Han Yan

[koheikun90]

I am really impressed with Han Yan of China. He won both his jr. grand prix events without a triple axel and triple triple combination. The judges really like his style and it's rare to see a Chinese male skater come on top in PCS. He's only 14 years old and I can't wait to see him grow in the next few years. What do you think?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Zylg858v4

[Jaana]

Thank you, that was very enjoyable to watch!!! He moves so beautifully and effortlessly on the ice, WOW. As he is only 14 years old, I´d suppose that he will have the triple axel ready maybe in next season and a quad soon afterwards.

[gmyers]

I was reminded of Rippon a little. And if he's like Rippon that wont mean a triple axel til his late teens and a quad til he's in his 20's.

[feraina]

I am really impressed with Han Yan of China. He won both his jr. grand prix events without a triple axel and triple triple combination. The judges really like his style and it's rare to see a Chinese male skater come on top in PCS. He's only 14 years old and I can't wait to see him grow in the next few years. What do you think?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Zylg858v4

He skated even better in JGP Czech, 23 points higher in the LP. And he did land a 3F-3T with +1.2 GOE in his SP in that event, too! I heard he's got he 3A in practice, so it's a matter of mastering it and making it consistent -- if there are no injuries, I think maybe he will do a 3A's in his programs next year.

I think he's awesome. He is naturally gifted in performance. Look at how polished and expressive he already was 5 years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml8XT32kOec

He has the "it" factor, something that can't be taught. I hope we'll have HD videos of him in JGPF or JW.

He reminds me more of Denis Ten than Adam Rippon.

And yes, it's wonderful that he's got great PCS. Zijun Li in ladies as well as Sui/Han in Pairs all have good PCS. This generation of young Chinese skaters seem to be a lot better than the last generation in this respect. Maybe something changed in their coaching system, and they're putting more emphasis into dance and performance skills.

[shine]

I fell in love with this skater the first time I saw him skate last season. I think Yan Han has wonderful musicality and really skates with his heart. He's also got such expressive upper body movement and a very masculine kind of elegance. He actually reminds me of Lambiel a bit in the respect (I see he's just going to remind everybody of their favourite skater now ). Spins weren't at their strongest here - I have seen him do better. He's got a very, very bright future. Can't wait to see him at JGPF!

ETA: thanks feraina for posting that clip of a 9 year old Yan Han - it's way precious!
Here's also his SP and FS from last year. He pulled a Vanessa Lam winning his only JGP event that year in Istanbul.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBR7l...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT4tOqcmBF8

[feraina]

Here's Han Yan's JGP Czech LP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sGx12qxUws

The program already looks better than at JGP Austria. It's great that he didn't let the first two jump mistakes affect him. He went on to land a string of really beautiful jumps, most with high +GOE's. And his last combo spin is simply fantastic. I really like how he takes time to interpret the music at times, especially with his hands. Junior skaters often have the tendency to just rush through the technical elements in their programs.

I think he must have planned at 3F-3T in his LP, because he did a beautiful 3F-3T in the SP, and in the LP there was no 3T, and two 2A's. It was probably supposed to be the very first jump combination, but since he messed up the landing of the 3F, he added a 2T to the second 3F. Quick thinking on his feet, too.

I'm sure his programs will look even better at JGPF, and better still at JW.

Go, Han Yan!

[EricRohmer]

future Champion!!

[Andalusia]

His jumps are amazing - so high and explosive with such perfect landings. He reminds me of Oda in this respect. I also notice that he's very fast and fluid, more so than certain senior skaters who are much older than him! Looking at his other jumps, I can't imagine how he won't get the 3A, but if he has a problem jump in competition it seems to be the axel. If ideal progress is made over the next few years, I don't see why he shouldn't become a major star - I just hope that the lack of a strong FS (singles) tradition in China won't hurt his chances.

The upcoming JGPF will be held in Beijing, won't it? Good luck to Han Yan on home ground!

[feraina]

His jumps are amazing - so high and explosive with such perfect landings. He reminds me of Oda in this respect. I also notice that he's very fast and fluid, more so than certain senior skaters who are much older than him! Looking at his other jumps, I can't imagine how he won't get the 3A, but if he has a problem jump in competition it seems to be the axel.

Yeah, I love his jumps, too. Such height and flow out. But his 2A always looks a little off. I think he's likely to get the quad before the 3A. Why is his air position so crooked on that 2A?