Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[mcq]

Isn't skidding a lot more common than the clear edge take off? I think Nathan Chen is another clear example of someone skidding into his 3A. I'd have to check, but I think Patrick Chan also has more of an edge take off... Adelina Sotnikova did too, while Mao for example skids.

Skidding is much more common, especially for 3A, I think. In fact, I think most skaters skid their 3A? It is not like it is wrong to skid anyway, as long as it is not to the point where it becomes a backward takeoff? If so it is considered cheated, no?.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Skidding is much more common, especially for 3A, I think. In fact, I think most skaters skid their 3A? It is not like it is wrong to skid anyway, as long as it is not to the point where it becomes a backward takeoff? If so it is considered cheated, no?.

I think 1/4 is definitely okay, just like pre-rotation up until a certain point is normal on the other jumps. But Yuzu is being Yuzu and does everything in deluxe version

 

[Pamigena]

p. 3516 – 3525


NEWS

New tv clip about Yuzu was aired today because it's one year till the Olympics. (the footage is new but not recent, sort of a run-down of Yuzu's season and the changes in his layout that he made this season) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5b4dsy_17-0209-壁は-世界最高-の自分-平昌五輪まで1年_sport

So many Yuzu write ups today in the news This is one of them... Mostly confirmation of things that we already know. News article from Asahi Shinbun


- They've tried a bunch of different strategies regarding peaking, but it's hard to change the timing of the peak by that much. So, right now they're working on raising the "lowest average."


- Now that quad loop feels easy (because it's stabilized?), he's training quad loop combos. And in run throughs of the free program, he does the quad toeloop or the quad salchow instead of the last 3Lz for stamina training. So as to be confident that he's "able to jump even when tired".

--------------------

Also this face XD was the highlight of all today's videos. In addition to phone bling
https://twitter.com/yukiya_yuzu/status/829836381484523520

Do we have this? Practice groups for 4CC with the schedules.

Yuzuru is with Keiji, Shoma, Misha (yay!) and Martinez so sounds great, it's practice group 3.

PICTURES & VIDEOS

Liza Nugumanova just uploaded a photo with Yuzuru at GPF: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOJseXgpnj/

I'm finally scanning some of the photos of the magazine i ordered...
I want the secret for these lips
Pardon the speck of dirt in the right photo haha. I love the Yuzu on the left

wait, does he have a blingy rhinestone sticker on the iPod home button? why of course, silly question, can't leave anything without bling!

Speaking about videos, the GPF SP one that has the most views surprassed 1,000,000 now. Hopefully it won't be muted too ...

Ooh look a cut of Hope & Legacy on ground (in practice) vs on ice

https://twitter.com/pink_giraffe33/status/830196550106128384

Fanart

This is the fanart

I was smiling looking at all @runrun8383 fanart of Yuzu

Haha omg this one where he got scolded
https://twitter.com/runrun8383/status/827469477591683075?s=09

Also, i wanted Yuzu themed nails for this week. So i did Hana ni nare

OTHER

Another Russian baby being inspired by Yuzu

I've got permission from Linda @YHIFG FB to post her story as below, because it's too good not to be shared . Note: the t-shirt photo collages belong to Manami and cannot be reproduced without her permission. Thanks.

An article looking at the tech content progression over one year. A good read that soothes the nerves (a little)

https://sportymags.wordpress.com/2017/02/11/yuzuru-hanyu-technical-content/

https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2017/02/11/is-the-quad-axel-the-next-frontier/

Some mentions of Yuzu here too =w= Kurt Browning and Brian praises Yuzu and commenting on his 3A.

ARTICLES & TRANSLATIONS

As always massive thanks to yuzusorbet (source post on T)

YUZU DAYS, 6 Feb 2017.

