EisElle

and well, yes, any kind of Yuzu content is a billion times better than anything organized by the merry fellowship of Ari,ISU&USFSA Why pick the salt when there's Yuzuru provide us with wholesome content and healing smiles, on top of otherwordly skating? how could I forget? True, those are the people who are still stuck in the era of CDs (and who chose to reschedule their fancy congress at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa while the rest of the world used smartworking). We can't expect them to know how to google stuff...

it might be hard to believe, but I hade never been in a fandom either, and I was super nervous when I joined this fandom. I started on another forum, but I was a bit shy here at first too, since I had just started getting into this sport for real and there were so many things I didn't know. Now I look at my post count and I'm Yuzuru and this forum for sure made me quite talkative and I do feel "safe" talking here I'm happy that you feel safe in this environment too

awwww this was so sweet you're not the only one who has landed on Yuzuru's planet after a torturous and unexpected road And you are right about Yuzuru being greater than FS. He is one of those larger-than-life figures, those people who can go beyond a sport, beyond nationality and speak to the heart of so many I often say that he reminds me of the good things in mankind, because this exactly how I feel Welcome and absolutely do not worry about long rants, you can rant to your heart's content whenever and for however long you want! We are all here for this: ranting, laughing, crying, going crazy and everything else!

I hope PH won't have any negative repercussion. Some people are really hell-bent on being the ban of others' existence

aww that's very sweet and touching from them extra happy to see young skaters taking this issue at heart There are some interesting sources in that website: I loved the video about masks, it's a rather good summary of everything one needs to know about the how and why of wearing a mask, and offers info in a way that's engaging and easy to get while being scientifically accurate. I had seem other similar vids that showed droplets dispersion, but this looks like the most complete to me. The website itself looks neat and easy to navigate. Pople who are reluctant because they got confused by some conflicting messages can find complete info and hopefully be persuaded that wearing a mask is a small gesture they can do to help their community (of course no chance that the most fanatic no-masks people will be swayed)

excuse me and I don't want to alarm anyone (oops, how to alarm everyone in 10 words, sorry) but, just in case, @ admins and @ mods, maybe we can prepare some alternative streaming options other than CiONTU? Of course I'd prefer CiONTU, but if it could be...controversial, maybe Oly Channel? That one should be fine even for the most hypocrite of the content-policing wannabes... (admins feel free to remove this post if you'd rather not see that discussion brought here)

IF we want to give them the benefit of the doubt, they probably meant "ever, across all disciplines" among currently competing skaters he is clearly The most titled. Closest competitors would be P/C with all their multiple WC and EC titles, but they "only" got one OSM, and in FS, no matter what World Standing points say, OWG is the single MOST important competition for both audience and skaters alike (I mean, Aljona Savchenko didn't stay for 5 olympic cycles just to collect one more WC gold). But saying "Hanyu is THE most decorated" would have been too high a praise, wouldn't it? In Men, among the living but retired skaters, Dick Button has more WC gold and then there are Yagudin and Plushenko who, even if with only one Men's Singles OGM, have several WC and Euros gold medals (and Plushenko has other 3 Olympic medals). Among not-living men, there's Grafström with his 3OGM. Across disciplines, there are other mutiple OGMs (especially back in the days, when getting multiple OGMs was the norm...which says a lot about just how much the sport has changed since then). I don't mind too much if Yuzu gets counted as *only* "one of the most decorated ever" together with Irina Rodnina and her 3xOGM+10xWC gold and yes, I've noticed how eager they are to always mention Dick Button (USA) Also, since whoever wrote those descriptions was so keen on highlighing that a certain someone had got this and that when he was only 20yo, they could have as well added: "Hanyu won the triple crown - senior GPF, WC and OGM- , when he was just 19yo and still eligible for JrWC" But that, too, would have been too high a praise, I guess Anyway what irks me the most is that the whole bio just clinically lists his comp achievements, while not saying one word about...literally everything else? How ispiring he is, his donations, his being spokeperson for the victims one of the biggest natural disasters in recent history, his setting an example of humility and sportsmanship, how he moves crowds(edit: both emotionally and...geographically). Heck, even the darn Pooh Rain that constantly makes to media headlines (and that, for a change, would actually be extremely relevant to the scope of the MVS, as described by ISU). It wasn't even matter of staying within a certain characters limit, since others got longer bio... If I didn't know the candidates and I just had to pick who to give that stupid award only based on those descriptions.... I wouldn't pick Yuzuru. And that's why the whole things reeks so much. I was thinking the same as Max, especially since one of Morricone's pieces is literally named... The Ectasy of Gold (I'm already thinking about a MWW2) and yeah, I miss Mai too I loved her Gabriel's Oboe

