Yu/Jin & Peng/Zhang switch partners

[Crossover]

^^ I think you got the SP name wrong as Eternal Flame is skater by Xiaoyu and Hao... I think they called it "my drags" but yeah the video links to Peng and Jin's new SP.....
I personally think that Xiaoyu has a regal and lyrical quality with Hao that she didn't have as much with Yang Jin. So I am quite impressed by both new pairings, of course, I am only talking about sports here.

I fix the error. I agree that Xiaoyu naturally possesses a regal presence, and maybe Hao can expose her such quality more on ice although at this point she looks very cold and blank. I'm sure she will adapt the new partner well. However our sport is heavily involved with not only skaters' emotion but also viewers' feeling. After the pair swapping was officially announced, I thought "Okay, what is done is done, what I can't do about it, so I wouldn't let the matter live forever". However at first glance of the farewell performance, I was utterly shocked and disgusted by the concept. I can't also do about my feeling right now.

 

[Princessroja]

honestly, if I agree perhaps it may not have been necessary, I saw it with a bit more nuance in the sense that perhaps they tried to convey that it was a move based on potential results not on human consideration. I have watched both SPs and they are showing more promise than the former partnerships. Yes, a lot of people are upset and perhaps that's why this number was presented, to show that perhaps, even if it seems like they are giving up on each other, the new partnerships will allow all of them to shine brighter. We fans, perhaps see things a bit too romantically here... This is sports and business. Like how some tennis players will be better at doubles with another partner than the one they have played with for several years.

I'm just realizing that it was a narrative thing, as in, they were specifically trying to portray the story of what happened and it wasn't just a random exhibition piece. And I too actually like the new pairings better. But still, I think it's a tacky choice of music and probably super painful for the skaters. There's other better ways to handle the issue than this piece, methinks.

 

[Sorrento]

I personally think that Xiaoyu has a regal and lyrical quality with Hao that she didn't have as much with Yang Jin. So I am quite impressed by both new pairings, of course, I am only talking about sports here.

Regal? What are you talking about? She looked cold and detached and made to obey the circumstances. And no, I do not romanticise her previous partnership, the lyrical side was in their performance, not in their actual relationship I know nothing about.
What I saw from that paired EX was that she is meant to bring Olympic medals therefore she was partnered with Zhang. And the other new pair will be just a randon Chinese pair because frankly I did not see any wow thing in their performance.
When I think of- how you name it- sport side of this situation the other huge mispairing comes into my mind- Russians. And I'm actually glad that Russian Federation did not push Ilinykh and Katsalapov together in order to bring gold medals. They just let them go. I don't think either of them will get what they could have if they'd stay together. I can only hope. But what I am sure of is that they'd hate their life and be depressed which does not lead to huge success. Psychological stress which Xiaoyu most probably would have to face during her upcoming seasons would be immense and I pray that she has the guts to stay strong and go through it and stay healthy both physically and mentally.

 

[solani]

It's true that Yu looked cold and detached after the SP, but that could be because she didn't land her solo jump. I guess that's expected of her. I also didn't like that performance where both pairs skated together and switched partners. But both pairs got very good SP's, very fitting and Yu/Zhang could be very successful with it and they do look good as a pair. If Yu is still unhappy with the switch she has to think about the benefits that this partnership is going to bring for her. They're always going to get the most expensive outfits and are going to be supported by the fed. They're going to be regal, beautiful, dark and brooding.
I personally like Peng/Jin better, they have a really positive aura and both seem to be happy. I like seeing happy skaters and I like their program, it's fun and Jin can show us a new side of his character. He wouldn't have been able to do such a program with Yu and he seems to be enjoying himself.

 

[silverfoxes]

Regal? What are you talking about? She looked cold and detached and made to obey the circumstances. And no, I do not romanticise her previous partnership, the lyrical side was in their performance, not in their actual relationship I know nothing about.

Seriously...there is no connection there at all, she looks dead inside, sorry to say. I'm not sure how "expensive outfits" are supposed to make it all better, but good luck to her.

 

[solani]

Seriously...there is no connection there at all, she looks dead inside, sorry to say. I'm not sure how "expensive outfits" are supposed to make it all better, but good luck to her.

Watch this:

Xiaoyu YU and children - "Duck" (young synchronized skating team?)
http://v.qq.com/cover/c/cty90oitjactd26.html?vid=s0020otfvzr

I think Yu generally is brooding, she didn't even look happy skating with a lot of young girls skating to a light children's song ... not saying that she might not look a bit happier still skating with Jin. But she also never looked really happy skating with Jin as far as I remember.
And there is a connection between Yu and Zhang when it comes to movements already. We shouldn't expect too much at this stage because they're only skating together for a couple of weeks. It's already impressive imho.

 

[4everchan]

so when stolbova is glaring, she is regal but if yu has the same elegant cold look, she is unhappy? she had a weird stumble on her solo jump... it was all there and she tripped randomly... maybe that's why... but I think they look really good as a pair, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they rise up the ranking at lightspeed. If you cannot see the quality of that pair, well wow... they are promising. Peng and Jin offer a completely different vibe, much more playful and fun, almost reminding me of Seguin Bilodeau at times. I think both pairs are better than what they were before the switch. You are welcome to disagree with me

 

[andromache]

Before even watching the video I read the posts and just knew that no matter what the performance looked like, there are people who are going to hate Yu/Zhang even if they put out a masterpiece. Unfortunately, no matter how much we complain about Chinese fed's decision, they won't change it. Time to move on and hope the best for all the skaters with their new partners!

I like the program, and I'm excited to see it when they're both more fit and polished. They don't look TERRIBLE but they don't look amazing together, at least not yet. I don't think Yu looked any more unhappy than she usually tends to look when she makes mistakes during a performance.

Like 4everchan, I wouldn't be surprised if they rise up the rankings this year, simply because Chinese fed loves Zhang and Yu is much more talented than Peng is (sorry Peng.) Meanwhile, I expect Peng/Jin to be the red-headed stepchild of the Chinese pairs. Poor Jin. (And also poor Peng, but, well, she had plenty of chances to impress while she was with Zhang.)

And for all those who accuse Zhang of being an abusive partner....let's at least see how he does with Yu before we go making baseless accusations.

 

[Krunchii]

Well Xiaoyu has always said she's been misunderstood because people think she looks unapproachable but her personality in real life is known to be very talkative. Before Xiaoyu and Yang split their relationship consisted of a lot of her just talking and Yang listening to her ramble about whatever she wanted, they were a very content team together even if you don't think she looked happy to skate with him. She's got a very 冷小姐/Ice Princess look to her which I don't think is a bad thing, meh.

And as someone who likes both of the new programs again, it's going to be hard for a lot of fans to warm up to Yu/Zhang. We have all this context to how the team was formed it's not going to be easy for anyone to enjoy them right away. Also I've never been into the way older man, young girl partnership thing, while I did enjoy some of Peng/Zhang's performances I never thought they were a good match. Xiaoyu's style is more mature than Peng Cheng's so it's not as glaring but sometimes I worry it'll end up like a Nodari/Lubov situation.

 

[karne]

And for all those who accuse Zhang of being an abusive partner....let's at least see how he does with Yu before we go making baseless accusations.

I know what I saw in Boston.

 

[4everchan]

the things you saw can be perceived differently by other people.

I know what I saw in Boston.

 

[karne]

the things you saw can be perceived differently by other people.

I know I was not the only one who sat there horrified when an angry old man threw his little-girl partner so carelessly into the boards and then didn't even look back to see if she got up.

 

[Sorrento]

When Xiaoyu fell on the parallel jump it was visible that he was dissapointed, he did not even take her hand when they finished the program and skated off the ice, did not even look at her. He does not care about his new partner too. He did the same with his previous partner. He will not change.
I am not blind. I see they have a potential. But I'm not sure she will be well treated in that partnership. Sometimes little things like taking hand, asking how are you, giving a hug are very telling and are obvious for those who see. It would be very visible when they go to competitions, in Kiss& Cry. Nothing is going to change.
Also I don't see how comparing Stolbova and Klimov's case is the same. They are very different.

 

[4everchan]

^^ i mentioned stolbova for her ice queen glare in comparison to Yu's "perceived" cold look. I didn't imply any other further comparison.

Honestly, I'd be disappointed too if my partner, a strong jumper, fell on the presentation of our new number. I am sure she landed that jump tons of times in practice, it was actually a weird stumble.. the jump was done... She did her other elements with lots of great airtime.

Maybe Hao is cold, I could give you this... maybe he is just introverted... maybe he doesn't like sharing his emotions... BUT, come on, he is not wishing his partners ill. He certainly is competing to do well and win, and that requires that his partners do well.

 

[Giselle]

^^ i mentioned stolbova for her ice queen glare in comparison to Yu's "perceived" cold look. I didn't imply any other further comparison.

Honestly, I'd be disappointed too if my partner, a strong jumper, fell on the presentation of our new number. I am sure she landed that jump tons of times in practice, it was actually a weird stumble.. the jump was done... She did her other elements with lots of great airtime.

Ksenia gets a lot of hate for her "coldness" too, she's called a ***** all the time.

Well if you're disappointed/mad that your partner made a mistake, maybe pair skating is not right for you...

 

[4everchan]

i play chamber music all the time... and yes, when someone makes a mistake, we are all disappointed. it's normal.. we practice, rehearse so much... that doesn't mean that we don't love working together ? I am seeing things objectively and call me naive but i refuse to believe that Hao is a mean partner who wishes his partners ill like some people are implying in this thread.

Ksenia gets a lot of hate for her "coldness" too, she's called a B**** all the time.

Well if you're disappointed/mad that your partner made a mistake, maybe pair skating is not right for you...

 

[solar]

That joint exhibition program was quite uncomfortable to watch

As for the new programs, I definitely see the potential. But it's difficult to forget the way these new pairs were put together.

 

[Sorrento]

Maybe Hao is cold, I could give you this... maybe he is just introverted... maybe he doesn't like sharing his emotions... BUT, come on, he is not wishing his partners ill.

Or maybe he only wants to win. I wish Team China had a cold blooded girl, bossy type, to be paired with him.
And also... any girl with a bit of class would look regal close to Mr. Zhang- he's not the most elegant skater out there.

 

[Sorrento]

That joint exhibition program was quite uncomfortable to watch

As for the new programs, I definitely see the potential. But it's difficult to forget the way these new pairs were put together.

Yeah, I feel like I will always have a bitter feeling watching them.:disapp:

 

[cathlen]

After watching the programs, I think Cheng Peng got better deal than Xiao Yu. It's hard to judge from only one performance, but Peng looks happier than Yu in her new partnership. Personally I think, Peng/Jin got better SP. But the situation still makes me much uncomfortable watching. I can't help but feel sorry for Yu :sad21: