2014 Worlds Men Short Program

[jaylee]

My favorite performance/program of the night was Tomas Verner's. Love his program, love his performance, and his joy afterwards.

I'm also happy for Javier, who had a spark that he didn't have in Sochi.

When I saw the protocols and that Jeremy had fallen, I was expecting the worst. To my surprise, though, he was really wonderful. Yes, he fell, but he bounced back up and the rest of the program was great.

 

[cebi26]

Its okay for some skaters to overscored, as long as they are not from Russia

 

[Becki]

My favorite performance/program of the night was Tomas Verner's. Love his program, love his performance, and his joy afterwards.

I'm also happy for Javier, who had a spark that he didn't have in Sochi.

When I saw the protocols and that Jeremy had fallen, I was expecting the worst. To my surprise, though, he was really wonderful. Yes, he fell, but he bounced back up and the rest of the program was great.

I hope to see Tomas on the podium! It would be such a special treat for him to end his career on a high note

 

[rosacotton]

My favorite performance/program of the night was Tomas Verner's. Love his program, love his performance, and his joy afterwards.

I'm also happy for Javier, who had a spark that he didn't have in Sochi.

I agree! Hoping both Javier and Tomas are on the podium!

 

[makaihime]

I'm seeing pictures of the top 3 at the press con and I gotta say, Yuzuru looks super relaxed and pretty happy. I'm hoping he's taking this in stride, and is lot more relaxed in his LP. He's definitely the type that likes to chase, not be chased after.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Again I am not arguing with you about the legitimacy of PCS increase. I am saying that it is unfair to single out Adelina when the trend applies to everyone. So how is it anymore steeper than others is beyond me.

Remember that in the Ladies' competition the PCS have a smaller factor. A PCS increase of 5 points in the Men's event is comparatively less than a PCS increase of 5 points in Ladies'. Plus Adelina's actual score already increased more than anyone else.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/03/26/kiji/K20140326007853290.html

Japanese news media reported that the Arena wasn't full on Mens SP, only filling 16913 out of 18400 capacity of that large arena, saying that "although Hanyu has increased his female fan base after Olympics, the withdrawal of Daisuke Takahashi, known to attract most spectators, has impacted a lot on this.

It's only going to get worse if the sport continues in the direction it has been going. Mao retiring will put a further dent in Japanese audiences. This was the one country left where capacity crowds could still be drawn (aside from Korea if Yu-Na is skating). But that will now also diminish.

The rules and judging need to be significantly altered so that beautiful/exciting/artistic/characterful skating is what gets rewarded. Figure Skating has become less and less relevant because it has failed to engage the imagination and the emotions of viewers. This is directly because of the rules and judging. The rules created possible incentive for rewarding ugly/disjointed/meaningless movement and the judges have helped to turn that possibility into reality because they have no clue how to actually judge choreography and interpretation and they hand out +GOE far too freely for lackluster elements.

 

[Meoima]

I didn't enjoy Machida's program that much either. Part of it might be that I'm comparing this program to Michelle, and her 'East of Eden' is one of my all time favorite programs. I think that sums up my problem with it. In my mind, he has to construct a program that's on an equal level with the one that I love to watch over and over again, but he failed to do it.

Oh please, Kwan's body line is perfect when compare to a male skater with a bulky body type. Of course she would look more graceful than any men skating to the same music.

I have to say Machida did his best ever, but to call his SP a world record like the ESP commentators would be too much. Not that I have anything against him, it just that program is not a defining skate to me. That is not his fault, but of the choreography I think. You need a program that is more unique/innovative for a world record. For example, Yagudin's Winter.

Machida deserves to be on 1st or 2nd behind Javi, depends on the judge panel. With Javi skated so well but not really magical, I think placing Machida in the first is reasonable. The scores are bit high for me. These days they give away PCS so easily that I don't know what is a reasonable PCS anymore.

The more exhausting test comes in Friday, but I am not sure I am eager to see it. Simply because all of the top men's free programs here are not that much exciting to watch.:disapp:

Javi always looks labor (even though I am rooting for him to win Gold, so Orser would be the one who laugh last), Machida's fire bird looks like a penguin that is trying to fly and fail, and Hanyu's R&J 2.0 is more like a dying Juliet-narcissist to me. Or maybe I was just expecting too much from the free skate, after all, great LP like Man in the Iron Mask or Blue for Klook is exceptional rare.

