State of the U.S. Men's Figure Skating for 2014-15

[Mrs. P]

Have either of them produced a National Champion/World Medalist Hopeful before? Maybe they just don't know yet quite how to put all the pieces together. I can't imagine a coach who has been there... Frank Carroll, for example... thinking red glittery suspenders would be a good idea.

The answer would be no. Jason is Kori's first student who has won a national champion, gone to the Olympics, etc. etc. Back story is that when Jason was younger, he was constantly told by judges to pass him on to a "bigger name" coach. His parents refused, namely because they had confidence in Kori's abilities and also because they wanted him to have a normal life in the Chicago area, i.e. graduate from high school. Once he graduated, that's when they went to Colorado Springs.

As for packaging, while people and fans may not like it, what is the actual feedback they're getting? Jason is actually getting similar or even higher PCS this season than last (part of that obviously is being more established). I could see the packaging being a huge issue if his PCS dropped like a rock. But it hasn't. I guess you can make an argument that it hasn't gone up to Javi/Hanyu range, but I think that's more reflective of his technical content, not of his program components.

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who was at Nationals (Doris) to give their feedback on how the costumes look. I find that super sparkly costumes on TV don't look that sparkly in the ice rink.

 

[sidwich]

This year, I agree, they got it wrong. In my opinion.

I still believe that Kori and Rohene are the best coaching/choreo tandem for Jason. And here's where I'm going to ruffle some feathers...

Have either of them produced a National Champion/World Medalist Hopeful before? Maybe they just don't know yet quite how to put all the pieces together. I can't imagine a coach who has been there... Frank Carroll, for example... thinking red glittery suspenders would be a good idea.
Edit: spelling

Frank didn't outfit Evan in red glitter suspenders, but a glitter vest: http://youtu.be/8nVvpzlmxGY

Kurt Browning was a 3 time world champion when he wore this number at Albertville: http://youtu.be/a23IdJu9Fo4

And who can forget the Kulik/Tarasova classic "Rhapsody in Moo": http://youtu.be/6pndyfifuHo

I didn't love Jason's costume choices this time around, but I think they're way, way, WAY down on the list of worst costume choices. And even then, like stage make-up, I have to remind myself that costumes aren't really there for aesthetically subtle reasons, but to be seen in a large arena and to enhance certain movements. (Ever seen a ballet dancer up close when they're about to go on stage? Whoa.)

I am the outlier in that I LOVED "Juke" as a program, though. (But then I loved Davis and White's Tango program also). The music may not be the most natural fit for Jason, but I thought it still worked well with his persona. More importantly, I thought the music was textured and interesting, and the intricacies of it really brought out a different side of his musicality while also highlighting the details of his footwork and transitions. I thought it was an inspired choice. And not POTO, thank God.

I don't love "Tristan and Isolde" as much, but I did appreciate that Kori and Rohene are trying to get him to stretch and trying different looks on him.

 

[TMC]

I was thinking about this today as well. I'm not a big fan of either costume: Juke was perfect without the glitter and T&I would be okay in darker colours and without the big-pawed-puppy skate covers. But that's just my opinion.

Nevertheless, like Mrs P, I'm pretty sure they would have been told by now if the judges in general thought the costumes were somehow distractingly awful. For all we know, they were told to add sparkle. Who knows? Figure skating fashion has always been a mystery to me. There are so many outfits that are so weird that I can't imagine how anyone could ever have stood in front of a mirror wearing them and thinking "oh yeah this makes me look hot".

 

[Tavi...]

FWIW, I saw them live at Skate America and thought they were fine. Theatrical, yes - but not over the top.

 

[apgold]

There are so many outfits that are so weird that I can't imagine how anyone could ever have stood in front of a mirror wearing them and thinking "oh yeah this makes me look hot".

Very True. The sparkly suspenders didn't bother me so much, very toned down in comparison to what he could've worn. I actually preferred watching him skate in all black at the earlier competitions this season, so you could see his lines.

I prefer simpler costumes that compliment the music and the skater, not distract. I'd say that some get it right about half the time.

 

[karne]

It just stood out to me very much at Nationals, especially in the podium pictures, and not in a good way. Adam, Josh and Max all looked well-put-together, and Jason looked like he'd run down to the dollar shop and raided their costume section.

This isn't the first time his costumes have been bad, and sadly I don't think it will be the last. Remember the atrocious ruffles-and-waistcoat job from the first Prince? Now, Jason isn't the only man in the world to have had some serious costume misses, but it looks awkward with the "we're presenting him as a mature skater this year".

At any rate, T&I was a wonderful program that was very mature in terms of theme and presentation, and he carried it well. But I don't think it was as "accessible" to the general public as Riverdance was, which is probably why a lot more people didn't like it.

