2011-2012 Program Stuff

[dorispulaski]

The Zhang's SP is really, really lovely

Dan Zhang looks stronger this year. And their jumps are back, in spades!

And they seem to be skating with greater expressiveness to me, too. Maybe that's Lori's touch, but it is very nice.

How brave of them to put both throws in the second half of the LP, the salchow as the last move. They looked a little tired in the last half of the LP, but this is very early in the season.

I wish they had competed at Nebelhorn with that set of programs. They could well have won, I think.

Are they signed up for a Senior B to get the score to compete yet? Do they have to?

 

[colleen o'neill]

As long as they don't keep that last move in the FP , I think we're looking at something !

I love this pair,and was gutted for them last year. Go, Dan! Go Hao! ( especially Hao !)

 

[dorispulaski]

Yes, so was I.

It's so good to see them back and looking strong.

Even their SBS spins were quite good for COP spins from a Chinese team.

And it was so good to see them landing those triples again!

 

[demarinis5]

Oh my, the Zhangs are skating great and look better than ever. So happy they are back this season, they will definitely be in the mix for medals.

Thanks for the link.

 

[skatinginbc]

The Zhang's SP is really, really lovely. Dan Zhang looks stronger this year.

I'm actually more impressed by Zhang Hao's improvement in presentation and body lines. Dan Zhang, I don't know, still much to be desired, I would way.

 

[LuCN]

I'm still worried about Z/Z.Dan is too tall now,that make them have some problem on technique side,and because of that Hao has some injuries and will get injury if they continue for sure...sometime I hope they can find a smaller girl for Hao,he's one of the best male pair skaters now,and if he can have a partner suit him,he may have much less injuries and much longer skating life...but seems it won't happen.

 

[yqs100]

ZZ's SP is so touchy and lovely,,,love the music choice


LP is their best presentable LP program so far? they need to practice more though

 

[skatinginbc]

LP is their best presentable LP program so far? they need to practice more though

SP is good. LP lost me half way through. I was so bored I could not finish watching the whole thing.

 

[dorispulaski]

I've updated the Programs by Discipline for dancers at Nebelhorn and JGP Brasov.

Still working on the other disciplines.

And, of course, not all skaters have updated their ISU or IN bios yet.

 

[lionmilk]

Mirai's long program from nebelhorn....i think it has a lot of potential...a sophisticated and delicate program....and love the costume.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52mq1HV1L_4

 

[blackswanphoto]

Ughh... I do not like Mirai's long program at all!! The layout is terrible and its so choppy. There is no spark there and the music makes me think of other skater who have or can skate much better to that piece of music. I'm starting to give up hope that this girl will ever reach her potential. The costume was nice though.

 

[lionmilk]

Ughh... I do not like Mirai's long program at all!! The layout is terrible and its so choppy. There is no spark there and the music makes me think of other skater who have or can skate much better to that piece of music. I'm starting to give up hope that this girl will ever reach her potential. The costume was nice though.

lol.....i didn't think it was that bad....i mean it didn't knock my socks off by any means but as i said i think it has potential to grow....i remember i hated her 'memoirs of a geisha' program but when everything finally came together at 4CC it was fantastic....so she really has to commit to her technique and the choreography....but will she be able to?...as you said will she ever reach her potential?.....i really hope so...lets see what she produces in the GP series....

 

[Olympia]

I'm still worried about Z/Z.Dan is too tall now,that make them have some problem on technique side,and because of that Hao has some injuries and will get injury if they continue for sure...sometime I hope they can find a smaller girl for Hao,he's one of the best male pair skaters now,and if he can have a partner suit him,he may have much less injuries and much longer skating life...but seems it won't happen.

This is a new one on me. Dan is still growing? How old is she? I know so little about the Zhangs, except that they were in the 2006 Olympic cycle, so she has to be at least 20 or 21, right? Can someone give us more detail?


I don't know if this is relevant, but visually I tried comparing what I remember of Shen/Zhao with the Zhangs. To my eye, Hao Zhang is quite muscular and strong, far more so than Hongbo Zhao (though maybe no taller). By comparison, Dan Zhang seems almost frail, while Xue Shen seems more solid--and Zhao does just fine throwing Shen around. Anyway, that's my take. I am willing to be talked out of this!

 

[dorispulaski]

Well, I thought Dan Zhang looked more muscular in those two videos, and it showed her her jumps. If that's 'growing up' it's a good thing!

