2023 World Team Trophy - April 13-16 - Tokyo, Japan

[Debbie S]

So at the WTT, they actually list the judges' countries next to their names.

 

[tony]

I think the US should be able to take this somewhat comfortably, and Japan finishing behind them easily for silver. Korea even with likely last-place points through the dance and pairs competitions (and lower points from he-Lee) should be able to earn bronze.

And then Italy, Canada, and France battling it out for 4th.

 

[YukiNieve]

Once you are in the arena, you find a poster for each country team with QR code.
Read the QR code with your cell phone and you can watch the short movie that each team has made.

The one from Korean team is really well made!

https://twitter.com/sydthepasserby/status/1646324026720280576

 

[Karen-W]

I think the US should be able to take this somewhat comfortably, and Japan finishing behind them easily for silver. Korea even with likely last-place points through the dance and pairs competitions (and lower points from he-Lee) should be able to earn bronze.

And then Italy, Canada, and France battling it out for 4th.

I dunno... I think Italy might be able to take bronze. It will be an interesting battle, for sure.

 

[skatfan]

Fwiw, Jackie Wong’s preview of WTT:

2023 World Team Trophy preview: A rematch — Rocker Skating - Analysis by Jackie Wong

It will be a close battle between Japan and the United States, who have won six of the seven World Team Trophy titles

www.rockerskating.com

 

[aussieSKATES]

We're reporting from the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and having watched practice yesterday and this morning, it is definitely between Team Japan and Team USA for gold, with the battle for bronze between Italy, France and Canada.

Having said this, because the event is judged on combined point placements and not judged scores, anything could happen, and this factor alone may affect the final outcome.

One thing is clear. Everyone is bringing their A Game. It is going to be a very exciting event.

We've written up a few small practice reports which may be of interest at facebook.com/aussieskates

 

[euterpe]

I dunno... I think Italy might be able to take bronze. It will be an interesting battle, for sure.

Not that likely. While their pair and dance team have had great results, their ladies haven't scored well this season: Gutmann and Pezzetta are #46 and #51 on the SB list. The only WTT members lower than that are Dupuis (CAN) at 62 and Serna (FRA) at 66. While the Italian men have high SBs, you never know how Grassl and Rizzo will perform on any given day.

 

[Allskate]

Based on his latest IG story, I'm almost afraid to see if Jason Brown chooses to change his costume. He's certainly getting into the spirit:

Watch this story by Jason Brown on Instagram before it disappears.

218K Followers, 599 Following, 1,915 Posts

www.instagram.com

 

[4rkidz]

The opening ceremony was fun. Skaters looked like they were enjoying themselves

 

[4rkidz]

Is anyone making a thread for the ice dance coming up?

 

[Karen-W]

Is anyone making a thread for the ice dance coming up?

2023 WTT Day 1

Ok I’m starting the thread. Here’s a link to the YouTube feed for the Rhythm Dance: https://www.youtube.com/live/lIs6VfINDHI?feature=share

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[Sylvia]

Never mind (use the first link above )

ETA:

We've written up a few small practice reports which may be of interest at facebook.com/aussieskates

Thanks!

JSF/Skating Japan's IG account has added more pics & clips since I last posted: https://www.instagram.com/skatingjapan/
ETA:
Kaori & Mai decorating their team box: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq9jLUmp67t/
Clips of the teams having fun in their boxes: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq90PMfpIPs/
Team Japan cheering KanaDai in RD: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq99anixAkc/

 

[Sylvia]

Golden Skate's Judith D. is posting WTT mixed zone quotes on Instagram & Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldenskate

ETA that Jason really went all out for the team this year - Alexa's photo ("Team Captain @jasonbskates made the team matching shirts!"): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq93qouPcm3/

 

[thvu]

There's a Day 1 Replay on Peacock for those still wondering. Says 2 days left to watch, so hopefully they're transitioning to a "48 hour"-ish window for everything now, instead of only select events (like no replays for GPs).

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Not that likely. While their pair and dance team have had great results, their ladies haven't scored well this season: Gutmann and Pezzetta are #46 and #51 on the SB list. The only WTT members lower than that are Dupuis (CAN) at 62 and Serna (FRA) at 66. While the Italian men have high SBs, you never know how Grassl and Rizzo will perform on any given day.

after an hour or so of analyzing before it started, I picked Italy taking bronze over Canada and Korea. However, if Lara doesn’t put it in gear, who knows.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Not that likely.

I actually agree with Karen and say it is likely or more likely. Italy is rocking it with the pairs and the dance more than ever and they have two strong men. The only weak link are there women but after looking at Canadas weakness men and also women and Korea’s week link in dance and pairs. I feel like Italy has the stronger chance, but again who knows

 

[Sylvia]

Once you are in the arena, you find a poster for each country team with QR code.
Read the QR code with your cell phone and you can watch the short movie that each team has made.

The one from Korean team is really well made!

https://twitter.com/sydthepasserby/status/1646324026720280576

Yelim also shared the video via her IG: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq9gkmfL-MB/

 

[Sylvia]

ISU's Day 1 recap: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...-world-team-trophy-kicks-off?templateParam=15

USFS' Fan Zone recap:

Team USA Takes Commanding Lead on Opening Day of World Team Trophy - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Team USA proved it is the team to beat at ISU World Team Trophy, securing 50 points and an 11-point lead on the opening day in Tokyo, Japan.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Getty Images (157 photos from Men's & Women's SP & Rhythm Dance)

Golden Skate's Judith D. is posting WTT mixed zone quotes on Instagram & Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldenskate

Scroll down for lots of quotes.

