It's Time for Your TOP 10 In Order or Not

[scorekeeper]

No Joubert or Yu-Na? Are you thinking Joubert will be out with illness and Yu-Na with her injury?

Yes. I had so much trouble placing them that it was easier to imagine that they'd be out this year.

 

[Bennett]

I thought that was the case after he didn't go to Japanese nationals, but wasn't 100 per cent sure. I remember hearing his explanation at the time of Japanese nationals that he didn't want to take the opportunity away from other Japanese men who had been competing all season — seemed like a weak reason, to me, to miss nationals and what would almost certainly have been a trip to Worlds. A strange choice for a young competitor on his way up.

No, I think that that's just a speculation made by a poster here. I remember a poster here speculating exactly what you've just said. AFAK, however, I don't think that he made any such statement like that. At the time of Japanese Nationals, JFS announced that he would refrain from participating the competition. But I think that was all.

 

[justine]

I thought that was the case after he didn't go to Japanese nationals, but wasn't 100 per cent sure. I remember hearing his explanation at the time of Japanese nationals that he didn't want to take the opportunity away from other Japanese men who had been competing all season — seemed like a weak reason, to me, to miss nationals and what would almost certainly have been a trip to Worlds.

The reason you quoted were speculated by one of the fans here on the forum, but it wasn't the official reason. The official reason was that Nobu was suffering severe mental trauma because of the bashing he and his family was under. Sadly, withdrawing earned him even more bashing, because Mr.Ito decided that "Oda was irresponsible and selfish" by increasing the risk of losing the 3 spots for the next year. JSF also tried to pressure Nobu into competing anyway - even since early December he was decided not to compete, but JSF bothered him up to 24th December, because they were afraid of losing berths. In effect, some of the fans were really crushed, because they bought tickets to Nationals especially to see Nobu live in his first competition and give him gifts and some encouraging words.
One of the reasons might also be the fact that he was a victim of hate mails, saying that he isn't fit to represent Japan, and should he dare show his face, the "audience" rection will not be welcoming (throwing stones was insinuated). (Trolls, of course - the real fans brought little banners "Oda-kun, we miss you!".)


By the way, there was an article on Nobu in Asahi Weekly a few days ago. Apparently he became mentally unstable. lost weight and is losing muscular strenght.
I didn't read the article, just a summary by a Japanese fan, who added "if you are Oda-kun's fan, please don't read the article". I wonder why - whether the contents were too painful to read, or did the author bashed the poor kid again.

A strange choice for a young competitor on his way up.

I doubt he is looking at himself this way. He never hit me as much of a competitor - he often remarked that he felt out of place on the same ice as all the "amazing skaters", and in his interviews he often seemed more like an enthusiastic fanboy than a contendent for gold (which does not change that if he developed his potential to the fullest I think he would smash the competition on his GoEs alone). It often seemed to me that he skated to be positively acknowledged and liked, to share his joy with the audience, to "show that the skating can be so fun, and make other people want to skate too" (quote from interview).
Now, when he has no more joy left and he feels that he is despised by his countrymen, I doubt he is eager to step on the ice again quickly (or at all). I think it has became more of a the only painful way to try and pay back his dues to his family, coaches and JSF. Sadly, I'm afraid that every step he takes will be interpreted by media and JSF in the most derogatory way ("He withdrew from Nats? Selfish and irresponsible! He competed and fell? Booze has messed up his brains, probably drunk while competing! He killed himself jumping from the KanDai roof? Selfish and inexcusable, he could have killed someone on the way down!")

A little question, if Daisuke wins, will Japan retain 3 spots? I know that if there is only 1 competitor from a given country and wins, the country is granted 3 berths. What if a competitor wins, but his countrymates are out of top 12?
Not to put more pressure on Daisuke, but maybe if Japan retains 3 spots, JSF will calm down a little. I fear that if they drop to 2 again, the JSF will take out its frustration on Nobu.

 

[Ptichka]

Justine, thanks you very much for that informative post! It is sad that Oda finds himself in such a situation. Perhaps some professional help can help him get back on track.

To answer you question, if there is one competitor, he must be 1st or 2nd for his federation to get 3 placements next seasons; however, if there are 2 or more entries, then the combined placements of the two best ones must not exceed 13.

 

[Wrlmy]

Skating federations are so obnoxious
I understand Oda's personal sentiment of shame and guilt given that he's from a high-profile family, but he does not deserve such hatred not to mention stoning
The poor guy must be stressed out. I hope he doesn't give up his skating career.

