Max Aaron

[karne]

Oh, you guys.

He was stunning. Absolutely, incredibly, wonderfully, brilliant, amazing...I don't have enough superlatives. I wanted to cry when he was done. I was so happy. I still am so happy. He was magnificent.

 

[dorispulaski]

He was, even on TV. Karne, I am so glad you got to see him skate like that

 

[TMC]

Just watched his skate - he was magnificent!

These Worlds are bad for my emotional well-being; I've been crying almost nonstop during each event, and then again watching the videos later. And I don't normally cry very often at all! So many redemption stories, so many amazing performances.

If both Max and Jason make it to Helsinki next year and do well...they'll have to carry me out of the arena a blubbering mess

 

[Arriba627]

Oh, you guys.

He was stunning. Absolutely, incredibly, wonderfully, brilliant, amazing...I don't have enough superlatives. I wanted to cry when he was done. I was so happy. I still am so happy. He was magnificent.

Max was awesome. Especially loved his HUGE hug of Adam Rippon and Raf. I met him briefly at Nationals in St.Paul. He is a really nice guy and a class act - besides being a wonderful skater.

 

[karne]

Look at our sweet-hearted adorable SnuggleBat watching Adam's FS!

I don't understand how anyone couldn't like him and how the USFS continues to justify their mistreatment of him

 

[salchowx4]

Max looked so incredibly hot during his exhibition that I was tempted to give him all 10s on that dumb ISU app just for that wonderful shirt, heh heh. (I didn't, but it was a fun program.)

 

[karne]

Max looked so incredibly hot during his exhibition that I was tempted to give him all 10s on that dumb ISU app just for that wonderful shirt, heh heh. (I didn't, but it was a fun program.)

Oh, I have no shame. I did give him all 10s. Those jeans, dayum! :

Plus, at that point I was figuring the whole damn thing would turn into another popularity contest anyway...

 

[karne]

Update: I finally found out what the April Fools prank was that had John Coughlin at DEFCON 1 sprinting across Boston.

For reference, the original John Coughlin tweet:

Well, @MaxTAaron for the win w/ #AprilFools pranks. Just had me sprinting Boston & going DEFCON 1. Tune in @icenetwork for more #Worlds2016

And here, in his latest MK Blades blog, Tom Z reveals what the joke was:

Whilst the MK/John Wilson team was in a meeting, I contacted them and told them that Max’s blades were broken and we needed them to come to us immediately.

Oh, SnuggleBat and Z, you dastardly fiends!

 

[deedee1]

I pretty much enjoyed Max's performances, especially Black Swan Free! at Boston. And sorry that US's missed to keep 3 spots, was so close, wasn't it....? My husband, in particular, was so upset about PCS of his free and complains a lot to me still.

I am not sure if one of Max fans in Japan has posted comment here, so apology in advance if already posted.
During Fuji TV broadcast, Daisuke complimented Max right after his free skate. My memory is weak now his exact words in Japanese and can't find any video clips. But He said something like, "What a wonderful free skate. I am on the verge of tears. Really. It must have been very difficult for him to skate in front of home crowds. So much pressure he must have felt, I think. And what a wonderful reaction from the crowds, too; thunderous. I was a bit worried if he was able to hear the music during the last spin, tbh. Kudos to him!"

Dai himself knows what a wonderful thing to happen for any skaters to skate the skate of his/her life in front of home crowds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0vVOvp4Tw

 

[ice coverage]

Happy to say that Max will be getting lots of love from Apr 22-24 -- as a late-breaking addition to this year's Showtime on Ice in Centennial, Colorado.

He is returning to the show "for an unprecedented second year."

https://www.facebook.com/ShowtimeOnIce/posts/984562551633965​

Last year, he seemed to have a great experience with Polina Edmunds. And StitchMonkey gave us excellent eyewitness reporting .

This year, Max will be joining the previously announced cast of none other than Mirai and Maddie/Max S.

So .... I am getting way ahead of myself, but am hoping that the show will include a Mirai/Max A mini-duet that will give Max another outlet for his love of lifting.
[I LOL-ed when Max reached down to lift Adam during the Worlds gala finale (but stopped there).]

Hoping also for Max, Mirai, and Maddie/Max to share a number ... and for a brief partner switch with Maddie and Max A as one pair, and Mirai and Max S as the other.

And hoping for videos and/or photos of all of the above -- as well as of their individual exhibition programs.
Yes, I am greedy .

