Step by step I get to see the programs (with Chris and Nicky - German Eurosport didn't broadcast).
Nan Song
Talk about high jumps. I mean really high, like huge... I love high jumps. Solid skater apart from that, spins a bit average, steps a bit generic perhaps. But basics look good and the jumps are
high. I hope he doesn't go away like all those other Chinese skaters. And I hope I'll manage to remember his face / name for the future.
Curran Oi
You can look the costume up under "We are Americans and don't wear sparkly velvet with frills". Oi looked so tense, so nervous - all his movements were abrupt and somehow short. It was like watching one of those people eat who cannot sit still, you know, they scratch their heads, clean their nails, bite on their nails, keep touching the plate, the knife etc. I haven't seen him before, is that typical for him or was it just today? Jumps were landed, but they also looked tense and nervous. I don't know. Strange guy.
Chao Yang
Good quality skating (actually reminds me of the other Chinese guy from last year), solid jumps, good spins. There are two things he needs in my opinion: Triple Axel and some more personality, something more distinctive.
Ross Miner
"We are Americans and don't wear sparkly velvet with frills" - No.2. Also looked nervous, his skating skills seemed somehow better to me, he has loads of speed out there - but also lots of movement, there was no calmness. Jumps, well, we all saw the deductions. I enjoyed the spins a lot. Good speed, nice positions - really an excellent spinner.
Elladj Balde
I love him. He has such a distinctive personality, so much spunk. He is like the Canadian Joubert. Excellent basics; good speed, great edging. Spins are mediocre - but hey, others became European and World Champion with mediocre spins. The power of his jumps is great, too. His landings are somewhat erratic, as if he needs some more control over his power. Plus the guy is musical; he was a bit behind the music after the first two jumping passes, perhaps he lost time on the Axel - but by the time the 3R came around it was great to the music. And the last step sequence was quite effective.
Yuzuru Hanyu
Perhaps he would have been better off with a "We are Americans and don't wear sparkly velvet with frills"-costume. Ugh! Looked like pyjamas combined with velvety sweat pants and a classical Nutcracker-costume. But the skater is cute. He looked awkward at times, which had perhaps a bit to do with the pants, that just looked too big for him. His spins are great, good over the ice - so much potential. I loved the inabauer, excellent arch for a male representative of the human race. I am looking forward to more Hanyu. Last year I was a bit worried that there would be some kind of void in Japanese men's skating after the great trio (Dai, Nobu, Taka), but this guy is certainly a great talent.
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I am still waiting for the rest of the videos. China has three spots next year, by the way (as have the US). Good for them. France lost a spot, Kazakhstan got a second one.
