Thanks for the detailed impressions of the skaters and their performances! Big thumbs up! [Go, Dai-Chan! Go, Taka!]
Yuzuru – As his fan, I can’t believe I’m going to say this but I think he was over-score in LP. His program is great until he singled that Lutz. After that, he gradually lost his stamina which may partly because he used a lot of energy in warm-up. His speed is also slower compare to other top guy and he also still need to work on some issues on spin, program component and step sequence (His step is actually better than when I watch him in youtube). Anyway, I still think he should be on podium. His quad is just wow (when he take off it seems that the whole arena waiting to see if he could land it or not and when he land the audiences gave super big applause). His 3A and 3A -3T are excellent combined with cool Ina Bauer and how he enjoyed performing to the program, he deserve medal. He received second biggest support from audiences after Daisuke and the audience are surprise (in a good way) that he beated Kozuka and Abbot. By the way, even he dress like Johnny weir, he doesn’t skate like Johnny weir. Their style is different.
If there was some conspiracy theory, don't you think that Abbott and/or Rippon would have placed higher than Miner and Dornbush at Nationals? Why would they "hold up" two unknowns or "hold down" the two guys that secured three spots last year? Your conspiracy theory with regard to men makes NO sense.
That's an opinion. I presume you are not a judge with such an open biased view. Let the consensus of the Panel decideJoubert isnt going to be on the podium. There are atleast 6 guys I would favor over him this year.
Interesting take on Nats. While Dornbush presented a better program, the Panel went for the "fun" Bradley brought to his programs.I think there was a very plausible conspiracy theory to award the gold to the veteran Bradley instead of newbie Dornbush by not marking down enough for Ryan's very flawed quad toe attempts. It still really bothers me that his 4toe was not marked UR because it clearly was. The USFSA has a history of doing this - rewarding Meissner's 3+3 and not Flatt's in the 2007 SP; rewarding Czisny's flawed LP over Flatt's clean LP in 2009.
I think there was a very plausible conspiracy theory to award the gold to the veteran Bradley instead of newbie Dornbush by not marking down enough for Ryan's very flawed quad toe attempts. It still really bothers me that his 4toe was not marked UR because it clearly was. The USFSA has a history of doing this - rewarding Meissner's 3+3 and not Flatt's in the 2007 SP; rewarding Czisny's flawed LP over Flatt's clean LP in 2009.
What I think happens is that the judges and tech panels, just like fans, have a preconceived notion of who they think is probably going to win the championship. Then they don't want to pile on the UR calls, low PCSs etc., because that would send the wrong message to Worlds.
What I think happens is that the judges and tech panels, just like fans, have a preconceived notion of who they think is probably going to win the championship. Then they don't want to pile on the UR calls, low PCSs etc., because that would send the wrong message to Worlds.
Au contraire, if they pile on the (deserved) UR calls, low PCS etc, that skater will not win so no "wrong" message is sent to Worlds. Selecting the champion with proper judging will ensure the best skater, and the right message, is sent to Worlds.
The world may understand and accept GOE inflation or variation at Nationals but not faulty Technical calls. Technical Panels can't get away with obviously off calls which are verifiable and will not be granted internationally. They hurt the credibility of more than the technical callers and do not improve the chances of medalling for the national champion or national team thus selected.
Interesting take on Nats. While Dornbush presented a better program, the Panel went for the "fun" Bradley brought to his programs.
I do believe different Panels bring in different Results.
We'll see how the 3 boys do in this very tough Mens Field.
His jumps are awesome! And he has such a lyrical quality to his skating. He still a bit rough around the edges and his stamina needs to improve. Hopefully, this will come with age. But I think he has the potential to be the future of Japanese male skating, because like Dai, I sense a passion in him that I don't often see in Kozuka or Oda.