Most of all, want Max, Mirai, and Maddie/Max to enjoy lots of appreciation from the club skaters and from the audiences.

---

I pretty much enjoyed Max's performances, especially Black Swan Free! at Boston. And sorry that US's missed to keep 3 spots, was so close, wasn't it....? My husband, in particular, was so upset about PCS of his free and complains a lot to me still.

I am not sure if one of Max fans in Japan has posted comment here, so apology in advance if already posted.
During Fuji TV broadcast, Daisuke complimented Max right after his free skate. My memory is weak now his exact words in Japanese and can't find any video clips. But He said something like, "What a wonderful free skate. I am on the verge of tears. Really. It must have been very difficult for him to skate in front of home crowds. So much pressure he must have felt, I think. And what a wonderful reaction from the crowds, too; thunderous. I was a bit worried if he was able to hear the music during the last spin, tbh. Kudos to him!"

Dai himself knows what a wonderful thing to happen for any skaters to skate the skate of his/her life in front of home crowds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0vVOvp4Tw

deedee, many thanks for sharing Dai's emotional and very positive reaction to Max's FS.
(Don't think it was posted previously.)

Dai's heartfelt words have in turn brought me to tears. As you say, it is esp. significant for such praise to come from Dai , who has first-hand understanding that skating at home heightens both the pressure of competing and the excitement of the crowd going wild for an amazing performance.

And as always, we love hearing that Mr. deedee sticks up for Max early and often :yay:.

---

Update: I finally found out what the April Fools prank was that had John Coughlin at DEFCON 1 sprinting across Boston.

For reference, the original John Coughlin tweet:



And here, in his latest MK Blades blog, Tom Z reveals what the joke was:



Oh, SnuggleBat and Z, you dastardly fiends!

Thx for the scoop, karne. No wonder Coughlin's response was DEFCON 1.

As an aside, I see that Tom Z's blog casually mentioned his "upcoming jump event" (as one of the topics of his conversation with Dick Button).
Only my speculation, but I wonder whether TZ is implying that he is upgrading the Freezer Aerial Challenge into something else?? Perhaps a free-standing comp unattached to the Broadmoor Open??
(The information for the 2016 Broadmoor Open on the BSC site shows no sign of a 2016 Freezer Aerial Challenge.)

 

[ice coverage]

Max was awesome. Especially loved his HUGE hug of Adam Rippon and Raf. I met him briefly at Nationals in St.Paul. He is a really nice guy and a class act - besides being a wonderful skater.

Our SnuggleBat is the opening shot of today's USFS flashback video of Team USA highlights at Worlds.

Other snippets show Max prepping rinkside for his FS ... and executing his quad combo as Black Swan.

And I am exceedingly pleased that it includes wonderful footage of Max running to give Adam the best hug ever. Makes me cry every time. :sad4: :luv17:

https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/720270799270072320 (1:26, published Apr 13)
https://www.facebook.com/usfigureskating/videos/10153593864056342/?permPage=1

Look at our sweet-hearted adorable SnuggleBat watching Adam's FS! ...

I forgot to say earlier that I love this photo -- a prelude to the best hug ever.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

There are never enough videos of figure skating !!! I really wish I could get backstage at an event with my own cameras so I could make my own videos. I even promise I would include Max if he was there. What did Ashley say/motion at the end?

 

[ice coverage]

There are never enough videos of figure skating !!! I really wish I could get backstage at an event with my own cameras so I could make my own videos. I even promise I would include Max if he was there. What did Ashley say/motion at the end?

Sam-S, I wonder whether next season USFS once again will select a few official bloggers for its fanzone site??? If so, I hope you will submit an application -- to offer videography/vlogging/other videos (instead of or in addition to writing blog entries).
I think it would be a great idea for USFS to give backstage access to someone with skills like yours. USFS won't have Worlds again in the foreseeable future, but I would love to see whatever you could shoot at Skate America and Nats (and the US Classic, assuming it takes place again). [Esp. if you promise to include Max .]

I noted in the Worlds video thread that today's video was billed as "behind-the-scenes" although a lot of it was not BTS.
I did enjoy today's video (and not only b/c of Max :yes, so I'm not really complaining -- but the more backstage stuff, the merrier.

Interesting shot selection to leave the viewer puzzling over what Ashley said at the end. I could not make it out either. But it was very nice to see her looking so happy.

 

[karne]

I pretty much enjoyed Max's performances, especially Black Swan Free! at Boston. And sorry that US's missed to keep 3 spots, was so close, wasn't it....? My husband, in particular, was so upset about PCS of his free and complains a lot to me still.

