- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
The other disciplines are much better!It has totally put me off "Women's" skating for the very very long foreseeable future.
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The other disciplines are much better!It has totally put me off "Women's" skating for the very very long foreseeable future.
On a lighter note, does anybody remember Tonia Kwiatkowski, a US skater in the mid- to late 90s? She was 5-10 years older than her competitors (e.g. Michelle Kwan, Nicole Bobek, etc.) and the contrast was striking. Compared to the rest of the field, she was positively ancient.
One year at US Nats, Uncle Dick watched Tonia entering for her LP and said "There's a woman on the ice!" It was definitely meant as a compliment -- even then he was complaining about "baby" skaters.
You can say it doesn't matter, but nearly 20 points is an enormous margin for two programs of similar content.
I think this is a very cynical view of Johnny's motivations, emotions, and attitudes. Yes, he has always had something of a bias towards all things Russia and isn't afraid to let it show. Since he is a skater, Russian skating is foremost in his expression of that bias. I don't find fault with him for that----he points out what works in the Russian system without saying that it should be adopted by all. Obviously, by any serious measure, and for good or ill, it has been working, especially with the "women". Johnny also has a personal preference for the Russian emphasis on a more balletic style of skating (as do I). Again, he certainly doesn't say any other style is garbage, or that all skating should be ballet on ice. As to his reaction to this doping situation, which is the crux of where I take issue with your assessment, it absolutely came across to me that he is sincerely outraged; he didn't hesitate or equivocate in stating that Camilla shouldn't be allowed to skate, even though he has previously called her possibly the best of all time (my words, not his exact). I think he feels hurt and betrayed as a skater, and probably more so than others because of his feelings towards Russia. I really don't see him fretting about losing his gig with NBC if he didn't spew some particular line; I see him expressing his genuine thoughts and feelings. BTW, I know that there are many fans who really dislike Johnny and Tara as commentators, which is fair----everyone has their preferences and that is fine. I am not saying what I've said as a blanket endorsement of their work; just my honest assessment of his reaction to this particular situation.After the doping came to light, Lots of skating fans in the US were dragging Johnny for his praise of Eteri, his visit to Sambo, and his praise of the Russian skaters. Johnny knows who signs his paycheck. He doesn’t want to lose his job with NBC.
I agree. And I want to add, that only a cynic wouldn't be outraged by this situation. This is really the worst thing that could've possibly happened to figure skating in a long time.I think this is a very cynical view of Johnny's motivations, emotions, and attitudes.
After the doping came to light, Lots of skating fans in the US were dragging Johnny for his praise of Eteri, his visit to Sambo, and his praise of the Russian skaters. Johnny knows who signs his paycheck. He doesn’t want to lose his job with NBC.
I've always wondered a bit about that OGM and just re-watched Lysacek's and Plushenko's performances again. My take after 12 years:
Plushenko's LP was totally front-loaded -- hardly any jumps in the 2nd half -- and Lysacek's choreography was much more sophisticated. Moreover, Plushy didn't seem at all engaged with the music or even with the performance itself. I had the feeling he basically just phoned it in.
Lysacek always seemed to me like sort of a journeyman, getting the job done but never especially exciting. On that night, though, he really brought his A game. He had the skate of his life -- focused, involved, and at times even passionate.
On balance, IMO the judges got it right.
edit: and yes, if Daisuke hadn't fallen, I think absolutely he would have won. The rest of his skate was great. It's always a shame when all the competitors don't skate their very best.
I think worse would have been if Valieva had made the podium.I agree. And I want to add, that only a cynic wouldn't be outraged by this situation. This is really the worst thing that could've possibly happened to figure skating in a long time.
Let's just say, if Shcherbakova was scored correctly for her sloppy technique and skating skills, she would be much closer to Trusova, but Trusova still should be scored less in PCS, because her "programs" are just sad. To be honest, I think all Eteri girls are grossly overscored in one aspect or another and its not fair to the rest of the field.
Now in the FS all 3 skated clean, but Anna's and Kamila's 1-Quad programs (lower scored quads) beat Sasha's 2 Quad Lutz program
I didn't say Nationals from the skating season 2019-2020, I said Nationals that took place in December 2020. Please read the thread before accusing someone of lying. In what universe would my multiple posts referring to December 2020 mean that I was speaking about the competition in December 2019 where Sasha was bronze, Alena in silver and Anna in goldYou are simply lying. In 2020 nationals Kami don't participate, in 2021 nationals both Anna and Kami have 2 quads in their programs.
I need to go see what is up with all this for myself. Be right back.
Technical excellence with the ability to transfer emotion through movement. Whoever chose the music knows exactly what they are doing.
Poor music choice, stiff body movements. No real flow or cohesive whole. No transfer of emotion. Shoma's cantilever thrown in at a random point, racing to merely get to the next jump, I mean, what is going on here?
This is not about 20 points. Look at the big picture. There is a massive difference between those two videos.
CanadianSkaterGuy,Not only that but the jumps weren't his usual quality (like his 3A on a crazy lean). He didn't have the confidence that he had when he won 2006 (which was a cakewalk for him considering the other medalists were a guy who couldn't do a consistent 3A and a guy who couldn't do a consistent 4T).