–The reason for evolution, “the strength to aim for”–

Last season, Hanyu scored above 300 points in consecutive wins at NHK Trophy and GPF, and his GPF score was registered in the Guinness World Records. This season, he makes further evolution with the 1st successful quad loop in history and challenging 4 types of quads [t/n. should be 4 quads and 3 types] in his free programme. With a 4th straight GPF win which was a first in history, he prepares for World Championships coming up in March [t/n. and also 4CC coming in mid-Feb]. To Hanyu who continues to evolve, what kind of thing is “strength”? We interviewed him. ———

The ‘strength’ that I am thinking of is not just about abilities, it is also a bit different from strength of spirit; it is actual performance/competition strength….. strength with regards to the environment. Humans, when they face a change in environment, anyone will be anxious, and they cannot perform as usual. Any sports would be like that. Figure skate also, the competition is not in the same environment as the practice. The person who can perform as desired is really a strong competitor. For example, one can be affected when the body feels different due to jet lag or plane movements, or by the mood of the competition or the different feel of the ice. But in the midst of all that, to be able to perform like the usual practice, to perform as desired, to fully show your abilities, that person is really a strong competitor. In that sense, I still have a long way to go. To be able to do a perfect performance without being affected by changes in the environment – I think that is the real meaning of 'strength’.

During competition, to be under the most tension, to join it with peaking and to show fully your own abilities, I think it is necessary to become such a skater. In any case, that is what I want to aim for.
The reason why I admire/ look up to Plushenko is in there. I have watched him since I was little. When he jumps, even if he leans forward at times, he never falls, he does not make mistakes. I have almost never seen him fail in competition. HE is the undisputed champion. I want to be like Plushenko; no matter what competition, to show fully my own abilities without being shaken, I want to aim to become such a skater.

In various environments, the rink for example, the feel of the ice (or texture or quality of the ice) is different. In those conditions, when I jump, how do I get into the feel of the jump, all this becomes experience. In the end, it is my own feeling, it is not something that someone can teach me, it is whether I can believe in myself or not. That moment before a jump, if you focus and believe 'I can do it’, then you will definitely be able to jump, there is such a thing for sure.

I like listening to interviews of various athletes and coaches. They all have their own theories… a certain “thing that one can believe in”. I think my own “thing that I can believe in” will change depending on changes in my mental state and physical condition. But how to respond flexibly to those changes, hereafter how much will I make into experience the “thing I can believe in”, I think that is the work I have to do.

–translated by me. Source: P&G myrepi.com

I took a stab at translating a section of Brian's new book about Yuzu's peaking since there's that related Asahi article that came out today.
Apparently this is how I procrastinate from building my portfolio/ interview prep...

Peaking comes soon for Yuzuru (Chapter 5, part 9 to Team Brian II)

－skipping some general comments about peaking and Javi’s part —

As for Yuzuru, we're still at the stage of figuring out his peaking plan. General theories about peaking don't apply well to Yuzuru. Yuzuru takes a very short time to go from adjustment to peak, so if he is even a little more motivated or tries a little bit harder, he will reach a peak really quickly. (In another section, Brian mentioned that Yuzuru had trained without him for two weeks before NHK while he was accompanying other skaters to GP series. Upon return, he was surprised at how good Yuzuru’s condition was and took note of Yuzu’s ability to bring himself to peak very quickly.) Many skaters aim to peak in the second half of the season and gradually get themselves there, so they haven’t yet peaked in December. However, in the last three years, Yuzuru's peak had come in the Grand Prix final in December of the first half of the season. Based on Yuzuru’s physical predisposition and personality, he'll will probably need to peak twice or thrice each year. After December, we have to test how to recreate the peak again in the season.

Considering Yuzuru's pace these two years, the first peak in the Grand Prix final is fine. After that, it was also fine to let himself dip a bit at the All Japan Championship at the end of December. However, although we’d wanted to peak again in March, we had had to go into World Championship without conditioning going up. We talked about peaking so many times, and Yuzuru also understands its importance. But he wanted to live up to the expectations that surround him--to always perform well and win. When the Grand Prix Final comes up, he goes all the way there and burns out. By the time March comes around, although he has both the physical strength and the ability to peak again, he wasn’t able to do so.

One of the reasons that I can think of is that there is no match between Japanese Nationals in December and World Championships in March and it's too long to go without a single competition. Javier has the European Championship at the end of January and both American and Canadian nationals are in January. Only Yuzuru has this giant 3-month gap in the middle of the season. Competitive instincts and tension could have dulled, and the body feels like it’s in a different season. In that way, his condition may have dropped. So, we think that 4CC to be held in February will be an important timing for peaking this season.

