Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[teeannroo]

all reactions to the men's FP here they are all so fun http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5j5vin_2017-wtt-day2-k-c-cheering-men-fs_sport

Thank you!

 

[summerbliss]

I'm in school too, but try to go if you can. They typically have relatively short amateur careers.

Hello summerbliss,

I thought about writing a long time and these are my thoughts: if you want to see Yuzuru live, go to Milan. You know, I know about being a medicine student without money, although it is some years ago. I always spent scarce money to go places, to see things before they vanish or get impossible to reach.

And it was always the right decision - for me- to put experience before money/funds.

This year I went to Helsinki because I knew, for me it might be the chance of a lifetime to see Yuzuru skating live. These days, I had no money problem, just that my family thought me crazy, before I forced them to watch seimei, at least.

I know, for some it is better to be prudent, for me, it was always better to GO.

And with you having accomodation in Milan! Splendid!

Whatever your decision,

many greetings to the UK!

Raebia

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Since I just recently got interested in figure skating, I know that my friends would think I'm just going through a phase or investing too much in my interests. But it's nice to know people who share this interest and get that little nudge to go on and just do it. My mum already agreed to arrange things with my uncle. I just have to raise money which is not that hard since the wages here in the UK are pretty decent. Since their careers are short-lived, I'm even more determined to go because I'll surely regret it if I never get to see Yuzuru with my own eyes.
It's still a long while before the Worlds. I hope everything works out and my university doesn't schedule any exams during that period. If that happens, I'll probably use the money for a future competition that accommodates my schedules. I hope to meet lots of Yuzuru fans and fangirl together *_*

 

[beki]

What other English-language commentaries do we know of for WTT besides CBC and NBCSN?

 

[novalisa]

I really liked seeing more of Kana Muramoto at this competition. She seems like such a kind big sister type. I think it was 4CC where Charlie White commented he thought she and Chris were underscored this year

Their FP in WTT was stunning, I was really surprised when I checked their results in the WC, kana seemed like a sweet older siser with yuzuru, can they still make it to the olympics ? I hope she can be team captain again

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

I broke my promise and watched the whole thing where they "show" his 4A. My thoughts...

• I loved that mock 4A hahaha, makes a girl dream (and looks like it makes Yuzu all happy hahaha)
• I was really interested by the way he was talking about the axel, even though i couldn't understand ALL of what he was saying, i'm amazed at the level of analysis he does. I could hear him talk about technique for weeks.
• GUYS ARE WE AWARE THAT WE'RE BEGINNING TO HEAR "５回転" THANKS TO THIS CRAZY KID?! They weren't just talking about the 4A, his former coach and the presenters started dropping the "５回転". And i don't want to read too much into his face when they started talking about it because it won't be good for my nerves.
• Chillest face ever when they asked him if he was nervous or scared about the young ones, incredibly reassuring for me. If he doesn't get the result he expects at PC, it definitely won't be because he was too confident i'm sure of it. I have complete faith in him and Team Hanyu
• I think he was telling the truth when they asked him if he was planning to add the 4Lz and said "not at all". Thing is, it might be completely true now, but who knows... maybe it will change in two months or something i don't even know with this alien.
• I am not sure about his "i have no plan" thing, because he did the space kitty smile and the thought of "this kitty is plotting something" immediately popped into my mind. But i guess that even if he has something planned he won't say it now?
• And yes, Yuzuru, you need to rest. I am glad to hear you say "I'm going to rest" You deserve it!

[Disclaimer: Remember that my japanese isn't good so i might have misheard something but i'm pretty sure i wasn't too far from the real thing...]

 

[riminin]

Oh by the way, I have seen this on tumblr: http://kaerb.tumblr.com/post/159934042114/スタジオ生出演羽生に聞く-by-hana02015-rudimentary-japanese

He said he would not do 4lz but then later he said he would practice 4lz.

