Vincent Zhou

[Zenchio63]

USA has 3 slots for the Worlds, I think? I wish that Zhou and his team would be smart and select only one or two quad jumps for the freeskate and only such quads which he has learned to rotate fully. Quantity does not compensate quality, IMO.

Hi Jaana, you are right in some ways, but maybe Vincent has been doing fully rotated jumps in practice and his team thinks he might as well go for it since there is a huge gap between the 3rd place & 4th place finish. "The fourth-place finisher is more than 16 points behind Zhou." from Team USA article:
"Olympians Chen, Brown, Zhou Lead The Way After Men’s Short At U.S. Figure Skating Championships".

Also, Vincent has repeatedly stated in interviews that his goal this season is to focus on PCS, which was evident in his SP. And he has been working really hard to clean up those UR jumps, which will take time. I get tired of people bashing him for only wanting to focus on jumps, when that is clearly not the case. His team knows the only way he can win/get on the podium is to go for the quads, even with the risk. There is no way anyone else can compete with Jason unless they have quads in their arsenal. That is just how the game is played.

 

[1111bm]

I wish that Zhou and his team would be smart and select only one or two quad jumps for the freeskate and only such quads which he has learned to rotate fully.

I don't think this is how it works. He has a general UR problem, he's been under-rotating his 3A and the second jump in his combos (which are triples) too, not just his quads.

 

[Zenchio63]

Nobody is arguing that he doesn't have a skating technique that leads to UR issues. He is working on them and it will take time, any skating expert and coach can tell you. This is his fan fest, please don't come here and start your bashing. You are welcome to post constructive comments and such, but please don't start picking fights and argue with fans. Thanks.

 

[Zenchio63]

Some great SP photos from the arena, with Vincent on the Jumbotron:

1) Tweet from Dave Baden, Vincent's agent: Congrats ⁦@govincentzhou⁩ on an amazing short program ⁦@USFigureSkating⁩ Nationals in Detroit.
Fantastic skate tonight!

2) Another beautiful skate by Vincent Zhou!!

 

[1111bm]

Nobody is arguing that he doesn't have a skating technique that leads to UR issues. He is working on them and it will take time, any skating expert and coach can tell you. This is his fan fest, please don't come here and start your bashing. You are welcome to post constructive comments and such, but please don't start picking fights and argue with fans. Thanks.

I merely pointed out that reducing the number of quads isn't necessarily the right approach to get better results, because he doesn't have 1-2 'problem' jumps, but a general problem.
If that's not constructive and you consider this 'picking a fight' and 'bashing'... well... :noshake:

 

[Zenchio63]

Congratulations on your silver medal, Vincent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clapper::gclap::hap36:
You did it! So proud of you for fighting through all the stigma & problems and getting on the podium behind Nathan!
Can't wait to see you deliver at 4CC and Worlds! Your programs are getting better and better!

 

[Zenchio63]

From Lynn Rutherford: @govincentzhou said he tried to stay in his bubble:
"I was rubbing my ears during Nathan's score announcement so as not to let that distract me. I think that's necessary."

From Rockerskating: Men's FS Press Conference quotes
Zhou: I'm happy with the results, but there is still so much more room for improvement, so that gives me hope for the future. To do what I did this week and still have massive potential for growth is really good. I know I can do even better; I have so much more room

Mercury News article: Another Bay Area skater jumps into the limelight
Palo Alto Olympian Vincent Zhou takes second place behind Nathan Chen at figure skating championships

Photos from award ceremony
Photos of Kiss&Cry moments

Clips of Nathan tripping on the rug and Vincent jumping down to try and help
Rockerskating video clip. Check out Dima's hilarious comment: When you’re outscoring second place for 58 points you can take home even a carpet.
FigureSkatersOnline video clip

Pics from rug tripping & fixing.

 

[justvaliant]

Congrats, Vincent! I'm the biggest Nathan stan but that clip showing Vincent leaping off the podium to fix the carpet his opponent had messed up just endeared him to me so much in less than 10 seconds. His instincts/reflexes just showed him to be a perfectly well-mannered gentleman (at least in my book). I wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him revolutionize men's skating in the U.S. alongside Nate and sweetheart Jason!

 

[Jaana]

I don't think this is how it works. He has a general UR problem, he's been under-rotating his 3A and the second jump in his combos (which are triples) too, not just his quads.

Oh, in that case as a big fan I´m really sad for him! Maybe he should kind of start from the scratch and work out all the jump problems? It´s really sad to notice that in the freeskate 4 F and 4 T he lost 18.96 points because of UR´s, etc. (compared to those of Chen).

It is really good that he has been concentrating on PCS, but the UR jumps are a huge problem with current judging and really, really need to be fixed in one way or other if he hopes for good results at international events. Maybe he just should stay out of competitions for one season and concentrate on all the problems if nothing else helps? That would need to be done real soon, as the Olympics are approaching.

Anyway, we will see how he fares at 4CC, which event is soon and the Worlds in a couple of months.

 

[elbkup]

Vincent's FP is a stunner, so beautuful. He has a kind of natural grace which adds to PCS but hs fierceness and ability to tell that story is remarkable!! He works hard on those jumps, kudos for tenacity and spirit; noticed he wore the black belt instead of the red for Nationals...