There is yet another advantage of bringing a peak in February. After Yuzuru gave perfect performances at the NHK Trophy and the Grand Prix final last year. There were two weeks in between the two competitions. Yuzuru was able to maintain his peak for that long. It's about a month from 4CC to world championships, so we can see what happens with this interval. If he ends up participating again in the Olympic team competition, it will be a short period of about a week from team to singles. What happens this February will also become a hint for us to find out if he should drop the peak or try to maintain it.

In this way, this February will give us opportunity to figure out what kind of competitive pace at which Yuzuru’s condition goes up/ is maintained. And when this season is over, I'd like to discuss all this thoroughly with Yuzuru so he has a good idea about the timing of his peak and physical condition, and we can maintain a good conditioning plan for the Olympic season.

LOL this boy! https://twitter.com/Iron_Klaus/status/829840711985934337

@Iron_Klaus
"The three silver medals from #SkateCanada are where I can see them from my bed." #YuzuruHanyu #IceJewels #Interview

Oook. More procrastination from work. Time for another section Throwback time... to the making of Seimei. I really enjoyed this part, I loved how Brian was all excited and got into all this detail about the particulars of choreographing with Yuzu.

Particular about details (read: super-OCD Yuzuru XD)

In the 2014 - 2015 season, Yuzuru became a super star who overcame extreme hardship, in addition to his title of Olympic champion. With that came great responsibility (his? Brian's? Not sure...), in the next season, as to figuring out how to grow both as a human being and as an athlete. In making his new program, it was important to select songs that would bring out (original text was explode! ) the magma within Yuzuru. What kind of song would draw out new abilities in Yuzuru, and excite him and bring growth?

I first talked with the inspirational Shae-lynn Bourne, who choreographed "Phantom of the Opera" in the previous season.. Yuzuru has great chemistry with both Jeff Buttle and Shae-lynn. Or you could say it’d be difficult for him to work with people other than these two (good job DW with Notte Stellata, finally! ). Yuzuru has his own unique entries to jumps and timing in the way his movements are composed, so it’s very important for him to be comfortable with the timing of the choreography. Even with his quads coming out of steps, Yuzuru has an ideal form in his head, down to the speed of that step and the angle of the curve. He really needs a choreographer who can share that “commitment to details” that is unique to such top skaters.

As for choreographers, there is the artistic type that prioritizes their own inspiration as a choreographer over the the movement of the skater. Indeed, there are cases where you end up with an great artistic program that way. But in the case of Yuzuru, he cherishes his own sensibility — to breathe naturally, to skate with feeling to the music. In that sense, Shae-lynn understands the movements of Yuzuru and Yuzuru understands Shae-lynn’s choreographic moves, and thus the best collaboration is born.

In the off season of 2015, none of the songs that Shae-lynn and I first picked up as candidates for the free program had a tempo that quite matched the timing of Yuzuru’s quad toe loop. There is a breath and tempo in his series of action—"going into the setup of the jump, turning, bending his knees, toe pick hits the ice and jumping up (shuu—?)". It becomes difficult to jump unless the pitch of the music matches with Yuzuru's internal beat. On the contrary, if the tempo matches, Yuzuru can jump the quad naturally while keeping to the music. For the audience as well, the jumping and the music becomes one. Most skaters don't choose songs thinking about such details. But Yuzuru is one that is very particular to such details.

Then Yuzuru came up with the idea of ​​Seimei and sent it to us. Our original choices didn’t include Japanese music, an I was really happy that he proposed to do it. I loved the music from the moment I heard it. Yuzuru and Shae-lynn choreographed at the Cricket Club, and I was visibly excited as I—stealing glances from the corner of my eyes—gradually saw to the completion of the program. I thought, “this surely will be a masterpiece."

This program contains a world view that Yuzuru had never shown before. It is not a dramatic or passionate dance. But rather, one that conveys silence and magnificence, but also simmering strength. The program was interspersed with movements that were completely different from what he had done up till that point, but Yuzuru was able to digest and make it his own.

And this song was perfect for Yuzuru of this season. It was a time of overcoming injury and illness, of bursting motivation to improve not only on his jumping skills but also his skating and expression. It was the song for such a time.

