Cheers for Deniss Vasiljevs!

aftershocks

aftershocks

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I didn't see a fan thread for this exciting up-and-coming Latvian figure skater. Many fans are probably already familiar with Deniss, but I saw him for the first time this season on the JGP (Riga, and Torun). Deniss placed second at both competitions (the one in Riga was his home country, so that must have been exciting for him).

Unfortunately, Deniss has been edged out of making the JGP Final apparently by percentage points. It's too bad that the ISU does not extend entries at JGP and GP finals to at least 8 top competitors to give more good skaters finals experience and a chance to further develop. Deniss is an elegant and entertaining skater with excellent technique. He needs to continue fine-tuning his skills, and increasing his technical difficulty and consistency. He is already turning heads and touching hearts.

In the recent exciting spins thread here, Deniss' exceptional spins have been highlighted. When I first saw Deniss' sp on the JGP this season I was prepared for average "meh," and I ended up exclaiming "mmm Wowza!" Then I searched for all the videos of Deniss I could find on Youtube. He's not only talented, he also appears to have a delightful personality. In addition, it's quite wonderful to see Alexei Urmanov guiding Deniss at rinkside. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slK78pH4CTs Puttin' on the Ritz sp 2015 JGP Riga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oprab1SNbuw 2015 JGP Torun fp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siro9o9teHQ 2015 Jr Worlds sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqyCd4vK2mg 2015 Jr Worlds fp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUsZAR_aox0 2015 Jr Worlds exhibition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ap4X0AH1Wc 2014 Jr Worlds sp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ZvuY-niWA 2014 Jr Worlds fp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2DjbTPQ47Y Interview with Deniss on tour in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV4yjzYBLnA performing in a show as a very young skater

For me, Deniss Vasiljevs has become my favorite Eastern European skater since the competitive days of Ilia Kulik, Sasha Abt, Alexei Urmanov and Petr Barna. I also of course have enjoyed very much in recent years, the cool Czech, Tomas Verner, and I did pull for Artur Gachinski to break through. Plus the inimitable Swede, Adrian Schultheiss' brief arc through figure skating was very compelling. And of course Alexei Yagudin was a superb jumper and champion, but I was never very charmed by Yagudin's personality. Evgeny Plushenko appealed to me in his younger days, and I respect Plush's legendary career, but neither Yagudin nor Plushy actually make my list of top favorite Eastern European male figure skaters. On the international junior male up-and-comer list, I am also impressed by Daniel Samohin of Israel, and Roman Sadovsky of Canada.

I know it can be problematic placing too much attention on young developing talent in the world of figure skating. But I find Deniss so talented and appealing. I will definitely be rooting for him. Yay Deniss! :cheer2:
 
His short program this season is my favourite on the men's JGP circuit. :) Such smooth, fluid skating skills, great personality and character. The step sequence is terrific, and I also like how they've made the arm movements in his first 2 spins reflective of the character of the program. Neat attention to detail. It's a shame we won't see him at the JGPF!
 
Stunning short. So much artistic talent. Musicality, body awareness, performance quality, charm.
I am sad Deniss did not make JGPF, but it might be less critical for him than for skaters from stronger Federations, as his year does not need to end with JGPF. As (no disrespect to Lukas Kaugars!) the strongest skater from Latvia, Deniss can choose to go to Euros, Junior Worlds and Senior Worlds. Plus I read somewhere that Deniss plans to compete at Youth Olympics in Lillehammer in Feb.2016.
He is just getting his 3A consistent, but generally his jumps look strong; improved from last year and on track for being 16.
Wishing him health!
 
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^^ Yes, yes, you are right @dinakt. I didn't look at it that way, but very true. Thanks for your comments! It's a good thing for many athletes from the Eastern Europe region that their countries are no longer a part of the former Soviet Union.

Deniss' understanding of music, his elegant lines and full body awareness, along with the way he exudes such joy and love for skating are so infectious. He brings a smile to my space (ETA: OK, well that and also to my face :lol:)! Definitely the attention to detail in his skating, and his precocious musicality are very reminiscent for me of the youthful Jason Brown, except of course that Deniss has a longer, leaner body type and his own unique personality and style of skating.

Brown is like a delightful energetic gumby doll, or a magical elf, or a happy court jester with mischievous unexpected revelations to impart, whilst Deniss to me is more like an elegant toy soldier, or a ballet dancer with the charisma, ballon, and restless seeking spirit of a danseur noble like Ethan Stiefel. Deniss is an entertainer on ice who is likely to break out into a tap routine at any moment or mesmerize our eyes with a slow jazz improvisation, or lift our spirits with a happy jig. :D
 
In a strange way, missing the Junior Grand Prix Final might be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for Deniss if Latvian Nationals takes place either the week before or after (in December).

Will be interesting to see how the long program looks with an extra 20-30 seconds added on in Mordovia later this month.

The big decision will be next winter as to whether Deniss will compete at all of Euros/Youth Olympics/Junior Worlds/Senior Worlds.

I still don't understand why there are 6 Junior Grand Prix final spots if there are 7 events for singles.
 
I love Deniss's broken leg into the straight back low tuck position. I really hate the tuck spin that all the skaters are doing under IJS, but Deniss's variation is very nice and different.
 
