Re: Summer Questions - Men
Joe, How did I miss this topic?
1. Alexei-no, I don't think he will be at his best, but even at his worst he is a formidible competitor, and I expect him to be on podiums in his GP events. And if he is-I am sure that he will go on to World's. Where you can never rule a competitor like Alexei out.
2. Will Elvis make a Golden come-back? Maybe Golden at Canadians. I have not been all that impressed with either Sandhu or Buttle. Buttle just has not got the jumps yet, and getting your quad and 3axel consistent, is just not a consistent goal with taking an engineering program. Eman did manage to skate badly without having a total meltdown this year (instead of having just very good or very bad performances), so he did show improvement, but I would not be surprised if competing against the ever competitive Elvis would shake any new won confidence he has.
3. Is Plush a shoo-in at Worlds 2004? Plush had a number of slips and hard landings at worlds and because of injuries, he could not do his usual great 3axel (all in the SP and LP had small problems). Plush still won. IMO if Plush does not do a Weir and resign, they might as well not hold World's and just mail Plush the gold medal. However in 2005, when COP is used at Worlds, it will be interesting to see how the grading is done--at that time, unless he adds a 3rd and possibly 4th quad to his routine, he may be beatable.
4. Will Tim better his 2003 Worlds performance? What I take this to mean, is not will Tim win the gold (since he has already won the silver twice, from the 'ladder' point of view, that's the only place for him to go), but will he quite literally have a better performance than his 2003 Worlds? Tim, like Michelle, and for that matter like Plush, is a very focussed, consistent skater. I have watched him get better year by year. Technically, I would not be surprised to see him land 4 quads in a program this year. Artistically, I expect to see him connect to the audience again as he did in Washington. He obviously loved how that felt--I think that he can get back to that level, just driven by knowing how it feels to really give a performance. I have heard good things about his COI programs, compared to the old Tim. I expect good things here.
5. Given the above-mentioned, where does Takeshi stand?
Takeshi stands with one foot on the platform and the other on the train. He is getting old to be developing consistency, and there are a lot of good performers coming.
6. Who among the following do you see as podium potential: Abt? Buttle? Joubert? Klimkin? Lambiel? Li? Sandhu? Weiss?
Not Sandhu, Buttle, or Weiss in 2004. But if Weiss stays in till 2005 and world's is judged COP, look at the points for a failed quad lutz. Weiss is then in better shape than we think. (But I hope not--his skating has stalled and has not changed since maybe 1999, funny skates or not.
Definitely Abt (if healthy). I may not have always loved his costumes, but I really like the style and power of his skating.
I love Klimkin. I love the strangeness. I love the fact that even when he is massively screwing up the jumps, there is still a program there, and it is still interesting. He has landed multiple quads. He has a chance, but the stars have to be right. He has to get consistent.
Lambiel. I think he needs another year or two to develop, but I bet we see him on the podium (some day, but maybe not this year). I love any skater with the Swiss gyro gene!!
Joubert-nicely proportioned body, cute face, dull as dishwater LP, especially when the jumps fail him as they did in the World's QR. He's still young, so I expect improvement, and he has nice posture, and good edges, but he has to get some of that quirky French style from Jeannette. He needs to add some interesting transitions to his programs. Wearing watch parts on your body to symbolize skating about Time is pretty lame. I don't expect him on the World podium next year. But I bet he wins at least Lalique. And he needs a 4salchow or 4 flip or 4lutz. And I am sure he will be on the World's program some time.
From the outer regions, Kevin van der Perren may have a chance some day.
(Joe thanks for the topic!)
dpp
urple;font-family:georgia;font-size:x-small;">The home court (or ice) advantage didn't work for Joubert last year at Lalique, but this year may be different. He also damn near beat Alexei at SA in the SP. I agree with Doris that the Time costume was a bit tired, but the program kicked some serious butt. It was spectacular to see at Worlds, especially after melt down in QR. If Alexei, Plush and Joubert skate clean at Lalique, I predict the podium will be 1. Plush 2. Joubert 3. Alexei, due to lack of quad due to injury. 
</span>
