Canadian Men 2018-19 season news & updates

[barbarafan]

Wow, so who is this Gogolev currently in first place at JGP Bratislava????

He has been training at TCC for a few yrs. Between 10 and 12 he picked up 3A and all quads(except axel) but he was too young to compete. He won..pre-novice, then novice, then junior and last yr was 10th in seniors. He is in the middle of growing now so he doesn't look as squishy as he did(at one pt he was coming up to his competitors waist). He turned 13 in December so is now old enough for JGP..... He is not allowed to jump a lot in training (especially quads)to protect him from injury but he still is looking good.The long will be tougher.....fingers crossed he does ok.

 

[Colonel Green]

He’s going to be attempting the quad Lutz tomorrow, which will be interesting. He fell on it in the only attempt he’s made on it in competition thus far, but Orser isn’t the kind of coach who puts wing-and-a-prayer elements in programs, so he must have good reason to think he can do it in competition.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

He has been training at TCC for a few yrs. Between 10 and 12 he picked up 3A and all quads(except axel) but he was too young to compete. He won..pre-novice, then novice, then junior and last yr was 10th in seniors. He is in the middle of growing now so he doesn't look as squishy as he did(at one pt he was coming up to his competitors waist). He turned 13 in December so is now old enough for JGP..... He is not allowed to jump a lot in training (especially quads)to protect him from injury but he still is looking good.The long will be tougher.....fingers crossed he does ok.

WOWWW... Thanks for the skinny..... Im excited!

 

[puglover]

I saw Stephen land a beautiful quad lutz in practice at Canadian Nationals in January.

 

[screech]

Here's video of Stephen's international debut in the SP at JGP Bratislava. He must have been nervous but he handled it brilliantly!

Also, I love how when Lee reached out to shake his hand, Stephen took off his glove first. That's a boy with respect.

 

[screech]

Stephen's quad lutz attempt at 11 years old
Beautiful quad lutz at 12 years old
(both from Brian's instagram)

 

[coppertop1]

I'm impressed! He has all the qualities and loads of potential. He's not age eligible for senior competitions, darn! I'm thinking 2026 might be his time. He will only be 16-17 in 2022 GOF course he could be a prodigy).

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I cant tell who I'm loving more Gogolev or Grassl..... I need to watch the entire top 6 now.

Im excited for a new crop!!!!

 

[Seerek]

Interesting that Gogolev's new SP costume for Run Boy Run looks similar in design to Patrick Chan's FS costume from 2006-7.

 

[coppertop1]

Guess who won gold in the JGP of Bratislava?

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Guess who won gold in the JGP of Bratislava?

With 3 different quads, nonetheless!

 

[coppertop1]

And only 13! Mind. Blown.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

What did Gogolev skate to for the Free? Because its being blocked in the States.....

Ugg

 

[sk8girl]

What did Gogolev skate to for the Free? Because its being blocked in the States.....

Ugg

Sherlock Holmes

 

[Seerek]

Ted Barton interviewed both Stephen Gogolev and Aleksa Rakic for the Skate Canada YouTube channel.

 

[victorskid]

Ted Barton interviewed both Stephen Gogolev and Aleksa Rakic for the Skate Canada YouTube channel.

He interviewed each of them along with their coaches. Stephen with Lee Barkell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhph6gKKcwc
Aleksa with Joanne MacLeod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkl1SHbC6IA

 

[shutterbug]

New Bev Smith article: Nam Nguyen:In The Driver’s Seat

It’s Nam Nguyen, and he’s helping to set up the displays for the Figure Skating Boutique booth. Really?

Yes, really. The 20-year-old former Canadian champion (2015) has got a job, working at fixing skates, sharpening them, “building stuff.” For the skating boutique. He has more than one job, actually. He’s also coaching. “Just because I’m paying for my own stuff this season,” he said. “I need the funds for that. The funding I get from Skate Canada is definitely sufficient, but I need more to get to the next level.”

 

[Sylvia]

Beverley Smith also posted a new article on Keegan Messing today (video of his new "You’ve Got A Friend in Me" SP is embedded): https://bevsmithwrites.com/keegan-messing-what-now/

What did Gogolev skate to for the Free? Because its being blocked in the States.....

