Wow, what a cacti event. We had a bit of a screaming contest with the girl seated next to me, I think we appeared on camera a few times screeching our lungs out for the prickly boys ^^' Random thoughts before going to bed :
Aleksandr Selevko was my favourite of the event. I really loved his choreo, commitment, and especially his music (will download it asap, it was lovely). So expressive through his entire body.
Close second, Kazuki ! I'm in the adoring his costume gang x') The mash of colors looked gorgeous live. This program was magnificent, great choreo, great music. He looked like he had a blast. His step sequence was absolute fire.
Super thrilled for Boyang ! I liked his Vienna program better (though this "Same Time Same Place Next Year" lyric was very on point lol), but he looked so happy. I was surprised that there weren't many plushies ; last year there was quite the plushies shower after his SP.
I really quite like Luc, he's been steadily growing on me since last year. I feel like he has a lot more expressivity than he's credited for ; and a very unique style of movement. I suppose it's hard to exist artistically next to Kevin and Adam. I'm sure when his tech stabilises he'll shine too !
Koshiro is such a joy. At some point in his step sequence he gave a huge beaming smile towards my section, and absolute everybody melted. How can anybody resist such a cute smile :')
I absolutely didn't understand the concept behind Lukas' program, and was very puzzled at the costume. Now that I've read it's a sign language program, I will definitely rewatch it (... but maybe a version that he managed to skate clean, poor boy). Loved how he took the technical delay at the beginning of the program (little hip wiggle and giggles ^^). He seems to be such a wholesome lil guy.
Was quite looking forward to seeing Andrew Thorgashev, enjoyed his skate a lot but wasn't that transcended. He does have a lot of quality in his movements, well done to him having one of the most cleanish skates with only a freak fall out of nowhere in true cacti fashion.
I like Mikhail Shaidorov. His Matrix was a bit better choreographically, imo, but Dune can suit him nicely. Huge kudos to him pulling out a 4T+3T combo in the later half after that hard fall on the 4Lz.
I'm worried for François. If he really injured his shoulder I hope he withdraws. He really seemed to be in pain. I loved the opening choreo for his program, lots of nice details and accents throughout but obviously the mistakes took him out of it.
Nikolaj Memola has beautiful balletic qualities, but he struggled just as much as I remembered from last year. I don't find him very memorable yet, I sense he has potential but he needs the right program for it to click imo.
Likewise, Camden is not my cup of tea, mostly because I really don't vibe with any of his program choices. His kiss n cry moment with the Kirby plushy was cute. Don't stab yourself in the head man ! Everybody was menning today, don't beat yourself up too hard.
Adam, well. I didn't have a lot of hopes considering he's coming from quite the injury. He looked really really nervous during the warmup, and so frustrated after his skate. We cheered him on as best we could but he just seemed dejected. His opening combo was really amazing though. The program is a huge mess, as much as I hate to admit I believe SOS d'un terrien en détresse is better than this awful Coolio remix. I have faith that he has the grit to arrive guns blazing tomorrow, but will the health and confidence allow ?
Overall, horrified Benoît exclaiming "OH P*TAIN" during the slow-mo replays was a big mood for this entire event. There were definitive highlights as long as we decide jumps aren't real, but yeah. Wishing approximately everyone a good redemption skate in the free !!
). The first group was actually okay. Best two skaters in terms of skating skills imho were in the first group Andrew (amazing edges and blade control) and Koshiro (lovely flow). They were both underscored in PCS and GOE IMHO. Like Andrew's program a lot better than Koshiro's, but that's just personal preference.
And I might be wrong there but think I've read somewhere that they work in a medical profession...
( with godawful depressing lyrics)
when I see Camden skate now. I EXPECT him to bomb. Way easier to have absolutely NO expectations with him... I'll throw in Jimmy Ma in that same category too ... and then they both show up US Nationals with good performances....another 
