no dinner tonight...
just eating my hasty words after hearing the Eurosport play by play and the commentator's cry of disgust over Plushy not being penalized by the fall...not that it's any of my business, not being a judge or anything, but Plushy deserved that 110%. We all know all the tricks he can do, but his presentation was so compelling, it really drew me in. Just the look on his face, the conviction, the confidence; extremely charming, seductive even. Head and shoulders, as they say, above the rest---extreme technical difficulty and an artistry all his own, within himself--in his element. It was also fun to see him put any demons from his last two losses to rest when he knew he'd clinched the win; it brought to mind a hip-hop slang term from the 90s--"BOO ya!!"
Joubert's Matrix was okay; fist pumping after extra turns on a triple toe loop, was that on the choreography/planned jumps cheat sheet?
It was a great skate, though; his jumps are very nice and the music suited him. Though still rough around the edges (maybe that's just what he has to work with presentation-wise), he has conviction and nerves of steel, and quads and triples, everything a champion needs nowadays.
Lambiel the Lovely I'll have to wait to see at julia@somebodyelse'slife's convenience, as ABC so nicely LEFT IT OUT (GRRRRRRRRRR)...got a Standing O--Yaaaaaaay!!!
As for Johnny, he's one I see having the potential, the nerves of steel under pressure, the composure, the balletic grace and flow, and the great jumping technique and potential for quads to make him one of "the greatest", (and of course tastes differ; some prefer their male skaters less balletic and "feminine"--a matter of taste entirely) to refer to a poll I posted on the Voting Booth page. In a high pressure situation, his jumps flowed into his complete choreography like a dream; I think he meets all the most popular criteria, according to that poll (excellent competitor--"brings it"; consummate artist--lyrical; extremely competent technician; able to communicate with audiences)--now we have to see if he has the quads that a 21st century men's champion requires.
Sarah
OT and for the record, my all-time IDEAL balance of artistry and masculinity, charisma, theatricality, and technique that, though not the greatest, met the challenges of the era satisfactorily, was my favorite heartthrob Philippe Candeloro, esp. w/programs like the Godfather at Lillehammer 94 and Goodwill Games in the same year. That's the crush that got me into skating (not Nancy's knee for a change
); 14 year old hormones working overtime
and bewilderment
