Men's Long Program

[Mafke]

Brian haters ... I don't call Brian's pleasure in having done a good FS arrogance.
He is a fighter and today he show to all stupids judges and haters class and superstar power.

Calm down, every comment I've read has been admiring of his ability to pull off a free skate of the caliber he managed.

What people don't like are the comments he said about Buttle that make him sound like a bad loser (when he should be thrilled with the silver).
Perhaps he didn't really say that, but if he did .... well, he shouldn't. Figure skating fans like gracious competitors who don't put down other skaters (ever).

 

[skatingfan04]

YES!!! Jeff Buttle is the 2008 WORLD CHAMPION!! That was the best, cleanset FS I've ever seen him do. He won this one fair and square. I'm so happy that he won when he really earned it, so that he can take pride in that. It would have been such a shame if a skater of his caliber had to finish his career without a world title. BTW, I don't think that Joubert's reaction to his FS was cocky at all. He's had a hard year, and he was pleased. His comments about Jeff and the quad, however, really rubbed me the wrong way. I can think of pleanty of times when Jeff could have complained that his artistry wasn't rewarded enough, and he NEVER has.

 

[gio]

I'll have to track down a link, but basically said she's more "unique" than the Asian skatrers, and that FS is also an art, not just about jumps. Said she differs from the Japanese skaters because they are cold and she can show emotion through her choreography.

It makes me laugh.
She is second because of a jump combo (3flip/3toe/2loop), she cannot show emotion through her choreography, she is cold as a piece of ice, colder than Mao and Yu Na, certainly she is not latin at all. Valentina Marchei is 2000 times warmer than she is.

If she really said this, I wonder if she drank too much wine.

 

[Orion]

Greetings to all from Göteborg!

I'm writing to you from the heart of Göteborg and what a thrilling week we have had! Especially the men's competition today was a real thriller - what a rollercoaster ride these guys took us on! Torn between hope and despair - feeling sad for some, rejoicing with others - it all turned out to have a happy ending, after all!

Congratulations to Jeffrey Buttle and Canada!!! What a skater, what a performance, what artistry, what a guy!!!!! Talk about having it all! The Swedish commentators were ecstatic and so was I - you people in Canada must be over the moon right now and I wish I could watch your TV and read your newspapers - this is HUGE!

And all of this from the guy who - in spite of his superb artistry - usually is the one wobbling when the heat is on - tonight the shoe (or skate!) was on the other foot, however, and it was the OTHER skaters wobbling while Jeffrey was solid as a rock! I am simply delighted and so happy for him - a true artist is world champion (and it doesn't hurt that he's simply adorable)!

I'd also like to extend heartfelt congratulations to my favorite Johnny Weir - finally Johnny, FINALLY!! And all cudos to you! As an added bonus the U.S. gets three men for the next World's - yeah! Johnny has been a big favorite of mine since I first saw him a couple of years back, THE favorite - poetry in motion with a purity of skating that is unsurpassed in my eyes - he's simply dreamy in every way!

I feel bad about Stephane Lambiel and Thomas Verner - but I know these virtuoso skaters will be back with a vengeance - true artists both!

Oh, and I've also found a new favorite to root for as well in years to come - Jeremy Abbott blew me away with his charisma, charm, artistry and looks! Simply WOW!! Where has he been hiding?! He should be a major force if only his jumping becomes more consistent!

All in all, a wonderful show! :thumbsup:

 

[gio]

Congratulations to Jeff Buttle! He did really a great program, technically and artistically. A 6.0 program
About the others, I'm sorry for Lambiel, Verner and Takahashi. I don't like Joubert attitude. And Johnny Weir, congrats to him, but I wasn't impressed.

 

[elye]

To mr.Jobert:
If you don't see the beatiful Jeff's skates, it's only YOUR problem!

 

[Wrlmy]

I wish I weren't fan of Joubert so that I can bash him for bad-mouthing Jeff's well-deserved win. And I also want to point out any failed quad attempt was also severely punished under old judging system, and Jeff would've won even under 6.0. It's like some skaters are blaming NJS for everything:frown2:

 

[gio]

Jeff would have won also under 6.0 system. He was perfect and the 6.0 system rewarded perfect performances.

 

[kemisha]

buttle`s reply to joubert is classy:

"No, I mean he's entitled to his opinion," he said. "Maybe what drove him to the sport was the physical aspect, the athletic side of the sport, so I certainly don't discredit his opinion. I just have mine -- and today, I guess the judges agreed with me.

