Yatagarasu

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Aww, congrats to her and all the best in the future! And in the meantime, Johnny is being his irrepressible self! I keeled over laughing!

I agree, I've said it before 4Lz + 5 is what I'm expecting as well. I am honestly not sure about either Nathan or Javi though. I think Nathan will start with 6 and see how that goes. His layouts are unusually flexible so if he can land the 4Lo, depending on how it goes with the 6, he may simply throw it all out onto the table. On the other hand, 6 would still be the highest number out there and it is certainly impressive, while still less risky and requires less stamina, so this is where he'll start I think. A lot will depend on politicking too, if the USFSA can get him good PCS with 6, then maybe he'll hold at that then. As for Javi, providing he even goes for the 4Lo, then yes, this is pretty much the worst case scenario. He's suddenly shifting after so much time, and at the most awkward moment possible. It's an edge jump too. I wonder if he'll do what Brian mentioned in one of the interviews - go for the 4Lo as new with a 3 quad program and then during the season, expand the number of quads. It's what he suggested to Yuzuru last season and this particular tactic, considering the context, may fit Javi more. This is a sport and that is what all sport fans do, we speculate. You could say that we're talking about our starting line-ups here, where the technical elements are the players (would that make the 4T or the 3A the goalkeeper now in Yuzuru's case? I'd have easily made the case for the 3A before but after this season, 4T may have pushed it out!) This is the best part of the off-season for me, when we can let loose on all of it. Anyway, I also think Shoma is the biggest threat. I took a look at that possible FS layout and if that is what it is, with the 4Lz for the opening jump, then it's a layout that's very good. It also allows for flexibility further down in the season if he feels like he can push it by swapping out that 4T combo and if not, it should be pretty stable, even with the 2nd half quads. @yuzupon Olympics are very special. It's why I love the most Eteri's approach to them, trying to instill from the start into her skaters that it's not actually the end all be all competition of anyone's career but just yet another one in the long line of them (which is something I agree with btw, is Kwan any less for the lack of an OGM? Certainly not, and she has done way more for skating than say Lipinski). It can't take away pressure completely, they don't live in a bubble but if you're brought up as an athlete with this mentality, it is bound to help. Who knows how they youngsters will react, they may sail through, they may not. And while experience and knowing what to expect certainly helps, that also isn't a guarantee of anything. Shoma has Yuzuru as a buffer, while Nathan is going to have to face much more of it, Boyang seems the most likely to handle it well. Javier wants a medal to round up a successful career, Yuzuru has immense internal and external pressure, Patrick is probably the one who now has the least of it. But on the day, who knows! Going clean is the goal.

You said above that it is going too far to expect a higher BV, which is why I said that it really isn't, considering the reality of current men's division. This isn't a question of him owing anything to fans, I am just talking about taking a look at the current state of men's division and where the other skaters are and potentially might be. His performance at WTT alone, as well as his current SP layout, show us this. So Yuzuru's health aside, what valid reason do you have in mind then?

You mean here? No, we'll mix all of the disciplines together, to make it more fun

Not really, it's just facing reality. Shoma had a score of 214, 45 for his FS in Helsinki, with negative GOEs for both the 3Lz ! (-2,10) and the 4T (-0, 23). All of this too, with the a double 4T, one in combo, and the 4F in the first part of the program. At WTT already, we were looking at a double 4F, with the 4F combination moved to the second half of the program. That alone is already a significant increase, for a 4 quads program (13, 53 vs 11, 33 which is a full 2, 2 points; to remind you Yuzuru won in Helsinki by 2, 28 points for perspective sake). This is also prior to taking into account the 4Lz, which he is openly practicing and could not only include it but might then up his FS overall count to 5 quads that will then have a 2 x 4F, 4Lz, 4Lo and a 4T. His PCS is right there (94, 42) and will more than likely rise further on, on account of both his growing reputation, and pretty good music choices. This is just Shoma too, with Nathan raising his game, Javier potentially adding the 4Lo which would enable him to go up to a 4 quads program, etc. So really the increase in BV is simply a necessity. How he chooses to increase that BV is up in the air. Not including the 4Lz leaves him with eliminating one of the 3As, and having 3 quads in the second half but it's not that effective if we take into consideration the above. Then there is the option of the 4Lz plus 3 other quads, to increase stability or 4 if he wants to risk it but the Lz allows for both 3As to stay if that's the case. His choice of Chopin and the current layout are smart because it leaves him with a, more than likely, sure amount of points in the bag, but again, Shoma with a good SP may be even with him come OG, if not ahead, so the possibility of chasing in the FS is not even remotely implausible. Again, just Shoma. We'll see on the rest. Expecting him to raise the BV is simply facing where men's skating is at this point in time; there are quite a few excellent skaters. How he'll end up doing it, we'll see early August if we're lucky but there is no doubt whatsoever that he will do it because simply put, he has to.

We have no idea what Yuzuru is going to come out with, until August at least, so this is my main thing right now. I am still in the same place I was previously, we will see the 4Lz. This alone would open up the field for him to experiment more, so I think his BV is also going to go up. Another important thing is that this past season, we've seen Yuzuru have first 2 then 3 quads in the second half, including that triple combination. One thing I am fairly certain of is that this will influence his thinking come this upcoming season's FS and second half quads will again appear, maybe even the full 3. Now he has already done this, so not being new ground is a big benefit. We need to wait and see what he's actually going to bring to the table to have a better idea. As for Nathan, well there's wanting and then there's actually doing it (which goes for all of them of course) but I think going for 6 seems pretty realistic at this point (I am not sure he'd go for the 4Lo). Nathan had trouble with stamina and 5 quads this season. His program was already empty, with one or two more quads, it is just going to get worse. His PCS will be good in the SP I think but the FS? We'll see. Then if he has some in the 2nd half, as he will, it increases difficulty greatly. So it's way easier to say it than do it. Then yes, USFSA will of course amp up the politicking, Lysacek didn't become the Olympic champion just like that; it was after months of carefully crafted both image and PR, some aimed against Plushenko directly. But Yuzuru isn't Plushenko, he is in a much better position, because there are no true flaws to go after and while they can repeat the scoring at Helsinki, Helsinki also showed that they can't underscore him without people noticing, even that much. And skating doesn't need another scandal. I am honestly not worried at this point. It's too soon, with too many variables just for those two, never mind the others, especially if the wonky judging from the previous season holds. But IMO if he goes clean, I think Yuzuru has probably got this - but clean, both in the SP and the FS. Anything else opens up the field.

Definitely one of the reasons why we're doing this, so I'm glad you're with us for the ride. There are so many programs out there so even when one wants to start, it is so easy to get lost. Hopefully we can help up a bit with this! Wasn't it just brilliant? It is my favourite Turandot and the way they skated it was so magnificent. I do think that overall it was an amalgam of things, including her injury and the fight to not let it affect her/them so as element by element passed, they themselves were feeling more and more triumphant and it showed, and complimented the music. As figure skating audience is usually pretty knowledgeable I guess in the end it was just feeding into a loop and well, we got one of those moments. But they were such a great pair! (they're married too!) And that's a good question, and the answer is I have no idea. I do think you're right in terms of not incorporating it, I've been thinking back and I don't recall it, but the why of it escapes me right now. Huh. Definitely not only you and if I were to guess, it all harkens back to Yao Bin that I mentioned. He is actually still their coach (and his former partner, Luan Bo is their former coach) and in general Yao Bin single-handedly brought about this massive progress in Chinese pair skates so there's a legacy from him through Shen/Zhao to Sui/Han of today. For me, as we're entering somewhat of a subjective territory here, there was definitely something unique about Shen/Zhao as today, it is the case with Sui/Han and as it is often the case, it's hard to put my finger on it exactly but it probably is a combination of great skill, great programs, chemistry and artistry plus that X factor that some people simply have.

I am not even sure where to start first But oooh. I see. Well now, that's interesting. As music goes, it's a good choice, and Daniil certainly knows his stuff so now I'm even more eager to see it. But she'll have a right challenge there. Not a bad thing ultimately!

A great read, Sasha Cohen for Sports Illustrated After the podium, off the ice: Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen opens up

Yes, there is always that danger for someone who is so young. I know we've all been speculating on the Black Swan but if it is that, then it'll be a tall task for her. I can't wait for the tests either, I am so eager to see what both she and Zhenya have for the upcoming season. And of course, Yulia, if she shows up!

Oh that is cool. Huh, that Zagi pose is screaming ballet to me.

Hello everyone! Since we're still in the off-season, we thought we'd make it pass a little bit faster so if you're interested please do join us here!

