2013 World Figure Skating Championships - Men Short Report | Golden Skate

2013 World Figure Skating Championships - Men Short Report

Joined
Jan 22, 2004
2013 World Figure Skating Championships
Men – Short Program

Detailed Classification
Judges Scores
http://www.isuresults.com/results/wc2013/wc2013_Men_SP_Scores.pdf

Disclaimer: The GOE values listed next to the elements are the ones, I'd award if I was a judge, to give you a general impression of how well it was executed. I try to describe each of the elements but there's not always time to be as detailed as I would like and those numbers can sometimes say a thousand words. So if you see positive GOE, it means an element was executed to a high standard (and yes, I am generally being very nitpicky ).

Any questions, comments, criticisms and discussion are very welcome.

1. Abzal RAKIMGALIEV /KAZ/
The Sting (soundtrack)

3flip(not much flow out)/3toe(slightly cheated) [-1]
3axel [-2] – telegraphed, off-axis in the air, hand down
scratch butterflies to flying camel to catch [0] – extensions not very good
2loop [-3] - slight break after steps
camel upside twist/jump to change sit/up var to up [0]
straight line step sequence [0] – good upper body movement but weak edges
sit holding foot to leg behind/change sit/jump to sit side twist [1] – good rotation speed

Weak basic skating, scratchy edges. Poor posture and lines as well. He showed quite a lot of expression though and the in character choreography helped to take the attention away from his flaws (his ill-fitting costume didn't help though).

2. Jorik HENDRICKX /BEL/
Cry Me a River by Michael Buble
At Last by Kenny G
Spiderman by Michael Buble

3axel [-2] – overrotated
2lutz(off-axis)/3toe [-1] – he got the timing wrong on the lutz take-off
scratch butterflies to flying camel upward twist coe to donut [2] – very good rotation speed, good flow throughout
three-turns into 3loop [0]
sit holding foot/jump to sit forward tuck [1] – quite good positions and rotation speed
straight line step sequence [1]
to camel catch/sit var/up/change camel/sit broken leg/up [2] – very fast rotation

Strong spins. Good speed and flow throughout. Very good posture and lines. The choreography could have used more character, however.

3. Kim LUCINE /MON/
Moanin' by Art Blakey

3flip/3toe(step out) [-2]
spread eagle to 2axel [1]
flying sit pancake/jump to forward tuck [0]
3lutz [-1] – over the toe, no speed out
camel to upside twist/change camel upside catch [0] – could use more speed
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/sit coe to var/up/change camel/sit leg behind/cross-foot [1] – very fast until the change of foot

Very poor posture, he was really hunched and skated with rounded shoulders throughout. Messy lines. He is very voidy and expressive and I am surprised this program didn't bring that out more. He did try to skate to the music but the routine lacked interesting higlights and his range of movemnt was qulite limited and repetitive.

4. Christopher CALUZA /PHI/
Alice in Wonderland (soundtrack) by Danny Elfman

3loop/1loop(popped) [-3]
spread eagle to 2axel [1]
camel upward twist coe/jump to change camel catch [1]
steps to 3lutz/3toe(cheated over a quarter) [-1] (sadly no value since this is his second combination)
flying sit/jump to sit var [1]
straight line step sequence [2] – very good speed, flow and expression
camel/sit/up Y/change sit broken leg/up forward bend to up [1] – good rotation speed

Very good speed, flow and expression. A lot of transitions throughout. Strong spins.

It's a shame that he has skated so early and failed on the Zayak rule because he had the whole package and showed a lovely skating quality. Since it's the first group, however, the judges are conservative with their marks.

5. Viktor PFEIFER /AUT/
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven

3salchow/3toe [2] – high with room to spare, solid landings and good flow out
to camel var/change camel to catch coe [1]
straight line step sequence [1] – good flow
hydroblade to a hop to 3lutz [1]
2axel – overrotated with hand down [-3]
flying sit var to var [0]
camel/sit var/up/change camel/sit holding foot/up catch [1] – original, well extended positions, good rotation speed

A very elegant performance. He extended and accentuated each of his movements beautifully. Nice flow throughout.

6. Pavel IGNATENKO /BLR/
Ragtime Vabank by Henryk Kuzniak & Vabank Dixieland Band

He was forced to withdraw because he wasn't able to obtain a Canadian visa. The Belarussan Ice Dance team has the same problem. It's extremely dissapointing to see politics creating such barriers and taking opportunities from athletes who have worked very hard for this.

