2018 Olympic Figure Skating Pairs FS

[NoNameFace]

Sui and Han will probably enter the Beijing Olympics with A TON of goodwill

a thought popped in my mind while I was preparing for work after watching it live from 2.30am that maybe they'll pull Shen/Zhao move before Vancouver Olympics, just maybe not skipping an entire quad, but rest one/two seasons? Of course, it will depending on their health and other factors, but it will be incredibly sad, if that would happen - they are a jewel in every competition they appear in, a pair very regal, but at the same time so 'relatable' and universally appealing in basically every sense, presentation and chemistry foremost I'd say. But we'll see.

 

[Leelee425]

Not very well-versed with pairs and the back story but why is T/M unpopular with fans?

Their Candyman program was very unpopular here, don’t think it was so much about them as most if not all agree their skating skills are among the best in the world right now. It may seem as if they are disliked because many felt strongly (and some stated strongly) that their program did not deserve to medal based off the artistic choices alone (music, costuming). Some also seem to have disliked their short program as well, personally I liked it, but I think Candyman was the main gripe.

In the end whether it was a poor program choice or not, they lost because they made too many technical errors tonight amongst a strong final group. If they skated it the same way they did at Europeans they would have been on the podium for sure, maybe even won.

 

[Mrs. P]

Personally I love Tarasova/Morozov. I was impressed when I saw them in live in Boston Worlds a few years back. I agree with others their free skate did not do them any favors. I don't think they need to go strictly classical all the the time, but I think there are better vehicles to express their beautiful line/classic skating while showing them some personality. I like their Irish dance SP from 2016 and heck in hindsight I kinda like their Prog-Rock Music program from last season.

 

[lyverbird1]

There's a Eurosport Olympics group on FB and I've just seen the S/M winning programme there - can't post a link where I am, but it should be an easy find.

PS - Why did it take me so long to see the delicious anagram of OMG - OGM!!!!!! :hslap:

 

[SnowWhite]

What did your commentators say about Aljona/Bruno? I just watched the German ESP so I'm interested in commentary from around the World.

Kurt and Carol adored it.

 

[SnowWhite]

This was basically my dream podium, so I'm completely thrilled. So, so happy for Meagan and Eric to get a medal. And the whole scene with her and Aliona and Bruno was lovely.

 

[Fool]

OMG I didn't even think of this, but yeah you're right, it could happen but they're also a lot younger than Shen and Zhao were before 2010. I don't want to think about pairs without them, NOT YET.

 

[Fool]

Kurt and Carol adored it.

The Norwegian were very happy for them and loved it. They said they could be the gold medalists after they finished even before the scores.

ETA: Oop replied to the wrong person sorry!

 

[Mirunna]

What a shocking result to wake up to! I could not believe my eyes seeing Aliona's name in first place. I have no words - movies should be made after her career and perseverance. This cemented her place among the best female pair skaters ever. Her story should inspire the much more younger Sui and Evgenia to keep going and never give up.
It is also very nice to see the amount of support and people celebrating this incredible achievement with her, including fellow competitors.
My only slight regret is that Robin, who is also an amazing pair skater, never got to live this moment. But I don't think he ever wanted it as much as she did. Bruno on the other hand, while not the skater Robin was, has much more competitive fire in him. That is why he made a golden team with Aliona

 

[Fool]

We were worry about Brunos safety yesterday but damn Cong...i hope it will be OK to go over it for both of them. Because today there was real chance for OGM.
How everyone could be so sure and calm about 2022? I just can't...it's 4 years from now, 4 YEARS. I mean how many times she has been injured just in last couple of years...and considering currently judging...it's a waaay long shot and today was the real chance so i can't feel any worse for them than today. Especially those 0,47...ohh dear Lord

IKR. 4 years is an eternity in this sport and there will be new rules by then too. Who knows what will happen. Seeing them so sad during the podium ceremony was awful I don't know want to pretend I would feel differently either way if they lose, but 0,47 is tough. (Attempt at optimism: at least it wasn't 0.01.)

 

[Eclair]

What Pang/Tong said about Alina/Bruno (they were commentators):

https://twitter.com/pandaatlarge/status/964012659673837568

Two-time pairs world champions and Olympic silver medalists Qing Pang & Jian Tong were commentators on CCTV, and I love their heartful and supportive comments. On Savchenko/Massot's skate Tong said:" Now I have complex feelings. I surely hope Chinese skaters win, but I am proud proud of what they accomplished today, and impressed by Savchenko's determination. She's been chasing the dream for years, which made her too nervous to deliver her best in Vancouver and Sophi. But I really feel happy for what she's done today. It was too perfect."

Jian Tong on Aljona:"I am happy, excited and emotional for the performance. This is the power of belief, this is the power of persistence. I'm a bit choked up right now. It was not easy for her but they gave it all.

Pang on Sui/Han:"It is a bit regretful, but winning a silver at your first Olympics is certainly great achievement. None of us (other Chinese medalists) was able to do that. Don't forget how young they are, and the pressure they had. They will continue to grow in the future."

On @mhjd_85 and @Rad85E 's performance, Qing Pang said:"Great skate. It's been a dream for generations of Chinese pairs to land a quad throw at the Olympics, now a Canadian pair accomplished it, I think we are all happy for them. They pushed the technical development for pairs."

 

[Mista Ekko]

Their Candyman program was very unpopular here, don’t think it was so much about them as most if not all agree their skating skills are among the best in the world right now. It may seem as if they are disliked because many felt strongly (and some stated strongly) that their program did not deserve to medal based off the artistic choices alone (music, costuming). Some also seem to have disliked their short program as well, personally I liked it, but I think Candyman was the main gripe.

In the end whether it was a poor program choice or not, they lost because they made too many technical errors tonight amongst a strong final group. If they skated it the same way they did at Europeans they would have been on the podium for sure, maybe even won.

I was surprised that in the stream i was watching the commentator pointed out that a lot of people are critical
towards the Candyman FS or some comment of the sort

It's not just about the choice, I'm sure that if a team like, say, Marchei and Hotarek decided to skate to
Candyman then it would still be a bit tacky but they would understand it more and showcase it the right way
Not just skate through it, Tarasova and Morozov deserve better, This FS and the one from last year as well
were not music choices they can shine in i don't think, It just feels like a struggle

And on a side note, i still don't understand the reasoning behind giving so many of the Russian skaters
programs to US classic radio music with lyrics they don't understand, It happens so much in all the disciplines
Is it like an attempt to conquer all Worlds at once? :think:

 

[Mirunna]

IKR. 4 years is an eternity in this sport and there will be new rules by then too. Who knows what will happen. Seeing them so sad during the podium ceremony was awful I don't know want to pretend I would feel differently either way if they lose, but 0,47 is tough. (Attempt at optimism: at least it wasn't 0.01.)

If it is not in 4 years, it may very well be in 8 years then, who knows. Aliona and Robin were among favorites to win in Vancouver in 2010. She won in 2018. Just saying. Pair skaters have longer careers. Sui will be 30 in 2026. Aliona is 34. Heck, they can even win in 2030.
I am sure they are sad, and they should be, they were extremely close. But at the end of the day they are going home with a silver medal. And with a very bright future ahead of them.

 

[Haikush]

Frankly, people here are treating T/M like villains who were going to stole medals from the "good guys" and just needed to get out of the way. It's just awful. I'm really glad with the podium, especially S/M, but all the bashing over T/M since the last group begun to skate was sad.

Exactly! Haven't posted in years but just wanted to say sick of all the T/M bashing. I get it, you don't like the program but they're a talented team with exceptional skills and worthy of a medal.

 

[da96103]

I was surprised that in the stream i was watching the commentator pointed out that a lot of people are critical
towards the Candyman FS or some comment of the sort

It's not just about the choice, I'm sure that if a team like, say, Marchei and Hotarek decided to skate to
Candyman then it would still be a bit tacky but they would understand it more and showcase it the right way
Not just skate through it, Tarasova and Morozov deserve better, This FS and the one from last year as well
were not music choices they can shine in i don't think, It just feels like a struggle

And on a side note, i still don't understand the reasoning behind giving so many of the Russian skaters
programs to US classic radio music with lyrics they don't understand, It happens so much in all the disciplines
Is it like an attempt to conquer all Worlds at once? :think:

I was thinking about the same thing the other day with the Russian men's singles with Elvis and Beatles music. Maybe the Russian thinks the judges were teenagers in the 60s and 70's and would have sentimental reasons to be interested in the program, like how Anton the food critic in Ratatouille was transported to his mom's childhood cooking when he took a bit of the ratatouille prepared by the Rat.

 

[treeloving]

I think I might be the only one who like Candy Man more than their short program, at least they show personality and fun and it highlights their speed. I feel her heart-break though.

It such a shame that a team that has every potential to be excellent pair skater cannot develop artistically because they are not given a platform. Imagine if they skate candyman with the choreography like Aliona and Brono's "that man". I think they can and will develop if they are given a chance, when Bruno emerge to the scene his artistic is on par with
Yuri Larionov and he is completely different now; thus it is more than possible with someone as talent as T/M.

 

[Fool]

If it is not in 4 years, it may very well be in 8 years then, who knows. Aliona and Robin were among favorites to win in Vancouver in 2010. She won in 2018. Just saying. Pair skaters have longer careers. Sui will be 30 in 2026. Aliona is 34. Heck, they can even win in 2030.
I am sure they are sad, and they should be, they were extremely close. But at the end of the day they are going home with a silver medal. And with a very bright future ahead of them.

Sui has already had major injuries which is part of why I'm hesitant as well. But you are right of course. I just think Aliona is a legend beyond legends and it's not realistic to compare her with what the younger women might achieve in the future, I believe her and her trajectory, legendary as it is now (it already was long before today) is much more of an exception than a rule. Maybe this will fuel them further, like the gold misses did to Aliona and Shen/Zhao.

I think another reason why it's tough to swallow is that it was lost on mistakes. They're better than what they produced. S/M did what they needed to, S/H did not.

 

[rollerblade]

Still waiting for experts to weigh in on the Pairs Combination Spin levels. They did the same spin in the SP and it was given a level 4, tonight it was a level 2. :con3:

 

[Mirunna]

Sui has already had major injuries which is part of why I'm hesitant as well. But you are right of course. I just think Aliona is a legend beyond legends and it's not realistic to compare her with what the younger women might achieve in the future, I believe her and her trajectory, legendary as it is now (it already was long before today) is much more of an exception than a rule. Maybe this will fuel them further, like the gold misses did to Aliona and Shen/Zhao.

I think another reason why it's tough to swallow is that it was lost on mistakes. They're better than what they produced. S/M did what they needed to, S/H did not.

True, we should not compare all skaters to Aliona, who is an exception. But most Chinese pairs (especially the more successful ones) have/had very long careers. Sui is so young that she can take a break to focus on health if they want. And still come back very strong, because they are that good. I know they did mistakes but remember they lack the experience the other medalists have. Considering the pressure, they delivered extremely strong performances. As time will pass, I am sure they will come to realize their performances as an achievement rather than disappointments. This will also serve them well in preparation of 2022. If they kept it together so well here despite the pressure and lack of experience, I am sure they will be much more prepared mentally in 2022.

 

[sowcow]

NBC’s coverage was despicable. They didn’t even show OUR ONE COMPETITOR! Really?!!! That’s traitorous to me. And they built up the Italian team and NK team only not to show them either. Nor did they show Yu and Zhang’s SP, despite this being his 5th Olympics too and in medal contention.

Thankfully, for the last few winter & summer Olympics, CBC has streamed most (if not all) events online, LIVE! And, they often show complete, live coverage on their TSN (all-sports) channels too (for the more 'popular' sports - which includes figure skating). That means we are able to watch every single competitor! Heck, we even get to watch the warm-ups, and the Zamboni re-surfacing the ice! The best part is the online coverage is all commercial free (well, until this year; but thankfully, we are forced to only watch 2 ⨉ 30-second spots, and only when you initially open the video player). A fair trade I think: 1 minute of commercials in exchange for 3+ hours of live competition!!.

In addition to the amazing online coverage, we have many cable TV options that allow us to flip between coverage on:

• CBC main network;
• Radio-Canada (the French-CBC channel) — which shows different coverage from the English CBC broadcast;
• TSN ("The Sports Network") — at least 1 or 2 of the 6 TSN channels consistently shows Olympics coverage, again different from the main CBC broadcast; and
• NBC (most Canadians have access the big US networks — NBC, ABC, CBS & Fox — through standard cable TV)

I just cannot understand why NBC — which has access to ALL the feeds from ALL sports — doesn't throw them up online like the CBC?? NBC keeps getting horrible reviews for their lack of Olympic coverage; so why not try something different?? Why do they not have online coverage? Even show commercials if they have to justify the cost. Or, are they worried Americans who normally pay for NBC coverage via their cable subscriptions are going to "drop" NBC for the month if they find out they can access the Olympic coverage for free online? I just don't get it??

Plus I always enjoy fluff, where was the fluff? Where are the interviews and the glimpses of their hometowns and families? Their journeys? Booooo hisssss to NBC.

Although I'm OK with the occasional 'fluff' piece, it seems to me during the minimal coverage on NBC, there's more 'commercials' and 'fluff pieces' shown than actual, real, 'competition'. And, when they do show competition, it's more often taped than live?!

• Does NBC think Americans will get bored viewing the actual competition — from start-to-finish — as it unfolds?
  
• Do they think the average American's attention span is so short that the maximum number of skating programs they are able to sit through is somewhere between 5-8?
  ⨠ Or an equivalent 10-12 downhill ski runs; or ski-jumps?
• Even for the super-thrilling and exciting half-pipe, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding events, NBC rarely shows the full event (...even for the quarter- or semi-final rounds).
  ⨠ And, it seems they select from just a sub-set of these events: those with an American sitting in a top-3 (sometimes top-5) position from the preliminary rounds; or, in the case of taped (not-live) coverage, only when they know an American finishes on the podium.

Such a huge country with so many avid sports fans, and such paltry coverage. I wish you could all access the CBC online with us [although, for the first time in my experience, the online coverage (feed) at the start of the Pairs short program kept 'shuddering'!? Rumors are it was due to too many users accessing via proxies from outside the country!?]. ...So, maybe I don't wish it; at least not until CBC increases their broadcast bandwidth capabilities!

Thanks CBC! You're a super expensive drain on Canada's limited tax resources; but, every 4 years, during the 2 weeks of Olympics competition ... you almost seem worth it! :sarcasm: