Sorry everyone about totally belated report from our M&G from Grenoble... All that happened during IdF has hit me like a tidal wave (but in an extremely positive way!) it got me distracted, and I am still recovering!! :luv17:
It happened all thanks to a journalist from Russia with whom I keep in contact, she talked to Jason and his parents and she sent me a message on Saturday evening, during the Ladies Free, that they suggested a M&G after the Gala. I had given up all hopes of a M&G by then, the message got me
:eeking: I started frantically exchanging messages with her, Jason's mum and all the people who expressed interests in attending the M&G, I practically ignored 99% of the competition
The panic was actually doubled because another M&G with Deniss, which I was also trying to organize, got approved suddenly and unexpectedly all at the same time.
:eeking::hopelessness:
So both meetings had to be totally improvised in such a rush. Considering everything, both went remarkably well. :agree:
We met Jason at 6:30pm at their hotel lobby, Jason, punctual as usual made an appearance accompanied by his equally wonderful, friendly parents, bursting with his trademark sunshine smile :luv17:
It is a bit of a pity that I didn't film the video of the event, but first I had to get the meeting going at the beginning and the idea escaped my mind - but soon enough the meeting was hopping with so many people wanted to ask him something, and it became more like a lively, jovial and spontaneous chat amongst bunch of pals rather than an interview. I found the atmosphere quite special, so typically Jason, and I feared if I turned on my camera to film what was going on, some people might get awkward and tongue-tied (which I definitely would in their shoes) so I just let it go and decided to just enjoy the moment. I do regret that I didn't at least sneakily record the audio, so I could trace every single question, every little things he said.
But here are some of the key things he mentioned during the meeting.
The family was heading off to London for a bit of sight-seeing. They didn't have a precise plan except to catch a musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie in West End. With London being my fav city in the whole world I made a bunch of suggestions what they could do there, maybe I got too enthusiastic and overwhelmed them lol...
He enjoys the environment with such an international atmosphere with champions from all corners of the world as his training mate, it's a fresh experience for him and inspiring. (I wanted to ask if he ever learned to appreciate kvass but I missed the chance!)
As we saw at IdF, they modified the choreography of FP, realizing that a program without split jump or spiral is not a Jason's program. He does have some say about the choreography, and discuss with the team and what can be done to polish the program. They are still in the process of getting to know each other, also the program is sort of under construction and still keeps evolving. He was initially not sure about the music, but it keeps improving and he is more and more convinced with the choice. Maybe not at Zagreb in two weeks, but by Nationals the program may have totally a new look!
On the other hand, he fell in love with the music for the short program right away, it was discovered by his sister - she heard it during her pilates class and immediately thought of him skating to it - and he knew immediately this was it!
Every new program by each skater is seen and evaluated by the board of judges before the start of the season and the teams get the feedback from them, and they do abide by the "suggestions" the judges make and modify the programs accordingly. (I didn't know that... he said in the US it happens during the US Summer Camp, perhaps in Russia it's the Test Skate, I guess?)
Having worked with Rohene all his life, learning a different type of choreography from different choreographer is challenging but also inspiring, and he is hoping to try with other choreographers in the future to push the boundary. (I almost suggested Stephane.. )
He did get to talk to Kori this time in Grenoble, and he was so touched, she is still profoundly dear to him, despite everything that happened this year.
He actually wanted to do Lombardia again this year and asked Brian about it, because he really enjoys Italy - but since Autumn Classic was by far the best option for Brian, for it being just around the corner from Toronto, so it was not to be!
His biggest inspirations are Daisuke Takahashi and Nobunari Oda. Jason's first Sr. year coincided with the last competitive season for both of them, and they were so kind to him and encouraged him when he was so very nervous amongst the big boys. And he is now so excited about Daisuke's return, and hope to be in the same competition again.
And he assured us, that everything is going to fall into places, it just takes time and doesn't happen overnight. It is going into the right direction.
I told him this result at IdF will definitely be a turning point, a sure sign that things will start get better and better.
I also told him, these days the sport has become all about quads and that's inevitable, but when it comes to everything else, no one can touch him. He represents what figure skating ought to be and whatever happens please don't sacrifice what makes him special not even a bit for the sake of quads.
- and you can imagine his reaction, clasping his hands, melting his face into that hugest, sweetest smile, "Ohhhhh, thank youuuu soooooo much!!"
(and of course with a big hug - the best gift in the whole world!)
here is a short clip of him greeting my Italian fan club
The most adorable moment when a French girl asks him to send a message to her friend, and he makes an enormous effort to pronounce the name of the friend correctly
Him holding my banner! (p.s. I am not the author of the famous Jason cartoon... I am in contact with the girl and asked her to provide the illustration when I made this banner!)
As anyone can imagine, he energized us with the most powerful solar power of the entire planet, and sent us home with happy, fuzzy warm heart!!
She might have meant for this competition, but it was hard to tell.
Carol was saying that other skaters recognize the superiority of Jason’s skills.
I would have loved to heard their commentary on the SP.
