So I've been lurking on GS for over a year now (discovered this board right at after the Olympics 2018 and have been visiting here pretty religiously nearly everyday since) and I've told myself I'd never make an actual account. But I finally felt compelled to make one today because I've been a bit sad about the state of this board and I
especially don't know what happened to this thread.
A little background, when I first started coming to this board in 2018, my favorite thread was the U.S. Men's Thread (obviously because I am a huge fan of U.S. Men... I like to say that Jason's Riverdance brought me back to figure skating and Nathan made me stay). I really enjoyed all the discussion in the 2018-2019 thread. I'd never followed juniors before but because of all the talk about them in that old thread I started following the JGP and then I became smitten with Tomoki, Camden, Andrew T., and Alexei. If people hadn't discussed them there I would never have thought to find them. And now that I know that the JGP exists I made it a point to follow it religiously this season. So now I've also learned that Ilia Malinin is crazy good and Joseph Klein is adorable (I watch Joseph's short program from Lake Placid whenever I need a pick-me-up, it just makes me smile).
So...what happened to all that? There isn't much discussion going on and whenever I come in here now all I see is bickering (which seems to be anytime Nathan performs, which breaks my heart because I love him dearly). We're halfway through the season and instead of recapping the JGP, discussing performances and GP podium chances of the rest of our men, what'll happen at Nationals, we've instead had a page and half of Nathan's "fall/not fall" and prior to that, about two pages of Nathan's PCS. I know that people have their favorites, and they take issue with scoring (which I also don't understand - there's so much quibbling over points yet the general consensus is the "placements are correct." It's like if my friend owes me $5.04 and they only give me $5. I'm not going to argue over the missing 4 cents). Disagreements are going to happen but it's possible to have meaningful discussions without getting snarky, sarcastic, or defensive or pulling another skater down just to make a point (there's enough of that going on Twitter). I mean, I get that "The Edge" has pretty much turned into a cess pool but this thread doesn't have to follow suit.
FWIW, in an effort to steer discussion into something more productive, I'm going to give my mid-season thoughts. Because the U.S. Men is more than just Nathan and Jason.
Nathan - So Nathan's the first skater to qualify for the GPF! I was afraid he would try to "one-up" after what Yuzu did last week and I'm really happy he didn't and went along at his own pace. He's clearly building up his elements one at a time and I think the way he's doing it is pretty clever. I was a little worried with all the mistakes thus far but, now that I think about it, he usually doesn't skate clean until Nationals so I guess he's on track. He's probably annoyed at not landing that 4Lz-3T but kudos to finally nailing that pesky 4T-eu-3F. I'm pretty amused that he and Yuzu both coincidentally decided to go after that same combo this year. As for La Boheme, I'm still not sold on it yet like I was with Nemesis and Caravan (although I haven't seen a clean version yet so there's that). It is different though, and very fitting considering where Worlds will be. Now that he's got some breathing room I predict more tweaking from Shae-Lynn before the GPF. Rocketman, yeah that choreo sequence is :luv17:. I am so looking forward to the battle with Yuzu.
Jason - Jason's programs are gorgeous. Bar none. I know he wasn't at his best at SA because of his concussion and limited training time but they're still both beautiful programs (it's pretty even with the pops
). You know, at this point I really don't care if he gets a quad or not (although I do hope he gets one for his own personal goals. I saw him live at 4CC and he jumped that 4S right in front of me. It was a really good attempt, I'm confident he'll land it soon!). Jason epitomizes what figure skating should be - he feels the music, has amazing attention to detail, beautiful steps and spins. You're taken on a journey every time you watch him. SL is going to be a masterpiece when he performs it the way he wants to. Next up, NHK (I hope he breaks that NHK curse). His chance of making the GPF is pretty good right? (Considering what happened to Matteo, Boyang, and Shoma... oh my heart, Shoma...)
Vincent - Vincent performed at U.S. International Classic and Japan Open but I don't think either of those two performances were up to his standards. Music-wise I'm not a huge of fan of his SP (feels like some kinda of western hoe-down?) but I appreciate that it's different and Vincent looked like he was having fun performing it. His FS needs a bit more mileage before I can make a verdict but I think it could be a good program. Anyway I was really looking forward to seeing him on the GP (and I really think he had a good shot of making the Final) but I totally understand that school takes precedence. That does leave a lot of question marks though because I don't really know what his condition is or what his programs will look like by Nationals. Is he planning to enter another Senior B at least?
Tomoki - Tomoki won my heart with those Russian splits and Biellmann spins
(and best KnC reaction last year!) so I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do on the senior stage. I also figured that Tomoki is a slow starter so I was trying to temper my expectations. And ugh that SP from IdF
I was scared to watch it but his performance was surprisingly not bad other than the jumps not being there (from the way he was setting up that 3A I knew he was going to miss it). I think he can really sell it once he's got the jumps in order. Great comeback in the FS though! The choreo is really complicated, perhaps a bit too much at this stage in his career, but I love that he's stretching himself artistically. Congrats to landing two 4Ts in the same program for the first time! If he can add that 4S too I think he can make a run for a world spot! Next stop NHK. I hope his family can watch.
Camden - Camden's got a quad!! (I was losing hope that I'd ever see the day). And his reaction to his SP score at SC was hilarious. Admittedly with how JWC ended last year I wasn't sure what to expect from him this year. But I was really impressed with both his SP and FS at SC (so much better than at ACI). Some small mistakes in his FS but he stayed on his feet and really wasn't far at all from the podium. I think both his programs are lovely and I'm glad the judges rewarded him for it. Although I thought his FS was supposed to be "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence?" When did it get changed to the "Last Emperor?" Next up CoC. I think he's got podium chances if he skates like that again. Except spins, Camden please work on your spins....
Alexei (or wait he prefers Alex right?) - Finally landed that 4Lo at US International Classic! .... And then he goes right ahead and tries the 4F at SA. Jackie Wong's tweets from SA practice were hilarious, he was apparently gesticulating wildly while Alex nailed those 4Fs in practice. A pity it went awry in both programs but I think it's only a matter of time before he lands it for real. And a program with a 4F AND a 4Lo..... look out world! Seems Alex is also gunning for that world spot. Speaking of programs, I love love both of them this year. Alex always struck me as that kind of "wild child" and I think both programs really show off that side of him really well. Kudos to Alex Johnson for doing such a great job. Next up CoR! I don't think he's got any podium chances but a part of me does wonder if Russia would regret releasing him if he
did get on the podium....
Andrew - Okay Andrew is skating junior this season internationally (with some Senior Bs) but arguably he skates like a Senior man (and he's skating senior domestically). His programs are amazing! I can't believe that he self-choreographed both programs himself (like what?!). He's got the Jason-level of attention to detail and musicality. The only thing he doesn't have is.... jump consistency. I really hope he gets that sorted because he's too talented not to. I was really bummed he didn't make the JGPF this year. I'm glad he got a medal from Asian Open Trophy although his SB is still really low for GP assignments next year .... Fingers crossed for JWC (I assume he'll be sent to that). Will he also get another Senior B?
Jimmy Ma - Shoutout to Jimmy for finally landing his first ever quad in competition at Findlandia! I know it hasn't been the season he wanted but he can be proud of that. Also, thanks Jimmy for being the first to show the world that hip-hop on ice is cool (Turn Down for What?!)
Looking Ahead:
- Three more GPs to go! Can Jason make it to the GPF?
- Nationals is going to be amazing. The U.S. is lucky to have such a deep pool of men.
- Who do you think will get those 3 Worlds spots? Even with Vincent being a question mark I still think it will likely end up Nathan, Jason, and Vincent. Although stranger things have happened and the "young guns" are clearly leveling up.
- For that matter who's going to get sent to Junior Worlds? I would assume Andrew, Ilia, and Ryan Dunk? Or I guess they'll probably have the junior camp again.
- I don't see Nathan going to 4CC so I think that pewter medal is going to be really important again this year. Tomoki used that chance to great effect last year.
- Is the U.S. sending anyone to the Youth Olympics?
Okay now that I got that off my chest, back to lurking!
)
