Er, what in the world has Menshov to do with Mura? So, all you can come up with is that Mura isn't as bad as Menshov?!? Honestly, that's a bit "thick". Yes, I know you were talking about Menshov earlier - but that has nothing to do with Mura, nor his performance here today.
So, I for my part will say again: Congratulations Mura! And well done to him!
My apologies to Mura. He did well in the sp, and I'm looking forward to seeing his fp (I signed on late and couldn't find a workable live-streaming link). Also, it's difficult to have a coherent conversation in forums when posts are coming in so rapidly and the focus of conversation shifts. I had been reflecting on the importance of athleticism coupled with artistry and the fact that its too bad Jeremy's artistry isn't coupled with confidence under pressure, and now unfortunately he's having physical difficulties which further exacerbates his confidence in competition. Menshov I had brought up earlier as an example of someone with great jumping ability. I think Mura has great jumping ability as well, but he also possesses more polish along with the potential to improve his presentation skills. Mura reminds me somewhat of Max Aaron, in terms of their physicality and jumping abilities.
To me it's obvious that the US men need some help big time at the moment. Jeremy is not reliable and all the other US men have been disappointing this season. Weir and Lysacek are not the answer though at least with Evan you know he will usually lay down a good skate and is a fighter. But the others are either headcases or just don't have it. Which means looking to the Junior ranks for the future. Farris should have gotten two assignments because he could not do any worse then what we have seen this season plus he needs the experience. But the US men are lacking right now.
Disappointing to you in what respect? Is it the fact that they don't yet have consistency with the quad? Well, at the least they are putting the quad out there and trying the best they can. In actual fact, I think Richard and Ross have excellent programs this season, and they are both fairly consistent skaters. They don't yet have solid quads but they are still relatively young and I wouldn't completely count them out to become top contenders on the international scene. Perhaps one of the problems for all the young up-and-coming skaters is that the veterans are still hanging around cluttering the field (and I'm including Plushenko, Johnny, Evan, Joubert, Verner, Menshov and others as well). In the past, skaters would have only one or two shots at the Olympics and then moved on for a new cycle of skaters to come to the fore. I'm not sorry that Jeremy has continued although he too is a veteran skater. But at least he didn't take two years off. It's a shame though that Jeremy couldn't have performed as well at 2010 Olympics the way he did at 2010 Nationals. And its also too bad there isn't an established professional competition tour these days for the older skaters.
Evan has rarely landed quads consistently and the entire men's landscape has changed since Evan has not been competing. Also, keep in mind that Evan is suffering from injury problems. Evan does possess a lot of confidence and a fighting spirit, but he is also not a great skater artistically. His coach and choreographer helped him with good music and packaging, and he delivered at 2010 Olympics, but the quad was not an absolute requirement then. It remains to be seen how Evan will fare in his comeback bid. You are being too simplistic IMO by writing off all the other U.S. men and deciding that Farris is the savior who should have been assigned two GPs. I actually think it might have helped Farris to get at least one senior GP this season, but it certainly shouldn't hurt his development to continue gaining confidence on the JGP circuit and then show his mettle at U.S. Nationals in January.
It's hard to speak about all of this in simplistic soundbites, but it is easier than writing a thesis.
