Grand Prix Final Preview

[OldSkaterMom]

The mens event is pretty open now, it is not open to just anyone though, there is a select group of elite contenders who are much better then the larger bulk of the field, but it is pretty open among that group depending on the day. Any of Joubert, Takahashi, Oda, Lysacek, Weir, Lambiel (my own favorite), or Verner, are capable of winning depending how the skates go down on that day. Some of those guys like Lysacek, Weir, Takahashi, and Joubert are quite consistent, to varying degrees, but none is of yet a Plushenko-like machine who pretty much never misses a single thing (and I am no Plushenko fan, so I am not saying I miss him either, but competitively he was that, a machine). Lambiel, Verner, and even Oda are wildly inconsistent but can be brilliant and have a chance to win among the current field on their better days, especialy Lambiel. Chan might be close to entering this group. Buttle is no longer part of this group IMO.

Very well said. I totally agree. It is too bad, however, that Buttle appears to be on the outs.

 

[OldSkaterMom]

I really hope his longterm strategy pays off. I wish he would not go for a quad in short program though. He could win SA if not for that fall.

Lysacek has to go for the quad in the short program because Joubert and Lambiel have it, so he is going to need it. Better to work on it now when the medals don't really count, than to wait until later. Practicing it in competition is the only way it will become secure. Plushenko did it for two years before it became consistent, and as Slutskayafan21 said, he became a machine. Plushenko has been Lysacek's role model and has learned a lot from him.

It makes me really nervous about the SP too, especially going into Nationals. I really wonder if he will go for it there, considering how costly it can be. I know he plans on two quads in the FS. He said that at the CoC press conference.

But we can be totally sure that he will put quads in both programs at the GPF. With Brian not there, Lambiel is the only other skater who has one in the short, but Stephane doesn't have a 3A.

This competition certainly is wide open with so many possibilities to occur. I just wish I could get the ESPN 360 internet broadcast, but my ISP doesn't carry it. Darn. I tried to get a subscription to Russian TV, but the money transaction was too complicated. So I have to rely on internet reports. Makes me crazy.

 

[GoldMedalist]

You know you're desperate when you Triple Post.

 

[ChrisH]

The great protagonist of the finals for Torino is, of course, the patroness of Torino Olympic Park, Carolina Kostner, who hopes to be a top star on her home ice.

http://www.torinolympicpark.org/interna.asp?IdArea=85&Id=98


I still think it would've been better if Rochette got Kostner's spot ... however, with Kostner getting an extra host country invitation spot.

 

[fairly4]

mathman regarding ladies

The ladies isn't as wide open. Unless Mao & Yu-Na messes up. they will take the top two spots. The rest of them is fighting for the bronze medal.

Whereas the men is much more wide open anyone could win it.

 

[discoduck]

To me the two most interesting competitions at the GPF are men's and dance. The dance field is very deep and anyone could win. It all depends on what the judges are looking for. All six of the free dances have things about them that stand out and are all good. I think that the top three in some order will be B/A, DomShabs and DelShoes. A lot of people think that V/M will make the podium but I don't think so this year. I might be wrong, we'll have to see.

As for the men, I'm a Johnny fan but I'm amused by this whole Johnny vs Evan thing. I think both sides of the argument need to take a giant chill pill (including Johnny and Evan themselves) Personally I would be highly amused if the podium ended up being Takahashi, Chan and Lambiel in some order just to see all the boards implode.

 

[temperboy28]

Personally I would be highly amused if the podium ended up being Takahashi, Chan and Lambiel in some order just to see all the boards implode.

Why would that be so stunning. Johnny and Evan both being off the podium in major competition is nothing new. It happened at last years Worlds, it happened at the Olympics, and it can easily happen again. They arent Plushenko or Yagudin, or Kwan and Lipinski. If Takahashi and Lambiel skate well they automaticaly take the top 2 medals I think. That leaves only the bronze, and Chan is a threat for that as well.

 

[discoduck]

It's called sarcasm. My way of poking fun at all the Johnny vs Evan debates that have cropped up lately. I'm aware that anything can happen and there is a definite possibility that neither of them will make the podium.

 

[Mathman]

For those of you who noticed that some posts are missing from this thread:

That's it, guys. Cut it out or you're gone.

 

[feraina]

Mathman, look at how many views ladies' SP is getting in the GPF section, almost twice as many as the men's, and almost as much as men, pairs, and dance combined. I think ladies have a devoted following, plus, people like to view/post in threads that are controversial.