Men's Short Program.. Tuesday 16th, 7:15PM EST

[Alatariel]

But I am not sure how the judges will appreciate his cautious yet clean approach. Don't know. Depends on Lysacek and Daisuke. And on how good is "the view" from the "pimp spot."
:indiff:

It's a huge advantage IMO.

If this were any other skater I'd say it is more pressure than advantage but Plushenko can add a second quad if he wants to or a combo depending on how others do and this is not something that can be said about Evan, Dai or any of the others. He will know the score he has to beat, especially considering Evan is quite a bit earlier than him in the starting line-up and he can calculate precisely what he needs.

I don't think he'll be cautions, I think he'll be calculated.

 

[Medusa]

I have to keep myself from going Asian and producing a youtube video about Lysacek's atrocious Triple Axel. I mean, really? That entry is horrific and so badly skidded... Not downgrading it - fine, they don't want to confuse or enrage the average American non-skating fan, but actually giving it positive GOE?

 

[screech]

I have to keep myself from going Asian and producing a youtube video about Lysacek's atrocious Triple Axel. I mean, really? That entry is horrific and so badly skidded... Not downgrading it - fine, they don't want to confuse or enrage the average American non-skating fan, but actually giving it positive GOE?

Actually IMO it was one of his best 3a he did in his SP. I've just been re-watching the SP event and I kinda think Evan got shafted and deserved to be in 1st after the SP. But then I also thought that after the SP at last year's worlds, and he came back, rocked it in the long and won.

Evan isn't my favourite skater in the world, and for the 'curse' to be broken with him is kind of not my ideal, but at this point I'm really rooting for him and kind of hope he does it. He is the best 'competitor' there IMO. No, his technique isn't the best, but he always gives it his all, he's so secure and confident and that comes through, and he gets the results. My personal preference based on who I like would be for Chan, Nobu, Dai or Johnny, but based on competitive spirit - Evan all the way.

 

[Alatariel]

I have to keep myself from going Asian and producing a youtube video about Lysacek's atrocious Triple Axel. I mean, really? That entry is horrific and so badly skidded... Not downgrading it - fine, they don't want to confuse or enrage the average American non-skating fan, but actually giving it positive GOE?

Please do we need more fun! And more excitement!

And if someone could please try and dig up the 'horrible' press conference Plushi did, I'd be grateful. I can't find it yet the articles are not explaining to me what was so bad. On the contrary so...

 

[Medusa]

Actually IMO it was one of his best 3a he did in his SP. I've just been re-watching the SP event and I kinda think Evan got shafted and deserved to be in 1st after the SP.

Well, it might be one of the best 3As he did in his SP, but that's not actually saying much.

I think Evan deserved about 82 to 83 points here. He is completely unmusical, I had to smirk at how he had to wait at one point for a quick crescendo in the music after some footwork, before he threw his arms into the sky. He is not on the beat at all, the only thing he understands is how to throw his arms around when the music gets loud. Dreadful, simply dreadful.

That kind of horrific timing to the music should merit 3 or 4 points for interpretation.

He also had a wobble on a spin, the entrance of his Triple Lutz was jerky and very unaesthetic. There is nothing fluent about his skating.

Both he and Plushenko should be badly penalised for how they completely ignore the music for most of their programs.

 

[miki88]

Well, it might be one of the best 3As he did in his SP, but that's not actually saying much.

I think Evan deserved about 82 to 83 points here. He is completely unmusical, I had to smirk at how he had to wait at one point for a quick crescendo in the music after some footwork, before he threw his arms into the sky. He is not on the beat at all, the only thing he understands is how to throw his arms around when the music gets loud. Dreadful, simply dreadful.

That kind of horrific timing to the music should merit 3 or 4 points for interpretation.

He also had a wobble on a spin, the entrance of his Triple Lutz was jerky and very unaesthetic. There is nothing fluent about his skating.

Both he and Plushenko should be badly penalised for how they completely ignore the music for most of their programs.

So true! Evan and Plushenko's skating are equally boring, but at least Plushenko's jumps are good. Takakishi is just better than both of them. IMO. And I think Weir was underscored~~

 

[museksk8r]

Well, it might be one of the best 3As he did in his SP, but that's not actually saying much.

I think Evan deserved about 82 to 83 points here. He is completely unmusical, I had to smirk at how he had to wait at one point for a quick crescendo in the music after some footwork, before he threw his arms into the sky. He is not on the beat at all, the only thing he understands is how to throw his arms around when the music gets loud. Dreadful, simply dreadful.

That kind of horrific timing to the music should merit 3 or 4 points for interpretation.

He also had a wobble on a spin, the entrance of his Triple Lutz was jerky and very unaesthetic. There is nothing fluent about his skating.

Both he and Plushenko should be badly penalised for how they completely ignore the music for most of their programs.

I totally agree with you; it's shocking beyond belief to me that Lysacek is slighty ahead of Takahashi's brilliant SP at these Games. I thought Daisuke should have won the SP to be honest. At least it's a virtual tie at the top. I really hope Stephane and Daisuke can hold it together in the LP and finish 1 and 2.

