Yatagarasu

I would actually say Jun's 3A has improved! Good going little man, keep working on it! And who ever worked on these uniforms needs to rethink their life choices

Soon, not too long to go! Early August means first ten days so probably another 10 to 14 days to go. Considering how long we've waited, it'll be a breeze! Epiphany would be really good! In general it pains me how much good music is left behind and I don't understand why teams don't talk to those whose profession is music, in various ways, to see what else is out there. No, they can't skate to everything but there's way more on offer than the same narrow number that keeps repeating.

One thing I love about the season, and Olympic season at that approaching, is that interviews start and then come pouring! Anyway, a very good one with Gracie Gold: Olympian Gracie Gold opens up about body standards, pressure in figure skating Quite a few things there that can be talked about!

I am afraid it's an inevitable heart-break, sooner or later. Just the nature of sport, where injuries, puberty, being able to handle mental pressure play a huge role. I like her too but I am trying not to get too into it all. Of course, that's me just trying, we'll see how successful I turn out to be.

Oh I agree! Also another reason why I'm looking forward to hopefully dramatic music for this season's FS. The audience connects the best to it, when done well and for him, it's so natural.

I am all PotO-ed out for absolutely everyone, not just Yuzuru! But ST would be nice. And rare. I think I have a vague memory of someone using the Barber and his Wife once upon a time but that's that.

Kate and Helen! Yes, I thought that was fab. Of course, we could say that gay women do get somewhat of a pass thanks to some not so nice things but I do think that at the moment it is somewhat better in female sports. Yes, Lysacek! And Carroll too actually, the whole crafting of Lysacek's image and PR pre-Olympics had a lot to do with presenting him as 'masculine'. All of it leaves me feeling dreadful but then at least Carroll never quite went to the lengths Lysacek did and right in the open. The whole I was hacked thing was ridiculous. I know now Johnny says they're all right but to be honest, considering his position, I take it as PR diplomacy. It's simply better. Unfortunate but it is how things are. I do wish I could find that article I read for you, about the internal pressures on gay figure skaters, it was quite good but it's escaping me currently. (if there's any sport the fraternity will hold and hold it's football!)

So now we go up, up! Kim Yuna of the Republic of Korea skating to Concerto in F by George Gershwin at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada This is another one of those programs that a lot of people know but you simply cannot not mention it. It's also a skater we know a lot about. Two-time World Champion (2009, 2013), 2009 Four Continents champion, three-time Grand Prix Champion (2006, 2007, 2009), 2006 World Junior champion, 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, 6-time National champion and of course 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 silver medalist. Going into these 2010 Olympics Kim was a big favorite. The pressure on her was immense as well. Honestly, it really was something to remember and not pleasant at all. But she pushed through, with the help of her then coach Brian Orser as well, and she managed to break the World Record in her Short Program and lead by the time it was over. Then came this Free performance and what is there to say but watch and enjoy! It was another World Record, by a whole 18 points and change; the record she annihilated was already hers too. She became the first South Korean skater to win a medal in figure skating, and this gold medal was a first for South Korea in any other discipline apart from speed-skating in the history of Winter Olympic games.

Oh yes, Toller definitely. Those two combined really did push the male skating in a different direction! And gosh yes, if I hear the whole but they are siblings one more time, I think my head will explode. I am glad the Shibs have mostly managed to prove them wrong but alas, with some people, they're so set in their ways that it's impossible to move them. @Sombreuil Yes, all true! I don't know if you remember but Johnny had uphill battles even post 2010, for something as silly as a show (mostly thanks to Lysacek too. Did I mention I do not like that guy?). I mean if we take a look that Radford was only the second person to come out during his career, not post it, then we get the picture.

I forgot to add, we'll know who the Korean entries are this weekend, post the test skates, it's how it usually goes for them and then we'll have a proper line-up. Should be interesting though, some nice names there already and of course always interesting to see who might be up and coming. My one piece of advice - to myself - in this, ahead of the season is always the same - please do not get attached terribly to any Juniors

Those jumps are truly something, and I'm actually really impressed by that 3A! I'm crossing everything that she keeps those once puberty hits!

Isn't it just? Loop last season wasn't easy but the lutz with the edge calls, uh oh! Of course, there's also the issue that those who have the money combo with the Lutz now cannot use it. It does equalize the field no doubt but it also sort of brings it down in some slight ways.

Hello everyone. Today we got the list for the first JGP in Australia, so we now have a place to discuss it all and the participating skaters until the actual event starts and during all the breaks: Please join us!