I know right... lol

I read the article and now I understand the confusing talk about "4Lz stabilizing 3Lz"...
That part is simply a misunderstanding by the translator. Actually he said that during the coming off-season he "will work on various technical aspects (not "skating skills" as translated) because during the season practicing other jumps for example 4Lz destabilizes his 3Lz as the height and the speed of arm movements are different and difficult to control"

So I think even though new programs will originally not contain 4Lz or 4F he will continue practicing them until the season starts and the chances to see 4lz at summer shows are very high At the moment he's repeating in every interview that his focus now is to make his programs much better-rounded. I guess he's aiming at maximizing GOE and PCS with more transitions, deeper edges, faster spins (with some emergency plans ready ).

 

[Hinami]

I'm just sooo excited for next season already - can't wait to see the technical config and aesthectic timbre he goes for! I mean, FP: x3 quads in 2nd half & that quad lutz will be ready to shine...fingers x'd....and some more interesting combos ahead? More of the 4S+3T... 4T-half loop-3S.... :'D

Music-wise, would love to see another super charismatic rock 'n' roll number - though Javi has done a bunch of Elvis before, maybe Yuzu could go for something more contemporary in the LGC vein. A rock anthem. Something sassy.

And then, something truly orchestral and epic for the FS...like R&J-1. Honestly, if he ever skates to that soundtrack again for whatever reason, I might lose it. In a way I'd love to see him skate old programs from 5-6 yrs ago with his new skills! Would be super interesting right? But yeah, obvs a pipe-dream on my part!

That R&J soundtrack, as everyone knows, was freakin perfect for him. Ain't that right, pooh? https://twitter.com/MzGiaMichele/status/856581788759715841

 

[padme21]

Does anyone else feel like the judges are against Hanyu nowadays? I mean they didn't even give him +3 GOE for his perfect 3A at worlds. Even though he broke his world record in the FS I feel like it could have been higher but the judges held back. The judges do seem to hold Hanyu to a different standard than the rest of the field. I feel like Chopin and Semei were a double edged sword. Those two programs got him the world record but now everyone expects that of him all the time ,every performance. Hanyu used to have a fall or a few minor mistakes cushion over his rivals. Those days are long gone.
I Think the judges are trying to send him a message "be more consistent skate clean and we'll give you the points."

 

[summerbliss]

HURRAY! It's NBD but I just learned how to differentiate jumps, or at least I believe so. Send virtual pat on the back.
I'll keep watching jumps and identifying them

 

[Hinami]

Does anyone else feel like the judges are against Hanyu nowadays? I mean they didn't even give him +3 GOE for his perfect 3A at worlds. Even though he broke his world record in the FS I feel like it could have been higher but the judges held back. The judges do seem to hold Hanyu to a different standard than the rest of the field. I feel like Chopin and Semei were a double edged sword. Those two programs got him the world record but now everyone expects that of him all the time ,every performance. Hanyu used to have a fall or a few minor mistakes cushion over his rivals. Those days are long gone.
I Think the judges are trying to send him a message "be more consistent skate clean and we'll give you the points."

Funny- i heard a lot of comments about the Helsinki FS world record - along the the lines of it being "the most underscored record-breaking skate ever" etc... and then there was talk about them being harsher towards him with penalties for late start etc? I dunno. Maybe they feel uncomfortable with one guy being do far ahead of the pack on occasions like FS Helsinki? On the other hand, we could just be reading too much into it as fans. But it does feel sometimes like he's the one who raised the bar and so he's held to it more stringently. But yeah, that's mostly just some baseless speculation on my part!

 

[beki]

I broke my promise and watched the whole thing where they "show" his 4A. My thoughts...

• GUYS ARE WE AWARE THAT WE'RE BEGINNING TO HEAR "５回転" THANKS TO THIS CRAZY KID?! They weren't just talking about the 4A, his former coach and the presenters started dropping the "５回転". And i don't want to read too much into his face when they started talking about it because it won't be good for my nerves.
  
• I am not sure about his "i have no plan" thing, because he did the space kitty smile and the thought of "this kitty is plotting something" immediately popped into my mind. But i guess that even if he has something planned he won't say it now?

Ugh, it hadn't even occurred to me to take quint talk seriously. What even?! Hydro, why do this to me :dumb:

There is something to be said for top secret plans and distraction techniques. Quints and quad axels? This is getting ridiculous.

