Henni147

If Yuzu skates foot perfect with two brand new programs, 4A and a higher base value than Nathan, there is absolutely nothing left to justify Nathan's victory. Sure, Yuzu needs a miracle to make that happen, but I mean... miracles are the specialty of Yuzuru Hanyu.

To make clear: consistency is a very broad term. It can mean: 1. constantly performing at the limits of your own ability 2. regularly medalling at international events 3. having a solid placement in the rankings for a long period of time (no big ups and downs) 4. skating clean programs again and again 5. doing the same stuff on repeat with no change 6. continuous improvement or stagnation (maybe even regression) ... Taking that into consideration, Nathan's biggest weapon is skating clean in the big events (GPF, Worlds). Rotating your jumps and staying on your feet. That protects you from the PCS cap and with the right passport the judges do the rest for you. Reminder: Nathan doesn't skate clean in every competition either. Especially at the beginning of the season he has some wobbles as well, but as long as Yuzu isn't there, it doesn't matter, because the rest of the field is too far away in BV to be dangerous. Nathan only has to be foot perfect against Yuzu and he somehow managed to do that in Saitama and Torino. I guess that his key to success is practicing his current jump arsenal on repeat and prepare himself mentally for the clash with Yuzu. That's it. I love how everyone in the media ignores the fact that the base value of Yuzu's planned content in Torino was higher than Nathan's. It's another story that he couldn't execute everything as planned, but Yuzuru Hanyu is not trailing Nathan Chen in the quad race anymore. It's the opposite. With the new BV changes of the 4Lz and the 4Lo and a potential 4A in the bag Yuzu's technical advantage will even grow. It's bold to assume that Nathan is unbeatable. Yuzu needs one clean competition and things have turned upside down again.

Truthfully, consistent jumping is the only aspect, where Nathan is slightly in front at the moment. In all other 138907435 aspects of figure skating Yuzu is superior and not only by a little. It annoys me that media makes it sound like consistency alone justifies such stellar scores and beats well-rounded skating with such a ridiculously huge margin. It's a nice interview by Kovtun, though. He already got me with his insta post after Saitama last year.

I think, I've never told the background story of this "Hit the road, Jack" overlay, right? In the 2017 off-season there was a huge deletion wave on YouTube that hit Yuzu's LGC videos in the first place. You could barely find footage, only with muted or completely distorted audio. So I thought, it would be nice to upload an enjoyable version of his GPF performance that won't have any copyright issues. But I had no idea, how to do it. Mom was joking that I should pick a different music piece that is not on YouTube's blacklist (so yeah, she was the trigger of this fun edit actually) I tried out different audio tracks from my own library (mostly pop/rock songs) and then I stumbled across 'Hit the road, Jack' and randomly put the audio and the video together... I totally lost it when I realised how perfectly Yuzu sings along with Ray Charles and even his nod was right on the note So yeah. The result was: I could not NOT upload this gem on YouTube

The good news: I finally edited a version of Haruyo Koi with no commentary, clap or other noises. You can watch it on YouTube everywhere except Japan (it's the same with Hope & Legacy). Here it is: Bad news: I tried to edit a clap-free version of Requiem as well, but sadly it's not possible with my material. I found three different recordings of the piano piece, but none of them matches Yuzu's skating at all. They are either too fast or too slow or whatever... I tried to adjust speed and rhythm so that it fits the skating, but the sound gets so high-pitched or dissonant that it hurts my ears and not even the mixer or equalizer can help If anyone has access to the exact recording that Yuzu used in the 15/16 season and is free to share it... I would be so happy

My ringtone is one of the few things that is not directly Yuzu-related, but... in a way it is

For me - on a temperature scale - Yuzu's gala programs like Notte Stellata or Haru yo koi feel very warm. Not hot, not cool, just nicely warm. He pours his heart out to us that makes him very fragile and vulnerable, but magical and ethereal at the same time If I had to make categories of Yuzu's programs, I would probably sort them as follows: Calm Energetic Human Category: Classic Examples: Etude Ballade No. 1 Otonal Category: Rockstar (contemporary) Examples: Sing, sing, sing Parisienne Walkways Let's go crazy Mystical (spiritual) Category: Ethereal Examples: Hope & Legacy Notte Stellata Haru Yo Koi Category: Epic (drama) Examples: Romeo & Juliet Seimei Origin These categories are not isolated but there are fluent transitions between them. Some of Yuzu's programs fit more than one, but these are the four types of programs that strike out to me. It shows once again, how versatile Yuzu actually is

For some reasons I have my doubts that the ISU is capable of arranging online judging. That means, every dinosaur of a judge and technical specialist needs a computer at home, fast internet and a judging software that sends the scores to the ISU in realtime. Ewn... Not to mention that US and Rus fed can't wait to fight out, who has the better software hackers to manipulate the online scoring. Poor Yuzu might end up with a negative total score in that virtual fed war.

