2024 Grand Prix Final - Men SP: “While My Quadster Gently Weeps”

[NinjaTurtles]

10/10/9.75 from judge 5

Germany loves artistic expression to white Detroit rappers.

 

[MacMadame]

Because there are 6 events rather than the 5 we had today and yesterday and they have a set finish time for the day.

It's off from the other Senior events which is why it stood out to me. (Though it was a rhetorical question; more of a whine.)

I think it being prime time in Japan makes sense as there are 5 Japanese women competing.

 

[victorskid]

I think it being prime time in Japan makes sense as there are 5 Japanese women competing.

That would be the explanation of why it is that particular event which is the first of the day - something had to be first

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Regarding Ilia’s new costume, it reminded me briefly at first of Shae’s top that Nathan wore a few times for his Glass LP.
Are we sure Ilia didn’t raid Shae’s closet this time?

 

[Wyliefan]

I absolutely cannot wait to see this costume now.

 

[Frau Muller]

Also on my trips:

1. Ilia 102.23
2. Yuma 93.49
3. Mikhail 91.26

Heck, who top three won so far?

 

[zigzig]

Meh event except for Ilia and Shaid but gotta commend the fair, accurate and equitable calling.

Can we get this panel for the women tomorrow instead of the trainwreck slated to call.

 

[annie_mg]

I know I sound like Polina Edmunds, but Ilia really needs to fix his posture. If he does that, then I will be 100% behind him. I get why he's winning and all, but there are moments where that posture is unwatchable.

I can imagine it's hard to fix otherwise he would have done it already because he is clearly a very hard worker and extremely talented and committed.

 

[victorskid]

In his mixed zone interview with Golden Skate posted on X he explained:

“I wanted to make things a bit more interesting, I like it more than the previous one. It shows more of the personality of the character I am portraying in my Free [sic] Skate. The grey represents him being held back and the blue represents his new found freedom.”

There is an off ice photo included: https://x.com/goldenskate/status/1865143187838222530/photo/1

 

[Wyliefan]

I absolutely cannot wait to see this costume now.

And it just showed up on Instagram. Oh my gosh. You all weren't kidding. He looks like Blue Spider-man.

 

[Karen-W]

In his mixed zone interview with Golden Skate posted on X he explained:


There is an off ice photo included: https://x.com/goldenskate/status/1865143187838222530/photo/1

So, now, instead of just program concept shite, we're being given costume concept shite. Great. Thanks, Mark, for inflicting this on us by ever giving any voice to any choreographer's pretentious bull-hockey.

 

[Sylvia]

So, now, instead of just program concept shite, we're being given costume concept shite. Great. Thanks, Mark, for inflicting this on us by ever giving any voice to any choreographer's pretentious bull-hockey.

I love that you hate Ilia's new costume so much!

 

[Karen-W]

I love that you hate Ilia's new costume so much!

I wouldn't hate it nearly so much if it didn't have the blue diaper thing going on. That takes it to a level that is pretty close to Paul Poirier's backless suit. They're both at the "burn it, burn it all to ashes and never ever again okay something so outlandish without a woman's input" level.

 

[MacMadame]

I think the shirt part of Ilia's costume is great. Hopefully, looking at replays on their tv will show that some changes need to happen to the pants part. I think it just needs shifting around the various pieces and maybe filling some of the sheerer/mesh-like portions with the blue.

 

[jlai]

The blue boots really stood out lol. Don’t think I’ve seen blue ones before

 

[Sylvia]

Malinin SP photos by Jurij Kodrun - Getty Images

ETA more Malinin photos:

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉イリア・マリニン（撮影・長久保　豊）"

307 likes, 0 comments - sponichitokyophoto on December 6, 2024: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉イリア・マリニン（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

Mao Yanzheng on Instagram: "Ilia MALININ #GPFigure #FigureSkating #JGPFigure"

109 likes, 1 comments - maoyanzheng on December 6, 2024: "Ilia MALININ #GPFigure #FigureSkating #JGPFigure".

www.instagram.com

 

[Debbie S]

I think I'd be OK with the shirt, without the cut-open shoulder, but the pants should be solid blue. Or gray. Just pick one color.

