My thoughts on the final group:
Cha - I can't think of the last time I've seen him land both the quad salchow and toe in the same program so well. I guess he's not doing three quads anymore. Not my favourite music, but solid pre-Olympic performance. Insane to think that a program like that, with almost 100 tech, and excellent PCS scores, could potentially not finish near the podium in Milan if all the men skate to their potential...
Jing - I can't think of a single skater who is so beloved in his home country - it's like watching and blizzard of stuffies every time he skates in China. But the emptiness of his program, lack of speed and flow, Etc are very, very evident when skating after Cha. In the first minute or so, it honestly looked like he was just doing warm-up stroking around to the rink... but good job for getting both quads and a lot of solid tech.
Shaidorov - after the first couple measures of music I thought hooray, a new program - this sounds like 'The Godfather' - and then... it wasn't. Only about 60 to 90 seconds before the screaming vocals made their first unwelcome entrance. When that percussive section begins about three quarters of the way through, I was transported back to the standard early 90s women's skating program with the cheesy choreographic moves for about 5 or 10 seconds. The momentary nostalgia was the part I enjoyed most of this program, lol. The program certainly didn't seem to have much of a reaction from the audience, or (Simon? Chris?) either - he really seemed to be searching for something to say afterwards.... "his choreography wasn't my cup of tea" - I can't think of a more British way to convey his feelings, lol. Shaidorov is definitely having issues with his triple axels this year...
Yamamoto - his rotating position is so loose and haphazard on his triple axles - I'm always astounded when he lands them based on how they look in the air. He always looks like he's jumping off a cliff and hoping for the best on his axels ... in general he seems to be holding back. If I never hear a cover of Hallelujah for the rest of my life I will be more than happy.
Tomono - not the skate he needed to win, but his skating is just so solid overall. Funny, although there isn't much Variety in the music, the program really does go by quickly. I like how the commentator is calling the tech panel here about their pretty obvious ignoring of under rotated jumps throughout the event...
Miura - I remember first seeing him when he won Junior world's and Four Continents in the same year, I believe, and the development in his artistry, control, and expression is great to watch. I just love how he goes into his jumps with such speed and abandon. It reminds me of Osmond in that way - when the jumps are on they are spectacular, if a little less consistent. I feel like I can't fault his rotating position. Camel spin still needs work- but this program is such a big step up for him.
Overall, I don't have much to quibble about with the results.
It was Cha's 6th and 1st which did it for him, and the skaters who had been above him in the short not dropping far despite lower FS scores.