"I started skating because I watched Kurt Browning and Brian Orser and it was about the program, that's what makes the most memorable skates: it was the programs, not the elements they did. So I think that's what I'm most passionate about when I skate. I went out there and I left everything on the ice, and I'm proud of myself for that.

"I mean, it's testimony to the fact that I work very hard on everything, everything that is involved in figure skating, and not just the jumps. We work whole sessions on spins and stroking and all the in-betweens. Because that is figure skating. Figure skating is everything that happens in those four minutes and 40 seconds, not just jumps. I definitely feel I earned the title."

The European media crowd in the press area burst into applause at that.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=215619d1-3a9d-4dff-9246-073d3f305535&k=8542

 

[BigJohn]

Brian haters, you are very mean! He had been very sick with a virus that had attacked his muscles and he became very thin and weak. It was a long recovery period, and he was unable to skate for quite a long time. Brian is still very pale and thin, and if he watered down his technical content, it was because of stamina issues. Under the circumstances, I don't call Brian's pleasure in having done a good FS arrogance.

He is a fighter and today he show to all stupids judges and haters class and superstar power. arty:

Well I've seen a lot of skating in my life, I've seen a lot of attitude from skating divas, drama and everything, Been watching since 84 Olympics.

Never have I seen such a bad loser as this guy Joubert (well maybe Harding...)

His words are :

"Ceci dit, ça me fait ch… d'être battu par quelqu'un qui ne fait aucun quadruple saut et ne prend aucun risque"

The key expression is "ça me fait chier". Chier is a verb that translates to sh*tting". Something like a more vulgar way of saying "it p*sses me off".

It is not the first time that Joubert has made deragotary comments about Buttle, he has done so in the past, always about the quad. Now we all know that skating is more than jumping, otherwise Stojko would have won olympic gold twice and Bonaly would have been world champ many times. So to put that much emphasis on one jump is ridiculous.

Now the rest of the quote says that Buttle does not take any risk. I would really like to see Joubert try to skaye one of Buttle's program. I do not think he would be able to do it, that would be too risky for him. He is not enough a complete skater to attempt that.

So when you say class and superstar power, I could not disagree more. I see the opposite of class and a sore loser, nothing else.

About the judging, the fact that he got better PCS is completely and utterly nonsensical. I see it as a gift to the former champ. No way that was good judging.

I did not dislike Joubert at all before today. But with this quote, the last of a series I must add, he made a fool of himself and lost a fan.

Good job Buttle.

 

[astimegoesby]

I find Brian's comments about Jeff playing it safe by not doing the quad ironic since Brian himself chose to play it safe by turning two out of his three planned quads into triples...and that might have cost him the gold. I don't blame Brian for making that decision considering his illness and how the other guys skated before him, and his performance itself was certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but I just wish he could have left it at that. I understand his complaints about receiving that music deduction in the SP after competing with it all season long with no problems (and IIRC, that deduction didn't affect Brian's placement anyway), but the rest of his comments, not so much.

And after watching the entire final flight, ITA Jeff won fair and square. Even if Brian had landed all of his planned jumps, I still thought Jeff had the better program overall.

That being said, as much as I love Jeff's skating and hoped he'd skate two clean programs and get back on the Worlds podium this year, I admit I thought it would be nearly impossible for him to win gold without a quad. I can't remember the last time I was so happy to admit I was wrong!

 

[Nan]

Congratulations to Johnny Weir for winning the bronze medal. The others had their changes to beat him but hey, he did it!!!

All I can say about Jeremy Abbott is wow!!! He was fantastic and I loved both his programs. I hope to see more of him.

 

[Vodka Shot]

I hope there won't be many "he was just lucky"-complaints. It's a sport, it's about taking chances, about being lucky - about having the better day. --------
I am really happy how consistent Johnny was throughout the season. He only fell two times in competition - all season long! And he looked so nervous before the skate and still fought himself through it. He earned that medal!

LOL, I'm pretty sure that's all we'll hear for years to come is that Johnny only got that world medal "out of luck" even though that's how a lot of medals get won...oh and that if Evan had been there he'd have won the bronze. I'm preparing myself now to hear that from atleast one person anytime this worlds is mentioned ever.

 

[hongligl]

Well I've seen a lot of skating in my life, I've seen a lot of attitude from skating divas, drama and everything, Been watching since 84 Olympics.

Never have I seen such a bad loser as this guy Joubert (well maybe Harding...)

His words are :

"Ceci dit, ça me fait ch… d'être battu par quelqu'un qui ne fait aucun quadruple saut et ne prend aucun risque"

The key expression is "ça me fait chier". Chier is a verb that translates to sh*tting". Something like a more vulgar way of saying "it p*sses me off".