 

[jenaj]

Frank didn't outfit Evan in red glitter suspenders, but a glitter vest: http://youtu.be/8nVvpzlmxGY

And who can forget Evan's snake costume? https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-...t-cl=84924572&feature=player_detailpage#t=451
I do think Frank made him take off one of the snakes on the front of the costume for the Olympics.

 

[Mrs. P]

At any rate, T&I was a wonderful program that was very mature in terms of theme and presentation, and he carried it well. But I don't think it was as "accessible" to the general public as Riverdance was, which is probably why a lot more people didn't like it.

It did get a standing ovation, so it couldn't have been THAT bad! I mean, no, it wasn't the booming, shake the ground ovation he got last year -- but you can't expect that EVERY YEAR!

 

[karne]

It did get a standing ovation, so it couldn't have been THAT bad! I mean, no, it wasn't the booming, shake the ground ovation he got last year -- but you can't expect that EVERY YEAR!

I demand them of Jason, darn it!

 

[katmari]

Since outfits are being discussed, here's Nick Verreos' take on US Nationals:

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.com/2015/01/ice-style2015-prudential-us-figure.html

 

[andromache]

Since outfits are being discussed, here's Nick Verreos' take on US Nationals:

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.com/2015/01/ice-style2015-prudential-us-figure.html

Nick must be the only person who didn't have any criticism of Hicks' SP dress.

 

[Interspectator]

Nick must be the only person who didn't have any criticism of Hicks' SP dress.

And he likes Jason's costume...I find his taste very suspect. But then, looking at 'high-fashion' too much will turn anyone's brain to mush.

 

[salchowx4]

His comments seem pretty kind in general.

 

[Interspectator]

His comments seem pretty kind in general.

Yep, he's actually quite mild when compared to other fashion critics. I was just kidding about his brain.
Staring at figure skating costumes may have warped my sensibilities too.

 

[OS]

Anyone watched Jeremy's Gala yet? I must admit, even cynical me sobbed for at least good 5 minutes after watched it.... I will miss you Grandmaster Abbott, hope you find peace.

 

[Mrs. P]

Yep, he's actually quite mild when compared to other fashion critics. I was just kidding about his brain.
Staring at figure skating costumes may have warped my sensibilities too.

So I was looking at this photo from the Greensboro News-Record (the local newspaper) and I have to say, the costume looks a lot better from this photographer's angle. It's not so sparkling and you can actually see it's actually pretty well-tailored.

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...161e5/54c319e630475.image.jpg?resize=940,1439

 

[Interspectator]

So I was looking at this photo from the Greensboro News-Record (the local newspaper) and I have to say, the costume looks a lot better from this photographer's angle. It's not so sparkling and you can actually see it's actually pretty well-tailored.

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...161e5/54c319e630475.image.jpg?resize=940,1439

Oh, I don't mind this one at all. It's the Tristan and Isolde costume that I find problems with. Color of pants and green of the sash clash quite a bit. If his pants were the same color as the boots then it might help. -If I can survive looking at Hanyu's costume last year, I can survive Jason's too.

 

[TontoK]

I remember a television show, maybe it was a movie, where someone's crazy aunt was the "Bedazzler" who added loads of rhinestones to just about everything... jeans, sweaters, tablecloths... and gave the bedazzled items as gifts.

 

[noskates]

Seriously, a standing ovation and people are still criticizing. I didn't like Jason's costume so much either but then there aren't a lot of men's costumes I DO like. The more simple the better. I just don't think you have to wear a "costume" to skate to particular music. Jeremy's was too plain. Hanyu's are horrible. Oh well..........

 

[Mrs. P]

Useful math from Sylvia RE 4CC and American men from her post on FSU:

Current ISU World Standings after Euros and before 4CC:
14 Brown 2565 (#8 among the men expected to compete at Worlds)
23 Rippon 1948 (#14, ditto)
31 Farris 1707 (#20, ditto)

ISU World Standings ranking points distributed for 1st to 10th place at 4CC/Euros:
840, 756, 680, 612, 551, 496, 446, 402, 362, 325

According to my calculations, #16 Liebers 2259 (6th at Euros), #19 Kozuka 2139 (will not be at 4CC), and #20 Ge 2039 (will be at 4CC) currently hold the #10-12 spots in the World Standings rankings of the men scheduled to compete at Worlds. Since the top 12 by Worlds will draw to be seeded in the final 2 groups in the Worlds SP start order, the goal at 4CC for Rippon and Farris would be to to gain enough ranking points to move into those top 12 spots. For example, Rippon would need to place 10th and Farris 4th at 4CC in order to pass Liebers in the current WS.

I would think top 10 for Adam is definitely doable while top 4 for Josh is possible, though not definite given the competition.