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

[Tony Wheeler]

I'm not an Evan fan, and I'd say I like Plushenko slightly better than him but not at all one of my favorites either, and I had just .30 between them in the final results score.

Frank Carroll has put it the best out of anyone I've seen. Everything Evan does is very consistent.. that consistent being "good, but not great." I think most people would agree with that, no? But Plushenko's performance last night was not at a consistent level at all.. you have him bombing into the hard jumps and landing them successfully, but then having slight issues on both Lutz jumps, and his program as a whole wasn't as solid as that of Lysacek. I mean, I'll hand it to Evgeny that he draws in an audience like no other and it was certainly refreshing on a night like last night when there were a lot of so-so and flat skates, but Evan had a program that stayed constant throughout, and I think that's what won it for him.

 

[Raatkirani]

My first instinct was, "I hate figure skating!"

After a few hours gathering my thoughts and surting out my reasons, I have concluded that I still love figure skating, but I hate CoP! I have never hated CoP system as much as I do now!

What CoP has brought out?! First it has undermined the artistry and the beauty of the skating, then it has ditched the technical level of the skating. Now there is really not much difference between men's skating and ladies's skating. It has distroyed the charm and the excitement of the men's skating that I loved the most. Why should I watch the men? I'd better go to watch the ladies, or don't watch it at all.

On a happier note, ha, I could still find a happier note, Evan will retire. All my favorite skaters are still competing. I'll enjoy their skating for a while until what CoP brought makes me absolutely sick of it.

Beautifully said! ITA with everything you wrote. Last night, we still saw corrupt, biased judging, athelticism nailed inside a coffin, and only a certain brand of artisty rewarded (i.e. awkward arm flapping as long as you personality fits "inside the box"). The results stank. The CoP is a mess. There is no enticement at all for doing the big tricks, but hey, do a small spiral or a couple of three turns before a triple toe loop and your score will be as high as Mt. Everest. It's all about the transitions, that's all that matters anymore. The men should stop learning jumps at the junior level--at least it'll save their knees, right?

 

[Mrs. P]

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.

Someone posted that he signed on to Stars on Ice. I doubt that Plushenko would go either. But if he did, I don't think he's unbeatable. Jeremy Abbott had a bad case of nerves, but I think he's capable of bringing it. And he does have a quad.

 

[Alatariel]

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.

Yes, let's come back here in let's say two years and conduct a poll and see who remembers the drone by name. I'd love to see those results.

 

[TCAngel18]

ok, for one, Lysacek won fair and square. He even beat Plushenko on the TES, which is Evgeny's forte. A clean Evgeny probably would have beaten Evan, but he didnt go clean. 4 of his eight jumping passes either were wonky in the air, or had shaky landings, including a UR, it looked like to me. He may have more technical merit, but remember people, you dont just get the base score if you do a jump, the judges add grades of execution to each element! And Evan performed his elements a LOT cleaner, so his grade of execution was probably at least 8 points higher than Plushenko's, omitting the 5 point deficit for TES Evan was going to have coming into the FS.

Evan is by no means my favorite skater, that title is a tie between Stephane and Johnny, but he is the hardest worker out there, and it shows with his unending consistency. Also, if you look at his programs, they aren't that bad in comparison. He is VERY tall, 6'2", and shows considerable stretch and line in regards to that height. Also, he is the epitome of a bravura skater, able to get the whole audience invested in his program, and that takes another skill in itself that many do not obtain over their whole careers. His step sequences, if you get past the flailing arms, are the most difficult in men's figure skating, although he is tied with Dai on that one.
Overall, I am proud of Evan Lysacek, because he has shown the most consistency, especially on the nights where it REALLY counts, and like Johnny, he doesnt listen to his detractors, and doesnt try to fool anyone into believing that he is a classical afficionado, but that he can take an idea given to him, and create a solid, intricate program, and that makes him worthy of being called "Olympic Champion".

 

[Dark-Eyes]

I respect Even went clean, but I think that it was rather a beatable, not that memorable program for an Olympic champion. Yet, it is still admirable that he was clean under all those pressures without the quad. But Plushy simply looked better to me. Perhaps I should try to analyze the protocol and examine where their jumps were placed in the program and how they maxed the elements. But boy, Plushy's jumps looked simply better and he did something more difficult than anyone else. Evan had to labor a lot to rotate his 3A whereas Plushy easily saved the landing despite having an off-axis. Evan's most difficult jump was 3A-2T whereas Plushy's was 4-3. And Plushy's program was a lot more interesting and had personality. I am sorry that Plushy missed it.

While you are analyzing, take note of the URs by Plushenko that were not called, and the +GOE on jumps that he was lucky to land. A couple of those jumps had a quarter of their rotation occurring on the ice, not in the air.
The silver was a gift.

 

[Tesla]

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.

Because Evan is doing Stars on Ice and rehearsals are during Worlds.

Frankly, I am over-the-moon that Evan won. He totally deserved it. He was tense during his long program, but he fought for everything and the tension really worked with the music. He had a terrific complete program. I thought for sure Plushenko would win with that steaming pile of poo he laid out on the ice. I would have liked his program a lot more if he weren't such an arrogant snot during it. He had wonky landings and front-loaded his program. He was able to get away with it 4 years ago (and he deserved his win 4 years ago, although maybe not by such a large margin), but this year, he needed to be more well-rounded. I screamed with his scores came up and Evan won. Congratulations, Evan. You deserved the win. If Plushenko wanted to push the envelope, he should've done another quad or two.

