Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Terrapin]

It's not that it doesn't happen that often; it has never actually happened! This is the first time there's two 300+ scores in one competition. I'm beginning to think the anime was being prescient when they had those crazy scores and layouts in their episodes.

Yes that' s what they say: that it has never happened before. Sorry my translation wasn't accurate enough.

 

[Katie J]

Hanyu did great in 4CC. Its just a picture of the moment and forget these Salchow - Kombination problems, its just a kind of black-out which lasts some time, when Salchow comes back it will be better than before.
Nathan Chen - what a technique on Flip and Lutz - I congratulate him to his win.
But this stone face of Patrick Chan in the Green room, not only because he ended 4 CC as fourth, but he sees he can't close up to the big jumpers.
After all: Hanyu saw the signs of the time early enough stocking up his program with new quads also against a warning finger of Brian Orser, who maybe didnt think this development, this quad-explosion, possible in such a short timespan.
Greetings to all here in this thread !

 

[jinabee]

o.o I tried to catch up with this thread but there are way too many new posts hahaha
I'm still super tired from Sunday (mostly because getting back to Seoul was an ordeal and I got a cold )

Anyway, Sunday was my first ever live figure skating show! It was amazing and I'm happy I went haha. I cannot believe people are getting so caught up in the Nathan hype they are acting like Yuzuru is about to be put out to pasture. I think on Sunday he proved that he is not past his peak at all, he might be having a bit of a weird season with illness and his 4s combos being voodooed but I'm actually pretty excited about the younger skaters presenting themselves as rivals and things getting crazy amongst the top skaters. Judging from how hard he fought at the FS and things he's said after the competition, the rise of Nathan (and Shoma I guess, and Boyang in a lesser way) seems to motivate him. I'm excited to see how he does at Worlds.
It was definitely exciting to watch him. I'm still a newbie so I can't tell many jumps apart yet, but his comeback after popping his combo was amazing to watch even for someone clueless like me XD I'm going to study up, I entered the lottery for Olympic tickets but my friend has been recruiting people to enter for us too so I think I'm technically entered like 5 times, I want to be able to differentiate technical components by then XD

I got pictures! ^^ Here, Here and Here.

I only took pictures during the warm up because I wanted to focus on watching the skate haha. I got nothing during the exhibition for the same reason (I'm kinda sad he was disappointed with his exhibition because it's probably my favourite routine of his and I was nearly crying in the crowd I was so happy to watch it live, he is totally mesmerising and honestly, he could do absolutely no jumps at all and still be breathtaking to watch. His exhibition proves why he is the best for me, his skating is just so beautiful, emotive and graceful, nobody compares).

Yuzu was super popular haha the waterfall of pooh bears after his free skate was hilarious to see. I wonder what he does with the gifts afterwards? If he keeps all the poohs he could probably build a house out of them.

ETA: I am totally baffled by the B.ESP commentary. They make it sound like he's on a big decline and hasn't been doing well for a while when he only set the world records for sp, lp and combined scores last season, is only 22 years old so is young and has potentially years of skating ahead of him (if he wants) and scored over 300 combined again with even though he popped 2 jumps and was pretty much making up the second half of his lp as he was going along. Personally, I like that there's not just one skater who is winning everything and there's a good 5-6? skaters that could potentially get on the podium at any given competition, but people need to remember that mistakes in a programme or placement in one competition does not stop anyone from being one of the best skaters out there. And Yuzuru is one of the best, arguably, ever.

 

[sweetwater]

It went something like this, paraphrasing - after noting that it was an unbelievable skate, the commentator found this way to express what he thought of that skate. When you learn a foreign language and you get to perfect it, you are then free with it. You can find synonyms, change constructions, you can freely create in this foreign language. This skate was like that by Hanyu, where all his practice paid off and he could change a program and perform that with great freedom in the technical, difficult elements.

I found this to be a lovely and correct way to present what Yuzuru and his skating are especially because I think that skating is truly another language that he uses to express himself.
Oh and he called him a genius on ice. No, not Max, it was RUS ESP.

