Hanyu fan thus - you do not actually like skating itself; you do not like him for his skating; you only watch him and no-one else, you do not cheer appropriately for others, etc. All of this is used to create an enviorment where once you have an opinion, it is summarily dismissed with a 'you're a Yuzuru Hanyu fan' because all of the above means that your opinion is of no worth. 

And then, more broadly, there is the idea that somehow Yuzuru Hanyu fans are a negative influence on skating, and then that gets extended to Yuzuru Hanyu himself being a negative influence, and all sorts of stuff starts being excused with that.

If there is a reduction of tickets for Yuzuru fans (am not saying there is or there isn't but hypothetically speaking) then it should not be justified and brushed away by this very same narrative because Yuzuru Hanyu also deserves a fair competition. This should not in any way be forgotten. Nobody is going to create a more 'fair' enviorment by eliminating Yuzuru Hanyu fans. At the same time, it is actually an interesting question, especially keeping history in mind, what type of atmosphere would be created if they were for the most part not present?

I'm sorry but I've been around for way too long, as a skating and Yuzuru fan, to let this narrative just pass through. 

11 hours ago, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

So the rest of the field don't feel like nobodies and get a fair chance to shine. 

This is a competitive sport at the highest level, not kindergarten games. You shine by performing at the highest level and performing well. There is literally nothing that stops all the others skaters from performing in such a way. If they do not do so, then they are not capable of it (currently or at all) and that is simply life. This is not in any way, shape or form Yuzuru Hanyu's fault, nor Yuzuru Hanyu's fans fault.

It does not in any way fall on Yuzuru Hanyu's shoulders to make sure other people can "shine" nor does he, or his fans, somehow eliminate "a fair chance" for them to do so.

The presence of Yuzuru Hanyu, or Yuzuru Hanyu fans, does not, in any way, impede a fair competition and frankly, I really find it highly problematic that something like that is even being suggested.

Not to mention that Yuzuru Hanyu fans have always made sure to appropriately reward and cheer his competitors, as was more than evident as recently as ACI. Something that cannot always be said the other way around by the way, especially at Japanese Nationals.

Massimiliano Ambesi's podcast full translation!

https://the-a-factor-fs.tumblr.com/post/165975610600/kiss-cry-episode-1

Part 1 is slightly out of date, though I still found the talk interesting, now that we know the result of Nebelhorn, but honestly absolutely everything is worth a read! It's long but great 

5 hours ago, xeyra said:

 

Yata, you were wrong. There is gold in Seimei 2.0. 

And how did that end? *taps foot*

I am actually seriously surprised. It's bad luck. And Brian must not be happy either 

5 minutes ago, xeyra said:

 

GS seems to believe you can change assignments in time (48h?) as long as the skater is on the Substitute list. But I'm not finding replacement deadlines on the announcements. 

Ah, well they're probably right, thanks. Well in that case, it's all up in the air. Guess we wait now to see how it unfolds. She's good but plenty of names there. Heh, JGP is delivering, that's all I'll say!

1 hour ago, xeyra said:

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

That's pretty much it. Unless we're both missing something  but seriously, I don't think we are.

I am only not sure about Kostornaia, even if she wins. How far in advance do they have to switch assignments? I am way too tired to go look but it may be that if the rules are tight, even if she wins, Gulyakova may stay.

Just now, Fay said:

@Yatagarasu what has to happen for Nastya Tarakanova not to get into the final? 

I counted yesterday and I think she's in. I haven't been able to find a permutation that kicks her out. But on the other hand, I might have missed something, so I didn't bold her in red. It was actually good for her that Yamashita ended up as she did, because this 2+3 is a better option for Tarakanova (obviously not Yamashita herself). 

Tbh, I'm hoping I'm right because I really, really want to see her there!

Tally so far:

The top 6 in each discipline will get into JGPF.

Just now, Xen said:

Did Rika finish all her assignments?

No, and she has an excellent shot. 

I'll do the math now.

Yes, good judging! Good!

Well done, well done! 

Give it to her judges, give it to her! She was better!

Horrid jumps. I cannot believe this is more than likely going to win. Sigh. Ah well. 

We'll see how much that UR and pop will hurt her. It's a great program though! Great job.

Just now, Xen said:

I feel like we should give her extra points in skating skills just for managing to skate in that thing. 

Seriously. 

WTH is that girl wearing...

Small, low jumps. Sigh.

yes, we have to wait as the teams will sort it out based on points yet to follow but I think Australia/Israel is the only true question.

Oh btw.

Small reminder - in about an hour and 45 minutes they are drawing the judges for the Olympics at Nebelhorn rink!

Fifth element is always a brill choice.

Team Event Table

Ice Dance Final Classification; top 10
Olympic spots in red

Ladies Final Classification; top 10
Olympic spots in red

Massive congratulations to Isa, skate of her life, right when she needed it, when the pressure was full on. And a spot for Brazil. Well done lady, well done! Heh, she smashed her PB by over 20 points. What a skate.