Vincent Zhou

[charmblade]

Yay, Vincent was just announced on the 2018 Cast Sneak Peek list of An Evening with Champions.

2018 CAST SNEAK PEEK​
Hosts: Paul Wylie & Emily Hughes
Courtney Hicks
Vincent Zhou
Kevin Shum
Haydenettes
​Molly Malone
​Sharita Taylor

SEPTEMBER 14 & 15, 2018 @ 7:30PM
BRIGHT-LANDRY HOCKEY CENTER at HARVARD UNIVERSITY

An Evening with Champions is a public charity non-profit committee dedicated to fighting cancer by raising money for The Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Founded at Harvard University in 1970, An Evening with Champions presents an annual world-class figure skating exhibition at the Bright Hockey Center in Allston, Massachusetts. The exhibition features national and Olympic figure skaters, and has seen the talents of champions such as Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan, Evan Lysacek, and more.

Ooh, that is good to know, thank you! I've been to this show several times but didn't go last year, mostly because I was out of town, but also the cast list wasn't nearly as impressive because I think most of the top skaters were focused on Olympic preparation. Knowing Vincent will be there is a big draw, I don't think I've seen him skate live before.

 

[Zenchio63]

One of the things I like most about Vincent is his musicality... I've never felt he was ever just going from one jump to another.

That said, I think Vincent and his team played things just right this past year. He went for the quads and it paid off when it counted... not too different from what Nathan Chen did the year before. Vincent would not have gotten that US Olympic team spot without going for those quads, and it definitely paid off when he ended up 6th at the Olympics (over Patrick Chan, Kolyada and a lot more respectable skaters). They also got him into 3rd after the SP at Worlds. The strategy worked very well for Vincent, from where I sit.

I think we are going to see an even more polished Vincent this season. The new jump rules are going to be really strict now... no more allowing that 1/4 turn cheat. Vincent has shown that he can land clean quads, but it's a work in progress. I would bet he will be more determined than ever to nail those clean landings and bring fresh artistry to the table. Exciting!

Thank you, formersk8ter! I absolutely agree! I was expressing the sentiments of the majority of people out there who felt he was nothing but a jumping bean who suffers from UR and inconsistent performances. Now that the Olympics is over, he has the time to focus on becoming more polished and well-rounded. He is so passionate and focused on becoming a better skater that it won't take long for us to see the improvements and a new Vincent! Just posted his latest Instagram message regarding the new Jeffrey program (post #420, last post on the previous page). Exciting, indeed!

 

[Zenchio63]

Ooh, that is good to know, thank you! I've been to this show several times but didn't go last year, mostly because I was out of town, but also the cast list wasn't nearly as impressive because I think most of the top skaters were focused on Olympic preparation. Knowing Vincent will be there is a big draw, I don't think I've seen him skate live before.

Hi, charmblade, thank you for writing. Please be sure to post a review here if you do decide to go this year. FYI, the person who tweeted the information mentioned the following: "I do not know yet because there is a change even after the announcement every year..". Are you aware of the change of lineup from the previous years?

 

[ice coverage]

... Are you aware of the change of lineup from the previous years?

If you are trying to get a sense of the extent to which changes are possible for an announced EWC cast list before the shows roll around, you might want to take a look at the thread for 2015 EWC.

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/s...ng-with-Champions-benefit-show-Sep-18-19-2015​

It could be deduced that a couple of the various changes were competition-related.

Some other changes never were associated with any reason.

Anyway, I hope that Vincent will remain on the cast list.

ETA: 2015 might have been a particularly bad year re the number of cast changes?​

(Having a little pang because Josh is a former EWC cast member. If Vincent ends up performing Take On Me, it would be a nice way for Josh to be "present" there again, in a way.)

 

[Zenchio63]

Thanks for the info on An Evening With Champions, ice coverage. You are always so informative and helpful!

Just found a nice picture of Vincent posing with 2 cute little skater girls from the KW Skating Club (Kitchener Waterloo Skating Club in Ontario) from May 7th. That was probably when he went to work on his SP choreography with Lori.

 

[charmblade]

Other than the 2015 example that ice coverage already provided, I don't remember a lot of shake ups in cast announcements. Usually they continue to add skaters as they confirm participation so changes are typically additions, not people disappearing from the cast list. Admittedly my sample size for this is pretty small, I've gone three times and they first time I heard about it fairly late (it was soon after I moved to Boston) so I wasn't tracking the cast list ahead of time. The second time was 2015, and the third time was 2016- when I don't remember major changes.

I think the main reason that changes in the cast might happen is that the show is usually the same weekend as the US Classic in Salt Lake, and it appears that is true again this year. So if skaters are planning to do the show and then get assigned to the competition, they will obviously be attending Salt Lake instead. So I guess it depends on if Vincent attends the US Classic or not.

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent on the Quad Repetition Limit Rule

Vincent was quoted in icenetwork's article "Rule Changes Seek to Restore Balance to Programs" by Phil Hersh, who called Vincent an Olympic jumper extraordinaire on his tweet.

1. Allowed repetition of only one type of quad rather than being able to repeat two

Vincent Zhou of the U.S., who finished sixth at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, endorses this change, even though he was among the skaters who repeated two quads at least once last season. Because Zhou can do four different types of quads, he could try six in the free skate at the world championships.

"Before, being able to repeat two quads allowed for six or more, which pretty much completely destroys the program," Zhou said. "That's maybe a little extreme, and maybe 'destroy' wasn't the right word, (but) the new rules are going to put a little more focus on balancing the program, on balancing all aspects of skating, and I think that's good."

Although he has mastered the highest-valued jump anyone has landed, the quad lutz, Zhou said the lutz would not necessarily be the jump he repeats.
"For me, the lutz and salchow take more speed, and the more speed, the longer setup you need, so I feel lutz takes the most out of the integrity of the program," he said.

Tom Zakrajsek, who coaches Zhou in collaboration with Tammy Gambill, likes the repeat rule.
"Not many men or women can learn even one quad," Zakrajsek said. "This allows those skaters who learn one quad to be a bit more competitive with the multiple-quad skaters."

The new scale of values and the guidelines for interpreting how the wider GOE range should be used, especially regarding falls, are likely to give skaters pause before trying the most difficult jumps, unless they are relatively certain they can land them. The question then is whether that caution will hold back the athletic development of the sport.

"It's definitely a big risk of losing a ton of points," Zhou said. "I feel like it will definitely make people think twice about going for some things."

It sounds like Vincent is ready and willing to embrace the new rules :thumbsup: .

It will be really exciting to see what Jeffrey and Lori have choreographed for him.

P.S. I wonder if Phil even tried to contact Nathan to ask him what he thinks of the rule changes.

 

[Zenchio63]

The new jump rules are going to be really strict now... no more allowing that 1/4 turn cheat. Vincent has shown that he can land clean quads, but it's a work in progress. I would bet he will be more determined than ever to nail those clean landings and bring fresh artistry to the table. Exciting!

Quoting this part of your post again because Vincent agrees with you wholeheartedly, formersk8ter :agree: Can't wait to see the new programs! :yay:

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent recently recorded a congratulatory message to the 2018 graduates of Connections Academy, the online school where he is an alum.
In case anyone hasn't seen the Connections Academy promo with little Vincent back in 2014, here is the link.
It's heartwarming that the "Aspiring Olympian" student made it to the Olympics 4 years later.

I can definitely see Vincent as a teacher/instructor/trainer of some kind when he retires from competitive skating.

 

[livetoskate]

Nice message from Vincent. I hope Connections is sponsoring Vincent. I'd never even heard of that online school before, but now I'm thinking that could be a great option for kids with special needs, unusual schedules, etc. If it's good enough for the high academic standards of the Zhou family, it's good enough for anyone!

 

[oatmella]

In addition to Vincent - who of course maintained straight-A's - Mirai, Karen and Nathan are also alumni of Connections Academy:

https://www.connectionsacademy.com/news/releases/connections-academy-ice-skating-alums

 

[sheetz]

Take On Me from SOI Seattle
https://vimeo.com/275472346

 

[Zenchio63]

Nice message from Vincent. I hope Connections is sponsoring Vincent. I'd never even heard of that online school before, but now I'm thinking that could be a great option for kids with special needs, unusual schedules, etc. If it's good enough for the high academic standards of the Zhou family, it's good enough for anyone!

