Georgia qualified and I think Ukraine is the tenth place.I haven't been paying attention to the point system for countries to qualify, but Georgia is pretty much set as the 10th country right?
Georgia qualified and I think Ukraine is the tenth place.I haven't been paying attention to the point system for countries to qualify, but Georgia is pretty much set as the 10th country right?
I'm starting to wonder if this is not quite so in the bag for the Russians as I once thought.
People are talking about the Japanese, but...
It's certainly within the realm of possibility that USA could win both phases of the men, both phases of the dance (remember that the French did not qualify for the team event, and the Russians may not want to risk the extra mileage for their top dance team, given his injury). If they can manage thirds in the women and pairs... again, not out of the realm of possibiity... then that's a pretty good outing.
I still think the Russians are favored, but this thing isn't a slam dunk by any stretch.
I haven't been paying attention to the point system for countries to qualify, but Georgia is pretty much set as the 10th country right?
Yes but at the same time I can see a possibility where Japan is close to USA too. If Japan wins both menās segments while USA is 2nd, 2nd in ladies while USA is 4th (Gubanova in 3rd), and 3rd in pairs while USA is 4th, they have a 8 point advantage. So it all comes down to ice dance then, and if S/K do skate then the Americans are in 2nd and Japan could be maybe 7th in the RD and 4th in the FD (beating Kazakova/Reviya in this case, with Guignard/Fabbri not qualifying to the free). Then Japan is one point ahead.I'm starting to wonder if this is not quite so in the bag for the Russians as I once thought.
People are talking about the Japanese, but...
It's certainly within the realm of possibility that USA could win both phases of the men, both phases of the dance (remember that the French did not qualify for the team event, and the Russians may not want to risk the extra mileage for their top dance team, given his injury). If they can manage thirds in the women and pairs... again, not out of the realm of possibiity... then that's a pretty good outing.
I still think the Russians are favored, but this thing isn't a slam dunk by any stretch.
Russia wasnāt a clear favourite for 2018. It was very much a two horse race.Russia was also the clear favorite in 2018 until Kolyada bombed big time so anything can happen.
I dont think there will be a lot of movements in Dance and Pairs but the Women's especially the Men's Ranking is going to make the difference.
Yes, absolutely. I mentioned Japan in my original post. It depends on how the skaters perform, and there are many wild cards... and not just among the medal contenders.Yes but at the same time I can see a possibility where Japan is close to USA too. If Japan wins both menās segments while USA is 2nd, 2nd in ladies while USA is 4th (Gubanova in 3rd), and 3rd in pairs while USA is 4th, they have a 8 point advantage. So it all comes down to ice dance then, and if S/K do skate then the Americans are in 2nd and Japan could be maybe 7th in the RD and 4th in the FD (beating Kazakova/Reviya in this case, with Guignard/Fabbri not qualifying to the free). Then Japan is one point ahead.
What I am pretty confident about is that these three teams will be the podium. Canada seemed to be challenging but with the scores Schizas, the pairs, and G/P got this fall theyāre just too far back even if Messing goes clean
For some reason you continue insisting this even though it's not true. If Hanyu skates the short but not the free (likely) then Vincent vs. Uno is an even match up:So, not much about the battle for Gold in this event has changed. The key thing for USA remains - Nathan Chen MUST skate both the SP and LP of the Team Event in order for USA to have a realistic chance. USA winning is likely going to require 1st place in both the SP and LP of Men's, and Russia placing poorly in that event. They can not risk putting Vincent Zhou in, he hasn't shown consistency and even at his best he won't beat the Japanese guy if they are at their best.
Yes!!!!!!! It's absolutely beautiful and he throws his heart and soul into it!!!!I really hope Zhou gets to skate the SP. i just love it
I cringe when I think of Canada but I hope for a miracle. They could be the spoilers if they can somehow beat the US in pairs and dance.Yes but at the same time I can see a possibility where Japan is close to USA too. If Japan wins both menās segments while USA is 2nd, 2nd in ladies while USA is 4th (Gubanova in 3rd), and 3rd in pairs while USA is 4th, they have a 8 point advantage. So it all comes down to ice dance then, and if S/K do skate then the Americans are in 2nd and Japan could be maybe 7th in the RD and 4th in the FD (beating Kazakova/Reviya in this case, with Guignard/Fabbri not qualifying to the free). Then Japan is one point ahead.
What I am pretty confident about is that these three teams will be the podium. Canada seemed to be challenging but with the scores Schizas, the pairs, and G/P got this fall theyāre just too far back even if Messing goes clean
Itās absolutely magic live! That it gives goosebumps for two years in a row is a testimony to how beautiful it is. I loved some programs last year that skaters brought back, but this year it felt staleā¦ but Zhouās one is just so compelling. Doesnāt hurt that I am a sucker for a solid story/character going on in the program.Yes!!!!!!! It's absolutely beautiful and he throws his heart and soul into it!!!!
If you're looking at somebody to skate the free while Hanyu does the short, it's notable that Yuma finished ahead of Shoma in the free at nationals.Yuma would have been a bigger threat to Vincent with his score of 197.49 this season at GP Italy, but after finishing 3rd at nationals he is unlikely to skate the team event.
If Hanyu skates the short but not the free (likely) then Vincent vs. Uno is an even match up
I really don't understand why they didn't put men's FS on Day 2 of the team event in order to give them at least one day to rest for the individual SP.Not because USFS cares one whit about denying or allowing anyone else a team medal, but because Nathan is not skating back to back days. And I donāt blame him. And USFS wonāt make him.
I donāt understand why the team event is before the individualI really don't understand why they didn't put men's FS on Day 2 of the team event in order to give them at least one day to rest for the individual SP.
I don't think USFS is going to sacrifice a good chance of Chen winning individual Gold for a slim chance at team Gold. Period. Full stop.No it isn't an even matchup. Vincent was destroyed by Uno at NHK and Uno hasn't reached his potential peak yet with his jump layout for the season. Vincent has no room to improve over what he did at Skate America and likely will not repeat that performance again, as he's now trying to live up to that career-best moment and doesn't have the mental fortitude to do it.
To be the most competitive you don't want an "even matchup" either. You want to select the team that has the highest chance of winning. That team inherently means Nathan skating both segments. You're very incorrect that it's unlikely to come down to 2 points between any two teams, that can happen in many scenarios and it's completely anti-competitive to act like it's some unforeseen possibility. IF Russia dominates after the SP, then maybe you can "give up" at that point, since there might not be enough ground to be gained in the LP of this extremely poorly structured event. It would need to be a blowout though, to the extent that Russia bombing the Men's and Pair's LP would still allow them to win even if USA places the best that could possibly be expected in the LP.
Also, this talk that Vincent would be "denied" an Olympic medal by Nathan skating both segments is ridiculous. Only 2 of the disciples are allowed to be split. If Vincent is doing the team event then it means HE is robbing either a woman or a dance team of their Olympic medal, as they would then not be allowed to compete.
Not to mention he has a solid 10 pt lead for free score internationallyIf you're looking at somebody to skate the free while Hanyu does the short, it's notable that Yuma finished ahead of Shoma in the free at nationals.
Russia was also the clear favorite in 2018 until Kolyada bombed big time so anything can happen.
I dont think there will be a lot of movements in Dance and Pairs but the Women's especially the Men's Ranking is going to make the difference.