2018 US Championships Sr Men SP

[Lissy]

Adam in the press conference just gave a beautiful, poignant speech about working hard, giving himself the opportunity, and learning to trust himself. Then he ended it with "that was good."

I LOVE THIS MAN.

 

[SarahSynchro]

I just watched Adam’s program 3x in a row. YASSSS boy, you slayed!

I’m going to try my hardest to stop being bitter about the stream dying on us for the fourth group. Grrrrr.... :ddevil: Ok, I won’t mention it again. On to watch the other four men.

 

[ozmodiar]

Adam: "I was asked what it's like being a gay athlete in sports, and I said it's the same as being a straight athlete, only with better eyebrows."

 

[NathanandMiraifan111]

As far as Nathan's costume, it is not finished.

Vera Wang did not have enough white stripes to make the ribs, pelvic bone, femurs, tibia and fibulas.

I just laughed out loud, I hope I didn't wake my neighbors up lol.

 

[SnowWhite]

Actually, you need to see him live to appreciate him. His skating quality is way above Ashley's and I say that with love for both.

I can see that watching videos, and I also really love both. Adam's spins are lovely.

 

[Kara]

Adam is such goals. I wish I could have even half of the butt he has.

 

[WeakAnkles]

Well that was much more fun than the ladies SP. More fun programs.

No comparison. One of the better Men's Nationals.

 

[skate29]

I'm becoming a real Adam fan. He gives these wild comments like "I'll only not make it if other people's moms are on the selection committee" but he actually BACKS THEM UP with incredible performances like tonight's, which he has been doing all season (unlike a certain US ladies figure skater in his rink ahem ahem). He's being authentic and giving it his all every single time, I'm here for it.
Kind of scared that Nathan has changed his program layout yet again, it feels like his team has still not yet set things in stone. I know that he's sick right now but :| But the little leap things in his step sequence are real hype every time tbh.

 

[SarahSynchro]

Adam: "I was asked what it's like being a gay athlete in sports, and I said it's the same as being a straight athlete, only with better eyebrows."

And a better skincare regime!

If he does this press conference for the next eight hours, I will watch the entire thing and buy whatever he’s selling.

 

[TontoK]

Nathan cutting his hair just took about 4 years off his look. He needs to exude maturity to compete on the same level as the top 3-4 men, and his New ‘do, just doesn’t.

Ever time figure skating fans complain that other sports fans don’t view figure skating as a “real sport” ... I’m reminded that figure skating fans believe hairdos have an impact on competition results.

 

[Manuel Pablo Arnao]

Adam in the press conference just gave a beautiful, poignant speech about working hard, giving himself the opportunity, and learning to trust himself. Then he ended it with "that was good."

I LOVE THIS MAN.

That was a great performance. I don't think his quote or his K&C performance was really professional though. It's that kind of reaction that might put off the more traditional judges...

 

[SarahSynchro]

Adam is such goals. I wish I could have even half of the butt he has.

Adam has a butt that won’t quit.

 

[skatefan17]

His program isn't calling for elegance (although I think he is quite elegant nevertheless). Javier's Black Betty SP and Hanyu's Let's Get Crazy SP aren't exactly "elegant" either -- the music lends itself to a program that is edgy and entertaining, not flowy and pretty. You want elegant and refined -- well, watch his FS when his music calls for that.

As for saying he's not competitive with the top men who have quads... well, his qualifying for the GPF (with 2 GP silvers) -- say otherwise. He's also beaten skaters like Jin, Chen, Voronov, Uno, Aaron who are all highly competitive quadsters, on the basis of his overall quality of skating. He has excellent spins, and his performance/projection/confidence is practically unmatched. Only he can pull off the programs he does because you need to have a certain level of attitude and commitment and panache/personality - which 99% of the men don't have. And yes, that's why it works for Ashley as well - most of the ladies don't have her sass and confidence which is something that is a crowd pleaser and distinguishes her from skaters who are trying to fit the mold of pretty elegant/refined/ice princess/ballerina/etc. types.

Adam's SP is a perfect example of a skater embracing who he is, instead of trying to pander to the judges. Of course some people don't understand it, because they don't understand him... which is totally fine. But asking him to be something he's not, or holding it against him for being who he is, isn't exactly open-minded.

While not exactly technically so, I think he IS pushing the limits of the sport. A sport that says you have to skate classically, that says men can't do laybacks, and have to exude hypermasculinity, and you can't be a showman during competition.

 

[SarahSynchro]

Ever time figure skating fans complain that other sports fans don’t view figure skating as a “real sport” ... I’m reminded that figure skating fans believe hairdos have an impact on competition results.

Well, if I may play devil’s advocate for a moment, athletes and fans of some of the more mainstream sports: hockey, football and baseball - believe that growing a playoff beard has an impact on how they play.

 

[NathanandMiraifan111]

Adam is such goals. I wish I could have even half of the butt he has.

Gurl, do them squats.

 

[GGFan]

Ever time figure skating fans complain that other sports fans don’t view figure skating as a “real sport” ... I’m reminded that figure skating fans believe hairdos have an impact on competition results.

It's all about perspective. In every sport athletes are looking for every tiny advantage that they can get. This is a performance sport so people think about these things even if they are not central. When you're fighting for fractions of a point you want to have all of your bases covered. Image matters in every sport. NBA and NFL players have to wear suits, can get fined for not wearing proper attire, etc. I watch lots of sports, and they all have issues, so I'm willing to defend all of figure skating eccentricities, which are ridiculous but fun.

 

[fredtx121]

Nathan Chen- Great performance besides the Axel and that LuLu Lemon inspired costume by Vera Wang. Over marked but is deserving to be in first
Adam Rippon- Great performer and solid jumps. Just wish he had a quad.Agree with 2nd place
Grant Hochstein- Awesome skate for him. PCS were low. He should of been in 3rd
Jason Brown- Still can't hit a consistent Axel. PCS WAY over marked to help in stay in the top 3. Judges want to give him the scores to send him to the Olympics over Hochstein. I think even if Hochstein finishes 3rd and Jason 4th after the FS, another controversy will arise as it did in 2014 between sending Ashley over Mirai.
Vincent Zhou- Too bad about the Axel and the under rotations. If not for the mistakes I could see him in 3rd after the SP
Ross Miner- Another solid clean skate. Too bad he doesn't have the technical elements / quad or the performer aspect like Adam
Max Aaron- So sad.
Jimmy Ma- I think he has potential but his program is more of a exhibition performance than a senior level competitive program.

Nathan, Jason and Adam are headed to the Olympics.

 

[skylark]

His program isn't calling for elegance (although I think he is quite elegant nevertheless). Javier's Black Betty SP and Hanyu's Let's Get Crazy SP aren't exactly "elegant" either -- the music lends itself to a program that is edgy and entertaining, not flowy and pretty. You want elegant and refined -- well, watch his FS when his music calls for that.

As for saying he's not competitive with the top men who have quads... well, his qualifying for the GPF (with 2 GP silvers) -- say otherwise. He's also beaten skaters like Jin, Chen, Voronov, Uno, Aaron who are all highly competitive quadsters, on the basis of his overall quality of skating. He has excellent spins, and his performance/projection/confidence is practically unmatched. Only he can pull off the programs he does because you need to have a certain level of attitude and commitment and panache/personality - which 99% of the men don't have. And yes, that's why it works for Ashley as well - most of the ladies don't have her sass and confidence which is something that is a crowd pleaser and distinguishes her from skaters who are trying to fit the mold of pretty elegant/refined/ice princess/ballerina/etc. types.

:yay: Thank you so much for articulating all this so beautifully, and with such precision. I don't think I've ever thought all these things together, but you have expressed exactly what I believe about Adam, and Ashley.

Those who denigrate the two are entitled to their opinion, but there is a much better way to uphold the value of whatever one loves: by drawing a circle that is inclusive and generous, rather than excluding and mean.

Adam's SP is a perfect example of a skater embracing who he is, instead of trying to pander to the judges. Of course some people don't understand it, because they don't understand him... which is totally fine. But asking him to be something he's not, or holding it against him for being who he is, isn't exactly open-minded.

While not exactly technically so, I think he IS pushing the limits of the sport. A sport that says you have to skate classically, that says men can't do laybacks, and have to exude hypermasculinity, and you can't be a showman during competition.

Interesting. I hadn't thought of it that way. But I am so proud of Adam and his valiant spirit, and his repeated assertion that it wasn't until he embraced being fully true to himself that he was able to fulfill the potential that he's always had.

 

[SnowWhite]

So happy for Adam - great performance, and he's in a great position to make the team. Loved his KnC reaction, and Raf's too. Raf was so happy and it was cute.

Max

Alexei was great too - I don't love his skating so much as I just really like him. Funny comment in the KnC too. I hope he pulls into the top six so he gets a chance at 4CC, but if Tim and/or Ross skate like that again they deserve it and I'll be happy for them.

Rough skate for Tomoki and a good bounce back for Andrew from the JGPF. Seems like the JW team will be Alexei, Camden and Andrew - unless Vincent wants to go back I guess, which I doubt.

Nathan's performed that better, but it is a great SP.

 

[TCAngel18]

Ever time figure skating fans complain that other sports fans don’t view figure skating as a “real sport” ... I’m reminded that figure skating fans believe hairdos have an impact on competition results.

Unfortunately, they can, and do. Maybe not a tremendous effect, but figure skating is a combination of art and sport. Yes, You need to have the jumps and the skating skills. If presentation and costuming and haircuts and music didn’t matter, Figure skating would just be like the compulsory exercises in Gymnastics. Everyone would wear the same thing, and perform the same thing.

Nathan’s previous cut cast an air of rogueishness (totes not a word), a bravura, if you will. This new haircut makes him seem younger, which compared to the men he is competing against, may put him at a disadvantage subconsciously with some judges, when it comes to marking PCS.