It is a real shame because Ignatenko has been having the best season of his career so far, having placed 13th at Euros and 14th at Junior Worlds and landing a number of solid triple axels.

(Funny how they didn't even announce it in the arena)

7. Andrei ROGOZINE /CAN/
Broken Sorrow performed by Nuttin but Stringz
Fanfare by Black Violin

3flip/3toe [0]
spread eagle into 3axel [-2] – off-axis, wild turnout
flying camel catch coe [0] – extension not very good
3loop [0] – high and solid but a break after steps
steps to camel upward twist/jump to change sit/up cross-foot [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
sit broken leg to forward bend/change sit side twist [0] – rotation speed not bad but positions not extended well

His basics aren't very strong and he was quite tense and lacked the charisma necessary to pull off the movement to match the big and dramatic music he was skating to.

8. Yakov GODOROZHA /UKR/
Factor by Angelo Badalmento

3axel [-2] – overrotated
3lutz/3toe [0] – had to fight for both jumps
3loop [0]
scratch butterflies into flying camel catch and sideways twist to upward catch [0]
sit var to coe/change sit to var to forward tuck [0]
circular step sequence [-1] – lacked speed
camel/sit/up cross-foot/change sit var/up L [-2] – weak and off-centred after change of foot

He was quite slow and skated through the music.

9. Alexei BYCHENKO /ISR/
Party Sailor by Wilson Picket
John Rango by James Brown

3lutz/3toe [1] – high and solid
fell skating forwards, took him a while to recover
3flip [1] – solid
flying sit/jump to sit to side twist [0] – travelled very slightly
camel/sit/up var to up/change camel/sit broken leg/up – travelled a lot after change of foot, quite good rotation speed though [-1]
2axel [1]
straight line step sequence [0]
turns to camel/jump to change camel to upward twist [-1] – changed the rotation centre considerably on change of food and had to exit the spin early because of the time lost by the fall

A lot of character and expression throughout, decent speed. He really attacked the program.

10. Paolo BACCHINI /ITA/
Music by Dmitri Shostakovich

2axel [0] – triple attempt but he got the timing wrong on the take-off, was off-axis and could only manage two revolutions
3salchow/3toe [0]
camel/sit/up var/change sit broken leg/up var/up [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
3loop [-1] – break after steps
camel coe/change camel to catch to upward catch [1] – good rotation speed
flying sit/jump to sit side twist(slow) – off-centred [-1]

Whilst his playful Pinocchio short program last season suited him very well, this classical routine seems to miss the mark. His movement wasn't nuanced enough to appropriately reflect the music and he's not a very balletic skater either.

11. Paul Bonifacio PARKINSON /ITA/
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica performed by Apocalyptica

looks panicked as he's taking the opening position
3salchow [-1] – just one step before the jump (was meant to be a quad)
3axel [-3] – heavily overrotated
flying camel to coe to catch to sideways twist catch [1] – good rotation speed
1lutz on two feet [-3]
sit var/jump to sit var to forward tuck [1] – fast rotation
straight line step sequence [1] – quite good edges
camel/jump to sit var/up var/change up Y [0] – quite good rotation speed but travelling

He's a good spinner and his basic skating is quite smooth. His movement is quite soft and elegant as well. He needs to get his nerves under control, however, if he's to realise his potential.

12. Maciej CIEPLUCHA /POL/
Blues

3lutz/3toe [0]
3loop [0] – high and solid but break after steps
steps to flying camel upward twist to catch [0]
spread eagle to 2axel [1]
straight line step sequence [1]
sit holding foot/jump to sit broken leg [0]
camel/up L/change up cannonball/sit forward tuck [1]

Poor posture and lines but he skated to the music quite well and the choreography was fairly detailed, featuring quite busy upper body movement. A strong performance.

A new personal best for him by over 3 points.

13. Ronald LAM /HKG/
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin

3axel – fall [-3]
3flip/3toe [0]
3lutz [0]
flying upright cannonball to cross-foot [0]
sit cannonball/change sit to forward tuck [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel coe/jump to change sit to broken leg/up(slightly off-centred) [0]

Weak basics. A poor posture and stiff movement. He lacked charisma and skated through the music outside of the straight line steps.