 

[Sylvia]

Nick McCarvel's look back "at three fan favorite stories" this season - Jason Brown, Kevin Aymoz and Deanna Stellato-Dudek: https://olympics.com/en/news/isu-wo...jason-brown-energized-comeback-figure-skating

 

[Sylvia]

Getty Images (157 photos from Men's & Women's SP & Rhythm Dance)

More photos...

Melanie Heaney for IDC (6 RD photos): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_xroVvcCL/
Practice & RD: https://photos2.ice-dance.com/2022-23/23WTT/

Robin Ritoss for Figure Skaters Online: https://figureskatersonline.com/news/2023/04/13/photos-2023-isu-world-team-trophy/

Skating Japan's Day 1 clips of the 6 team boxes: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq-i5h_J9zK/
Also during the opening ceremony: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq90PMfpIPs/
Team Japan cheering box clips:
For Shun & Kazuki: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq-bfm7pcPV/
For Mai & Kaori: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq-P_vnpeEt/
For KanaDai: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq99anixAkc/

World Team Trophy #WTTFigure programs with KOR team reactions: a thread (5 tweets): https://twitter.com/skatingkor/status/1646636190580330496

Isabeau's 5 photos of Team USA at Thursday's opening ceremony (Captain Jason had the individual team member shirts made): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_q1F8vzOp/
Jason's photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_mpaaBt0i/
Alexa's photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_rsNGvZX_/

Friday's competition is scheduled to begin at 16:00 in Tokyo/3 am Eastern/midnight Pacific time with the Pairs SP - someone please create a Day 2 thread beforehand like yesterday's, thanks!

 

[Allskate]

Anyone know where we can watch the exhibitions?

Here's a video Jason posted of the members of the American team sending a message to the Japanese audience. It's handy that he has studied Japanese:

Jason Brown on Instagram: "Here’s a look at a video message we made for the Japanese audience here at #wttfigure! It’s displayed around the concourse of the venue in Tokyo, and we wanted to share it with all those who couldn’t make it to the event! E

6,646 Likes, 95 Comments - Jason Brown (@jasonbskates) on Instagram: "Here’s a look at a video message we made for the Japanese audience here at #wttfigure! It’s d..."

www.instagram.com

 

[peibeck]

There's a Day 1 Replay on Peacock for those still wondering. Says 2 days left to watch, so hopefully they're transitioning to a "48 hour"-ish window for everything now, instead of only select events (like no replays for GPs).

Thanks, I figured this wasn't going to be on Peacock, so I haven't followed any on it.

 

[Sylvia]

Anyone know where we can watch the exhibitions?

Skating ISU YT channel (VPN required in U.S): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekcl0pci4uY
Sunday 14:00-17:00 in Japan (1-4 am Eastern time).

Program/skate order: https://twitter.com/_happystella/status/1647191534222348288

 

[Allskate]

Skating ISU YT channel (VPN required in U.S): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekcl0pci4uY
Sunday 14:00-17:00 in Japan (1-4 am Eastern time).

Program/skate order: https://twitter.com/_happystella/status/1647191534222348288

Thanks. I'm not tech savvy and don't have a VPN. I don't understand why Peacock isn't showing it (or why they haven't put up a Day 3 replay).

 

[Debbie S]

Thanks. I'm not tech savvy and don't have a VPN. I don't understand why Peacock isn't showing it (or why they haven't put up a Day 3 replay).

Day 3 replay is up, I watched it earlier. Look under the replays heading. You will probably have to scroll through a bit to find it.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Thanks. I'm not tech savvy and don't have a VPN. I don't understand why Peacock isn't showing it (or why they haven't put up a Day 3 replay).

type in the search bar world team trophy and replays still available come up.

 

[tkaug]

I really think the scores for Pairs and Ice Dance should be changed to 12 10 8 6 4 2. Only 5 points difference between the top(12) and bottom(7) is too little.
I wish the same for all the categories of the free programs in the Olympics team event(from 10 9 8 7 6 to 10 8 6 4 2).

 

[Sylvia]

Skating Japan's Day 4 (EX) highlights video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrF1IamNt69/

Getty Images (117 photos from the Gala)

Charlene Guignard's photos, including from the banquet on Saturday night: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrGL084pVMv/
Fan meeting with their Japanese fans: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrFabWaph8d/

Kevin Aymoz shared this pic of Team France at the banquet: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrGLeD_p4m8/

Haien Lee's banquet pics: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrEz2c6ynzJ/

Malinin's group selfie at the end of the gala & 2 clips: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrFx9nvL-1W/

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

really think the scores for Pairs and Ice Dance should be changed to 12 10 8 6 4 2. Only 5 points difference between the top(12) and bottom(7) is too little.

this was the point I was trying to make two days ago, but I don’t think people understood it. You could have a pair and dance team come in last, but still win the whole thing because the values for single skaters are so much higher valued.

 

[Karen-W]

I really think the scores for Pairs and Ice Dance should be changed to 12 10 8 6 4 2. Only 5 points difference between the top(12) and bottom(7) is too little.
I wish the same for all the categories of the free programs in the Olympics team event(from 10 9 8 7 6 to 10 8 6 4 2).

this was the point I was trying to make two days ago, but I don’t think people understood it. You could have a pair and dance team come in last, but still win the whole thing because the values for single skaters are so much higher valued.

Honestly, countries with stronger pairs and dance teams than singles are already at a disadvantage in WTT scoring because they only get 1 entry in each of the partnered disciplines.

The US managed to win, in historic fashion, precisely because of their strength in pairs and ice dance, and I'm okay with that. Italy managed 4th, despite some really rough performances by their two women, because of the strength of their ice dance and pairs teams. Canada, on the other hand, despite similar depth in both dance and pairs, couldn't overcome the struggles with their men and women.