To put it more directly, it would have been an extremely difficult song to master, generally speaking. There is little distinct melody, and the rhythm from the percussion is the main driver. If it were a dramatic and famous song, the music could help the performance even if the skater makes a mistake. But this song doesn’t do that. So we simply must wait for the moment when Yuzuru becomes the music. That is what it is. An excellent skater’s skating can be music on its own. Does it make sense? When someone like that skates, you can hear music from his whole body. On the contrary, for a skater with poor skating, the result would be disastrous. Both the music and the program would drag, and the skater’s poor technique becomes visible to all.

Anyway, even though it was hard to start with, it was a program destined to be a masterpiece, and it was perfect for Yuzuru.

From Javi's part, another little snippet about Seimei. The quotable Brian.

Yuzuru's Seimei is the opposite of Javier. There is a gripping tension and spiritual beauty in the skating. Yuzuru’s heartbeat and the pulse of the music unify as if he breathes through that program. Javier lives as a character of his program, and Yuzuru lives as part of music.

The Team Brian twitter is posting bits from the original interviews with Brian that resulted in the book. Also about Seimei:

He chose a wonderful piece and I also loved it. It's just a good song, no matter when you listen to it. So, we sat in the coach room, Yuzuru played the music and we decided which parts to use. Yuzu's great at selecting the parts to use, and really picked out the perfect parts.

He himself—how do you put it—might have felt that he needed a comeback.

 

[Yatagarasu]

Do we have this? Quad obsessed :hopelessness:
Fuji TV preview of the 4CC

Oh Yuzu was on Auntie Beeb earlier, maybe someone caught it somewhere but it was more a blink and you'll miss it, due to the preview for the Winter Olympics. They called him the Japanese superstar.

But Yuzu is being Yuzu and does everything in deluxe version

but so, so true.

 

[liv]

Years ago, like mid 90s, I remember watching a little fluff piece about axel jumps and they said that the best technique was to skid the takeoff so you would have a bit of a stopping point to jump from... an example of not so efficient technique was Tara Lipinski because she took off like a roller skater (she was a roller skater first), straight up and that's why it was a weak jump for her. So, if that is true, then being able to do a 3A like Yuzu from a non skid shows he really has mastered that jump brilliantly... I mean, we knew that, but he does not take advantage of that skid to do what he does so it's even better than we thought.

ETA: I guess the skid would be akin to the planting of the foot like a high jumper would. I just watched a video compilation on youtube of the 3A from various people (brezina, yuzu, farris, kulik, plushenko and yagudin) and they actually all skid to a degree. No one takes off straight forwards, all skid slightly on the ice.

 

[Yatagarasu]

^^
Well if you go with no skid, then the full momentum from the approach should go straight into the jump. The skid should give a slight pause and more control but no skid transfers all the energy directly into the jump itself unlike with skid where some is lost (traction alone gobbles a part).
So, no skid, arguably harder to control (and maybe thus more scary) without that pause and focus point but on the other hand, if one can as he does, it gives him all that length and height. And might even boost the rotation speed a bit.

Which of course may matter for that 4A.

 

[mcq]

I think 1/4 is definitely okay, just like pre-rotation up until a certain point is normal on the other jumps. But Yuzu is being Yuzu and does everything in deluxe version

deluxe version
Oh I like this term, will use it often

 

[gladiolusc]

^^
Well if you go with no skid, then the full momentum from the approach should go straight into the jump. The skid should give a slight pause and more control but no skid transfers all the energy directly into the jump itself unlike with skid where some is lost (traction alone gobbles a part).
So, no skid, arguably harder to control (and maybe thus more scary) without that pause and focus point but on the other hand, if one can as he does, it gives him all that length and height. And might even boost the rotation speed a bit.

Which of course may matter for that 4A.

That makes sense. Han Yan's another one often lauded for his 3A, right? Particularly the size of it is a huge wow factor. Of the ones I've slowed down to see, there's not an obvious skid at all.
It's a wonder Yuzu's consistency is as high as it is then, given the lessened control of going in without a skid.

 

[Pamigena]

But Yuzu is being Yuzu and does everything in deluxe version

reading this, and what does my brain come up with? :roll9:
Yuzu. Yuzu deluxe. Yuzu space kitten. Space kitten deluxe. This.
I'm gonna go stand in a corner for a while and think about what I've done

 

[padme21]

Has Hanyu arrived in South Korea yet?

