- Joined
- Jan 7, 2011
My eyes can't roll back far enough at the nitpicking of a totally innocuous nice thing Yuzuru said. It's not even worth refuting.
On the other hand, the assertion that Yuzuru got lowballed in the PCS compared to Javier because of nationality is worth a bit more exploration. Rather than chalk it down to nationality or any sort of bloc identity, isn't the more obvious explanation one of seniority and exposure? Javier has been around on the international scene longer and is better known to judges. In fact, Javier's been to the senior world championships 5 times already! Reputation and "waiting your turn" are known modifiers of PCS in our sport. Yuzuru just isn't benefiting from that yet. Funnily enough, in seasons past, Javier was the one whom I thought was getting lowballed in PCS due to his age and lack of reputation. It happens to all skaters, unfortunately. Yuzuru is building that rep now, and doing it in such a way I haven't seen from any male skater this age since Plushenko. I think the judges will be convinced to give him his due sooner rather than later.
Although, it would really help if Yuzuru fixes his stamina problem completely. You want your last impression of a performance to be strong, because that's right before the judges punch in the PCS.
On the other hand, the assertion that Yuzuru got lowballed in the PCS compared to Javier because of nationality is worth a bit more exploration. Rather than chalk it down to nationality or any sort of bloc identity, isn't the more obvious explanation one of seniority and exposure? Javier has been around on the international scene longer and is better known to judges. In fact, Javier's been to the senior world championships 5 times already! Reputation and "waiting your turn" are known modifiers of PCS in our sport. Yuzuru just isn't benefiting from that yet. Funnily enough, in seasons past, Javier was the one whom I thought was getting lowballed in PCS due to his age and lack of reputation. It happens to all skaters, unfortunately. Yuzuru is building that rep now, and doing it in such a way I haven't seen from any male skater this age since Plushenko. I think the judges will be convinced to give him his due sooner rather than later.
Although, it would really help if Yuzuru fixes his stamina problem completely. You want your last impression of a performance to be strong, because that's right before the judges punch in the PCS.