ZuCritter

At first glance, my reaction was simply envy for the lucky fanyus who get to go to NHK. What an amazing lineup! But your read of the images is hilarious and spot on. The merging of Rika and Alina is especially cringe-worthy. Poor Alina, I wonder how she'll complete her elements with only one arm?

Thank you!

Sorry if this is OT, but I wanted to get as many eyes on this as possible, especially those who speak and read Japanese. I've designed this "Happy Birthday" banner for GPF, and wanted to make sure it's OK before proceeding any further. If I've messed up in any way, please save me from myself. Many thanks.

Lesson: NEVER let Molly Weasley pick your dress robes.

4A/3T/high kick.

Like this, maybe?

About his landings, I have a question for satellites who are skaters or who have lots of knowledge about the mechanics of skating. It seems he is adding muscle mass. Many of us have remarked on it, both during ACI and FaOI. And our observations jibe with his statements about building strength for the 4A (see: Toe Loop, Quintuple). Of course, the added strength is necessary and in many ways a bonus, but will the added mass affect his technique in ways that may take a while to understand and master? My impression is that skaters have to be careful to balance the advantages and disadvantages of being very muscular. And Yuzu has always been remarkably slender, while, at the same time having the strength to jump like a gazelle. He seems to possess an unusually high ratio of strength-to-muscle mass. But if he's gotten heavier by even a few kg, I would think that would translate into greater impact on landing, at least until he adjusted his technique to compensate for the added mass. Would that be the case? All insights appreciated.

I was looking at AirBnBs in Beijing months ago and researching how tickets are distributed. The boy has driven me certifiably insane.

I've been thinking about reaching out to Max. Yesterday I watched an interview he gave after Saitama where he talked about the need for an "intervention" to fix the problems with the scoring system. At least "intervention" was the word that appeared in the English translation. He didn't elaborate on what he meant, but to me, the word intervention, if it's an accurate translation, suggests an action that originates outside the ISU. I'd like to ask him what he meant and what role fans could play in initiating such an intervention. Would a petition to the ISU, asking for an independent review of the scoring system, have any effect? If so, how should it be worded and delivered for maximum impact? Is it smart to argue that interest in the sport is lagging because the scoring is so incomprehensible that it looks arbitrary? What figures in or outside the skating world carry weight with the ISU, and how might we enlist them to the cause? I imagine it would be pretty easy to get such a message to him -- privately, though, not through a public forum such as Twitter. What do you think of that idea, and how many might want to be co-signers? And would an Italian-speaking satellite volunteer to translate it?

This settles it. HE CAN'T BE REAL.

Very true. We don't want to add to the narrative about Yuzu's crazy fans. The issues with judging go beyond bias and get to the very nature of the scoring system (too complex; confusing; unbalanced between TES and PCS, etc.) Many commentators have noted the problems. Maybe we we can help launch a campaign to get the ISU to appoint an independent panel of people who know and love the sport but aren't "in the system" to review the whole thing and recommend either an overhaul or a whole new system. I would think folks like Max would get behind that kind of effort.

These are great. Easy to read, and they get the basic idea across -- that he has support all over the world. I think we can organize a system for printing them in advance for satellites who are going to competitions. A spreadsheet would probably suffice. And we can discuss whether to get additional ones to distribute on-site.

OK, like many I woke up still very salty this morning. I'm also thinking that maybe we ought to shift the focus of our flag campaign to make it aimed at the ISU rather than at Yuzu. I mean, surely he knows that he's adored all over the world. I think we can have more impact and get more press attention (and I'm speaking as a retired journalist, here) by targeting the ISU. So, instead of "We love you, Yuzu," I'm thinking of a message like #YuzuIsGlobal or #HanyuNation along with each of our various flags. I'm also thinking that, in addition to making signs for ourselves, we could print a bunch of extra signs with the images of every country's flag that might plausibly have fans at the various competitions. Then we could hand them out to anyone who wanted one and agreed to hold it up during the competition. That way we could enlist folks who aren't on the Planet to spread the message. I'm willing to help underwrite such a campaign if satellites like the idea and if costs can be kept reasonable. ETA: One advantage for us is that Yuzu is skating two more times this season in Canada. Imagine a whole bunch of #HanyuNation signs with the American flag. Woo-hoo! (No offense to Nathan, BTW. I really like him as a human being and will cheer for him to have good skates. He's just not Yuzu.)

Purely from a business standpoint, the ISU is correct to promote the Yuzu-Nathan rivalry. Nothing is better for any sport -- especially a struggling sport -- than two powerful champions competing for dominance. (Just ask Brian (Battle of the Brians) Orser. Do I think Nathan is the equal of Yuzu? No way. Do I think he's a skater worthy of respect who poses a credible threat to Yuzu's dominance (largely because he's younger and, in recent seasons, less prone to injury)? Yes. Fanyus embraced Javi, who, like Nathan, is a two-time world champion, as Yuzu's rival. That was partly because he was also Yuzu's friend and TCC brother in arms. Also, the Spanish fed has no clout, whereas the USFSA has outsized clout. As an American, I totally acknowledge how maddening American influence can be. I really hate to see the financial interests of the sport impinge on the integrity of judging -- and the scoring certainly supports the impression that that is happening. Honestly, it's not fair to Nathan or Yuzu. That said, Yuzu and Brian surely understand these dynamics and know the futility of railing against them in public. I try to take my cues from them. Besides, I don't imagine that Yuzu is distressed in the least to see Oly Channel or anyone else refer to Nathan as his rival. He's said himself that he thrives on rivalry, so the hype probably works in his favor, as a motivator. As Brian might say: Never underestimate the power of kuyashii.

Yes! Just imagine his secret glee when one day Raf is forced to carry Pooh!

Seriously. Galas and gala practices will be non-stop Yuzu-stanning! It will be great!

Very interesting, especially to see how many people have taken part in upping the ante -- with Yuzu concentrating more on new elements than driving up the numbers. Of course now he appears to have said "WTF, if that's the way the game is played, I'll just go for the nuclear option (all 6, probably with a goal of landing them all in a single competition)." But what I take away from this history is that the blame (or credit) for the escalation is widely shared. Many satellites probably already knew that, but I learned something. Thank you!

If they don't, I plan to get an international VPN, which allows you to get an IP address from different countries, including Canada. The various tech sites that review stuff like that have plenty of articles on how such VPNs work and which ones are good. Some are free (although I'm willing to pay a small fee to get the best features, if necessary). Other satellites may have more detailed tips on this subject, based on their own experience.

Welcome! It's always great to have new satellites. I hope you get to see him live very soon. It is an amazing experience. In addition to competitions, seeing him in ice shows is also on my bucket list. Looks like "Yuzu" will be a major line item in my household budget for the foreseeable future. (And I wouldn't have it any other way.)

WARNING: Trollicane Yuzu, rated category 5, bearing down on Planet Hanyu. Extreme caution advised.

It's not offensive, but ... WHY? Why try to improve upon perfection?

Oh, it's possible. But it would be sacrilege.

I dunno. I think your avatar says it all.