Plushenko also gave up points on the 2L, which isn't his first time giving up BV resulting in a loss. He also lost the GPF to Sandhu because he did too many combos to invalidate his 3A+2T, and he left out a 3S.
Lysacek is not my favourite skater either but he had a program and the jumps he did do were immaculate, and his execution overall closed the gap.
This mindset of "if I do the hard tricks I win" is so ridiculous and against the point of the new system. Getting points for what you earn and how you execute are the name of the game, and that's why Trusova didn't get the gold when it was very much possible had she not made errors that seemed minor but actually gave up considerable points when you add up all the mini-errors (or major error in the SP).
I’m well aware of Johnny- I have been a fan of skating since before he even took the ice. I also know he was hesitant to speak out. I’m also aware he faced some pressure to say what he said. There is always more to wash story.I think this is a very cynical view of Johnny's motivations, emotions, and attitudes. Yes, he has always had something of a bias towards all things Russia and isn't afraid to let it show. Since he is a skater, Russian skating is foremost in his expression of that bias. I don't find fault with him for that----he points out what works in the Russian system without saying that it should be adopted by all. Obviously, by any serious measure, and for good or ill, it has been working, especially with the "women". Johnny also has a personal preference for the Russian emphasis on a more balletic style of skating (as do I). Again, he certainly doesn't say any other style is garbage, or that all skating should be ballet on ice. As to his reaction to this doping situation, which is the crux of where I take issue with your assessment, it absolutely came across to me that he is sincerely outraged; he didn't hesitate or equivocate in stating that Camilla shouldn't be allowed to skate, even though he has previously called her possibly the best of all time (my words, not his exact). I think he feels hurt and betrayed as a skater, and probably more so than others because of his feelings towards Russia. I really don't see him fretting about losing his gig with NBC if he didn't spew some particular line; I see him expressing his genuine thoughts and feelings. BTW, I know that there are many fans who really dislike Johnny and Tara as commentators, which is fair----everyone has their preferences and that is fine. I am not saying what I've said as a blanket endorsement of their work; just my honest assessment of his reaction to this particular situation.
Oh yes I did and I did feel a lot better! I am so glad pairs was the last event!The pairs event was great. Try watching it. It might make you feel a lot better.
Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about Johnny's motivations; he certainly seemed the opposite of hesitant to speak out about the doping and what he believed should happen and did happen! And, btw, if we are having some kind of longevity contest, I am nearly 70 years old, and have been following figure skating since the 1960s, so I too have been well aware of Johnny since his earliest days in the skating spotlight. I know who Ted Barton is, but to my knowledge have never heard him speak, so I have no opinion there. It never would even enter my mind that Kamila might have thrown the free skate, for whatever reason; no it seems obvious that she is an enormously talented YOUNG girl who finally crumbled under the terrible pressure she was under. I too feel badly for her, and wish her well, but I also think it is beyond time for the IOC to take serious action to quell doping. If it was up to me, I'm afraid that part of what that might entail would be to BAN Russia from international competition, and to ban any and all coaching staffs found to be involved, wherever they are from.I’m well aware of Johnny- I have been a fan of skating since before he even took the ice. I also know he was hesitant to speak out. I’m also aware he faced some pressure to say what he said. There is always more to wash story.
As far as Ted Barton- many speculate he turned a blind eye to Eteri’s training methods, the girls technique short comings— saying he was part of the problem. Lucky for me I’m not very familiar with him. Never heard him comment on the Russian girls.
I have, however, heard Johnny. From his younger years til now
I also don’t think Kamila threw the gold for the sake of a medal ceremony. She was in it to win it, but the scrutiny of a failed drug test was too much pressure. I feel very badly for her.
Ok literally this is so true, some of her spins are awful, and then she comes back with like +1.XX GOE. Like go back to Russian nats 2021, and see some of them, she was traveling to china and back and even Eteri in the coach cam was shaking her head. Not to mention the flexed feet...My favourite part of all this is when Anna does some truly appalling spins - they travel so much they're practically Twizzles and some how she gets higher GOE than anyone else.
Sure that's not Anna's fault, she doesn't score herself but one wonders why every fault of Sasha's is magnified while Anna gets the benefit of the doubt.
Ok but in reality, what is event the point in debating nationals scores in general.Ok literally this is so true, some of her spins are awful, and then she comes back with like +1.XX GOE. Like go back to Russian nats 2021, and see some of them, she was traveling to china and back and even Eteri in the coach cam was shaking her head. Not to mention the flexed feet...![]()
I've always wondered a bit about that OGM and just re-watched Lysacek's and Plushenko's performances again. My take after 12 years:
Plushenko's LP was totally front-loaded -- hardly any jumps in the 2nd half -- and Lysacek's choreography was much more sophisticated. Moreover, Plushy didn't seem at all engaged with the music or even with the performance itself. I had the feeling he basically just phoned it in.
edit: and yes, if Daisuke hadn't fallen, I think absolutely he would have won. The rest of his skate was great. It's always a shame when all the competitors don't skate their very best.