2024 JGP Solidarity Cup Men's FS

[labgoat]

I have decided to believe that if Minkyu made it to JGPF after that SP Jaekeun can definitely grab a spot, don't tell me otherwise or I'm not going to be able to go to sleep. Right now the plan is to finally do something non-skating related and trying again to fix my sleep schedule, wish me luck on the latter. Thank you all so much for keeping me company, see you next week

It was fun, get some good rest for the next few days and rejoin us for more fun later in the week!

 

[lariko]

There is no repeat gold option in Slovenia, so even Li/Sanchez repeat gold, the remaining gold winners are likely to beat Lukas in a tie. This was a low scoring event.

And, actually, I forgot Li. He is likely to bring NZ into the final.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Current JGPF qualification standings (of skaters with two finished JGPs):

1. Sena Takahashi - 28 (15+13)
2. Minkyu Seo - 26 (15+11)
3. Lukas Vaclavik - 24 (15+9)
4. Shunsuke Nakamura - 24 (13+11)
5. Tamir Kuperman - 18 (9+9)
6. Anthony Paradis - 10 (3+7)

Still to compete at their second JGP (JGP Ljubljana & JGP Wuxi)

1. Yanhao Li - 15
2. Jacob Sanchez - 15
3. Jaekun Lee - 13
4. Rio Nakata - 13
5. Patrick Blackwell - 13
6. Adam Hagara - 11
7. Arlet Levandi - 11
8. Tonghe Tian - 11
9. Haru Kakiuchi - 9
10. Ean Weiler - 9

 

[FlossieH]

There is no repeat gold option in Slovenia, so even Li/Sanchez repeat gold, the remaining gold winners are likely to beat Lukas in a tie. This was a low scoring event.

And, actually, I forgot Li. He is likely to bring NZ into the final.

Sanchez is competing in Slovenia? He's replaced Taira Shinohara, so it is possible for a repeat gold there. Yanhao Li is competing in China. It is still possible for two skaters to score 30. I don't think it will happen, but it is possible.

 

[el henry]

Anthony won a bronze?!?

ETA: Oops, that's the FS!

(Although I am sorry that Sena, who I predicted for first, bombed the FS )

I am not sure what the skating future holds for Anthony, but what he brings to the ice, you can't teach, and that is what I prize most in a skater.

And I unironically and without reservation love his costumes and his style.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Anthony won a bronze?!?

No, he didn't. He is in fifth.

 

[FlossieH]

Anthony won a bronze?!?

(Although I am sorry that Sena, who I predicted for first, bombed the FS )

I am not sure what the skating future holds for Anthony, but what he brings to the ice, you can't teach, and that is what I prize most in a skater.

And I unironically and without reservation love his costumes and his style.

Anthony Paradis finished 5th overall. I think you're looking at the FP results, not the overall one.

 

[lariko]

Sanchez is competing in Slovenia? He's replaced Taira Shinohara, so it is possible for a repeat gold there. Yanhao Li is competing in China. It is still possible for two skaters to score 30. I don't think it will happen, but it is possible.

Oh, it's not reflected in the standings yet. If the 2 repeats happen, then 6th place is up, but I think Lucas is still looking at sub list because there gotta be silver+silver combo

 

[el henry]

Thanks @FlossieH and @CrazyKittenLady, mistaking the FS has fooled me on more than one occasion.

Still, I'll take third in the FS too.

 

[4everchan]

Oh, it's not reflected in the standings yet. If the 2 repeats happen, then 6th place is up, but I think Lucas is still looking at sub list because there gotta be silver+silver combo

there are 8 guys in the running for 6 spots (it's not over for the others but it's going to be tough).
At this point, Sena and Minkyu are in.
For the rest, of course Li and Sanchez have the best shots and can secure their spots by placing 1st or 2nd. Placing 3rd would put them in a tie-breaker situation with at least one skater Minkyu.

Jaekun, Rio and Patrick can secure their spot by winning their event. They could be considered with another silver, but tie-breakers are most likely to happen.

Lukas is not in the best position for sure. He should wish for Li and Sanchez to grab the big 15 points and for the 13 point guys and 11 point guys to trade points... then, he would qualify. It's too early of course to tell what will happen. Li seems solid. Sanchez can be prickly. Rio is Rio. Adam could win his event What is certain is that there will be more than 2 countries represented.