 

[dlgpffps]

The negativity and mud being thrown at Plushenko by North-American media is not surprising. Before the SP and after, as it seems.
And as for Plush, why should he tolerate it? He truly hasn't said anything outrageous nor bashed his fellow competitors...
Come on... The article is written with a specific purpose of showing Plushenko as the "big-bad-russian".

*Sigh*

I have to agree :sheesh: I hate all the bad publicity Plushenko gets, as I actually think he's a frank, funny, nice guy. As for quads, I love them, and I understand that they don't constitute the whole of figure skating, but I do believe OGM-contenders should have at least a quad or two... at least in their LP. It's as though Lysacek's playing a little too safe. Did Plushenko say anything nasty about Takahashi? As for my opinion, I have no objection to Takahashi being elevated to Plusehnko-90-level, but Lysacek? Seriously? Really, it's not as though his artistry's at Takahashi's level, or as though he can out-jump Plushenko. That 3A... it drives me nuts. I also heard that Lysacek's PCS was greater than Takahashi's... Huh :scowl:

 

[aftertherain]

I have to keep myself from going Asian and producing a youtube video about Lysacek's atrocious Triple Axel. I mean, really? That entry is horrific and so badly skidded... Not downgrading it - fine, they don't want to confuse or enrage the average American non-skating fan, but actually giving it positive GOE?

Mmm ... Please don't. Political ice wars are so ... ugh. D:

 

[Alatariel]

Anybody speak Russian? Mishin after Plushenko's SP apparently about the influence on his scores of the brouhaha we had about TRs, picked it up from another site:

"Я думаю, с задачей-минимум - сделать все элементы, мы справились, - заметил Алексей Мишин. - Что такое программа-максимум? В принципе, близко к тому же самому. В оценках за компоненты, если говорить тактично, сработал эффект информационной войны, которая ведется против Жени. Некоторые специалисты говорили и писали, что Евгений Плющенко - это замечательный, выдающийся фигурист "эпохи 6,0". Но они лукавят - здесь все из того же самого супа! Все лучшие фигуристы, катающиеся здесь - оттуда! И тренеры, которые так говорят, тоже из того же супа, и тоже всю жизнь проработали в "системе 6,0"! Поэтому конечно, если говорить объективно, каждое катание Евгения - это история, это образ. И далеко не все фигуристы способны сотворить что-то подобное. Поэтому как раз компоненты - для Жени сильная сторона".

I think he is saying what is program maximum ... in principle they are already close to it. In component scores, if he were to be tactful rofl the effect of information war is evident, that is being lead against Plushenko (Zhenia). Some specialists said and wrote that EP was this significant, something, skater of the 6.0 epoch. But they are cunning - they themselves are from this group. All best skaters, skating here - from that group. And coaches, that say, also from that group, have also their whole lives worked with the 6.0 system! Finally, because of this, if you want to speak objectively, every time E skates it's history, it's .. something. And hardly all skaters are capable of creating that (I think). This is why when it comes to different components, in him (E) is a great strength.

My Russian sucks.

 

[figuristka]

I was only able to get up in time for Chan and the later skaters. I enjoyed Weir and though iam no fan of Evan, it was nice to see him looking so emotional though iam unclear how his short could have scored so close to Plushenko, ive yet to see Plushenko's short though. If anyone know where i can watch the skater's i missed please let me know, thanks. Didn't see Joubert but that placement was a shock to read.

 

[Bennett]

Plushy - Great jumps. But why does he choose such a lyrical piece of music? I think there would be a better match for him. His skating was not so fast.
Evan - Great! It was a great, well-executed program. Although I am not particularly a fan of him, it was moving to see him so touched!
Dai - Great overall. Wonderful program with great appeal.
Nobu - I thought that he should be higher than Dai on tech score. Better presentation than before. Good job!
Lambi - It was a wonderful program that matches his spins. Somehow his skating was not so fast. I do not know why he scored so high. It was a beautiful program but not that different from Dai artistically. His jumps were small. But he is surely good-looking!

 

[Eevun]

Some quotes from Weir after the SP:

"I actually had fun tonight, and that's something I haven't been able to say for a long time. I felt I really showed my heart tonight. I smiled --- I can't remember the last time I smiled like that. So tonight was everything I thought it could be."

"The results are something I can't control, so I can't say 'damnit, I didn't place in the top three today.' I can't control any of that. I just skate. And my goal was to show my heart, to take them on a journey with me so they can feel me."

YOU GO BOY! ROCK THE FS ANGEL!

You could absolutely tell. I was so happy due to that, I didn't care how he scored, just that he finally was happy again. The spirit of the Angel is back, that's my Olympic Gold. That smile went all the way to Scandinavia and made my night. GO JOHNNY!

I personnaly didn't like the atmosphere, because although it wasn't tense, I'd say it was inexistant, not like in Göteborg which was one big party.