Just remember what happens in Sochi, I feel tedious again. Frankly, I found their free skates so uninspiring that I fell asleep during Sochi. But then, Saitama is not Sochi, so I hope the top men are clean. I wish them all the best. Will visit the ISU site for the result, though.

 

[shellbell757]

Just finished watching the Universal Sports coverage, which wasn't great, but I'll take what I can get. I thought Machida and Jav were wonderful, but I am so over Jeremy Abbott botching up his programs constantly! I love his skating and get so excited every time he takes the ice and then he tanks on something. Guess it's better not to be so invested emotionally...lol. I was also sad for Peter Liebers-I don't know why, but his skating makes me smile.

 

[Scovies]

There's something about Javi's skating that I can't seem to appreciate. He used to be a so called "third-tier" guy, ranking in the low 30s at Worlds - yes, I do realize he was very young and also comes from a very weak federation. He seemed to have improved a lot under Brian Orser, but even so, his skating seems kinda chunky and laboured. Maybe it's his body type? I don't know what it is but even his jump landings seems rough on the edge.

I feel the same way about Javi -- I like him personally and he's a wonderful jumper, but I just don't usually buy what he's selling in his programs. I think it's because he seems to lack a full range of movement in his upper body. He never fully extends his arms/shoulders and he doesn't really move his head much, so his performances can feel a bit static to me.

I usually feel the same way about Max Aaron, but I was actually really impressed with what he did in the SP. He doesn't have the same natural dancer's vocabulary of movement that people who've been doing ballet for years do -- pointed toes, lowered shoulders, etc. -- but I thought he was GREAT with his musical interpretation this time around. He had fun with it, and he really did hit every nuance of the music, especially in the middle part of the program. Every hit of the cymbal in his music was accounted for in that program. I'm a little shocked that I'm gushing over him regarding his artistic interpretation, but something about his performance really made me appreciate him in a way that I haven't before. Nice job, Max.

Machida brought it. I'd always felt like he had good qualities to his skating but had never managed to put all of his talents together in a way that made me root for him. I loved him in the SP -- good for him!

 

[David21]

No, he wasn't. Two of his spins got level 3s. I'm sorry, but no-one should get anywhere near 100 unless they have a full set of level 4s.

I guess you're joking. Two levels on the spins are not worth more than 1 point.

CSG actually admiting Chan did not deserve to win the 2013 worlds (or any event for that matter). Wow there is a first for everything.

I agree Hanyu was probably overmarked in PCS with a fall but Machida was japflated in both TES and PCS to what he would get anywhere else even considering his outstanding skate. His score is basically exactly equal to Chan's all time PB in the SP which is hard to believe when he didnt do a second quad or anything like that. So Machida's inflation of his score was probably even more than Hanyu's although he obviously still deserves to be ahead. Fernandez should be in 1st though. Fernandez should have gotten 98 or 99 points for his skate, Machida 95-96, and Hanyu 90ish.

Yeah, Fernandez should have been several points ahead of Machida even though Fernandez clearly has worse skating skills. Makes totally sense.

 

[David21]

Again I am not arguing with you about the legitimacy of PCS increase. I am saying that it is unfair to single out Adelina when the trend applies to everyone. And I do not understand why you decided to pick on two month rise for Adelina when her PCS were raising steadily throughout the season from 30-31 at GP circuit to 33 at Euros and 35 at Olys. So how is it anymore steeper than others is beyond me.

You always have to compare the PCS with the ones from the other skaters. I thought Sotnikova did not deserve the same PCS as Kostner or Kim in Sochi because they had better choreo and skating skills, even though Sotnikova (probably) had the skates of her life. But here, when Hanyu falls and Machida has the skate of his life and his not a much worse skater than Hanyu anyway, his PCS almost being as high as Hanyu make sense.

That said, Kozuka PCS were a bit too low for me, while Fernandez' PCS were a bit too high.

 

[Layfan]

Sorry to hear that Jeremy. fell. again. But at this point ... eh. See ya, Jeremy. I'll cross my fingers for you one last time and then move on. It'll still be a joy to rewatch the programs you nailed at nationals over the years.