Do we know the theme about H24-TV? I'm glad they're still doing it. Amidst a pandemic, donations for good causes are more important than ever. And I'll hold onto the hope that maybe we'll also get some tiny crumbs of pre-recorded Yuzu footage in August ....we might need it when is not enough congrats to you! I love how fans first create the problem(websites crashing) and then deploy high-level strategies to find loopholes to get their precious Yuzu merch Brilliant all of this while the ISU saga goes on And that bio still glaringly lacks in enthusiasm compared to the other two. Tbh, just writing: He is YUZURU HANYU. would have been better. Alas. ETA: gosh, they are worst than me with all my ETAs and belatedly fixing typos LMAO

Wow, the famous White Wall is back! (though no corner, this time) ZuzuuuuuuuI've missed youuuuu He looks about as enthusiastic as his ISU description for the MVS nominee it seems fair poor bb, not even one fleeting smile but his voice is so soothing Yuzuru, I hope you know that this vid does NOT fill your monthly vid quota. GIVE US MOAR!!!! (but you can keep the red UA) what? also the old ones? Now I've even less excuses to procrastinate buying last season photobook

some movements in USA ice dance... the split of Avonley and Vadym was a surprise to me, they were The rising stars (and they rose incredibly fast, considering they had partnered only in 2017). Even after JWC, it sounded they weren't thinking about a split (though it also sounded that they had no clear plans either). At least the split was amicable, but I'm very sad. N/K was one of those teams where the boy grabbed my attention more than the girl, so ngl, I especially look forward to what Vadym will do (and will he skate for USA?) Wishing them the best

what is worse, to know that nothing happens or to know *something* happens but you don't get to see it? Well, of course this is the dilemma of FS-deprived audience, skaters would certainly prefer to be able to compete. But maybe media could be so nice to give us some more crumbs than usual. I don't ask for anything diffficult, just one fixed camera placed in one corner that shows the rink

@meoima!!!!!! nevermind me, I'm just happy to see you here well, yes. And of course many of those reasons can also apply to other skaters, but since Yuzuru has so much that speaks in his favour - achievements, character, and yes, popularity - ISU being so adamamant in pushing him away looks particularly uncomprehensible (and masochistic) mmm, I'm just reporting what others dug out so I can't help about this. I only know Ari works with Plushenko and produces his ice shows (and he has been with him to Japan, he has sometimes posted on IG short clips of FaOI) and now he represents Medvedeva too. Plushenko is of course a huge household name in FS (also outside Russia*) he has some political ties within Russia. (*he's usually one of the big headliners of ice shows in Italy for example, together with Carolina. Thoug it might help that italian audience remembers him from Turin OWG) As for link with IMG, well, I can only venture a guess

it makes sense. Probably to throw us a bone after yet another scoring robbery at WC They can't let the season end with the wrong narrative, can they?

