Yatagarasu

So they haven't even started and they're doing what they basically did for Javier and Yuzuru at the end? Well all right.

All I can say is good luck! Did not expect that one.

This sounds good.

And I'm slightly tired of people ragging on Hersh like he's evil incarnate who gets away with fabricating quotes once per day and ten times on Sunday. He would have been fired about a million times by now. He simply put, does not. This is a direct quote. It is not short, and is very, very clear what Brian meant by it. There is nothing to misunderstand there. If people don't like it, then they don't like it. Oh and Javier being asked certainly was presented as it was asking for permission and the whole thing was played to create a whole look how great Javier is image. Which you know, is kind of the opposite of what is happening here. If nothing else, it makes for very bad optics, not that it's the first time, and I am certain, it won't be the last time. In the end, Yuzuru's skating enviorment is fine, his needs are met and that's what counts. At the same time, it's fine to go eh at some things. Or not go eh.

You've actually missed out on my Nessie. *pouts*

Be still my heart, even NBC is in on it.

They all see it passes. And once they do, hello new skaters with those issues. Sigh. I mean ... why bother?

Ok so Conrad is at TCC, as we mentioned him here and here's video of his newly acquired 4F already. So it really is going to be a crowd.

Actually, I am absolutely sure CSA would decide with zero input from him, it's how stuff is done there. Doesn't mean that he didn't say something about it but this was a CSA call. (think pairs and how they shuffled them according to what they saw fit, regardless of their wishes. Think Hanee who got a lol no to go to Raf. Etc)

Not going to lie, I would love to pick his brain one day. That's a great description! I don't mind discussing, as it is certainly fun, and passes the time, about what he might do but deep down, I truly don't think I can predict a single thing when it comes to him. Which just makes it all the more brill!

I think there's a great cultural difference between the two so it's never been that close on a personal level between them; there's less understanding in terms of two people relating to each other. I have always been eh about some of the approach in terms of how things were presented in public, so I understand. Thing is, post SC 2016, they seem to have settled their issues when it comes to skating itself, and more or less, it seems to be smooth sailing on that front. It's the one thing Yuzuru seems to care about so as long as they are working as student and coach, and all of Yuzuru's needs are being met (and they are), that's what counts. Yuzuru also seems to be very close to Briand, and has been working with him a lot, pre and post PC, so there is also that. Tracy has always been very kind to him. Would I like more care when certain things are being said in public? Sure I would, especially as it does seem like Brian's making long-term plans without him in the picture but at the same time, Yuzuru's training will, I will bet on it, at least for now, remain unaffected and that is what counts (I say for now because if by some weird circumstances he has himself a plate of interesting mushrooms, and decides to go for three and 2022, then the whole thing is going to require a lot of juggling). I don't agree really. Especially not considering both how he is, and where he's from. Not to mention his history.

Yeah, that was a highly unpleasant thing to read. It's a direct quote, so please, let's not go down the road of Hersh, this, that. Direct quotes are not touched or you'll find yourself booted out. In fact I would not be surprised at all if Hersh took care to leave this statement in a direct quote, precisely because he understood the, at best, uncomfortable nature of the whole thing. If he had asked Javier once up on a time (and boy were we informed of this point), out of simple respect, he should have asked Yuzuru about Boyang. It doesn't even matter if he has explicitly said he's not staying the full quad. Presenting him with a fait accompli then giving this weird statement how there was no reaction, I don't even know what to say. Of course there wasn't, he was presented with no option but to accept it. Doesn't matter that he would have said yes anyway, it's an issue of principles. I don't think I even have to explain why the follow up is highly, highly ironic. Sure he would Brian, after all he has such a fantastic track record of informing you of things. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth, to be blunt.

We do have a current one which is still active, and we'll switch it out for the new season, when we archive the whole of the lot (so season specific threads). I hope this is ok! Posting here until we do switch out is just fine, just like other threads of this type.

This article is interesting, in re to Jason's move Source

Mhm, I think this is the truth of it. If it doesn't get to be truly problematic, I can actually see him going the full quad. But at the same time, I am not expecting it, as Yuzuru and injuries, and well, we all know the history. But if his health holds, I am certainly not going to be guessing about which way he jumps. Yuzuru is an odd duck, in the best of ways, but an odd duck.