It was.
You're in Vancouver now? No offense, but the sad thing when fs is held in US or Canada is that the noise only rise for Americans, Canadians or Plushy...
You're welcome back to a big, noisy family reunion i Göteborg!!

 

[Olympia]

Stéphane Lambiel is rightly the winner of the Program Components. 9.15 for interpretation is great. I wish he had Plushenko's jumps or Plushenko had his ...other everything. Now it's even more interesting to remember Yagudin had both the jumps and the "other everything".Well, not spins. Whatever.
I think the judging was fair.
I see it's mentioned a couple of times that Lambiel is held-up. Seriously?
It's written what he got for his jumps, 4.70 for double axel, 9.18 for quad-toe double-toe and 5.70 for the triple flip. I don't want to do the maths about the others right now, but these marks for the jumps adds up to 19.80, probably one of the worst in top10, or well maybe even worse (since even Denis Ten who is ironically "ten"th got 24 points from the jumps), which is fair. But except that, he deserved what he got and I won't even discuss this because it's for sure. As I checked out Daisuke got better than him in the footwork, which is also fair to me. So do the ones who say he is held up, try to mean he doesn't deserve to get one or two more points from each spin? Or do they mean Lambiel's choreography, transitions, interpretation, execution and skating skills are exaggerated? Well if you think so you should be ready for a bigger exaggeration on Thursday, since his free program La Traviata will be even better in those manners.

I hope that what you said about Lambiel's free program comes to pass, because that will be gorgeous to watch! I don't know where you're posting from, but the U.S. commentator, Scott Hamilton, announced before Stephane's skate that this was going to be very special and that viewers ought to pay attention. Scott and Sandra Bezic praised him throughout his skate. I'm so glad that his beautiful footwork (performed in such gorgeous synchronization to the music!) and his spins were highly rewarded, and that he's still in the running for a medal. I was even enjoying his music choice! The William Tell Overture is often used humorously, because many people consider it a bit over the top. But for someone from Switzerland, it's just perfectly suited as a serious piece, because it's about their great historical hero. It was the ideal choice for Stephane.

If I had my way, Lambiel and Takahashi would be on the podium. I'd be happy with Evan rounding out the three, in any order whatsoever. Evan isn't the most musical of skaters, but that comment someone made about 10% talent and 90% hard work is a great description of him. The idea of someone who uses everything he has to its full potential, and beyond, is admirable to me, and I'd be fine with him as the gold medalist.

 

[dlgpffps]

This is why I like the guy. Even when he has the worst perfromance ever, he still willing to reach out to fans. And I think this comment shows true Olympic spirit. Now he has to go and kick some butt in the LP!

And I bet this is exactly what Jeremy intends to do. I love Jeremy and I hope him the best :agree:

 

[katymay]

I don't get the 'Evan' thing either. To me he seems awkward, although given his height, I'm sure he can't help this. Still, I find him difficult to watch. He jumps are low to the ground, is footwork seems manic, and while he has a good sitspin, I'm sick of seeing it. Over and over again.
Even though the program was far from perfect, I love Patrick Chen's skating-especially the footwork. And all of the men from Japan. But I have grown to hate footwork that doesn't flow-all that starting and stopping and flapping arms. Ick. I think Yaguin started this trend, and it is high time it stopped.

 

[emma]

Well we got a good final flight!

1) Plushy
2) Man In Black
3) Dice-K
4) Nobu
5) Little Prince
6) Johnny Gaga

Even the penulitimate seems like a young guns show
7) Chosen One
8) Kozuka
9) Czech Buttle (seems like he wins the award for the most robbed)
10) D-Ten
11) Lil Flo
12) KVDP

ROFL!!!! It looks like a great final - can't wait (although, I really do need today to regroup!!).

 

[chiocciola]

Chan boasting? C'mon now. He is one of the most humble, gracious, likable kids around. It's a fact he usually has excellent transitions, choreo and footwork and that's where the bulk of his marks come from. The excellence is recognized by judges and figure skating pundits and most reasonably fair fans. Yes he often struggles with his 3A but most of his other jumps are beautiful. The kid is barely 19 years old and still has years of top notch competition in him.

I haven't noticed any of excellence of Chan, but if specialists say so, ok... Let him win when he's mature and perfect, he does not deserve Olympic Gold, yet!

 

[Bennett]

Koz was really good. His stroking might have been among the very best. He was really fast. I think he deserves better SS scores. His program was interesting and he did all these steps and big, twisted moves with speed. His steps and spins were really great.
Johnny was great! I wish he scored higher. His component scores were so low.
Joubert - Sad about the missed jumps. Presentation-wise, I like this program very much. Perhaps it would have looked better when he was on, but I wish he had gotten better PCS.
I thought that Patrick was rather over-scored.

 

[ARipp42014]

You SNOOZE to Lady Gaga? But her music isn't for snoozing ... it's for dancing in crazy ways.

Not if you have Bad Romance as your wake up alarm!

*returns to the queen size bed and vowing not to turn on Universal Sports until 2pm*