This is interesting. Not sure if posted before.

Interview with Stephane at COR.

 

 

On 2017. 10. 25. at 1:12 PM, kaeryth said:

 

Thank you and take your time! For those of us who are unable to go to live competitions, we live vicariously thru others' experiences 

 

Finally I have a bit time to share some of my thoughts...better late than never 

 

I've seen Chopin and Seimei for the first time in person, since I missed my chance at GPF 2015 (when I hesitated for a while, then I decided not to go to Barcelona due to work/financial reasons), so at Rostelecom one of my biggest dreams came true that I saw Chopin and Seimei. And when I found out that his EX is Notte Stellata, it was the icing on the cake...

 

On Friday during the SP my seat was on the long side, the 3A was the jump which I could see really close - and how beautiful it was! He got all 3s for that, deservedly so. The 4Lo was a bit far away from me so I couldn't see whether it was UR or not. Anyway my first impressions were that his speed until the 4T-3T looked a bit slow overall, especially before 4Lo, and during the sit spin. Also during 4T I thought he won't be able to put the 3T on it, or at least he would jumped it without the rippon, because his lack of speed was visible. So I wasn't that surprised by the fall, but at least it was good that he rotated the jump.

Then the first and last third of step sequence looked very fast (I mean too fast) and his movements were a bit uncontrolled to me as well. There was a visible contrast how he skated before and after the combo. At ACI, the continuity and balance of the program were flawless, it was built up perfectly, while at Rostelecom I had the impression he was a bit too calm first and by the end of the program, it was the complete opposite...so the balance wasn't really there. 

But apart from these...his flow over the ice was pure magic, his skating was light, elegant, it looked that he made every movement so easy. I was so captured by the program and his presence on the ice that when I went down to the first row after he finished, I didn't even notice what the small flower boy was doing there.  That was the moment where I could see Yuzu's costume really close. Oh, it's gorgeous...during the warm-up I took some pictures and when I zoomed in and I saw the new collar I almost dropped my camera. It looks like the collar symbolizes the Sun, and there are rays of sunshines on it. So much beauty 

 

Next day, I was sitting above the kiss and cry with a very nice Japanese lady who was holding my hand during Yuzu's skate. I put my Seimei bracelet in our hands, too, and we clenched our fists every time before Yuzu's jumps and during the whole StSq and ChSq.  

Seimei was a fighter program, especially the second half of it + the Lutz at the beginning...which was just was amazing to see it live...he jumped right in front of me  

After the mistakes on the loop, the 4S and the 4T pop it looked to me that he focused and concentrated more, the highlight to me was the choreographic sequence which was sharp and controlled, and also the 4T-3T was very nice. His spins got all level fours, though at the average, he got less GOE on them than he did at ACI. His speed was good, better than during Chopin, but still a little bit slowish. 

 

What I loved about the performance was his command on the ice. I don't think anyone can take their eyes off him when he's skating. He demands attention and Seimei is perfect program to show his strengths. His new costume looks just fantastic as well. At ACI it looked unfinished to me, but at Rostelecom it looked completely different, much more detailed. Also his overall look is so different when he wears gloves  I was a bit sceptic about it at ACI but it looks wonderful now. (though I have to admit, despite Yuzu's 3000 rhinestones, Maia Shibutani's SD costume won the CoR Sparkliest Costume Award by a large margin! Sorry Yuzu!)

 

There's still plenty of room to improve, but overall I think his current form is already better than usually at this time of the season. Anything can happen at the next competitions - he could skate Chopin perfectly from now on, or it's also possible that he mistakes and finally he would nail it again at the Olympics? Who knows, really. I just hope he gained lots of experiences at CoR and he will skate better at NHK (esp. Chopin) and then, even better at GPF.

36 minutes ago, sallycinnamon said:

 

Next day, I was sitting above the kiss and cry with a very nice Japanese lady who was holding my hand during Yuzu's skate. I put my Seimei bracelet in our hands, too, and we clenched our fists every time before Yuzu's jumps and during the whole StSq and ChSq.  

Seimei was a fighter program, especially the second half of it + the Lutz at the beginning...which was just was amazing to see it live...he jumped right in front of me  

 

 

This is so sweet  

His "Spasiba!" so cute!

 

Was it posted here? I feel blessed as we have so many moments to treasure from COR 2017! And so many smiles! 

 

 

 

Kikuchi-san congratulating Kolyada

 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, katonice said:

 

Kaori is a cutie but that dress must go! 

Lol it seems like Stephane can rival Brian when it comes to performances by the boards.