In Yuzu's case I wouldn't be too worried about him skating in front of empty rinks. I think, the aura would be similar to Parisienne Walkways in Jordan's On Ice Perspectives. It's unusual, but Yuzu totally sold that program to me in the video. In a way it would be very interesting to see a performance like Notte Stellata in complete silence with no audience. Imagine the gala with dimmed lights and little Swanyu skating on the ice with one spotlight following him... However. Competition without Pooh-rain wouldn't be the same. Also, the flower kids would have nothing to do, if no one threw gifts on the ice... That would be really sad.

Actually I planned to upload various programs with music only (no commentary, clapping, screaming or other noises). It will be edited in the same style like H&L or the step sequence collection. Requiem, Notte Stellata and Haru Yo Koi are next in my list. The spin collection is still in the making, too (I just didn't have the time to work on it recently). Another video on my to do-list: Signature moves part 2 (possibly part 3 as well). The design and music will be similar to the first one. I'm very grateful to Brunuhville that he allowed me to use his compositions and upload my videos on YouTube with no copyright issues. It's not a given nowadays... There will be 6 weeks summer break, so... let's see what we can do...

Well, it's easy for me to tell, which Yuzu performances I rewatched the most, because I have a view counter in my iTunes video library #1 128 views: Notte Stellata, Oly 2018 #2 92 views: LGC, GPF 2016 #3 76 views: Haru Yo Koi, Worlds 2019 #4 59 views: Seimei, MOI 2019 #5 52 views: Chopin, 4CC 2020 #6 49 views: Hope & Legacy, 4CC 2020 #7 49 views: Masquerade, Makuhari 2019 #8 32 views: Requiem of Heaven and Earth, Worlds 2016 #9 30 views: Parisienne Walkways, SC 2019 #10 30 views: Hope & Legacy, Worlds 2017 In a strange way, I love Yuzu's record breaking performances, but I don't rewatch them that often (4CC Chopin is the only exception). The top 7 in this list are my happy meal or mantra or daily routine or whatever you want to call it. It's that ultimate infinite source of energy.

Why is his 3A the best jump in the Milky Way, the delayed single Axel bigger than Mount Everest, the unjumpable quad Axel on the way, BUT POOR BABY DOUBLE AXEL EREASED FROM YUZURU HANYU'S SKATING MANUAL. As Double-chan I would feel offended.

Yes, Keegan has the speed and height/distance, but he lacks that absolute control in the air and the landing (some of his jumps are really scary tbh) and a 4A attempt without 100% control is suicidal, that's for sure. Currently I don't see anyone except Yuzu, who might be capable of a 4A. Some stats of Yuzuru Hanyu's solo triple Axel in the short program (it's spooky as hell): The only mistake in an international senior competition was at the Finlandia Trophy 2013 (popped into 1A). Since then he hasn't received a single negative raw GOE from any judge for this element. Average GOE in the +/-3 system: 2.25 (of max. 3.00), since the 15/16 season: 2.79 (of max. 3.00) Success rate in the +/-3 system: 39 of 40 = 97.5% Average GOE in the +/-5 system: 3.43 (of max. 4.00) Success rate in the +/-5 system: 9 of 9 = 100% Footnote: These average scores could be even higher without notorious underscoring. I don't think that there is any other figure skating jump in this universe that is more consistent and of higher quality than Yuzu's SP solo 3A. I mean... get that. Yuzu landed 48 clean triple Axels in 49 short programs in 10 senior seasons. Chapeau.

Footnote: I love how the view numbers of the men's event in Helsinki are like... more than twice as high as any other competition rewind so far ISU must be like: "Okay, okay. We give you GPF'15 and Worlds'12 and NHK'15 and GPF'14 and..."

After Javi's latest interview and the rewind of Worlds 2017 in Helsinki I thought a little about his friendship with Yuzu. We as fans will probably never know the whole story, only those few snippets of their public appearances, but I think "soulmates" describes their friendship the best. For me the most vivid and memorable moments were their stroking exercises on the ice together. Especially that one practice session in Pyeongchang and the snippets of their sbs skate in the Cricket Club. It's hard to explain in words, but whenever Yuzu and Javi skated together, it felt like they completely forgot about rivalry and just enjoyed the moment. Like two virtuosi, who found and completed each other. It reminds me a little of the great friendship between the two cellists, Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic. They probably spend much more time together than Yuzu and Javi, but both duos share the same passion and understand each other without words. A friendship like this is so valuable and I hope they will treasure it, wherever their paths will lead them #Footnote: I love 2Cellos so much.

The whole show was like: Yuzu is jumping again. He is really jumping. His ankle is alright! Right? Right?! Also, it's probably the most beautiful and effortless solo 3T out there. The whole performance was such a typical Yuzu thing actually. He landed all his jumps perfectly and then nearly slipped and fell backwards in front of the live band

Okay everyone. I did it. I rewatched DoryYuzu. And I LOVED it !! Honestly. Those arm and hand movements during his Ina Bauer... how can arms move like this. It's so awesome. Since I couldn't find an acceptable version of 'Wings of words' on YouTube, I decided to upload it on my GDrive and share it here with you. It's a full Yuzu cut of FaOI Makuhari 2018 including both group openings, Yuzu's performance, the finale and Yuzu's interview after the show. It's FaOI time anyway, so it fits quite well. EDIT: It might take a few minutes (or hours) until you can watch the video in 720p, but it will be there.

