2017-18 State of U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[ice coverage]

Update re Vincent:

Within the last half hour, he did post some nice photos from USOC team processing in Korea.

govincentzhou

... It's so amazing to finally be here... It still all feels like a dream. #pyeongchang2018

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be600cclZrB/?taken-by=govincentzhou (Feb 7)​

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Good luck to Nathan in the team SP. :yay:

Hope all the athletes enjoy the Opening Ceremony. Stay warm.

 

[Tavi...]

Yes, but the beans had been spilled at that point.

I would assume that Vincent had been part of the conversation earlier. As someone said, these conversations with the athletes are days old. I do understand your hypothetical about Team Japan not choosing to use Shoma, or whatever Team not using another skater. I don't necessarily think USFS would have announced it already. But I'll bow out for now, as I have very little inclination to speculate more. And maybe there will be a big blow-up and we'll all find out eventually!:eeking:

I don’t think we can really assume when and whether Vincent was told. He may have known for some time. But he may not have.

The official announcement for the SP was tonight. For the FS it’s not for a couple of days. My point is that if USFS had wanted to disclose the information about Nathan/Adam or anyone else before the official announcement times, they most likely would have done so by issuing a press release rather than by telling Raf - and apparently only Raf - that it was okay to disclose the information informally this morning. As far as I know, we didn’t hear similar disclosures about the ladies or dance. That we didn’t suggests to me that Raf probably disclosed the information prematurely. JMO.

 

[Mathman]

I just posted this in the Team Event thread and am copying it here.

Look what USFS just posted on their website
http://www.usfsa.org/story?id=91279&type=media

I like this quote:

The United States has also won the most Olympic titles by country (15). Soviet Union (13) and Russia (13) hold the next two spots.

The "United Team" has only three, men, pairs and dance, from 1992.

This year OAR will win one.

But the good ole USA will still be ahead of each of those four countries separately, Soviet Union, United Team, Russia, and OAR.

 

[karne]

Actually, he's decided to take out his 4Lz and replace it with a 2A.

*awaits the same grief people give Jason and Max for doing 2As in their FS* :sarcasm:

 

[skylark]

*awaits the same grief people give Jason and Max for doing 2As in their FS* :sarcasm:

... Awaiting the praise you'll be giving Adam for opting for a 2A, in light of the grief you've given him for trying the 4Lz.

 

[karne]

... Awaiting the praise you'll be giving Adam for opting for a 2A, in light of the grief you've given him for trying the 4Lz.

Sure. I'd much rather see him doing a jump he can rotate and land cleanly and with +GOE, than constantly planning a failed jump.

 

[mrrice]

They talked to Adam Rippon's Mom this morning on CNN. His refusal to meet with Mike pence is becoming a big deal here. I hope he can stay focused and that they don't bring this up while he's in Korea. Hopefully the press will be blocked from all the athletes while they're training.

Honestly, what do they have to talk about? Adam is well aware of how Mike Pence feels about gay people and this is nothing but a photo op for him. This is Adam's real life and if he doesn't want to meet with Mike Pence, they should drop this subject and move on to another athlete.

 

[TontoK]

They talked to Adam Rippon's Mom this morning on CNN. His refusal to meet with Mike pence is becoming a big deal here. I hope he can stay focused and that they don't bring this up while he's in Korea. Hopefully the press will be blocked from all the athletes while they're training.

Not addressing the validity or appropriateness of Adam's remarks, and certainly not questioning his right to speak his thoughts... he surely knew they'd be controversial, and they would bring a great deal of media attention.

It's naive to expect the press to simply ignore it.

It's also weird to hope for some sort of media ban. Adam's not the only skater in Korea, and fans want news. If Adam does not wish to speak to the press, then he simply shouldn't.

 

[mrrice]

Not addressing the validity or appropriateness of Adam's remarks, and certainly not questioning his right to speak his thoughts... he surely knew they'd be controversial, and they would bring a great deal of media attention.

It's naive to expect the press to simply ignore it.

It's also weird to hope for some sort of media ban. Adam's not the only skater in Korea, and fans want news. If Adam does not wish to speak to the press, then he simply shouldn't.

I've been to some big events, including the Olympics in 1984 and 1996. They usually have a "Press Room" where the athletes go to answer questions. I'm worried about TMZ style reporters following Adam when he's traveling between the rink and the village, or wherever he's staying. IMO, he hasn't done anything wrong.

It's no different than the football players from the Eagles who plan on skipping the visit to the Whitehouse. If they don't share the same views, why should they be forced to attend. Send the players who support him and move on. Why try and guilt the players who don't support him into going?

 

[SnowWhite]

I don’t think we can really assume when and whether Vincent was told. He may have known for some time. But he may not have.

The official announcement for the SP was tonight. For the FS it’s not for a couple of days. My point is that if USFS had wanted to disclose the information about Nathan/Adam or anyone else before the official announcement times, they most likely would have done so by issuing a press release rather than by telling Raf - and apparently only Raf - that it was okay to disclose the information informally this morning. As far as I know, we didn’t hear similar disclosures about the ladies or dance. That we didn’t suggests to me that Raf probably disclosed the information prematurely. JMO.

Actually, Marie-France has spoken to the press about the Shibutanis doing the SD and likely the FD too, and dance hasn't been announced yet either.

 

[Tavi...]

Actually, Marie-France has spoken to the press about the Shibutanis doing the SD and likely the FD too, and dance hasn't been announced yet either.

Well, she coaches H/D and several teams from other countries, not the Shibs. Also, from the way you phrased it, she hasn’t actually made a factual statement about the FS.

ETA this article states that USFS tried to delay announcing the teams as long as possible and that both Raf’s and Marie France’s disclosures were unplanned:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/08/266103376/

 

[ice coverage]

Per Rutherford:

.... Like Arutunian, Marie-France Dubreuil spilled the beans on Team USA's strategy in dance at practice Wednesday.

"The Shibutanis are doing the short dance, and there might be a decision on the free dance, but so far I think it was (decided) the Shibutanis would do both," Dubreuil said. ...

" ... We will know after the short (dance) what will happen. That is why Madi and Zach arrive (Wednesday), so they will train and they are here, and if they have to jump into free dance, they will." .... ​

Dubreuil indicated that it was not written in stone that the Shibs would skate the team FD.

So if Dubreuil is considered credible, it makes sense that she would not make a "factual statement" that the Shibs would skate the team FD -- because her understanding is that it is not written in stone.

I consider Dubreuil credible. YMMV.

For me, it is not hard to believe that as one of H/D's coaches, Dubreuil would be privy to official word from USFS as to where H/D stand regarding the team event -- meaning what does and does not remain within the realm of possibility for H/D.

 

[skylark]

.... "there's no controlling Rafael Arutunian" ... Well, I did say I could imagine Raf, but not Nathan going rogue.

So according to Rutherford, Marie-France Dubreil "spilled the beans" on Wednesday, the same day. Hm.

I tend to think Marie-France would be much more careful than Raf. So her talking about it may be strategic. JMO, I do think it's an impolitic decision (if it stands) to have the Shibs do both SD and FD in the team events, since H/D and C/B are both consistently in the top five in the world. H/D are the current US champions; and C/B defeated both teams in the FD at nationals and GPF. They both deserve a chance to be team medalists. YMMV.

In a bit of Off Topic news, we now know what Ashley's doing in Pyongchang. http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketi...eam-but-did-make-this-breathtaking-toyota-ad/

 

[KwanIsALegend]

I kind of wish there was no team event. It is asking a lot of the skaters. Added pressure. Adam has a lot of pressure since he does not have a quad he has to do every single element of his program perfectly to rack up the points. But he is totally capable of doing a clean program especially without the quad pressure. I just want him to skate clean ans solid and be happy with his performances.

 

[el henry]

Well, she coaches H/D and several teams from other countries, not the Shibs. Also, from the way you phrased it, she hasn’t actually made a factual statement about the FS.

ETA this article states that USFS tried to delay announcing the teams as long as possible and that both Raf’s and Marie France’s disclosures were unplanned:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/08/266103376/

I for one am disappointed in Raf and Marie-France.

This isn't just about them and their skaters, this is about a team event. But if USFS can live with it, again, I only hope the other skaters were told, as a matter of courtesy.

 

[ice coverage]

OMG :luv17: ... video of Nathan "singing" the Olympic fanfare with Elmo and Cookie Monster:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8z-u-AWY8/?taken-by=nbcolympics (Feb 8) #MassiveCutenessOverload​

Chloe Kim, David Wise, Gus Kenworthy, Karen Chen, too.

Go, Team USA :yay:.

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... But if USFS can live with it, again, I only hope the other skaters were told, as a matter of courtesy.

Given that Dubreuil did not leave any uncertainty in stating that the Shibs will skate the team SD, I take her seemingly definitive knowledge as a good sign that USFS is keeping all skaters informed.

Hope USFS is doing so and will continue to do so as the team event goes forward.

 

[mrrice]

Nathan is on my TV right now...He's being interviewed and he was great.....love him.

 

[musicfan80]

Nathan is on my TV right now...He's being interviewed and he was great.....love him.

Anyone should get kudos FOR LIFE for dealing with Andrea Joyce. It's almost like NBC intentionally picked the most ridiculous person to do the sideline interviews.

 

[mrrice]

I guess Nathan didn't skate well. I was at dinner and missed his live performance. It's all Tivo'd so I'll watch it tonight. It also seems like Mikhail didn't skate well either....

 

[el henry]

I guess Nathan didn't skate well. I was at dinner and missed his live performance. It's all Tivo'd so I'll watch it tonight. It also seems like Mikhail didn't skate well either....

Exactly why
IF you take the team event seriously
you DON'T make decisions about the whole event before the SP is even skated.
Ice is slippery.

I'll be honest, I didn't watch the whole thing, and it's difficult to get motivated to do so. I need to rewatch Eagles Center Jason Kelce's speech at the the parade today to get pumped.

For when you need that extra motivation:

Jason Kelce gives epic profanity laced speech at Super Bowl Parade

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