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

[ManyCairns]

Evan Lysacek was fantastic. He deserves his scores and frankly, I think the overall quality of his skating was better than Plushenko's. His hard work was well worth it nd I hope he can continue to do well Thursday night. Jeremy Abbott, is a superb skater but obviously had problems tonite. I hope he can let go of this and just skate his heart out for the LP. He has another Olympics in him. Snadra Bezic has done a first rate job of commentating. Scottie too. The judging wasn't horrible (I am amazed) although I believe Johnny's scores were too low and that's even allowing for the edge call on the flip. He should have been higher.

I'm a Johnny fan and am so glad he was happy and did well! I think he tends to get undermarked a bit on PCS and GOE. I would love to see Johnny continue on to Worlds if he can do it while continuing to enjoy himself.

You aren't the only poster who seems to think Abbott can learn from his experiences tonight and do better next Olys, but I dunno, in 4 years he'll be just a few months shy of 29. He doesn't seem to suffer much from injury, true (and thank goodness for him, I'm not a fan because I think he's inconsistent but finally happened to "hit" at Nats, but I don't want anybody injured), but the fact is he's getting long in the tooth for a skater. ETA: But I certainly think he can do well for another seaon or two, I just doubt he can make another 4 years.

Again, yay Johnny! ALWAYS love to see him skate!

 

[fairly4]

of course --i am biased but i thought evan should have won short and daisuke 2nd- why
did evgeny seem a little off, was a few of his landings shaking and timing a hair off.
but thaty is just me
anyway--anyone of the top 3 can win a little mistake by each anything can happen.
great skate from all 3 make it worth watching tomorrow night.

 

[NatachaHatawa]

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, Canadicks or Plushy...
You're welcome back to a big, noisy family reunion i Göteborg!!

Not at all - but these things are visible from a TV screen.

 

[soogar]

Abbott doesn't have that championship mentality. Even though his skating at Nationals was Olympic caliber- as soon as he took the ice in Vancouver I knew he wasn't going to skate well. He just doesn't have that intensity or killer instinct.

Plush was extremely nervous. You could see it on his face in and in his body language the way he continued to circle the ice before his music started. However once his program began he forced himself to get over the jitters and deliver his jumps.

I see the same competitive quality in Evan.

 

[viv]

Me, I do not like Joubert and the guys imitating Chippendale dancers and doing pelvic thrusts and gyrations and hair fluffing. If girls did it, the negative comments would be huge - and no, I do not find it sexy, he reminds me of a lounge lizard who so thinks he's hot while the girls edge away carefully ... my son is quite scathing from downstairs, the term "no deleted deleted deleted would I put that in MY program, I have some dignity!"

Nevertheless I felt a bit sorry for him today - Sigi Heinrich of Eurosport cried: "This is a downfall of epic dimensions!" I never wanted to see him on the podium but in his normal state of mind I think he should among top ten. Let's say 9th?

 

[taikwan]

Sorry folks I really donh't like Lysacek. He's awkward and sloppy, but the judges love him and always inflate his scores no matter where or when. It doesn't matter who his coach or choreographer is it's the WAY he moves; and it isn't graceful or pretty.

AMEN - and no musicality whatsoever

 

[seniorita]

he admitted he was too nervous even in 3rd Olys

He said his gold medal gives him no further advantage. Far from it. "I thought that with each Olympic competition, it would become easier to compete," said Plushenko, who won silver at Salt Lake in 2002. "But apparently, it's getting harder. I get nervous more now."

and lol here

One more thing, Yevgeny. Do you think the other skaters are afraid of you? Hello? "Ask them," he said.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

I apologize in advance if my post doesn't fit within the overall nature of the thread since I don't have time to read throught the whole thing - but I wanted to add my thoughts on the Men's Short...

1. I have fallen head over heels in love with Kozuka. As one who is convinced that Jimi Hendrix is perfect for skating and never having seen this short program I was blown away. He reminded me of that awesome feeling of being the first one on the ice at an early open session with a fresh zamboni coat and just skating to whatever was playing over the speakers...the freedom and joy made EVERYONE look trite and contrived. It reminded me why I love this sport - something I've been searching for over the past two years.

2. Johnny was underscored. He deserves better than sixth place. And the tassel was awesome.

3. Almost cried when Brian went down. Is his foot still injured or was that a mental thing? Poor Brian...

4. I love Plushy and all his arrogance, so I am glad he's in first. Catch him if you can...

5. I do not get the whole Chan thing. His skating doesn't strike me as being superior, so all his arrogance is unfounded. Maybe one day someone will take the time to explain why he's great because I just don't see it. His whole persona is simply grating.

6. While I personally would've had Dai ahead of Evan, I must say that last night was the first time I rooted for him. I'm not sure if its his whole determined thing or what, but he impressed me last night. I've finally come to terms with the merit behind his world championship and gained a lot of respect for that title. Has he always been that good and I ignored it?

Anywho - looking forward to tomorrow night and seeing how it all plays out. Who will falter? Who will splat? Who will make the podium? Who will steal Plushy's Benz for KW?

 

[Spun Silver]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I came back to GS after the SP and a rest and found an 89 page thread. I guess I forgot what the Oly's are like, lol.

To me Daisuke outskated everyone last night. I was soooooo happy! He is like the Horowitz of skating - inventive, brilliant, unique, exciting - a true OGM-worthy skater if he can hold it together one more night. I'm afraid to think about his quad. I think he'll go for it... and I don't really like his chances of landing it. Please, skate gods, I'm on my knees!

Plushenko did his big trick which is definitely amazing. :thumbsup: His footwork was shockingly bad. :disagree: I admit his spins have improved, which is not saying a whole lot. I thought it was hilarious when they replayed his statement about wanting to be "like Dick Button" to Dick Button. As anyone who knows his taste would know, Uncle Dick is not a fan of crude, one-trick skating. Because of his one-sidedness he looks very beatable to me - but I thought the same the last time....

Evan was the best Evan he can be and like most others, I am very willing to give him props for his drive and determination. Unfortunately he will never be subtle, musical, or beautiful. Still, if he gets a medal (anything but gold, please), he's earned it. I guess.

Johnny had that old look back of the sleek, coiled up wildcat ready to leap and pounce. I'm begging the skate gods to push him onto the podium and I think it's very possible. He skated the best I've seen for a long time but I don't like the program or the posing so it was hard to get excited about his performance.

IMO Lambiel's spins were great but the footwork wasn't as brilliant as Takahashi's or as Scott and Sandra claimed. He wasn't quite sharp to me. I could see him either bombing or grabbing a medal tonight. I'd love it if it were a well-earned silver or even gold if Daisuke falters. Totally mystified by his choice of costume. U-G-L-Y, it ain't got no alibi.

Patrick hasn't looked like himself since he returned from his injury. Maybe he just lost too much training time. Also, I predicted he and Joannie would succumb to the Olympic pressure and so far it looks like I'm right. Prove me wrong, guys. I love Patrick and think he's OGM material but not this time, alas. I'm quite shocked by his talk of retiring now.

Kozuka and Oda - beautiful skaters but they're not going to lift people out of their seats. Yet.

Shocked and saddened by the meltdowns of Brian and Jeremy. I frankly think Brian should retire. He made his feelings about the Olympics plain right after his skate and I don't see how he can keep up this depressing fight for another four years. All he has to do is take off his shirt and smile and he'll make a fortune in movies or modeling, that's my opinion and hope.

I was delighted with Florent and Javier, my two favorite young 'uns. I missed Denis Ten, Schultheiss, and some others I wanted to see... I'm becoming quite knowledgeable about luge and snowboarding, though.

 

[BlackAxel]

1. I have fallen head over heels in love with Kozuka. As one who is convinced that Jimi Hendrix is perfect for skating and never having seen this short program I was blown away. He reminded me of that awesome feeling of being the first one on the ice at an early open session with a fresh zamboni coat and just skating to whatever was playing over the speakers...the freedom and joy made EVERYONE look trite and contrived. It reminded me why I love this sport - something I've been searching for over the past two years.

I felt the same way! Kozuka's fundamentals and skating skills are so wonderful to watch that I can watch his perfromance without any jumps and still be put under his spell. He is onl 20 years old, but give him a couple of years more after Takahashi and Oda leave and he gains the number #1 spot in Japan. He will really SHINE then!!

 

[Tony Wheeler]

Totally agree about Kozuka. BY FAR my favorite performance of the night last night, and I've watched it several times again today. I was ranting about how amazing he was for a long while last night on Facebook, and I also think he's going to be a major, major factor in the next few years.

 

[Moxie]

Ok, I had trouble sleeping last night, and am still in shock about Jouby and Jeremy's implosions.

Hope everyone skates their best Thursday.

 

[Alatariel]

Snarky but funny article about last night - nothing technical about it, pure casual fan:

http://blogs.chron.com/tubular/archives/2010/02/men_get_fabulou.html

Read through it, as he covers the whole night, but occasionally veers onto other sports as NBC skipped from one to another. Snark at it's best

 

[ARipp42014]

From Fourth Place Medal...

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/va...t=Ai.ie4vnpOgvURl61H_GsvNptLV_?urn=oly,220268

 

[silverlake22]

Patrick hasn't looked like himself since he returned from his injury. Maybe he just lost too much training time. Also, I predicted he and Joannie would succumb to the Olympic pressure and so far it looks like I'm right. Prove me wrong, guys. I love Patrick and think he's OGM material but not this time, alas. I'm quite shocked by his talk of retiring now.