I found out that it's called the Grafström Camel spin (or Grafström Camel in short). The three-time Olympic champion, Gillis Grafström, performed that special spin variation in the 1920's and later it was named after him. However, at some point it disappeared from competitive skating. I guess this is one of those "little markers" that Belinda Noonan mentioned after Yuzu's gala performance in Pyeongchang. I tried to find all the historic markers in Notte Stellata (not every single step or spin position, but those moves and elements that visibly strike out in Yuzu's performance): 0:44 This is a circle, right? THE basic figure that started it all actually. The first precise description was in Robert Jones' instructional book about figure skating in 1772. 1:12 An accelerating twizzle with 10 revolutions. I'm not an expert, but I think that this is quite a lot, even in ice dance. The term 'twizzle' appeared first in 1934, but it only had one revolution at that time. Twizzles with multiple revolutions became popular in the 1980's. 1:34 Extended layback Ina Bauer. Bauer invented this move in the 1950's and Shizuka upgraded it to the deep layback variation about 50 years later. 1:58 The travelling Camel spin entry. The funny thing is: this entry was invented by a roller skater named Rick Mullican in 1958. 2:01 The Camel spin position. This spin was originally meant to be performed by ladies only. Also, there's still no consensus, who the actual inventor of this spin position is. It's either Cecilia Colledge from Great Britain or a mysterious Australian skater named Campbell. However, Colledge was the first to perform it in competition in 1935. 2:19 The Biellmann layback spin. It's interesting that this spin is named after Denise Biellmann, although she hasn't invented it. The first who performed it in competition was Tamara Moskvina in 1960. There are sources that mention Cecilia Colledge doing a one-handed Biellmann in 1934 already. 2:42 Inside edge Hydroblading with spread arms. Ronnie Robertson from the US has regularly performed the move since the 1950's, decades later Shae-Lynne Bourne and Victor Kraatz popularized it. 2:48 Spread Eagle cascade. This move can be found in sources from the 19th century and earlier. It feels like, it's always been there. 3:08 Sit twizzle. Truthfully, I couldn't find its origin really, but it must be a relatively new twizzle variation (considering that twizzles in general are the chickens of figure skating elements)... 3:24 Delayed single Axel. It's the oldest figure skating jump landed successfully in competition in 1882 by Axel Paulsen from Norway. 3:31 Triple Axel with twizzle entry and exit. The first 3A in competition was landed by Vem Taylor in 1978. However, the twizzle-sandwich variation is a specific Yuzu thing. (I think, it's fair to name it the Hanyu-Axel or... the other Hanyu-Axel, since THE Hanyu-Axel is surely the back counter-highkick variation, aye?) 3:51 A backward pancake sit spiral. I guess, this is another Yuzu fusion-invention of three different moves in one. 3:58 The flying Camel spin entry or Button Camel. Named after Dick Button, who invented this entry in the 1940's. 4:02 The Grafström Camel variation mentioned above. So Yuzu merged skating history of different centuries (18th to 21st), disciplines (men, ladies, ice dance) and types (roller and ice skating) in one performance. He revived some lost elements like the delayed single Axel or the Grafström Camel, he varied old moves and created new ones. So pretty much everything you can do to honor past, present and future.

Well, actually Javi said "we're not the closest friends, but we're friends and we're teammates" and I think, that's true. With "close friends" Javi probably means people who are part of his daily life and regularly talk and meet with him in private. With Yuzu this is not the case (as far as we know). However, I do believe that Yuzu and Javi are something like soulmates. What they went through together in these past 8 years creates a strong bond that you don't forget that easily. Javi said himself a few years ago: "With Yuzu it's like having a [skating] wife." Also, I'm sure that Javi still means a lot to Yuzu. It looks like he even has Javi's signature on his iPod

So... Yuzuru Hanyu has conquered China and India now? That's massive.

Thanks. My thought exactly.

Yuzu is the missing cherry on the cake. Literally.

Come to think of it... The skater who is punished the most with these changes is Boyang actually. He is one of the very few active skaters, who can jump a true quad Lutz, which now gets devaluated and he doesn't have 4Lo or 4F in his arsenal to to compensate the punishment. I'm pretty sure that in the future only die hard traditionalists will bother to learn a proper Lutz technique. The majority will go with the new excessively pre-rotated version. There is absolutely no motivation to learn the difficult Lutz technique anymore. The soul of Alois Lutz must be sobbing very hard now, wherever he is.

"Now it’s more important not to jump, but how high-quality to do it. At the quadruple level, GOE becomes more important than the base cost of the jump." I love how they emphasize the quality of elements every single time, but when it comes to Yuzu's top quality elements, they refuse to give him +5s across the board.

Who needs a social media account, if you have view numbers like this? I'm truly surprised that NBC Sports mentioned Yuzu's video. And in such a positive way on top. I tried to find some hidden mocking, but couldn't find any. I wonder, if the Oreo Prince cake tastes like Oreo? My favorite is probably Origin 2.0. I love that purple color so much. However, Notte as a wedding cake would be a dream, too... Question: Was there a Seimei cake? I didn't see it