I've posted a link to a non-blocked version of Stephen Gogolev's Sherlock Holmes FS in his fan/cheer thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/you-go-gogo-stephen-gogolev-fan-thread.104300/#post-5401377
Also re-posting here from the same thread:

John Wilson Blades posted an interview with Stephen from the Cricket Club last week [filmed before his JGP debut].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnd8Zrj9uhA

 

[Sylvia]

Lori Ewing's article on Stephen Gogolev: Meet Stephen Gogolev: The future of Canadian figure skating is barely old enough to compete

 

[Sylvia]

Article on Conrad Orzel ahead of his international season debut at the JGP in Linz, Austria tomorrow: https://www.ifsmagazine.com/conrad-orzel-embraces-new-challenges/

 

[danafan]

Article on Conrad Orzel ahead of his international season debut at the JGP in Linz, Austria tomorrow: https://www.ifsmagazine.com/conrad-orzel-embraces-new-challenges/

Nice article, but this quote is incorrect:

In the 2016-2017 season he claimed silver at the junior Grand Prix in Germany, but landed in a distant 10th at his second assignment in France. Last year, he placed seventh at his only junior Grand Prix in Austria.

He got bronze at the JGP in Poland last season, so he's medaled in both seasons on the JGP.

Edited to add: also in the 2016-17 season, he was 10th at his first event in France, then got silver in his second event in Germany.

http://www.isuresults.com/events/jgp2016/jgpsmen.htm

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I guess Canadian men are gonna rule the roost at JGP...Congrats to Conrad for placing first in SP!!!!

 

[screech]

Though it wasn't perfect, Nam had a pretty good outing in the SP at the US International Figure Skating Classic, and is currently in the lead by less than 1 point. Though he still isn't getting 'into' the ice and maximizing his power, there does seem to be a bit of improvement in his speed. And he's using his whole body for his movement, which many skaters don't do.

Conversely, Stephen Gogolev seems to have had a difficult go of things in the SP at JGP Canada and is in 7th. He had downgrades, falls and some -GOE. Another Canadian, Iliya Kovler (who I've actually never heard of) is currently in 3rd, though!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I'm not a huge fan of Nam's spaghetti arms. There seems no real connection to the choreography other than to look busy.

 

[dramagrrl]

Good for Nam! I hope he is able to carry the good starting momentum from his very early season events through the rest of the season.

 

[Emdee]

We have to remember that Gogo is only 13. The pressure got to him. Hope he has a better day today.
Nam’s music would be perfect for Keegan’s flowing fun skating! Nam has improved but the jerky style that he has had from early years is still there.

 

[Colonel Green]

We have to remember that Gogo is only 13. The pressure got to him. Hope he has a better day today.

While his being 13 absolutely should be kept in mind, it's worth remembering that not even Yuzuru Hanyu wins every contest he enters, so I think approaching Gogo (or any skater, whatever the age) with the presumption that they should always win is imposing unrealistic expectations on them.

All that said, if he delivers in the free what happened in the short won't matter. And if he doesn't, well, that's good experience too in its own way.

 

[puglover]

I am happy for Nam. He has said that this year he is working to cover most of his own expenses and personally chose his music because it meant something to him. Best of luck, Nam!!

 

[barbarafan]

While his being 13 absolutely should be kept in mind, it's worth remembering that not even Yuzuru Hanyu wins every contest he enters, so I think approaching Gogo (or any skater, whatever the age) with the presumption that they should always win is imposing unrealistic expectations on them.

All that said, if he delivers in the free what happened in the short won't matter. And if he doesn't, well, that's good experience too in its own way.

ITA....his training as far as jumps are concerned is limited so the muscle memory of an athlete who trains constantly will not be there so it is going to be hit and miss for a while. I thought any place on any podium would be huge success for this year anyways. He always expects a lot from himself and he was not pleased with himself especially seeing as the short is so unforgiving as you can't add anything in. In the long at least if he misses a jump there is usually a pass not planned that he can throw in something to help. Everything is experience under the belt and his circle is not putting any stress on him...only fans and himself.

 

[Rock2]

Gogolev is super talented but quite prone to frequent and fairly random mistakes. Included in that list is popping which is a hor-rible habit to develop at any age. Orzel has this problem, too, so if they can reduce or eliminate that habit, I call that progress. So far so good for both.

Kovler has been percolating in the junior ranks for a few years. Fairly consistent but small triples. I believe it's this year where he added the 3A plus he grew and got stronger. This has opened up opportunities. Glad to see him take advantage right away.