Their ISU biography list Dan Zhang's birth date as 04.10.1985. In other words, she's 26.

Furthermore, their tracings bio shows they were competing back in 1998.
http://www.tracings.net/zhan-zhan.html


I surely doubt that she is growing in the getting taller sense.

 

[mousepotato]

Dan Zhang did say she had grown taller in the time they had off. I guess it can happen to world class athletes who all of a sudden end the training as they know it. They shouldn't have any trouble as long as she doesn't re-injure his finger.

Hao is far from the best male skater in terms of skating skills and PCS scores. Their programs this year - although better than past seasons - is still not great. They are almost identical.

 

[yqs100]

Dan Zhang did say she had grown taller in the time they had off. I guess it can happen to world class athletes who all of a sudden end the training as they know it. They shouldn't have any trouble as long as she doesn't re-injure his finger.

Hao is far from the best male skater in terms of skating skills and PCS scores. Their programs this year - although better than past seasons - is still not great. They are almost identical.

Hao can lift up the world's tallest female pair skater - Dan,,,, plus the improved bodyline this year, especially in the short program, I think Hao is on his way to be one of the best male pair skaters.

Lori did an excellent job! Z/Z is still a pair with lots potential, they need right music and better Chorography to bring them to higher level. The new programs at least give them a better platform to show their improvements.

the first time I watched the LP, I think it's a bit flat. but when I watched it again, I have to admit it's a very interesting program, it tells a story with better transitions and details.

I think it is better than other pairs' programs we saw so far. But they still need to be more into the music, feel the music,,this probably is because they were tired at the second half of the program.

But they still have some time to improve... Glad they come back with even better capabilities...really looking forward to the combat with other top pairs.

 

[skatinginbc]

Their ISU biography list Dan Zhang's birth date as 04.10.1985. In other words, she's 26.

She had past her 20 and was still growing taller? Have I read the posts correctly or have I got lost somewhere? I have not met any Chinese that is able to gain height in his/her 20s without some sort of hormonal disorder or artificial interference (e.g., drugs). Was the listed birth date real?

 

[yqs100]

She had past her 20 and was still growing taller? Have I read the posts correctly or have I got lost somewhere? I have not met any Chinese that is able to gain height in his/her 20s without some sort of hormonal disorder or artificial interference (e.g., drugs). Was the listed birth date real?

are you saying she is under 20? which means she was under than 10 years old for her first olympics in 2002? I dont think it is fair for Dan Zhang that people concern about her age or taking drug just because she is still growing.

Normally human stops growing at 25 years, but everything has an exception,, she may be the one is delayed growth due to the intensive training or special body type.


LuCN, your concern is understandable, but as we see Z/Z come back with strong improvements, it means they are still willing to continue, they need more encourage rather than concerns if they should still be together, and it may cause some confusion and misunderstandings. so please pack up the concerns, just applaud! Thanks

 

[mousepotato]

Hao can lift up the world's tallest female pair skater - Dan,,,, plus the improved bodyline this year, especially in the short program, I think Hao is on his way to be one of the best male pair skaters.

Just because he can lift a girl who is 5'7" only makes him strong, that doesn't mean he is one of the best pairs today. He can sure try but to be honest, they have been skating together since 1997 (14+ years) if they haven't reached the top by now, they are in for an uphill battle. Unless they are lucky enough to have a weaker field.

Lori did an excellent job! Z/Z is still a pair with lots potential, they need right music and better Chorography to bring them to higher level. The new programs at least give them a better platform to show their improvements.

You say Lori did an excellent job, but then you say they need better music and choreography? That doesn't sound like an excellent job to me. Both of their programs are exactly the same, no variation at all between the two. Z/Z are not a team who will ever be able to beat V/T or S/S, they didn't even beat K/S the whole Olympic season.

But they still have some time to improve... Glad they come back with even better capabilities...really looking forward to the combat with other top pairs.

The other pairs will improve throughout the season as well; if I were them I would worry more about beating teams like D/C not S/S.

 

[Violet Bliss]

mousepotato, I think yqs100 meant to say they needed good music and choreography which they finally have now.

Dan was already the tallest female Pairs skater before the reported recent growth spurt. Hao, however, is the strongest male Pairs skater. David Wilson calls him Shrek and Jamie Salé descibed her experience of being lifted by him as "whoosh" and exhilerating.

Chinese Pairs seem to have the luxury and tenacity of staying in competitions and taking time to raise their skill levels as well as artistry, with the advantage of their long partnerships.