2017 Philadelphia Summer Championships

[apgold]

Tweets from Lynn Rutherford:

Jinx!

 

[ice coverage]

I've added TES and PCS for International Senior Men's SP to my post above.

Top five PCS:

Torgashev 36.85

Dolensky 36.80

Aaron 36.75

Johnson 36.10

Krasnozhon 35.45​

 

[beckab81]

This was my first time going to a competition, and I'm so glad I was able to! The height that some of these guys get on their jumps is incredible. I'm going to have to pay more attention to Alex Johnson - I loved his performance.

Felt bad for the last group though! The end of the rink was really wet, and they took some hard falls there during warm-ups.

 

[StitchMonkey]

results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGa1OuoXoAUJnpG.jpg:large

Happy to see Donovan get the minimum TES for worlds. Now if he can get it in the long.

 

[skylark]

Is there a link to live streaming? Is Pairs SP happening now?

 

[el henry]

OK, people, I am hooked. I am still at the rink, eating dinner and watching some kind of novice? Intermediate? Men through the window of the rink cafe. But that's not the deal..,.

During the men's SP, sitting *directly* behind me, was Mr. Frank Carroll. And Jonathan Cassar. And Scott Dyer. And Dice Murakami. I heard Frank and Jonathan discussing the programs. Can you say better than Johnny and Tara? Yes you can.

And most of the programs were great. More details when I get to my sis.

 

[skylark]

OK, people, I am hooked..

So happy to hear this!!!! And just a smidgen of "I told you that you'd enjoy it!" a/k/a I told you so!

Is the pairs SP going on now? or did it already happen? What's happening with Deanna and Nate?

 

[el henry]

So happy to hear this!!!! And just a smidgen of "I told you that you'd enjoy it!" a/k/a I told you so!

Is the pairs SP going on now? or did it already happen? What's happening with Deanna and Nate?

You were indeed right, and I freely admit it! (even though there was an accident on 95 and my trip took 30 minutes longer)

A short report on Deanna and Nate. Bad: she fell on the SBS jump and two footed the throw. Good: they have such presence on the ice, even Nate, which for some reason. I wasn't expecting. That last lift looks even better in person, and the costumes are gorgeous. *And* Eleanor Rigby violin sounds much better in person than on fan cams.

Time for more young men. I don't know what class this is, but some of them are very engaging...

 

[Heleng]

Nice to see Tim Dolensky up there! Any reports on his program?

 

[skylark]

You were indeed right, and I freely admit it! (even though there was an accident on 95 and my trip took 30 minutes longer)

A short report on Deanna and Nate. Bad: she fell on the SBS jump and two footed the throw. Good: they have such presence on the ice, even Nate, which for some reason. I wasn't expecting. That last lift looks even better in person, and the costumes are gorgeous. *And* Eleanor Rigby violin sounds much better in person than on fan cams.

Time for more young men. I don't know what class this is, but some of them are very engaging...

I think Nate's ice presence is better with Deanna than with his previous partners. I think he can project more because he seems not as worried about his partner now. Just an impression, but I did see him in person with Gretchen and then, at 2017 nationals, with Deanna. and hey! I just remembered I saw him and Felicia in person too, SA 2013.

Deanna's ice presence is one of the most captivating things about her. She really shines.

 

[karne]

Nice to see Tim Dolensky up there! Any reports on his program?

Same SP as last season, more polished now with extra work. Pretty good for August. I was so half-asleep that I was barely identifying jumps, sorry.

 

[MasterB]

Nice to see Tim Dolensky up there! Any reports on his program?

He went for the quad sal but fell, his triple axel was good and the combo was sketchy. The spins were to die for.

 

[TontoK]

Max has a new fan - possibly potential uber. I expect to see more posts from you in his FF thread.

LOL.

If Max had hit a homerun, the combination of his and Vincent's early success might have served as a kick in the backside of the rest of the American men.

And, truth be told, I've liked Max for quite a while. You know I'm partial to the daring young men with the quads.

I really want him to make the Olympic team, along with Nathan and Vincent. I think that has the prospect of being a very dangerous threesome.

 

[el henry]

Okey dokey, random thoughts from watching the comp at the rink. Not in order of importance, or even necessarily appearance. I may leave out someone, just ask. am not one to identify jumps, so you will need to get that from others at the rink or watching the livestream. I am also on the iPad with a temperamental keyboard, but at least it's easier to type than my phone at the rink. This is generic broad strokes....

Daisuke Murakami (I'm including Dice because Frank Carroll said, when asked, that Dice wanted to enter the International comp but that the Japanese fed would not let him. I think it had to do with the comp not being recognized by Japan, and not Murakami's status with the Japanese fed)

I was very impressed with Dice's commitment to Les Miz. I was a little worried because with Max we had two "Bring Me Homes" in a row, but they were different enough, Dice with a little more overstated flair.

Max got a warm welcome, in of course black, but with enough touches (although no bling) that it looked like a costume. Very confident, powerful performance I thought, and I thought the choreo of looking heavenward, reaching up was very effective.

Andrew T., was as refined and dramatic as ever. I love me some Andrew T., but he seemed a little subdued (and this is a performer), but he could do well once he commands this music.

