2015-16 Grand Prix Final Mens Free Skate

[MaxSwagg]

I also don't mind Patrick's costume. It allows me to better admire his hunky body. :luv17:

 

[Meoima]

Honestly, I think Yuzuru skated better at NHK. But in relation to how other guys ,Medvedeva and other girls are scored,I think the score he received was not controvesial.

I think Yuzuru skated here better than NHK, this is fancam: http://youtu.be/tVYfH8P8v6A

From this angle his jumps are huge.... no wonder those quads got +3. And from this angle the second quad toe in combo was ok for me.

 

[Précision]

I didn't know only a sample of jumps are reviewed, do they pick randomly or only pick the iffy looking ones.

Panel reviews elements, on which they don't agree with Specialists call ( controller or assistant calls review) or also the specialist can call a review if he/she is unsure of the level. So basically it's the iffy ones that get reviewed. If the hole panel agrees with the original call, they don't watch it again.

 

[emma]

I'm feeling a little sick that I missed watching this live. I've been able to see all of the videos except Hanyu as they are all coming up blocked ((( (by sony). I'll just wait for Icenetwork to put it up.

But, first -thanks to all of you for your amazing and excited commentary. A joy to read!!!! I'm speechless by what I did see, what a great event! And, I watched the medal ceremony - I don't remember the last time I saw such a happy bunch! Echoing another poster somewhere earlier in the thread, if there was ever a time for the 4th place finisher to be there too, today was the day as Chan's long was so beautiful.

How extraordinary, though, that Hanyu has the tech he has and the programs he has (both are great, but that LP just wipes me out), and he just skated them each twice (NHK and Final) so exquisitely. Again, didn't see this LP, but to be able to be that consistent with such difficulty just is truly a world apart. I read all the 'what's next' in terms of upping the ante and just think to myself: if he skates at this level with this difficulty basically cleanly, that's ALL i need. It's like the best of Kwan and Kim and a bunch of amazing guys from the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's, all in one person. Truly stunning.

Yay yay, and OLE and Bravo to javi. So great to see him skate like this. I will confess that I just don't love this LP simply because the music/style is not my cup of tea. BUT, he does this so well - at least he did today; I was just all smiles and so, so happy for him and the crowd. I cannot believe how "complete package" he has really become.

Uno - well. wow. He just got out of juniors? really?

I missed the two others but will watch. I'm just totally speechless at what is going on with the men. Amazing!

ETA Mao88 is the most awesome poster/person ever! Thanks for all the videos. Just watched hanyu - the spanish version. Totally awesome. I meant the commentary was awesome. He was awesome. You, Mao88, are awesome for sharing all of these videos. Thanks so much!

 

[Meoima]

I'm feeling a little sick that I missed watching this live. I've been able to see all of the videos except Hanyu as they are all coming up blocked ((( (by sony). I'll just wait for Icenetwork to put it up.

But, first -thanks to all of you for your amazing and excited commentary. A joy to read!!!! I'm speechless by what I did see, what a great event! And, I watched the medal ceremony - I don't remember the last time I saw such a happy bunch! Echoing another poster somewhere earlier in the thread, if there was ever a time for the 4th place finisher to be there too, today was the day as Chan's long was so beautiful.

How extraordinary, though, that Hanyu has the tech he has and the programs he has (both are great, but that LP just wipes me out), and he just skated them each twice (NHK and Final) so exquisitely. Again, didn't see this LP, but to be able to be that consistent with such difficulty just is truly a world apart. I read all the 'what's next' in terms of upping the ante and just think to myself: if he skates at this level with this difficulty basically cleanly, that's ALL i need. It's like the best of Kwan and Kim and a bunch of amazing guys from the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's, all in one person. Truly stunning.

Yay yay, and OLE and Bravo to javi. So great to see him skate like this. I will confess that I just don't love this LP simply because the music/style is not my cup of tea. BUT, he does this so well - at least he did today; I was just all smiles and so, so happy for him and the crowd. I cannot believe how "complete package" he has really become.

Uno - well. wow. He just got out of juniors? really?

I missed the two others but will watch. I'm just totally speechless at what is going on with the men. Amazing!

