2012 TEB Men's Short Program SP

[Art&Sport]

No Dai, I will cry

Ahhh, I don't think Dai will perform badly at the rest of end of year comps unless he has injury problems. He is known to step up to the plate and be strong under pressure. I just don't think his programs are as magical as they were last season, but that doesn't mean they are completely horrible.

Machida has performed well on the GP, BUT he does not have a strong quad, and Oda is simply not a well-rounded skater artistically no matter how much the judges love his jumping ability. For that reason, and because Hanyu and Dai are defending World medalists, I tend to think that the third Japanese spot will be a battle between Machida, Kozuka and Oda. But I believe Kozuka and Machida might have the edge somewhat over Oda (because they are both better than Oda in terms of presentation skills, IMO). As you can see, Mura, IMO will likely not factor in this season in terms of going to Worlds. I'd be very surprised if Mura or Oda were sent over Dai. Machida and Kozuka might have more of a case, but still Dai has more experience and charisma, as well as a bigger following internationally.

[spikydurian]

Don't worry, darling, you won't need to. Worlds, even in Canada, without the major male skater would be indeed some blah. Some people simply want an easy victory to their home guy in his country, that's why they wish the worst to one of his main rivals. Not that's I am surprised much with their pettiness, not to say that they dragged Dai to bash him in the competition thread where he is not competing. The stupidest thinig was to say that Dai won't make Team Japan. Gross ignorance of some sofa specialist who has zero idea what the brands "Mao" and "Dai" mean in Japan and for television. Pehaps he/she thinks they mean as "much" as his/her Idol in his homeland. Or that desperate attempt of another poster who kept typing in each post more than once that Dai doesn't have good competitive progs, as if it will come true of he/she types it a lot. The funniest part is that he/she did it in comparison to Abbott, whose SP is some clownish baby hollywood tough guy and his FS is basically pretty much the same stuff as his last season's FS. Dai doesn't have a quadless SP and will challenge a quad in his both progs, twice in LP, as he said more than once. Therefore all this rant about a quadless SP from Dai is one more pathetic move of his haters. He wasn't good in CoC in general, where he changed the boots right before the event. So his team assured the media that they will do their best to deal with this issue by NHK.

Someone is describing herself!

[Butterscotch17]

I hear what you are saying and do find my self both excited by the men's quad in the short program and worried! I would really, really hate to imagine worlds this year without Dai.

Worlds without Dai would be so sad! Japanese Nationals will be so hard to watch, I'll be so nervous. There's five real contenders in my opinion - Daisuke, Yuzuru, Takahiko, Nobunari and Tatsuki. I think it will be the first three (in some order), but Tatsuki sure surprised everyone this season.

As for Jeremy, he's never been my favorite. Actually, when I first started watching skating, I found him quite boring to watch. And while his skating still doesn't excite me (although I loved his SP least season), I find myself rooting for him more and more. Partly because I feel a little bad for him, because he just can never seem to put it together when it counts. You know he can do those programs cleanly, and he knows it, too, but when competition comes, he unfortunately often crumbles. So, I do wish the best for him because I know that he can be better than he often shows. As far as winning the SP without a quad, I think it is fine and possibly smart. Why do a quad if he can win this particular SP without one? Maybe for the experience, but had he tried it and failed, he may have finished lower in the standings. I'm all for risk taking, but sometimes playing it safe can pay off.

I hope the podium will be the same skaters as after the SP, but I would like for Brian to move up. Congrats to the top three who all had good performances.

[wallylutz]

If Evan comes back, Jeremy will have some real challenge at the U.S. Nationals I think.

[bixby]

Just realized, with gold here for Jeremy he has a good shot to qualify for the final.

[Butterscotch17]

"Ice is slippery" by Irina Slutskaya

There is no truer quote than that. It reminds me of Dai's 3 falls win at the most recent Japanese Nationals. Yeah, falling 3 times and still won. But would it happen again? Don't bet on it.

Yeah, but he did have a HUGE lead after his amazing short program. If Yuzuru or Takahiko had been able to put together two clean performances, it probably wouldn't have happened. But Taka was ten points behind Dai after the SP and had a mediocre FS, and Yuzuru had a great free skate, but was something like 20 pts behind Dai after the SP. So it's not like Dai won with three falls and everyone else skated great... Would it happen again? I'm thinking not, but who knows.

[Butterscotch17]

Just realized, with gold here for Jeremy he has a good shot to qualify for the final.

I don't think so, because he was fifth at Skate America. There are three spots left, and as long as Javier, Daisuke, and Yuzuru all land somewhere on the podium, they would all qualify ahead of Jeremy, correct? If Daisuke or Yuzuru miss the podium, than Jeremy would have a shot, but that would be a surprise. Though, stranger things have happened.

[Art&Sport]

If Evan comes back, Jeremy will have some real challenge at the U.S. Nationals I think.

You do realize that Jeremy beat Evan twice in winning his first two U.S. National titles? There is no telling what is going to happen at U.S. Nationals. It may end up being who is healthiest, strongest and performs the best on that day. At this point, since Evan is still suffering from injury and hasn't skated in eligible competition for over two years, just because he's "coming back" does not mean he automatically will be the "real challenge" for Jeremy. There are a lot of good U.S. men and U.S. Nationals is a completely different kind of event (a whole 'nother animal) , as are most highly competitive Nationals events.

In response to a quote I saw above from spikydurian re what appears to be my comments on Dai: Please note, I am a total fan of Dai's skating and I think he's a great person too! He's also very courageous, with tons of charisma. He's always challenged himself to grow, but this season I don't care as much for his programs -- maybe moreso because his programs last season were so fantastic. Earlier this season, I thought Dai's programs were okay, but I liked them less at his last GP. Maybe Dai's choreo would have fared better this season had he not sought out Morosov's help. However, I suppose Dai was hoping Morosov might help him achieve this season a similar kind of different twist and wonderful success of that famous rockin' Swan program. Unfortunately, that did not happen this time, but the season isn't over yet. And I'm not counting Dai out either. All I said is I don't enjoy his programs as much this season, not that they aren't competitive.

[bixby]

I don't think so, because he was fifth at Skate America. There are three spots left, and as long as Javier, Daisuke, and Yuzuru all land somewhere on the podium, they would all qualify ahead of Jeremy, correct? If Daisuke or Yuzuru miss the podium, than Jeremy would have a shot, but that would be a surprise. Though, stranger things have happened.

The "IF" part is the scenario I'm eyeing on. YES, if either Dai or Yuz off the podium and Sergei doesn't finish higher than 3rd, Jeremy is in the final. It's a possibility IF he wins tomorrow and strange things happened @ NHK.

[Mao88]

MEN'S SHORT PROGRAM - VIDEOS & RESULT (Updated)

1. Jeremy ABBOTT (USA) - 81.18 Short Program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy
2. Takahito MURA (JPN) - 76.65 Short program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy
3. Brian JOUBERT (FRA) - 75.46 Short Program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy
4. Jorik HENDRICKX (BEL) - 68.90 Short Program, 2nd Copy
5. Jinlin GUAN (CHN) - 65.77 Short Program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy
6. Nan SONG (CHN) - 65.75 Short Program, 2nd Copy
7. Florent AMODIO (FRA) - 60.13 Short Program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy
8. Chafik BESSEGHIER (FRA) - 58.28 Short Program, 2nd Copy
9. Tomas VERNER (CZE) - 57.40 Short Program, 2nd Copy, 3rd Copy

[Butterscotch17]

The "IF" part is the scenario I'm eyeing on. YES, if either Dai or Yuz off the podium and Sergei doesn't finish higher than 3rd, Jeremy is in the final. It's a possibility IF he wins tomorrow and strange things happened @ NHK.

Alright, then I agree with you. Although I think I would call it a "possible chance" as opposed to a "good shot" Because looking at the line-up I don't see anyone other than Javier who would beat Dai and/or Yuzuru.

[Niki2012]

I like Jeremy’s SP this year. He is one of a few skaters who can create their own world and draw audiences into it.
I also think his skating is amazing… so smooth and light.

[let`s talk]

That's a needlessly mean and foolish criticism of Abbott, if you ask me. He's out there doing the best he can, like everyone else.

I don't think so. I always thought that it's mean to call a fool someone who doesn't share your opinon. Of course Abbott was doing the best he could. To me the result looked like an adult man in midlife crisis were enjoying computer games and funning around. Not that I am saying anything is wrong with that.

Someone is describing herself!

You wish. I didn't drag non-participants of TEB to this thread and didn't giggle about their possibilities not to make a national team. It's more like your buddies modus operandi together with not getting facts straight.

Daisuke, Yuzuru, Takahiko, Nobunari and Tatsuki.

I think the intrigue of who-makes-the worlds-team is overrated. J-Nationals is a terrific competition to watch in terms of super programs with high levels of technique, but Squad A is set imo: Dai and Yuzu are locked, as well as Kozuka as #3. I dont think that a quadless Machida would be given a spot considering how much J-TV loves quads. Judges in CoR demostrated that they are not much in love with Oda in spite of his very good skating. The real intrigue is who will make Squad B for 4CC. Dai as a cash cow, especially since the event is in Japan. The other two spots will be shared between Mura, Oda, Tatsuki, Murakami. I have no idea what the result will be.


Tonight Brian is going to challenge 4T and a combo 4T-2T, two trixels one in combo, oh... well... Mura will try a quad and his magnificent trixel too!

T.Flade twittered Hedrickx is injuried or somesuch..