okay, finished my cooking an now I can post my thoughts. Watched live 2 last groups, but did not want to distract myself with the GS and wanted to truly watch all skaters. And this will be quite a long post, like always - apologize in advance for my word vomit!
About top 3 - I think that those 3 skaters, looking at the field there, are the most 'balanced' (more or less) between current technical abilities, presentation/expression and delivering both of those at the same time, so no surprise for me to be honest about results and placements. Nathan had his 'cushion' after SP and delivered enough, Yuzuru was let down by his 4S combo twice, so was Shoma with his 3A in FS. And yes - I also consider Nathan as more of technician/an 'executor' of his stuff on a first place than sophisticated, seasoned performer right now, but give him time, for God's sake, he's just 17 with quite an injury behind him just a season ago, but more on him below.
Nathan - this is a true spirit of a competitor, I'm honestly stunned about his poise and determination not only for competing, but for pushing himself and the sport forward, as a result. To have this hunger and ambition after his injury, be back so relatively quickly and produce stuff like today - this requires something even more than dedication I think. It's some kind of unconditional devotion, faith and passion all put into aims. Today's FS seemed a bit choppy, less profound and impactful that GPF and Nationals for me - it was more of an skate than performance this time, but nonetheless he kept his cool together once again and delivered enough to win. His coolness, collection and confidence going into all those jumps, his sureness in execution are quite remarkable and admiration worthy for me. To present such composed, mature approach, mixing it with a fierce competitor spirit at such young age is absolutely unique. I salute him and his team, this is truly inspirational to witness, such power and control over everything. And give him just one thing - time to blossom as a performer, time to develop and form his skating into more complex item. There is already a great sense of musicality (as in all US men for me, which is amazing) and his ballet training is put into use regarding his posture, stance, carriage, extensions. Just health and time is required. And I just adore that 'daring' look in his eyes, especially at the beginning of the program.
Yuzuru - one of the performances which really moved me today. And it was not about what he executed, but how he performed. A rare case for me when I am moved in some sorts regardless of errors. For me, he put his best effort out there and same error on 4S combo as in SP for sure will be adressed. But there was a spirit and a feel of majesty in that performance - so much musicality not only in his skating in general, but with handling the music, elements executed, lovely liquid quaity of transitions, moving interpretation - in my opinion it was obvious how much this program means to him. There was power and attack, but also a delicacy, sensibility and impressionist-like flow of this performance,not mentioning amazing attention to detail. He's chasing perfection, want to give his best as an athlete, a competitor, but seeing him performed like today and witnessing this smile, joy from scores, he keeps on giving much more than competitive thrill I feel. His skating feels so complex, so well-rounded, apart from all these disputes over layouts, scoring etc. My biggest appreciation for his performance today, I know there is silver, not the gold he desired, but I see a lot to phrase about this outing, have no doubt he will keep his hard work and improvement going even harder.
Shoma, that was a heartbreak for me, after that fall on first 3A. As this is my favourite FS in Men this season, I feel twice engaged and concerned than usual. But apart from those fatal 3As today, it was really an exquisite performance - he learned A LOT about keeping the performance spirit going regardless of mishaps, he's becoming more and more of conscious and professional performer aside of being exceptional skater himself. Still amazed me by his ability to transform himself into this myserious drama performer, so into that music, the way he expresses high/lows, lyrical/dramatic parts of the music is marvelous, that musicality in his movement gets me every time, but with this program he takes it on another level. There is a bronze, but he should be proud in my opinion, there is a lot to cherish: that fantastic SP which was a bit of a trouble for the whole season, all those quads pulled off, two great performances presented.
While those 3 performances really got into my mind and imagination, saluting all 3 skaters for pushing and competing so hard, I was able to truly enjoy from my heart few other skaters/performances, maybe not as packed technically/successful to take the podium place: Patrick, Misha, Grant and Jason. A bit of general thought, looking at this particular competition, is that for me competitive factor in figure skating is definitely not only about jumps difficulty/ability to execute them. Yes - I agree that regarding medals, high scores it is essential to have quite an arsenal and FS is heavy influenced or 'hyped' by all of that, but is is not defined nor limited by it. Thank God there is no such thing like mandatory requirement to have certain amount of quads to be able to compete at all or 'quad qualification round' before actual competition...There is so much to savour outside of jumps and it pains me that non-jumping technical elements are so underestimated and overlooked. I try to keep my 'FS prism' quite open and diverse, it's a bit like have 'Pinterest board' at every competition for me: I collect pieces, bits I love/I'm impressed about from various skaters and then get a big, complex picture of everything I loved which allows me to appreciate a lot more than jumps, especially in singles. Hence my joy taken from todays programs aforementioned skaters.
Patrick - still masterful control and quality over his skating and musicality/interpretation. It was not a perfect program executed, but boy, that first combo was a gem, deserving straight +3 GOE for me, hands down
. It's that unique, quiet, nostalgic way he connects with the music and I just love his lyric take on interpretation and making his body a sensible instrument while performing such pieces like 'Journey'. For me, there's always that sense of maturity, elevation and performer confidence about Patrick's skating which can't be make instantly, but requires a carefully nutured talent and skill.
Misha - I really grown to adore his approach and take on figure skating and now I just salute him for playing on his strenghts, performing so cohesive and complex, regarding not only skating itself, but appearance, carriage, style of movement. I love his originality and uniqueness as a skater, as he's showing lots of personality in every program. This 'Nutcracker' FS suits him to the T, highlighting his ballet background, drama flare and performance abilities. I'll never get tired of a classic warhorse with such classy, stylish choreography and 'regal' feel of interpretation Misha has showed.
Grant - just love that man, and there's definitely a mature, sophisticated man performing. Lovely glide and flow, perfect sense of musicality in that FS, great expression of drama and majesty of that piece of music. Fangirling as always over his spins and overall feel, atmospere created by Grant. On more general note - there is something special in all US men for me, they all seems to have a great sense of musicality/musical interpretation and such 'stylish' way of performing: Adam, Joshua, Jeremy, Sean, Grant, Jason, Max, Nathan, Ross to name only a few...And while watching FS I wished so badly that there would be all those skaters performing, not only Nathan, Jason and Grant.
And Jason - he lived up that music to the motion and really transferred the emotion, feeling onto myself. Aside of so much polish and sophistication in quality of his skating, edge work, speed, extension, he really can use all of this to carry the interpretation and performance to superb level. He may not have the most ambitious layout, big tricks and is not considered as 'an attractive competitor' for those valuing jumps, but for me his biggest value or even advantage is that he seems fully aware of what he can't do and fully confident over his best qualities and assets. That kind of consciousness over his skating is truly amazing for me and makes me appreciate him even more as a competitor. It requires a lot of confidence and maturity to present/compete/arry himself like Jason does and not many top skaters have it. His lyrical, sensible and artistic take on music, choreography has become his trademark signature and the way he performs - so animated, emotionally engaged, mixing power with softness - makes him really special for me.
Johnny influenced and inspired his own peers as well as skaters who came up after him in the way that he skated, and in terms of his creativity with costumes, which influenced costume styling in all disciplines. Neither U.S. fed, nor the ISU made any efforts at all to promote or to try and advance the sport by taking advantage of Johnny's Weir's huge fan base and popularity in countries around the world, particularly Russia and Japan. Johnny has succeeded after his competitive career on the strengths of his own talents, and from the exposure he received during the 2010 Olympics, despite the judges refusing to score him fairly.
we can argue that the Japanese judge went to far into the other direction, but at least there's some sense to those numbers. But man, that American judge went in.
