2015 Nebelhorn Trophy General Chat

[samson]

Well not the free I'm sure Max was looking for but there was still a lot in there that I think he can be proud of. First of all his PCS were the second highest of the night and he beat Menshov in that department and Menshov was in the GPF last year, plus walking away with a medal is always a pretty great thing.

 

[karlowens2]

If there is anyone who can wear a set of red tights its Michael B. :agree:

 

[ice coverage]

Congrats to Elladj . Also to Max and Konstantin .

Overall Max's skating looks much better with much better posture but the jumps weren't there today.

Exquisite program. I'm not worried about the pops because I remember him doing that occasionally when the jumps were his only money maker. He's capable of pulling it together.

Agree that it is too bad about Max's quads, but the rest of his skating was nice to see.

And agree that he is capable of pulling it together. Fingers crossed that he can do so at Skate America.

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I like this program for Max, but his costume could use just a few feathers, am I right?

Too bad about the jump mistakes.

His costume did have thingies that were feather-like, at least conceptually. But I don't know what to call them .

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I do not know it all. The Eurosport commentators point out lots of things I don't know, which I am glad to learn. And I didn't know her name, because I was never TOLD it. She just isn't very good at knowledgeable and entertaining commentary.

And I had forgotten who Shoma is. Now I looked at the link, I remember from last season.

For some, Debbi was not their cup of tea.
For others among us, her commentary was beneficial, even though it was not error-free.

Glad you have refreshed your memory re Shoma.
Some of us easily recognized Debbi without needing to be told her name. (I am not Canadian, but she is a familiar face and voice to me because of her high visibility in the skating world.)

 

[tulosai]

Max will never turn into Machida. Neither he will turn into Carolina Kostner who his coach mentioned as an example. He just can't be a balletic skater to me. They just try to build the impossible when they could just find the body voice of his own.

In a way I agree, but I also think that it's good for skaters to stretch themselves artistically, especially in non-Olympic years, even if there's no immediate benefit, because it often does improve other aspects of their skating (sometimes unexpected ones) once they return to the comfort zone. In this case, I immediately see a benefit that I'm optimistic he'll retain- his posture is better.

 

[invisiblespiral]

Why would you do a second half quad toe, Kostya?

 

[Sorrento]

In a way I agree, but I also think that it's good for skaters to stretch themselves artistically, especially in non-Olympic years, even if there's no immediate benefit, because it often does improve other aspects of their skating (sometimes unexpected ones) once they return to the comfort zone.

True, true.:yes:

 

[silverfoxes]

Well not the free I'm sure Max was looking for but there was still a lot in there that I think he can be proud of. First of all his PCS were the second highest of the night and he beat Menshov in that department and Menshov was in the GPF last year, plus walking away with a medal is always a pretty great thing.

Menshov has never made the GPF. You must be thinking of Voronov.

 

[samson]

Menshov has never made the GPF. You must be thinking of Voronov.

Oh you're right I totally am. Oops! Their styles are very similar to me so I must have mixed them up!!

 

[Idontsk8]

Well watching the Men's FS while working out at home is quite a task I didn't pay too much attention to Elladj's skate due to push-ups (=P) but it seems it was pretty awesome, gotta catch later! About the other medalists, I can definitely see improvements in Max's SS and overall movement but some parts of the choreo seem still very empty, maybe because saving energy for the big tricks that lacked him today. I also like the minimalist costume and I think Swan Lake kind of fits him. About Kostya, I really like this program for him, enjoyed the step sequence, shame that he lacks stamina in the end.

And the others I saw...well with Michal you always know what you can end up with but I think this program is good for him, I don't see Shindler's list as a good fit for Peter and it seems Titanic is pretty popular this year

 

[Violet Bliss]

I'm also very happy for Elladj's PCS breakthrough. He's often underscored IMO and he was third in the SP but came out ahead in the LP.

 

[silverfoxes]

And the others I saw...well with Michal you always know what you can end up with but I think this program is good for him, I don't see Shindler's list as a good fit for Peter and it seems Titanic is pretty popular this year

Yeah, I think I'm Schindler's List-ed out anyway. And the problem of skating to Titanic is that if you bomb the program, the jokes write themselves. I don't think Elena will have that issue, but Jorik is more of a question mark. Who thinks these programs with dialogue are a good idea anyway? Jorik's sounded awful through my speakers...is it that bad in person? Do judges like it? I can't imagine that they would.

 

[demarinis5]

I just got home, meetings all day so I could not access the results, dropping in to say that
I am beyond thrilled for Elladj, CONGRATS!!!!. I loved his SP and I am looking forward
to viewing the video of his LP.

 

[Alex D]

I have lots of quotes from men and pairs + intend to do a q&a with Kaetlyn tomorrow,

will try to post it tomorrow

Gn

 

[Layback11]

Just watched Alaine, Mirai and Kaetlyn's SPs. My impressions:

Mirai Nagasu

Oh, Mirai, this was sad.

I actually saw this program (well, a version of it) at SOI 2014 and loved it. I still do. But those jumps...! Major, major props for the 3A attempt (that's gotta be a little scary) but please, Mirai, take it out until you can at least not downgrade it! I'm inclined to think she would've gotten more points with her gorgeous 2A from a difficult entry than she did with this...but oh, well. Obviously, singling a jump was extremely costly, but so was that 3-3. The second 3T was so UR I could see it happening even without the slow-motion (which I usually have to see to tell if a jump was UR).

On the plus side, I still love that program, and she has excellent spins.

Alaine Chartrand

"YES!" Was my only reaction when she finished this program...almost flawless! Not only were most of her jump elements great (except that 3T>), but this program has got to be one of my favorites of the season (so far). It's so fun to watch-and a lot of that is because you can tell Alaine loves it. That smile never leaves her face while she's skating, and I absolutely love that in a skater.

If she can only fix the UR issue on her 3lz-3T, I've got a feeling we'll be more than a little surprised what she can do. :yes:

Kaetlyn Osmond

This was Kaetlyn's first international competition since the 2014 Worlds, and it was better than I expected in many ways. Her jump elements, with the exception of the pop and fall on her combo, were excellent (that lutz is HUGE! ), and her spins were pretty good. In addition (superficial comment time!) her dress was gorgeous and the program is nice. However, my enjoyment of the program was rather jeopardized by the awful recording of La Vie en Rose. IMHO, LVER is far better as an instrumental (I loved Alissa Czisny's La Vie en Rose-why can't she use that version?), but if you must use lyrics, don't use this singer, whoever she is. Gergh.



Also, on a side note: how the heck is Alena Leonova in 4th? Isn't this the event where she beat Gracie last season...?

 

[gopatrick]

Kind of amazing that someone who has never even medaled at a Canadian Nationals wins an international event. And lets face it it's not like there were tons of great skaters in Canadian Men's in the last 4 years keeping him off the podium.

When I first eyed on him, he was the Canadian Junior Champ. Injuries had long plagued his development, and he nearly quit after breaking his knee. Overjoyed to see he breaks thru and proves himself worthy of two GP assignments this season. Great job Elladj!! :thumbsup:

 

[Violet Bliss]

Also, on a side note: how the heck is Alena Leonova in 4th? Isn't this the event where she beat Gracie last season...?

She had a mishap at the spin entry and it was entirely invalidated.

BTW, I love Alaine's performance too. So light and joyful throughout with great executions of elements.

 

[alia jackson]

Standing on top of an international podium without a National medal, only from Canada?

Daisuke Murakami NHK 2014

 

[Layback11]

She had a mishap at the spin entry and it was entirely invalidated.

BTW, I love Alaine's performance too. So light and joyful throughout with great executions of elements.

Oooooh...that makes sense.

A la Gracie-at-Skate-America, it seems...*sigh*

 

[Mathman]

I really liked Grant Hochstein's programs, especially the long. Now just get your feet under that quad, Grant!

 

[Layback11]

I have to say, I'm glad Alena kept this program a second season. It's getting a chance to grow on me...it really is. :yes: