Yatagarasu

You would have the opportunity to see Yata.exe has stopped working in practice then!

But it is a story about obsession. Only legends have this kind of following, which I think in a way was brought up through the mention of him being akin to an idol. The Michael Jackson reference is spot on; even now he inspires similar things but back in his glory day it was utter madness. It's what follows those who are greats. Yuzuru does have an almost fanatical fan base, a large one and that is exactly the short hand that you use to try and to explain just how great he is. Jackie's quote is also all right because notice he says they see Yuzuru for the first time. The whole thing sets the tone of just how much of a legend he is, starting from Lambiel's greatest ever, to finding the mooks in Manhattan, not Japan, to the atmosphere surrounding him, coupled with the he's that good he can win with reduced content, to Carroll's words being placed in such a way that it's obviously a salty outlier. We'll agree to disagree I guess because for me, it's excellent, minor wobbles aside.

Ahhh yes, he did say he has recovered. Brilliant Honestly, that is the most important thing. That his health is fine. His talent will take over then. OT but goodness, the way Spanish speak is always so fast for me. I can understand it but I really have to try. It's so much easier with the Argentinians for me!

Pretty much what Nobu said, and what we know too. He's very quick to recover his jumps once he's healthy. Knock on wood, and cross everything. Good news.

I don't think that is something that has happened recently but more of a past event that he has had to deal with.

I had the feeling they were trying to explain his impact through them, as quite a bit of the article was about that. It had a serious tone throughout, at least for me. I didn't really see it as doom and gloom, I think it is a pretty decent take on what is going on. The one thing that it is missing is perhaps more of an explanation on why Yuzuru is going for upping his tech but that's asking a bit too much. IDK I thought it was quite good from a media point of view; arguably the most respected paper, a serious write up, in American media, at this point in time.

Actually I'd say the content is pretty good. Having been reading some of the other stuff that's been put out about other skaters or figure skating in general, this is a very good article. They tried interviewing several people, there is a respect towards the fans as I don't think they tried, as many do, to silently mock the devotion they have for their fave and I think it did successfully show that there is something special about this skater. Overall, well done. Also front page of NY Times is nothing to be sneezed at. This is actually very, very good for Yuzuru. I am mightily pleased let me tell you, I have a large grin on my face. Good. Good.

US Nats start in a couple of hours, so if you want to join us, we're here! Should be exciting - and it'll make the time go faster!

And her expression! I mean usually little kids her age all have the same way of skating, they learn the choreo and then you see them speeding through it and simply ticking it off. This, now this, now that. But she's really performing! She's really graceful and coordinated for her age, and you can tell she's listening to the music. Those arms! The jump entry/exits too. Talent all right!

It's something worth seeing as she may as well be Team Russia one day. This is Elena Kostyleva and she is 6. I don't even know what to say. Just ... watch it.

His hair was so good here! I watched it again a few days ago, well, the Zu summary, and he should have that style more often. Looks great.

A month and 8 days actually, considering he's doing the TE SP. I'm so helpful with that anxiety, right? And well. We don't know how he's feeling right now as we don't get that type of information from his camp. Also about Boyang, it's best not to compare, especially as well, how to put this, Federations aren't always the most honest about some things, you know? I certainly hope Boyang's doing well, but we'll see. You saw how it was with Zhenya. We knew she was injured from other sources but the officials played mum for so long. Anyway, about Yuzuru, since his jumps do come back quickly, while I agree that it's doubtful he's doing full blown run-throughs right now, I actually would not be surprised he's already close to the 4T mark (I don't think Yuzuru really does doubles, unless he has to try and squeeze in a 2T/Lo). Of course, being able to jump that, and being able to skate a full blown free skate with 4 or 5 quads (I am genuinely wondering if we'll see H&L layout back) is still somewhat apart. He has to get his stamina back too. But considering the date, knock on wood his recovery is going well. And there's no reason to think it isn't! Just hang in there, it'll be just fine!

Talk about momentum, or lack thereof, certainly has merit but I think this bit is very true. If the TE goes well, knock on wood and everything really, then I expect the buzz to really pick up. He has a buzz of his own, simply by being who he is, which is a tremendous help but it can be elevated much higher, if he shows signs of being ready for the individual. In that case, it's actually a bit of a media/PR wet dream tbh. A defending Olympic champion, reigning World Champion, who started the season by breaking his own World Record only to be cruelly stopped by injury, while attempting a quad Lutz, a new jump, that he has added in order to fight the young guns. A tale of hardship and success, all wrapped up in a mysterious package of space kitten meets Japanese warrior of old, and an attempt to replicate something that hasn't been done in decades. (The US media probably adding something like - young lion Nathan Chan will try to stop this force of nature....) Tune in at 8PM to see the story unfold. Or you know, basically, it writes itself. Until then I think NBC will be focusing on Nathan, plus the younger guys, though admittedly their own momentum isn't exactly what it might have been, and what I too had expected, prior to the GPF. In that sense, it kind of played out well for Yuzuru.

Ladies, and gents, the schedule for PyeongChang 2018 is now officially out. The Men for Team Event have their first practice in exactly one month - Feb 1st! So ... here we go, here we go. Stock up on chocolate, cakes, alcohol and all of it! Party is about to start.

Good morning! (well not really, but I sort of just pried my eyes open) Happy New Year everyone! I wish you all a great year, with lots of health primarily (yes, you too Yuzuru! *bops* ) and a lot of fun and happiness! About the JOC - they were using symbol athletes, those were announced months ago, but the tweet failed to clarify so oops, fail social media team. Happy NY to them too!

There have been two interviews with Kosto in the last couple of days and that girl has such a mentality. But her it's either first place or none, and in general how she speaks about winning/losing makes me laugh so hard because goodness, I sure know how to pick them. That doesn't sound familiar, at all

Urk. 2 liters a day should be your standard anyway! Yes, drink drink drink. You take care of yourself!

Are you trying for reverse psychology Hydro? As if we use them all now, the skating gods will look down on us poor tortured souls, and heap all the good to outweigh this miserable season, onto Yuzuru during the individual at PC? If so I'm in

It is a fab name salty and welcome to the Planet! There's always plenty of opportunity to be salty around here, after all we were salty about his world record which is saying something, about him, and us. Not that we were wrong, mind you. Ahem. Hopefully though, there won't be too much saltiness in the future indeed .... ah who am I kidding, come on, it's the Olympics. Get ready with the shaker

The Nats threads are up! The usual place Here we go (it's only the Seniors, they start on the 3rd)

Since I was having a bit of a break I am late but happy holidays everyone!! I hope you had and are having a fab time! And am so pleased everyone loved the banner, @gladi worked like a woman possessed on it but honestly, am not quite sure how she pulled that off; so much work. Fingers crossed for the new year bringing Zu some good, good things!

It's a question of options, he simply isn't ready enough for 4CC. So it is what it is. They'll make the best of it hopefully. He's ridiculously talented, so that is on his side. No, it's not ideal but you play with the cards you've been dealt. That's what counts, how you play it!

It is a legitimate concern, I don't think it's useful to ignore reality. He's always needed competitions to ease into. But on the other hand, there's the massive plus in terms of his ability to quickly attain high level of form, which was not a blessing before but will be a huge one now. So some worry will remain, I don't think we can be super blase about what's happening, this has been a terrible season yet at the same time I think we have enough positives to make us feel hopeful too!