2025 Four Continents Men's Free Skate

[skylark]

It was during the Group 2 Warm-Up.

This link should take you directly to the start of the interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCW9sBUVnJQ&t=3951

I was surprised when she started talking. She has such a grown-up voice for a girl of just 19 years old. If I had missed the introduction (like I did with Bradie's interview), I would have thought it was somebody in their thirties.

But, the conversation gave away her real age. She came across as a really lovely young girl.

Anyway, I hope this helps

CaroLiza_fan

thank you so much! I'll look for it.

 

[skylark]

It was during the men's warm-up.

thank you! I was looking during the time the ice was being redone.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I'm getting more than a little tired of this, can people kindly remember - if they don't already know which they should - that different accents affect the way names are pronouced and heard? Trust me, as someone not from one of the larger. and more insular "our way is the only way" countries... you and your commentators sound just as bad sometimes to a lot of people worldwide.

I respectfully disagree. A person has a name in their language. Even with a speech impediment, I make an effort to say it the way they do. I had a past Japanese American member of this forum help me to say "Kaori". Yes, there are issues with the way things are pronounced in different languages...ask a German to say, "Which way went the winged whipper will?" I have problems with pronouncing names, but not hearing them. But at least I try.

 

[TallyT]

I respectfully disagree. A person has a name in their language. Even with a speech impediment, I make an effort to say it the way they do. I had a past Japanese American member of this forum help me to say "Kaori". Yes, there are issues with the way things are pronounced in different languages...ask a German to say, "Which way went the winged whipper will?" I have problems with pronouncing names, but not hearing them. But at least I try.

That's fine to try (and how do you know that the commentators, who remember have hundreds of them every single competition to get straight don't try also?) but as I said, I am from the outside and with a pronounced and fairly unique 'mixed' accent in that outside I know all too well how trying doesn't always succeed even when we fondly think it does.

I am also a fan, remember, of the skater whose quite simple name was mangled by pretty much every single skating commentator and interviewer on the planet.

But still, I am just getting well and truly over this endless carping this year about non-American commentators. It seems every competition this year there has been someone going 'they sound all wrong', 'why can't we have someone who doesn't talk like that', not only names but also just their speech and their native accent, that that they should sound more 'neutral' even though none of the ones on Peacock, or CBC, or the European networks, or pretty much anywhere, do to non-compatriot ears. (And don't get me started on the 'they don't know the minutiae of every single skater in every single discipline' chorus).

 

[labgoat]

Jimmy Ma skated to Clair de Lune which was his 2022-2023 free skate, a change made since U.S. Nationals. Rereading his U.S. bio also reminded me that it states “Was a concert pianist for 13 years”.

Jimmy Ma - National Team: Figure Skating - U.S. Figure Skating

Jimmy Ma (77) Oct. 11, 1995 - CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS Four Continents bronze medalist (2025) U.S. junior bronze medalist (2014) U.S. junior pewter medalist (2013) U.S.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[thatdarncat]

well done Jimmy

 

[Arigato]

I'm getting more than a little tired of this, can people kindly remember - if they don't already know which they should - that different accents affect the way names are pronouced and heard? Trust me, as someone not from one of the larger. and more insular "our way is the only way" countries... you and your commentators sound just as bad sometimes to a lot of people worldwide.

You should hear how my fellow Americans on the NBC team of commentators screwed up Yuzu's name over and over and over.

YOOOOOOO-ZUH-ROOOOOOOO as if it were the word Kangaroo and HAWN-YOOOOOOO. Seriously, you'd think they were from Tennessee or something with this twang in their voice. Maddening.

Timestamped. Hit play. After listening to him screw up the name, skip ahead to 13:35 and you will hear the woman announcing the score pronounce his name perfectly.

 

[moonvine]

well done Jimmy

Yes!!!!!

 

[moonvine]

Jimmy Ma skated to Clair de Lune which was his 2022-2023 free skate, a change made since U.S. Nationals. Rereading his U.S. bio also reminded me that it states “Was a concert pianist for 13 years”.