As for the other skaters, I wasn't impressed with Johnny. I wanted him to just be free and let it all go. And he didn't. Oda didn't sell the program like he needed. He's done better with that program. Dai was great after the fall. It's a shame about the fall. Stephane just didn't have the jumps. Question for all the people who feel the quad is necessary, if Stephane had skated lights out and hit all his elements, should he have won without a triple axel? I don't agree that men's figure skating has taken a step back. The quad isn't the end-all, be-all of competition. It's the entire package. I, for one, am so happy Evan won, and congrats to Plushenko for nabbing the silver. He deserved that too.

 

[TCAngel18]

that steaming pile of poo he laid out on the ice. I would have liked his program a lot more if he were such an arrogant snot during it.

loooovvvveeeee itttttttt!

 

[Iscariot]

You guys know if Evan will retire from senior competition?

 

[Mafke]

While you are analyzing, take note of the URs by Plushenko that were not called, and the +GOE on jumps that he was lucky to land. A couple of those jumps had a quarter of their rotation occurring on the ice, not in the air. The silver was a gift.

Yeah, the judges weren't nearly as hard on him as they could have been. They didn't shower him with the love they used to (and did earlier this season) but they easily could have been stricter.

 

[Wicked]

I thought the podium was fair. I would have had Johnny 4th. What was going on with Stephane? None of his usual pizzazz. I thought Nobu did as well as he could with his skate problem. I am crushed for Brian and Tomas. I didn't see either of their skates but I did look at the protocols. Sigh. Jeremy at least pulled himself up in the long. Johnny should feel so proud of himself because he did absolutely everything he could and left it all out there. Please, Johnny, skate some shows in DC before going to fashion school.

I would hope that Evan would go to Worlds as the defending World Champion. I have not heard he is not going to do this.

 

[silverlake22]

Last night was so intense. High drama...all this quad business, and quad kings Joubert and Verner down in 16th and 19th....yeah, guess the quad really isn't that important after all, good for Evan for proving that to everyone.

I think Joubert, Verner, and Abbott need some psychological help - you men are too talented to just meltdown like that (NBC said Jeremy "rallied" in the FS but for Jeremy that was a very disappointing performance.....don't even get me started on Verner and Joubert). Wishing those three the best at worlds and hoping they don't retire after this season.

Speaking of retiring, does anyone know who is retiring after this season? Evan, Johnny, Plushy, Lambiel, Dai, Joubert after this disaster? Anyone know. Will some of the top guns not be at worlds even?

 

[ballerynna]

Remember when Evan was all for the quad?

That said, are protocols out? I'd really like to see where exactly Johnny went wrong (and continue to be heartbroken) to be scored like that

 

[FlattFan]

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

Did you not notice Evan bobbled on one of the spin and got level 4?
Evan, all season long got 84-85 in the SP. 152-155 in the LP. Magically got 90+, 167+.
Say what you will about the other two medalists. They've achieved those scores way back.
Evan politik score is worth more than 2 quads and pushed him for the win.

 

[CdnSkateWatcher]

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.

Thank you ... I was hoping you would post, your opinions are ones that I enjoy, and I wondered where you were! Nice summing up of the event.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

^^^
Thank you for your kind words. It's very difficult to read the outcome with posts that do not understand the judges. It really is their decision on the outcom and not the fans of one over the other.

Could someone post the Tech and PC protocols of Evgeni and Evan so we can all compare what the judges saw?​

And find out who the judges are that did not favor your favorite.

 

[demarinis5]

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.

You are right Evan won't be there he announced it last night. Does the Olympic Champ usually show up at Worlds? Did Plushy in 2006? I know Yagudin did in 2002 and he won the title.

 

[Lightbulb]

For all the talk about the quad, the wuzrobbed/wuzgifted, the complete package, the 6.0 vs COP, i hope ISU will take this time that figure skating gets more attention every 4 years to refine the current system. reward a quad done well without taking away too much from the skaters who attempted it but were not successful. i personally think COP is going in the right direction in the sense that young skaters must first develop sound technique, expecially in the jumps.

 

[merrywidow]

I'm hoping that Evan & Johnny hold off retirement until after Worlds. Otherwise we may not have 3 men eligible for '11 Worlds. I'm a fan of Johnny's too but his program is not as difficult as most of the others but oh wow! I was proud of the program he put out there. It was beautiful. In fact, I'll go so far as to say he looked more like a professional skater than any of the men that I saw on TV. As for Joubert, Verner & Abbott? They should all drop the quads & concentrate on skating clean triple jump programs. Congrats to the 3 medalists.
Sandra Bezic said that the difference between Lysacek & Plushenko were marks for circular footwork & spins. OTH, I just read a NY Times article that said the difference was due to Plushenko placing 5 jumping passes early in the program & only 3 in the 2nd half. Lysacek had just the reverse & so garnered more by way of the 10% rule.

 

[Germanice]

You guys know if Evan will retire from senior competition?

Hopefully as soon as possible!