Let’s start with something in a not so distant past. Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China skating to Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot by Vanessa-Mae, choreographed by Lea Ann Miller, at the 2003 World Championships in Washington, DC, United States. A little back story to this moment and a start with a completely different name, that of Yao Bin. When he first skated as a pair with his partner Luan Bo, people laughed. Years later, as a coach and someone who developed the Chinese pair program, he had coached Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao to their achievements of 2010 Olympic champions, the 2002 & 2006 Olympic bronze medalists, a three-time (2002, 2003 & 2007) World champions, a three-time (1999, 2003 & 2007) Four Continents Champions and a six-time (1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006 & 2009) Grand Prix Final champions. This particular program of 2003 remains as one of the iconic programs of figure skating in general, not just the pairs division. One of the most incredible audience reactions to the skate as well. And yes, that is Yao Bin in tears towards the end. Alternate Link 1 (British Eurosport with scores) - definitely give this one a go too! Alternate Link 2 (ESPN)

Every once in a while one of those special moments will happen and we’ll be left with the impression of a timeless program, that will linger long in our memories for years to come. With the Olympics of 2018 right around the corner we thought we’d revisit some of those programs and enjoy them once again or perhaps even introduce some of you to some things long past but never forgotten. We’ll be posting one video per day or two, so hopefully everyone can join in and watch and talk a bit, and once we’re done with our list, you’ll be of course welcome to present us with your own additions! (the cut off time for programs is Sochi 2014) ________ The whole list, with links to posts for easy access: Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China skating to Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot by Vanessa-Mae, choreographed by Lea Ann Miller, at the 2003 World Championships in Washington, DC, United States. Peggy Fleming of the United States skating to Symphony No. 6 Pathétique by Tchaikovsky, La Traviata by Verdi, Samson and Delilah by Saint-Saëns, The Thieving Magpie by Rossini at the 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble, France. Aleksei Yagudin of Russia skating to Winter by Bond at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, UT, United States 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. John Curry of Great Britain skating to Don Quixote, at the 1976 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. 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 Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov of Soviet Union/Russia skating to Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique", Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean of Great Britain skating to Bolero by Maurice Ravel at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia Michelle Kwan of the United States skating to Piano Concerto No. 3 and Piano Trio No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff at the 1998 US Nationals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Daisuke Takahashi of Japan skating to music from the motion picture La Strada by Nino Rota at the 2010 World Championships in Torino, Italy Yulia Lipnitskaya of Russia skating to Schindler's List by John Williams, at the 2014 Olympic Games, in Sochi, Russia Mao Asada of Japan, skating to Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, at the 2014 Olympic Games, in Sochi, Russia

Right? Honestly, I'd pay to see him skate to it. It has everything necessary, just requires a good cut. I can see the step sequence in my head and The only person I know that's ever used the music is Caro Kostner, in the 2012/13 season (in combination with A Transylvanian Lullaby); Lori did that choreo thought I'd want just the Trill. Ahh, dreams are free!

Slight digression but here's a tiny clip of the new Australian ID pair From what I'm seeing they will be gunning for the Olympics it seems, even if they've only been together for a short while.

Jason always makes me smile! (I also want to see his programs, come on time, tick faster)

Ah thank you! I got so much practice from figure skating, you have no idea! But yes, exactly, I'm just like that. I admire him so much for going to Canada like that. That takes a lot of courage, even if he did have help for daily tasks! I am not sure I'd have dared, even when young when I was more inclined to throw caution to the wind.

I'm super obsessive, you have no idea. It just irritates me to no end that I know I'm flubbing things left and right. Yes, you'll understand me but guuuuh. Also, I still maintain that if anyone wants to commit murder here on the entire Russian population on the forum, they just have to ask me to open my mouth - you'll all keel over from laughing after one minute, tops!

*whispers* Tartini and Devil's Trill

Ah, shared pain, I feel better! (sometimes I try and imagine Yuzuru learning Russian and my brain breaks)

*sobs quietly in the corner full of those who once attempted Russian* (gorgeous, gorgeous language but goodness, is it difficult)

But I like those ... even if I'll have Meoima after me for 100 posts Well, I guess I'll post faster than ever for those one hundred. Fair warning to all. @Fay I know but I like these 'official ones' most of the time. If I change once, I'll never go back, am mule-y that way!

There is a trashbag pants title?! @Hydroblade why you torture me?