yuzupon

I think it is more the seniors that get their scores inflated to the highest heavens. I mean, looking at how the inflation happens the moment some skaters turn senior, I would say it's the senior scores that get inflated.

I at the caption

From Alice

I've heard Zu did this, but haven't seen it before.

Ew, nasty people. I hope I never come across them on tumblr. I usually block people there, cz it's too much sometimes. And of course, they have the nerve to use other languages to state their nasty comments. I must say, there are plenty in my mother tongue, which made me . But our general 'netizen' (internet citizen) are notorious for exactly this, so I don't know why I expect differently from the FS fandom section. Naive me. And you know sometimes when it's your mother tongue the 'criticism' can somehow be even uglier than when it is said in your foreign languages? Yeah. That's why I can only imagine how much uglier the criticism Zu's heard from fellow Japanese who, for some reasons or other, are haters.

So Yuzu has WD. Get good rest and get well soon, Zu... I hope you get to enjoy the off-ice time! For all fellow Fanyus/satellites/Yuzu-fans (however you prefer to be called), who have been looking forward and spending so much money (and time and energy, etc) to see him in Milan, I am so sorry. For some of you, you've probably been looking forward to this all season, and it is the ONE thing that would make your otherwise dark days slightly brighter. Again, I am so sorry. I hope you will get to see him soon *cross fingers and pray really hard*

I understand. I did say it's ok if you don't share the feeling, right? I hope you would let me have what I feel as well. I personally do not put 'Zu not competing in GP' into the same boat as 'being pessimistic'. (So, if that's what you're worried about me based on the post, no need. I am fine.) If anyone feels what I just share depressing, I apologise. Also, admin, so sorry for being rather off topic. I am going to just shut up, now.

It's ok, you don't have to share the feeling. I don't have any justification whatsoever for it. That's why I called it 'a feeling' and 'just a hunch' I'd call it 'a thinking' if I have any justification.

I have a feeling he would not do GP next season. Just a hunch. It could also be that it's just my subconscious trying to prepare for the drought.

Do we have the full translation of the Japan National Press Club conference, yet?

Yep, you're probably the only one. At least from among the people I converse with about this matter. Perhaps, our definition of a well-rounded skater is just different, which is fine. Whatever floats your boat and all that. I do know a person who doesn't mind her programs this year as much as I do, but even she doesn't think Zagitova is a well-rounded skater. Look, Zagitova is a marvellous spinner. Her jumping techniques are not the worst, considering she has that tendency among most Russian skaters to pick with a full or nearly full blade in their toe jumps and still rather prone to UR-ing; in that regards, her jumps are definitely better than most of Medvedeva's. Still, she is below Wakaba, Sakamoto, Osmond, and even Daleman and her teammate Tsurkaya in terms of jumps. And even compared to some of the 'softer' ladies, like Mai Mihara, guess whose jumps I'd rather watch. Zagitova obviously has a lot of stamina for being able to backload in both SP and especially FS. And the transitions she (and Medvedeva) packed into her programs are insane (though I personally despised choreographically unnecessary transitions). So, by all means, give her the BV, +GOEs for spins, and good (not high, because the quality of the transitions should count more than the quantity) scores for TR in PCS. But then look at how she executes her movements, or rather the sloppiness by which she does them. Count how many times she missed the music cue, especially when she made a slight mistake. Look at her 2-tone expression: either smiley or flat. Look at her lack of control of edges, which also might well be caused by the haphazard way she does her steps. And then look at what scores she got for the remaining 4 section of the PCS. Perhaps Yuzu's brand of total commitment to his programs and choreographic movements has ingrained itself into my brain too much. But my expectations for Ladies are not as high as that. Just that they at least do half? ps. During their Junior circuit run, up until JWC 2017, Marin Honda almost always scored higher than Zagitova in PCS. Zagitova's highest PCS for her FS (the same one she uses this year) in JWC 2017 is a whopping 7.89 (CO and IN). And suddenly this time she is averaging 9+??? Can anyone truly make a case that anyone can have their skills improved so tremendously that their PCS skyrocketed like that in less than a season in the Senior circuit? I mean it happened with Medvedeva before, sure. But again, just because it has happened before, does not automatically make it right. pps. This, THIS, would be the last time I talked about a program I dislike. Ugh!

