Z/Z did a perfect quad throw in competition!

[Mathman]

I think Pang & Tong have a potential to be even more loved in the West than S&Z. For a Western eyes, P&T are more beautiful (from a conventional, not skating perspective), and I think it's important for the love of Western audience.

I'm not so sure about that. I think North American fans also appreciate huge athletic throws and the like.

When Shen and Zhao first came on the scene, I couldn't believe my eyes at how far he could toss her. Then after several years they started to develop the artistry to go along with it.

That was OK, too, I guess.

Mathman

[hongligl]

If this is true, then I just lost a lot of respect fo that coach.

I still am so heartbroken about not seeing Shen and Zhao compete this season (compete fully, I still have hopes about at late season appearance)....I just love them so much and wanted one more season to watch them. Anyway, having said that, this news about the Zhangs and the developments with Pang and Tong is really exciting. I can't wait to see their new programs!

I read the info in English from chinese forum (people there feel this outrageous, including me). I asked for the source of the article, and I then double checked. It is an interview they (the three) gave to 'LIGTHHOUSE' broadcasting station, and it is translated and posted in TM's website: http://icestory.narod.ru/english.html. I went to their website for the first time and post this link here just to verify the reliability of the info, nothing more than that.

[lochness]

She (girl Zhang) is not tiny. I believe she is the bigest one amoung the girls in top 3 chinese pair.

In fact the girl Zhang looks to me like she's probably the tallest pairs skater ever. At 5'6" (I'm guessing/approximating here, but based on her height relative to others) she looks too tall to be a pairs skater. Although she is rather lean of build, so I'm sure that aids in her technique.

[lochness]

You know I resented those comments toward Z/Z, and I really like T/M, but when they and their coach started these accusations of the Zhangs crashing with them on purpose, it really bothered me, 'cause they are not the type to do that. Plus, if any pair chose to crash against the bigger threat, then they would have crashed to S/Z. I felt really bad for Z/Z to be accused like that, but I'm sure they have already put that behind them.


Going back to topic, it would be interesting to compare O/S quad twist against Z/Z quad twist... I would give the edge to the latter.

I thought Z/Z only had the quad twist?...although now that you mention it I dimly recall reading something in the past about their having done a quad twist in junior competitions. I can't remember if it was them, but I believe so.

I wonder what Moskvina and O/S think of all this. No doubt they've heard the same info we have. I suppose the saying "anything can happen" is true but I think we're already seeing how the 2010 Olympics may shape up...I just don't see any other potential pairs to challenge them on the horizon.

[lochness]

Their coach even said he does not believe Hongbo really tore his Achilles Tendon. He said it is probably just a propaganda to confuse other contenders I feel pity for these people.

Where was Vasiliev when JFK was shot My what an amateur conspiracy theorist.

Do you have a source link for that? It actually seems quite out of bounds even for him.

[jasperx]

TO hongligl and Zhang:I'd love to share pangtong and zhangs' new programs(both sp and lp)with u,and thanks for keeping posting information here to let everybody know what really happen here in china and all those hard work our beloved chinese sakters do for coming olympics season,just add me to your msn list:lukecareer@hotmail.com.
I'm sorry that i have to say no to the others who want to see all tese 4 programs,I hate to keep them secrects because they r all truely beautiful,but like Oleg told us: chinese r russian skaters'"enemies".they don't want chiese skaters know any detail about their pairs' new programs,so the rule has already been set .
LET'S SEE WHAT OLEG SAID ABOUT HONGBO'S INJURY:
Oleg Vasiliev: 'I've heard that he has torn 'achille'. But I do not believe completely this information. Probably, it is a propaganda trick to confuse contenders. Or it is a problem of a last year's injury because of which the skater withdrew from the world championships in Moscow.'

[Joesitz]

Where was Vasiliev when JFK was shot My what an amateur conspiracy theorist.

Do you have a source link for that? It actually seems quite out of bounds even for him.

I wouldn't call it a conspiracy theory, but at this point, it seems to me to be hearsay. We'll wait until the facts appear or disappear.

Joe

[mzheng]

TO hongligl and Zhang:I'd love to share pangtong and zhangs' new programs(both sp and lp)with u,and thanks for keeping posting information here to let everybody know what really happen here in china and all those hard work our beloved chinese sakters do for coming olympics season,just add me to your msn list:lukecareer@hotmail.com.

It's Zheng. Thanks for the offers. But I don't have msn account or use msn. I'm going to wait until SA and SC (Pang and Tong will be there right?). I read from that site, originally Z/Z planned reveal the throw quad at SA. I took it still on plan?

[Mathman]

Pang and Tong were very well received on the U.S. Champions on Ice tour last summer. They did not hold back on the tech (as many skater tend to do in their exhibition-style numbers), and skated with elegance and grace.

The year before, Shen and Zhou were with the tour. They closed the first act with Turendot, leaving not a dry eye in the house.

Mathman

[jesslily]

I feel Zhang&Zhang are more lovelier and approachable than the Russian top pair. And their jumps and all the technique aren't much less than the Russian couple. If tZhang&Zhang run a perfect clean program with throw quad they should win.

[mzheng]

I feel Zhang&Zhang are more lovelier and approachable than the Russian top pair. And their jumps and all the technique aren't much less than the Russian couple. If tZhang&Zhang run a perfect clean program with throw quad they should win.

Well to be objective, at least from what I last saw (that was 2005 worlds). Their basics like stroking and spins still not compare to top Rusian teams yet.

[hongligl]

Thank you jasperx! I have added you to my list!