It is not the first time that Joubert has made deragotary comments about Buttle, he has done so in the past, always about the quad. Now we all know that skating is more than jumping, otherwise Stojko would have won olympic gold twice and Bonaly would have been world champ many times. So to put that much emphasis on one jump is ridiculous.

Now the rest of the quote says that Buttle does not take any risk. I would really like to see Joubert try to skaye one of Buttle's program. I do not think he would be able to do it, that would be too risky for him. He is not enough a complete skater to attempt that.

So when you say class and superstar power, I could not disagree more. I see the opposite of class and a sore loser, nothing else.

About the judging, the fact that he got better PCS is completely and utterly nonsensical. I see it as a gift to the former champ. No way that was good judging.

I did not dislike Joubert at all before today. But with this quote, the last of a series I must add, he made a fool of himself and lost a fan.

Good job Buttle.

ITA. That was terrible for Joubert to say that!

And yes, the guesses were right. He followed the competition and miscounted :

http://www.isuskating.sportcentric....-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html

 

[Keten]

Gosh come on, of course Joubert will be able to skate Buttle's programs though nobody can skate Lambiel's (no one includes himself, shamefully ).

Playing it safe disturbs me too. It disturbed me during the Short Program as well. It's because, the champion should be braver, courageous enough to try every jump including a 4-3-2 combination.
It's not that Buttle didn't deserve it here, he is a well-deserved World champion but he won't be a legendary one.

 

[Tigger]

He already is here in his home area and Section. I can't remember Northern Ontario having a World Figure Skating Champion. Ever. Neither can my Dad. Closest we got were the Wirtzes, as the family is from the Marathon area.

Jeff gives back to the NOS whenever and however he can. He tries to make it up at least once a season for one entire day where he does nothing but work w/the kids.

There's more to legendary status/legacy than just on the Intl and/or National Stage. However, let me point out one thing....

You know all those sit spin positions we see now? I wonder just who it was that first did them. Haven't a clue. *Oh!!* I remember now....This guy named Jeff Buttle and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as they say.

 

[Judy]

That is poor choice by the former champion to say that. At the end of the day, it is the skater that skates best that wins. He has also lost me as a fan and I'm very disappointed in his choice of words.

 

[bekalc]

That is poor choice by the former champion to say that. At the end of the day, it is the skater that skates best that wins. He has also lost me as a fan and I'm very disappointed in his choice of words.

Joubert though has been constantly campaigning against the system. (And his words aren't that shocking to the French, even if they are shocking to N. Americans) He's consistently said that he thought that the competition should be decided between those who can do quads in the short and who take technical risks. So he may not be campaigning so much against Jeff, as he is against the system.

He also did say this.

“I wouldn't have bet on Jeffrey when I arrived here,” Joubert said. “But competition is competition. That will give me a lesson I will learn in the future.”

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the link, Hongli.

Brian Joubert: "I changed it (the strategy) after I saw how the others did and I decided to not take a lot of risks and not to do a quad Salchow, just wanted to skate clean.

No guts, no glory.

 

[Tigger]

It's one thing to campaign against the system. It's another to use that as a way to complain about a fairly judged event.

Brian was coming into these Worlds w/a lot of sympathy and well wishers due to the season he's had and the illness he's had to deal w/. That disappeared w/in a second or so of him opening his mouth when talking to the media afterwards.

As for Joubert being able to easily skate Buttle's LP....Not so sure about that one. During the coverage on the Main CBC, Kurt said during a portion of Brian's LP, "See that? That step took days." If it took *days* for Kurt to teach Brian one portion, and from what I understood, it was a very small portion too. If all of that is true, then how long do you think it would take for Brian to pick up all of the nuances of Jeff's programs?

I'm not slamming Brian BTW, although it does look like it, I think it's a valid question. Brian has taken a big step forward w/the programs Kurt's given him, but even so, he's still got a way to go. It's okay to be a more athletic skater, w/the right music an athletic skater is amazing to watch, but if that means that your main focus is just on the jumps and not working on every single skill that skating calls for, then....Be prepared for what could happen if your jumps aren't on, on on.

I can understand disappointment. I really can. However, when that disappointment fuels the classless remarks that Brian said today, then a skater should also be prepared for the fall out that will follow. Especially when you complain about a World Champion that in your opinion shouldn't be because he didn't take any risks w/a quad. Then during the same Press Conference turn around and say from seeing what was happening out there on the ice, you didn't feel that same risk was worth it and took out your other two planned quads.