14. KIM Jin Seo /KOR/
La Boheme
Paco de Lucia by Almoraima

3axel [0] – muscled take off and deep down in the knee on the landing but clean
3lutz [-2] – good height and solid landing but no preceding footwork
sit/change sit broken leg to forward bend [0]
straight line step sequence [0] – good expression but edges quite weak
3toe(landing not very strong)/3toe(cheated, fall) [-3]
scratch butterflies into flying camel to upward catch [0]
camel/sit/up butt out/change camel/sit/up L [0]

Great attack throughout. He has fantastic energy and now needs somebody to help him to channel it in the right way because his movement looked quite messy and the choreography lacked purose.

15. Zoltan KELEMEN /ROU/
Rich Man's Frug from "Sweet Charity" (musical soundtrack)

3axel [-2] – overrotated
2flip/3toe [0]
3lutz [-1] – slight break after steps, a little forward on the landing
flying sit cannonball to broken leg to forward bend [0]
camel/change camel coe to catch [0]
straight line step sequence [-1] – weak edges, lacked flow
camel/sit/up butt out to up var/change camel/sit/up L [0]

Quite weak basics, lackluster choreography without much connection to the music. He does know how to move and I wish the choreography had utilised that better.

16. Viktor ROMANENKOV /EST/
Tango Amore by Edvin Marton

3axel [0]
3lutz/3toe [-1] – both landings quite weak
flying camel to donut to upward catch [-1] – poor extension not a lot of speed
3flip [-1] – weak landing
sit holding foot/change sit/jump to sit forward tuck(travelled) [-1]
straight line step sequence [-1] – weak edges, lacked flow
camel/up cross-foot/change sit/up butt out [0]

Good job landing everything but the quality of his elements was quite subpar. Very weak basics as well. He was hunched, stiff, didn't show much connection to the music and his edges were shallow.

I was a little surprised this was marked as highly as it did.

Levandi looking very stylish in a black leather jacket and grey trousers. New stylish haircut as well. She spent a little too long on the tanning bed, however.

17. Justus STRID /DEN/
Pinball Cha Cha by Senor Coconut

3axel [-1] – turnout
3flip/3toe [0]
3lutz [-1] – slight break after steps
camel coe/change camel to catch(weak) [-1]
straight line step sequence [1] – great speed and attack, edges a little scratchy though
flying sit arms behind [-1] – slow
camel/sit broken leg/up butt out/change sit/up Y(poor extension) to cross-foot [-2] – slow, off-centred after change of foot

The step sequence was a lot of fun and he has shown some great expression at that point but the choreography a little lacking otherwise and it didn't make use of his voidiness. A shame because he's a great performer. Weak spins.

18. Alexander MAJOROV /SWE/
Ray's Blues by Dave Grusin

3lutz/3toe [1] – slight hesitation between the jumps but both were high and very solid
3axel [-1] – turnout
camel/sit broken leg/change camel/jump to sit/up [1]
3lip [-3] – take off from the outside edge, step out
scratch butterflies into flying camel coe to upward catch [0] – rotation speed not bad but poorly extended positions
straight line step sequence [0]
sit side twist/change sit to forward tuck [0]

He's not the most elegant or balletic skater but he shows good attack, the program was decently choreographed and his movement reflected the character of the music quite well.

He still looks out of shape but his jumps are quite high so maybe it's working out for him somehow.

19. Peter LIEBERS /GER/
Excerpts from "Alexander" (soundtrack) by Vangelis

spread eagles towards 3lip/3toe [-1] – landed ok but outside edge on take off
3axel [-1] – entry quite long and had to go deep in the knee to hold the landing
sit var to var/jump to sit pancake [0] – not a lot of speed
3lutz [1] – solid, straight off steps
flying camel coe to donut to upward catch [-1] – weak, lacked speed
circular step sequence [0]
camel/jump to sit to pancake/up/change camel(slow)/sit/up cross-foot(off-centred slightly) [-1]

Quite good basic skating and the program was decently choreographed but he really lacks charisma and expression and the spins were weak.

20. Maxim KOVTUN /RUS/
Lawrence of Arabia (soundtrack) by Maurice Jarre

3toe(landing not very strong)/1toe(barely eeked out) [-3]
3axel – strong [1]
sit/jump to sit/change sit cannonball to forward bend [0]
scratch butterflies to flying camel to donut [0]
3lutz – solid [1]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/sit coe/up butt out/change camel/sit/up holding foot [0]

Hardly any relation to the music, the program wasn't much more than a series of elements. His posture could slightly improve and he needs to learn how to use his arms.