Kozuka and Oda - beautiful skaters but they're not going to lift people out of their seats. Yet.

Shocked and saddened by the meltdowns of Brian and Jeremy. I frankly think Brian should retire. He made his feelings about the Olympics plain right after his skate and I don't see how he can keep up this depressing fight for another four years. All he has to do is take off his shirt and smile and he'll make a fortune in movies or modeling, that's my opinion and hope.

this is true, but the commentators were also saying that men usually don't peak until their mid twenties. Brian is only 24, and is not planning on sticking around for the next Olympics, just the 2012 worlds in France. He might change his mind about the Olympics if he does poorly here though. Totally agree about Oda and Kozuka, they were great and I think Oda will really bring it in the LP tomorrow. Patrick I think is still developing into his own, he just turned 19 a month ago and still could be growing physically which could be upsetting his skating. I don't think his artistry is so much better than the other men but he does have something special about him and very good basics. He will be around for Sochi and can have his shot to medal then if he doesn't manage to here.

 

[schiele]

Snarky but funny article about last night - nothing technical about it, pure casual fan:

http://blogs.chron.com/tubular/archives/2010/02/men_get_fabulou.html

Read through it, as he covers the whole night, but occasionally veers onto other sports as NBC skipped from one to another. Snark at it's best

This pretty much sums it up as to why I want Plushenko to come and kick some butt and win this thing. I have no longer any other wishes (my hopefuls have bombed anyway), I just want these relentless 'pure evil Plushenko' campaigners to eat their words.. Go Plush!

 

[chuckm]

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)

I think it's dreaming to think Chan can come back from a 9+ point deficit to finish in the medals. If anyone is going to have axel trouble, it's Chan, not Lysacek. I don't see him beating Plushenko, Lysacek and Takahashi, and if Oda and Lambiel have good FSs, he'll have to skate squeaky clean to pass either of them. After all, Lambiel has two quads and doesn't try 3A, and his transitions, choreography and spins are as good as or better than Chan's, and he's a far, far better performer.

Chan didn't get a hometown boost in the SP, so why should he get one in the FS?

 

[seniorita]

This pretty much sums it up as to why I want Plushenko to come and kick some butt and win this thing. I have no longer any other wishes (my hopefuls have bombed anyway), I just want these relentless 'pure evil Plushenko' campaigners to eat their words.. Go Plush!

Lol the article is hilarious!!! And dear god, did they portayed (how is this spelled?) Evgeni like this in fluff???Please, where is it???I want to see it.

 

[silverlake22]

Um, no.

Sure, I admit that looks may factor into the equation at times, but I think it is extremely misleading to say that looks are the only thing holding Akiko and Rachael back from higher placements. There are quite a few things both Akiko and Rachael can work on if they want higher marks. And it is unfair to say that skaters like Yu-Na, Mao and Miki only get the marks they do because they are attractive.

And besides, if looks were everything, surely Fedor Andreev, Kira Korpi and Tanith Belbin would've been Olympic champions by now

You are right I just like to say PCS depends on looks so much because it annoys me how Laura Lepisto and Carolina Kostner always gets good scores even when they do a LP with 2 triples, I know it really doesn't factor into the equation all that much.

In terms of Jeremy not having the championship mentality, I just realized he and Tomas Verner were born two days apart (June 5th and June 3rd - though Jeremy is a year older). From an astrological standpoint, they are both Gemini men, who are classified as being idealistic and NOT stable, secure, or consistent. They have a dual nature and are said to act like adolescents their whole lives. These characteristics are very true of both Jeremy and Tomas (not that it actually means anything), but I do think it's interesting how the two headcases have almost the same birthday.

Brian Joubert and his meltdown. Brian was born on September 20 and is a Virgo man, characterized as being practical, hardworking, and dutiful. They are very detail oriented and big perfectionists, very critical and demanding, and easily frustrated. This totally is Joubert, I mean from his skating, quadruple jumps, body, and hair - you can tell he's a perfectionist. He wanted this Olympic medal too much I think as he often wants things too much and that's what makes him falter. He doesn't want to do his best he wants to win, but he can't always win and when he doesn't he gets frustrated.

That's just my two cents on the issue of the meltdowns. I like astrology and find that it is actually pretty accurate for the most part but I know it really doesn't mean much. Though I was devastated to see these three men falter I can't say I was really surprised - it's something about their personas that always have me nervous about how they will do. Once a headcase, always a headcase? Maybe, but there might be more to it than that.

 

[seniorita]

Weeee, K and S (like Kiss and Sry?) you ll hold my hand tommorow???