Vincent Zhou

[Zenchio63]

An Evening with Champions Performance

Vincent was able to fly out to Boston to participate in the 48th Annual An Evening With Champions on Saturday night.

He performed “Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3” as his solo at the benefit show. I had an opportunity to chat with a fan who attended the show. She met Vincent after the show and said he was in good spirits, looking very happy, and skating the SP beautifully, doing triple jumps. She asked about his injury and he said it was ok.

Video clips:
Short interview with Paul Wylie (& silent Emily Hughes), with encore performance of cantilever & Rippon jump at end (2:09)

Part of performance

Vincent received a raucous support & applause from the audience. So happy he was able to make it as he said it was an honor to perform for the benefit.

Paul Wylie: "Are you like seventeen?"

Edit: moving links of pictures to separate post.

 

[Zenchio63]

Here are some fun comparisons of Vincent's "Rising Sun" part of the FP to his 2012 Novice Championship skate:

Compilation of different poses

Side by side video of last spin & ending to "Rising Sun"

Love how ecstatic little Vincent was! Looking forward to seeing him bring back that exuberance.

Nice fan art of Vincent's FP pose from same Twitter account.

One good thing from the US Int'l Classic, the announcer was able to correctly pronounce Zhou instead of the usual "Jaau"

 

[Zenchio63]

Pictures of "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3" from US Int'l Classic:

Figure Skaters Online, photos by Robin Ritoss
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3

2 photos from US Figure Skating Fanzone Gallery, by Jay Adeff

For some reason, they didn't take any photos of the FP

 

[alexaa]

Vincent was able to fly out to Boston
He performed “Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3” as his solo at the benefit show. I had an opportunity to chat with a fan who attended the show. She met Vincent after the show and said he was in good spirits, looking very happy, and skating the SP beautifully, doing triple jumps. She asked about his injury and he said it was ok.


Edit: moving links of pictures to separate post.

Glad th hear he is doing ok. I like both programs, but it was kinda hard for me to watch the SP after the fall, so afraid he would get injured evertime he jumped.

I like the FP costume more than the SP costume, which is too long to me.

Wish Vincent speedy full recovery

 

[ice coverage]

Assorted bits from An Evening With Champions:

Cute video of Vincent answering questions for a fan:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn1Hdy-FtoS/?taken-by=cypresserpyc (posted Sep 17; more to come on Weibo, per Instagrammer's comments)​

Selena Zhao's fun on-ice video snippet of Vincent, Angela, and herself (swipe/scroll over):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzbmU7lR2W/?taken-by=selenazh88 (posted Sep 16)​

Sharita Taylor (EWC cast-mate and Special Olympian) took a selfie with Vincent (fourth photo):

https://twitter.com/rooroo0991/status/1041492158325432320 (posted Sep 16)​

 

[Zenchio63]

Thanks, ice coverage, for finding those EWC related Vincent videos/pic.

Hi, bonita, thanks for your well wishes.

Do you really think his SP costume is too long? Is it the extra length corner hanging down on the left side of the shirt? I get what you mean, you want to pull on the corner and cut it off, right?

 

[Zenchio63]

Here is a video of Vincent, on Weibo, explaining in Mandarin the idea behind the selection of CTHD:

My sister was born in the year of the Tiger, while I was born in the year of the Dragon. Thus "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is just too perfect!

 

[ArenaWings]

Just a random thought, I feel like Vincent's boots seem to be a little too big, and blade too long for him.
Is it just the shape of the boots and blade that makes it seem like that, or are they actually bigger, proportionally, than what most of the other skaters' ?

 

[Zenchio63]

Hi, ArenaWings, I will have to pull up some more pictures and compare them. I didn't get that impression right away but maybe my focus was on the new costumes, and not the boots.

---

Figure Skaters Online uploaded their piece on EWC, with a detailed segment on Vincent:

2018 Olympian Vincent Zhou closed the show with his new short program to “Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3” by Muse. He landed triple Lutz, triple flip, and triple Salchow. This is a good program for him, showing nice improvement in his line, musicality, and elegance. Zhou also performed a great encore element–cantilever directly into triple Lutz! Interviewed after his performance by host Paul Wylie, Zhou said: “It’s been a difficult summer; I’ve been dealing with injuries. But I’m lucky to be here, and I’m honored to be here.”

Zhou did impressive double duty this weekend, first competing at U.S. International Classic on Thursday and Friday, then taking a 2:30 a.m. flight out of Salt Lake City to make it to Boston for An Evening with Champions. After the event, Zhou admitted to not getting much sleep but said it was worth it, and he was happy to perform in the show.

