2022 Worlds Pre-Game Chat

[CoyoteChris]

In the previous post-Olympic Worlds 2018 there were many poor LPs after a long season: Zagitova, Kostner, Boyang, Zhou... There was no GP Final this season, do you think the skaters have more energy and motivation now?

I dont skate nor do I compete seriously. But I have heard it said that long and tiring seasons under normal circumstances are very tough and exausting mentally and Physically. I cant imagine what things have been like for them with the pandemic, and all the controvery. I volunteer to take all team Asia and Team USA on a cruise to see calving glaciers in Alaska's Glacier Bay National park May 7th. Dutch treat of course. LOL! Holland America...Dutch treat....get it? So much for my joke skills.

 

[Sai Bon]

So happy you got to go back to Japan and see mum! It looks so beautiful...would love to go there some day. If you see my adopted grand daughter Ruriko, say Hi for me! I dont suppose you will be going to the Tokyo Motorcycle show? She will be there....would love to see so much there....Cherry Blossom time? Will be cheering for all of Team Japan......
View attachment 5077

Amazing photo, CoyoteChris! Not a motorcycling fan, I'm afraid. But yes, it's cherry blossom time! Excited about Worlds, but I won't be going out and enjoying myself. Being from NZ, where social distancing is still the norm, leaving the house in Tokyo is a terrifying experience. Everyone wears masks and there is hand sanitizer everywhere, but distancing is impossible on the street and public transport.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Amazing photo, CoyoteChris! Not a motorcycling fan, I'm afraid. But yes, it's cherry blossom time! Excited about Worlds, but I won't be going out and enjoying myself. Being from NZ, where social distancing is still the norm, leaving the house in Tokyo is a terrifying experience. Everyone wears masks and there is hand sanitizer everywhere, but distancing is impossible on the street and public transport.

I am so sorry. I still wear a mask because I have chronic obstructive pulminary desease, but only inside. I was saddened to learn reading the Wall street Journal that New Z. has issues with anti maskers/anti vaxers.....
Japan is very interesting. As Ruriko (on youtube) rides her test bikes around Japan and gives her layperson's opinions of them, her helmet camera gives a sense of what riding in Japan is like, Urban and rural....I would love to ride the ferry system there, and of course here is WA we have our own ferry system....and Japan seems to have lots of wonderful small cafes and eateries.
There is a long history of Japan and the US sharing cherry trees of all sorts of varieties.....

History of the Cherry Trees - Cherry Blossom Festival (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

In TSL's most recent episode DL comments on some of what the feeling is in the skating community regarding upcoming Worlds in Montpelier, sans the Russian and Chinese athletes. There's also additional news/ chatter that the sanctions against Russia, including their athletes' inability to compete next season, will remain in force. And there are questions about electing someone to replace Lakernik's position with the ISU.

Apparently, Morisi K (of Georgia) will be competing at Worlds, despite being trained by Russian coaches. DL said Morisi has been training in Italy recently, rather than in Russia. It isn't known who will be coaching him at rinkside.

 

[Sabine]

As I have heard Russian coaches are allowed by ISU. So we will probably see some Russians standing at the boards in Montpellier.

 

[Apple1078]

I'm pretty sure Rukavicin said he wouldn't be able to go with Nastya Gubanova.

 

[Dawn825]

In TSL's most recent episode...
There's also additional news/ chatter that the sanctions against Russia, including their athletes' inability to compete next season, will remain in force. And there are questions about electing someone to replace Lakernik's position with the ISU.

I think its wishful thinking on his part tbh. A lot can and will change in the world in the next 6 month's, there's no way of predicting the state of the sanctions come next season. As for Lakernik, we know someone or several someone are proposing a rule change to let him stay on. We do not know of any conspiracy among other someones to block it. DL is not reporting that he's heard of such a plan, only that perhaps he hopes there will be. As do I but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

 

[Ziotic]

I don’t see sanctions being lifted in the next 3-6 months which would mean no GP for Russia/ Belarus

Perhaps they may get to participate in the back half of the season Euro/ Worlds, but I highly doubt we see them in the GP.

I would also say it’s even less likely if they wear “Z” gear during their national competitions as well. Which seems in line with what we’ve been seeing at rallies so far.

 

[lariko]

Basically, we'll never see them again... I knew it, I just knew it.

 

[siberia82]

Jackie Wong has reported that Roman Sadovsky may have switched back to his "Exogenesis" SP from last season.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Mana looks SO MUCH BETTER in practice here than at the Olympics... landed a 3A in the last minutes of practice. Hopefully she can have two redemption skates at Worlds.

 

[skylark]

I would also say it’s even less likely if they wear “Z” gear during their national competitions as well. Which seems in line with what we’ve been seeing at rallies so far.

What is "Z" gear? Is there a link? Or maybe a quick explanation is quicker?

 

[ptvvibezz]

What is "Z" gear? Is there a link? Or maybe a quick explanation is quicker?

Here's a good article explaining Z https://www.npr.org/2022/03/09/1085471200/the-letter-z-russia-ukraine

SinKats and T/M were wearing a Z on their Olympic jacket at a pro-war concert Putin spoke at.

 

[skylark]

Here's a good article explaining Z https://www.npr.org/2022/03/09/1085471200/the-letter-z-russia-ukraine

SinKats and T/M were wearing a Z on their Olympic jacket at a pro-war concert Putin spoke at.

 

[lariko]

Mana looks SO MUCH BETTER in practice here than at the Olympics... landed a 3A in the last minutes of practice. Hopefully she can have two redemption skates at Worlds.

I would love for Kawabe to skate well even if it means 6/6 Japanese podiums in singles.

 

[lariko]

Apparently, Morisi K (of Georgia) will be competing at Worlds, despite being trained by Russian coaches.

His was bred, born, raised, lived and trained in Moscow all his life. Same goes for some other skaters participating. I hope ISU starts looking asap into allowing flag switches or independent category for competitors. None of it would have happened if the skaters didn't represent countries, but only themselves.

 

[skatingiscool]

Coach situation for American women team remains mystery. According to Jackie Wong notes:

"Alysa Liu is here with Phillip DiGuglielmo; Mariah Bell is here without coaches"

What's happening?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Coach situation for American women team remains mystery. According to Jackie Wong notes:

"Alysa Liu is here with Phillip DiGuglielmo; Mariah Bell is here without coaches"

What's happening?

I saw Mariah leaving Raf, as he seems to have eyes for no one but Nathan and Ilia but at this point I am so confused by Alysa's coaching situation. At least it seems to be working out, the 3A has been going really well in practice so far.

 

[el henry]

Coach situation for American women team remains mystery. According to Jackie Wong notes:

"Alysa Liu is here with Phillip DiGuglielmo; Mariah Bell is here without coaches"

What's happening?

Philip DiGuglielmo is a senior ranked coach at St. Moritz, Alysa's skating club.

http://www.stmoritzisc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-SMISC-Bios.pdf

I believe she has been training in the Bay Area since the Olympics. although I don't follow her, so I could be wrong.

Mariah has never been Raf's priority, IMO, and no way he was going if Nathan wasn't. I presume Adam had previous commitments. I hope she does have someone with her in the KnC.

 

[Gg Gg]

I'm sorry but after the war it's possible that Russia and other countries began to watch 'international' associations like COI, ISU.... it's possible to see something unthinkible, if not now or this year in the next. Sorry but push have his pull.