^^ Yeah that tuck is boring because everyone is doing it (we see it all the time), and largely for the point-getting and not because of any special connection to the choreography, or for story/characterization emphasis. And that's why adding a twist with a variant, unusual position or hand movements that add to the theme of the music is so great. But I guess it takes being talented and creative with musicality and a penchant for detail (as well having a good team around you).

I wish IJS would give points for skaters going back to a more difficult upright sit spin as an option. The sport needs to mix things up and find a way to offer skaters more freedom in the free programs, and to challenge and provide incentive for more creativity to be nurtured and developed.
 
One more fan jumps on the bandwagon :D. I'm so happy I had a chance to see him live in Toruń and to cheer for him. I couldn't really contain my enthusiasm when I learnt that he stayed in second place. I was afraid it would be audible in the online feed, fortunately not :P.
 
Here is more on Deniss from Wiki, his Facebook page, an informative article from Goldenskate in May, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deniss_Vasiļjevs

https://www.facebook.com/Deniss-Vasiljevs-119549618231301/timeline/

http://www.goldenskate.com/2015/05/deniss-vasiljevs/

http://thefinersports.sportsblog.com/tag/deniss vasiljevs (scroll down to JGP review of Deniss at Riga competition)

http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00011354.htm

Now this Twitter may not be the account of our figure skating Deniss Vasiljevs, but I can't resist linking it because the kitty video and caption posted on Oct 3, is so cute and funny. :lol:

https://twitter.com/denissvasijevs
 
ISU personal best score in Tallinn Trophy SP earlier today!

Deniss VASILJEVS LAT 78.63 40.83 37.80 7.45 7.30 7.65 7.65 7.75 0.00 #10

2nd place SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVjqSp9WnU4

ETA:

My first recollection of seeing Vasiljevs' name mentioned on FSU was Oct. 2013 - Coupe de Nice Jr. Men:
allezfred said:
Just caught the final group of the junior men this afternoon. Deniss Vasiljevs, the Latvian boy, who won had some really unusual spin positions that I'd never seen before. Level 4 on all of them and lots of +GOE too.
Click to expand...
 
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Hey, does anyone know why Deniss V did not attend the medal ceremony for the men at Talinin Trophy after winning bronze? Is he okay?
 
aftershocks said:
Hey, does anyone know why Deniss V did not attend the medal ceremony for the men at Talinin Trophy after winning bronze? Is he okay?
Click to expand...

*my mistake

It appears the ceremony took place at 10 pm right after the senior ladies event.

Considering men's finished around 5:30 pm, perhaps Deniss had to make immediate travel arrangements back to Sochi/Daugavpils (school), or his team didn't realize the ceremony has taking place a little earlier than in the official schedule.
 
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2015 Latvian National Championships Long Program

One unusual accommodation was made for Deniss in the long program yesterday, allowing him to him skate in the morning and not in same warm-up group as the other 2 competitors in the senior men's event (Kugars and Basins). Apparently, Deniss had a holiday tour show in Lithuania later that evening.
 
Seerek said:
Interview - Post 2016 European Championships (12th place)

Nice cameo "video bomb" by Philippe Candeloro
Click to expand...

Actually Deniss didn't perform too badly in Euros sp. A fall on footwork due to abandon and exuberance, and a fall on his last jump due to a technical issue, leaning in the air. Otherwise, he was full of expressiveness and appealing delightful charisma, as usual. In addition to athletic ability, the kid has definitely got IT! Indefinable pizzazz and natural grace -- what can't be taught but is something special skaters are born with.

And a lot of past veterans apparently agree, including Candeloro, who was known for his raw showmanship. :)
 
I just want to cheer for the choreographic sequence in his senior free skate, which of course is an element not in the junior free skate. Very, very nice. The Tron free skate itself I thought was too morose for him, but the choreo sequence really heightened the dramatic tension.

BTW, is he 1) eligible and 2) likely to go to (senior) Worlds?
 
^^ AFAIK, Deniss is definitely eligible and able to go to senior Worlds. He won the Latvian National Championship and represented his country in seniors at Europeans. Deniss is also eligible to compete again at junior Worlds. I only wanted to know whether he would decide to compete at junior Worlds this year. I think he is definitely going to senior Worlds.
 
2016 Youth Olympic Games Long Program - Individual Competition
(1st in long, silver medal)

2016 Youth Olympic Games Long Program - Team Event
(1st in long, bronze medal)

Anyone else planning on doing the Junior/Senior Worlds double (maybe Tursynbaeva, Galustyan, Toth)? Seems like a rather unique situation this year, as Nathan Chen won't do it due to injury, and others (Duskova/Bidar, Kailani Craine) have already stated they won't do both.
On the plus side, Deniss' travel from Sochi to Hungary won't be too bad.
 
Deniss V is the bomb! But he's got to harness technical consistency and competitive nerve to claim some successful and completely satisfying explosions.

So glad Deniss will have another chance to display his firecracker talent, with hopefully no heavy pressure attached in Boston. Relax and put on a show in Beantown, Deniss! :cheer2:

Ah, incredible that both Deniss V and Nathan Chen are still only 16 years of age. Both will turn 17 this year (Nathan in May, Deniss in August).
 
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Deniss has quickly become one of my favorites! Too bad about the mistakes at JW. His competition schedule has been crazy this year! I can`t believe he is doing senior worlds as well! Although, I am extremely happy about it as I will get to see him skate live! :)
 
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