Men's Short Program

[ImaginaryPogue]

Actually, BoP was wrong. Chan received several 1s for his elements whereas BoP claimed judges just gave him all 2s and and some 3s, therefore automatically = generous. In stating Chan's 4T/3T should not be higher than +1, BoP also failed to include any explanation as to why his view is the correct one for instance. I thought his opinion was scarce in details and actual technicality.

I'll let Blades defend his point.

[wallylutz]

Dai was not downgraded. He just got level 3 on all his spins and step sequence. He also got an "e" for his flip. Amano's not handing out any favors, but the judging panel sure is generous with those GOE's for Patrick.

Protocol: http://www.isuresults.com/results/wc..._SP_Scores.pdf

Uh...the tech specialist is actually Finnish, while the tech. controller is British in today's competition for Men. Amano is scheduled for Ladies competition only.

[Ilvskating]

I dont know if to laugh or to cry while looking at Chan's GOEs for his spins... Talk about a +GOE party..

Daisuke's PCS were insanely low..

Other than that the scoring seemed fair enough.

It seems to me 0.5 point lower is not insanely low. If Dai's is insanely low, than Chan with about half a point higher is also insanely low?

[Bluebonnet]

Think this way, Chan's SP was better than Plushenko's world record 91.30 SP, so Chan deserved this.

[Layfan]

Without viewing the skates but after seeing the rankings, I'm satisfied that the top three are who they are. I'm also glad that all three Japanese men did so well, considering the few weeks they've just experienced.

I suppose I have to grit my teeth and find out what happened to the Americans. But hooray for Patrick, Nobunari, and Daisuke! And Amodio also. Good going.

The Americans did fine! It's just a very deep field is all.


Serious Business: I agree re Patrick. I don't know about the exact numbers but he certainly deserves to be in the lead, well in the lead with that skate. No mistakes and his quads are breathtaking. I've seen him do a better quad combo this season but the quad itself was so beautiful. He makes the quad look so easy.

I haven't been able to watch a good video of Dai. I'm sure he was terrific to watch and it seems like his mistakes were hardly visible. Too bad he couldn't score higher. I really hope he pulls it all together tomorrow. He's just such a fun skater. More than Patrick, IMO, but Patrick is breathtaking in a different way.

My prediction for tomorrow:
1. Chan. (It's obviously his gold to squander)
2. Takahashi (he seems to be a better long program skater than Oda so I bet he pulls up.)
3. Oda. (Can't wait to see his short program and I hope he keeps it together to stay on the podium. No reason why he shouldn't. It'd be awesome to see him win any medal. It'd be his first world medal no?)

[wallylutz]

I think you're underestimating Dornbush and Miner. Just because they're young doesn't meant they can't bring it. Dornbush has brought it all season long in the junior circuit and has the 11th highest season's best as a junior. Miner started slow, but he's really shown that he wants it and will take the opportunity.

Well, in this case, you should also pay attention to those skaters placing immediately behind them. They include some fairly well known names and have arsenals that could easily topple all 3 American men in the FS given how close they are.

[Joesitz]

I hope the believers in the one competition Nationals to represent their country at World Competitions will change. We should have had Abbott in there with his Quad. The competition was about Quads. However, Dornbush and Miner did make a statement. Not so for Bradley who used Americana which is a known losing music in international circles. Ask Michael Weiss when he faced a stronger European group. Hamilton did not have the all powerful skaters of today, and he didn't win the FS.

Chan was marvelous! and I am sure the Boards will be praising him to the hilt.
The Japanes boys are like the 3 bears in Goldilocks - Dai is too animated; Taka is too methodical; Oda is just right, although he could have done better here.

The Czech boys are both so musical but faults wont work in a competition. Amodio does a better skate without the bumps and grinds; Joubert, like Taka is too methodical. Gachinksi is a Tech skater only. His performanc showed no musical ability.

Stupid music choreo in a serious major competition: Javier Fernandez wins the award but not good impressions.

It seemed to me that many of the Men got a bit too nervous, like Reynolds, Schultheiss and Contessi.

Best All Round Skater Patrick Chan.

Most Impressive Skater from the lower ranks Hendrickson from Belium

The Short Program is not the Final total. Let's see how it works out in the LP,

[blue_idealist]

I hope the believers in the one competition Nationals to represent their country at World Competitions will change. We should have had Abbott in there with his Quad. The competition was about Quads. However, Dornbush and Miner did make a statement. Not so for Bradley who used Americana which is a known losing music in international circles. Ask Michael Weiss when he faced a stronger European group. Hamilton did not have the all powerful skaters of today, and he didn't win the FS.

Chan was marvelous! and I am sure the Boards will be praising him to the hilt.
The Japanes boys are like the 3 bears in Goldilocks - Dai is too animated; Taka is too methodical; Oda is just right, although he could have done better here.

