2026 Europeans - Men Free Skate - “To Be Or Not To Appleby - That Is The Quadstion?”

[tony]

Kessler has missed the free skate three of the four times he's been at Euros. He was 19th the other time. He'll finish no lower than 14th. Fantastic.

 

[Sally1214]

OK .... about 15-20 minutes to get myself cleaned up and dressed. Can't be sitting around in my pjs and slippers by the time this event finishes (will be almost 1pm here).

 

[Hanna]

this is such a loss for us - the French are often the most interesting skaters. Even further down like Rols I still like to watch them. Le sigh.

I wanted to see Economides badly but eh, not happening now.

Ponsart style looks like a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and an insurance sales guy.

 

[tony]

Meh. Now I read Kessler's quotes after the free skate and he still doesn't have the minimum TES for Worlds. If he doesn't get it (he needs 3.37 more points), this'll be it for him.

 

[Spikefan]

I just realized Litvintsev is not here. Is he injured?

 

[tony]

I just realized Litvintsev is not here. Is he injured?

Talked to him. Paperwork was not approved in time [same as for the Armenians]

 

[tony]

Hagara channels Alexei Urmanov in his early days so much. And he's having the time of his life in the leaders chair.

Nordeback of bloody nose dripping all over the ice fame and scrapers coming out between each and every skater to try to clean it

 

[SidelineSkater]

Meh. Now I read Kessler's quotes after the free skate and he still doesn't have the minimum TES for Worlds. If he doesn't get it (he needs 3.37 more points), this'll be it for him.

Because I don't keep track - how many comps are left for him to earn mins?

 

[susieB129]

Asking those in the know. Seeing Tony's comment about Hagara in the leader's chair, I'm curious how the majority of them feel about it.

 

[Hedwig]

missed first minute of NOrdeback due to the sometime annoying human need to eat

came back to 3l
3z euler 3sal
3z2a
2f
dramatic step sequecne, well done

 

[Braulio]

Kessler has missed the free skate three of the four times he's been at Euros. He was 19th the other time. He'll finish no lower than 14th. Fantastic.

at least Kevin Aymoz had a similar record, or did he ever qualify to the free?

 

[her grace]

Too bad for Pitot. I was hoping he’d pull a Karhunen and get into the top ten.

 

[tony]

Because I don't keep track - how many comps are left for him to earn mins?

There are plenty (Volvo, Challenge Cup coming up soon, I think all the way to the Sonja Henie Trophy a few weeks before Worlds, maybe even some smaller ones after that).

 

[tony]

at least Kevin Aymoz had a similar record, or did he ever qualify to the free?

He was 4th twice. How dare you.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

I feel like Nordback was portraing "Rome&Juliette: sealed with a kiss" version.

 

[peibeck]

Andreas is so expressive, even with this "R&J" program that isn't nearly as voidy as some he's done, too bad about all the jump errors today.

 

[Nadin]

Are you guys seeing these messages to the crowd on screen? I’ve never noticed them before and there are some good ones

 

[SidelineSkater]

He was 4th twice. How dare you.

Have you started the Olympics GoFundMe to Get Kevin in the Free Skate yet? Cause I think you could make bank.

 

[tony]

Have you started the Olympics GoFundMe to Get Kevin in the Free Skate yet? Cause I think you could make bank.

I think I need to just go.

Are you guys seeing these messages to the crowd on screen? I’ve never noticed them before and there are some good ones

No we don't, but some of them were also really good at Worlds!

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

I'm all for unusual music choices, but wtf is this thing Marsak is skating too?

 

[Braulio]

The height of his jumps is impressive, lacking control but the guy has the technical ability to do them. Now work on a style that matches

 

[tony]

I'm all for unusual music choices, but wtf is this thing Marsak is skating too?

Blame Ilia

 

[peibeck]

My ear's need an anti-depressant from listening to Marsak's music.

 

[Hedwig]

Kyrylo Marsak
4z step out
oh nice 4sal 2toe, the quad had even a delayed rotation!
3a2a2a very nice across all three jumps
stumble before the next 3a but no problems there
3z3toe very good
3l
I think that is the best I ever saw him skate

3flip

A top ten finish for Ukraine maybe?? I am soooo here for that!!

puh and then only level 2 in the steps and his last spin - giving points away.....

 

[BittyBug]

I'm all for unusual music choices, but wtf is this thing Marsak is skating too?

Malinin used this piece - and more specifically, the quote about being tired - fairly recently.

 

[Karen-W]

It's the Olympics... yes it'll be Olympic-sized

But apparently the practice rink is being put in a literal tent somewhere outside the main rink. So I've heard.

That's crazy. But... I suppose par for the course with the way the organizers have done things for these Olympics...

I see what Sally was referring to. The ice hockey rink is slightly different than what the NHL is used to. 196.85ft x 85.3ft in Milano versus 200ft x 85ft

Yes, Santagiulia Arena has been purpose-built for the hockey in Milano but the ice surface is smaller than both the NHL and Olympic standards. There doesn't seem to be much explanation given as to why this obvious screw-up happened; but I think it does beg the legitimate question about the figure skating/short-track venue's ice surface size. Thankfully, that arena does have a standard Olympic-sized ice surface.

Now, whether Santagiulia is fully completed by the time the Olympics start is a whole other question - videos from the test games held there last weekend show a lot of work still to be completed at the venue.

Back to the skating - I've been following along with the first half of the men but not paying super-close attention - probably has something to do with the fact that I haven't turned on any lights yet, so it's just me and the TV and the computer monitor.

Marsak has me questioning everything, most especially why he's using Ilia's 22-23 FS music... He's not a compelling enough of a skater to get away with skating to a song titled "I'm Tired."

 

[susieB129]

Just did a quick dive into Marsak's Wikipedia page. Such loss and tragedy for this kid at so young an age. He deserves so much respect.

 

[Sally1214]

Did Chris mention if the arena is sold out today? Those audience shots make it look like the place is pretty much full. How wonderful for the sport of figure skating.

 

[Spikefan]

Blame Ilia

Great, so next season we will get a bunch of self spoken word programs.

 

[PRlady]

Total teenaged angst drippy music but the guy really has the jumps. Maybe from Euphoria?