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

[Alatariel]

Well, that's basically what Scott Hamilton said at the top of the NBC broadcast. He ran though all of Plushenko's weaknesses and said something like, all of this is obvious to everyone except the judges, who love everything Plushenko does.

Scott also raised the question of Plushenko's "borderline" rotation of his quad. (Actually, I agree it was borderline at about 90 degrees short.)

Yes, well nobody ever accused NBC of objectivity. That just wouldn't do now would it?

Yeah, that's why the American can not do 4+3 or at least a single quad?

She was being sarcastic!

 

[jennylovskt]

Well, that's basically what Scott Hamilton said at the top of the NBC broadcast. He ran though all of Plushenko's weaknesses and said something like, all of this is obvious to everyone except the judges, who love everything Plushenko does.

Scott also raised the question of Plushenko's "borderline" rotation of his quad. (Actually, I agree it was borderline at about 90 degrees short.)

Isn't this something? May we say that American mob has controlled the media?

 

[Layfan]

I can't put into words how happy I am that Plushenko did not run away with this, and who is hot on his tail but my guy Evan and awesome Dai!
I thought everyone was generally awesome or terrible, Evan, Dai, Nobu, Johnny, Armindo, Kozuka all in the first catagory. Still in shock over Brian and Jeremey, bur especially Brian. I seriouly wonder if he will withdraw. Stepahne 's spins and steps are out if this world, and he has the crziest way of never quite sitting down on that quad. Plushy did his shtick, i didn't buy it, actually he didn't even sell it as much as usual.

My top three would be:
Dai
Plushy
Evan

but keep them all really close.

I feel exactly the same way you do. I hope all three top guys fight and keep it close. I really want Lambiel and Weir to have the skate of their lives too, though. I know who I secretly want to win but I'm saying nothing. Don't want to jinx anything.

I'm still in shock over Jeremy and Brian. Well, to be honest I was nervous for both them. Jeremy with his history of meltdowns. Brian - he's been inconsistent for a while now. Something about his attitude worried me. He was putting way too much pressure on himself to win every single competition and not just have great skates. I mean, I know they all want to win. But he had this attitude of "if I don't win it's a total failure."

Still, I never expected either of them to falter that badly. I'm still heartbroken. I hope Brian doesn't drop out.

I really, really, wanted to see how Jeremy would stack up against the best with an awesome skate. He had become my favorite.

 

[chiocciola]

Well, that's basically what Scott Hamilton said at the top of the NBC broadcast. He ran though all of Plushenko's weaknesses and said something like, all of this is obvious to everyone except the judges, who love everything Plushenko does.

Scott also raised the question of Plushenko's "borderline" rotation of his quad. (Actually, I agree it was borderline at about 90 degrees short.)

Did Scott commented on overscoring Evan's PCS? Come on! IT's sport, not politics... Just saw Plushy's skating... well dissapointing... he was so pale, either suffering from some pain (he did say that he was on painkiller injection in Nationals) or he was too reserved. I did not like his skating that much, though it should have apperared much better in the rink, speed and amplitude. He was granted for 4+3. He said he'd be happy for any scoring, he just did everything that was planned, it's up to judges to decide. Then said hello to Russia, asked to chear and support him)))
ES commentators say that Dai's TES were overscored.

 

[figuristka]

Thanks seniorita, said page cannot be found but it appeared back again, just need to download something first. Very kind of you.Cannot wait.

 

[janetfan]

Well, that's basically what Scott Hamilton said at the top of the NBC broadcast. He ran though all of Plushenko's weaknesses and said something like, all of this is obvious to everyone except the judges, who love everything Plushenko does.

Scott also raised the question of Plushenko's "borderline" rotation of his quad. (Actually, I agree it was borderline at about 90 degrees short.)

Since it is Plushy all assume his quad was perfect. The replay showed it was borderline. Scott rarely picks on anybodies urs but this jump looked short and by that I mean we could see in real time and without hi-def it was questionable.

No doubt that reputation saved the day and the only way Plushy will get dinged is if he falls. Personally I hate such nitpicking on jumps and am glad Plushy had that jump ratified. They also let Dai slide on a jump and according to some - all of Evan's jumps were bad, his spins sucked and just like Plushy he ignored the music.

Gotta luv skating fans

 

[seniorita]

between plush ur quad, dai ur toe and lysacek alien axel, i want to say that Amodio was a poetry. I expect his amelie program to be one of the highlights of tommorow.

 

[Layfan]

i just wached eurosport version and Plushenko looks faster there, lol, than what i remember yesterday, and his spins are not that bad, he doesnt travel and he is faster than before. Dai is rocking. Lambiel is so cute... I watched only these three.

I first watched Plushenko on a crappy feed and then finally got to watch too reruns of his program on TV here, which didn't have him live ... mad I realized he was much faster and his spins were much better than I had thought. Well, I always was impressed with how centered his spins are but I realized they weren't nearly as slow as I realized.

But his footwork sequence ... it could be done to any music. Most skaters, when they do their footwork sequence after a clean skate it's like an exuberant victory lap and often the best part of the program. Last night with Plushenko, it felt almost like he doing it because he had to. I started losing interest ....

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Evan was way way overscored on the PCS. Bla

I understand what you are saying, but I believe you are judging by the old Presentation Score which leaned heavily on the personal view of the 'Whole Package'. The newer Program Component Score nitpicks the 'Whole Package' in 5 distinct areas which supercedes the personal view of the most enjoyable program. It's basically saying, imo, that this is a Sport and not an Audition for some show. In the case of Johnny, for example, there may have been more than flow and tempo to keep his scores lower. I don't know. to me, he skated his best since Otonal. I don't look at protocols that often. I'm still a performance man more than a nitpicker. It's the judges that count except for hanky panky.

I am not against the PC scores except for the limited acknowledgment of the use of judging Musicality which is the prime reason for having a two part competition.

Without getting too involved with personalities, I see the need for Flow and Rhythm to be more important than it is presently rated. Plushenko and Lysacek have Timing on their side. Lambiel, Oda, Brezina have this quality as well as the use of varied tempos in music and defining the character of the music in a unique way, and not necessarily with a story line. You don't need Tosca to show Drama. Puccini's score is all about foreboding, ominous, music without the story.

 

[seniorita]

i was looking to skating order of lp. I have a question, from first up to three group, quads will try even for the shake of it, tomas, Schult maybe, lindemann, abott, fernandez probably, joubert maybe 2, kozuka, maybe amodio 4S, and then coming to last group maybe oda, taka, maybe weir, plush and lambiel two. After all these quad attempts how much judges would be thrilled with a no quad program to get the gold medal??
It is not bias question, just a silly one probably as I know it is all about numbers and the highest marks win, i m just wondering...

 

[jennyszy]

it's weird how different perspectives are felt around the world... must say i am quite disturbed at how the commentaries and NA press seem to be against Plushy... am not a great fan myself but he has shown over the last 10 years that he can pull out what he has to when he has to (except for World's 2000 if my memory is still ok after a night up watching skating). he prooved it last night as well... he is in a short lead but he dis have a quad combo and it is a technical programme... he was 5th on the components which is fair... couldn t put him under... the componenets are also defined by the general feel of the program and when the jumps pass it does improve the artistic feeling...
he may not be the most artistic but he does do his job when he must... isn't that what the olympics are about???

 

[Wicked]

I think any one of the top 6 guys could win this. I am shocked particularly shocked at how close the top 3 are. I don't think this is what any of those guys expected. Evan and Dai have got to be feeling really good. Plush is not running away with this.

I'm crushed for Brian, Jeremy, and Tomas. Please guys, skate lights out tomorrow night. Show what you really can do.

 

[Wrlmy]

Congrats to Evan and Dai! Even with his great short program from GPF, I did not expect this from Dai! What a comeback after serious injury that took him out for a year!
And for Evan, despite all those criticisms about his artistry, that performance was magical! PCS double in the long program, so Evan might even win the wholething over Plushy!!!

I am so depressed for Brian, Jeremy and Tomas. Tomas bombing wasn't all that shocking, but I didn't see this coming for Brian. He's the only one to have medalled at every major event he's competed the past quad.
To see him retire without an olympic medal under his belt is so heartbreaking..