ETA Mao88 is the most awesome poster/person ever! Thanks for all the videos. Just watched hanyu - the spanish version. Totally awesome. I meant the commentary was awesome. He was awesome. You, Mao88, are awesome for sharing all of these videos. Thanks so much!

Can you see this video without being blocked: http://youtu.be/QWQs--Rgl4k
It's Yuzuru's free skate and my friends in US have tested and they all said ok.

 

[Wo|flax]

Patrick- I really dislike the begining of this program- very jump focused for the first 3 jumping passes, but I have to say, after that- his improvement on the artistry/expression is enough to make me really like him for the first time; I mean it's truly beautiful, in the second two thirds I forgot all about jumps- all there was was skating.

SHOMASHOMASHOMA /offically jioned the churchcultfollowing of Shoma Uno that was bloody out of this world union of tech and pcs
Boyang a consistent 4Ltz puts him firmly in history forever, and when his pcs improve....
I mean between these two the future of FS is looking brighter than it is right now, and with this competition its already bloody blinding right now.

I'm so proud of Javi breaking 200

I have no words for Yuzuru, but he doesnt need 'em

 

[sweetskates1]

I absolutely am NOT a fan of Patrick Chan or of his skating. However, his LP really looked amazing this time around. Is he better than Yuzuru? Well for me, in terms of artistry - he's less exciting but more convincing now. Yuzuru still looks to effeminate and young for some of the emotion he tries to convey. Don't get me wrong - his movement is epic - not just his jumps but each and everyone of his elements is superb. However, for me right now- Javier is the only one who has the jumps, level of maturity and personal style to clinch it all together. He just needs to stay on his feet and skate entirely perfect programs to beat Yuzuru. It may be difficult yet it is entirely possible for Javier to get there in terms of scores and recognition. With that said the greatness of Yuzuru makes me super happy and excited. Javier would kick all of his competitors' asses any other time in history but two goliaths train under another at the same time. WOW! !!

 

[lehmeh]

Is there a forum rule against 'spoiling' other disciplines in competition threads? Because I feel like it's kinda of a given on... a forum dedicated to figure skating.

In addition to the original poster, I thought there is always a general rule that you don't spoil one event in any thread for another event. For a general reason, it's off the topic of the thread.

Also, with this competition, where I live, the women's free skate won't be shown until next week. I'd like to go into any thread here and be able to read that thread without having the results of the women spoiled for me.

 

[nolangoh]

I absolutely am NOT a fan of Patrick Chan or of his skating. However, his LP really looked amazing this time around. Is he better than Yuzuru? Well for me, in terms of artistry - he's less exciting but more convincing now. Yuzuru still looks to effeminate and young for some of the emotion he tries to convey. Don't get me wrong - his movement is epic - not just his jumps but each and everyone of his elements is superb. However, for me right now- Javier is the only one who has the jumps, level of maturity and personal style to clinch it all together. He just needs to stay on his feet and skate entirely perfect programs to beat Yuzuru. It may be difficult yet it is entirely possible for Javier to get there in terms of scores and recognition. With that said the greatness of Yuzuru makes me super happy and excited. Javier would kick all of his competitors' asses any other time in history but two goliaths train under another at the same time. WOW! !!

Yes I think the same as you too! Yuzuru undoubtedly is better than perfect at the technical side, and he totally deserves a perfect +3 GOE on his 4S and 4T. But as you say, Javier has the maturity and his unique style. But I am not saying Yuzuru does not have a style, he HAS, just that I feel that Javier feels and perform the music better than Yuzuru. But it is absolutely personal and subjective, just here to say my thoughts

 

[Jaana]

I´m so happy for Javier that he won the silver medal in a competition held in his own country!!! It must be veeery difficult for him to compete for such an enthusiastic home audience with big expectations.... I mean that unlike e.g. the Japanese skaters Javier is not used to home crowd (only last year for the first time) in an international competition, the Nationals will hardly draw this kind of an audience?

Fantastic podium!!! And wonderful also that Chan had a great skate!