I watched the top three plus Tomas and congratulations to all of them. Verner wins for best reaction, loved it! It was joy to watch him perform like that and love his program. I thought Machida was wonderful to East of Eden. Only for a fleeting moment did I think oh, I really want to youtube Michelle. Then Machida pulled me back in. He skated so big for a small guy, not a moment wasted.

 

[whatif]

You always have to compare the PCS with the ones from the other skaters. I thought Sotnikova did not deserve the same PCS as Kostner or Kim in Sochi because they had better choreo and skating skills, even though Sotnikova (probably) had the skates of her life. .

That was not the point. We were discussing the PCS inflation from competition to competition throughout the season, not how PCS compare in the specific competition. Thats' whole different drama.

 

[Dots]

My favorite part was Max Aaron's ending step sequence. How delightful and full of personality.

Every year he improves so much, I look forward to see him grow as a showman in this quadrennial!

 

[Mrs. P]

I usually feel the same way about Max Aaron, but I was actually really impressed with what he did in the SP. He doesn't have the same natural dancer's vocabulary of movement that people who've been doing ballet for years do -- pointed toes, lowered shoulders, etc. -- but I thought he was GREAT with his musical interpretation this time around. He had fun with it, and he really did hit every nuance of the music, especially in the middle part of the program. Every hit of the cymbal in his music was accounted for in that program. I'm a little shocked that I'm gushing over him regarding his artistic interpretation, but something about his performance really made me appreciate him in a way that I haven't before. Nice job, Max.

Max's performances from Nationals stand out in my mind (along with Jason's and Jeremy's SP and Josh Farris' long). Yes, he still has a lot of work to do, but I think he is really making an effort and I appreciate that.

 

[usethis2]

Machida's fire bird looks like a penguin that is trying to fly and fail,

 

[Skater Boy]

Interesting USA could have three men and Canada is down to one I guess? Reynolds and Nam have to pull it together - what is with the useless third Canadian guy??? They really are having problems.

 

[chairmanmao]

Well, it is extremely rare for Hanyu and Chan to UR their jumps. Both have excellent technique and height. Skaters like Takahashi and Reynolds are always question marks.

To me, if you're getting called for a UR on home ice, the technical specialist probably is getting it right. I'm very glad he was called for an UR, because with a fall on a ratified rotated quad he would have gotten a score of 94.34 (maybe even 95 with slightly higher P/E PCS) which would have simply been outrageous given that he FELL.

I hope Hanyu puts together a clean skate tomorrow. I wonder how many Chan bashers who have constantly hated on him for wins with 2+ falls will cry out if Hanyu wins with 2 falls (to be expected with the 4S) or more. And on home ice at that... it'll be 2013 Worlds all over again.

Hanyu handled the pressure well, and really sold the performance, but he shouldn't be in 3rd considering the clean skates from many of the others. With a fully rotated 4T, I would be okay with that, but he should be slightly behind Verner in my books. Verner if he were Japanese would easily clear 90 at this Worlds.

43+ PCS would have been reasonable for Hanyu. That was clearly a sub 90 performance. 90+ scores should be reserve for exceptionally perform SP's with no major errors. Verner not hitting 90+ was just criminal.

 

[Scovies]

Agreed, Mrs. P. At nationals I was so fixated on Jeremy and Jason that I felt like I gave Max the short shrift. I feel like I really saw him and his potential (other than his jumps) for the first time. He needs to hook up with a great choreographer; someone who can work with a client who is musical but doesn't have a dance background. Pasquale, maybe.

 

[Meoima]

43+ PCS would have been reasonable for Hanyu. That was clearly a sub 90 performance. 90+ scores should be reserve for exceptionally perform SP's with no major errors. Verner not hitting 90+ was just criminal.

Have you rewatched his program on youtube? After the fall he increase his speed and move so fast with strong confidence, I have rechecked it several time, compare to Sochi, he was definitely faster. I do think if he did not fall on that 4T, the program might be better than in Sochi. That performance worths 90s. Frankly I haven't seen anyone skated that fast yesterday. Verner did really well, but he skated before all the medal contenders, so I guess that hurt his score a bit.