I am so glad I am not the only one. In fact, the more I think about Max's PCS at Worlds, the more upset by it I am. It is a horrible insult to him, a clear sign that he will never be loved by the powers that be, no matter what he does. To tell him that that incredible performance at Worlds was two points worse than the one at Skate America...I do not want to believe what I think that might mean.

I am not sure if one of Max fans in Japan has posted comment here, so apology in advance if already posted.
During Fuji TV broadcast, Daisuke complimented Max right after his free skate. My memory is weak now his exact words in Japanese and can't find any video clips. But He said something like, "What a wonderful free skate. I am on the verge of tears. Really. It must have been very difficult for him to skate in front of home crowds. So much pressure he must have felt, I think. And what a wonderful reaction from the crowds, too; thunderous. I was a bit worried if he was able to hear the music during the last spin, tbh. Kudos to him!"

Dai himself knows what a wonderful thing to happen for any skaters to skate the skate of his/her life in front of home crowds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0vVOvp4Tw

Oh, Dai, thankyou for your beautiful words! And thank you deedee1 for sharing them with us!

So .... I am getting way ahead of myself, but am hoping that the show will include a Mirai/Max A mini-duet that will give Max another outlet for his love of lifting.
[I LOL-ed when Max reached down to lift Adam during the Worlds gala finale (but stopped there).]

Hoping also for Max, Mirai, and Maddie/Max to share a number ... and for a brief partner switch with Maddie and Max A as one pair, and Mirai and Max S as the other.

I too hope there will be much lifting! And the scenario is ripe for a little brother/sister duet!

(I feel like someone needs to find a video or picture of that near miss and send it to them as a challenge. Perhaps post Nationals next year we would see it? Oh my, the USFS would have a heart attack, I am sure. But we know our SnuggleBat would never drop his friend.)

And I am exceedingly pleased that it includes wonderful footage of Max running to give Adam the best hug ever. Makes me cry every time. :sad4: :luv17:

https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/720270799270072320 (1:26, published Apr 13)
https://www.facebook.com/usfigureskating/videos/10153593864056342/?permPage=1

I love the hug. It needs to be shown in hi-res in every promo they have. :yes:

Sam-S, I wonder whether next season USFS once again will select a few official bloggers for its fanzone site??? If so, I hope you will submit an application -- to offer videography/vlogging/other videos (instead of or in addition to writing blog entries).
I think it would be a great idea for USFS to give backstage access to someone with skills like yours. USFS won't have Worlds again in the foreseeable future, but I would love to see whatever you could shoot at Skate America and Nats (and the US Classic, assuming it takes place again). [Esp. if you promise to include Max .]

VOTE 1 SAM-SKWANTCH! :yes:


As to the Aerial Challenge, well, who knows? I only hope this year it is done right, with a proper live stream, better organisation, and for heaven's bloody sake that they do their freaking homework and don't just assume that the only entrants will be Americans and Canadians. (Yes, I'm still cheesed off that Brendan wuzrobbed of his shot at winning the backflip crown. It's not like the Australian fed is rolling in dosh and he's got funding galore, that prizemoney would have been sorely needed. And though I love our SnuggleBat, I truly believe that Brendan could have taken the fight to him right to the very end in the main contest.)

I am tired, and I find myself reflecting on the honour, that great moment...forgive me for devolving into crushing fangirl for a moment, but when he smiles at you, when he speaks directly to you, and his eyes are firmly stamped into yours, as though you are the most interesting person in the world... :

 

[ice coverage]

.... I am tired, and I find myself reflecting on the honour, that great moment...forgive me for devolving into crushing fangirl for a moment, but when he smiles at you, when he speaks directly to you, and his eyes are firmly stamped into yours, as though you are the most interesting person in the world... :

karne, no need to ask forgiveness . Thought of you :yes: when I saw the first photo in the ISU's Men's SP gallery from Boston:

https://www.facebook.com/isufigures...2/?type=3&size=1000,714&fbid=1152311274793812 (posted Apr 14)

https://www.facebook.com/isufigures...2037.255007411190874/1152311274793812/?type=3 (the photo is not loading for me at what should be the direct link)​

The gallery includes also separate photos from the SPs of every competitor.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1152311224793817.1073742037.255007411190874&type=3​

---

... I decided to make a little scrapbook of memories for my 9000th post : It's just a video featuring a few moments from the event. Of course I couldn't include everyone's favorite skaters or even all of mine but I tried to mix it up a little bit. I hope you guys enjoy ...