 

[Fool]

Congrats on silver Vincent!!!! I continue to love this program, and his beautiful white shirt. So proud of him, honestly.

 

[Zenchio63]

Congrats, Vincent! I'm the biggest Nathan stan but that clip showing Vincent leaping off the podium to fix the carpet his opponent had messed up just endeared him to me so much in less than 10 seconds. His instincts/reflexes just showed him to be a perfectly well-mannered gentleman (at least in my book). I wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him revolutionize men's skating in the U.S. alongside Nate and sweetheart Jason!

So happy to hear that someone recognizes what a sweetie Vincent is.
In case anyone didn't get a good look at what I call the "rug tripping & fixing" segment of the award ceremony, this video has the perfect angle. :luv17:

 

[Zenchio63]

Oh, in that case as a big fan I´m really sad for him! Maybe he should kind of start from the scratch and work out all the jump problems? It´s really sad to notice that in the freeskate 4 F and 4 T he lost 18.96 points because of UR´s, etc. (compared to those of Chen).

It is really good that he has been concentrating on PCS, but the UR jumps are a huge problem with current judging and really, really need to be fixed in one way or other if he hopes for good results at international events. Maybe he just should stay out of competitions for one season and concentrate on all the problems if nothing else helps? That would need to be done real soon, as the Olympics are approaching.

Anyway, we will see how he fares at 4CC, which event is soon and the Worlds in a couple of months.

Oh, boy, I have so much to say to that! :noshake: Don't have the time to do so now. Will respond in detail later this week. But all this negative talk about his UR issues are just stirred up by naysayers & haterz. Even with the UR problems, he was still able to finish 11 points ahead of Jason. Aside from Nathan, it is highly doubtful there is another US man who can do better at Int'l competitions, given Vincent's experiences in the Olympics & Worlds. Keep in mind he had a back injury that caused the Worlds FP finish, not because of the URs. The more he gets to compete in major competitions, the better he will become. Practicing jumps at home is not going to make him better as a skater. IMHO. And yes folks, he and his team are working really hard at fixing his jump techniques, not ignoring them.

 

[Zenchio63]

Videos of Vincent's skates from US Figure Skating Championships 2019:

SP - Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3
FS - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/Rising Sun

He also made changes to his costumes. The SP top added a darker blue triangular "patch" to the top. I prefer the previous one myself. In the CTHD top, he went back to the black belt/sash & added more colorful red crystals around the collar and on top of the dragon design. Also red trim around the sleeves.

Vincent part from Fanzone article:

Zhou skated last in the entire event, something he said is always a high-pressure situation."My legs were definitely a little shaky because I was so nervous," he said, mentioning he covered his ears while Chen's score was read. "But I thought I did a really good job today of staying in my own bubble and focusing on what I need to do."
The 2017 World Junior champion said that he felt proud of what he put out on the ice, but he's ready to get back home and continue training.
"To achieve what I did here this week and still have massive opportunity for growth is a really great thing," he said.

Some GettyImages photos from the FS, last one is from NHK for comparison of updated costume top.

 

[maryeli]

The US nationals of this year reminded me so much of the 2017, the last three skaters were Jason, Nathan and Vincent ... I really loved that FS of Casablanca (even more than Junior Worlds) showed a spectacular Vincent, I'm sure he will overcome any inconvenience and will continue to shine, GoVincentZhou!

 

[Zenchio63]

Fancam of Vincent's exhibition number "Take On Me" from the gala.

Maryeli, I completely agree with you in regards to Vincent's performance in 2017. He was exuberant & totally sold it, like he did during his novice & junior years. Looking forward to seeing him bring back that mojo. He did show some of that during the exhibition number.

 

[oatmella]

Vincent has been added to the Stars on Ice cast!
https://twitter.com/govincentzhou/status/1093322713463025664?s=21

 

[Zenchio63]

Vincent's name was finally added to the SOI website. Like Nathan & Jason, there is also an asterisk denoting "not appearing in all cities".
Listed cities. Looks like the only one missing is St. Paul, MN.

 

[TontoK]

Congrats, Vincent on your small medal for the SP at 4CC!

Well deserved. A very nice program.

 

[Zenchio63]

Yay, Vincent, you did it! NBC Sports Gold had static & glitches throughout the livestream and it was lagging behind. Thank goodness for Jackie's tweets.
I didn't even get to see Boyang's skate as the livestream reverted back to the beginning.

[FONT=&quot]1 Vincent Zhou 100.182 Junhwan Cha 97.333 Boyang Jin 92.17[/FONT]

Small medal ceremony with his BT ICE homies, Junhwan and Boyang!

From Jackie Wong:

[FONT=&quot]Vincent Zhou USA4Lz3T, 4S, 3ATES 57.93, PCS 42.25, SP 100.18 into 1st - what a time for him to skate his best short of the season!![/FONT]

Photo of Vincent, Junhwan & Boyang at small medal ceremony

[FONT=&quot]Zhou: I'm happy with my skate. It's pretty much the reward for the hard work I put into it. That's what I know I'm capable of - I'm glad I finally put it out there in international competition[/FONT]