2015 Skate Canada Mens Free Skate

[gourry]

Just to be clear, although I agree with Patrick's win, I think Yuzu's program is marvelous also. The theme and choreography is very innovative and creative. Plus difficult to execute. Usually we see Asian women doing the "Asian women" programs like Miss Saigon, Madame Butterfly, etc...and it's really great to see a Japanese man doing a heavily Japanese-culture influenced program. Very refreshing, especially since he did POTO last year.

But is it really that heavily Japanese-culture influenced program? It is choreographed by Shae-Lynn, Canadian for starter. Other than the fingers in front of face opening and stuff, what was so Japanese? I like the concept and costume by the way. I'm not complaining, I just don't think it was that Asian enough to alienate audience.

eta: I feel like I misquoted you. I was thinking about the post that said that maybe Westerners won't respond well to Asian guys trying Asian stuff.

 

[4everchan]

i disagree... Patrick's skating skills were really good very early on

And it's tiring and baseless saying he isn't as "good" as Patrick when it comes to quality or skating skills. He's only 20. What Patrick skating this good when he was 20? Not really (and certainly not technically).

 

[Meoima]

And it's tiring and baseless saying he isn't as "good" as Patrick when it comes to quality or skating skills. He's only 20. What Patrick skating this good when he was 20? Not really (and certainly not technically).

An ex skater currently at Skate Canada told me that Yuzuru's SS is not that much behind Patrick. He is aslo fast and smooth much more than the rest of the field. But yeah, Canadian fans will never believe.

 

[karne]

well, there aren't many men who have done so.... all nations ... i can think of Kevin... did Javier do it? maybe Tim Goebel? who has this info and is willing to share it?

Daniel Samohin did it at Salt Lake City in September.

 

[MaxSwagg]

i disagree... Patrick's skating skills were really good very early on

Maybe so, but on the whole Yuzu is a much greater skater at 20 (and 19, 18, etc.) than Patrick was.

 

[andromache]

well, there aren't many men who have done so.... all nations ... i can think of Kevin... did Javier do it? maybe Tim Goebel? who has this info and is willing to share it?

Goebel was the first to do three quads in one program. Not sure about any of the others.

 

[Sandpiper]

Last and only time a Japanese man landed 3 quads in one program was Takeshi Honda...just think of that! It's been a long wait.

Well, to be fair, I wouldn't count that as 3 "landed" quads with the hand down. (I accept only "6.0 clean" jumps because otherwise it would be a slippery slope--would falls count as landed too, ect.) But I'm sure Yuzuru will achieve those three quads soon enough.

 

[Ophelia]

But is it really that heavily Japanese-culture influenced program? It is choreographed by Shae-Lynn, Canadian for starter. Other than the fingers in front of face opening and stuff, what was so Japanese? I like the concept and costume by the way. I'm not complaining, I just don't think it was that Asian enough to alienate audience.

eta: I feel like I misquoted you. I was thinking about the post that said that maybe Westerners won't respond well to Asian guys trying Asian stuff.

Shae-Lyn may have choreographed it, but she lifted the moves from a traditional Japanese dance/theater. Alot of Hanyu's arm movements are the same arm movements used by the actor in the Onmyoji movie during the dance portion.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Yuzu is a prodigy and is very special. He is a once in a generation - maybe two generations - skater.

I noticed how special he was while he was a junior. He intrigued me in an interview and I knew he learned very differently from others and would be a great success. However, I didn't like his posture and performance so much even as he became very successful. But in recent years, I find he's improved very much in these aspects and I especially like his new LP, the music, choreography and his performance.

To me, Patrick is extremely special. As well, an early interview of Nam 5 years ago also piqued my interest and high expectation. He learned about using his mind from his father since a very young age, something most people never learn in a life time. He has shown that mental strength in his accomplishments from a little kid on and it will get him where he wants to be.

 

[shiroKJ]

But is it really that heavily Japanese-culture influenced program? It is choreographed by Shae-Lynn, Canadian for starter. Other than the fingers in front of face opening and stuff, what was so Japanese? I like the concept and costume by the way. I'm not complaining, I just don't think it was that Asian enough to alienate audience.