2016WC Remix
https://youtu.be/6YH5Ozm7T3w
Available in up to 720p HD

...

Thanks to Sam-S for including Max :yay: among the select few in your video of favorite moments from Worlds.

And congratulations for your 9000th post .

---

Quickly making note that Max is in the ShibSibs vlog of Worlds as well.

https://youtu.be/bhkJ7-v6_ac?t=5m12s (most notable bit w/ Max starts at approx. 5:12) (posted Apr 15)​

Also courtesy of the ShibsSibs, a Team USA group photo at the closing banquet: https://www.instagram.com/p/BD5sbcRh1gX/ (Apr 7)

---

Throwing back to Max at last year's Showtime on Ice:

I don't think I previously had seen or posted this endearing (IMO) photo of Max taking part in a group hug.
Something sweet/striking to me about the way that his face is completely buried in the hug, but we can see his arm and hand holding his top hat . #HuggleHat

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203685361084656&set=o.390906027666290&type=3&theater (Apr 28, 2015)​

 

[ice coverage]

Two bits re Max's use of visualization:

Video of Max before the Men's SP at Worlds seems to show him completing a visualization exercise:

https://youtu.be/UNfiEK24m2I?t=1m52s (Mar 30; the short glimpse of Max starts at approx. 1:52)​

Coincidentally, Phillip Mills wrote about visualization in his most recent blog entry (title: "A Clear and Calm Focus as a Competitive Advantage")

... After the physical warm up at a competition I have my skaters visualize their program seeing themselves skating a clean and well executed program. More than once a skater has told me that after the visualization they missed an element. I have them re-skate it in their mind perfectly and then do a physical practice of that element. Almost without exception the skaters succeed in completing the questioned element in their program. Visualization is a powerful and underutilized strategy in competitive figure skating.

Once they take the ice to compete it is critical that the skater concentrate on the immediate task at hand staying in the moment and not thinking about the outcome.

Max was able to get in this zone for both his short and long programs at the 2016 World Championships. He was calm like the ocean in the morning. He is well trained and has many clean programs in his arsenal. This was the time to trust and let the music and the audience carry him through. He achieved those goals.

... The process of pure and tranquil visualization can become a huge competitive advantage. ...

http://www.phillipmillschoreographe...tive-Advantage/c15xe/570d4a590cf2af49d70ee124 (Apr 12)​

---

BTW, hat tip to apgold for the video link above -- one of a series posted in the Worlds video thread.

http://goldenskate.com/forum/showth...-and-Results&p=1424407&viewfull=1#post1424407​

FYI, Max is included in another vid from the series. It shows his group as they wait to take the ice for their FS warm-up.

https://youtu.be/tn5Le0gRdhk?t=6m35s (Max is seen from approx. 6:35 thru the end of the 8-minute vid; keep watching past the shots of audience and of Hanyu backstage)​

(As an aside unrelated to Max, I do recommend the whole series of eleven backstage videos. Lots of interesting stuff of lots of skaters from lots of countries.)

---

Apropos of nothing, throwing back to a cute photo of Max in Boston -- seems to show our otherwise ultra-disciplined athlete permitting himself to enjoy a small post-competition indulgence , presumably from the North End:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDtxX6UKZ-J/ (Apr 2)​

 

[karne]

Two bits re Max's use of visualization:

Video of Max before the Men's SP at Worlds seems to show him completing a visualization exercise:

https://youtu.be/UNfiEK24m2I?t=1m52s (Mar 30; the short glimpse of Max starts at approx. 1:52)​

Coincidentally, Phillip Mills wrote about visualization in his most recent blog entry (title: "A Clear and Calm Focus as a Competitive Advantage")

... After the physical warm up at a competition I have my skaters visualize their program seeing themselves skating a clean and well executed program. More than once a skater has told me that after the visualization they missed an element. I have them re-skate it in their mind perfectly and then do a physical practice of that element. Almost without exception the skaters succeed in completing the questioned element in their program. Visualization is a powerful and underutilized strategy in competitive figure skating.

Once they take the ice to compete it is critical that the skater concentrate on the immediate task at hand staying in the moment and not thinking about the outcome.

Max was able to get in this zone for both his short and long programs at the 2016 World Championships. He was calm like the ocean in the morning. He is well trained and has many clean programs in his arsenal. This was the time to trust and let the music and the audience carry him through. He achieved those goals.

... The process of pure and tranquil visualization can become a huge competitive advantage. ...

http://www.phillipmillschoreographe...tive-Advantage/c15xe/570d4a590cf2af49d70ee124 (Apr 12)​

---

BTW, hat tip to apgold for the video link above -- one of a series posted in the Worlds video thread.

http://goldenskate.com/forum/showth...-and-Results&p=1424407&viewfull=1#post1424407​

With all due respect to Mr Mills, though, it didn't work. Not for the short, where Max put a hand down on the 4S and couldn't get the combo off. Yes, it worked for the long, but by then Max was already on the back foot. And then he got buried.

Apropos of nothing, throwing back to a cute photo of Max in Boston -- seems to show our otherwise ultra-disciplined athlete permitting himself to enjoy a small post-competition indulgence , presumably from the North End:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDtxX6UKZ-J/ (Apr 2)​

What a cutie pie! I have a feeling those cannolis (or so I assume they are from the caption) perhaps did not belong to SnuggleBat...

 

[ice coverage]

With all due respect to Mr Mills, though, it didn't work. Not for the short, where Max put a hand down on the 4S and couldn't get the combo off. ...

Yes, I agree that Phillip's blog comments were somewhat idealized compared to the reality of Max's SP. But I was willing to overlook the discrepancy .

I must say that I'm sad :sad4: that we (presumably?) will not see Max compete Nessun Dorma and Black Swan again. I really enjoyed both programs, and will miss them.
Have to console/remind myself that it will be very exciting :hap85: to see what Max and Mr. Mills (presumably?) create for next season.

... What a cutie pie! I have a feeling those cannolis (or so I assume they are from the caption) perhaps did not belong to SnuggleBat...

And now I think that my own fondness for cannoli :luv17: made me miss the point :hopelessness: of the photo. #YouSnooze,YouLose
Your comment reminds me of when Max stepped off the podium in St. Paul to retrieve something (an award pin, I'm guessing??) that Adam accidentally had dropped ... and before returning it to his friend, our PranksterBat pretended to run off with it .

---

Now to my burning (but off-topic) question of the moment for you, karne:

Any chance that the prospect of 2019 Four Continents in Colorado Springs will tempt you into considering a return trip to the US of A?

(I suppose it's possible that Max will have started his business career by then. But Josh and Jason and Maddie/Max and some of your Aussies prob. would be potential entries??)​

 

[karne]

I must say that I'm sad :sad4: that we (presumably?) will not see Max compete Nessun Dorma and Black Swan again. I really enjoyed both programs, and will miss them.
Have to console/remind myself that it will be very exciting :hap85: to see what Max and Mr. Mills (presumably?) create for next season.

Oh, yes. I am very much looking forward to next season already and what our dear SnuggleBat will create. Will he be the Nutcracker Prince? Or do he and Mr Mills have some other grand idea? Will Thunderstruck, perhaps, make its way into a competition arena? (The latter is pure wishful thinking, ha)

And now I think that my own fondness for cannoli :luv17: made me miss the point :hopelessness: of the photo. #YouSnooze,YouLose
Your comment reminds me of when Max stepped off the podium in St. Paul to retrieve something (an award pin, I'm guessing??) that Adam accidentally had dropped ... and before returning it to his friend, our PranksterBat pretended to run off with it .

I believe the object that fell was Adam's Champion Radix pin (Max's would have been silver). They hand the boxes to the medallists open for some unknown reason, and of course Adam had much to hold. So PranksterBat was running off with the title...

Now to my burning (but off-topic) question of the moment for you, karne:

Any chance that the prospect of 2019 Four Continents in Colorado Springs will tempt you into considering a return trip to the US of A?

(I suppose it's possible that Max will have started his business career by then. But Josh and Jason and Maddie/Max and some of your Aussies prob. would be potential entries??)​

From the moment I saw that it would be in Colorado Springs the thought entered my mind to go back. If my body holds out that long, I should love to train there again, and of course, see my dear Golden Trio, and my Aussies.

But we will see. It's not a cheap trip from here to there, and anything could happen in nearly three years.

 

[musicfan80]

From the moment I saw that it would be in Colorado Springs the thought entered my mind to go back. If my body holds out that long, I should love to train there again, and of course, see my dear Golden Trio, and my Aussies.

2019 4CCs? Which of the Trio (Max, Joshua, Jason) would still be competing then? Would they be done after the 2018 season? But then again, Jeremy Abbott was 24 when he competed in Vancouver and 28 in Sochi.