Vancouver Podium (Men)

**dannyascii** · 10-30-2009, 01:18 PM

Pretty straight forward. Which three men are going to be on the olympic podium.

EDIT: I realize I probably should have made an "other" category. I made the choices based mainly off of 2009 Worlds placements.

**dannyascii** · 10-30-2009, 01:32 PM

So, I'm thinking 1) Takahashi 2) Plushenko and 3) Chan
This year is a really exciting year for men, and I think all 10 of the guys above could get on the podium if they skated to their full potential to be honest. It's going to come down to consistency, stamina and the individual performance. I think Takahashi is a brilliant showman. I don't love his programs this year, but if he can come back skating to the level he was in 2008, I really think he'll be hard to beat. Plushenko's jumps will get him high TES, even if his artistry and spins aren't to the level of others. Chan...it all depends on if he's gotten his 3A worked out yet. If his jumps can be moderately consistent and he really plays up his edges, spins and expression, he could be in the hunt.
Lambiel, Oda, and Joubert are all waiting in the wings if one of those three has an off day. I love Oda's programs this year and Joubert is looking surprisingly artistic. I mean...his artistry is still not great...but hey, it's a start...

**dannyascii** · 10-30-2009, 11:37 PM

...

**mad6ame2** · 10-31-2009, 02:48 PM

I voted for Takahashi, Oda, and Lambiel.

I love Takahashi's SP, and Oda has been so consistent this year (I just hope he doesn't burn out by the time Vancouver comes around...
For me, it was either Lambiel or Plushenko...and it came down to personal preference. Not necessarily skill. Plushenko's basic skating and spins are weak in comparison to the Takahashi, Oda, Lambiel, Lysacek, Chan, etc.

**Tonichelle** · 10-31-2009, 06:54 PM

it's so hard to know when we don't truly know who will be in the running next Feb. most federations haven't even started talking about picking a team yet

**Dee4707** · 11-09-2009, 04:32 PM

It would be funny if it were none of those listed above.

**lcd** · 11-09-2009, 06:03 PM

My thought too. Is there a "Paul Wylie" in this year's crop?

**NatachaHatawa** · 11-10-2009, 01:09 AM

It's much too hard to predict this year's podium - there are so many possibilities. I juts went with whome I'd like to see!

**jennylovskt** · 11-12-2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dee4707

It would be funny if it were none of those listed above.

You are joking!

I wouldn't, in a million years, believe that could happen.

I voted Plushenko, Joubert, and Chan. It's hard to predict, I know. I think there are many could be possible end up on the podium, such as Takahashi, Oda, Lysacek, Lambiel ...

**snowflake** · 12-10-2009, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dee4707

It would be funny if it were none of those listed above.

Yes, for example Abbott, Brezina and Javier

I predict Lysachek and Plushenko as first and second. Third is between Brian, Chan and Oda. I put my vote on Oda because he has consistent jumps and, though I am a bit tired of Chaplin, his program is a crowd pleaser. Brian will be too nervous to succeed and Chan will have too many jump falls.

Haha, that's what I think right now. My real predictions come February 16, 2010.

**jennylovskt** · 12-10-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by snowflake

I predict Lysachek and Plushenko as first and second.

Oh, Please, Please, no, no, no!

I couldn't even think about how dreadful that would be. You mean Plushenko and Lysacek as first and second, right?!

**snowflake** · 12-10-2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by jennylovskt

Oh, Please, Please, no, no, no!

I couldn't even think about how dreadful that would be. You mean Plushenko and Lysacek as first and second, right?!

I think Evan will be above Plushy because he has more difficulties and better skating between the jumps. Well, well, none of them are my dream guy standing on the top of the podium in Vancouver…just a prediction

**jennylovskt** · 12-11-2009, 11:57 AM

I am just wondering what would make up more points, the jumps or the transitions?

Seriously, why is Plushenko better than Lysacek?

1. Plushenko has the real deal and real power. He can jump.

2. Plushenko has the ability to be the best artist. Everything Lysacek does, Plushenko could do better (except the flailing arms, of course).

3. Plushenko knows better than any one how to work CoP.

4. Plushenko didn't just sit there and rest after he has passed his first milestone on the come back trail at Rostel (except a few days when he was sick.)

5. There is just no way that the judges would place a clean Lysacek above a clean Plushenko.

Edited to add:

Just got the info that Plushenko is injured.

He must recover soon and in time for the Olympics!