I had in mind a screenshot from another user, but my memory isn't the most reliable thing (understatement of the century), so maybe I've mixed thigs up I can't be sure, they say tickets won't be refundable under any circumstance, but maybe there's always the chance that if WC get cancelled by Swedish government there would be refunding, but from their wording I wouldn't trust them (I also wouldn't trust Sweden to make a similar call to Canada in similar situation). They do say that if event gets rescheduled, people that can't go just have to suck it up that makes sense Though I've read that, apparently, SOI US was actually well-attended around the Sochi quadriennium, so the fact that two WC golds + the 4 years of hype by media still couldn't fill arenas sounds...as if something in their carefully laid plans went awry side note: today I set my vpn on US and while I'm not surprised that views of NBC GPF Nate > Yuzuru, it was endlessly hilarious that the views of Chock/Bates and their snake program were >>>> anyway, and without WRs and gold. True, an OGM in 2022 could change things, but the predictable spike in popularity is just that, a spike. They would need to feed it with new content to turn it into a consolidated plateau and that's hard, if your star is gonna go back to focus on their meds studies another side note anyway, ISU couldn't have been more transparent than they have. Well, Ari's been campaigning for it since the scam awards were announced, but it's another level of baffling how ISU didn't bother to pick a description for the award that *could* really fit their Chosen One (like, idk, setting highest scores, being undefeated in one season) but instead... they just presented the nominees in away that could justify their choice and the Jully typo was funny (the other not so much) as other have said, it's probably a mix. being and Asian AND from an Asian Country (historically NA+Europe and Russia had the monopoly of FS, just look at all the OWG and WC podium and you'll get an idea about just how recent it is to have Asian countries medalling in the biggest comps, and how long and hard the road was...and still is) he isn't signed with IMG or any other big agency. That means he's not as "profitable" as other skaters, and if he keeps winning and being on top there's no space to market those that have signed with them. I'm mentioning IMG in particular because in FS everyone and their mothers are signed with them. Ok, maybe not everyone, but it's true that the FS branch of IMG represents many (and I mean, MANY) coaches, athletes, even whole national feds and... ISU. Yeah, that's right. Now you see why Yuzu is not *as* profitable, despite selling out ISU arenas at comps of course being managed by IMG doesn't mean skaters get it easy by default. Mao was with IMG....and yet she was never treated (read: scored) as the Chosen One (btw, there were rumours that IMG was somehow involved in what made Yuna leave TCC in 2010. But I wasn't around so I've only read about speculations on GS. For the record, Brian was IMG) Also, signing with an agency (especially a big and powerful one) can mean that you surrender some of your freedom to them (more about IMG and also other economic interests in FS by american media here) Add to all of this broader economic&cultural backgorund that: Yuzuru is the worst nightmare for all those people that like to talk about tech vs art dichotomy. He excelles at both. That defies some consolidated narratives his skating and his costumes (and why not, his appearance too) don't fit the western "image" of how Men's champions are supposed to look and skate (because he's pretty and he skates beautifully BUT he's ALSO a relentless beast always hungry for gold who can't be easily dismissed and ignored) some additional broader historical context. These are not the talks of "mere" fans, but people who researched and published academic papers and books about FS&gender (mostly focusing on the era of 6.0, but some things haven't changed) Add that even in Japan Yuzuru is kind of an outsider (he didn't come from one of the "centres of power" of Japan FS), which means that within Japan he doesn't actually have much politicking to his name, aside what he's conquered through his results also add some not-so-edifying episodes involving previous JSF president Hashimoto (let's put it like this: Yuzu was not her favest fave...which, all in all, is a blessing) And pretty likely there's more... So, there are multiple complex factors at play, some regarding Yuzu as a Japanese, some Yuzu as just *himself* (and some merely being that USFSA found their own horse for the OWG race). IMO we can roughtly sum everything up as Yuzu blurring certain lines, breaking certain sterotypes and, ultimately, disturbing certain interests (oh, and he hasn't been gracious enough to just step aside even after the second OGM) back to more pleasant things: working to bring it to 10 millions 930.000 views to go (now, if only watchin Yuzu vids could be my real work...) aww, the bb Romeo that Yuzu didn't want to let die and the very skate that impressed Shun so much And a few years later, Shun got a gold medal under his senpai's proud gaze, skating to a RJ program set to the music of Yuzu'sRJ2 Re: Sweden

ehhh no plz don't tempt me (I mean, I already have the photobook in wishlist together with way too much stuff, but if they release a digital bersion too I won't have the excuse of the shipping costs...) @Veveco I think a fan then shared the screenshot of the reply they got when they asked organizers if gala would be gala or.. like in Montreal. But otherwise, organizers keep mum on their website. It costed nothing to add one line mentioning the format. Not all fans will think about mailing organizers, or know that other fans did..and not all fans know about the awards, if they haven't been on social media. Organizers "forgetting" this rather important detail(*) doesn't bode well You'd think that, if awards were such a GREAT hit with fans, they'd want to use them to promote the gala... but alas Between this and the no-refund policy, it feels too similar to the Montreal scam, with the aggravating circumstances of being amidst a pandemic. Selling non-refundable tickets in August, when borders can get closed in matters of weeks or even days... This kind of behaviour says a lot about how much organizers(&ISU that let them organize their event like this) care about the audience *(instead of a 2-hours long ice show --> skaters in formal attire waiting to get some award and only a few of performances in a corner of the rink that might as well be on the opposite side of where one buys a seat, depending on sheer luck) re: clearfiles I didn't know what they were LMAO it's another knowledge I got after becoming a Yuzu fan I use one of those I got in Turin (to keep more Yuzu stuff I got there) The rest are for contemplation only and I'm scared I'll scratch them, so I just keep them stored away most of the time LOL

@sweetwater thank you for the info about the pics

idk how they can even make JGP work if skaters won't be free to travel internationally by then, and without mandatory quarantine... it's true that right now Europe isn't the worst hit continent anymore and is lifting some travel restictions within its borders and to/from some Countries, so I could see e.g. European skaters travelling within Europe to attend a JGP (of course, if current situation holds). (I'm not familiar with situation in Uzbekistan, where the only non-european JGP is being held) But skaters from other continents still need to be able to cross borders, or they'll de-facto be excluded from JGP and not by their own choice

thank you for translating this commentary to the pic it's so lovely and thoughtful and Wakasugi-san is absolutely right: it's such a beautiful pic, it feels so serene, it's dynamic but peaceful ETA: and I've just realized it's the pic in the forum theme I'm currently using as for pic to prove Yuzuru is beautiful...well there's a lot but right now I'd go for H&L Yuzu