I'm a pretty impartial observer in all of this, as not counting Yuzuru, I'm not too invested in anyone here. Jason and Boyang more than the other two, that's sure, but no where near Yuzuru levels. So if there is one thing that I'm truly miffed about, then that's exactly that. No Wakaba. Sigh. Who knows, knock on wood, in may turn out better like this for her, what with this crowded house.

Tomorrow in TCC news, Wakaba joins them too because Brian saw there were too many guys so thought, why not one more! (I am joking, before anyone takes me seriously as having any info)

Jason is not Nathan, and while he'll have Fed support, that's not even remotely the level that Nathan has had, and still has. It's fine, at least in those terms and not any worse than the pressure of all these other big feds that are in one place now.

It doesn't really matter, it's still the same club. I don't expect Jason will go directly to Brian but Ghislain and Lee actually. Won't stop the egos clashing. I don't know but I don't see Jason as the problem child, or rather if he is, then Boyang is too. All of them have huge egos, are arrogant and self-assured. All of them. Yes, Yuzuru too. You don't get to those levels without those. And the Chinese Fed, with the Olympics being in China, won't be any less of a problem than USFSA. Especially as USA has Nathan to focus on.

Javier and Yuzuru had issues with World Championships, never mind Olympics. I find zero reasons to believe the situation won't repeat itself, with the current names. And there're more of them. I actually don't think Boyang will react any differently. They are all fierce competitors who are somewhat arrogant and have an ego, with an absolute belief in themselves. All of them. None of them even think they can lose. And now, right now, two are in the same tier, Yuzuru and Boyang. Jason right behind them, especially interesting to see him and the new rules. Cha is coming up. And then in two years time, Gogolev full steam. Worlds will be a party, never mind Olympics!

Zhenya? Nah, she's aiming for full 4. If she leaves before that it will be either because things are a disaster and not working out or she is injured, and simply permanently out. The ladies are in a better position though, it's fewer of them and Gabby isn't yet threatening Zhenya directly, though that may change. But in general, as I said, I don't believe in 2 direct competitors being at the same coach, never mind more. So I think while people may plan and think it'll be fine, etc, the reality is never so rosy. People are after all, people. And TCC will have more than 2 in one place now. I hope it works out for all of them.

Either she or Cha. I think Daleman staying is a way better bet, than the other two. She's Canadian for one. But the other two? I think either one, or both, leaving from now, to sometime next off season is more than plausible. If I were Cha, I'd sure be thinking about it now, even if Bet does jump first. It's a far bigger cluster in the men, than the ladies, so the pressure will be through the roof there but I'd say of the three, Bet probably has the 'lowest' standing so her bailing first is realistic imo.

I will be the odd woman out in this I guess. I don't think this is particularly positive and someone will pay the price to the Pied Piper, sooner or later. Boyang is being imported as the new #1, and along with Gogolev, who is a sure thing as he's the huge Canadian hope, I think those two are the primary interests for Brian now, along with possibly Zhenya, on the female side. This is where I see the focus going. However as one person who doesn't believe in friendships among direct competitors, I don't see how this can even remotely work, even with skaters being with separate coaches. Someone always gets shortchanged or someone feels like they're being shortchanged. Especially when the Feds get into it, and they will be getting into it, especially as we approach the Olympics. Boyang, Cha, Gogo, Jason and yes, even Yuzuru. In one place. Nope. Don't believe it. Anyway, right now, I am expecting to see who is out. Price is first always paid by the 'less important' people so my guess is someone from Gabby/Little Bet/Cha group is going to leave. Or multiple someones in the next year or so. I certainly don't see a particularly harmonious TCC in the future, the more so as the Olympics approach. Just Boyang and Gogolev are enough to bring things to a boiling point. As for Zu, I think he's in a special position in his career. I think Brian believes he won't last the whole quad, hence the Boyang inclusion. In terms of training, Ghislain is there for him, so it should be fine. I expect separate ice times for all of them, or at least most of them. I have no idea what Brian is thinking, so I wish the actual skaters a whole lot of luck.

Forever, and ever. Under the sea, under the sea ....