 

[Spikefan]

It doesn’t look bad in photos. Losing the grey wrap on the thighs would likely fix it, the lower leg part is fine.

 

[mtnskater]

Wow lots of unexpected splats, unders, wobbly skating, etc. Most of the guys took themselves out of the running unfortunately. You can’t spot Ilia all these points!

I have usually been fine with Ilia’s costumes. But I don’t care for this one at all. Screams Dune rather than rap music urban. BUT hey at least we get a costume from him (Nathan Chen…just sayin ;-) Also being a traditionalist in skating style, I don’t love the hunchy urban hip hop posture in the program. But there are so many unique and interesting movements done with confidence, authority and skill. I want to see more knee bend from him in this program. But he is truly amazing in what he has brought to the sport. And he just turned 20! Ted thinks this program is artistically groundbreaking….I’ll have to think about that.

A shame about Yuma’s fall. I still feel like he has textbook skating skills but his artistry and performance just doesn’t quite get there for me. I think he needs more conviction and emotion. He’s quite reserved in his performances. I think Ilia’s Ina Bauer is more effective than Yuma’s surprisingly.

Kevin Aymoz…awww darn! So sad to see him meltdown again. Because I LOVE this program and music for him. It’s perfect for his agility, dance ability, quickness and uniqueness. Wish he could have brought it at home.

Shaidarov barely bends his knees or gets on an edge but he has lovely jumps. His stock is moving up. I commend him for quite a lovely camel spin position. Unusual to see a 20 year old in braces!? I’m sooooo sick of Dune programs. Who likes this music with the wailing!!!???

At least Grassl gave up on the classical music short program. This music suits his lack of line and stretch much better..and I found him more watchable, even with the unders.

 

[Sylvia]

ETA these 3 posts from earlier in the thread:

Wow, that Teddy Bear is bigger than the girl picking up

Finally, the GIANT TEDDY BEAR. This little girl is a winner!

Good job by the sweeper to carry that bear that is bigger then she is.

Shaidorov & his bear gift that was bigger than the sweeper who picked it up for him! 5 photos:

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉ミハイル・シャイドロフ（撮影・長久保　豊）"

649 likes, 2 comments - sponichitokyophoto on December 6, 2024: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉ミハイル・シャイドロフ（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

 

[Rob]

I haven’t watched. In still shots, Shirt looks fine. Pants look like they wont move well. They should be blue with some grey threads running through, or vice versa, but not big stripes.

Can anyone explain the lower PCS for Yuma?

 

[skatfan]

I haven’t watched. In still shots, Shirt looks fine. Pants look like they wont move well. They should be blue with some grey threads running through, or vice versa, but not big stripes.

Can anyone explain the lower PCS for Yuma?

It gets capped when there is a fall

 

[Sylvia]

In skimming this thread just now:

Sylvia Fontana didn't age at all for decades until she started coaching Aymoz.

... and Sylvia SHOULD give us frosty/mad coach for that performance from Kevin, but she won't because she's an emotional hamburger like my mom.

It's Silvia (Fontana).

 

[Sylvia]

Photos & quotes in the mixed zone:

In his mixed zone interview with Golden Skate posted on X he explained:
“I wanted to make things a bit more interesting, I like it more than the previous one. It shows more of the personality of the character I am portraying in my Free [sic] Skate. The grey represents him being held back and the blue represents his new found freedom.”