 

[Dreamer57]

And how did I once again get all of the skaters in the top 5, but in completely the wrong order?

I just got Anthony in the right position.

I think On Ice Perspectives should go back to him and film his wonderful free program with all double jumps!

Btw I was really impressed with Lukas in this competition. He's an engaging skater. With no falls in either program, I can get behind this gold! Also, really cool to hear the Slovakian anthem

 

[lariko]

there are 8 guys in the running for 6 spots (it's not over for the others but it's going to be tough).
At this point, Sena and Minkyu are in.
For the rest, of course Li and Sanchez have the best shots and can secure their spots by placing 1st or 2nd. Placing 3rd would put them in a tie-breaker situation with at least one skater Minkyu.

Jaekun, Rio and Patrick can secure their spot by winning their event. They could be considered with another silver, but tie-breakers are most likely to happen.

Lukas is not in the best position for sure. He should wish for Li and Sanchez to grab the big 15 points and for the 13 point guys and 11 point guys to trade points... then, he would qualify. It's too early of course to tell what will happen. Li seems solid. Sanchez can be prickly. Rio is Rio. Adam could win his event What is certain is that there will be more than 2 countries represented.

I will be hoping for 4 out of the maximum of 7: J, K, NZ, US, S, C, E. I don't think I can calculate the most probable option for 5 or 6, but I think Hagara, Levandi and Tian have to win gold or some really odd placements to happen.

For women, it's likely 2, unless Goidina wins in Slovenia.

 

[NoNameFace]

BTW, Lukas also got the crown hehe
Plus have two cool stories to tell later

Okay, so the stories if anyone is still interested...(@Ichatdelune , adding you as you may be interested about 1st one)
So, Minkyu's group came for FS. I'm in the chaos of making Jakub Lofek's crown, for some reason stood up and turned around for a bit during warm-up and...Yujae Kim with coach or event 'chaperone' (unsure really) stands and says her gratitude fir the feather crown (or just crowns from me in general). I'm already in babble mode, thanking HER and probably making fool of myself (she is just so beautiful up close, plus her hair was in cute braids). So I went back to work, being aware that they are sitting behind me and definitely noticing my crafting. Minkyu comes, I grab packaged crown for him and dart close to short side to throw it. Come back, as Minkyu was last one in the group, Yujae and co. are departing. Out of sudden, a tap on my arm. Yujae shows me her phone screen with some kind of translation app. And a text translated from Korean to English, something along the lines of '[the crown] it's so pretty, I'll cherish it forever'.
Cue my internal tears starting flowing.

Not even 5 minutes later, a woman approaches me, showing picture of Summer Homick and Nicholas Buelow, her so pretty in the crown, asking if it was me making it. I confirm, she starts thanking me for making their JGP moment so special, that I'm so talented and it's so good to have something doing this thing for skaters.
At this point my eyes are wet and I'm proving to myself that it's always worth to do it and go.

 

[lariko]

Okay, so the stories if anyone is still interested...(@Ichatdelune , adding you as you may be interested about 1st one)
So, Minkyu's group came for FS. I'm in the chaos of making Jakub Lofek's crown, for some reason stood up and turned around for a bit during warm-up and...Yujae Kim with coach or event 'chaperone' (unsure really) stands and says her gratitude fir the feather crown (or just crowns from me in general). I'm already in babble mode, thanking HER and probably making fool of myself (she is just so beautiful up close, plus her hair was in cute braids). So I went back to work, being aware that they are sitting behind me and definitely noticing my crafting. Minkyu comes, I grab packaged crown for him and dart close to short side to throw it. Come back, as Minkyu was last one in the group, Yujae and co. are departing. Out of sudden, a tap on my arm. Yujae shows me her phone screen with some kind of translation app. And a text translated from Korean to English, something along the lines of '[the crown] it's so pretty, I'll cherish it forever'.
Cue my internal tears starting flowing.

Not even 5 minutes later, a woman approaches me, showing picture of Summer Homick and Nicholas Buelow, her so pretty in the crown, asking if it was me making it. I confirm, she starts thanking me for making their JGP moment so special, that I'm so talented and it's so good to have something doing this thing for skaters.
At this point my eyes are wet and I'm proving to myself that it's always worth to do it and go.

Aww, that's sweet!

 

[TallyT]

I am feeling dizzy... my ears hear 4 seasons which for me is Patrick... and my eyes see a Yuzuru outfit.... and then, I blink and I see a shorter skater à la Shoma...