21. Max AARON /USA/
Tron Legacy (soundtrack) by Daft Punk

4salchow(over the toe)/2toe [0]
3lutz – solid [1]
flying camel upward twist to catch [0] – positions not extended very well
3axel [0] – surprised he landed it since he was tilted in the air
sit/change sit broken leg to forward tuck [1] – fast rotation
circular step sequence [1] – fast footwork, strong upper body movement
camel/up butt out/sit cannonball/jump to sit var/up [2] – very fast rotation speed

He has a really bad hunchback and moves like a bull in a china shop but the music and the choreography suited him quite well and worked to emphasise his strengths and take the attention away from his flaws. There was a fair amount of upper body movement which reflected the character of the music quite well.

Quite a lot of speed and power but he needed a lot of cross-overs in order to generate and maintain it.

22. Misha GE /UZB/
Farrucas by Pepe Romero
Flamenco by Thomas Espanner

3axel – cheated, two-footed [-3]
3lip/3toe [-1] – landed ok but slight outside edge on the take-off
3lutz – solid, soft landing, quite good height [1]
camel to upward twist coe/jump to change camel to catch [0]
flying sit holding foot to forward tuck(slow) [-1]
camel/up var/change up butt out/sit var [1] – quite good positions and decent flow
straight line step sequence [2] – very fast footwork and intense upper body movement

Whilst the step sequence had Plushenko-like intensity, the rest of the program was quite generic and didn't have a lot of Flamenco character. It is very clever to put the step sequence as his last element as that's what the judges end up remembering.

23. SONG Nan /CHN/
The Middle East Side from 46 Nihavent Longa Album
The Middle East Side from 47 Double Doom Drum Solo Album

4toe – weak landing, no preceding steps (it was telegraphed in fact) [-3]
3axel [0]
sit/jump to sit/change sit broken leg to forward tuck [0] – quite good rotation speed but a little off-centred at the start
flying camel to upward twist coe to catch [-1] – weak, slow
3lutz/3toe(weak landing, barely held it) [-1]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/up butt out to up cannonball/change sit side twist/up cross-foot [0]

The program is choroegraphed to the music quite well and his timing didn't seem too bad but he lacked charisma and the routine lacked light and shade and interesting highlights.

24. Javier FERNANDEZ /ESP/
The Mask of Zorro (soundtrack) by James Horner

three-turns into 4salchow [0] – landing a little scratchy
spread eagle to steps towards 1axel [-3]
flying upright cannonball to cross-foot [0] – decent rotation speed but off-centred slightly at the end
3lutz/3toe – solid [1]
sit/jump to sit/change sit cannonball to broken leg [0]
straight line step sequence [1] – quite good flow
camel coe/up var/change sit cross-foot/up cross-foot [0]

Detailed, sophisticated choreography featuring quite a lot of connecting elements. Quite good flow over the ice. His basics aren't as strong as those of the other major contenders, though.

25. Kevin REYNOLDS /CAN/
Chambermaid Swing by Parov Stelar

4salchow/3toe [-1] – both jumps slightly cheated but the landings were secure
3axel [-1] – stalked take-off, skidded on the landing, possibly slightly cheated
flying upright var to cross-foot [0]
4toe [-3] – cheated, slightly two-footed, turnout (I am surprised this jump didn't get < but I guess it was cheated just under 1/4)
camel upright twist coe/jump to change camel to donut [1] – well extended positions, rotation speed not bad
straight line step sequence [0] – good upper body movement but edges and flow not very strong
camel/sit cannonball to forward tuck/change sit leg behind/up cross-foot(off-centred a little bit) [0] – good rotation speed at the start but slowed down after change of foot

Busy choroegraphy, very much in character of the music, which he sold quite well with good energy but his basics aren't very strong (certainly not at the level of the top skaters). Basic skating in particular is quite lackluster, he's not generating a lot of speed or flow from his pushes.

26. Brian JOUBERT /FRA/
Genesis by Justice
Aerodynamic by Daft Punk

4toe/2toe [1] – good height and quite solid landing on the quad, as easy double toe (a shame he didn't go for the triple, he could have easily pulled it off)
3axel [0] – a little over the toe, not a lot of flow out
flying upright L to var [1] – quite good rotation speed
3lutz – solid [1]
camel/sit pancake/jump to change sit/up var to up [0]
sit/jump to sit/change sit side twist to forward tuck [0]
circular step sequence [1] – good energy

Good energy but the choreography was quite simple, the program lacked transitions and there were no interesting higlights until the circular steps. Fantastic skating skills though, deep and smooth edges. And he did mostly skate in time to the music.

27. Florent AMODIO /FRA/
Memories of Sobral by Sebastien Damiani

three-turns into 3salchow [0]
3axel [0] – had to fight a little for the landing
flying camel upward twist to catch [0] – nice extension in the basic camel position but poor on the catch
circular step sequence [1] – quite fast footwork, expressive upper body movement
3lutz/3toe – solid [1]
sit/jump to sit/change sit cannonball to forward bend [1] – quite good rotation speed
lost the edge and fell entering the combination spin and it took him a very long time to get back up, he looked like he was in a lot of pain, he marked the closing choreography after a while

Lovely, soft and smooth basic skating. Beautiful posture and lines. Shame it was typical empty Morozov 'choreography' because he deserves much better.

28. Tomas VERNER /CZE/
Dracula (soundtrack)

4toe [-3] – overrotated (meant to be the combination)
3axel – fall [-3]
to flying upright cannonball to cross-foot(fast rotation) [1]
3lutz – step out [-2]
camel/jump to sit/jump to sit/up cross-foot [-1] – off-centred slightly
straight line step sequence [1] – strong, deep edges, upper body movement quite tense
sit side twist/change sit cannonball to coe to forward bend [0] – good rotation speed but off-centred at the start

Light basic skating. A dramatic, effective, very well choreographed program. He was tense as usual, however, and didn't do a very good job of presenting it.

A real shame about the mistakes on the jumps because this time they were all really close and he could have hung on to them if he fought for them more, especially the lutz which seemed fine and he just seemed to have opened it too late.

29. MURA Takahito /JPN/
Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona

popped the quad take off into a single toe landed on the wrong foot [-3]
3axel [1] – very good height
camel to catch/sit/change up butt out/up [0]
3lutz/3toe [1] – high and solid
camel coe/change camel upward twist [1] – decent rotation speed, good flow
straight line step sequence [1]
flying sit var to var to var(a little slow) [0]

Smooth basic skating. The program was choreographed to the music well, reflecting both the character of the faster and the slower parts with appropriate movement. He does lack charisma and attack but pretty much everything else is there and just like Kozuka, I think he's being unfairly marked down on the PCS because his skating is quite 'introverted.'

30. Michal BREZINA /CZE/
In the Hall of a Mountain King performed by Epica

4salchow – high and solid but no preceding footwork [-1]
3flip/3toe [1]
3axel [-1] – turnout
camel upward twist/change camel coe to catch [0]
flying sit holding foot to forward tuck [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
camel/jump to sit var to pancake/change camel/sit leg behind/up var [-1] – slow

Basic choroegraphy, not a lot of connection to the music. A very empty program.

31. HANYU Yuzuru /JPN/
Parisian Walkways by Gary Moore

4toe – underrotated over a quarter, fell and slided into the boards [-3]
flying camel to upward twist coe to donut [2] – great extension, very fast rotation
sit var/change sit broken leg to pancake [2] – good positions and rotation speed
steps into 3axel [2] – right off a counter, high and very solid
3lutz [-3] – both hands down, no combination
straight line step sequence [1]
scratch butterflies to camel coe/up var/change sit/jump to sit/up cross-foot [1] – quite good rotation speed

Smooth basic skating and soft movements but you could see he was far from top shape (he's had flu and a minor knee injury after Four Continents). Not skated anywhere near as well as he is capable of.

32. Denis TEN /KAZ/
The Artist Overture (from "The Artist" soundtrack) by Ludovic Bource
Waltz for Peppy (from "The Artist" soundtrack) by Ludovic Bource
The Sound of Tears (from "The Artist" soundtrack) by Ludovic Bource
L'ombre des larmes (from "The Artist" soundtrack) by Ludovic Bource

4toe [2] – high and solid, quite effortless
3axel [2] – very good height, secure landing
scratch butterfly to flying sit side twist to forward bend [1]
camel upward twist/jump to change camel to donut [1] – well extended positions, good flow throughout
3flip/3toe [1]
straight line step sequence [2] – very good expression, fast footwork, strong edges
camel/jump to sit/change sit broken leg/up var to up [1] – very fast rotation speed but off-centred a little bit

Light skating, lovely flow over the ice. Every single element was executed to a high standard. Secure and confident from start to finish.

