- Joined
- Mar 23, 2010
Yuna is a complete trailblazer and risk taker. Yuzu and Javier followed her footsteps, Yuzu even stated on public record he wanted what she has and love her style of integrating jumps into everything together in her programs. It is no accident his style has been influenced the way it did, particularly that spread eagle Ina Bauer into a 3a element. In any case, Yuna always goes for maximum TES she can muster within her capabilities with 3 x 3 lutz in her arsenal, whilst trying to manage her chronic injuries where 3loop can inflame. I think the rule changes after Vancouver really targeted her strength, particularly disabled her powerful 2A3T combos with excellent GOEs, plus the depreciation of GOE by 30%. Whereas I don't think ISU changed any rules that disadvantaged Yuzu, in fact, they increased the value for quads which really boosted his scope of scoring against Patrick.
More importantly, I think her humble and modest nature probably help her to go above her potentials and never took things for granted, playing things safe, always moving forward. She paid attention to every aspect of her programs, from music choices, choreography, presentation direction, hair & makeup, costumes, and are so thoughtful in her choices at the right stage in her career, I can't imagine if any programs should be skated in any other order. She seems comfortable absorb everything around her, but develop them into her own style and strength but also have the character to know when not to compromise. I didn't think it was possible to improve on Vancouver performances/programs, but some how she did, every time... surreal.
Weirdly I respect her even more for she never step onto the ice for shows after her 'formal retirement' unless it is for her country at the Olympic opening ceremony infront of a united Korea. It adds so much value to all her previous competition/show performances. She is so principled, never wishy-washy!! Word is good as gold. Not for money or fame. She also does not compromise her arts for points... instead always strives to bring best balance of both in all her programs. It is one of the main things struck the Chinese Skating critic FrenchRabbit in his review for WC Tango De Roxanne, how balanced and well realised that program is, the placement of all elements using all aspects of the rink. It is just a well realised program that set the tone for her particular brand of skating seamlessly combing incredible musicality, performance and tech skills with amazing quality.
I suspect she knows her battles are going to be harder than others, not just against other skaters. The only way the judges are going to let her win is if she convincingly wins over others there leaves no room to overturn. It has become necessary to go above and beyond to convince the judges, otherwise, they simply won't give it to her. Never won by PCS in her entire career says a lot about how judges mark her, despite her so-called 'reputation in the sport. Not having a power federation can handicap the skater's marks as we have seen time and time again. Jun-Hwan, Dabin, Young You, (will need to learn from So Young) will all need to go above and beyond what is necessary to earn their marks...particularly in PCS which has become a necessity to survive in this sport.
The more I have got to know the sport and its judging system, the politics and biases within the management side of things, the more I grew to appreciate and respect what a miracle Yuna Kim is. How she is able to pull herself up through sheer excellence and strong will despite everything. Yuzu's Chopin does remind me of Yuna's Tango De Roxanne at first senior world when she broke the world record coming back from injuries when she had little or no practice. Her final battle at Sochi is simply incredible, for it really exposed the rotten side of the sport in plain sight, also skating injured.
One can even argued, her contribution to the sport including finally getting rid of anonymous judging once and for all to ensure judges can at least be held accountable for their 'federation judgement'.
(Edited to remove quoted post which has been removed)
More importantly, I think her humble and modest nature probably help her to go above her potentials and never took things for granted, playing things safe, always moving forward. She paid attention to every aspect of her programs, from music choices, choreography, presentation direction, hair & makeup, costumes, and are so thoughtful in her choices at the right stage in her career, I can't imagine if any programs should be skated in any other order. She seems comfortable absorb everything around her, but develop them into her own style and strength but also have the character to know when not to compromise. I didn't think it was possible to improve on Vancouver performances/programs, but some how she did, every time... surreal.
Weirdly I respect her even more for she never step onto the ice for shows after her 'formal retirement' unless it is for her country at the Olympic opening ceremony infront of a united Korea. It adds so much value to all her previous competition/show performances. She is so principled, never wishy-washy!! Word is good as gold. Not for money or fame. She also does not compromise her arts for points... instead always strives to bring best balance of both in all her programs. It is one of the main things struck the Chinese Skating critic FrenchRabbit in his review for WC Tango De Roxanne, how balanced and well realised that program is, the placement of all elements using all aspects of the rink. It is just a well realised program that set the tone for her particular brand of skating seamlessly combing incredible musicality, performance and tech skills with amazing quality.
I suspect she knows her battles are going to be harder than others, not just against other skaters. The only way the judges are going to let her win is if she convincingly wins over others there leaves no room to overturn. It has become necessary to go above and beyond to convince the judges, otherwise, they simply won't give it to her. Never won by PCS in her entire career says a lot about how judges mark her, despite her so-called 'reputation in the sport. Not having a power federation can handicap the skater's marks as we have seen time and time again. Jun-Hwan, Dabin, Young You, (will need to learn from So Young) will all need to go above and beyond what is necessary to earn their marks...particularly in PCS which has become a necessity to survive in this sport.
The more I have got to know the sport and its judging system, the politics and biases within the management side of things, the more I grew to appreciate and respect what a miracle Yuna Kim is. How she is able to pull herself up through sheer excellence and strong will despite everything. Yuzu's Chopin does remind me of Yuna's Tango De Roxanne at first senior world when she broke the world record coming back from injuries when she had little or no practice. Her final battle at Sochi is simply incredible, for it really exposed the rotten side of the sport in plain sight, also skating injured.
One can even argued, her contribution to the sport including finally getting rid of anonymous judging once and for all to ensure judges can at least be held accountable for their 'federation judgement'.
(Edited to remove quoted post which has been removed)
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