I have been puzzling the Rippon technical conundrum since seeing the competition this a.m. He is a real stand-out in the competition, a breath of real artistry among a large group of developing youngsters. My conclusions: 1--Jumps are usually the real point-getters, but not in this case. 2--Rippon’s precocious artistry and finesse are miles ahead of others in this competition. And for that, he was amply rewarded. More so than Brandon Mroz was for his two triple axels.Age considerations: Rippon 18, Mroz 17, Carriere (last year’s Jr. Champ) 18 (5months older than Rippon.) 3--Rippon, at age 18, is behind the game without a 3 axel in his arsenal. Alas, he has to develop that jump plus a quad before he can challenge internationally at the Sr. level. (Plushenko won Jr. Worlds at age 14 and his first Sr. Worlds at 19 (almost exactly one year older than Rippon is presently) 4--If a modicum of artistry is available, Morosov will draw it out. Look what he did for a virtually expressionless jumper, Miki Ando in their first year. 5--As a coach, will Morozov be able to get a 3 axel and quad from anyone--who doesn’t have them--with the same efficiency as he acomplishes artistry? 6--Word is, that Rippon does have an axel, but it is so recent that his programs were set and were not going to be reworked to include the axel. Shades of Johnny Weir’s quad? 7--Junior World Championships do not always translate into unqualified success at the senior level. Derrick Delmore comes to mind. Conclusion: Rippon, a wonderful skater has a lot of jumping difficulty to accomplish. Can he do it? Well, the 3 axel and quad continue to bug some of the best men skaters. To wait until age 19 to put the 3 axel in a competitive program is dicey.
Men's LP
- Thread starter Medusa
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- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
But isn't everybody allowed to change their program while doing it? If the judges thought that there were too many steps between 2A and 3S - why didn't they call it a solo-triple-Salchow?
I know I am like a dog with a bone now - but: Rippon planned the second double Axel as a sequence - that didn't work out and it was counted as a 2A+SEQ. But why didn't they count the triple Salchow? I mean it was there, not as part of the sequence but still there. Shouldn't the protocol say
2A+SEQ (3.08 points)
3S (4.95 points)
2A (actually 3.85 points, but not counted, because it is the ninth jumping pass)
3S (4.95 points)
2A (actually 3.85 points, but not counted, because it is the ninth jumping pass)
I don't get this.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
The rationale for this rule change is that some skaters have the axel jump as the final jumping pass in their free skate and when a previous jump takes up a box (like you suggested for the 3 salchow in Rippon's) there can be a situation where the skater gets double penalized by failing to meet the requirement for an axel type jump (which is not the case with Rippon as he already has more than enough 2 axels). For example, Joannie Rochette's free skate this season consists of
3Lz+2To+2Lo
3F
3Lo
3Lz
3S
3T+3S+SEQ
2A+2A+SEQ
Let's say Rochette had problems with her 3T+3S+SEQ and these 2 jumps were called as individual 3T and 3S. Not only would her final 2A+2A+SEQ be not counted for, but she would also gain no points for her 3S because according to the protocols she has not included any axel type jump in her free skate.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
I did like him, and I inadvertently left him out of my list to watch next time. More skating in front of an audience is what he needs.
The entire competition was keen! and I think the days of the splatfest are gone.
Joe
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Sorry about that, I should have known better.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Very astute post! I enjoy reading a good analytical analysis of skating and skaters.
As to age, I believe one reaches a learning peak at any age as long as the body holds up. I am not now and have never been a fan of young skaters other than to acknowledge their potential.
Adam has his work cut out for him, but try to imagine him with 2 quads and a combo of 3A x 3r. How would that do against Takahashi and Lambiel?
Joe
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2006
Actually, it's the system that changed. Johnny really didn't have a choice but to adapt or die out. And I agree, that is very unfortunate. Thank you, CoP.
Adam's arms don't bother me because he's also doing a lot with his feet. The arms aren't used as a smokescreen to cover sloppy footwork. I personally think the way he uses them enhances his programs, but that is just my opinion. I really like the way he weaves all of his elements together. His skating is smooth and seamless and easy on the eyes. I do agree with everyone who said he needs to get the 3A. He says he has "a nice, two-footed triple axel" so we know he's working on it. His 2A technique looks solid, so hopefully the 3A will follow suit.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
Well, I also think that Lambiel's double Axel looks very solid and pretty.
But I don't want to jinx Rippon. And if he gets a Quad Toe like Lambiel's - he has great chances to be at least two-time World Champion even without a stable Triple Axel.
Joe, Sorry, but I can't ever imagine Adam with a dependable quad without a triple axel now. There's an old saying that a pianist must play like an angel at 12 if he's to make a career of it. (And by playing like an angel, it means performing major repertoire with technical finesse and artistry. Albeit the interpretation [artisty] might lack profundity!) Pianism is not ice skating, and I don't believe I've ever heard of a cut-off date by which it might be to late for a male skater to achieve a competitive triple axel or a quad. However considering the extreme difficulty of these jumps and the number of repetitions required for dependable muscle memory, I would say that Rippon might be treading on borrowed time for the 3X!)
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