The choreography was 'Lori by numbers' unfortunately and it didn't have a lot of character or interesting highlights.

He's beaten his Personal Best by 12.51 points!!!

33. TAKAHASHI Daisuke /JPN/
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven

4toe [-3] – underrotated over a quarter, two-footed
3axel – solid [1]
flying sit holding foot to sideways twist to forward bend [1]
camel coe sideways twist/jump to change camel to catch [0]
3lutz/3toe(cheated over a quarter, landing a little weak) [-1]
camel/jump to sit/sideways to layback/change sit/up cross-foot [1] – good rotation speed
straight line step sequence [2] – very fast footwork, a lot of upper body movement

There's nobody else capable of using their whole body to express the music in the same way. Elegant, fluid, soft, cat-like movements. Good flow over the ice.

Typical generic Morozov choreography, however. It is a shame that he has abandoned his previous program because it was much more interesting. I guess simplifying the program helps him to focus on the jumps.

34. Patrick CHAN /CAN/
Elegie in E-Flat Minor by Sergei Rachmaninov

4toe(not a very strong landing, slightly over the toe)/3toe(had to muscle the take-off out but landed it well) [0]
3axel [1] – his timing was a little late on the take-off and he was tilted in the air slightly, but managed to open up and land it in time and the landing was secure
camel/change camel upward twist coe [1]
3lutz [1] – solid but could bave been connected to the preceding footwork a little better
flying sit sideways twist to broken leg [2] – very good rotation speed
straight line step sequence [2] – deep edges, good speed and flow
camel/jump to sit/up cannonball/change sit to pancake/up cross-foot [1] – good flow and rotation speed

Incredible basic skating and ice coverage. Nobody else comes anywhere near his level in this regard. The first two jumping passes, whilst clean, were a little bit iffy but all of the other elements were performed very well. Elegant, calm and collected, yet confident movement.

Whilst he does move beaitufully, I don't understand how this program is supposed to relate to the music. The music is complex and sophisticated and I don't think that it is suitable for a competitive skating program, because you have to end up ignoring a lot of it. It just isn't possible to always move in time to it and to react to all of the accents. So why pick it?

This performance has set a new world record. Chan has definitely deserved to win this short program by quite a comfortable margin but I don't think that this was a world record breaking performance.

P.S. That old curtain lace costume is just ridiculously ugly. I can't believe somebody could have thought it was a good idea.

35. Ross MINER /USA/
Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninov

4salchow – underrotated over half a revolution, fall [-3]
3axel [-1] – weak landing but managed to hang on
camel/up cannonball to butt out/change sit var/up cross-foot [2] – very fast rotation
3lutz/3toe(weak landing, foot down quickly) [-1]
camel coe/jump to camel to catch(wobbled very slightly) [0]
straight line step sequence [0]
scratch butterflies into flying sit to pancake to leg behind [1] – good rotation speed

Messy and unextended upper movement. He seemed very tense.

I predicted that this would happen. It's only his second World Championships and it's a huge amount of pressure to be skating last, especially after a stong, standing ovation performance from Chan.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Thanks for this wonderful and very helpful report. That's quite a lot of labor you put into it! I really appreciate. I think you've characterized the skaters' qualities, and their choreography, very well.

In terms of specific skaters, you've brought up why Joubert has remained at or near the top, what gave Ten his extraordinary moment, the aspects that make me love Takahashi, and the qualities that make me admire Chan.
 

Li'Kitsu

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Ziggy said:
29. MURA Takahito /JPN/

Smooth basic skating. The program was choreographed to the music well, reflecting both the character of the faster and the slower parts with appropriate movement. He does lack charisma and attack but pretty much everything else is there and just like Kozuka, I think he's being unfairly marked down on the PCS because his skating is quite 'introverted.'

Glad to read that. I've been thinking like that for quite a while now, but it doesn't seem to be quite the 'popular' viewing. Maybe charisma and especially attack can come with more experience though (if he can get that, looking at how strong the japenese mens field is).
 

marcolee925

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
What a rotten event! Still, given how everyone skated, I think the results are fair.

Chan kept it together despite a subpar season so far and being under huge pressure, I say bravo. Ten got 91 so I don't think 98 is unreasonable for Chan. Besides the slightest bobble on the 4toe landing, everything was foot perfect.

Well done Ten! He is due for a strong event.

While Takahashi's URs were visible even to the naked eye, I would still have him (and Joubert and maybe even Brezina) ahead of Reynolds. They just move so much better. Plus all of Reynolds' jumps are flawed one way or another.

Bummed that Fernandez popped the axel but I am sure he will come back very strongly in the free. He is within striking distance of a medal and I think he will get it.

Aaron's skating hurts my soul. He is the Joubert without SS and the Plushenko without charisma. Still, I hope he hangs onto top ten and retain two spots for US men at Sochi (for Farris). I actually think a top 6 finish is very likely for him.

Hanyu usually messes up one segment per competition, so hopefully he can rebound in the free.

For some time I have felt that Amodio did not want it. It almost seemed like he didn't care about competition. He only wanted to entertain. There is just so little focus on his part and he never seemed that hungry.

Despite being utterly stiff and boring, I am glad Song is hanging onto the penultimate group. I hope the Chinese Fed is realizing what a big mistake they have made keeping Yan Han home.

I have nothing else to say about Verner. Sigh.

I didn't expect this placement for Kovtun but he is only 10 points from 10th place. It isn't impossible if he could do what he did at Euros. For the record I despise his skating but still think he is the best bet to fight for a second spot for Russian men at Sochi.

My take on the short:

Chan
Ten
Takahashi
Joubert
Brezina
Reynolds
Fernandez
Hanyu
Mura
Aaron
Song
Miner

My prediction for the competition:

Gold: Chan (duh)
Silver: Fernandez
Bronze: Hanyu
4th: Aaron
5th: Ten
6th: Reynolds
7th: Joubert
8th: Takahashi
9th: Brezina
10th: Mura
 

pitterpatter

On the Ice
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Thanks for the report! Interesting read as always.

My prediction for the competition:

Gold: Chan (duh)
Silver: Fernandez
Bronze: Hanyu
4th: Aaron
5th: Ten
6th: Reynolds
7th: Joubert
8th: Takahashi
9th: Brezina
10th: Mura

Are these your pre-competition predictions, or predictions given what's happened in the short? Not saying it can't happen, but Dai back in 8th and Yuzuru up in 3rd... :think: props if you're right!
 

marcolee925

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Are these your pre-competition predictions, or predictions given what's happened in the short? Not saying it can't happen, but Dai back in 8th and Yuzuru up in 3rd... :think: props if you're right!

The latter. I feel Takahashi is tired and is likely to make more jump mistakes in the free. Yanyu on the other hand is poised for a solid free.

Just my prediction / half wish list of course.
 
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
While Takahashi's URs were visible even to the naked eye, I would still have him (and Joubert and maybe even Brezina) ahead of Reynolds. They just move so much better. Plus all of Reynolds' jumps are flawed one way or another.

They do definitely move better. Reynolds' choreography was decent though and there was a lot of upper body movement (although yeah it was a bit stiff and clunky).

As for the jumps, that's what really bothered me personally about those results and about CoP in general. Reynolds has earned a lot of points because of landing two quads and a triple axel even though all of his jumps have very poor technique and their quality of execution was subpar. But that doesn't really get reflected in the scores properly.

Aaron's skating hurts my soul. He is the Joubert without SS and the Plushenko without charisma. Still, I hope he hangs onto top ten and retain two spots for US men at Sochi (for Farris). I actually think a top 6 finish is very likely for him.

Haha, evil but so true. Two spots would be nice but for Brown. ;) I know it's very much a case of wishful thinking but who knows. If Brown skates two clean programs at next US Nationals, with 3axels, he could potentially place top 2 as he's gonna get very high PCS.

Not even gonna try to make any predictions for the free but other than Chan obviously winning the gold, I am sure the rest of the standings are gonna get really shaken up. I just hope Ten doesn't fall 5 times again. :slink:
 

TontoK

Hot Tonto
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Country
United-States
Breaking News! This just in...

Scott Hamilton reviews Ziggy's play-by-play:

"He NAILS it !!!111!"
 

WeakAnkles

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Given what happened in the Long Program, it is now possible to win a world title by winning the short program.

Some things DO change!
 
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