 

[silverlake22]

So I really disagree with NBC that the medal hunt is between three men. Remember Dai's craptastic FS at the GPF? And Evan's scary 3a technique? People may think it's between Rasputin, Beanpole, and Sideburns but I wouldn't be surprised if the 12 year old, Razzle Dazzle, Perfect Hair, or Hometown Boy upsets the results and sneaks on the podium. So sad for Prince Charming, Mr. Smooth, and the Darkhorse. Anyone know if Joubert and Verner plan to retire or continue skating after having such rough seasons this year?

Realistically I think the top 10 will be as follows:

1.) Plushy (complete with arm flailing and fake artistry)
2.) Oda (really brings it in the long)
3.) Chan (hometown boost, huge PCS, and a clean program give him the scores needed to be up here)
4.) Lysacek (axel trouble)
5.) Lambiel (overscored again due to his artistry and perfect hair)
6.) Weir (meh)
7.) Takahashi (bombs the LP ala GPF)
8.) Brezina (kept down because of PCS, but delivers great program)
9.) Takahiko (3rd person syndrome and low PCS but great performance)
10) Abbott (redeems himself but too far down from the short to be higher)

Who knows though. I wonder what the ladies event will be like.

 

[schiele]

So I really disagree with NBC that the medal hunt is between three men. Remember Dai's craptastic FS at the GPF? And Evan's scary 3a technique? People may think it's between Rasputin, Beanpole, and Sideburns but I wouldn't be surprised if the 12 year old, Razzle Dazzle, Perfect Hair, or Hometown Boy upsets the results and sneaks on the podium. So sad for Prince Charming, Mr. Smooth, and the Darkhorse. Anyone know if Joubert and Verner plan to retire or continue skating after having such rough seasons this year?

S, both Joubert and Verner declared they will continue. Joubert will continue till 2012 Nice, Verner made no specific declaration on timing to my knowledge. BUT the wonderful head of the french fed is giving all sorts of crap about Brian in the press and seems to try to bully him into accepting the imposed training conditions (he wants for him, like abroad with a mentor and Canadian coach etc). I don't know how the already problematic relationship will continue after this or if Joubert will call it quits. He never indicated anything as such after his SP interviews and 2012 still looks on but we'll see.
As to Verner, he seems to be stuck in an infinite cycle of self fullfilling prophecies. I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don't know what he'll do but he needs to do smth if he wants to continue. One can support only so many disappointments.

 

[Bennett]

Just wondering how important are the looks in Men's PCS scoring?

 

[Dee4707]

dee you got my message?

I did and PM'd you back.

 

[DesertRoad]

Just wondering how important are the looks in Men's PCS scoring?

Not very, judging by Evan's.

 

[Skatermom760]

Since I lived on the West Coast and simply cannot stand the thought of not knowing what happen during the competition, I ended up at this forum. I loved the fact that I can follow the competition and know the immediate results. But why so much skaters bashing? Every skaters had been training hard for 12, 15...years. Even if one do not like a particular skater or think they are not your cup of tea, I think they all should deserve respects. Why so much negativity and venom directed to a particular skater? Please, just talk figure skating!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

i was looking to skating order of lp. I have a question, from first up to three group, quads will try even for the shake of it, tomas, Schult maybe, lindemann, abott, fernandez probably, joubert maybe 2, kozuka, maybe amodio 4S, and then coming to last group maybe oda, taka, maybe weir, plush and lambiel two. After all these quad attempts how much judges would be thrilled with a no quad program to get the gold medal??
It is not bias question, just a silly one probably as I know it is all about numbers and the highest marks win, i m just wondering...

Good post, seniorita. It is all about numbers and the highest marks win. It's all about the favorites of fans who will never agree with the judges if their fav does not get the scores of their wishes.

I don't think it will be a quad fest. I would think most of the skaters would want to perform a clean routine. Joubert has some make-up to do to leave with his fans that he is still one of the few Top Skaters. He will quad and probably more than once. Oda has never shown a quad in competition AFAIK, and no reason to try here. If the two above him after the SP did well without it, why should he try it? (btw, will the Chaplin routine hold up here?) Oh how nice it will be if Lambiel does the quad and quad combo as well as he did in 2004 Worlds. He will try them, Johnny doesn't have a quad and he would be stupid to take the risk.

The Big Question remains with Evan and Dai! They did well without it, and it is possible to win without it by playing the bonus points, we have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, the kid from the Czech Rep. will continue to wow the audience without a Quad until next season.