So, it's pretty much clear that Chan will step it up at Nationals. 2008 Nationals? Dethrones Buttle. 2009? Lands two triple axels in his free program. 2010? Comes back from injury to suggest that a medal at Worlds/Olympics is plausible. 2011? The most astonishing skate of his career.
I'm glad he skated clean - this program deserved as much. But I think he can bring an even greater commitment to the choreography and music then he did here. But his command of skate language is second to none. He's growing as a performer. I said "Je Suis Malade" unlocked Weaver/Poje. I think the same of "Aranjuez" for Chan. What a marvelous skater.
So, I'm beyond impressed and my hat is off to him and may he celebrate with abandon. I am struck, though, that there are a few noticeable jump related points here and there. I can only explain my feeling in terms of another skater: I thought Yuna kim's olympic LP was so amazing, just amazing, yet, I fixated (for a few seconds) on her lack of toe point and leg turn out. It's like, when someone is just so utterly amazing you see "stuff" that in others you wouldn't even notice.
I was surprised to see Ten is third. A beautiful skater but he didn't perform as well as Balde. He had to fight through every jump. I did however really enjoy his gala performance. It was less "Joanne Mcleod-ish" and quite lovely.
Balde was a lot of fun to watch. The height and power he gets with his jumps is awesome. If he had more of Ten's in-betweens, he'd be rocking.
Hi, Kara Bear. Glad to see you back posting!
Now that Chan's 3A seems to be working for him, I wonder if he'd add back another 3A in the long next season. It's scary to think that despite his already amazing scores, there ARE still lots of rooms for him to improve even more. I see that he will add bits by bits each year toward Sochi. Maybe another 3A or new quad in 2013, then a three quads, two axel in the long by 2014? LOL
His focus this year is on the presentation side of the performance, looks like he's getting there...
*touch wood* i am afraid he might get injured if he does that... :/ i mean, plushenko/yagudin at their peak didn't even have 3 quads.
Well, not to be contrary, but today Kevin Reynolds almost made history by doing 3 different quads in the long program,if I'm not mistaken. But he underrotated the loop, I believe. So its certainly doable.
Injuries are another matter. If skaters didn't take chances the sport would stagnate and there would be nothing to aim for at the top. But I see where you're coming from. Injuries are more likely for Reynolds and Chan, if he does it in the future.
Now that Chan's 3A seems to be working for him, I wonder if he'd add back another 3A in the long next season. It's scary to think that despite his already amazing scores, there ARE still lots of rooms for him to improve even more. I see that he will add bits by bits each year toward Sochi. Maybe another 3A or new quad in 2013, then a three quads, two axel in the long by 2014? LOL
Kudos to Kevin too for making a mark with all those quads. He almost made history today for landing 3 different quads. The 4Lo was downgraded, earning him only 3 points. Interesting that his TES is 85.51 compared to Patrick's 103.21. He has a great TES and a very impressive over all score of 158.63, just to be overshadowed by Patrick's amazing scores! Probably other skaters will meet the same fate comes Worlds if Patrick will put up similar performances.
LOL!!! Over 200 with a bunch of crappy landings and no Hispanic character in the performance/interpretation. Yeah, the show must go on.