That really is what I would love to know too. Both Nobu and Taka have COP-savvy programs, they have the jump quality, the edging, the speed, the excellent spins (though Nobu has the best I think). I love Taka's short program, it's my favourite of the season (well, I also have a weak spot for Joubert's). I think it's very unique in its elegant, subtle choreography, its zen-like feeling, his incredible edging - outstanding! I also think that Taka is very very musical. And the transitions are great, too.
I really don't know what else they can do. And 10 points PCS suggests that there is a lot to do.
ITA.
Maybe some things do indeed need to be changed.
There is nothing bad about adjusting programs per se. But what exactly needs to be changed, and will those changes guarantee better chances medal-wise? That's what I'd love to know.
That's what I would like to know as well.
I think that both Nobu and Taka have, as Medusa said, excellent skills and it would be quite difficult to improve on them anymore.
I also love Taka's zen-like choreography and I can't see why it should be changed. There's one thing that I would like to change and it is the LP costume - it looks too much like pajamas for my taste. However, considering the monstrosities that some skaters wear, I strongly doubt that Taka was held on PCS because of the costume!
I don't know, maybe the judges find his programs Zzzz-like instead of zen-like. Shame on them if that's the case - I think it would be incredibly boring if everyone skated to the same kind of bombastic programs. And it's not like the audience does not appreciate Taka's programs.
Nobu might have been a bit handicapped choreography-wise. His programs were choreographed when he wasn't quite well both mentally and physically - and they might not match his current skills very well. I've seen him live at Nebelhorn and he really struggled there (stamina-wise). I thought he was about to die in the middle of the LP, and after the program ended he hadn't even put his skate guards on - just made a beeline for the bench and collapsed there. His programs were also more bare than later in the season, and he stumbled a lot. And, ironically, he scored one point higher in the LP than here at 4CC...
Nobu is actually going straight to Lori Nichol after this competition to work on his programs. Hopefully they will be fixed more to the judges liking. But, again, it's not like his programs scored disastrously so far - his SP especially was very much praised by the commentators. I'd like him to stop slick his hair back, but like Taka's pajamas, I don't think that cheesy hairdo should have much influence on the scores.
Choreo fixage, Takajamas and Nobu-do aside, I don't really see much need for improvement... Unless the judges just really want to see the programs with more "Oomph" and "Ta-Da!".
And now I don't know what to expect of these two reg worlds placement.
)
Yes, he still needs to work on his presentation, but it's coming. The short's a great vehicle for him. Now they just have to find out something like that, that'll work for him in both programs for next year, but it is a step in the right direction for Vaughn.
