Yatagarasu

I was talking more about those who don't go to watch but sit in front of their television sets. I think there's no doubt those who do go would know enough to focus on the men more at this point in time but for the rest of them, let us call them the general audience, especially the one in four viewers, it may be a different matter. I wouldn't be surprised if the ladies still held sway there. Of course that translates into revenue for the network(s).

They have learned nothing, but I am not surprised. It's the IOC plus ISU as a combination, that's automatic headache with those two. Heck, make that automatic migraine. And yes, well, that's an interesting point. It might not be, actually. The general audience, and especially the one-in-four audience, may still be focused on the ladies especially considering last Olympics weren't quite stellar in terms of the men. They're not really up to what's been happening in the sport and since the program is more geared towards the Western, especially North American audience, the ladies may still hold sway. Anyway, yes, I am not holding my breath for a clean competition but if it is better than last time, it'd already be good. Hopefully more or less, they can hold it together because that makes the victory all the more relevant, and sweeter! In Javier's case, and everyone's really, the SP will play a really important role but depending on how his FS is progressing, there may be extra pressure there on him.

I am not a fan of Javier's style so I am kind of biased in commenting on that but to me, well lets just say I agreed with Johnny, when he was commentating during the GPF. I don't think it was the best of choices either. No way everyone goes clean. Olympics brings huge pressure but in a way, that also opens the door potentially for him (or Patrick!). With a clean SP, like he had in Helsinki, he will be up there and the judges always go with him anyway, so I think the risk is worth it.

Yes, I think that's what he'll choose too but it is risky, isn't it? I mean he's had an iffy season too plus a 4 quad program requires higher stamina too so it's more than just oh lets pop this one in. Though, he's probably out of choices and has to settle for simply going for it. His SP should probably be far less of a problem, as it's structured as it is, but the FS... Olympic seasons are always such a mess!

Nope. That's not how it works, choreography is expensive, they're all busy people, and he's probably already done quite a bit of work on his FS in Toronto with whatever he's decided to do. If it is S2 keep in mind that the music will be at least partially different, per Max, so there is that. Revealing it in Niigata is also unlikely IMO in any case as quad number has gone up, and might go up even further from the past season, so the choreography would be greatly changed anyway.

Well technically, that's true but the question is how good is his 4Lo, and then there's the issue of actually putting it in competition and making it work there. It's an edge jump too and I wonder, especially after this season. Javier is in a pretty pickle really. It's a lot of pressure on him, considering he chose what he did for this past season. Of course, there's the question of the number of quads and does three with the 4Lo even mean anything. And yet, upping both the number of quads with a new one is very risky indeed. As I said in the Igloo I actually wonder if he's going to adopt the strategy of just getting used to the 4Lo and then somewhere in the middle, upping the number of quads themselves, so basically spacing it out. This also has its own risk really, because he has less time to get used to the timings of a four quad program. Pretty pickle indeed. If he can of course, even if he's dodgy, he'll get the scores, so I think he's going to risk it in any case.

I've been following this list and wondered if he'd place Yuzuru first, and what he'd end up saying in case he does but it certainly made me snort. Yes, he should have known better but then, yeah.

Crossposting from the Igloo - news that yes, Javier is working on and does plan on including the 4Lo in his programs if it all goes as planned. So not really news but yes. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out in the future.

So as that basically fits here - so! Much like we thought, Javier's going to try going for the 4Lo. I wonder if that includes a 4 quad program or if he wants to keep a 3 quad program with it. It's interesting because even just adding it rough but expanding to another quad ... I think he might be the one who will try and apply what Brian thought was good for Yuzuru this past season. I think he might go for the 3 quad and then later expand to 4. I am curious to see how all this pans out for him, if he of course, ends up adding it.

Great to hear about the rink, I'm sure he's excited and very, very happy as he's fought for it all since he was a kid, with everyone else! Congrats on page 500 guys, a page late but still. Moving along nicely.

Kana relaxing and looking good!

I think this is a very good answer, one that I agree with. On principle, I am against any bans, like I think some would want. There's a shared responsibility here, between both ISU and coaches and athletes and I think Brian has it right here in terms of working on it so that there are improvements while at the same time health isn't being endangered (more than it usually is as figure skating is not a 'safe' sport). It's true there's been a lot of talk lately and I think the new rules will help some but I agree with this particular approach. And isn't that good to hear? Knock on wood!

I think one of the potential problems is just that, if he chooses Seimei again. It is understandable where the concern is coming from; I see it both for Chopin and potentially Seimei and of course, if we do indeed end up with both, then in some ways the concerns do not just add up, but multiply. I do think it's fair to say there are some (I'm disregarding personal preferences here, people like what they like), but I believe this interview for one shows he has thought of them (those he wished to talk about). But I do believe that if he chooses to go down that road in terms of the LP, we'll get a 'brand new' version, in quite a few ways, just enhanced by a fully mature Yuzuru. It truly is a perfect program for the Olympics. I think that'll be enough to negate any potential problems, or rather, in the corners that matter. If we do, then hopefully there'll be a similar interview where we get to hear his thoughts about it.

Hello Boyang!

Tokyo Ghoul facemask! Wicked. Safe travels Zhenya and congrats on no more high-school!

Gabby is back to work!

And if it turns out to be Seimei after all, then Max is right and it won't be the same thing. There is powerful association with names, I don't dispute that; for some, simply by reusing the name (if he does, lots of ifs here) it would be enough to ignore both the content and that which you mention. About the content though, it won't be the same because it's simply impossible. We'll have both a different music cut, so at least to some extent changed, and we'll have a change in choreography. With the layout change that is inevitable (and I am not talking about possible five quads here, but four at least are inevitable) these will change too. So if we end up with Seimei, I think we're bound to see not just the old program skated by the 2017/18 Yuzuru who is without a doubt a more powerful, skilled and overall, fully matured skater now but he will be giving us a new Seimei in another way too. I said it before, I would not oppose this at all. I think all of those will be enough to wrench the program from any negative associations.

Oh that's a very good interview with Caro, thank you @ralucutzagy! It really must have been very difficult for her to return so it is a great read. I love this part I'm glad she felt like that in the end, considering just how much work she had to put in and what she had to overcome. I also love her final words, about how long she plans to continue. Hopefully she'll stick around for quite a while, health permitting!

Nope but at the time we figured there was a way to go around that problem and help the Japanese fans in terms of the appearance of sheer numbers. Turns out, there isn't because of how their feedback works Just fingers crossed that all their work at least results in a couple of clips, even if they don't air the actual show. That would be at least something compared to the usual 10secs mention in the news.

We can't. Believe me, we looked over a month ago when we were contemplating organizing something but considering the way it's all structured, it's not possible for intl fans to do something.

Thank you Fay and of course, if possible, convey our thanks to Yulia too please! This is my favorite bit of the program. I mean that entire section of it, with the 3A and a bit after that, because that's the part where he is floating almost, one with the music but yes, that spin is absolutely gorgeous. The arms are just divine. Change of position is also right on the musical cue, his arms spread right on the note, it's insanity really. In the best of ways.

They fulfill their quote of niceness and then they're done. One good deed ... every 2 years.

Nah, it wouldn't be a loss for sure, you could sell ad space easily, which is why I don't get their refusal either. And it's not as if they can argue oh we need to adjust the schedule or something, if they had simply planned on it in advance, like Asahi had. It boggles the mind. I checked with NST and they do show sports otherwise, so even airing it there makes sense. But nope. I guess they like burning money.

And @gladi has opened the glorious Niigata thread where we can express our frustration and be entertained by fanart reports! They have been trying for weeks now but there's been no news of them being successful. We can only cross our fingers. Niigata Smile tv has the rights but they're an affiliate of Fuji's so it's essentially theirs. I truly don't get why they wouldn't want to capitalize on this, but I guess, the name Fuji TV answers that one.