The Czech boys are both so musical but faults wont work in a competition. Amodio does a better skate without the bumps and grinds; Joubert, like Taka is too methodical. Gachinksi is a Tech skater only. His performanc showed no musical ability.

Stupid music choreo in a serious major competition: Javier Fernandez wins the award but not good impressions.

It seemed to me that many of the Men got a bit too nervous, like Reynolds, Schultheiss and Contessi.

Best All Round Skater Patrick Chan.

Most Impressive Skater from the lower ranks Hendrickson from Belium

The Short Program is not the Final total. Let's see how it works out in the LP,

What exactly about Hamilton?

[Tinymavy15]

THere is really no way Chan can lose this, but I hope Dai and maybe Brian can come back and medal. Not that surprised that the Japnanese men didn't look that dominant. So much stress and exhaustion, pressure...they all had to move training locations.

[lavender]

HA HA HA!!!!!!! Given that most people are cheering for Dai, this comment is off base.

I know. I'm rooting for Dai overall and some others. I'm American and I'm not really rooting for or against the US trio. My favs (Jeremy and Adam) were left at home. With that said if they do well then good for them.

[jfdw]

As a Canadian I am happy to hear that Patrick skated well. I have recorded it and after reading all these posts I will have to go and look at it. As it has been said it is not over yet.

There is the long and many who have problems in the short do much better in the long. I hope all the skaters skate well in the long and then the winner is picked from that.

That way even those who lose can be proud of their skate.

Yes Patrick has the lead now but that lead can be swallowed very quickly if mistakes are made I hope he skates clean in the long also and let the cards fall where they may.

Good luck to all the skaters and especially to the Japanese men they are skating under extreme emotional pressure.

jfdw

[Mrs. P]

Mrs. P - I adore your optimism. Tell you what - I'll root for the Americans to keep three spots just for you. While at the same time not rooting for anyone else to fail. It'll be tricky, but being wrong will be worth it

For all the talk of Patrick peaking at Nationals, his SP here was the best of the season for him, obviously. I thought he was more relaxed at Nationals (no duh) and I particularly enjoyed his step sequence there, but the ease of his movement is just remarkable

Thanks IP! Appreciate your kindness on this one. I guess my optimism, as many has called it, is a belief in their potential of what they could bring. Part of it is coming from the naysayers who were convinced they would bomb. To be honest, I think it's about 95 percent that they WON'T keep the three spots, but the fact is you can't ignore the 5 percent because sometimes magic happens.

Well, in this case, you should also pay attention to those skaters placing immediately behind them. They include some fairly well known names and have arsenals that could easily topple all 3 American men in the FS given how close they are.

Yes, true, particularly KDVP, who has that crazy 4-3-3.

[Blades of Passion]

01. Chan
02. Takahashi
03. Oda
04. Gachinski
05. Kozuka
06. Amodio
07. Brezina
08. Verner
09. Bradley
10. Miner
11. Dornbush
12. Ten

Would have been my placements of these Short Programs. I'd have Chan ahead of Takahashi by 6 or 7 points, not 13.

[skfan]

I hope the believers in the one competition Nationals to represent their country at World Competitions will change. We should have had Abbott in there with his Quad. The competition was about Quads. However, Dornbush and Miner did make a statement. Not so for Bradley who used Americana which is a known losing music in international circles. Ask Michael Weiss when he faced a stronger European group. Hamilton did not have the all powerful skaters of today, and he didn't win the FS.

Chan was marvelous! and I am sure the Boards will be praising him to the hilt.
The Japanes boys are like the 3 bears in Goldilocks - Dai is too animated; Taka is too methodical; Oda is just right, although he could have done better here.

The Czech boys are both so musical but faults wont work in a competition. Amodio does a better skate without the bumps and grinds; Joubert, like Taka is too methodical. Gachinksi is a Tech skater only. His performanc showed no musical ability.

Stupid music choreo in a serious major competition: Javier Fernandez wins the award but not good impressions.

It seemed to me that many of the Men got a bit too nervous, like Reynolds, Schultheiss and Contessi.

Best All Round Skater Patrick Chan.

Most Impressive Skater from the lower ranks Hendrickson from Belium

The Short Program is not the Final total. Let's see how it works out in the LP,

oh please. as if abbott could have done so much better with that short program that is so unsuited to his amazing talents.

this supporter of 'nationals for all the marbles' is not going to waver because the americans skated well but are in a deep field. there's enough icky politics in skating as it is.

[Mrs. P]

01. Chan
02. Takahashi
03. Oda
04. Gachinski
05. Kozuka
06. Amodio
07. Brezina
08. Verner
09. Bradley
10. Miner
11. Dornbush
12. Ten

Would have been my placements of these Short Programs. I'd have Chan ahead of Takahashi by 6 or 7 points, not 13.

And Joubert?