Although his performances in Salt Lake weren’t perfect, Zhou said he has received good feedback on his programs so far from “the people that matter,” as he put it. He noted that the two programs are quite different, requiring different styles of movement. He enjoys the modern, flowing style of the “Exogenesis” routine. Zhou feels the short program is further along in its development than the long program. He was able to visit Lori Nichol, choreographer of the short program, twice during the off-season, but has not yet been able to fit in a second visit with Jeff Buttle, choreographer of his free skate.

Zhou said that he’s pursuing what he termed “the impossible dream of 2022 Olympic champion.”

 

[Zenchio63]

Latest Instagram post from Vincent with picture from "An Evening With Champions", as he is being interviewed by Paul Wylie.

Yet another thought-provoking message from the eloquent 17-year old:

"I skate simply because I love skating. I love being free. The value of skating to the individual is so often defaced by outside influences--and so my next task is to find myself again. Success is another entity whose value is spoiled by arbitrary definition. True success will only be achieved when I reach inner peace. Until then, I will continue my infinite struggle for self-betterment."

Vincent, your true fans are behind you all the way. We believe in you!

Stay healthy and strong & keep working on the artistic side of your skating.

Wishing you the best in your Grand Prix assignments! :agree:

 

[yyyskate]

Vincent free program Crunch tiger hidden dragon + rising sun
possible music arrangement/editing
1 CTHD OST #4 - Night Fight
2 CTHD OST #2 - The Eternal Wow (later part, main theme gentle harp accompany)
3 CTHD OST #2 - The Eternal Wow (early part, main theme string harmony)
3 CTHD OST #13 - Farewell (later part, main theme drum accompany )
these 3 parts all plays the famous CTHD main theme melody but progress with intensity
then overlay with concussion instrument into
4 Rising sun

 

[Zenchio63]

Here is a video of Vincent, on Weibo, explaining in Mandarin the idea behind the selection of CTHD:

My sister was born in the year of the Tiger, while I was born in the year of the Dragon. Thus "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is just too perfect!

Here is the full Q&A of the fan video that was posted by ice coverage, with English translations. You may have to scroll up due to Weibo formatting.

Question #7: Is (it) your idea to use CTHD as the soundtrack of your free skating?
Vincent answered that it was a suggestion that came from the team.

Hopefully, that will prevent anymore speculations that he is trying to copy his friend Tian Tian

 

[yyyskate]

The snow dragon thirsty for blood
to be continued...

 

[yyyskate]

Thanks everyone so much for keeping Vincent's fanfest live and going.
I am very busy these days, thus my posts are significantly reduced. Sorry, could not keep up with the fan discussion/family here and elsewhere But I will contribute if I got some free time.
Here is my 0.000002 cents. A little thesis (again) of Vincent's new programs, maybe just a sketch, nonetheless, it feels like a tradition
Since, Vincent appreciates feedbacks from fans. Hopefully, this could be of any use.
First of All, I glanced the social media in China, the feedback from Chinese fans are relatively positive for both new programs, especially the free. And they also loved the new costumes, again. especially the free costumes. They also noted that Vincent has visible improvement in PCS aspects. The Chinese fans think that both programs are a step forward from last year's programs:thumbsup:

 

[yyyskate]

here is my personal feelings of Vincent's new programs at this stage.
the SP, I was very excited when I first saw Vincent's SP clips on his instagram, i shared the reasons on this fanfest at that time. here I wanna add one point. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmJJNvUh87w/?taken-by=govincentzhou The ending pose/choreo (his arm movement) reminds me of the pendulum of a clock, which feels like cycles/repetition/rebirth/reincarnation, seems coincide with the meaning of that Japanese cartoon linked by Vincent in the same insta post.
As I mentioned before, I felt the musicality in Romsky's exogenesis (the swelling feeling of the jumping pass along with the swelling of music phrase). I felt that in Vincent's SP as well. Vincent showed great musicality, the building and swelling of the music towards 3A jumping pass+stsq is excellently interpreted by Vincent already in the first outing (ignore the pop error). The recession/contracting (opposite to the build/swelling) towards the end could be a little more deliberate. BTW, I really like the ending choreo, the use of spread-eagle and the clock pendulum like arm movement (and then expanding). Those contrasting concepts reflected in this program (thru choreo and Vincent's interpretation/musicality). such as, Ending is also a new start. Highs and Lows are parallel and complement to each other in life etc. I can literally feel it when I watch Vincent's first outing. All these must resonate deeply with our introspective poet/skater Vincent.