Ok, I was not expecting good ol' recommendation letters to be the real reason Jason could return to Canada😶😅 Eta: it looks like he wasn't the only skater who did this. I suppose borders officials are given some discretion in deciding which reasons are "good enough" to cross the border In these circumstances, it makes all the more sense that Yuzuru might not even want to ask JSF to take this kind of initiative and he would, instead, prefer to just stay wherever he is (which now we know it's his cave in Japan). I hope he manages to lay low has he's done thus far also, comforting to know he&mama Hanyu spent these past months, so full of uncertainties and dread, "close" to their loved ones. I hope they are all fine

and I'm glad that my memory is still somehow (sometimes) working

this is probably the best guess we can do at the moment. Though of course the skaters who have always lived in Canada with a parent "taking care" of them need to also figure out how to bring their parents with them. If the choice is between being in Canada on their own and staying where they are now (in a place where they can train on the ice anyway, even if without coaches), the choice would probably be to wait a bit more to see if some travel restrictions are lifted...

indeed, I had completely removed that and I was sure his last comp had been Euros LMAO

ok, I got the event wrong for Nobu. Still, JapanOpen doesn't count :PPPPPPPPPPP LMAO I always forget JO exists, sorry Nobu... I feel a deja vu, pretty sure this isn't the first time I forgot what he did, my brain is just impervious to JO and even then, we're still counting people who landed backcounter3A on...3/5 of one hand And it looks like the girls want to show the boys who's the real boss (it could be because for ladies landing 3A is *still* a big deal, ergo landing it out of TR is *still* an even bigger deal and a way to distinguish themselves?)

among "top" men Kevin is probably the skater with more types of entries into 3A (Yuzu aside), iirc he aso did some besti squat into 3A (well, contrary to some other top skaters, he knows TR into jumps are a thing). So it looks like 3A it's one of his most comfortable jumps (not surpisingly, the ice scope stats of his 3A were good too, with both very good height&distance) In his earlier attempts you could see he was still in the process of building control(and confidence) so he used to do the counter a bit tentatively and he didn't swiftly switch from LBO to LFO. Now his control has improved and he can execute it well afaik no one other than Kevin and of course Yuzu tried it in comp Mura tried it too when he was bullied by Yuzu and Sano-san during CiONTU iirc Nobu once did a counter-axel side by side with Yuzu at the end of a FaOI but I don't remember, was it 3A or 1A? (and was it sbs? Maybe I'm getting confused with the sbs 1A with V/M but I would have sworn there was a sbs 3A with Nobu...) Considering Yuzu has been using it for 9 years, it's pretty surprising so few have tried it on video and even less have incorporated it in their programs On the other hand, backcounter 2A is instead more "popular", a few ladies (Mai among them) have included it in their programs (I like to think Yuzu has helped popularizing the counter entry into axel a bit, but idk how popular it already was before him) @yuzupon tbh I don't think Yuzu brought twizzle sandwich to claim some kind of exclusivity on an entry, he had been basically training it in NS for two years so it makes sense he wanted to bring it to comp (and without doubt it fit Otonal wonderfully, too bad judges were always stingy with it, it got full GOE only once and that's nothing short of a CRIME) Anyway, as I said, that in 9 years we are still counting on (2/5 of)one hand the skaters doing it in comp speaks volumes. Of course in part it could that there's no real reward for doing a difficult entry into a 3A, but since boys these days like to post all the cool things they try in practices and ice shows... ok, maybe it speaks more about how utterly incompetent ISU is, if skaters prefer posting awful quad attempts(even clear <<) instead of playing with a counter3A good thing axel is mandatory in both SP and FS or it would risk extinction like proper Lz) x2 re: Nessie I think it's quite likely the first Nessie Yuzu will try in a program will be entered with the traditional long glide he also used in Turin. Let's not underestimate the difficulty of the jump. Yuzuru should reach an amazing consistency on it before also adding a difficult entry that would make an extremely dangerous element (with a very, very tricky timing) even more dangerous. He's gonna need more speed and control than going into the 4Lz, and looking at his 4Lz, however short his preparation is(and that's on his own a feat), he still isn't playing with different entries. I don't doubt Yuzuru has his own (very high)standard about how a good jump should be like, but it's not like all his new jumps were always debuted out of transitions. In this sense, 4Lo was probably an outlier in his "modus operandi" From how Yuzu has been talking about 4A, it feels that the aim is landing a fully rotated jump safely