You don't. That's why we cringe at some of those quads. Not only because they are not 'pretty', but because you can almost feel the impacts on the body. Yeah, that's definitely an insult to ballet and flamenco dancers. My former ballet dancer friend told me her flapping hands in her individual FS at Oly actually looks like she was trying to fend off a swan attacking her for daring to imitate it. Which had me but also can't unsee it. @cinemacoconut which Junior programs? I only watched her junior programs from last year's and they were even sloppier (and even more in-your-face in terms of choreography) than her programs this year. I am all open for her to prove that she can indeed deliver a really good program. But until then, just like how I see Nathan Chen's, it remains a still-yet-to-be-materialised potential, and her current performances remain unworthy of the PCS scores she is already getting.

Junior Ladies... Have we forgotten Elena Radionova vs Serafima Sakhanovich vs Evgenia Medvedeva back in their junior years? Then, out of those 3, the first 2 were way better in everything than Medvedeva, and look at where we are now. Too early to predict anything for Junior skaters, especially the ladies. Just because the pattern in the Senior seems to hold up (as already argued by multiple people who have been watching FS for far longer than I've been aware of the sport's existence), doesn't mean there is even a pattern to see in the Junior.

Bringing this thread up because what a confirmation Zu's 2nd OGM is to Shirota-san's words.

I have to say that after Uno skated his FS, I was so relieved that he would not go above Yuzu, that I didn't even think about whether he would pass Fernandez. And then when it was confirmed that Zu has won, I was too happy to even pay attention to the fact that Uno just got silver. By the time I checked the protocol and saw not even < for Uno's 4Lo, I just went "And some people dare to say judges and tech panels are not on Uno's side". I mean, if we're truly going to scrutinize the scores, I am sure Fernandez GOEs for some of the elements could be knocked down a few in both SP and FS, too. So, about the placing, I am rather 'eh' about it. Just out of curiosity, for those of you who watched the whole Men's event with commentaries (I watch without commentaries, and only watched the ones with commentaries for Zu's programs), were there any commentators that gush over Jin's 4CC win the same way they did over Fernandez' European win?

@fireovertheice I had signatures turned off cz of data. So I didn't see it! It's not as poetic in English as in Italian. I mean, of what little I know about Italian (and English), that is. 'Connaturato' I think has a more nuanced meaning that I can't really think of an English word that would have the same connotation. Not to mention how well it goes with 'naturale' just as a play on words. And for further summarizing the video! Although, whenever experts confirm my suspicion that Zu is underscored, I (1) have this urge to go find ISU and judges to give them (2) wish I could go back to the days when I was largely ignorant towards the rules

Yep, my very first thought was "Who on earth do they think they are?" I know Medvedeva has achieved really high, too. But really. It's still yet to be comparable to what Zu has.

Yes, borrowing a saying from the most disfranchised group of people, the 'work twice as hard to get half the recognition' is real. Whether or not we acknowledge and/or accept it. As for Zu, I think we all agree that it is amazing how much an exception he is to almost every rule. But do you think there's part of him that wishes he could someday be the rule and not the exception?

They, Japanese women, can surpass them, the Russian, if ISU stops politicking the PCS.

and because I am late to respond. Are these really your definition of those words, or are trying to make a point by doing it? I am currently living in Europe, so I am a "person living in Europe" but I am not a "European", and never will be. Your definition doesn't apply to most people; it certainly does not to me. I understand that 'racial' and 'cultural' issues are not to be talked about in here. It's a landmine, we mere mortal tend not to have as good an instinct to navigate as Yuzu himself does. But if anyone of us wants to even comment on it, please don't make up definitions.

This is where I say, nope. Rest and heal, my King.

There's part two! I wish I understand what the texts said. But, so cute!!!

Thanks! I only understand very little Italian - and even less when they talk that fast, but I get the gist. The PR and full-blade picks have been among the things we discussed in this forum. I am so happy that at least in one corner of the world it is being talked publicly. Remember when Zu's said that artistry can only shine when you have correct techniques? That he strives for the 'technical omnipotence' as the Italian commentators call it, is why, even if Zu's aesthetics do not appeal to all people, there's a relatively common understanding and acknowledgement, however begrudgingly at times, that what he does is art. Now if only the judges can get their heads out of their derrières.