Thank you for sharing this commentator’s words. As a person who is struggling with a foreign language on daily basis, (I am a language worker,) I find his words so true, and I can’t agree with you more about his confidence and how he expresses himself with his skating.

And thank you @gladiolusc and @Terrapin for sharing videos!:luv17: I can only guess what the commentators are saying from a few familiar words, but I love their reactions in the second half of the program. They sound like :hslap:to popped Sal, then for beautiful 4T, :shocked:for 4T-2T and for the closing 3A. It was so fun to re-live those moments with them.

 

[Fayruza]

I can try and translate the Russian ES later on. If anyone would like me to.

 

[sweetwater]

I can try and translate the Russian ES later on. If anyone would like me to.

I would really appreciate if you would!:luv17: Of course when you have time

 

[shayla]

Did yuzu leave for toronto or japan yet?

 

[gladiolusc]

I'm guessing he must have gone straight to Toronto. He can't possibly ninja his way back to Japan without the media noticing can he...

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Lol that's funny
There's nothing left to be analyzed for his 1Lo when he himself said in the kiss and cry that after he popped the 4S he immediately think of doing 2Slo4S, but he felt his knees was tired/stiff, so he decided against it on the fly and decided to just do the 3A3T afterwards?

Yes, I get thinking it's a bad idea, but questioning Yuzu's intention is nothing short of weird to me. Some skaters might talk more than anything else, and I get the suspicion then, but has Yuzu ever said he'd do something and then not followed through? That's not like him at all. He rather doesn't talk and then just throws around new and additional things without warning


One thing - I've been rather positive towards the quad craze so far, but I'm kind of hitting my limits. Not fond of the idea of 5 quads at all. However, his LP made me wish for a 3A as his last jumping pass even more (heck, why not as the last element in the SP/LP at all?). He could do it, and his 3A is still his biggest weapon (and more or less a weakness of his strongest competition by comparison). Since there seems to be a 'wow' aspect to scoring by now, that would be a great way to end a program with a bang!
(And also, 3A as last jump would make me less nervous than 3Lz )

 

[gladiolusc]

He did it because he didn't feel tired at that point, meaning he usually does feel too tired? Plus he likes his 3A combos. But yes there is something mentally reassuring about his 3A. Much more so than a 3lz.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I know why the 3As are were they are, but now he's very much into quad combos too...

And I'd think his stamina has improved in general, as was pointed out already. And even if he's usually tired at that point, I'd still trust him to be able to land a great 3A.

 

[mcq]

Yes, I get thinking it's a bad idea, but questioning Yuzu's intention is nothing short of weird to me. Some skaters might talk more than anything else, and I get the suspicion then, but has Yuzu ever said he'd do something and then not followed through? That's not like him at all. He rather doesn't talk and then just throws around new and additional things without warning


One thing - I've been rather positive towards the quad craze so far, but I'm kind of hitting my limits. Not fond of the idea of 5 quads at all. However, his LP made me wish for a 3A as his last jumping pass even more (heck, why not as the last element in the SP/LP at all?). He could do it, and his 3A is still his biggest weapon (and more or less a weakness of his strongest competition by comparison). Since there seems to be a 'wow' aspect to scoring by now, that would be a great way to end a program with a bang!
(And also, 3A as last jump would make me less nervous than 3Lz )

Yes
I meant, I don't really get if there is really anything left to be overanalyzed about lol, especially when he himself already explained loud and clear in the KnC about why he did the 1Lo. Maybe the person doesn't follow him that closely? I don't know, never check competition thread where Yuzu is competing, saving myself from salt and sour

I also think maybe having 3A as a last jump is not a bad idea at all. His 3A has better consistency than his 3Lz in competition + the wow factor + knowing that his last jump is a "big" jump he will probably be more alert about it. Maybe doing something like 4Slo3S 4T 3A3T 3Lz 3A then? Lol. No idea. I honestly don't know if he will change his layout or still stubbornly keep that 4S3T combo. I was hoping what happened at 4CC will make him change his mind but at the same time I am not so sure. He didn't remove 4S during oly season despite barely landing them so...

About 5-quads program. I don't know what to feel either. I guess I can live with 4 different quad LP from him but I don't think I will be excited to see a 5-quad program. But I guess he gotta do what he gotta do to be on top, so if it ends up being his choice I think I will be ok with it? He (and Patrick) is not awarded enough for their transition, steps, and turns in between. Whether we like it or not it is just the reality of the sport now, so I guess if he eventually go with the tide, I can't really blame him.

 

[xeyra]

About 5-quads program. I don't know what to feel either. I guess I can live with 4 different quad LP from him but I don't think I will be excited to see a 5-quad program. But I guess he gotta do what he gotta do to be on top, so if it ends up being his choice I think I will be ok with it? He (and Patrick) is not awarded enough for their transition, steps, and turns in between. Whether we like it or not it is just the reality of the sport now, so I guess if he eventually go with the tide, I can't really blame him.

You know, I'd love to see a 5-quad program from him where the fifth quad would be at the end of his 3A combo (3A-1Lo-4S). It would be glorious (though risky and COP-wise, not entirely worth it) and then the 5th quad would already be ingrained in the program instead of being an isolated jump that needs some extra setup time.

 

[shayla]

I'm guessing he must have gone straight to Toronto. He can't possibly ninja his way back to Japan without the media noticing can he...

I don't know about that. We all thought he was coming from toronto to korea but it turned out he was in japan the whole time

 

[sallycinnamon]

Yuzuru in MCM's video - from 02.15, and then again from 02:57.

 

[Plumededragon]

Yuzuru in MCM's video - from 02.15, and then again from 02:57.

lol, Yuzu banging his head. I wonder what music they were playing at that time.

I don't know about that. We all thought he was coming from toronto to korea but it turned out he was in japan the whole time

Yes, but this time it was a return following a competition. There's always much more media for return than departure.

 

[gladiolusc]

lol, Yuzu banging his head. I wonder what music they were playing at that time.

Yes, but this time it was a return following a competition. There's always much more media for return than departure.

That's what I thought. Yuzuru pulled it off going to Korea because he left Toronto earlier than other people in stealth and then traveled from Sendai. Much harder leaving Korea without Japanese media catching wind of his arrival. So I vote Toronto.

Also, love Misha and Yuzuru hanging out in competition and being dorks! Sad remembering it might, potentially, be the second to the last time

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Yes
I meant, I don't really get if there is really anything left to be overanalyzed about lol, especially when he himself already explained loud and clear in the KnC about why he did the 1Lo. Maybe the person doesn't follow him that closely? I don't know, never check competition thread where Yuzu is competing, saving myself from salt and sour

I also think maybe having 3A as a last jump is not a bad idea at all. His 3A has better consistency than his 3Lz in competition + the wow factor + knowing that his last jump is a "big" jump he will probably be more alert about it. Maybe doing something like 4Slo3S 4T 3A3T 3Lz 3A then? Lol. No idea. I honestly don't know if he will change his layout or still stubbornly keep that 4S3T combo. I was hoping what happened at 4CC will make him change his mind but at the same time I am not so sure. He didn't remove 4S during oly season despite barely landing them so...

About 5-quads program. I don't know what to feel either. I guess I can live with 4 different quad LP from him but I don't think I will be excited to see a 5-quad program. But I guess he gotta do what he gotta do to be on top, so if it ends up being his choice I think I will be ok with it? He (and Patrick) is not awarded enough for their transition, steps, and turns in between. Whether we like it or not it is just the reality of the sport now, so I guess if he eventually go with the tide, I can't really blame him.

4Slo3S doesn't sound too bad for him, since he's so in love with that stuff. And it's arguably an upgrade to the current 4S3T, and we all know that is the only way how Yuzu changes stuff. He makes it more difficult the only thing missing there would be the 3rd combo, which would only move into the 1st half if he does 4Lo3T, which sounds kinda insane to me (really, loops are not easy jumps to start of combinations).

