2025 JGP Riga Cup Men's Free Skate

[lariko]

Here's his comments after the free:



He's working on citizenship and could have an easier path for it, but doesn't have it yet. But he knows he'll get valuable experience by competing in Beijing. I don't think it's required for the qualifier since there are several entries that don't fulfill the citizenship requirements for the Olympics yet, such as Soucisse/Firus.


Entries are due January 26, 2026. Unused spots are allocated on January 25. I looked on the German federation website, they'll be making the nominations between January 20-23 (from here, page 7.) The Olympic Charter doesn't have a hard deadline for citizenship under Rule 41.

Thank you for this detailed reply. Tbh, I would have preferred that Starostin went to Bejing if Gartung's citizenship is in flux. Because if GG fails to qualify Germany, it might create tensions unecessary for this early in the career. But, it's a high stake game, so good luck to him. And, yes, it did seem like that fall really took it out of him. Hope they will plan for a failure option in the future layouts and run through those options to give him a breather if he falls.

 

[4everchan]

He was scoring insane on his 4lz combo, with over 20 points, which indeed covered a huge distance. That's what I remember. If Gartung can get his combo fly like that, I would be very, very happy. He does have the height, and narrower shoulders so far, but who knows. He is 17.

GG got 17.84 here for his quad lutz combo. Still tons of points

 

[lariko]

GG got 17.84 here for his quad lutz combo. Still tons of points

Goe was 2. Samarin got 5+. One of the judges gave -2 goe to Gartung for the combo. Another -- 0

 

[4everchan]

Thank you for this detailed reply. Tbh, I would have preferred that Starostin went to Bejing if Gartung's citizenship is in flux. Because if GG fails to qualify Germany, it might create tensions unecessary for this early in the career. But, it's a high stake game, so good luck to him. And, yes, it did seem like that fall really took it out of him. Hope they will plan for a failure option in the future layouts and run through those options to give him a breather if he falls.

I see what you mean but then.. if Nikita went and didn't qualify... he doesn't get to go to the games.. If I were Nikita, would I want to try on my own or would I hope that GG gets it for me ? Dilemma

Regarding the hard fall : he could simply put the 3axel at the fourth position instead of right after the second lutz. That may help

 

[4everchan]

Goe was 2. Samarin got 5+. One of the judges gave -2 goe to Gartung for the combo. Another -- 0

Yup... It's possible to get higher.. I never liked Samarin so I don't remember much of him. I had my other Russian faves back then. Kolyada and Aliev and also Mr Trusova (and I mean Makar Ignatov by that)

 

[lariko]

I see what you mean but then.. if Nikita went and didn't qualify... he doesn't get to go to the games.. If I were Nikita, would I want to try on my own or would I hope that GG gets it for me ? Dilemma

That is exactly what I mean. From acrimony potential pov, it is better if Starostin qualified or fail if he is the only one 100% eligible for Oly. Mixing in Gartung there, with no clear advantage, is just unhealthy.

 

[4everchan]

That is exactly what I mean. From acrimony potential pov, it is better if Starostin qualified or fail if he is the only one 100% eligible for Oly. Mixing in Gartung there, with no clear advantage, is just unhealthy.

The whole spots thing in figure skating is relatively unhealthy to start with.
Pretty much all other sports : athletes have to qualify themselves. With archaic ISU system of spots by Federation, skaters qualify a year ahead of time spots for their country and may not even be able to use them for themselves. A lot can change in a few months as we have already seen so far this year. I wish that figure skaters were allowed to qualify themselves directly for the Olympic games.

 

[lariko]

The whole spots thing in figure skating is relatively unhealthy to start with.
Pretty much all other sports : athletes have to qualify themselves. With archaic ISU system of spots by Federation, skaters qualify a year ahead of time spots for their country and may not even be able to use them for themselves. A lot can change in a few months as we have already seen so far this year. I wish that figure skaters were allowed to qualify themselves directly for the Olympic games.

I completely agree. Still, best wishes to Gartung and hope he has a decent junior season.

Also, well, as much as I love Kolyada in his post-competitive, old intelegenzia through-and-through self, and hope he will be the tv1 pick to host competitions in place of dearly beloved, too early departed Grishin, during competitions, Samarin was far, far more fun to see and listen to, as he typified the big Russian nice all-out devil-may-care guy type, rip the collar of the shirt kind, which media happily exploited. And he truly seemed genuine in that role. Aliev... uhm, as poetic as he comes across on ice, in his detailed interviews, my gosh, I am glad he stuck to skating not poetry.

 

[Arigato]

Yanhao isn't ready for the season yet, but he's still such a beautiful skater. sadly he's not going to get a medal today

He took gold at the Cranberry Cup with a 224.32 score. That was 24 points over Grayson Long who took silver at Cranberry and silver at this event. His skating is wonderful but his head space needs to be in the right place. He'll be fine.

 

[FlossieH]

I support giving him a second JGP but... what if David Bondar gets a medal too and scores about the same points ? Would that mean that he cannot get a second assignment ? Or would that mean that either Anthony or Eddy would lose theirs ? just wondering... there are only 5 spots right ?

What I don't like is that he would know ahead of time before anyone else has a chance to earn theirs.

I think that they are banking on David Bondar not being able to replicate that score or position (he will have lower PCS because he hasn't learnt to really perform yet). If David B did manage it, I suspect that Eddy would lose his spot. Eddy is very inconsistent at the moment.

 

[4everchan]

I think that they are banking on David Bondar not being able to replicate that score or position (he will have lower PCS because he hasn't learnt to really perform yet). If David B did manage it, I suspect that Eddy would lose his spot. Eddy is very inconsistent at the moment.

i know but Eddy is my son LOL