Hi, livetoskate, oatmella beat me to it by listing the other figure skating alumni (thanks, oatmella). Connections Academy is indeed a sponsor, as shown on Vincent's Dare to Dream website sponsors page.

Regarding high academic standards, a Beijing fan who met one of Vincent’s aunts at last year’s Cup of China was told that Vincent’s grandfather used to be a professor at the University of Beijing. He didn’t get details as to what subject, but it supports the academic excellence of the Zhou family.

Coincidentally, in the current June/July issue of Skating Magazine, on the Olympic Team Class of 2018 centerspread (page 31), Vincent is voted as “Most Likely to Succeed”. No surprise there!

 

[Zenchio63]

Take On Me from SOI Seattle
https://vimeo.com/275472346

Thanks, I posted so many links that I lost track which ones are duplicates or new videos.

 

[livetoskate]

Hi, livetoskate, oatmella beat me to it by listing the other figure skating alumni (thanks, oatmella). Connections Academy is indeed a sponsor, as shown on Vincent's Dare to Dream website sponsors page.

Regarding high academic standards, a Beijing fan who met one of Vincent’s aunts at last year’s Cup of China was told that Vincent’s grandfather used to be a professor at the University of Beijing. He didn’t get details as to what subject, but it supports the academic excellence of the Zhou family.

Coincidentally, in the current June/July issue of Skating Magazine, on the Olympic Team Class of 2018 centerspread (page 31), Vincent is voted as “Most Likely to Succeed”. No surprise there!

Great to hear more about the Zhou family and that other top skaters have learned through Connections Academy. This is a little off tangent, but it was sad to read in Sasha Cohen's essay, giving advice to former athletes, that she had a subpar education. I thought, how could that be when her dad was highly educated (Boalt law school) and her sister went to a competitive private school. I wonder what online program she did that turned out to be lousy. There are a lot of homeschool programs out there and they tend to not be too challenging. Skaters' careers are usually over by their early 20s (or many quit by the time high school is over), so it is important that they have solid academic skills.

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent is featured on #TransformationTuesday on US Figure Skating's Instagram:

From taking his first steps on the ice to becoming an Olympian... #DedicationWorks for @govincentzhou.

Pic 1: Harry How/Getty Images
Pic 2: Courtesy of the Zhou family

It's amazing how much little Vincent looks like his mom.

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent's signature element Quad Lutz Rippon Triple Toe was featured on Simply Skaters Instagram. Is he still going to utilize the Rippon move now that the jump values and GOE scales are changing?

 

[Zenchio63]

ISU Figure Skating Twitter account posted a video where they asked various skaters the following question:

"How do you pick a costume?" Looks like they were filmed during Worlds at Milan.

Vincent is featured as the first skater on the Volume 2 video:

"Everybody on my team has input. And then there are some, usually a few, options & preliminary sketches. We pick between them and once the final decision is made, the costume is made."

Well, I truly hope Vincent's team is going to choose a more sophisticated and elegant look for him in the new season, at least for the FP. He needs to upgrade to a more tailored look, with better fabrics and more sophisticated design. They are not taking advantage of his slim, long lines. They should consult with a fashion designer, but no Vera Wang, please. :noshake:

 

[musicfan80]

Well, I truly hope Vincent's team is going to choose a more sophisticated and elegant look for him in the new season, at least for the FP. He needs to upgrade to a more tailored look, with better fabrics and more sophisticated design. They are not taking advantage of his slim, long lines. They should consult with a fashion designer, but no Vera Wang, please. :noshake:

I think (or at least hope) that will naturally happen as Vincent gets older. :yes:

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent a Judge at Aerial Challenge

Vincent will be a celebrity judge tomorrow at the Aerial Challenge. From his tweet:
I'm not much of a "celebrity judge", but nontheless I can't wait to be on the panel for this exciting event! See you all at the @bworldarena tomorrow

From TomZ's tweet:
So proud @govincentzhou the first skater to land a quadruple lutz @Olympics will be one of the celebrity judges tomorrow @AerialChallenge Use http://proeventphoto.com/channel-three/ at 12:15 pm MST for the freestream