 

[jace93]

I´m so happy for Javier that he won the silver medal in a competition held in his own country!!! It must be veeery difficult for him to compete for such an enthusiastic home audience with big expectations.... I mean that unlike e.g. the Japanese skaters Javier is not used to home crowd (only last year for the first time) in an international competition, the Nationals will hardly draw this kind of an audience?

Also during nationals he has no competition whatsoever nowadays

 

[MaiKatze]

I was also a bit surprised that Yuzuru pulverised the NHK score, as I thought, when I watched it, that it was not as perfect, on some landings in particular. But on the other hand, it might be because at NHK I could hardly believe what I was seeing and now, we've seen it before, I know it is possible indeed. Honestly, I had my doubts that it would happen again, but Yuzuru proved me wrong. He is just amazing, and I have no words. I also agree about Javier and audience engagement. But maybe Frank Sinatra is more mainstream than Seimei. Still, Seimei is my favourite LP of Yuzuru since the original Romeo & Juliet (the Baz Luhrman RJ).

And I'm beyond happy for Shoma Uno, and glad for Patrick that he could manage such a comeback.

 

[OS]

Men's event.

As an ultra uber Yuna fan for for life... I sincerely thank the skating Gods for providing Yuzu with that extra Y chromosome so he can only compete with the men...sheeshh... Male Yuna and ~~~beyond!!

Yuzu is a fan of many skaters like Plushy, Yuna, Mao, Patrick, Dai and I think he absorbed the best of them all. This is the only first half chapter. It will be interesting to see how he broke the system from here like Yuna did, and they have to come up with all the new rules to prevent her run away too much. 330!!!! So many 100+ TES. Patrick must be thinking... sheesh I really missed that boat!!

 

[solani]

As an ultra uber Yuna fan for for life... I sincerely thank the skating Gods for providing Yuzu with that extra Y chromosome so he can only compete with the men...sheeshh... Male Yuna and ~~~beyond!!

Why? I'm a Yuna fan, but obviously I'm not a ultra uber Yuna fan, because I don't get why you thank the skating Gods for providing Yuzuru the Y chromosome. I mean, he is surely happy about it, being male and all and I guess his female fans who have a crush on him are also happy about it. But what has that to do with Yuna? It would be different if she was still competing, but she isn't, so ... ? :scratch3:
That said, the competition yesterday was maybe the best I've ever seen, because four skaters skated at their best, with very very good programs, all were inspirational! It's good to see that those quads have become stable for the top men, I doubted that possibility a couple of seasons ago. It's just great. Right know the top male skaters are better than the female skaters imho. They have better skating skills, better programs and more polish overall. This wasn't always the case.

 

[emma]

Can you see this video without being blocked: http://youtu.be/QWQs--Rgl4k
It's Yuzuru's free skate and my friends in US have tested and they all said ok.

Yes!! I can see this one! Thank you so very very much!!!!!

 

[Danibellerika]

Random question if anyone wants to take a wing at it...Who do you predict as 2-5 at Worlds if everyone skated completely clean programs? Long shot but still....after today, nothing is impossible.

If everyone goes clean
1) Yuzu
2) Chan (he may have some home team momentum since it's in North America)
3) Javi
4) Ten (since he likes to show up later in the season)
5) Shoma

My DESIRED podium

1) Yuzu
2) Shoma
3) Ten or Javi

Though I would be okay with Chan as 3rd.

Honestly, I think Yuzuru skated better at NHK. But in relation to how other guys ,Medvedeva and other girls are scored,I think the score he received was not controvesial.

My favorite for this competition is actually Shoma. He attacked every thing, skated his heart out. The first skate this season that gets me in tear

Turnadot has been turning me to weepy mush since I watched Shen/Zhao live at 2003 worlds. The audience here actually stood up before the program ended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kql3sf_crA

That's my favorite memory of that competition. I haven't been to one since, so I'm excited to go to Boston and see how Shoma delivers. If he's good I'll probably be teary again lol.

Right know the top male skaters are better than the female skaters imho. They have better skating skills, better programs and more polish overall. This wasn't always the case.