 

[Danibellerika]

I think Yuzuru's desire is to avoid 'a messy night', hence all the talk about raising the average this season and maximizing his GOEs and of course if possible, PCS if he's skating clean (ish).
It's a fine line actually and if he's still thinking about the 4Lz and other additions (probably combinations), I think he is thinking from that angle. How to raise 'the average' and thus have the best shot in case he isn't 'in the zone', as he calls it, and at the same time, how far should he reach into the add more difficulty theory, while still making sure that 'average' is always there at hand.
I think the answer is to keep a four quad program, with the 4Lz added because it keeps the layout of this season and yet raises the BV (especially if he changes the quad combination) and also leaves room for other possible adjustments, ie he can throw in yet another quad if push comes to shove but we'll see what he comes up with. One thing I'd be willing to bet is that there is no way he has actually already discarded the idea of the 4Lz in his program.

He had been aware of the youngsters coming up when nobody else paid them much attention. I doubt he's not aware of the danger now, when they're breathing down his neck.

Oh I'm sure they all want to have the skates of their lives there. But I'm thinking about the schedule and the pressure and sometimes coming back doesn't make it easier since you've been there before. And you're DEFENDING it. Oh gawd, it freaks me out just thinking about it. I could never compete. At this point though, I just can't fathom the winner lacking a flip or a lutz. It's just not computing for me. I think he will play around with it over the summer as much as he can. But then I struggle with the idea that maybe he if went for more consistency he'd have a better chance to fend off the others. It's not like he got the GOEs he should have got in the free he delivered. Oi vey I just go https://m.popkey.co/c74a05/LWVl8.gif

Nathan is a wild card because he has to deliver his quads and hopefully stay in one piece. Adding the loop may bother his hip, and he had to leave out lutzes at WTT to favor his ankles. I hope taking risks doesn't end badly for him. He was the first person I thought of in the debate about Patrick Chan's quad injury comments. I agree Yuzu is capable of beating even a 6 quad layout, but I'll leave it to him to figure out exactly how. Who knows, Nathan may want to focus more on the second mark, so we don't really know what his programs will look like either.

I know what you mean (doing my calculations, even if he didn't fall and got a PCS of 90 he still would have been about 10 points back from Yuzu's free), but he only has to hit once when it matters. I really think the momentum of the season next year will be a huge factor for all of them.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

HURRAY! It's NBD but I just learned how to differentiate jumps, or at least I believe so. Send virtual pat on the back.
I'll keep watching jumps and identifying them

Happy Yuzu to celebrate (I still get confused by flip and lutz though...)

 

[liv]

This year it seemed like something was up with the GOE on gorgeous elements, but we will have to wait until next year to see if the trend continues or if it was just a reflection of his inconsistencies this year.... either way, he knows he has to be as perfect as possible to give no one a hint of a reason to keep marks down.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I broke my promise and watched the whole thing where they "show" his 4A. My thoughts...

• I loved that mock 4A hahaha, makes a girl dream (and looks like it makes Yuzu all happy hahaha)
• I was really interested by the way he was talking about the axel, even though i couldn't understand ALL of what he was saying, i'm amazed at the level of analysis he does. I could hear him talk about technique for weeks.
• GUYS ARE WE AWARE THAT WE'RE BEGINNING TO HEAR "５回転" THANKS TO THIS CRAZY KID?! They weren't just talking about the 4A, his former coach and the presenters started dropping the "５回転". And i don't want to read too much into his face when they started talking about it because it won't be good for my nerves.
• Chillest face ever when they asked him if he was nervous or scared about the young ones, incredibly reassuring for me. If he doesn't get the result he expects at PC, it definitely won't be because he was too confident i'm sure of it. I have complete faith in him and Team Hanyu
• I think he was telling the truth when they asked him if he was planning to add the 4Lz and said "not at all". Thing is, it might be completely true now, but who knows... maybe it will change in two months or something i don't even know with this alien.
• I am not sure about his "i have no plan" thing, because he did the space kitty smile and the thought of "this kitty is plotting something" immediately popped into my mind. But i guess that even if he has something planned he won't say it now?
• And yes, Yuzuru, you need to rest. I am glad to hear you say "I'm going to rest" You deserve it!

[Disclaimer: Remember that my japanese isn't good so i might have misheard something but i'm pretty sure i wasn't too far from the real thing...]

Aww, I'm super happy to read that he wants to actually take a rest. He really deserves it! (And then Yuzu, please get some awesome new programs that are not set to Swan Lake, Rach, Evita or some other horrible warhorses...


Also, I love uncle Kurt :luv17: Dunno what other people are hearing, but he is all gushing when it comes to Yuzu like always. As someone who's super into great technique and could listen to people compliment Yuzus picture perfect makes-the-ISU-example-videos-look-amateurish jumps all day I'll always appreciate uncle Kurt :luv17:

 

[summerbliss]

Happy Yuzu to celebrate (I still get confused by flip and lutz though...)

Flutzes all the way... but I'm sure I'll be confused af when they do it so quick *insert shook Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants meme* I'm confident enough to tell them apart in slow mo for now and hopefully, I'll improve with experience.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

This year it seemed like something was up with the GOE on gorgeous elements, but we will have to wait until next year to see if the trend continues or if it was just a reflection of his inconsistencies this year.... either way, he knows he has to be as perfect as possible to give no one a hint of a reason to keep marks down.

The way he talked about the "Real quad era" clapper: for choice of words again, Yuzuru!) in that program made me feel a bit sad because he knows that, he knows he has to be as perfect as possible. I have my wishes but i won't say anything so as not to jinx him

Ugh, it hadn't even occurred to me to take quint talk seriously. What even?! Hydro, why do this to me :dumb:

There is something to be said for top secret plans and distraction techniques. Quints and quad axels? This is getting ridiculous.

Haha i'm sorry! Is not that i took it too seriously, is just that... What other skater makes people discuss quints!? And he sounds so confident about being able to do the 4.5 rotations (The hosts going all "oh i'm glad" after he said he now has a more solid image or something like that about how the 4A should look thanks to the mock up. If i was them i would feel a bit guilty )
I avoided to look at his face too much when his former coach started dropping the ５回転, not good for the nerves. But still i heard him when they asked him directly about 4A and quints and NO. :dumb:

 

[beki]

But I'm thinking about the schedule and the pressure and sometimes coming back doesn't make it easier since you've been there before. And you're DEFENDING it.

One really good thing about WTT was that the skaters got to practice skating without a rest day. And who passed that test with flying colors? He's been thinking about it ever since Sochi. I think coming back is an advantage for him. The younger ones can't know how they'll react to Olympic pressure. The defending part, that's where his mind could go wrong. But I don't think it will.

At this point though, I just can't fathom the winner lacking a flip or a lutz. It's just not computing for me.

I hear you. But he could come up with something even more hair-raising, or the landscape could shift in some way, if the athletes can't sustain what they're doing now.

I know what you mean (doing my calculations, even if he didn't fall and got a PCS of 90 he still would have been about 10 points back from Yuzu's free), but he only has to hit once when it matters. I really think the momentum of the season next year will be a huge factor for all of them.

Nathan will be under more pressure next year from the American hype machine. I don't think we're wise enough not to do to him what we did to Gracie Gold. On the other hand, he is a better competitor than she is. Still, he doesn't have the experience Yuzu does in handling pressure from country and fans. But yes, the Olympics are weird and you only have to hit once. Plus, we should probably assume Nathan's PCS will go up to 95 next year. His programs will be cleverly designed to camouflage his weaknesses. Marina Zoueva knows her stuff. And USFSA will go all out. So the difference decreases to five points.