 

[liv]

I am sure Japanese media would have recorded his arrival if he had gotten there... at least, they usually do. I know some of the Americans left on Saturday, the Shibsibs, Jason Brown and Mirai were posted in pictures at the airport in Korea. Chock and Bates posted they were on the airplane today.

If the skaters from Toronto are leaving today (Sunday), then they were delayed by a bit because we had some snow this morning that pushed everything back a bit, but they did leave a couple of hours ago. I have no idea if Hanyu or the other skaters left then or another day, this is just general information. Kaetlyn Osmond posted that she is leaving today.

 

[sallycinnamon]

Has Hanyu arrived in South Korea yet?

No news yet, so I guess no. There was a flight from Toronto to Seoul at 11:30 local time, he may be be flying now on that one (if so then he would arrive in Seoul on Monday about 15:30 local time).

 

[Raomina]

I think the slo-mo here shows it pretty well.
https://youtu.be/Q-C4tfa5szk?t=5m27s

When I think of skidded axels, the first that pop into my mind is Evan Lysacek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku79GDD24fU
I feel like when a skater skids into an axel it's almost like they hockey stop for a brief seconds before jumping up.

Thank you so much for the videos! It's much clearer for me to understand now.

 

[Yuzu Beloved Angel]

To relieve anxiety. Very cute. Kawaii. Kawaii. Miss you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP04bC9O3ys

Yuzu in your world. So beautiful...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Yy8YnBdo0

A trip back in time. I love Hope and Legacy. This program is very beautiful and will be unforgettable. I am sure it will be cleaned at 4CC. Ganbatte Yuzu! Ganbatte!
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-HFo_utI6w

 

[Floria]

While we are waiting for the news I have published my GPF photos on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/marina_grigorieva/collections/72157678285559901/

There 6 albums with 3 days of practice, FS, Exhibition rehearsal and Exhibition Gala. The photos are not professional ones, but anyway I wanted to share them. Enjoy!

 

[liv]

If they left Toronto today, then they will most likely be later than the scheduled arrival in Seoul. With all the snow at the airport, planes were delayed on the runway for a couple of hours. Just FYI.

 

[demarinis5]

Thank you so much @Floria, much appreciated. Gorgeous photos!

 

[gladiolusc]

If they left Toronto today, then they will most likely be later than the scheduled arrival in Seoul. With all the snow at the airport, planes were delayed on the runway for a couple of hours. Just FYI.

According to mezamashi (news program), he's heading to Korea today. No actual footage tho
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5bijyj_170213-%E4%BB%8A%E6%97%A5-%E6%B1%BA%E6%88%A6%E3%81%AE%E5%9C%B0-%E9%9F%93%E5%9B%BD%E3%81%B8_sport

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Sendai Broadcast has a super cool ad up for 4CC featuring LGC Yuzu. :luv17: He looks so good. The purple is working out really well. Typography amazing. :luv17:

The white text loosely reads "The battle starts here. Beyond the four continents, at the apex of five continents"

https://twitter.com/Irene7minutes/status/830935464399904768 (Complete!)
https://twitter.com/orcalike/status/830927546225090560 (Complete, but with the workers still around. Favorite)
https://twitter.com/canae_mon0123/status/830921722383659008/photo/1 (Then a face)
https://twitter.com/msmf40239/status/830912086771326976 (People putting it up. Arms!)

 

[Elaine666]

No news yet, so I guess no. There was a flight from Toronto to Seoul at 11:30 local time, he may be be flying now on that one (if so then he would arrive in Seoul on Monday about 15:30 local time).

We had this huge storm around that time:cool14:But looks like most flights were not affected.

 

[alia jackson]

There 6 albums with 3 days of practice, FS, Exhibition rehearsal and Exhibition Gala. The photos are not professional ones, but anyway I wanted to share them. Enjoy!

Thanks Floria

GPF Barcelona/Marseilles, SC among the best events to see more Yuzu due the practices (including gala practices)...i'm regretting not going to these events

So I'm going to Helsinki and crossing my fingers & toes that we can see as much Yuzu practices as majority of mens practices are in the morning :sad21: