2019-20 U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[Ice Dance]

I am super confused about Ilia. Team USA reported he had withdrawn from YOG due to illness, then I see on FSU that Sylvia had reported that he had actually injured his back and thus withdrew from Nationals. I don't think he was at the World Junior Team Camp so I don't know if he's actually better or if USFS is hoping he's better by JWC? So confused.

I'm sure if he was actually better, he would have been at the camp. On the plus side, if the injury was so bad that they knew he couldn't make it back, he likely wouldn't have been named to the team at all. I'm moderately hopeful.

 

[Bookseller]

The thing is, the last couple of years suggests we're far more likely to see Jason skate well than Boyang. Much as I like Boyang, he hasn't exactly been a pillar of great skates in the last few years.

Agreed. Jason is the more consistent skater. Based on last year's personal bests, Boyang has the edge, but based on trajectory Jason has the edge. But any of the 5 just below Yuzu have the potential to medal, so it will be decided on the ice. Yuzu is a foregone conclusion. Of course I want to see Jason in silver. To me he is the best skater of the group. And I think he can do it. But it will be a competition.

 

[TontoK]

Nice avatar. :yes:

Did you know that Jay Silverheels is in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame for his athletic exploits in the 1930s? he played on the same team (the Toronto Tecumsehs) with his three brothers, Beef, Porky and Chubby Smith.

Yes, but only because I did some research on him. Tonto was a nickname I picked up a long time ago - and I wanted to learn more about my namesake.

In addition to being a very good athlete, he was also a poet. I haven't come across any of his work in used bookstores, but I haven't really searched online. He was a pioneer for Native actors. Most endearing of all, he kept and cared for his TV horse Scout until the animal's death.

I've wanted to add his photo as my avatar from some time, but only last night took the time and energy to figure out how to do it.

 

[Skater Boy]

Not to me.

1.) If you look at the personal best scores, Jason is 5th, but it’s a super tight field. You have Yuzu at 300+, then Boyang at 270+ and then a whole lot of people in the 260+ range, Jason is one of them.
2.) It’s a huge ask for a skater to reach that level of performance so soon, especially considering the time difference. Not saying Jason is definitely gonna bomb, but historically 4CC hasn’t been an amazing comp for him. The notable example was in 2018, where clearly it was a redemption skate from that heartbreaking nationals and he got bronze. Otherwise, he’s been no higher than 5th.

I know I just spent time arguing that he has a very outside shot at worlds bronze, but the chaos of the men’s field along with the quick turnaround after nationals, means he could easily finish OTP at 4CC. I have very tempered expectations, I hope he proves me wrong.

And you are entitled to your opinion. but it I am not basing it upon the scores this season it is the potential and yes reputation Jason still has it. Just like judges could bury a high tech skaterwithlow pcsifthey wanted;thejudges arguably sometimes hold \j\asonupevenontech even if his jumps are shakey - they weren't in the fs at Natioanls. But the judges love and want to reward Jason. He is more than capable of beatng the hapless Canadian men and Boyang and Yan, Cha, and he is the top American at 4cc's.

 

[TontoK]

And you are entitled to your opinion. but it I am not basing it upon the scores this season it is the potential and yes reputation Jason still has it. Just like judges could bury a high tech skaterwithlow pcsifthey wanted;thejudges arguably sometimes hold \j\asonupevenontech even if his jumps are shakey - they weren't in the fs at Natioanls. But the judges love and want to reward Jason. He is more than capable of beatng the hapless Canadian men and Boyang and Yan, Cha, and he is the top American at 4cc's.

There's really no reason for speculation. We'll know in a week.

Given the many variables, I'm not putting money on anyone, and I'm giving everyone an equal chance to skate their best.

We've seen some very good performances this year, and we've seen some meltdowns and surprising results.

It really has been a fun year for the men.

 

[ayb2]

No comment in here for days! Comments on Jason short program at 4CC? Looking forward to the long...

 

[sworddance21]

No comment in here for days! Comments on Jason short program at 4CC? Looking forward to the long...

Jason's short was GLORIOUS.

 

[karne]

No comment in here for days! Comments on Jason short program at 4CC? Looking forward to the long...

Fantastic. I could hardly breathe. He was wonderful. He gets better and better all the time. The finest of fine wines. Oh my god. I can't even talk. I love him so much.


And as a fun aside, SBSman mentioned another US man he was clearly fond of last night too. When he spoke about Camden being from Scottsdale Arizona, he mentioned that it was "Max Aaron country", "another skater who served the US long and well".

 

[RingOfEndlessLight]

Eeee! Go Jason! I'm going to go ahead and say that his move to Orser and co. was a very good decision. Oh, I'm just so happy for him.

 

[karne]

I'm floating. He was breathtaking. I'm so proud of him.

 

[fzztsimmons]

I am so effing happy right now!! Jason Brown 4cc silver medalist !!!

 

[karne]

And what wonderful momentum to take into Worlds. Silver at Nationals with two clean skates followed by silver at 4CC with two clean skates AND, most importantly, higher PCS than Hanyu. From an international panel. I don't have the words to describe how huge that is.

 

[karne]

Okay. So...

In the last two weeks, Jason has:

• stood up on a quad, one-footed, in competition.
• performed four clean, magnificent programs
• landed six clean, +GOE 3As
• received higher PCS than Chen from a US Nationals panel (aka the Chen-fest panel)
• received higher PCS than Yuzuru Hanyu from an international panel
• won a silver medal at US Nationals
• won a silver medal at the 4CC, beating multiple, multiple quadsters
• never given away an ounce of his performance in spite of being tired from two comps so close together
• (oh, and posed with a cute koala puppet for 4CC Sydney).

Forget everything you thought you knew. Jason is coming for 2022 like a bloody steam train. What would his season have been like without the concussion? We'll never know, but holy hell, if this is anything to go by, it could have been glorious - and next season? Watch out world, because next season, I have no doubt, will be even better.

I actually think he could pull off a Worlds medal. If he stands up on a quad there - it could be enough. The judges just handed him a message that they will go with him if he's clean. Oh my god.

 

[Olympic]

There was talk earlier this season that the US men's bench was thinning due to retirements after 2018 and underperforming on the GP circuit by the newbies, but I hope Nationals and 4CCs put some of that talk to rest. I salute Jason for what he accomplished here: He skated after Hanyu in the SP, then last in the LP to win silver in an intense field of competition. Tomoki and Camden showed a lot more fight and spirit, too.

I imagine Vincent is putting it together at his new rink and I'm fairly confident that he will be even better by Worlds.

 

[sworddance21]

Okay. So...

In the last two weeks, Jason has:

• stood up on a quad, one-footed, in competition.
• performed four clean, magnificent programs
• landed six clean, +GOE 3As
• received higher PCS than Chen from a US Nationals panel (aka the Chen-fest panel)
• received higher PCS than Yuzuru Hanyu from an international panel
• won a silver medal at US Nationals
• won a silver medal at the 4CC, beating multiple, multiple quadsters
• never given away an ounce of his performance in spite of being tired from two comps so close together
• (oh, and posed with a cute koala puppet for 4CC Sydney).

Forget everything you thought you knew. Jason is coming for 2022 like a bloody steam train. What would his season have been like without the concussion? We'll never know, but holy hell, if this is anything to go by, it could have been glorious - and next season? Watch out world, because next season, I have no doubt, will be even better.

I actually think he could pull off a Worlds medal. If he stands up on a quad there - it could be enough. The judges just handed him a message that they will go with him if he's clean. Oh my god.

Yes. All of this!

 

[Makemi]

Jason Jason Jason!!!! By far the performance of the night. So happy for him! Justly rewarded by the judges. Yeah he popped the quad but it took away nothing from that performance. (His score would have gotten him gold at Euros! That's crazy). I'm getting so excited for Worlds now, where I'll get to see this program live!

The FS didn't go quite as well as SP for Tomoki and Camden but a real great effort from both of them. They showed real fight (I'm still not sure how Camden was able to save that 4T in the SP) and the scores will serve them well for getting GPs next season.

Actually since we've only Worlds and Junior Worlds to go, I thought it'd be interesting to see where the guys all stack up in the standings.

Season's Best
1 Nathan CHEN, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, 335.30
4 Jason BROWN, ISU Four Continents Championships, 274.82
23 Camden PULKINEN, GP Skate Canada International, 244.78
27 Tomoki HIWATASHI, ISU Four Continents Championships, 240.78
32 Vincent ZHOU, CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, 231.95
33 Alex KRASNOZHON, CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, 230.11
47 Andrew TORGASHEV, CS Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, 217.54
53 Jimmy MA, CS Finlandia Trophy, 213.49
63 Ryan DUNK, JGP Baltic Cup, 205.90

Jason is 4th on the SB list :shocked: Aymoz is above him but not by much at 275.63. Given Kevin's recent troubles (I heard from the European commentary that he hasn't been back to Florida to train because of visa issues... plus who knows what is going on with his Fed and his coaching team)... Jason on the podium could really happen. Holy cow.

The spoiler will be Vincent and just how close he can get to his form from the end of last season.
(ETA: Shoma is also on the upswing and could play spoiler also, seeing what he did at Japan Nationals. Guess we'll get a better idea when he competes at Challenge Cup).

Andrew's got another shot to raise his SB at JWC. Given what Yuma just did at 4CC and how the Russians have been performing, I think it'll be hard for Andrew to make the podium (but not impossible). He's going to have to really bring it, might even need that 4S after all.

World Standing
1 Nathan CHEN
6 Jason BROWN
12 Vincent ZHOU
23 Camden PULKINEN
24 Tomoki HIWATASHI
28 Alex KRASNOZHON
33 Andrew TORGASHEV
59 Ryan DUNK
69 Jimmy MA

Jason just barely makes the final group at worlds so that is good for him. Unfortunately Vincent skipping most of the season means he's in the 2nd to last group.

Will be interesting (and nerve-wracking) to see how all this plays out! I'm going to need a lot of alcohol to get through this.

 

[Skater Boy]

Okay. So...

In the last two weeks, Jason has:

• stood up on a quad, one-footed, in competition.
• performed four clean, magnificent programs
• landed six clean, +GOE 3As
• received higher PCS than Chen from a US Nationals panel (aka the Chen-fest panel)
• received higher PCS than Yuzuru Hanyu from an international panel
• won a silver medal at US Nationals
• won a silver medal at the 4CC, beating multiple, multiple quadsters
• never given away an ounce of his performance in spite of being tired from two comps so close together
• (oh, and posed with a cute koala puppet for 4CC Sydney).

Forget everything you thought you knew. Jason is coming for 2022 like a bloody steam train. What would his season have been like without the concussion? We'll never know, but holy hell, if this is anything to go by, it could have been glorious - and next season? Watch out world, because next season, I have no doubt, will be even better.

I actually think he could pull off a Worlds medal. If he stands up on a quad there - it could be enough. The judges just handed him a message that they will go with him if he's clean. Oh my god.

Jason has been amazing. I love his program as mentioned before in the FS and he deserves higher generally or usually over Hanyu and Chen. I didn't know he landed a quad on one foot - when, where? That's awesome. At nationals I thought it was underrotated and two footed? No matter this silver gives Jason some confidence depending on what happens he could even podium at worls. If Shoma messes up that bronze medal is open. His pcs are key. Such a wonderful skater to watch quads or no quads. I think most would agree. On the other side, he hasn't progressed much from skaters like Buttle or even Evan who I would not put at the same quality as Buttle or Brown or Lambiel or Chan who IMHO are probably the four best pc skaters ever for men. But he can beat all the Europeans including the russians, Rizzo and Aymoz. He can beat the Canadian rep, Shoma has had issues this year and can be beaten, he can beat the third Japansese man plus Boyang, Cha, Yan and Vincent. Third is not impossible. At the same time a bad skate or he misses his axels and no quad he could be behind almost all of those men which would put him out of the top ten which would be a surprise as he is skating very consistently. Him and Nathan are going to be an awesome team. With Zhou the Americans really look strong. Only the Japanese can compete team wise.

 

[fzztsimmons]

World Standing
1 Nathan CHEN
6 Jason BROWN
12 Vincent ZHOU
23 Camden PULKINEN
24 Tomoki HIWATASHI
28 Alex KRASNOZHON
33 Andrew TORGASHEV
59 Ryan DUNK
69 Jimmy MA

Jason just barely makes the final group at worlds so that is good for him. Unfortunately Vincent skipping most of the season means he's in the 2nd to last group.

Will be interesting (and nerve-wracking) to see how all this plays out! I'm going to need a lot of alcohol to get through this.

I think being in the last group is massively important, particularly in terms of getting that high level PCS scores (that he entirely deserves but is sometimes held back on in earlier groups). He has also shown over the last two competitions that he can hold his nerve when skating after the best of the best both in the SP and the FS which was something he struggled more with last year.

I do think he could potentially have a chance at Bronze but there is also a part of me that wants him to go back to being the underdog that everyone kinda discounted because it makes me way too fricking nervous!!

 

[el henry]

Jason being in the last group at Worlds is important because how else will he get to skate last

Wow, just wow about Four Continents. Not just for his placing, but for the skates that got him there. That is why I watch figure skating. :yes:

 

[Spiralgraph]

Jason skated great at 4CC. Now that I've seen his Schindler's List program several times it's now my favorite program of his, edging out Riverdance. I think a bronze at Worlds will be difficult for him to accomplish but not impossible. Go Jason.