2014 Japan Open

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Satoko Miuyhara

She skated again a clean free. I hope she will be in the GP final!

I'm so happy for her! Definitely a good representative for Japan, and has a strong shot at the GPF. However, she was definitely given the benefit of the doubt on some of her jumps' rotation. Her jumps do look strong though and if she stays aggressive, she should be able to get the bare minimum rotation to avoid a < call.

Also congrats to Radionova for SMASHING her PB with a huge score of 136. She was very solid, but I'm not a huge fan of her FS quite yet. There are some sloppy parts which will certainly be cleaned up as the season goes on, but if she's already hitting 64 PCS at this point in the season, she could be in the high 60's and pulling 140 points by the end of the season if she maintains this consistency.

Anna was also very impressive, and loved her opening 3-3. Sotnikova/Lipnitskaia/all the other Russians better watch out.

 

[Sandpiper]

Ashley: The program is kinda strange, but it certainly stands out. I hope she can skate it cleanly later on. It's probably the first with-lyrics program that worked for me so far. the score.

Elena: Every time I hear that music, all I can think of is Michelle Kwan. Maybe that made my expectations too high, but Elena's interpretation fell a bit flat. It looks like she's just doing exactly what her choreographer told her to, perfectly, but not really feeling all the moves (until the ChSt and layback spin, which were amazing). But she's so technically strong that I enjoy watching her for that alone.

Patrick: Great skating, props on him for avoiding the wall and hitting the axel. Performance left me a bit cold, again. However, if the skating at 2015 Worlds filled with pops and falls, I pray he comes back like this to save the day (though maybe he should leave the robot v-neck costume home next time). I think I might actually enjoy Patrick's performances more if the camera just shot his feet the whole time outside of jumps/spins, because what he does from the ankles-down is really incredible.

Javi: Why oh why oh why... Great program, such joy and energy radiating from him, and he just has to Zayak again.

 

[yyyskate]

^^ agreed Radionova indeed has some sloppy parts in her program, but considering it is just the beginning of this season and she is very young. She is truly amazing. She will definitely be a threat to the current top 2 Russian ladies.
SkateFiguring , thanks for clarifying the current costume designer situation for Patrick. I also believe that a veteran like Patrick know what is best for him in terms of coaching team etc. just my good wish that his jump could be better in the future. This program has a lot of potential. I also like the music editing a lot. Can someone find out what Chopin's music is included in this program.
EDIT: I just watched Michelle's SP, I find some borrowed moves... (also the band-leg lay-over spin position is a bit Yuna ). Could be a tribute to those figure skating greats. Learn from the best as they say.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Javi's Zayaking is the most frustrating thing ever. Him and Oda should get a self-help group.

I'm also astounded that Orser hasn't done anything to change it. Between Sochi and the Japan Open, Javier really needs to change things around. His failsafe really should be to change the final 3S into a 2A if either of his 4S is tripled. At least a 2A is 4 easy points, instead of none. I'm guessing he lips because that's the only reason he shouldn't have a 3F as the final jump (unless it hurts him).

 

[cebi26]

Anna score was quite low... did she missed anything?

 

[Meoima]

Javi's Zayaking is the most frustrating thing ever. Him and Oda should get a self-help group.
I'm also astounded that Orser hasn't done anything to change it. Between Sochi and the Japan Open, Javier really needs to change things around. His failsafe really should be to change the final 3S into a 2A if either of his 4S are tripled. Maybe he lips, but I'm surprised he doesn't have a 3F as his final jump.

A lip still has more point than 2 uncredited 3S!!!! I am so frustrated right now! Javi you are my hope for GPF winner this year, Worlds as well why are you doing this to yourself and your fans!!!

Anna score was quite low... did she missed anything?

She popped a jump.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Anna score was quite low... did she missed anything?

She singled a 2A, and was called for a lip. Her PCS was also rather low 59 points, versus 64 points from the WC2014.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

A lip still has more point than 2 uncredited 3S!!!! I am so frustrated right now! Javi you are my hope for GPF winner this year, Worlds as well why are you doing this to yourself!!!

True. He should really just change it to an easy 2A. It's the end of the program, it's a simple closing jumping pass that doesn't take energy or setup.

 

[Meoima]

True. He should really just change it to an easy 2A. It's the end of the program, it's a simple closing jumping pass that doesn't take energy or setup.

Or maybe Orser did talk to him but his mind gets confused easily? I can't believe Orser team hasn't thought of Javi's problem before.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Javi's Zayaking is the most frustrating thing ever. Him and Oda should get a self-help group.

I'm also astounded that Orser hasn't done anything to change it. Between Sochi and the Japan Open, Javier really needs to change things around. His failsafe really should be to change the final 3S into a 2A if either of his 4S is tripled. At least a 2A is 4 easy points, instead of none. I'm guessing he lips because that's the only reason he shouldn't have a 3F as the final jump (unless it hurts him).

Zayaking is an inherent risk in a program with multiple and different quads which come with high possibilities of involuntary downgrading. Skaters with multiple quads such as Javi have to include them as a competitive advantage besides their athletic compulsion to push themselves. I am sure a great pro like Orser is working on the problem with Javi but this is a complex problem involving many aspects of skating, including individual quirks and tendencies. Can't expect such a high level program to be ready at this time but JO is an opportunity to test it out on competitive ice.

 

[Jaana]

I think it is very early in the season, surely Wagner will skate better later and fix those UR jumps. With Mirai it is a different matter as she has a tendency to underrotate some of her jumps. Not much change there later, I´m afraid.

I loved Chan´s programme, ditto for Fernandez. I´m sure that later he will be successful with 4 S and will do no triple jump Zayaking.

 

[Meoima]

Zayaking is an inherent risk in a program with multiple and different quads which come with high possibilities of involuntary downgrading. Skaters with multiple quads such as Javi have to include them as a competitive advantage besides their athletic compulsion to push themselves. I am sure a great pro like Orser is working on the problem with Javi but this is a complex problem involving many aspects of skating, including individual quirks and tendencies. Can't expect such a high level program to be ready at this time but JO is an opportunity to test it out on competitive ice.

I don't get it, replacing a 3S at the end of the program with a 2A, is there any difficulty?

 

[Sandpiper]

I don't get it, replacing a 3S at the end of the program with a 2A, is there any difficulty?

Less scoring potential (assuming he hits the 4S and 3S on the current layout). But considering the penalty for Zayak (no points!!!! He's better off doing a double toe loop ), I think changing to 2A or 3F is a good idea. The risk of all those salchows is just too huge, and Javi has shown that he's not very good at thinking on his feet when he triples the 4S.

 

[silverfoxes]

I don't think it's worth getting worked up about Javi's jumps at this point. It's up to him & Orser to sort it out before the GP. But I was very pleasantly surprised w/the program itself and the costume. Huge improvement from last season.

Loved Tomas and Elena. I happen to like her costume; I've seen so many that are far worse. So glad that Team Europe won (even though I don't care for team competitions in general). As for the rest...Jeffrey was pleasant to watch, Taka - yikes Not watching Mura because I hate the music so much. PChan - don't get the fuss and I never will.

 

[Icey]

Ashley had a bad skate day and a bad hair day imo. Hope her old two foot nemesis is not coming back. This was a very sloppy skate.

 

[Sandpiper]

I don't think it's worth getting worked up about Javi's jumps at this point. It's up to him & Orser to sort it out before the GP. But I was very pleasantly surprised w/the program itself and the costume. Huge improvement from last season.

The problem with Javi is that his mistake was mental, and was the exact same mistake that cost him Olympic bronze (a double salchow would've given him the medal!). People aren't fussed by, say, his mistake on the axel, since that can be explained by "not yet fit since it's early." I do think Javi and Orser will likely have a talk after JO, and debate whether the salchows are still advisable after he Zayaked again.

 

[humbaba]

Her PCS was also rather low 59 points, versus 64 points from the WC2014.

The PCS score surprises me a little. I thought Anna's artistry was improved. She didn't seem frantic and flailing about like she has in the past.

I do wish Pogo would pay a visit to Madison Chock's hairdresser. And if she could take Polina Edmunds with her when she goes, that would be great. Both these ladies could use a new 'do.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

The PCS score surprises me a little. I thought Anna's artistry was improved. She didn't seem frantic and flailing about like she has in the past.

I do wish Pogo would pay a visit to Madison Chock's hairdresser. And if she could take Polina Edmunds with her when she goes, that would be great. Both these ladies could use a new 'do.

:thumbsup: :winks:

 

[deedee1]

Patrick! WHY he doesn't compete at all this season???? JUUuuuuust ridiculous, unbelievable, nonsense or whatever. He can win his 4th title with this Chopin program, me think.

TAKA!!! Though filled with jump mistakes, tonight was the first time that Taka completely took me into his performance, actually. Great he didn't retire from competitive skating after such disappointing Sochi season. But sweat stains....that shirt needs to go.

Pogo! Satoko! Radio!!! Sorry to say but I hope Ashley ditch that music...

 

[Violet Bliss]

Patrick! WHY he doesn't compete at all this season???? JUUuuuuust ridiculous, unbelievable, nonsense or whatever. He can win his 4th title with this Chopin program, me think.

Well, he wants a fourth title to tie Kurt's but he is going for a different life experience this season. I am sure this program will be upgraded technically in official competitions next year. I can't wait.

TAKA!!! Though filled with jump mistakes, tonight was the first time that Taka completely took me into his performance, actually. Great he didn't retire from competitive skating after such disappointing Sochi season. But sweat stains....that shirt needs to go.

Taka skated beautifully though the program was marred by those mistakes. Generally I think he has a confidence issue affecting his jumps but at this event, besides it being pre-season, there must be something else bothering him because so many mistakes were quite fluky and not the kind made by skaters of his calibre.