And yes, I have the same feelings re 5 quads. I don't protest Nathans 4CC win, but from all my understanding about how GOE and PCS should be awarded according to the rule books, there is a certain inflation going on that makes Yuzu (and Patrick) end up with less reward for their quality then it should. And more than being angry about a wrong result, I'm annoyed with what that signals to the skaters - it's just not the direction I want this to go in. I will be really sad if Yuzu ends up giving up some of his transitions/choreo/performance for more quads, even though I understand why.

 

[mcq]

He did it because he didn't feel tired at that point, meaning he usually does feel too tired? Plus he likes his 3A combos. But yes there is something mentally reassuring about his 3A. Much more so than a 3lz.

Actually I was thinking he did combos in 3A because it had higher success rate, eventually, compared to doing 3lzlo3S that he used to do before. He learned along the way that doing -lo3S with a 3A was easier for him and resulted in better success rate/consistency and arguably overall quality. Though generally speaking, if he was any other skater, it should have been easier to do it with 3Lz/3F. But he kind of defy the odds when it comes to 3A, didn't he? So they decided to do 3Alo3S instead of 3Lzlo3S.

Who knows, maybe, if he realizes he is more comfortable + consistent doing 3A as a last jump, he will change it. Just like what he did with that 3Lzlo3S combo.

4Slo3S doesn't sound too bad for him, since he's so in love with that stuff. And it's arguably an upgrade to the current 4S3T, and we all know that is the only way how Yuzu changes stuff. He makes it more difficult the only thing missing there would be the 3rd combo, which would only move into the 1st half if he does 4Lo3T, which sounds kinda insane to me (really, loops are not easy jumps to start of combinations).

And yes, I have the same feelings re 5 quads. I don't protest Nathans 4CC win, but from all my understanding about how GOE and PCS should be awarded according to the rule books, there is a certain inflation going on that makes Yuzu (and Patrick) end up with less reward for their quality then it should. And more than being angry about a wrong result, I'm annoyed with what that signals to the skaters - it's just not the direction I want this to go in. I will be really sad if Yuzu ends up giving up some of his transitions/choreo/performance for more quads, even though I understand why.

You're right I missed one combo. He can do 4T2T or 3Lz2T maybe. Too bad the last jump is choreographed and placed in a way that doesn't give him room to add combo for the last jump. He could do emergency combo there had he miss any.

About that, well, nothing we can do I guess. During the Yagudin/Plush quad it was also explosion of the quad era but then it slowed down and even went backwards at one point. Probably because of lack competition + yagudin being injured and retired, the rest don' feel the need to push themselves up. I think this is still uncharted territory, it could have gone really crazy next season or it could have slowed down (for example *knock a million woods*, if pursuing quads resulted in injury. Or if at the olympics, those with many quads crash and burn and splat and voila the one who win is someone with a conservative tech). I guess we will see.

 

[gladiolusc]

And yes, I have the same feelings re 5 quads. I don't protest Nathans 4CC win, but from all my understanding about how GOE and PCS should be awarded according to the rule books, there is a certain inflation going on that makes Yuzu (and Patrick) end up with less reward for their quality then it should. And more than being angry about a wrong result, I'm annoyed with what that signals to the skaters - it's just not the direction I want this to go in. I will be really sad if Yuzu ends up giving up some of his transitions/choreo/performance for more quads, even though I understand why.

Right, I think it's a good thing to have many ways to win (and therefore many different styles of skaters). But when doing more quads, already bountifully rewarded in BV, results in dubious GOE and inflated PCS as well, that's killing off the need for high-quality and complex components, and a well-built program rich with choreography and footwork... + squeezing the lifeline out of all skaters who excel relatively in the non-jump categories. Some of the quads done in this competition, impressive as they are, do they actually deserve +3 (6 bullet points) or +2 (4 bullet points) GOE's? And if a good half of the program mostly consists of crossovers and two-footed stroking connecting the components, does that sufficiently convey SS and TR as long as there's some understanding that the skater has good skating skills outside of that particular program?

It would be really sad for me too if Yuzuru, like a couple other people already chose to do, decided to give up the quality he's cultivated over the years in order to chase more quads as well.