Usually I just lurk … but I figure I have to come out some time or another. I’m a middle-aged watcher, not a skater. Birmingham, Alabama, US. Johnny Weir fan (except when he makes me so mad I can't even sputter).
I can't imagine Joubert won't attempt a quad at all, even if he skates last and knows he doesn't need it. He might not bother with a combination if everyone else commits felony splatfest, but I think he'll do one 4T "just because I can." Men are like that
Ergo, anyone who actually wants to win has to pack his quad for the trip to Tokyo. Joubert fell at Euros, allowing Verner to take the SP. But Brian is a threat to pull 3 quads out of his ear. It would be very unwise for the others to just cross their fingers and hope.
For the same reason, I don't see that Lysacek has much choice but to try a combination in the LP, unless he skates last and Joubert has suffered a meltdown. Also, Johnny two-footed in Spokane, but he got the rotations done. Evan knows it could happen. Soooo … see previous comment about the nature of men.
Johnny dances to the music of the spheres when he puts his mind to it. He buckled down and trained too late to save his US title, but the improvement was clear and significant. He seems motivated to salvage something from this season. So I think he's a good bet to get one ratified or break a hip trying.
Susan