 

[Danibellerika]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Since I just recently got interested in figure skating, I know that my friends would think I'm just going through a phase or investing too much in my interests. But it's nice to know people who share this interest and get that little nudge to go on and just do it. My mum already agreed to arrange things with my uncle. I just have to raise money which is not that hard since the wages here in the UK are pretty decent. Since their careers are short-lived, I'm even more determined to go because I'll surely regret it if I never get to see Yuzuru with my own eyes.
It's still a long while before the Worlds. I hope everything works out and my university doesn't schedule any exams during that period. If that happens, I'll probably use the money for a future competition that accommodates my schedules. I hope to meet lots of Yuzuru fans and fangirl together *_*

Psh. Skating is addicting. Sometimes your uber faves come and go but it's one of those sports that sticks with you (at least it does for me). For better and for worse. My only problem is I compare others too much to my favorites. For the ladies I've always compared them to Sasha (oh, in that layback the back is good, but I wish the leg was parallel to the ice; oh that spiral would be great if it had better hip alignment and was a perfect split; oh if only she pointed her toes when jumping...though, to be fair, after a while Sasha didn't do that anymore either ). I fear with Yuzu it will the the same issue. It's an issue already for me because nobody jumps as pretty as him (though I love Kolyada's jumps when they're good) while still providing the total package.

I'll always owe money for something or another. I'm not going to miss out on good experiences for that reason if I can help it. But I'm also in school to get an even better job and make more so I don't have to miss out. Endless cycle.

Aww, I'm super happy to read that he wants to actually take a rest. He really deserves it! (And then Yuzu, please get some awesome new programs that are not set to Swan Lake, Rach, Evita or some other horrible warhorses...

Also, I love uncle Kurt :luv17: Dunno what other people are hearing, but he is all gushing when it comes to Yuzu like always. As someone who's super into great technique and could listen to people compliment Yuzus picture perfect makes-the-ISU-example-videos-look-amateurish jumps all day I'll always appreciate uncle Kurt :luv17:

I've heard that instructors make students watch Chan to learn skating skills. They could do the same with Hanyu with his jumps. And Kurt's good in my book :agree:. I tend to agree with him and I also prefer the rockstar Yuzu most. PW is why I'm here today . But I don't mind him showing variety in his skating either. He's versatile like that :agree2:.

 

[Yatagarasu]

Oh I'm sure they all want to have the skates of their lives there. But I'm thinking about the schedule and the pressure and sometimes coming back doesn't make it easier since you've been there before. And you're DEFENDING it. Oh gawd, it freaks me out just thinking about it. I could never compete. At this point though, I just can't fathom the winner lacking a flip or a lutz. It's just not computing for me. I think he will play around with it over the summer as much as he can. But then I struggle with the idea that maybe he if went for more consistency he'd have a better chance to fend off the others. It's not like he got the GOEs he should have got in the free he delivered. Oi vey I just go https://m.popkey.co/c74a05/LWVl8.gif.

Actually that's kind of the point, about having, or not having, the skate of their lives.
Raising the average is precisely about not having the skate of his life but that still skating like that, 'averagely', is enough to get him to win. That even when he cannot execute a (near) perfect program, what he does present, is enough.

Talking about that is way more easier than actually doing it. He would have to balance the difficulty with what he can, realistically, present even when he is not peaking, with good enough quality. This part is pretty important, because this part would give him better consistency and would exert at least some influence on his GOEs, progressively so (so basically what Zhenya does).
Personally, I also believe the 4Lz is necessary (I am also one of those who doesn't believe a word coming out of his mouth when it comes to it) but this is the second part - how far does he go? For example, going for both a 4Lz and a 4Lz-3T in his free skate raises that bar significantly and I am sure we would all agree introducing both would push that idea of a stable average out the window. I am sure quite a few here would argue whether he should keep the now stable 4S-3T or push it to 4Lo-3T. So in that sense, he has to find a balance.

I was talking about this recently to a very smart friend of mine who had an excellent point. By keeping the SP layout that he has now he doesn't lose much, if anything and yet it provides a stability,and quality, that he is carrying over from this season. That combined with a 4 quad layout in the FS, with a 4Lz as an opening solo jump, and maybe 4Lo-3T, offers an increase in BV, the perception that he's advancing and leaves open the possibility of further shuffling if he must.

So in essence, he could have both these things you mention; an increase and consistency. I am really not surprised he's thinking broadly about all of this. I am sure he sees his GOEs, he sees all the problems and he sees how some of the 'solutions' may be contradictory to each other. But if he could combine them, then that's interesting. It really doesn't have to be either/or. It can be both, if he can find a way.