It's actually extremely Japanese from its meaning to its execution. Every movement in there has a meaning in relation to the character he's channeling and the onmyoji dance (which has now also been claimed by Sony ). Maybe except probably the Ina Bauer but that's a gem in it self and cannot be left out under any circumstances

 

[sabinfire]

Well, to be fair, I wouldn't count that as 3 "landed" quads with the hand down.

That was really quick and didn't break the flow. Still landed perfectly.

 

[4everchan]

that's your opinion Patrick at 18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBW8TsHGTsM

Maybe so, but on the whole Yuzu is a much greater skater at 20 (and 19, 18, etc.) than Patrick was.

 

[4everchan]

that's right.... hands down is not credited ... i also forgot about this as i was excited about his skate

Well, to be fair, I wouldn't count that as 3 "landed" quads with the hand down. (I accept only "6.0 clean" jumps because otherwise it would be a slippery slope--would falls count as landed too, ect.) But I'm sure Yuzuru will achieve those three quads soon enough.

 

[Sandpiper]

That was really quick and didn't break the flow. Still landed perfectly.

Yes, but if we're going to judge him against Honda/Goebel, we should apply the same rules to all. No one's quads were counted "landed" with a hand down under 6.0.

 

[MaxSwagg]

that's your opinion Patrick at 18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBW8TsHGTsM

Did Patrick have the same level of technical ability, incredible spins, and emotional commitment at 14 like Yuzu? No. You've only mentioned skating skills. I mean, there are parts of skating that aren't subjective to the viewer. Lol Patrick fans have to accept that while he's great now, he's NOT a prodigy.

 

[Interspectator]

Yes, but if we're going to judge him against Honda/Goebel, we should apply the same rules to all. No one's quads were counted "landed" with a hand down under 6.0.

It's landed to me. But yes, we hope for a 6.0 landing in the future. The plane did not crash, it only wobbled on landing...all aboard are alive and intact. Sorry, I haven't had much sleep these past few days.

 

[MIM]

Shifting gears. Did anyone else feel like Brezina's program was like watching a YouTube video of the European Championships circa 1985?

Maybe it was just the costume, but it seemed so stale.

I liked him in that costume a lot!! I have no idea where he got the reference to this blazing red of Conrad. (please educate me!) But, it fits him so well.
He is too pretty. So, when he is in tux or something fancy, IDK I cannot make a mark on him? He did not stick out to me, and got washed away easily. But in this costume, he seems (okay fully red-marked) a strong individual and speaks loud and clear what he is doing. I guess the costume helping me recognize him.

Although, first, I thought he was doing a Denis Ten v.2 pulling some sort of traditional/cultural theme like Silk Road. But then he skated to a classic ballet piece. Oops, i got it wrong, but still...:2thumbs:

 

[Meoima]

Yes, but if we're going to judge him against Honda/Goebel, we should apply the same rules to all. No one's quads were counted "landed" with a hand down under 6.0.

Honda two foot his quads, it shouldn't be counted as well.

 

[gstrain]

Wow! What a competition. A lot of skaters delivered the goods for this earlier in the season. I agree with the top 3 on the podium and it'll be exciting to see how the rest of the season goes for them.

On the American side of things, it was awesome to see Tim Dolensky deliver the goods in what is probably his best skate ever, especially after he bombed the SP. He went from not hitting any of his jumps in the SP and not even managing to get a combo in, to hitting 8 triples in the LP. Hopefully this will be a bridge for him to move up from the "top 12-14" American skaters level he's been at the last couple of years into the GP-tier of American skaters. Am I the only one that's not convinced Adam should have beaten him in the LP?

 

[MaxSwagg]

not sure i understand your point? if we are going to do an age race... nam wins all battles

Frankly, Nam's components should be in the 6s sometimes, and his 3A is terrible, and his jumps are not that good most times either in terms of effortlessness and flow.