 

[yyyskate]

here a series of running steps (feels like progressive) https://youtu.be/I_C-YyEmT_g?t=138 one might not notice if not pay attention. but is a genius choreo touch, to create the swelling atmosphere with the music. I hope when acknowledge piano note, especially using arms (e.g. at the first half of the program). Vincent's dance/interpretation could be more nuanced, at this moment, still feels like hitting the note (with the same intensity) not music is coming from you. And Vincent is a bit rushed, you can tell he is expecting the note, Not be one with the note. Yet when using turn to acknowledge piano note, Vincent did more naturally. Upper body dance maybe is not a strong suite for Vincent, but I am glad to see more diverse arm/palm/fingers gestures, really grateful for all these little improvement. (better oneself in baby steps but a step in the right direction is a step and we see it)
I personally do not like this https://youtu.be/I_C-YyEmT_g?t=85 arm wrap head move.it has been used twice , first time is in the opening choreo. since Vincent's shoulders are a bit inward, this wrap move maybe aesthetic for other skaters but not particularly pleasing on Vincent (felt close chested and feminine to me). Vincent needs to pay more attention to his posture. Although I know posture is not all PCS about, but it always is the first thing people values and notice in terms of "Artist" skater.

 

[yyyskate]

music editing wise, in the last music phrase(when Vincent change foot in his last spin), Lori cut in the middle of a phrase (again) to make it fit the time (but it matched Vincent's spin change foot). But it is not a big issue in this SP (not like previous Lori's glaring music butchering in her works for other skaters). Overall, this SP is well crafted (PCS all bullets are considered), Vincent's musicality(nuance in movement intensity), whole body skating/dancing has visible improvement.
Like I said before, most Chinese fans like SP costume, but some think it makes Vincent look a bit chubby. I like the gradient in color into black pants, elongate lines (not cut in the middle like before). but upper body (specially the sleeves) could be a bit loose, which could create a better balance to lower body. Yuzuru's chopin SP and parisian walkway SP costumes, Boyang's new FS (red) costume all used this idea to make an visually balanced whole body image on ice. Some Chinese fans do not like the extra fabric in Vincent's SP suit waist area. I am okay with it, the color gradient make it less visible in stance but floating while rotating in the air.

 

[yyyskate]

Since Vincent is still suffering from back injury thus not have enough time to prepare for this event, The SP is the more developed one than the long (according to Vincent).
But Vincent's Chinese fans including me really prefer his free even at this unprepared stage. I think it is not because it is Chinese or Oriental themed. I think ALL must have felt it has the potential to be a show-stopper. Many Chinese fans hope Vincent should deliver a perfect or close to perfect version of the long during this season, so that they can collect.

 

[yyyskate]

I don't think it is similar to Boyang's CTHD SP at all. Chinese fans (who support Boyang by default) also feels the difference between Boyang's SP and Vincent's new free. They described their feeling in words only Chinese can understand English words fail me. maybe I will try to transfer some Chinese fans' feelings as the season goes on
I like the music editing, I posted the possible music editing in previous post, as you can see , J_butt and music mixer Hugo put lots of effort in this music engineering project. It has plenty of complicated cuts but all music phrasing still felt at least intact.
The program used mostly the well-known CTHD theme. but does not felt repetitive, it is exactly because it used different variation of the main theme (along with varied choreo). it builds and builds from gentle harp accompanied main theme to string symphony main theme to drum accompanied main theme, then, naturally transitioned into drum intensive rising sun part. Maybe, could add some extra drum track in the drum accompanied main theme part, to differentiate it even more from previous main themes.

 

[yyyskate]

authentic feeling of Martial art movement is difficult to reflect in dance let alone Figure skating, but I like the Marital art (KongFu) styling and element incorporated throughout this program.

The opening 2 big jumping passes all matched music greatly but in different ways (ignore Vincent's mistakes, only refer to choreographic intention here). I especially love https://youtu.be/YEI1DhBhQDo?t=64 few transition steps matched to the castanets like sound, provided the catharsis after opening big 4lutz jump combo. Due to mistakes, Vincent did not hit the music perfectly this time.
Vincent's movement in lyrical CTHD melody is soft as the music demanded and different to previous sharp movement (Here, visible improvement in terms of nuance). Some Chinese fans really like Vincent's choreo sequence in this program, but I think at parts, Vincent exhibited the exact tension required by the choreo/music(string instrument, and this is an improvement) At time, it is still a bit sloppy(and lazy)
I adore these https://youtu.be/YEI1DhBhQDo?t=163 in-between little dance bits, it actually has some authentic Marital art essence.