Men's Free Skate - Thurs, 18th 8pm EST

[gjz24]

I miss Jeffrey Buttle

 

[ARipp42014]

My final thoughts before moving on to the potential NA sweep in Ice Dance.

Under the CoP, Evan won! Even though the performance left me a little cold, he did perform the SOHL (in his own way). He was able to balance out his performance and it showed on the marks. Congrats, Evan! Now stop wearing black!

Plushy did well after a 3-year absence. While I'm not a big fan of his arm-flapping, I applud him for winning 3 medals before the age of 30 and can still keep up with the guys today. If only he balanced his LP a little better (and not have 2 wonky landings), he would've won. But silver after 3 years off is still an accomplishment.

Dice-K won me over the night. Too bad for the fall on the quad but he went for it. He knew it was the difference between being ahead or behind Evan. But after the quad, he came back in a blaze of glory and performed well. Too bad he already stated that's his last Olympics. I hope he can stay for maybe 2 more seasons and win a World title (ala Jeff Buttle).

As stated before, Stephane was a little tight, pity on Nobu's loop and laces, and kudos for the 2014 class (Kozuka, Lil Flo, D-Ten, Czech Buttle, and Javi). Chosen One got a nice bonus for being Canadian because while he did better in the LP, I don't think it was worthy to be ahead of Johnny.

Speaking of Johnny, he wins the "wuzrobbed" award. I know he lost points for the invalid spin but that at least should've finished ahead of Chan. With that said, I am very proud of him because he left it all out there on the ice.

And finally to Brian... is he eating a parking lot full of crow right now? First he whined about Jeff winning without a quad. Then he lost again to Evan and Patrick (both quadless) at Worlds. And now not only did he finished behind almost every contender except for Verner (most without quads) but he basically gave up on the LP. Whiners never win, Baboo.

Overall it was judged fairly according to the CoP and the right person won. It may not be the most popular chose but it was the right one nevertheless.

I do wonder if the Russian backlash will continue with Oksana and Max in Ice Dance? With Yuko & Sasha failing to medal in pairs and Plushy failing with win gold, with they try to politik Dom/Shab to win gold to avoid embarrassment? We know Alena is not gonna medal.

Okay off to dance!

 

[Mrs. P]

The only moral here is that if the games are in N.America the rest of the world needn't even bother coming.

Uh...I'm glad they did because non-NA teams made up the top five of pairs. Even with rid. scores from D/D in the SP they still ended up missing the podium by quite a bit.

 

[sillylionlove]

Ok....let me catch my breath after reading 88 pages!!

I am not going to debate anything about Evan and Plushenko....I don't like one and love the other and I am happy with the results.

But......what the heck happend to Joubert? Seriously.....that had to be one of the worst performances I have ever seen. I am pretty sure he just gave up and went through the motions. He has been strangely silent during these Olympics...interesting.

Amodio....I am pretty sure I love this guy!! I think he will medal in 2014! Did I mention how much I love him????

Daisuke...so happy for him.....2014 is Kozuka's turn to medal.

Jeremy...so happy that me made top ten!!

Lambiel....will he actually retire again and stay retired? Not really a fan but he wasn't half bad last night.

Johnny...should have been scored higher...then again it seemed like a really simple program....i know he could have done better.

Oda....I think that Sandra Bezic said that it was a very juniorish program...I agree. Normally I like his skating but wasn't a fan of this program...the shoe lace brought back memories of Tanya Harding crying her eyes out when her lace broke. It made me laugh. Thanks for the memory Oda!!

So should be start making predictions for 2014?? LOL

 

[Layfan]

My final thoughts before moving on to the potential NA sweep in Ice Dance.

Under the CoP, Evan won! Even though the performance left me a little cold, he did perform the SOHL (in his own way). He was able to balance out his performance and it showed on the marks. Congrats, Evan! Now stop wearing black!

Plushy did well after a 3-year absence. While I'm not a big fan of his arm-flapping, I applud him for winning 3 medals before the age of 30 and can still keep up with the guys today. If only he balanced his LP a little better (and not have 2 wonky landings), he would've won. But silver after 3 years off is still an accomplishment.

Dice-K won me over the night. Too bad for the fall on the quad but he went for it. He knew it was the difference between being ahead or behind Evan. But after the quad, he came back in a blaze of glory and performed well. Too bad he already stated that's his last Olympics. I hope he can stay for maybe 2 more seasons and win a World title (ala Jeff Buttle).

As stated before, Stephane was a little tight, pity on Nobu's loop and laces, and kudos for the 2014 class (Kozuka, Lil Flo, D-Ten, Czech Buttle, and Javi). Chosen One got a nice bonus for being Canadian because while he did better in the LP, I don't think it was worthy to be ahead of Johnny.

Speaking of Johnny, he wins the "wuzrobbed" award. I know he lost points for the invalid spin but that at least should've finished ahead of Chan. With that said, I am very proud of him because he left it all out there on the ice.

And finally to Brian... is he eating a parking lot full of crow right now? First he whined about Jeff winning without a quad. Then he lost again to Evan and Patrick (both quadless) at Worlds. And now not only did he finished behind almost every contender except for Verner (most without quads) but he basically gave up on the LP. Whiners never win, Baboo.

