2017-18 State of U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[mrrice]

Max vs Vincent round 1 is next weekend.


Come on Max. Show the world you're not to be thrown aside.

I think this will be a great matchup and a good test for both skaters. After seeing Jason medal in Canada, our Men need to understand just how much scoring potential Jason has. Patrick admittedly didn't skate well but, there were other Men who had quads and Jason beat everyone but Shoma. If Max stays on his feet, he will more than likely win the event and that's what he needs should there be a virtual tie at Nationals. The US Men have looked good so far and I hope they can keep it going.

 

[Tavi...]

I think this will be a great matchup and a good test for both skaters. After seeing Jason medal in Canada, our Men need to understand just how much scoring potential Jason has. Patrick admittedly didn't skate well but, there were other Men who had quads and Jason beat everyone but Shoma. If Max stays on his feet, he will more than likely win the event and that's what he needs should there be a virtual tie at Nationals. The US Men have looked good so far and I hope they can keep it going.

Well, Max will be facing Javi, Boyang, Han Yan, Vincent, and Kolyada, among others, so I think he may have to do a bit more than stand on his feet to win.

 

[mrrice]

Well, Max will be facing Javi, Boyang, Han Yan, Vincent, and Kolyada, among others, so I think he may have to do a bit more than stand on his feet to win.

Wow!!!!! That's a packed lineup of skaters. I think Max or Vincent will be thrilled just make the podium. I just hope they skate well and don't get injured. I'm worried after seeing Patrick Chan's performance at Skate Canada that he may be injured.

 

[TontoK]

Well, Max will be facing Javi, Boyang, Han Yan, Vincent, and Kolyada, among others, so I think he may have to do a bit more than stand on his feet to win.

This may be the most stacked field yet. I am very excited for this competition. A great mix of veterans and young guns.

The young guns have won the first two GP's. Will this one be different?

 

[Bluediamonds09]

This may be the most stacked field yet. I am very excited for this competition. A great mix of veterans and young guns.

The young guns have won the first two GP's. Will this one be different?

This one will be a nail biter!! Both Javi and Kolyada are inconsistent but both get high pcs regardless. Han Yan is also a question mark. Honestly, I have no idea who walks away with the title.

 

[NathanandMiraifan111]

Congratulations to Jason!!! Very close on the quad toe and beautiful artistry/transitions throughout! Wonderful skate!!!

 

[StitchMonkey]

Vincent vs Max is going to be interesting next week. It is the first of two Vincent vs Max match ups. I suspect USFSA will be paying attention to who scores higher. They have stiff competition and i hope they both skate beautifully.

 

[Tavi...]

This may be the most stacked field yet. I am very excited for this competition. A great mix of veterans and young guns.

The young guns have won the first two GP's. Will this one be different?

It's an interesting question. Even more interesting: is Boyang still a young gun? He will be 20 in December; this is his third season as a senior; he's been the Chinese national champion for the past four years; and he's a two-time world bronze medalist. For that matter, it's also Shoma's third senior season, he will be 20 in December, he's the Japanese national champion, he's placed third at the last two GPFs and the most recent 4CCs, and he took silver at this year's Worlds. Are they really still young guns?

 

[Mrs. P]

It's an interesting question. Even more interesting: is Boyang still a young gun? He will be 20 in December; this is his third season as a senior; he's been the Chinese national champion for the past four years; and he's a two-time world bronze medalist. For that matter, it's also Shoma's third senior season, he will be 20 in December, he's the Japanese national champion, he's placed third at the last two GPFs and the most recent 4CCs, and he took silver at this year's Worlds. Are they really still young guns?

Compared to Hanyu (who debuted as a senior way back in 2010) and Javi (who debuted as a senior back in 2007 though he wouldn't get on the GP for two more years), they're pretty young.

I don't think either of them are veterans yet, but yes they're not a young gun compared to the likes of Samarin, Nadeau or Cha.

Mid-career, then.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Vincent Zhou may not be a "lock," but I'm opening my book now for anyone who wants to bet against him. :yes:

Haha, totally. Zhou is a good competitor and ambitious. Jason made a good case with a SC silver already and maybe a trip to the GPF but Zhou can still put some heat on if he skates as well as he did at WJC, but with higher tech content.

 

[Jammers]

Compared to Hanyu (who debuted as a senior way back in 2010) and Javi (who debuted as a senior back in 2007 though he wouldn't get on the GP for two more years), they're pretty young.

I don't think either of them are veterans yet, but yes they're not a young gun compared to the likes of Samarin, Nadeau or Cha.

Mid-career, then.

Nathan and Vincent are only 18 and 17 so they can still be called young guns. On the other hand someone like Nadeau who is already 20 can he be called a young gun? Inexperienced yes compared to someone younger like Nathan.

 

[Mrs. P]

Nathan and Vincent are only 18 and 17 so they can still be called young guns. On the other hand someone like Nadeau who is already 20 can he be called a young gun? Inexperienced yes compared to someone younger like Nathan.

I didn't mention Nathan or Vincent though. We were talking about Boyang and Shoma.

I definitely call Vincent and Nathan young guns, but because of where they are in their careers, NOT just their age. Nic is older, but he is making his GP debut this season, nonetheless.

Anyway, it has little consequence really on competitions who wins -- sometimes the veteran wins and sometimes there's a young start to uproot that skater.

 

[TontoK]

I'm calling it this way: Anyone who was a prominent skater in the Sochi era is a "veteran."

A "young gun" are those who have risen to prominence since then.

So, the way I see it:

Veterans - Yuzu, Patrick, Jason, Max, and Javi

Young guns - Nathan, Vincent, Boyang, Shoma, Samarin... and others now emerging

 

[Mrs. P]

I like thinking of it in terms of Jr. World classes too. Here were there U.S. skaters (who are still actively skating) for Jr. Worlds (and non U.S. medalists for perspective)

2010: Grant Hochstein, Keegan Messing (who now skates for Canada), (Yuzuru Hanyu)
2011: Jason Brown, Max Aaron, Keegan Messing (Keiji Tanaka, Alexander Majorv
2012: Jason Brown, Joshua Farris, Timothy Dolensky (Yan Han won, with Jason and Josh medaling)
2013: Jason Brown, Joshua Farris, Shotoro Omori (U.S. sweep)
2014: Nathan Chen, Jordan Moeller, Shotoro Omori (Nam Nguyen)
2015: Nathan Chen, Andrew Torgashev, Kevin Shum (Shoma Uno, Boyang Jin)
2016: Tomoki Hiwatashi, Vincent Zhou (Daniel Samohoin, Nic Nadeau, Tomoki got bronze)
2017: Alexei Krasnozshon, Andrew Torgashev, Vincent Zhou (Vincent won as we know; Dmitri Aliev and Alexander Samarin medaled)

 

[karne]

Just thought I'd drop this in here before I went off to bed.

Men's SP results at CoC

5. Max AARON 83.11
7. Grant HOCHSTEIN 80.55
8. Vincent ZHOU 80.23

 

[concorde]

These scores are much lower that what I expected heading into with event.

With only a 3 point different, the long will be interesting for the US men.

 

[Tahuu]

It’s crazy how things may turn differently for the Olympic team selection after a couple of GPs.

It’s quite tough now for Max and Vincent to win a medal here in China. On the other hand, with Patrick’s withdraw from NHK, Jason and Adam are likely to win silver and bronze. Then Adam can win another medal at Home.

 

[frida80]

These scores are much lower that what I expected heading into with event.

With only a 3 point different, the long will be interesting for the US men.

Yeah. I'm hoping they get better as the season progresses. Jason scored 90 last week without a quad. If that score is Consistent I strongly think Jason will make the team so he can compete with the team event again.

 

[mrrice]

It’s crazy how things may turn differently for the Olympic team selection after a couple of GPs.

It’s quite tough now for Max and Vincent to win a medal here in China. On the other hand, with Patrick’s withdraw from NHK, Jason and Adam are likely to win silver and bronze. Then Adam can win another medal at Home.

Max needs to have the skate of his life if he's going to get on the team. Especially if Adam and Jason skate well in Japan. Nathan is a lock and even if Max stays ahead of Vincent, I don't think he'll get on the team if can't pull himself up in the free program. What those numbers don't show is Mikhail's giant score of 103.13. Javi is in third and his score is 90.57. Max has a big hill to climb if hopes to make the team.

 

[Mrs. P]

It’s crazy how things may turn differently for the Olympic team selection after a couple of GPs.

It’s quite tough now for Max and Vincent to win a medal here in China. On the other hand, with Patrick’s withdraw from NHK, Jason and Adam are likely to win silver and bronze. Then Adam can win another medal at Home.

Based on his recent Senior B, Sergei Voronov could potentially have an impact at both those events. At NHK, Jason and Adam also will face Dmitri Aliev. Nothing's a given.