All in one Sena !

You gotta admit that would be quite the starry mix...

I see Sena didn't do well in the free but still got second and his place in the final? And Minkyu managed to climb all the way up onto the podium and should make it too?

 

[Skating Bobr]

All the other Dune choreographers of this season can go cry in a corner now.

I have a feeling that Benoit will do a stellar job on Adam SHF's Dune free program. The guy always picks great pieces from soundtracks and has phenomenal cuts. Not to mention, unmatched choreo. I'm so excited, hopefully I won't be disappointed

I wonder why the Dune soundtrack is so popular in fs. I think it's very difficult to convincingly interpret on the ice.

As a huge fan of Dune (I saw the movies at least twice in theatres in IMAX and everything), the two soundtracks have amazing music with lots of potential. Weirdly enough, so far no one in singles has picked the really soulful pieces and all the programs I've heard have sounded a bit underwhelming to me because they have the same two themes being repeated (e.g. House Atreides theme being Leaving Caladan and any variation of it, and the vocals from the Gom Jabbar theme).

I'm going to go on a rant here directed at the music cutters in case they read this forum.

Why is no one doing a choreographic sequence to Ripples in the Sand or Kiss the Ring? Why is no one telling the story of Paul's turn into the Messiah? Why is no one touching the "villain" pieces such as Holy War, Harkonnen Arena or Arrival? The Dune series have rich, complex characters and Hans Zimmer gave them the perfect music, there is great material to work with, but so far the music cutters have not done the films or music justice.

And its not just Dune, I've been hearing terrible soundtrack cuts for years and it pains me so much when some of my favourite tv shows and movies are cut by people who seem like they haven't watched the shows or movies and just take random pieces from the soundtracks and put them together. Like, there's a storyline, why am I hearing 3 pieces in a span of 30 seconds? Just when I finally settle into a song, its being transitioned into another, and I'm never given the chance to get invested emotionally in the program because there's about 6 transitions happening. Especially with Hans Zimmer's music which has all the layering and transitions you need.

Just take 2, max 3 pieces and work with them. I don't want to hear 4+ songs in one program, it's too much. For example, Wakaba Higuchi has at least 4 pieces from Dune (the three she listed + Worm Army that plays at the end), not to mention the layering done over Harvester Attack with a piece from the Dune Sketchbook and it's her short program. Because of that, I can't get immersed in the program since it feels so saturated.

And it has nothing to do with the skater and how they skate. The music is the canvas that choreographers and skaters work with. We need to treat it with love, and remember that less is more, that quality over quantity. Maybe my standards are high, but you're cutting music for world class athletes and y'all are charging thousands to cut a program. Even I can cut better on audacity.

The skaters and fans deserve better.

End rant

 

[Skating Bobr]

He is that good, not doubting that, I was just not expecting him to win the free (thought 2nd or 3rd at most). And now I need to wait to see him skate clean because I need to see what kind of PCS he gets when clean this season

I told you after the SP that Minkyu would pull this off

I didn't want to jinx anyone, but my stats said that other men might not have the skates they need. Although, I definitely did not expect Tamir to go for 2 quads or for Sena to skate like that (I feel like I jinxed him when I said his jumps looked very reliable in the short). Must be the nerves from trying to clinch a spot in the JGPF. Which should make the next two JGPs interesting and may lead to unexpected results. And congrats to Lukas, he just did his planned programs mostly clean and that was enough!

Also, someone tell Mark to stop saying that the men seem to be having decent skates halfway through the competition, because I swear every time he says that, they start falling and popping.

 

[4everchan]

You gotta admit that would be quite the starry mix...

I see Sena didn't do well in the free but still got second and his place in the final? And Minkyu managed to climb all the way up onto the podium and should make it too?

Patrick's skating skills on anyone and I buy unfortunately, not even Yuma is there yet

 

[Sabsi]

Mao Shimada would have won the Men‘s Event by over 17 Points. That‘s a number, isn‘t it?

 

[Skating Bobr]

Mao Shimada would have won the Men‘s Event by over 17 Points. That‘s a number, isn‘t it?

She would be in front of Lukas in current Junior Men's JGP standings (if she were to have her JGP Riga skate of 204.86 in the men's category which would give her 4th place, plus the 1st place here). Girl would actually have a shot at the Junior Men's JGP final spot. That's impressive