That and the combination of other factors: unusually early start, not being able to go back to the village after the morning practice (how the guys were supposed to have breakfast & have a shower after practice?!) I think being stuck for hours there the guys just got burned out mentally on the top of a lack of sleep and competition nerves. But the main thing was that Mika's confidence (not very strong to start with) has been destroyed for last 2 seasons by the pressure of expectations + tech content which he was unable to do 100% even in practice let alone under the stress of competition. So what happened in the SP here was kinda bound to happen. One thing to look at it - he got the worst nerves out of his system -hopefully! Today was very significant - he was no less nervous than on Friday, the skate didn't start well but he managed to turn it around -
I could not sleep but was afraid to watch only after I read your messages here at 5am and knew he did well I got up and watched - oh that smile - thank God!
In the FS there is time to turn the skate around. In the SP it is more difficult. But he could do the SP in practice. That seemed to be virtually 100% nerves. He was visibly shaking when he went out there. At this point he can do the 4Lz in practices, he can do it in warmups, what is the stumbling block in competitive programs? Also in the practice before the FS he wisely saved his strength rather than going all out, and I think that may have helped. But it's rather suggestive of him being somewhat tired at this point in the season. And it's not like it could have been easily avoided, since the only competition that he may have chosen not to attend was one of the Challengers at the beginning. If only he could have missed Euros. Or someone else could have skated the SP here. Or if he'd had an easier layout in the SP.
Also, if the jump after the 4Lz in the FS is going to be screwed up anyway, there may be some point in bringing back the 4S. No danger of a REP, the second 3Lz can be put back and the combos would be made easier. Or put a 2A there or 3Lz or somesuch that he can jump in his sleep, but obviously that is unlikely to be workable right now. But even apart from that he needs to get his 4T back together, that jump was stable and reliable before.
Kudos to Nina Mozer I am not sure how things would pan out if she wasn't there...
Yes, definitely, I think she helped. A coach with more experience of the Olympics being there was a very good idea and I wish it had happened before the SP too.
I am shocked at the level of hostility from the media and fans. The only people who could rightly feel a bit 'robbed' are his teammates and they have been very nice & supportive because they know it is sport and it could have happened to any of them. People react like Mika stole their last belongings from them and not a chance (not certainty) of a team gold medal (I personally convinced that Canada would have won anyway and good for them!). Nathan possibly cost USA a silver but nobody throws a vitriol at him here. I just can't...
As someone said, the Americans were not expecting gold. If they had been, Nathan might have been treated more harshly (but it's not like he chose to skate badly because the team event wasn't as important! And neither did Misha, although some people seem to honestly believe something like that). It was Russia and Canada for whom the team event was a big deal. There are still fans of Zhenya and Alina that are mad that both of them didn't get to be Olympic champions. But it wasn't like it was ever guaranteed or anything. Canada simply had a more experienced team so they had an advantage there, especially with Stolbova and Klimov out of the equation.
I think the good thing that he kind of did all the jumps - almost all the jumps, where's the quad combo, Misha? But a vast improvement from the SP. Maybe the Team Event was good to get him going for the Mens competitions, who knows. Let's wait and see.
I think he may be less nervous because at least he is only skating for himself. Misha is prone to being hyperresponsible and that does not help (not my opinion but that of those who know him). His problem isn't that he doesn't care about the team, it's that he cares too much, dammit! Some people can't get it through their heads. I hope his unsuccessful skate in the team event doesn't weigh too heavily on him and he doesn't get stuck in that "I let everyone down" tearing his hair out place (some people think he should as if that had ever helped anyone). That psychologist that helped him after last Euros, or another one, will probably be a good idea. He really needs to rediscover his carefree streak and start enjoying skating again. Otherwise it may come to him simply deciding it isn't worth it and retiring without realising even half of his potential.
ЕТА: Apparently, Zhenya (unlike some of her fans) was one of the main supporters of Misha after his unsuccessful SP and he seems grateful to her for her help.
