This was an unbelievable final. I’m still trying to comprehend what happened with COP, but overall I think the result seems fair. One thing I realized is how critical it is to attempt the maximum 7 jumping passes and the maximum 3 combinations in the LP. All three medalists did that and it helped them come out on top in the point totals.
Plushenko: Once he was out, it was like no one knew how to react, and the level of competition dropped off. It was devastating to see him withdraw, because he has competed through injury so many times before. It must have been really bad for Mishin to allow him to withdraw. I partially blame Mishin for Plush’s injuries, because Mishin has driven his skaters to career-ending injury before as with Urmanov, and seemingly learned nothing from his mistakes. I’m relieved that Russia kept 2 spots for Torino and I hope Klimkin comes back next season.
Stephane: Without a doubt the very best, and deservedly won every phase. I hope Plushenko is healthy for the Olympics so it will be a true showdown between the two of them. I am so glad Stephane finally rose to the top. Other skaters should follow his example and allow themselves to heal and then work hard to train and come back. His King Arthur was not as polished since he just started working on it after Euros, but I think he made the right choice by ditching the Truman Show. The Spanish Caravan short program was a true gem and his spins are magic on ice.
Jeff: After the two falls I thought he would be off the podium, and I was skeptical at first, but I really think he earned the silver. Jeff invested so much of himself in laboring over the new system and it paid of for him in the end. He is a scholar of COP and he skated this competition with his intellect, and didn’t need the quad after endless speculation. Although he fell, he rotated the jumps first, he did the maximum number of jumping passes and combinations and put everything he had into the whole program. He found ways no one else thought of to increase the points. I think everyone is going to be dissecting his programs over the summer to get ready for the Olympics, and David Wilson is going to be in high demand.
Evan: Was anyone else surprised at how well the judges received him in the first 2 phases when Plushenko and Joubert were still in contention? I felt Weir and Buttle were unfairly disfavored early on, but surprisingly they loved Evan. The matador SP was nothing special, but it was a good strategy for him to stick with something reliable. He added several upgrades to Singin in the Rain in the spins and jumps that helped balance out the mistakes on the second axel and the loop.
Johnny: Deserved 4th place, and made a good comeback to get there, although hopefully he learned from his COP mistakes. Rondo and Otonal have been good programs, but I hope he comes up with something different for next year. I think he is still skating with his Dallas disaster in the back of his head and that is keeping his skating from moving to the next level.
Eman: 3rd in the LP with a great performance. People have criticized him for being a diva, but he came through as a team player and secured 3 spots for Canada in Torino. I hope Shawn Sawyer gets a triple axel by then and makes the team.
Kevin VDP: I’m so glad he went back to Robin Hood. I loved that music when Katarina used it in 94, and Kevin was amazing in the LP. The 3a3t and 2nd 3a were great, and even with a hand down on the 3-3-3, he really set himself apart. I’m really surprised Evan beat him in the free program, but I was impressed that he pulled up from 12th after the short to 5th in the free. Does anyone know why Belgium would not send him if he finished below 12th? I also heard Israel wouldn’t send Roman Serov if he ended up below 16th. Are those just arbitrary numbers chosen by the federations, or is there an ISU rule?
Li: I agree with soogar and mzheng about Li being unfairly marked down, especially in comparison to Joubert. I think Li skates with great power and conviction, where Joubert has no vision for his programs. That said, I think Li is nowhere near his potential, and I think he needs to work with a skilled COP choreographer to put together programs he believes in that also serve him well with the points.
Medalist Meltdowns: After Joubert and Lindeman finished 2-3 last year at worlds and this year at Europeans, I thought they would at least have decent showings, but what a disaster. I really think Joubert does not enjoy skating anymore and is only keeping at it because he likes the celebrity. I remember liking his clock SP, but he really lost his way this season. Both of his programs were awful, and he seemed like he didn't care. I enjoy Lindeman's skating and I thought he redeemed himself in the LP.
I also enjoyed the first half of Ivan Dinev's LP, both of Jamal Othman's programs, and Takahashi's footwork.
