Re: Li'Kitsu, Aesthetics
I see I touched a nerve... please chill, I am a huge fan of Hanyu but I'd like to consider myself as someone who tries to be objective.
Here's my perspective. The more I learn about Cop - the more I learn not to take these scores as absolute numbers but more of a threshold/tolerance level determined by a bunch of variables about the competition that can determine whether the final mark are at the upper threshold or lower threshold almost like a moving dartboard. Sometimes Judges can hit a bulls eye (if the quality of judging is high and unbiased), but more likely they can also get it incredibly wrong subject to human error. Bear mind, these judges are really making an estimates, therefore do account for things like emotional impulses, impressions, perceived ideas, personal biases of how the ranking of skaters, and very importantly (though a taboo subject) national competition judges tends to have personal agendas that can determine how they mark the skaters, for the good of federation, national interest and all that.
Hanyu is the fav home boy who broke 2 SP world record this year, so of course they are pushing for him to break 3rd hoping to build him momentum to worlds for a 4th WR. In someways I felt Daisuke is being held down because they probably have an idea that they want Hanyu to rank 1st because his program is a world record program, and Dai's doesn't have the prestige of a world class choreographer to back it up. I am not the only one who saw the strict calling on Dai on this occasion. I don't even want to get into how loose they are with Ladies and their UR at this competition, that is another whole can of worms.
For FS, Imo Dai's probably Maxed 95% tech and 105% artistry potential of his program in showing that he can overcome a so so program, mediocre choreography and still make something superb. The achievement in itself spectacular and can not be measured by COP. If I am a choreographer, I'd fight tooth and nail just to land Dai in my books and even consider offer to work for free. He is capable of taking choreography beyond and give them life. It may sound gushy, but I can totally understand the previous poster who mentioned he/she wish Daisuke has been given David Wilson's choreography for Notre Dame, because the only way for that program to work, is to really focus on the soaring highlights of the music when the artist/performer must be thoroughly emotionally invested really showcase each soaring notes with freedom and complete abandonment - similar to how Hanyu was at his Romeo and Juliet WC version last year really letting himself go. For this performance, I'd say he maxed out 84% tech, 64% artistry. He isn't just focus on the tech but seems to focus on his pacing as while visibly clenched not letting himself go, and was slower by his standard. Regardless of his physical conditions and personal circumstances, we can only judge on what he put out on the day, and imo he slacked alot on this particular performance, thus my view he was overmarked in PCS and benefited generously from GOE.
If you compare Hanyu's FS performance PCS this year with last year's Romeo and Juliet PCS (WC version), I'd easily place last year as higher than this year based on what i see (though last year he was under marked). If you also compare his PCS from early of the season, you'd see how much Hanyu improved through out the season, and while he deserve the momentum, he was lucky today. You compare to someone like Dai who worked years putting out consistent great work to achieve high PCS and today he put out one of his best performance in ages including 2 quads, he deserve his high PCS. I personally think they should be alot closer than 5 points, as I have suggested in my earlier post particularly with regards to PCS.
Overall, these 2 are amazing and each have their own strength, but based on what I saw, I'd have Dai win the gold by 0.05 points at least
. JSport is probably the only one who know what the word "sport" stands for.
). Mao was charming and very positive, skated clean and inspired the audience. I am specially grateful when girls skate smth. different than ice princess stuff. For the encore she skated the last part of her current SP and was on fire. Yuzu skated his EX in that shichi-go-san girlish kimono, was singing together with the music and the singer (live band), had some sloppy landing on the last jump. In general I think he feels much better in this EX than in any other of his current progs. Maybe that's why he chose R&J final part for the encore. What a huge and pleasant surprise it was! The old guy showed up with all it energy and charisma, even the hunchback on his sitspin somehow almost disappeared. Why Abe could do that? Still when he finished he looked very pale and wet. Mura did very well in his "Talking to the Moon", did what he wanted including his fantastic 3A. Dai skated Tango with live band. He is probably using a new hair product now. That gorgeous brunette in the argentinianish costume was too seducingly good 