Jimmy Ma - National Team: Figure Skating - U.S. Figure Skating

Jimmy Ma (77) Oct. 11, 1995 - CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS Four Continents bronze medalist (2025) U.S. junior bronze medalist (2014) U.S. junior pewter medalist (2013) U.S.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Yes, my fiance is multi talented. I wonder why he made that change.

 

[4everchan]

Jimmy Ma skated to Clair de Lune which was his 2022-2023 free skate, a change made since U.S. Nationals. Rereading his U.S. bio also reminded me that it states “Was a concert pianist for 13 years”.

Jimmy Ma - National Team: Figure Skating - U.S. Figure Skating

Jimmy Ma (77) Oct. 11, 1995 - CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS Four Continents bronze medalist (2025) U.S. junior bronze medalist (2014) U.S. junior pewter medalist (2013) U.S.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

"was a concert pianist for 13 years "
when ? I mean, took piano lessons is one thing.. being a concert pianist is another funny jimmy. Loved his performance this weekend. So happy for him.

 

[labgoat]

Yes, my fiance is multi talented. I wonder why he made that change.

My guess is that he decided to dedicate his skate and La Terre vue du ciel was not the right music. Clair de Lune had that ethereal sound that seemed a better fit. It worked!

 

[labgoat]

"was a concert pianist for 13 years "
when ? I mean, took piano lessons is one thing.. being a concert pianist is another funny jimmy. Loved his performance this weekend. So happy for him.

I see you found the funny bit…that Jimmy.

 

[moonvine]

"was a concert pianist for 13 years "
when ? I mean, took piano lessons is one thing.. being a concert pianist is another funny jimmy. Loved his performance this weekend. So happy for him.

He played at Carnegie Hall, I hear.

Here's an article. https://timothyfeatures.com/jimmy-ma-setting-his-own-course-in-figure-skating/

 

[4everchan]

He played at Carnegie Hall, I hear.

Doesn't mean much as there are many circumstances where that can happen. It doesn't matter... Apparently all figure skaters are pianists

 

[moonvine]

Doesn't mean much as there are many circumstances where that can happen. It doesn't matter... Apparently all figure skaters are pianists

I don't think anyone said that.

 

[4everchan]

I don't think anyone said that.

I am exaggerating... Sometimes, commentators keep telling so and so plays the piano... sometimes, it's to a high level, though not "concert pianist" level... sometimes, it's relatively basic.... I could give you a very long list of skaters who have piano on their "hobbies" just on the ISU bios... I notice these things because, well you know why I have a bunch of kids who do sports and while piano is their main focus, they are pretty good at the sports they do but they would never say : i am a football player or I am a ballet dancer while they are actively pursuing a career as musicians... Jimmy is just being very funny and that's why many of us like him but if Ted of Chris start saying that Jimmy has been a concert pianist for 13 years, I will have to roll my eyes once more

BTW : I am still elated about Jimmy's performance this weekend... and I am not engaged to him so you must be over the moon

 

[4everchan]

He played at Carnegie Hall, I hear.

Here's an article. https://timothyfeatures.com/jimmy-ma-setting-his-own-course-in-figure-skating/

Yeah.. just a blog... we don't even know who the writer is... reading it shows that the blogger knows very little about music but did a good job at sharing Jimmy's multiple talents I wouldn't make too much of this.

PS sorry for the brief off-topic.. at this point, the competition is really over and well I don't think there is much harm having a couple posts about this... in some ways, it's just a celebration of Jimmy Ma's successes this weekend.

 

[moonvine]

I am exaggerating... Sometimes, commentators keep telling so and so plays the piano... sometimes, it's to a high level, though not "concert pianist" level... sometimes, it's relatively basic.... I could give you a very long list of skaters who have piano on their "hobbies" just on the ISU bios... I notice these things because, well you know why I have a bunch of kids who do sports and while piano is their main focus, they are pretty good at the sports they do but they would never say : i am a football player or I am a ballet dancer while they are actively pursuing a career as musicians... Jimmy is just being very funny and that's why many of us like him but if Ted of Chris start saying that Jimmy has been a concert pianist for 13 years, I will have to roll my eyes once more

BTW : I am still elated about Jimmy's performance this weekend... and I am not engaged to him so you must be over the moon

I am indeed over the moon. Yay Jimmy!