Who is second best male skater after Plushenko?

[Jaana]

Here's what the ISU thinks. The current official ISU rankings (based on results in major events in 2004-2005, weighted at 70%, and in 2005-2006, weighted at 100%):

http://www.isufs.org/ws/wsmen.htm

Buttle 3860
Sandhu 3365
Joubert 3265
Lambiel 3215
Lysacek 3040
Plushenko 3028
Weir 2895
Oda 2889
Takahash 2489
Li 2477

These numbers are facts. That is, there are no mistakes in arithmetic nor ambiguities about how the ISU formula computes them.

My opinion is that Evgeny is not losing any sleep over it.

LOL, I agree about Evgeni not losing sleep over the matter, but I wonder why you even brought this up here in this connection as those have no meaning for top skaters? Mathman, you created a thread on Edge about the best lady skater in Olympiade 2002-2006, why not use the ISU standings there, also the way you do with Plushenko here? Kwan is on place 52 in World standings.

Anyway, as one searches for the best skater (= with best competitive records) during an Olympiade, that means who was best in 4 World competitions and 1 Olympics) = that skater is Plushenko with his two World titles and one Olympic gold medal. Lambiel a close second with Olympic silver medal and 2 World titles.

If we think about Grand Prix Finals, I believe that the winners are:

Plushenko in 2002-2003 ? (I did not find the link for that)
Sandhu in 2003-2004
Plushenko 2004-2005
Lambiel in 2005-2006

The GPF win (at least once) and Plushenko´s two World golds are hard facts. Besides Joe and Mathman, still somebody else not wanting to admit Plushenko as the best skater (which means a skater with best competitive records) in Olympiade 2002-2006, LOL?

 

[Mathman]

OK, you win. Plushenko is the best skater.

But I think Michelle at least deserves #49.

MM

 

[swissmiss]

Lambiel was not included in the poll because the poll was designed by the originator to support his basic premise: "Everybody hates Lambiel."

By leaving off Lambiel's name he could then report on other boards, "See, I did a poll on who is the best skater after Plushenko and nobody voted for Lambiel. That proves that everyone hates him, just as I have been saying!"

Like Joe says, it's a debating tactic rather than a genuine solicitation of views.

Aha, now I get it. Isn't that slutskayafan21's MO? How exactly is this logic going to work now that I'm here?

slutskayafan21, maybe it's time you admit you absolutely Stéphane and changed your name to lambielfan21.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It's not that I can't admit Plushenko is the best skater, it's that I don't believe he is the best skater. Sasha is!!

 

[hockeyfan228]

It's not that I can't admit Plushenko is the best skater, it's that I don't believe he is the best skater. Sasha is!!

Sasha Cohen's a male skater!!!!! Alert the press!!!!!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'll fall back on Abt whom I do believe is (was) a better skater than Evgeni. It's all the in eye of the beholder.

Joe

 

[CzarinaAnya]

Stephane is the best, Evgeni is 2nd, and I voted for Buttle to be the best after Plushenko.

 

[Zazanuka]

Lambiel has many titles but has no good skating. Even when Plush had no world title he had more champion skating than Lambiel now. Lambiel is very good but far not best.
It is silly to deny obvious.

 

[Zazanuka]

I'll fall back on Abt whom I do believe is (was) a better skater than Evgeni. It's all the in eye of the beholder. Joe

He is more beautiful, yes.

 

[slutskayafan21]

Lambiel has many titles but has no good skating. Even when Plush had no world title he had more champion skating than Lambiel now. Lambiel is very good but far not best.
It is silly to deny obvious.

No good skating, that is a silly comment.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It is silly to deny obvious.

Obvious to whom? It's still an opinion and you are entitle to that. Opinions are what Forums are all about.

 

[Zazanuka]

Opinions are what Forums are all about.

Yes but when you see a washing machine and tell that it is a bottle of milk it is not your opinion. You deny obvious.

 

[slutskayafan21]

If Lambiel is a washing machine, then I guess that makes skaters like Weir, Buttle, Lysacek, Sandhu, and the Japanese who he beats down over and over broken down second hand washing machines.

 

[Mathman]

I think Plushenko was the washing machine. The rest are, going down to the river and beating your clothes on a rock.

 

[Kasey]

Lambiel has many titles but has no good skating. Even when Plush had no world title he had more champion skating than Lambiel now. Lambiel is very good but far not best.
It is silly to deny obvious.

Lambiel obviously has good enough skating to win those titles. And Plushenko has had quite a few competitions where he has been less than inspired and not challenged enough to have "champion" skating. Yes, it is silly to deny the obvious. The obvious is, when anyone wins an event, they obviously have good enough skating in the eyes of the judges to do so. Your personal opinion does not take that away. So sorry.

 

[Niza]

I agree. Others disagree.

But many people don't agree with the opinion that Lambiel is the second best. Yes, Lambiel is probably the first world champion for many years without triple axel, yes, his technique doesn't affect the imagination, and yes, his good skating could be accouted by the fingers of one arm, but he is the second best for the total summ of the results. It doesn't depend on my or your preferences

 

[antmanb]

But many people don't agree with the opinion that Lambiel is the second best. Yes, Lambiel is probably the first world champion for many years without triple axel, yes, his technique doesn't affect the imagination, and yes, his good skating could be accouted by the fingers of one arm, but he is the second best for the total summ of the results. It doesn't depend on my or your preferences

But then you're asking a different question, one question - who is the second best skater after Pluschenko based on the results of competitions is one question that doesn't take much time to luck up the results and decide who it is. The open question who is the second best skaters after Pluschenko is not referring to results, i would take it to mean pure skating skills and i personally would argue that Pluschenko is not the best I would rank many more male ice dancers as better "skaters" than Plushenko and several of the current crop of male singles skaters above him too (with even more skaters from the past). I would call Plushcenko the best male jumper in the world , probably the most consistent jumper in the world too.

Ant

 

[Niza]

But then you're asking a different question, one question - who is the second best skater after Pluschenko based on the results of competitions is one question that doesn't take much time to luck up the results and decide who it is. The open question who is the second best skaters after Pluschenko is not referring to results, i would take it to mean pure skating skills and i personally would argue that Pluschenko is not the best I would rank many more male ice dancers as better "skaters" than Plushenko and several of the current crop of male singles skaters above him too (with even more skaters from the past). I would call Plushcenko the best male jumper in the world , probably the most consistent jumper in the world too.

Ant

It's just words. It's senselessly to argue - it's the same to say I don't like it and that's all. Anyway some Alexeyfan will never confess his virtue. Although it's little bit strange that loving figure skating you don't appreciate this maybe the most bright talent of the male skating history.

 

[Mathman]

Well, anyway, according to this poll, Plushenko is the best and Weir (with 42 votes) is the second best. But "other" is breathing down his neck with 40!

MM

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It's just words. It's senselessly to argue - it's the same to say I don't like it and that's all. Anyway some Alexeyfan will never confess his virtue. Although it's little bit strange that loving figure skating you don't appreciate this maybe the most bright talent of the male skating history.

ITA with words. They are all opinions, and all are valid as to whether Evgeni is the 'best' skater,Weir is the '2nd Best skater', and many others are in the running.

I see most of the replies as a vote for a favorite rather than a conclusive one as to the real accepted criteria for the 'best'. No problem. I doubt a criteria could be established without 'favoritism' interferring.

Again, ITA that it's just words and senseless to argue.

Joe