2013 Europeans Men's LP

**Buttercup** · 01-27-2013, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by ImaginaryPogue

1. At the GPF, he's up against the best in the world. At Euros, the competition isn't quite as good. Witness the PCS boosts given to Joubert, Amodio, and Brezina, though. He stacks up and stands out

2. His program actually ticks off the boxes for Program components quite well. Even the resting points are well integrated performance moments.

3. Definitely overscored on Skating Skills.

I don't think point 1 is it. I'd frame it definitely: at the GPF, he went up against the best in the World, won the LP and came close to a medal. He's beaten Chan in Canada. He did two (quad) Salchows and a triple Lutz, albeit not with a blindfold

Skate well enough times and the judges will eventually take notice and raise your PCS (and GOEs, too, while they're at it), especially if you are likable and charming. I'm not sure about Amodio, but Joubert and Brezina hadn't skated well in the first half of the season; Joubert specifically only skated an LP once, it was a different program and he'd been sick and was visibly struggling. So it would make sense that if they performed better, their PCS would get better.

Agreed on 2 and 3. Still, he's come such a long way; check out his performance from 2007 Worlds, it's hard to believe it's the same skater.

I vote for Fernandez as Spain's Olympic flagbearer next year.

**ImaginaryPogue** · 01-27-2013, 02:05 PM

Maybe, but I'd be genuinely surprised to see any of these men match their PCS at Euros at Worlds.

**rocketry** · 01-28-2013, 08:56 AM

I too wish Joubert hadn't changed his Inception program. I think it makes him look a little different--more thoughtful and cerebral maybe--while matching well with his power. It definitely had "moment" potential and the edit was good and built well. Gladiator shows nothing new and kind of dwarfs him without the costume and exhibition lights. I guess it should look new at this point, but how disappointing. A costume like his exhibition should certainly help some though.

I think Javier is improving his skating skills and posture every competition. His programs aren't exactly memorable to me, but they are ticking the boxes and the jumps are incredible. Hope he keeps working on the spins.

**let`s talk** · 01-28-2013, 10:16 AM

Men FS press conference: http://youtu.be/gQC9vy9CGJ8

**figuristka** · 01-29-2013, 04:04 AM

Thanks for the press conference. Its nice to see their personality off the ice. Fernandez seems so humble and very likeable. Congrats to all the winners.

**seniorita** · 01-29-2013, 08:37 PM

Javier is shy in reality, looks like at least, one more reason this Lp matches him really well. There is an aura of vulnerability in this Lp,that goes with music and costume and contradicts the super technical content, the 3 quads were amazing, especially the third in the second half was

When I saw him on ice I couldnt stop thinking he looks like Brian Orser. His coach was at the stands and was living the whole thing! His program is really cleverly designed and the stops he does serve a purpose. It was a thrilling last group. But once his marks were out the competition had ended. He got a standing ovation and a huge support from spanish and not only fans that were in the arena. Opposite us came Mishin team and watched final group, to my surprise they gave standing ovation to Javier too. All the arena did. It was a great performance, I dont know if it looked better than GPF, need to check the videos. In the medal ceremony he looked very touched, it was the first time I hear the spanish anthem live! Amodio on the podium made a bow gesture in front of him, that was cute.

Of course Joubert got the huggest applause when he was announced. I was rooting for him to get a medal, partly because in the Lp I was sitting next to French fans, partly because there was a greek couple next to me that was shouting and also because he had a fantastic sp skate, with standing ovation and lots of girls screaming

There was a whole section of french fans, we voted them the best organised fans, with hats and banners and cheerleading stuff. His jumps were amazing, when he is on his presence fills the arena but I m not sure about his Lp, I thought it was still Inception until I saw their practice. Honestly I would want him to throw away any music that Yagudin has used, the comparisson in my head was inevitable, and go back to Inception that was a fantastic program. This one looked like fast made. By the way there was a delirium in the gala for Joubert, he skated his Safri Duo sp. Even Amodio taking his shirt off couldnt surpass it.

Amodio's sp I thought it was overscored against Javier, but the Lp was better. Strange music and even stranger choreo but somehow he has the presence to support it. When his jumps are clean they have great flow out,but I ve missed Amodio who had skated to Munich music. It feels like ages ago. It looks to me that the sp, lp and the gala have same style and are based on his ability to perform.

Brezina has huge jumps, but I so not like this Lp, same feelings like last year, the music cuts are awful and the costume is annoying. I didnt like him much, he was much better in sp, I guess it is good he won the first medal and he didnt become fourth again. In the practice of gala he looked the most happy. He is a skater that hasnt found his identity for me yet and he doesnt project to the audience at all. I wish Joubert had won this bronze.

Kovtun reminds me so much of Jeremy ABott in the face that my mind was stuck when he skated. His content was very serious but I m not sure how he jumped these quads, his technique is strange. He is still unpolished but I thought that he will easily be sent to Worlds or even Olys over Voronov, Menshov and Arthur. Tarasova by the boards shouting for a male skater, I m living in 2002.

Voronov had a great sp but the Lp didnt work, especially since this was all kinds of wrong music for him, R&J. He looks down and doesnt skate large. The music needs another kind of performance. They used this powerful music to cover his lack of power, it didnt work. When he skated Morosov was doing his usual animation by the boards but since Voronov had a bad skate, in KnC he didnt go with him, that made a bad impression to me.

The german fans had drums and were hitting their feet on the ground when german skaters were on, Liebers in men is of my fave skaters and for some reason he skated in the gala too.

Verner got a huge heart with his name on it, big support from the crowd but I dont know what happened to him, everyone of the top skaters seemed to have skated the best except for him. His Lp is lovely once again but I dont know how many seasons he has this skates, since Vancouver? From the first groups, the usual suspects I remember from last year is Ignatenko, Raya, Lucine and Romanenko and Bychenko. But the level drops really alot after the top 5-6. I can hardly appreciate Majorov and Pfeiffer, Mayorov had a bad costume in both programs and his lines are not good, Pfeiffer I havent been able to like him although his sp was great. His last spin always irks me. But after so many years skating I think he got appreciated from the crowd. And he got in top ten, that was crazy. Chaffik was much much better last year, this time I didnt care for his programs at all. And it looks like if the TES is not there, he doeant have much else. Walker made me nostalgic for Lambiel.
And I missed Kevin and even Contesti alot.