Yatagarasu

Since we are starting in less than 4 hours, just a reminder of our Oly thread and the individual threads are now open too so keeping the Olympic discussion there, to have everything focused in one place would be great. Especially as there's very little time left until Zu arrives as well. Thank you everyone!

Eeny, meeny, miny, mo catch the skaters by the toe! Or something. But basically how I picked mine

I'm still confused. ACI SP is something that I expected, but 5 quads for the free perhaps?! There goes all my math

For those of us who have followed this mess of invitations, though they have lodged their complaints to that ad hoc CAS in Korea, Ksenia has said that they won't go even if it is ruled in their favor, due to the humiliation and honestly, who can blame them. Not that I think they'll get an invite but the stress, the lack of practice with the others ... sigh. The ruling should be either Feb 8th or 9th btw.

I don't think so. I think there's just not enough time to stabilize a new jump again. It's a shame but I expect he'll do it in Milan. I just prefer to know exactly what was said by Brian and what is the reporter's conclusion, it's safer that way. It'd be really weird for me if he outright said it at this moment but then even speaking at all at this point is somewhat weird to me so who knows. Ah well. Anyway, I was never here. This was illusion Yata

Thank you so much! I was wondering about this because this can be just their take on Brian's words that they quoted directly. Thank you for clearing it up

Since I give up as I don't understand anything any longer but we're almost there so it doesn't matter, can someone please just link me to where Brian said directly no 4Lz? Or is the only direct quote the one where he says all the jumps are getting good, bar the 4Lz? Thank you!

*perks up* Ood? Are we going to sing The song of freedom then? Cum tacent clament, serva me, servato te. (now that I think that part of the song is somewhat fitting in a fun way and also, I want someone *cough* to skate to this)

I've time stamped it. Pay attention to his eye.

As far as I am concerned this is not the best of news. Nothing is going to replace actual competitions; we've seen this time and time again, with Yuzuru as well and I do think it would have been easier to 'break the ice' because now everything is focused on having just "one" shot at it. On the other hand, it's good they're not forcing the Team considering he's obviously not ready which is a big benefit as he can hopefully further push his form up. But it does give a wide open door for massive momentum to both Nathan and Shoma, but particularly Nathan who is by now being pushed by the US PR machine with everything they have. No, I'm not panicking before someone goes down that road because honestly, I don't see the point of that. I'm actually perfectly calm. I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic; it's just my look on the situation. Things are how they are and there's literally nothing to be done about it. They are making the best of a bad situation, and that's all they can do. In the end, hopefully it'll be enough that he gets to the individual in the best possible physical state and hopefully the team can get him mentally ready. If anything, I think the latter will be essential here considering what has happened this season. Anyway, everything crossed and hoping for the best!

Upper right is still one of my favorite things.

I just saw that, it really saddens me but on the other hand, unfortunately, it does not surprise me as she seemed to have had quite a few issues with the fed, her PCS got buried and if she's lost motivation, I can hardly blame her. It's such a shame though, she is a beautiful skater that shall be missed, and there'll always be regrets over the unfulfilled potential.

Unfortunately none of that matters for the current two, and they're appealing to the Swiss Civil Courts. I have no idea if that decision will even happen before the Games, and even if it is favorable, I genuinely do not know if IOC is even under any obligation to follow it in case it is in favor of the athletes. Of course, it is possible that the timing will be super close and even if they manage, they're hardly prepared, what with the stress and everything. Of course, to the best of my knowledge, there are still no explanations as to why they were 'banned' in the first place, which is really the thing that bothers me the most. It lacks transparency and opens the door to so much fudging that it's just something awful.

I spotted that as well and it cracks me up something awful. I have a feeling that once he shows up it'll lean more towards the has been interpretation because it comforts them more

New theme is all kinds of awesome, thank you, thank you And makes everything that much more real!

TAT thinks Stasya should have won the Jr Nats because she's the bestest!!!111!!!

After the Junior Nats just now and Konstantinova's scores I believe maintenance should check the air supply at the Fed building. Something super bizarro is happening there.

Wut?

Bukin wrote a letter due to this, but honestly, I don't think they have a prayer of getting this reversed. Unfortunately.

IOC: non-inclusion in the list of Olympic participants should not be taken as evidence that the athletes were caught doping. http://tass.ru/sport/4896291 I don't even know what to say any more.

She says they will keep fighting until the end but honestly, I am not sure there is anything they can do.

It is distasteful but on the other hand, that is how you fudge. I've been told multiple times during these conversations that this is not a legal process and that 'presumption of innocence' doesn't apply and the IOC has to protect the sport .... and etc etc etc ... which just opens the door for so much manipulation. Especially as these aren't really suspensions, now are they? They are just not allowed into the Games. It reads poorly, quite poorly.

I genuinely do not understand any of this. Well, that is to say, unless we wade into murky waters in which case bad blood and more new bad blood and I can only say I hope the IOC issues a thorough explanation or things will go very, very sour.

Don't knock it till you try it Also planning in advance. Hence vacation days just at the right moment!

You'll be joining some land all right ... I have, on occasion, mixed all three. I am not sure exactly where that takes me but let me tell you, you have yourself a party for sure. You also have a different party once you land back but details. I think I'm probably going to make it through Yuzu's events just fine on chocolate and coffee except the individual free. Once we get there, only vodka will do. I am basically warning everyone in advance that ahem, I may not be a particularly good typist at this point.