2017 JGP Australia - August 23–26, Brisbane, AUS Time and Practice Schedule The rosters for the event are now out, and the following skaters will be participating: Men Ladies Ice Dance Darian KAPTICH (AUS) James MIN (AUS) Giuseppe TRIULCIO (AUS) Joseph PHAN (CAN) Micah TANG (TPE) Calvin PRATAMA (INA) Daniel GRASSL (ITA) Yuto KISHINA (JPN) Taichiro YAMAKUMA (JPN) Donovan CARRILLO (MEX) Harrison BAIN (NZL) Yamato ROWE (PHI) Men KOR TBA Men KOR TBA Artem KOVALEV (RUS) Roman SAVOSIN (RUS) Pagiel Yie Ken SNG (SGP) Alexei KRASNOZHON (USA) Eric SJOBERG (USA) Amelia Scarlett JACKSON (AUS) Jordan LAZARUS (AUS) Serena XU (AUS) Aurora COTOP (CAN) Amy LIN (TPE) Emmi PELTONEN (FIN) Yi Christy LEUNG (HKG) Arunima VERABELLI (IND) Maria BLESSIA (INA) Sophie ABRAMS (ISR) Akari MATSUOKA (JPN) Riko TAKINO (JPN) Aleksandra SHLAHOVA (LAT) Andrea MONTESINOS CANTU (MEX) Nicola KORCK (NZL) Bianca Arianne VINARAO (PHI) Lady KOR TBA Lady KOR TBA Anastasiia GULIAKOVA (RUS) Alexandra TRUSOVA (RUS) Xin Yi LOKE (SGP) Selma IHR (SWE) Guzide Irmak BAYIR (TUR) Ting CUI (USA) Kaitlyn NGUYEN (USA) Joanne CHO / Jake MEYER (AUS Jessica PALFREYMAN / Charlton DOHERTY (AUS) Natalie D'ALESSANDRO / Bruce WADDELL (CAN) Marjorie LAJOIE / Zachary LAGHA (CAN) Sasha FEAR / George WADDELL (GBR) KOR TBA / KOR TBA Elizaveta KHUDAIBERDIEVA / Nikita NAZAROV (RUS) Sofia POLISHCHUK / Alexander VAKHNOV (RUS) Eliana GROPMAN / Ian SOMERVILLE (USA) Chloe LEWIS / Logan BYE (USA) Substitutes can be found here There are no pairs at this event.

TECHNICAL DETAILS Junior Skaters have specific requirements in their Short Programs. The Junior Short Program shall consist of the following required elements, which form three groups: Men: Double or triple Axel Paulsen; Double or triple Lutz jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or by other comparable Free Skating movements; Jump combination consisting of a double and a triple jump or two triple jumps; Flying sit spin; Camel spin with only one change of foot; Spin combination with only one change of foot; Step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface. Ladies: Double Axel Paulsen; Double or triple Lutz jump immediately preceded by connecting steps and/or by other comparable Free Skating movements; Jump combination consisting of two double jumps or one double and one triple jump or two triple jumps; Flying sit spin; Layback / sideways leaning spin or camel spin without change of foot; Spin combination with only one change of foot; Step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface. Pairs: Any hip lift take-off (Group Three) Twist lift (double or triple) Double or triple loop throw jump Double Lutz solo jump Pair spin combination with only one change of foot Death spiral forward inside Step sequence fully utilizing the ice surface Ice Dance: Any number of the following Latin American Rhythms: Cha Cha, Rhumba, Samba, Mambo, Meringue, Salsa, Bachata and any closely related Latin American Rhythms. 1 Short Lift 1 Not Touching Step Sequence (Style B*): Midline, Diagonal, Circular or Serpentine 1 Set Of Sequential Twizzles Two (2) Sections of Cha Cha Congelado,

Well they are testing out the +5/-5 now so we'll see what happens later on. In general, it is always the combination of those two things, good rules plus good application of the said rules. It's not as if rules alone are enough; even today if the judges/panels were doing a better job it we wouldn't be in such a tight spot. Looking back, I think we will have a tightening of scores post-Olympics - how long that'll last before it all goes pear shaped again, we'll see

Yes, there is no doubt Curry suffered, deeply, from all the prejudices of the time. I think he would have enjoyed Johnny indeed but I suppose it says something about slow change when Weir himself suffered a lot from the homophobia of his time. It may very well have cost him in 2010. Heck even today we have certain individuals raising questions over Radford's ability to 'project romance' because goodness, he's gay. The sport is still very far from having dealt properly with their LGBT+ athletes, and their treatment, especially considering internal pressures from those who wish to remain in the closet (I am including judges here as well). Effeminophobia, another thing that affected Curry, is still very much alive and well too. Overall, yes, it's better but I feel like it's good to remember Curry, and all this achievements, and troubles, as it helps reminds us there is still so much work to be done. @yuzupon yes, he was slow by today's standards but in his case, I'd say it was more by choice. He was very, very controlled in his movements, so this affected it without a doubt. But yes, his lines, the musicality, everything, it was just so lovely!

Hopefully. There is already a way to improve the current situation, which is better judging but it's the Olympics so I am very skeptical. Considering we've already heard rumors of PCS scoring being altered, probably lifting the ceiling and thus balancing it out more, and combined with the one jumping pass less, maybe it'll improve post Games and I certainly hope so as the current situation really does not help skating as a whole. I've always loved quads, and I was in the jumps corner when we had Lysacek but now we're almost at the opposite extreme and surely there's a balance to be found.

