- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Joubert was not on my predictions list because he was demoralized after not being able to capitalize on Plushenko's withdrawal in Moscow and was defeating himself this season, being followed by the French press and whining to them about how undervalued the quad was, in a period when he was not landing it and other jumps cleanly. Unlike Buttle's, Joubert's PCS have not been stellar when he fails to land jumps. Plus most of the predictions were made before he returned to Matrix, and after Buttle had skated with great energy and focus in the Olympics LP. I think rising to CoP has done wonders for Joubert's spins, and not imitating Yagudin has done wonders for his footwork, and they're now always there, regardless of how he's jumping. I still don't think they are on par with Buttle's, but if Buttle doesn't land his jumps and Joubert does, Joubert gets high PCS, even when his programs are empty. (He wouldn't be the first or only.) Because that's the way the numbers add up.
I'm thrilled he went back to Matrix and got his jumps back. I hope he can build from the Matrix, instead of regressing in his choice of LP's, which he had done since 2004.
I think there's a huge difference between a skater who has superb jumping technique and had regressed, one who has stood on the European podium each of the five years he's competed and was a World silver medallist -- Joubert -- and one who has dodgy jump technique, like Czisny. That isn't to say the Czisny, who made a major leap this past season, and who has completed her first season in her new hinged boots, cannot continue to improve. She needs a jump coach, though, unless she develops the preternatural confidence and ability to gut out jumps despite bad technique like Leung, who also made enormous strides this season.
I'm thrilled he went back to Matrix and got his jumps back. I hope he can build from the Matrix, instead of regressing in his choice of LP's, which he had done since 2004.
I think there's a huge difference between a skater who has superb jumping technique and had regressed, one who has stood on the European podium each of the five years he's competed and was a World silver medallist -- Joubert -- and one who has dodgy jump technique, like Czisny. That isn't to say the Czisny, who made a major leap this past season, and who has completed her first season in her new hinged boots, cannot continue to improve. She needs a jump coach, though, unless she develops the preternatural confidence and ability to gut out jumps despite bad technique like Leung, who also made enormous strides this season.