2025-26 Grand Prix Final Men's Short Program

[labgoat]

Gasp! Third! Ilia's probably like 'What's that number? I've never seen it before?!'

 

[cocteautwin]

I will enjoy this results at least untill Saturday
Lunch break time.

 

[labgoat]

Now a short break and onto the dance...I have to brace myself for the slings and arrows again!

 

[skatingguy]

That 4Axel step out should mean +COMBO right?

No, he can make the second jump a combination as he did - they usually add the +COMBO to the second solo jump, like with Adam Siao Him Fa, than to the first.

 

[Arriba627]

Not Ilia's best skate. He'll have to pull out the heavy artillery in the free. Shaky combo with not much flow. Come on Ilia, fight in the free!

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Gasp! Third! Ilia's probably like 'What's that number? I've never seen it before?!'

I was curious.

Last time he was 3rd in the SP was 2024 Worlds.

He went on to win the title by 24.11 points... over Kagayama (who was 2nd in the SP and 3rd in the FS).

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Dawn825]

Even the 4Lutz+3toe lacked Ilia’s usual quality. Shades of Nathan Chen; it’s best to just stick with a layout to get it consistent rather than changing layouts at major events.

I disagree. Ilia trying crazy shit is the only Ilia I want to see. Being exciting is his whole thing, otherwise what else are we watching him for? I'd rather watch Yuma twice lol.

 

[lileychristie]

Uh-oh, I hope not! But maybe you're right....I'm not sure what the rules are now.

I just checked the protocols and no it's not +COMBO and the 4Lz-3T combo was counted as valid indeed...

They must've changed the rules somewhat recently, I thought 4A in men's SP had the same effect as 3A in junior women's SP. But I might be wrong this whole time

 

[museksk8r]

I disagree. Ilia trying crazy shit is the only Ilia I want to see. Being exciting is his whole thing, otherwise what else are we watching him for? I'd rather watch Yuma twice lol.

I never said I don’t want to see him attempting higher difficulty, but it should have been his planned layout all season instead of just introducing it at the GPF when he’s not consistent and comfortable with it.

 

[Karoltyna]

Had impromptu meeting just after Adam went down, what the heck happened?

 

[YuBluByMe]

I really don't think he is in any danger of losing this event unless he skates similarly. Sometimes risks work and sometimes they don't.

14 points is a big lead, but it’s not impossible. Ilia’s free skate base value is huge and it’ll need to be at Montreal level of cleanliness if Kagiyama skates lights out in the free. There’s pressure on both skaters and Kagiyama’s the nervy one, not Ilia. I’m looking forward to the results!

 

[Arriba627]

Men's free should be VERY interesting. How many saguaros will there be?

 

[Miya88]

the arena is so small

 

[museksk8r]

May the mightiest cactus win!

 

[SmileHappy34]

Men was okay a bit sloppy not their best except Yuma

As far as quads all did them . But ho human even Ilia quad axel.
It looks sloppy compared to a clean skate and barely landing jump edge. Yuma manage on two jumps 3x and single quad but not on combination.
The program looks rushed.

 

[lariko]

I never said I don’t want to see him attempting higher difficulty, but it should have been his planned layout all season instead of just introducing it at the GPF when he’s not consistent and comfortable with it.

It is his only chance to try it out in a high stakes competition before Olympics, to see if it is worth the risk when it actually counts. Once Olympics rolls on, nobody would care who won the GPF this year. I get the strategy. I assume this means no 4A3T until the Worlds. What he will do in the free is a question mark. Either double down on trying to produce 4A3T to get the cheevo this way irregardless of final placement or go to a safer layout to have a chance at gold/silver. We'll see.

 

[reader3]

Nice work by Yuma and Shun but disappointing for Ilia. He needs to concentrate and not get too risky. He does enough risky things and must beware of injury. He can experiment at Worlds, after the OG's. Doing a show during the season doesn't help either.

Edit in: Just say the top 3 skates on Peacock. So much for those who think IM is overscored. At first I thought he may have fallen when I read the reviews here and in the pm or saw the scores. Having said that Yuma is my 2nd fave skater. He did connect with the audience, smile more,good dance moves, seemed relaxed and was joyous in the knc. Shun seems serious- good skate but I didn't like the music. I wish Misha could have done better. He's a fave of mine as well. Not sure why he's a bit off this season, unlike last.

 

[GGFan]

So awesome to see Yuma deliver. I have not been a big fan of the music choice, but he really sold it today. The steps and the charisma were there.

Other than that Shun's consistency and Adam's step sequence were the only memorable things for me.

 

[reader3]

It is his only chance to try it out in a high stakes competition before Olympics, to see if it is worth the risk when it actually counts. Once Olympics rolls on, nobody would care who won the GPF this year. I get the strategy. I assume this means no 4A3T until the Worlds. What he will do in the free is a question mark. Either double down on trying to produce 4A3T to get the cheevo this way irregardless of final placement or go to a safer layout to have a chance at gold/silver. We'll see.

Hope you are right @lariko. My daughter says something similar to what you are saying.

 

[Demandred]

Yuma was fantastic, when he is on, he is really on. And I just love this program for him.

Shun was very impressive too, he's having a great year.

Ilia risked too much with this 4A, but he can afford it, he'd probably still win if he delivers in the free, his tech content is ridiculous and Yuma has been shaky this year.