Sean Rabbitt. Tequila. What else is there to say? The crowd, and I, loved it. I can just see the crowd at Nats this year, shouting "Tequila" at the appropriate times in the program. Only problem, judges are on the non-bleacher side of the rink and they got much of the "front facing" choreography.

Donovan Cariillo: this kid has a smile that could light up the rink. I like that. And he never ever stopped smiling.

Alexander Johnson: never "got" him before, boy can he skate. I mean, just skate. It's hard to explain, but you can just watch him skating.

June Hyeong Lee?: (might have the name wrong) He had quite the cheering section. I didn't know much about him, but I loooved his program. Interesting spins, jumps, and he performed the heck out of it.

And, two leaders who could not have been more different, but both outstanding, Timmy D. And Alex K.
In person, fifty feet in front of you, Timmy D.'s spins, are even more ah-mah-zing than on video. That headless scratch spin is still a wonder. The crowd went wild. As they should.

Alex K. did some kind of amazeballs jumps. No clue what they were, but impressive, including some combo that he skated halfway across the rink to set up, but still, it was worth it. Alex K also tries his darndest to entertain, and if his footwork or spins aren't there yet, he's trying. The Russian folk music is a good match.

End of random thoughts on senior men....

 

[TontoK]

OK, people, I am hooked. I am still at the rink, eating dinner and watching some kind of novice? Intermediate? Men through the window of the rink cafe. But that's not the deal..,.

During the men's SP, sitting *directly* behind me, was Mr. Frank Carroll. And Jonathan Cassar. And Scott Dyer. And Dice Murakami. I heard Frank and Jonathan discussing the programs. Can you say better than Johnny and Tara? Yes you can.

And most of the programs were great. More details when I get to my sis.

This is quite a tale to tell for your first competition.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the experience. Don't forget us poor non-attenders. Share whatever strikes your fancy.

 

[el henry]

This is quite a tale to tell for your first competition.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the experience. Don't forget us poor non-attenders. Share whatever strikes your fancy.

I was typing the same time as you, my friend I try to share the wealth. And although I said our boy Andrew was "subdued", perhaps it is because I know how good he can be. Very elegant performance, however.

 

[el henry]

And how could I forget Jordan Moeller? Love the choreo, the music, and his style. Had trouble with his jumps however

 

[skylark]

^^^ Thank you for these great Random Thoughts, el henry! I'm really happy to hear about all the skaters. Can't wait to see the videos. I loved Alex K.'s "Rodeo" last year and am looking forward to a Russian folk music program from him. He has a lot of personality on the ice.

 

[skatespin]

I don't know a lot about him, I don't speak Spanish, so that is a bit of a barrier. He has been on the JGP the last couple of years. He did get noticed by Buzzfeed last year

https://www.buzzfeed.com/norbertobriceno/juanga-ice-skater?utm_term=.jbKyQ7Lp7#.ae4qjPd6P

But that was more about responding well to tolls than his skating. Still he sounds like a nice young man, and i don't think both his skates would get that many views if his skating did not impress as well. He has the top most watched skate on the junior grand prix channel and the 4th most watch skate.

I also do recall reading that his hometown voted to give him some funding and support his skating. I like seeing/hearing stuff like that. Mexico is not known for its ice rinks, so i like seeing his hometown support a sport like this and a skater like this.

As for who he reminds me of... I am not one who always see similarities. Mostly I see a skater who just really looks like him loves to be on the ice performing. I mean he is often smiling on the approach to his jumps even. He also can move and has a full range of movement especially in this hips. A lot of guys are kinda stiff, this kid is not and that is an aspect I enjoy seeing. He looks like he loves skating as much as Sean Rabbitt if you really want a comparison, but the joy is where the similarities end. Donovan just looks like his is dancing on the ice having a great time and I love seeing that.

Here is his best SP from last season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHyfZOr0qaE to give you an idea (also his outfit totally looks like the glowing cylon spine from Battlestar Galactic) It is one i still re watch. He does not have a 3A or a triple triple yet... so he has some work to do before entering the big leagues. But he is young and from small federation that I am not sure has the greatest of access to ice. I think he can still learn and improve, but he likely does need to spend some time training with a coach outside of Mexico at this point. I am hoping he gets the support he needs to make it to 2022.




Please do. I think this is his senior debut. Even if he can't make it to the Olympics this year, I'd love to see him at least get to go to 4CC and maybe worlds. Plus I do think you will find him worth watching while you are there.

If you want a little insider info, Donovan does have a US training connection. He has come to my rink in Florida the past few summers to practice. He has even been here the past few weeks. He takes lessons from 2 of my coaches who work as a team. Sofia del Rio, who represents Mexico as well, is their student and this is her home rink, so they sort of formed a connection with the Mexican team. I saw Donovan doing triple-triples last week, they aren't completely consistent, but he's already capable. He has a really good attitude on the ice from what i've observed.

 

[Victura]

Videos from today:
Murakami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMIWAKveUeI
Aaron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmry1KtFnCw
Torgashev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4z0xECzXDk
Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYuzMX3pbMM
Rabbitt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgeON0s-aWo
Moeller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Bbx4ZLRBo
Dolensky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaiZ6Q7Ojog
Krasnozhon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d6dX6AFboM
Stellato/Bartholomay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5mEvVeVvlQ