Old Cat Lady

Lol, between my massive 17 points here and 19 points for SkCan, I'm so far out of the running at this point! Rostelecom dance is hard - this must be the weakest dance field in the series. I'm having trouble even finding the names on the personal best list.... er... I mean, in my memory for my deep and thoughtful analysis eta: I gave up. I just picked a Russian sounding name for bronze

A lot of people do pre-rotate the axel but it's generally by less than a 1/4 as opposed to toe jumps, where a lot of skaters pre-rotate up to 180 degrees. Pre-rotating generally results in a smaller jump. People seem to be able to sort of spin into the jump off the toe so I'm guessing they're relying on momentum+cheat to complete the rotations but since they're not vaulting into the jump, it can't get the height. I can't explain the sciency aspect of it but I have noticed that there's a lot less pre-rotation on the axel in general and I think that's why skaters like Shoma have had so much more difficulty with the axel than the "quads". I'm pretty sure the only reason that Dave's started acknowledging Shoma's poor technique is because he got called out over giving Shoma a 4 GOE on it in his judging video by so many people in the comments. Did Dave really publicly say that they quit criticizing Yuzu for business reasons? I feel like such a fool - I thought Dave genuinely turned his opinion around. Jonathon never pretended to like Yuzu but Dave's been so much more positive - judging by his facial expressions, he even seems annoyed when Jonathon would criticize Yuzu. But maybe the pursed lips and wide eyes were just because Dave was worried about fan reaction to what Jonathon said - I did notice that Jonathon was nicer in the Helsinki review so I guess Dave must have finally drilled the business model into Jonathan's head. Ever since I saw the video where Dave tried to claim that Shoma, Nathan, and Yuzu should all get 8's across the board for PCS at 4 Continents, I quit taking them seriously as skating critics. I returned to serious fandom because of the Olympics and so watched old videos of TSL a couple months later - at that point, I already understood the system better than they did. It didn't take a lot of time or effort to understand the judging system so why do they seem so clueless when they've been following it for years ahead of me? Now that I know that they're discussion is spun for business purposes, I can't even respect them as gossipy bitches. I knew not to take them seriously for info because they tried to claim that Yuzu hated Shoma but I thought they were at least honest in their opinions. That's the thing I hate the most too. I remember I was excited to see a pic of Yuzu at his parade on their video thinking that they were going to have a big discussion about him but then all it was was a line or 2 asking why he got the People's Honor award but not Kohei Uchimara. Honestly, I don't even mind hearing criticism, but it really annoys me that they use his image to get me to sit through an hour of their talking then give me 2 seconds of content that isn't even about him.

Was searching Yuzu pics on Pinterest. When I clicked on a pic of Yuzu dancing in Haru yo koi costume, the screen was populated with a bunch of fashion models in dresses. Then I clicked on another Haru yo Koi costume pic, and it's a bunch of women in wedding dresses. Click on a third pic of Haru yo koi, and it's a bunch of k/j-pop idols. I'm curious how Pinterest decides what else you might be interested in - it seemed to think that he was a woman in a dress. eta: lol. This one got me a bunch of wedding cakes. This is becoming a new obsession for me . eta 2: another got me historical women/american pop stars/marilyn manson, a couple more j/k pop stars (2 men, 1 women), rihanna and some other women with short hair styles. I've seen the J/K-pop stars before when I click on Yuzu pics, but all these other things seems to be a phenomenon specific to haru yo koi Also, anyone else not realize that the site banner is a link to the home page? After being on here since March, I just figured it out last week and that was only because I liked the banner so much that I was trying to figure out how to save it. The new auto avatar is so beautiful as well.

woops. Just re-watched SkAm. I guess you could say that program was clean since the under rotation didn't get called and we don't generally count edge problems, quality issues, and level downgrades when we think of clean - but yikes, 2 level 2 elements. Was that on purpose after the JPN open debacle? For some reason I thought he stepped out of a jump but he didn't Says a lot that Chen only managed 9.09 ave PCS when he skated the cleanest I can think of (I don't follow Chen closely so don't take my word on that) on home turf. But I'm not surprised that Chen doesn't have a lot of clean skates. He's risen by pushing his technical limits to the very edge of his ability. Yuzu, on the other hand, waits until he has a high success rate before implementing things, and even he has only 6(?) clean free skates in international competition and he's been competing a lot longer, and that's counting 2014 worlds, which had a lot of quality issues with the jumps.

This is what I get when I plug in the numbers that I think judges will give them (not what I think they deserve but what I think they will get) and their PCS from their cleanest programs from 2017 to present. I used what "I think" Chen was attempting at JPN Open for his free skate and added a quad to his SP because I don't believe that he's going to stick to only 4 quads in a competition. I don't think Chen's ever skated a completely clean free skate so I just used 2018 worlds and 2018 SkAm for his PCS, which I think are his 2 highest scoring PCS scores. 9.14 PCS, around 2.5 for combos, 3 for solo jumps, 2.5-3 for other elements, except for FS choreo seq which inexplicably was judged at 4 SP: 3a, 4f, 4lz/3t* = 108.89 LP: 3lo, 4lz, 4f/3t, 3a, 4t/3t*, 4t/2t/2lo*, 4s = 211.38 Total: 320.27 ETA: if you change Chen's 3lo to 4 lo, I get 218.66 FS, 327.55 Total score. I have doubts that he can manage 5 quad FS considering 3/4 of quads at SkAm were iffy w/the watered down layouts and multiple quads were iffy at 2018 worlds/Olympics Uno - 9.21 PCS, 4.5 for spins, 4 for steps and choreo seq, 4 for axel, 3.5 for other jumps SP: 4f, 4t/3t, 3a* = 109.45 LP: 4s, 4f, 4t, 4t/2t, 3a*, 3a/1e/3f*, 3s/3t* = 211.98 Total: 321.43 Hanyu - 9.68 PCS, 3.5-4 for triples and combos, 4.5 for solo quads, 3.5 for spins and choreo seq, 4 for step sequence SP: 4s, 3a, 4t/3t* = 111.49 LP: 4lo, 4s, 3lo, 4t, 4t/3a seq*, 3f/3t*, 3a/1e/3s*= 218.58 Total: 330.07

I agree. I don't think these early scores are indicative of much as far as Yuzu is concerned. He's notorious for being a slow starter. I just like to do these things because it annoys me when people pull suppositions out the ass based on nothing. Shoma and Kolyada seemed to be the closest to their best level at the early part of the season. Yuzu and Boyang the farthest from their best level. Even if he doesn't necessarily make a mistake on the element, the quality of the element increases as the season goes on whereas Nathan, Kolyada, and Shoma did their elements at about their normal to best quality level. Yuzu's pcs will also go up when the quality of his elements will increase. Then we also have to take into account that Nathan and Shoma both had events in their home country while Yuzu didn't. I think once everyone has at least 2 events I'll drop all the scores from the B competitions since a lot of them are from lower level judges and both judges and skaters were shaking rust and adjusting to the new system.

Just an update now that we're half way through. I got average GOE's for the big 4 based off of clean elements (not necessarily perfect, but no major mistakes based on how they usually land them). If they haven't yet landed it cleanly, I just plugged in a 3. I used PCS from programs with 1 or less errors in the short and no fall/3 or fewer smaller errors from the long. Obviously the usual common sense caveats... different judging panels, level of competition, etc. all effect scores ... blah, blah, blah Didn't do Jin since we only have 1 event for him and he splatted his way through. I think Uno is fairly set in his layout. Looks like Kolyada is testing which quads he'll use but the difference will be minimal. I'm guessing Nathan will still be making major adjustments to his - I can't imagine that he'd be happy with hoping that Hanyu and Uno make mistakes. And we all know that guessing what Yuzu will do is a crap shoot. Uno SP: 4f, 4t/3t, 3a* = BV 47.1 LP: 4s, 4f, 4t, 4t/2t, 3a*, 3a/1e/3f*, 3s/3t* = BV 91.43 Total BV = 138.53 Projected Scores SP: 106.89 LP: 207.59 Total: 314.48 one thing to note is that his 4s has been called UR at every event but Lombardia, where, I think, he stepped out of it. The score is based on a full 4s w/3 goe Kolyada SP: 4t/3t, 3lz, 3a* = BV 42.2 LP: 4s, 4t/3t, 3a/2t, 3a, 3lo*, 3l/1e/3s*, 3lz* Total BV: 122.05 Projected Scores SP: 99.54 LP: 191.28 Total: 290.83 Chen SP: 3a, 4f, 3lz/3t* = BV 43.11 LP: 3lo, 4lz, 3f/3t, 3a, 4t/3t*, 4t/2t/2lo*, 3lz* = BV 86.31 Total BV: 129.42 Projected Scores SP: 99.38 LP: 193.06 Total: 292.45 PCS is an average of SkAm scores. Hanyu SP: 4s, 3a, 4t/3t* = BV 46.37 LP: 4lo, 4s, 3lo, 4t, 4t/3a seq*, 3f/3t*, 3a/1e/3s* = BV 91.43 Total BV: 137.8 Projected Scores SP: 105.49 LP: 208.55 Total: 314.03 Obvious things to note is that the "projected" sp score is lower than his actual highest SP score even w/an iffy combo. I took the ave GOE of his 4lo from AC (1.71) but not Helsinki and I adjusted the GOE on the sequence to +3 since he stepped out of it (I'm actually surprised that it got ratified - I don't understand what the parameters for ratifying elements are these days). I averaged PCS from AC sp, Helsinki SP, and Helsinki LP. None of these programs were perfectly clean but I figure it's the best data we have right now.

I think this was my worst event. Got the ladies medalist but all in the wrong order and only the winner of the men. Can't remember my dance and pairs podiums except that they were wrong. pretty sure I got the bonus questions wrong too

Now that Tom Z has announced to the world that he teaches 180 degree pre-rotation as acceptable and provided a clear, slo-mo video of Vincent taking off forward on his 3.25 flip, will tech panels start keeping an eye out for downgrades instead of mere under rotations? it seems like judges have been harder on Med's lutz since Doug Haw proclaimed that Med still doesn't have a true lutz. She's been getting e instead of ! when she's had much more egregious edge errors in the past.

I wouldn't worry about it. Nathan skated about as well as he's capable of skating (though with lower tech) in that FS and he got a couple dodgy calls/scores in his favor whereas Yuzu was far from his best and had a close call go against him. Nathan also had much better ice conditions. When I plug in the average GOE's/PCS that the competitors have been getting for their "clean(ish)" elements on their attempted layouts, Yuzu still wins, even when I add 2 additional quads to Nathan's SkAm layout. Based on GOE+layout, Shoma's actually the biggest threat. This made me lol so hard. So often people seem to think of him as this ethereal otherworldly creature but in so many ways he's such a guy! My boyfriend didn't go to the hospital either when he injured his pinky and now it's permanently crooked.

This is my first year being a Fanyu from the beginning of the season (was only a casual fan for the last few Olympic cycles) and I already feel heartbroken at the changes I've seen so far. It really was love at first sight, even with all the mistakes, at Autumn Classic. But then I remind myself, he probably did similar things with Semei and Chopin and the end result of those programs is what pulled me back into super fandom. I look back at the old versions of Chopin and, because the first time I saw it, he's improved so much in his presentation, the version I fell in love with seems like the best but I imagine you guys must have been stressed seeing your beloved baby constantly being messed with. Part of me wonders if he's going to just say "f'k it!" and have that pianist who did Haru yo Koi record a whole new version of Otonal that suits his competition needs. I'm sure he's done all these calculations before we did, but can you imagine if he's lurking on here and he's using Shanshani's protocol to figure out the best scores too As soon as I realized that he can only break even with scores if he upgrades the solo loop to lutz, I was sure that he was either going to drop the sequence or add the lutz. That makes me nervous though because I think his lutz is his least consistent triple so he really is taking unnecessary risks to skate his dream layout.

... and that's just the Helsinki layout. Someone said that he's planning on doing 5 quads/2 axels FS this year. He fell all over the place when he tried it at that Chinese competition so not sure if he abandoned that plan because it wasn't working out or if he's trying to work up to it. eta: oops. Just realized that I gave Boyang an extra triple toe. His actual BV is 47.6+90.79 = 138.39

According to Max A, Yuzu did move the SP combo to the second half - 1:22 in I wonder if he'll drop the 4t/3a once it's landed. He has to know that there's more potential points with 3a as solo jumps. I'm also curious if he'll add the Biellmann in since Origin is a tribute to Plush. Yuzu's layout BV: 46.37+91.43=137.8 Kolyada: 42.2+79.85=122.05 Shoma: 47.1+91.43=138.53 Boyang: 47.6+90.79 = 138.39 Nathan (SkAm): 43.11+86.31=129.42 I'm assuming Nathan is adding quads later so projected if he adds 4lz to SP and 4f in long 49.27+92.01=141.28 eta: did he slow the music down at the beginning of the program and cut it a little differently at the end?

I should have specified I meant 3 lutz not 4 lutz. Now that we know he's working on the 4a in earnest, I don't think 4lz will be back either. With the 4t 3a Seq, I think he loses more in GOE than he gains in BV if he continues with flip and loop as his triple jumps. For the short, I don't think the loss of stamina after 1:20 sec. will stop him from maximizing his GOE on his jumps. He managed to get full GOE in the second half last season. It seems like the front loading is an artistic choice - and to me, it does suit the music really well. Not sure how well swapping the spin and jump will work without re-cutting the music. What makes you say that? I thought the AC layout was strange. Of course, I'm on the boat of him attempting 4 axel this season so he'll have to change the layout if that's true.

Now that the kuyashii has had time to burn and settle, what do you think Yuzu's program layouts will be for upcoming events? Who thinks he's going to re-arrange his SP to get that combo in the bonus section? Will he bring back the lutz? It can be argued that he's actually losing points by doing the 3a sequence since his 3a has a higher BV and so would get higher GOE points than a 3 loop or flip. ETA: I think at this point the real Yuzu has shown himself so I changed the thread title rather that starting over since we've already been discussing Yuzu's layout

I was too lazy to redo my warm-up after the late withdrawals and I picked Zhou and Tennell for the final. I think I'm out already. Who would have thought that an American tech caller would have hammered American skaters so hard on American soil? Actually makes me respect Scott Davis a little more even though he bombed my predictions.

Does the Autumn Classic website generally delete their videos? Was planning on working early then watching afterwards. I'm seriously thinking about taking Friday off if there's a chance I won't get to see it if I don't catch the live stream

Finally logged in to my Paypal for the first time in like a decade. Can't believe I remembered my login info. Tried to read the FAQ but still don't understand everything. I'm a cheap #%@! and want as much of the money I donate to go to the cause as possible. Some questions before I send a donation. 1. In the past, the receiver had to pay fees if the sender used a credit card. Does it make a difference for you guys whether I send money with bank account or credit card? 2. Is there a difference in the fees if you send multiple smaller donations versus 1 large yearly donation? 3. Are there more fees if the money has to be sent internationally? If so, since the PH team is worldwide, would it make sense for you guys to have multiple accounts so that we can send donations domestically if possible? Bottom line, what is the best way to send money so that it is both practical and you get the highest percentage of the donation (Paypal or otherwise)?

Thanks. I figured the Planet would come through and even if they couldn't, we'd eventually be able to see it anyway, but I had a mini panic attack as soon I saw the post, lol.

I don't see an Autumn Classic thread. Can we try to get a plan together so the rest of us can see it? I'll try to figure out this VPN thing but don't have any faith in my abilities to learn it in time. Maybe those who aren't tech savvy can figure out some way to do something to thank those generous people who take the time to Rabbit, translate, provide files and just good helpful advice. Since the Planet seems to be healthy financially, perhaps we can start a fund to help out with banner/plushy costs. Nessie doesn't look that hard to make, imagine if each of us made one and sent it to whoever is lucky enough to go to his competitions. Okay, I know I'm being crazy, but imagine what we could do if we hardcore organized the varied talents of the Fanyu community. Also, what countries are the owners of this forum from?

Because there are only a few people who would normally get 9.5+ PCS. The rule really only applies to maybe 3 skaters. Since Yuzu gets the highest PCS scores, he loses the most points if he makes a serious error. Nathan, for example, had PCS ranging from 8.96 to 9.32 at 2018 worlds in what is likely his best performance ever after all his competition fell multiple times. Previous to that performance, he normally got 8 something for PCS scores. Since the rule provides no guideline for skaters who don't normally score higher than 9.5 (or 9 in case of multiple serious error), this rule technically doesn't apply to him. Nathan could have fallen and a judge could arguably given him even higher scores than he got.

Holy s#*@!! About a month ago I was watching Plushenko's last performance and the thought of Yuzu skating to "The Best of Plushenko" crossed my mind. Obviously I immediately dismissed it as just another one of my crazy brain ramblings. But he's practically doing that! I guessed all Japanese music for the guess the programs thread - should have listened to the lizard brain. The only thing I got right was "some Japanese ballad" for the exhibition. You think Plushenko and Johnny knew about his music choices? They must be so flattered.

This is my first season in a long time getting back into full hardcore skating fandom. I used to be a super nut job about finding every little thing and recording it and I think I'm going to start doing that again. So what do you recommend for an American? TV package: Olympic Channel? NBC sports? It doesn't necessarily have to have everything, but of course I want anything I can see with Yuzu in it. Looks like Japanese Grand Prix is on Asahi - do they have something like Fuji that Americans can watch? Recording device: Tivo? Will this record internet streams onto your TV as well as TV broadcasts? I want something to transfer to external hard drive. What do you guys use? Digital editing program? What else should I get? Unfortunately, attending a competition is out for me this year so hopefully Yuzu keeps competing. Maybe I'll have a chance the following year.

I don't have a problem with the costume per se, but I don't understand the connection with the music. I had the same issue with boobskirt - is he actually playing Juliet in the program?

Can he keep the pants purple? The details are harder to see when they're black I'm suspicious of the fact that he specified new "free skate" music in that FOI interview.