Overall it was judged fairly according to the CoP and the right person won. It may not be the most popular chose but it was the right one nevertheless.

I do wonder if the Russian backlash will continue with Oksana and Max in Ice Dance? With Yuko & Sasha failing to medal in pairs and Plushy failing with win gold, with they try to politik Dom/Shab to win gold to avoid embarrassment? We know Alena is not gonna medal.

Okay off to dance!

I completely disagree with this ridiculous post. Evan should never stop wearing black.

Jeremy OTH.... Dude. If you are really going to keep competing for a while, and I think you should, stop wearing purple. It makes you look even paler and sad. Wear black. That would look great on you. The 80s are over. You should know. You were only around for 5 years for that sartorially unfortunate decade.

Back to the thread .... I just feel horrible for Brian and I hope he is not eating crow but picking himself back up. I don't really know what went on behind the scenes all these months but I can't help but think his federation was horrible to him. I always thought he put way too much pressure on himself but now I think it was his federation that drove him to the breaking point.

 

[wonderlen3000]

Dai was judged way harsh on his jumps, aside from the fall on the quad, all of his jumps are way clean than Plushy. Both his 3Lz got huge -GOE is beyond me.

All of Plushy jumps are sloppy, the off air positions, wild landing, and didn't even have any speed coming out of it. I would have given him 78-79 for his PCS mark.

 

[Raatkirani]

I couldn't sleep after what happened last night. I gotta say it: Johnny WUZROBBED! He was more than worthy of the bronze and he was a vision to behold last night. The only program that moved me to tears. I actually openly wept when his scores came up (my husband thought I was nuts, but I didn't care) I still don't understand why his programs are considered simple. They're choreographed cleanly without excessive arm flapping and hyperactive, superfluous movements. It was positively CRIMINAL that Chan (unrefined yawnfest) and Lambiel (skating through peanut butter last night) placed ahead of him. I swear the judges just did that to appease to the home crowd and to get back at Weir for his comments and flashiness.

Plushenko should have gotten the gold, but that's just my opinion. He handled himself so well last night. Regardless of the TES, he pushed the boundaries and landed his phenomenal jumps without a fall. It's decisions like this that affect male viewership (and therefore popularity) of the sport.

Daisuke--I'm happy for him. If Johnny had to lose the medal to someone, Dice should be the one. At least he had the guts to attempt the quad.

Still sad for Jeremy, but happy he pulled himself up. He wasn't my cup of tea before, but now I adore him.

Mad at NBC for not showing Joubert and Verner. How can you not show them?!! Regardless of their outcome, they are still two of the contemporary greats of the sport. Jerks.

As for Evan, congrats, but I still don't like ya.

 

[Alatariel]

Plushenko, about last night:

""Later, when I saw Kozuka I shook his hand and congratulated him, saying 'Well done'. I also have a lot of respect for (Japan's bronze medallist) Daisuke Takahashi for trying to attempt a quad. That's a sign of a (future) champion.""

This! Well said Plushi, well said. The reason why I was thrilled with Dai last night more than with anyone else, including Plushenko. And the reason why I can't stand that drone who won.

 

[screech]

Dai was judged way harsh on his jumps, aside from the fall on the quad, all of his jumps are way clean than Plushy. Both his 3Lz got huge -GOE is beyond me.

All of Plushy jumps are sloppy, the off air positions, wild landing, and didn't even have any speed coming out of it. I would have given him 78-79 for his PCS mark.

Dai's quad was downgraded (plus the fall), and his triple flip/triple toe was downgraded. My viewpoint is that if he didn't do the quad, but did the flip/toe at the start of the program (where he would have had more energy to fully rotate and everything) and a solo triple later on he would have won. Taking risks cost Dai the gold medal.

 

[demarinis5]

When Plushy won Gold in Turin people were outraged and criticized him relentlessly, I was one of his supporters and thought he deserved it. Evan wins Gold in Vancouver and people are outraged and the criticism is just beginning. The scoring was correct. Evan deserved the win. JMO

 

[sjwh08]

Congrats to Evan. You showed your best in Olympics and it is not an easy thing to do.
I wish Plush landed his jumps (other than quads) a wee bit better last night. That might well have given him another gold and it would have been a good story that moves me.

 

[Mafke]

Plushenko's 'real men do quads' talk is starting to bug me (just as Joubert's long has). It's a little like a skater in 92 saying they should medal because they do a great RBO Paragraph Bracket.

No matter what you think of the jump (I don't like 'em, never have, never will) the math is clear : At present, doing a quad is not a prerequisite for the gold. If you don't like that situation then try lobbying to increase their importance (or make them mandatory) but stop whining because you didn't do the math.

 

[janetfan]

Plushenko should have gotten the gold, but that's just my opinion. He handled himself so well last night. Regardless of the TES, he pushed the boundaries and landed his phenomenal jumps without a fall.

Mad at NBC for not showing Joubert and Verner. How can you not show them?!! Regardless of their outcome, they are still two of the contemporary greats of the sport. Jerks.

You make some good points - but this "Plushy is pushing the limits" talk is getting silly. He did one quad. Elvis did as much and more in the 90's not to mention Tim Goebel who was laying down three quads eight years ago.

Nothing agaisnt Plushy - but I missed any boundaries he was pushing last night. His program in fact looked very dated, some have called it an "old school" 6.0 program. A great comeback but it featured some old fashioned skating IMO. There was absolutely nothing new from Plushy that we haven't seen years ago.

As to NBC - they are not there soley to cover figure skating. They happened to be covering a couple of USA Ladies who were giving medal winning performances - as opposed to showing, sadly enough, meltdowns of epic proportions from a couple of guys who looked like they quit.

 

[Layfan]

Does anyone know if I can find a video of the medal ceremony somewhere?
They didn't air it and I would love to see it.

Yes, I want to know too. Mexican TV showed about 1 second of Evan celebrating and then cut back to rant about how Plush should have won, including this totally bizarre comparison, with video and and all, with the Battle of the Brians, trying to imply that Boitano, the last American to win OGM gold medal, also won unfairly and that Orser had been the runaway favorite, which is just wrong.

I don't have a problem with anyone arguing that Plush should have won - they have good arguments. But I can't believe Mexican TV didn't have the decency to keep showing viewers the victory and defeat reactions and the medal ceremony. ugh.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Evan did what he had to do and he did it well. As for winning, that was up to the judges.
Evgeni was not at his best and it showed with insecure jump landing which are his best elements.
Daisuke lost the spark he had in the SP, and it cost him the gold.
Stephane could have won this ,but I believe his best competitive prowess is behind him, now.
Johnny skated his best rivalling Otonal, but I suspect his style is not in line with judges' thinking.
Nobunari continues to amaze me. I'm not sure if the break in the program was a deciding factor.
Kozukaa Another smoothie who must learn to be more rugged for the sake of the 'manyly' sport.
Patrick don't become a spokesperson - do what your have to do which is medal winning.
Michal ran out of steam in the last miinute of his routine. He should stay in Vancouver and train with Orser and get David to choreograph.
Joubert threw this one away due to demons which were unnecessary Get the shrink.
Jeremy A. likewise get the shrink. It works when you learn about life.

and all those up and coming skaters (out there in the dark) Amodio, Ten, and several more: with that first Oly experience, learn from it.

 

[mystichaze]

Gratz' to Evan Lysacek, Olympic Champion. I am glad that Dai took the bronze and that Johnny skated his best. I read an article this morning that said Evgeny will continue to compete. I wonder if that means he will be in Torino next month? So far I have been enjoying the figure skating events and look forward to the ice dance and ladies to wrap it up. It was nice to see the group hug last night between the Xue, Hongbo and Evan.

 

[Alatariel]

I hope Plushenko shows up in Torino. For one, no way can they pull of this kind of theft in Europe but alas, I have a strong feeling Lysacek won't even show up... wonder why.

 

[Layfan]

Gratz' to Evan Lysacek, Olympic Champion. I am glad that Dai took the bronze and that Johnny skated his best. I read an article this morning that said Evgeny will continue to compete. I wonder if that means he will be in Torino next month? So far I have been enjoying the figure skating events and look forward to the ice dance and ladies to wrap it up. It was nice to see the group hug last night between the Xue, Hongbo and Evan.

Well, it could be very nice to see Plush at worlds. Could be a very good competition if Brian the Japanese are all there. Hope Plush doesn't underestimate them - or Jeremy and even Ryan Bradley.

Hope Jeremy and Brian skate their hearts out. Hope Ryan can for once do his 2 quads and not throw away the rest of the jumps.

 

[rain]

Wow, I actually agreed with the results. I didn't think either Lysacek or Plushenko had inspiring programs, but Evan's was cleaner and more well-rounded — packed with transitions and difficult jump entrances, jumps in the latter half of the program for extra marks, solid spins and good footwork. Plushenko did the quad and the triple axels, but his footwork, once again was SLOW, and a few of the jumps looked wonky in the air. When it comes down to splitting hairs over two really good skates, these things come into play.

Takahashi had the fall, which took him out of it. Weir jumped beautifully, but his program was simply not as difficult as the top guys. He has not learned to be COP friendly enough. The only placement I disagreed a little with was Lambiel, who was really overmarked in the short, leading to a final placement I'm not sure I agree with. He really fought for his jumps though, like a true competitor. A bit shocking to see the guys who imploded in the SP like Joubert, and to a lesser extent, Abbott, continued to struggle in the LP.

The assertions that Chan is unrefined and overmarked are absurd. When you see him live, you will see that he is one of the few skaters that make the ice seem small, he has so much speed and power and he feels and projects every note of his music. This was not his best skate, but nor was it a disaster.

 

[janetfan]

I hope Plushenko shows up in Torino. For one, no way can they pull of this kind of theft in Europe but alas, I have a strong feeling Lysacek won't even show up... wonder why.

I hope Plushy shows up at Worlds too.

As to Evan - when you are the new Olympic Champion and "King of The Ice" there are other opportunities to consider.