 

[GoldMedalist]

MEN:
1. Takahashi
2. Lambiel
3. Verner
4. Weir
5. Lysacek
6. Joubert
7. Chan
8. Buttle
9. Voronov
10. Van Der Perren

LADIES:
1. Yu Na Kim
2. Mao Asada
3. Yukari Nakano
4. Carolina Kostner
5. Miki Ando
6. Joannie Rochette
7. Kimmie Meissner
8. Ashley Wagner
9. Sarah Meier
10. Laura Lepisto

 

[Bennett]

Sadly, I'm afraid that every step he takes will be interpreted by media and JSF in the most derogatory way ("He withdrew from Nats? Selfish and irresponsible! He competed and fell? Booze has messed up his brains, probably drunk while competing! He killed himself jumping from the KanDai roof? Selfish and inexcusable, he could have killed someone on the way down!")

I understand your concerns. But let's not suggest as if he were suicidal. Don't forget that there are lots of people who support him.

 

[skatingfan04]

My Top 10's, not in order.

Men: Takahashi, Lysachek, Joubert, Buttle, Chan, Verner, Lambiel, Weir, ?, ?.

Ladies: Kim, Asada, Ando, Meissner, Rochette, Kostner, Meier, Nakano, Wagner, ?.

Pairs: Savchenko/Szolkowy, Zhang/Zhang, Pang/Tong, Dube/Davison, Langlois/Hay, Vlohozar/Morozov (Sp?), Inoue/Baldwin, Duhamel/Buntin (if relatively clean),Kawagich/Smirnov, ?.

Dance: Domnina/Shabalin, Kholkova/Novitski, Delobel/Scunfelder, Belbin/Agosto, Davis/White, Virtue/Moir, Capellini/Lanotte, Fabizhan/Bouchrat(Sp?), Carron/Jost, ?. (possibley Weaver/Poje or Navarro/Bommentre)

 

[Bennett]

Men: Takahashi, Verner, Lambiel, Weir, Joubert, Lysachek, Chan, Buttle,

Ladies: Asada, Kim, Kostner, Rochette, Ando, Nakano...

in this order.

 

[zephyrskates]

Men:
Takahashi
Lambiel
Weir
Verner
Joubert
Chan
Lysacek
Buttle
Carriere
Van der Perren

Ladies:
Asada
Kim
Nakano
Rochette
Meissner
Ando
Wagner
Meier
Kostner
Korpi

In that order.

 

[bekalc]

Ladies:

1. Yu-na Kim... I'm really not sure. However, supposedly according to her board over a week ago a fan "sneaked in" and watched her practice. Reportedly Yu-na landed all 5 jumps. Although she did fall on the triple loop and triple flip (she went right back and landed another triple loop, and a triple flip/double toe) Let it be, what it may but if that was her condition a week ago, it's sure to be even better by the time competition roles around. I think that her stamina will be okay (I'm more worried about Jump consistency) because Yu-na has really not been off the ice that long. This being said I do worry about how consistent her jumps are, and I'll make my final decision about who wins, when I hear about the practice reports in Sweden.

Still I don't think 3 weeks away from jumping, is going to destroy Yu-na's chances completely.

2. Mao Asada- Mao hasni't been consistent all season long, and I'm wroried about the no coach thing. As great as she was at 4 Continents, she did get two of her 3/3's downgraded. So her not working with a coach on these things, isn't a good thing. This being said the smart money is on Mao winning. But if Yu-na is somewhat healthy and in shape, I think Yu-na has this. Both girls have made mistakes this season. But Yu-na has made less mistakes than Mao.

3. Miki Ando- I'm not sure about this one. I think this is a dog fight between Kostner, Ando, Meissner, and Rochette. However, Meissner has been inconsistent all season long. Rochette has been looking good but consistently makes small mistakes and gives away little points by doing sequences... Kostner is inconsistent.

I like Miki's chances only because of all three them, Miki has been looking much better as the competitions have gone around\...She looked good at Japanese Natoinals, and she looked good at Four Continents (Inspite of the popped quad) Quite franly Miki has done far more clean programs in her career than Meissner, Rochette, or Kostner and so I'll go with her.

4. Rochette- She's been really consistent this year.

5. Kostner-She's been better but very inconsistent. However if she skates somewhat clean, I think bronze is hers because the judges love her.
6. Nakano-Consistent but gives away to many GOE points.

(The rest, I don't know?)

Dance:

1.Belbin/Agosto-sheer consistency
2. Russians D/S.
3. V/M

Pairs
1.S/S
2.P/T
3.Z/Z

Mens
1. Daisuke T.
2. Joubert
3. Thomas Verner
4. Lambiel

(Honestly, these four can go either way. The person I'm must wondering about is Joubert. Joubert's health hasn't been great. I think that if Joubert is healthy, he can give Daisuke a run for his money, because Daisuke DOES tend to make mistakes in big competitions, and Joubert could perhaps up the ante by doing something like a Quad flip.) I prefer Daisuke though.