As a Sasha Cohen uber, I agree. I used to look to the men's competition for different things, like mainly the big jumps and athleticism and snazzier footwork, but now they seem to be closing in the gap in other areas as well that make most of the ladies come off as generic to me. I'm going to worlds for the Men's long. I MIGHT attend the ladies if I opt for resale tix, but hanging out and having fun in Boston is another strong option I'm considering and may even prefer by the time the competition arrives. I'm honestly only interested in Mao and Satoko if I decide to go.

 

[Rissa]

I was also a bit surprised that Yuzuru pulverised the NHK score, as I thought, when I watched it, that it was not as perfect, on some landings in particular. But on the other hand, it might be because at NHK I could hardly believe what I was seeing and now, we've seen it before, I know it is possible indeed. Honestly, I had my doubts that it would happen again, but Yuzuru proved me wrong. He is just amazing, and I have no words. I also agree about Javier and audience engagement. But maybe Frank Sinatra is more mainstream than Seimei. Still, Seimei is my favourite LP of Yuzuru since the original Romeo & Juliet (the Baz Luhrman RJ).

And I'm beyond happy for Shoma Uno, and glad for Patrick that he could manage such a comeback.

About Javi, Yuzu and audience engagement: it's not that Sinatra is more mainstream than Seimei, it's simply that Javi's program is more relaxed sound-wise and atmosphere-wise and naturally encourages audience participation. Yuzu's program has a completely different vibe: more brought in but intense. Both programs are engaging, but in a different way: Javi's is "clap along and have fun with me" type of engaging, and Yuzu's is "sit on the edge of your seat and don't dare to blink" type of engaging. And I can tell you, everybody seemed plenty engaged!

As to whether Yuzu skated better here or at NHK: he may have been cleaner at NHK but he sold the program better here, in my opinion. He just acted the heck out of it.

 

[silverfoxes]

Why? I'm a Yuna fan, but obviously I'm not a ultra uber Yuna fan, because I don't get why you thank the skating Gods for providing Yuzuru the Y chromosome. I mean, he is surely happy about it, being male and all and I guess his female fans who have a crush on him are also happy about it. But what has that to do with Yuna? It would be different if she was still competing, but she isn't, so ... ? :scratch3:
That said, the competition yesterday was maybe the best I've ever seen, because four skaters skated at their best, with very very good programs, all were inspirational! It's good to see that those quads have become stable for the top men, I doubted that possibility a couple of seasons ago. It's just great. Right know the top male skaters are better than the female skaters imho. They have better skating skills, better programs and more polish overall. This wasn't always the case.

Yuzuru is about 10,000x more exciting than Yuna ever was for me...I don't get the comparison either. But then, I've always thought the men were more interesting in general, with harder elements, more varied programs, more power & speed, etc. And yet even after the amazing record-shattering skating in Barcelona, this thread is still quite a bit shorter than the ladies' FS thread. Why is it always like that? Of course, you could probably cut it in half by skipping all the complaining about ''teenage Russians" & over-the-boot tights.

 

[xibsuarz]

Yuzuru is about 10,000x more exciting than Yuna ever was for me...I don't get the comparison either. But then, I've always thought the men were more interesting in general, with harder elements, more varied programs, more power & speed, etc. And yet even after the amazing record-shattering skating in Barcelona, this thread is still quite a bit shorter than the ladies' FS thread. Why is it always like that? Of course, you could probably cut it in half by skipping all the complaining about ''teenage Russians" & over-the-boot tights.

As you said, there's not much complain here about scoring and costumes...the ladies' FS thread on the other hand...well.

 

[Danibellerika]

Yuzuru is about 10,000x more exciting than Yuna ever was for me...I don't get the comparison either. But then, I've always thought the men were more interesting in general, with harder elements, more varied programs, more power & speed, etc. And yet even after the amazing record-shattering skating in Barcelona, this thread is still quite a bit shorter than the ladies' FS thread. Why is it always like that? Of course, you could probably cut it in half by skipping all the complaining about ''teenage Russians" & over-the-boot tights.

The ladies free skate is also the only sold out event in Boston right now as well. Yuzu pretty much brought me back into skating. I'd been pretty fair-weather since post 2006 Olys.