Plushenko will honour us with his presence in 2010!

[seniorita]

Plush has been included in the preliminary Olympic team
http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSLJ94715920090519

Also http://www.rian.ru/sport/20090519/171551999.html

Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko is included in national team of Russia in preparation for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, president of Russian Federation of figure skating Valentin Piseev told to RIA Novosti.

"We included Plushenko candidate for national team - said Piseev on Tuesday. - Tomorrow, he come to Moscow to undergo thorough medical examination, which all athletes of team Russia should pass it."

"I had already held talks with his coach Alexei Mishin, who described how he sees the process of training and preparation for Vancouver. But now I need to talk to Zheney himself" - added the agency interlocutor."

 

[gocaroline]

Plush has been included in the preliminary Olympic team
http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSLJ94715920090519

Wow! If He does make it back to the Olympic in his 2006 form, he really has a great chance to defend his title!

 

[Dee4707]

Wow! If He does make it back to the Olympic in his 2006 form, he really has a great chance to defend his title!

I just hope he doesn't compete like he did in 2006, I felt cheated.

 

[Jaana]

I just hope he doesn't compete like he did in 2006, I felt cheated.

I did not feel cheated, because although Plushenko definetely was not at his best, he anyway was the best male skater at 2006 Olympics and deserved his title.

 

[jennylovskt]

I did not feel cheated, because although Plushenko definetely was not at his best, he anyway was the best male skater at 2006 Olympics and deserved his title.

I couldn't remember when was the last time that I agreed with you. But I definitely agree with you on this. I am so excited to see him at the Olympics. At this point, I haven't made up my mind on whom I should root for - Plushenko or Joubert.

 

[evangeline]

I agree that Plushenko was the deserving winner of the Olympics in 2006, but I understand what people mean when they felt cheated--I think we all know that Plushenko was capable of so much more than what he actually skated in 2006. I daresay that I enjoyed his 2002 Olympic LP, mistakes and all, more than his Olympic-gold winning skates.

That being said, I look forward to seeing Plushenko back--hopefully his presence would push the current men into skating even better.

But I hope he will have better programs than his boring 2006 ones.

 

[Nadine]

Plush has been included in the preliminary Olympic team
http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSLJ94715920090519

Also http://www.rian.ru/sport/20090519/171551999.html

Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko is included in national team of Russia in preparation for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, president of Russian Federation of figure skating Valentin Piseev told to RIA Novosti.

"We included Plushenko candidate for national team - said Piseev on Tuesday. - Tomorrow, he come to Moscow to undergo thorough medical examination, which all athletes of team Russia should pass it."

"I had already held talks with his coach Alexei Mishin, who described how he sees the process of training and preparation for Vancouver. But now I need to talk to Zheney himself" - added the agency interlocutor."

Thanks for posting this, seniorita, his biggest fan!

I was rooting for Evgeni the last two Olympics, and will do so again this time as well. Lol, some of the things I posted about him in the past make me blush, in particular my comments about his Adonis physique. Seriously though, I have so much respect for him not only as a skater but as a person as well, which I wrote about extensively in the past, in particular his love & devotion & respect for his country, I don't even know what to say, indescribeable.

Evgeni Plushenko dances with the gods! May he follow in Dick Button's footsteps.

 

[Nadine]

I agree with those that mentioned Evgeni is capable of so much more, thus feeling a bit of a letdown of his 2006 Olympic FS (no questions about his deserving to win though). I feel the same way about Shizuka Arawkawa's 2006 Olympic FS. Neither one had a memorable Olympic FS IMHO, which is why I have never personally gone back to view their individual performances. Yes, both won fair & square, but neither one skated to their full potential ~ neither one had a lights out performance for the ages ~ JMHO, of course.

That said, I understand their rationale at the time, why do more than is required to win?, why take the risk?, they each only needed to skate conservatively to secure the gold. That's smart thinking. Secure your name in the history books first & foremost. That's what I would personally do, though I bow down in humility to those that actually take the risk (ala Steve Prefontaine).

This is one thing I admired so much about the glorious Russian Gymnastics Team from the 70's & 80's & 90's, I recall (think it was 1988 Olympics) wherein one of the team members fell on a difficult never-before-seen element on the beam (btw she got right back up after taking a serious fall). Thereafter, the coach was asked if they would take that element out when it came to the Finals, and he said something about never, Russia never compromised their ideals, they would take the risk. I'm not expressing it well at all, sorry, I'll have to go & find my old rusty Gymnastics Tapes from that era & find what I'm looking for.

Enough babbling, I'm sure Evgeni would like to win this time skating full out, having the rest of the pack push him, MAKE him take that risk. And in order to see this happen, ALL the top men must skate their very best. I would loooove to see this happen ~ everybody skates their best & y-o-u win!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

You see, to me, Plushenko was the greatest jumper, not the greatest skater. I think Dick Button skated better than Plushenko. Dick in his time had jumps no one could do, but he also could spin like a top and flow over the ice. However, if you equate super jumping with good skating, we will never agree on granting Plush this laurel.

Since it is likely that Plush will return to competition. Will he skate any GPs? He doesn't have to. Will he skate Russian Nats. I preume he doesn't have to. So it may only be the Olys we will see his return. No. I'm not that excited to see his return. I prefer Lutai.

I'm not interested in seeing Sasha or Michelle skate the Olys as well. Their era has gone bye. However, it could happen that one of them could win either by talent or being held up. Plushy deserved his win in 2006, but the astronomical scores were blatanly wrong. That's the protocols for you. Plush beats Lambiel on spins. Yeah.

I'm willing to watch this Olys and would like Ponsero and Yu Na as the winners.

 

[Nadine]

Joesitz, I respect your opinion (btw I recall the Dick Button avatar you used to have & am sad to see it gone).

That said, we will have to agree to disagree. I love both of the aforementioned skaters, both as skaters & individuals. I think what Dick Button did for American Figure Skating Evgeni Plushenko can do for Russian Figure Skating as well. JMHO.

I agree that Dick Button was an innovator, unique, all the superlatives he deserves, but I also feel likewise about Evgeni Plushenko. He did jumps others can only dream of (likewise Dick Button) & Evgeni was the only man that could even do a Biellmann spin. He moved across the ice like Baryshnikov IMHO. 'nuff said. I will let seniorita defend him if need be, lol.

 

[seniorita]

lol..I m far from being his biggest fan but thanx
Plushy doesnt need any defend and I love to debate with joe (this is good emoticon in my book) , I know we will never agree on the great jumper not great skater thing, and artistry in always subjective :agree: But we agree on his sit spin, although I have survived his little flaws and I don't care much about it cause he has many more that I enjoy.
My only disagreement about his famous overscored olympic programs, is that not the system nor the skaters were ever a problem, fire the judges. While I cant say anything for Godfather that night, I loved Tosca, if I was a judge I would mark him 100 just for the drama of it.
I liked the part about his lines and ballet moves, I always felt the same. Especially his hands' movements in slow cuts of music (and no I dont mean the flailing arms).

 

[Dee4707]

Yagudin brought the mock dramatic expressions and deep edges from ice dancing to his performance. Plushenko always looked more natural and athletic to me.

Hmmmmmmm, that's interesting.

Evgeni was a skater I always watched and liked very much. I love it when Alexei and he were in the same competition, it was a blood bath. They pushed each other because they were rivals. In 2006 Olys, no one actually pushed Evgeni...and his LP should not have even been judged. It's just my opinion, I felt cheated.

 

[antmanb]

I just hope he doesn't compete like he did in 2006, I felt cheated.

Dee you know I agree with you but personally I don't think it's just Plushy (see seniorita i can be nice to him!) I hope no-one skates like the men did in 2006 because it was a truly awful competition.

Ant

 

[seniorita]

I dont know if this gives any insight about his plans

- "With Alexey Mishin, we all discussed on May 14. And today, I received a detailed plan for next season" - on tuesday told "Izvestiya" president of the Federation of Russia figure skating Valentin Piseev. - "Any benefits for Plushenko will not provided. He will participate in most competitions next season, including in Russia. As of today, he - a member of Olympic team of Russia."

The main goal for the summer, Evgeni almost fulfilled: his weight came close to fighting. Today it must certify Moscow doctors, who carry out an in-depth medical examination for figure skaters, obligatory for all potential Olympians. In wednesday, scheduled a meeting Plushenko's with Piseev, where will finally sorted out all issues.

original source http://www.izvestia.ru/sport/article3128619/

see seniorita i can be nice to him!

I can see that, I m worried for you, you have fever?Orange juice might help
And we agree about Olympics fs night.

 

[antmanb]

I can see that, I m worried for you, you have fever?Orange juice might help
And we agree about Olympics fs night.

I wonder if Joubert will change his mind about the importance of quads if the master of them returns

Ant

 

[seniorita]

if the master of them returns Ant

I m so proud of you ant, plushy rehabilitation is starting to take effect, by Vancouver time you will bow in front of the master(this is ultra happy emoticon)
Who is next? :think:

 

[Buttercup]

I wonder if Joubert will change his mind about the importance of quads if the master of them returns

Is Plushy the master of the quads? I don't recall him being an innovator in this respect or having a better quad than the others. He probably was a bit more consistent with it than most of the men, esp. after SLC, and could do more difficult quad combinations. But I wouldn't consider him a master of that jump.

Joubert's been talking about quads since well before Plushy's, um, temporary retirement? Is that a good term? Anyway, here's Brian on the subject of quads in January 2006:

I think it will be a step backwards for men to win Olympic medals without the quad jump. For me, I believe the jumps are very important to the future of the sport, and we can't allow the technical quality to diminish. In 2002 I remember everybody who medaled did two quads in the free, and now they think just one – or maybe none – is good enough? I don't understand that, and I certainly don't agree... I think for the people – the audience – it's interesting to see the big jumps. We have to keep pushing forward and see things like a quad flip or quad lutz, rather than go backwards.

 

[seniorita]

sooooo you are the next
a little bit more consistent?How many men kept the quad for 8 years and didnt drop it at some point?When I have too much free time I can count the times he has fallen on quad since 1998 in all his competitions, I like maths statistics But it wouldnt matter.King of quads was Goebel but Plushy mastered them. Thats just how I view it of course
He had tried various combos with it, including 3axel-4t and 4salcow that he landed in non official competition (st moritz i think) and almost landed 4 lutz in Cop, my fav one is 4t - 3l that he did in warm up of 2006 euros but not in sp.
Although I think Plushy 's prime in quad innovations was until SLC not after.

Remember our talking about Voldemort? The man is vol de mort

 

[antmanb]

I m so proud of you ant, plushy rehabilitation is starting to take effect, by Vancouver time you will bow in front of the master(this is ultra happy emoticon)
Who is next? :think:

To be fair I've always acknowledged his jumping ability!

Ant

 

[Buttercup]

sooooo you are the next
a little bit more consistent?How many men kept the quad for 8 years and didnt drop it at some point?When I have too much free time I can count the times he has fallen on quad since 1998 in all his competitions, I like maths statistics But it wouldnt matter.King of quads was Goebel but Plushy mastered them. Thats just how I view it of course
He had tried various combos with it, including 3axel-4t and 4salcow that he landed in non official competition (st moritz i think) and almost landed 4 lutz in Cop, my fav one is 4t - 3l that he did in warm up of 2006 euros but not in sp.

Never give up! Never surrender!

You are talking about longevity, which is not I meant. Though a certain French skater just finished his 8th senior season, and as far as I know has never stopped doing quads - in a time when few even try them occasionally. And his jump issues tend to be on elements other than the quad. Ha! Admit it! Brian Joubert totally rules! He is the reigning master of the quad!

In terms of consistency, there were other contemporaries of Plushenko who were pretty consistent with the quad, especially when more men were doing them. I will hand it to Plushy - when it came to doing the hardest quad combinations, I'm pretty sure he was in a league of his own. Though who knows what Yagudin might have done if his career had not been ended by injury. But the bottom line for me is that Evgeni Plushenko wasn't better at doing quads than every single skater he faced in his career, and therefore cannot be described as the master of them.

For the record, neither is Brian.