And the skating Tardis has decided to go back in time again, so it's taken us to someone really special: John Curry of Great Britain skating to Don Quixote, at the 1976 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. What to say about John Curry? I guess as stories go, it is best to start at the very beginning. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1949. His father, a factory owner, spent 3 years as a prisoner of war in Poland, which led him to turn to alcoholism. When John saw Margot Fonteyn on television, at the tender age of seven he decided he wanted to be a ballet dancer but his father thought it an unsuitable pursuit for a boy and forbid it. When he then discovered figure skating by watching Wembley ice pantomimes on television, this was allowed so John Curry turned to it. His father though made repeated attempts to 'cure' his effeminacy, as well as his early skating coach. When his father died, John was 16 and we could say this set him free. First he moved to London to be coached by Arnold Gerschwiler and later on to USA. He was coached by Carlo and Christa Fassi, and Gus Lussi. By the time 1976 rolled in, he was at the height of his career. He would go on to become the European, Olympic and World Champion. He was also the British Champion. What was so special about John Curry was how he combined ballet and modern dance into his skating. His elegance, posture, musicality. He was a great athlete and excellent at compulsory figures, but it was these qualities of a true artist that changed skating, men's skating, of the time. This is a video of the original broadcast of the Olympic Free Program because I think it helps give us a little window into the moment when history was made. He came out the day after he got the gold medal, yet he still won the Worlds title, unifying all three for the first time. He went on to become a professional skater, characterized by both many troubles and great success. It was a difficult life and I guess the best description I could find is that of a troubled genius. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1987, and AIDS in 1991. At one point he told actor Alan Bates - "I never wanted a long life. I just hope I have done something with it." By George, and did he! John Curry died on April 15th, 1994. He was 44 years old. Alternate Link 1 - NBC

I would ban people skating to Carmen, not even joking here. On the other hand, I am sure Gabby has the personality to give us a good one. And I will still sigh and sigh throughout the season

There's a short new interview with Voronov out, he speaks about Misha Ge and the choreography he did: I like that bit especially. More at: Sergei Voronov: program should be fitted like a suit

Pretty much. And worst off, they're not even good quads, so many URs. They are throwing everything in just to get him to the Olympics via a short-cut. He's not going to be a medal contender, so all this rushing and for what? I am also miffed because just by throwing in these quads it is pretty much almost guaranteed either Jason or Adam doesn't get to go (Joshua aside, we've yet to see how he'll come back) and both of them eat Vincent for breakfast frankly, when it comes to overall quality. Generally speaking, at this point, I have got to say apart from the usual human compassion for other people, I can just shake my head if he ends up breaking himself. There's such a thing as personal responsibility and not everything is on ISU to control. Skaters and their teams must do some of it too. It's where I respect Brian a lot because he's been very careful with quads and how they're introduced.

They did indeed. And well, they skated to Adagietto, from Mahler's 5th. The story goes it was written for Alma Schindler, as a love letter. And it certainly worked because she ended up marrying him! So they hit the tone right. Ice dance in general is one of the lesser followed ones and it's not really that difficult to figure out why. But yes, there's plenty to enjoy there. Personally I just ignore the scores and enjoy the performances themselves; during the years I've found this to be the best recipe to follow ID! @meoima Katherine Downes is a co-presenter with Cousins on BBC but she's not a former ice-dancer, just a sports journo!

And now, even closer to us Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada skating to Symphony No. 5 by Gustav Mahler, at the 2010 Olympic Games, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Another pair of athletes who require little introduction. They are the three-time World champions (2010, 2012, 2017), three-time Four Continents champions (2008, 2012, 2017), the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final champions, 2006 World Junior champions, the 2010 Olympic champions and the 2014 Olympic silver medalists. It's quite something that even after all those years (20 years together as a pair now), we still get to see them, fighting for those very same medals at yet another Olympic Games. About this particular skate though - when the compulsory dance finished, they were second, even if it was their personal best. They placed first in the original dance but it was this free program that pushed them over and brought them the gold medal. They received four 10.00 marks in the program components, which was something that had not been accomplished before. That wasn't the only first this program brought - they became the youngest ice dance team to win the Olympic's gold, the first former World Junior ice dance champions to win, the first Canadians, the first North Americans as well as the first team who won on home ground. They also repeated a feat that was last achieved in 1976 and that was a victory in their first Olympic Games.

No, it's Nathan who wants to go to Harvard, not Vincent. Though last time he spoke of it, there was slight change of plans there so who knows. Still, it does seems like they're throwing everything and the kitchen sink at this season so to me, it still seems likely he'll go, if he medals. If he doesn't, then I am not sure. Well they cannot push it to some incredible extent. Could Helsinki and the judging there repeat? Sure but still, there is a limit to how far they can go, when it comes to Yuzuru, even when we take into account propping up other people. Honestly, even if clean on both programs it's not 100% a sure thing he'd walk away with the gold but he does give himself the best of chances that way. More than likely, if he skates like that, it's his. It's no small task but if anyone can do it, he can.