Same photo & quotes are in GS’ Instagram post:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Ilia Malinin 🇺🇸 105.43 “I felt very good and confident. I tried to let everything out and feel the audience. I am pleased with the score.” On the new costume: “I wanted to make things a bit more interesting, I like it

533 likes, 2 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Ilia Malinin 🇺🇸 105.43 “I felt very good and confident. I tried to let everything out and feel the audience. I am pleased with the score.” On the new costume: “I wanted to make things a bit more interesting, I like it more than the...

www.instagram.com

Clip of Ilia talking to reporters in the mixed zone (via Ari Z.):

Ari Zakarian on Instagram

236 likes, 7 comments - arizakarian on December 6, 2024

www.instagram.com

Kagiyama:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Yuma Kagiyama 🇯🇵 93.49 “I put too much upper strenth which led to my fall. I wasn’t very nervous, and I felt the excitement of the final. Of course I’m disappointed, but from now on I’ll keep doing my best.” #GPFigure #G

528 likes, 1 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Yuma Kagiyama 🇯🇵 93.49 “I put too much upper strenth which led to my fall. I wasn’t very nervous, and I felt the excitement of the final. Of course I’m disappointed, but from now on I’ll keep doing my best.” #GPFigure #GPFinal #FigureSkating".

www.instagram.com

Shaidorov & his bear:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Mikhail Shaidorov 🇰🇿 91.26 “I am feeling amazing because I am here. I really like this ice. It feels amazing to skate on. I skated almost clean, I lost my balance a bit but it’s okay. Tomorrow I want to skate clean incl

800 likes, 12 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Mikhail Shaidorov 🇰🇿 91.26 “I am feeling amazing because I am here. I really like this ice. It feels amazing to skate on. I skated almost clean, I lost my balance a bit but it’s okay. Tomorrow I want to skate clean including 3A eu 4S. I...

www.instagram.com

Sato:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Shun Sato 🇯🇵 86.26 “Even though I failed on the first jump (4Lz), I practiced in a way that I could make it till the end and If another fall happened I might consider changing the jump. Tomorrow i’ll try to perform withou

361 likes, 1 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Shun Sato 🇯🇵 86.26 “Even though I failed on the first jump (4Lz), I practiced in a way that I could make it till the end and If another fall happened I might consider changing the jump. Tomorrow i’ll try to perform without caring too much...

www.instagram.com

Grassl:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Daniel Grassl 🇮🇹 81.76 “I feel really good because it was a big goal of mine to show the two quads in the short and I did it, I landed them even though not yet all clean. I think next time will be better.” The new SP mus

293 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Daniel Grassl 🇮🇹 81.76 “I feel really good because it was a big goal of mine to show the two quads in the short and I did it, I landed them even though not yet all clean. I think next time will be better.” The new SP music was the idea of...

www.instagram.com

Aymoz:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "Kevin Aymoz 🇫🇷 68.82 “Today I am really happy because I could skate for my home audience. It was amazing. I wasn’t too nervous but I think I wanted to show maybe a bit too much. I had too much energy. In the warm-up I was

720 likes, 4 comments - goldsk8 on December 6, 2024: "Kevin Aymoz 🇫🇷 68.82 “Today I am really happy because I could skate for my home audience. It was amazing. I wasn’t too nervous but I think I wanted to show maybe a bit too much. I had too much energy. In the warm-up I was boom, 💥 everything...

www.instagram.com

 

[Frau Muller]

So, now, instead of just program concept shite, we're being given costume concept shite. Great. Thanks, Mark, for inflicting this on us by ever giving any voice to any choreographer's pretentious bull-hockey.

The new outfit looks much better to Ilia.

 

[Wyliefan]

Catching up now. Shaidorov taking the bear and giving the little girl a hug just melted my cold dead heart.

 

[Messalina]

ETA these 3 posts from earlier in the thread:



Shaidorov & his bear gift that was bigger than the sweeper who picked it up for him!

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉ミハイル・シャイドロフ（撮影・長久保　豊）"

649 likes, 2 comments - sponichitokyophoto on December 6, 2024: "〈GPファイナル男子SP〉ミハイル・シャイドロフ（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

I'm SO glad someone got pictures of the sweeper + giant bear!

 

[Frau Muller]

I was sorry that Kevin was in 6th place. I hope that I can do better in place place. I sat it latter from missed and sit it out. Sorry.

 

[skateboy]

I've just seen Ilia's program. Nice work!

And... maybe I'm the only one, but I thought the costume was cool! Loved it.

 

[annie_mg]

Ilia's costume is very 90s. I love it.