Chinese Skating News, Pt. 3: A long & winding road to Beijing 2022

[Doggygirl]

From Lori N. Interview...

Yu/Zhang is a very interesting pair. He is older. But it just makes me find new ideas," she added.

That tickled my funny bone!!

Glad to read such positive things about the leftovers and especially about Peng!

 

[Meoima]

I hope Zhang will heal because I want Yu to do well...

 

[cgirl8]

Someone in China decided to import the Stars on Ice franchise:

There is a chinese company that has partnered with IMG to bring Stars on Ice to China lead up to the 2022 Olympics.
Official page: http://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404136002766687904#_0

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ I've reposted @cgirl8's article link in this GSD thread for the Chinese version of "Stars on Ice" scheduled to debut in Beijing on December 15, 2017: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/stars-on-ice-2017-beijing-december-15.101713/

The Chinese National Grand Prix competition (senior/junior) took place in Harbin, Sept. 9-10 - Sr. pairs results/scores are compiled below from: http://fyeahchinesepairs.tumblr.com/

Compilation of videos (fan cams, live streaming) from the pnerds & Han Yan fan accounts...

1 Sui/Han 225.40 (80.84 SP, 144.56 FS)
SP to Hallelujah (k.d. lang): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZbMYrClRko
FS to Turandot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iffnh0pyG-Y

2 Yu/Zhang 213.26 (75.88 SP, 137.38 FS)
SP to Swan Lake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii3P18MAXc0
FS to Star Wars OSTs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsBakzcTMFI

3 Peng/Jin 210.02 (69.30 SP, 140.72 FS)
SP to Assassin's Tango: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLbsxxFY1MY
FS to Butterfly Lovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABubOKI4XTM

Han YAN won the men's competition, according the Han Yan Fan Van Twitter account.
SP ("3A 4Tso 3Lz3T fall 86") to "A Thousand Years" covered by Boyce Avenue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT7l_9D14BU
FS ("3A2T 3Lz2T2Lo 3F3T //3Lz 1Lo 3F 3S 2F no quads, but beautiful skating. 160.57 247.48 1st") to "I'll Take Care of You" (last year's SP extended to a FS by Lori Nichol?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8RH5uRJMfE

Boyang Jin:
SP to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzTVtrY0bu0
FS opens to (sounds like) "Mars" by Holst then Star Wars OST (6 falls then 3Lz+3T, 3F step): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIkRg7DmaGE
ETA: "Mars" by Holst is confirmed by @DobrinFan below (and this cut of music was used by Satoko Miyahara in the footwork sequence of her memorable FS last season that also included music from Star Wars).

2 more men's videos:
Yuhang GUAN SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ5YKoVJLAQ
He ZHANG FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbXVTwmeVSQ

Ladies top 3 final results: https://twitter.com/magicaleggrolls/status/906833501441466370
1 Ziquan Zhao 161.15
2 Xiangning Li 157.96 - SP (Cinema Paradiso): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OczttRcGod0
3 Zijun Li 157.96 - SP (East of Eden): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il3BGXeMcqQ

 

[DobrinFan]

FS opens to (sounds like) "Mars" by Holst then Star Wars OST (6 falls then 3Lz+3T, 3F step): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIkRg7DmaGE

It is Mars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0bcRCCg01I

 

[tony]

Had to watch to make sure I read that correctly. Yup, 6 straight falls on the first six jump elements of Boyang Jin's free skate, and some of them looked like they hurt.

Race for the ladies' spot looks like it's going to be close.

And it seems Peng/Jin are off to a great start in bridging any gap with their former partners.

 

[alj5]

Really enjoyed Han Yan's interpretation of a "generic male ballad" in his short program. His smooth lyrical skating is in contrast to Boyang Jin's quick rotations and more energetic short program.

 

[Sedge]

Sounds like Jin had a " Skate America 2016 " start to his season..I hope he can put that behind him.

Pleased to hear that Han Yan had a good skate.He is so inconsistent that it is hard to hope for this to last. ..but I would be so pleased if he could turn his career around.

 

[chattila]

Lovely Turandot FS from Sui/Han. That's historically winning music for Chinese teams!

 

[tony]

Sui/Han aren't doing it for me with either program so far. I really adore this team and the crisp, dynamic skating that they've shown in their previous two short programs. The Hallelujah they chose is actually one of my favorite renditions, but it doesn't build like it should, probably because of the quickness of the short program. It's just 'nice'. And the free skate.. I don't know where to start. The costumes are very Shen-Zhao-esque and the music is more or less the same, but the comparisons stop there. The major elements of the program are timed so weird (not on big moments of the music at all) and I would rather it be a complete instrumental than the lyrics coming in halfway through. The first half has next to nothing in terms of choreography, either. They obviously aren't in shape yet, but I think the whole program needs to be reworked or ditched for something more exciting if they keep the SP.

 

[Marco]

Sui/Han aren't doing it for me with either program so far. I really adore this team and the crisp, dynamic skating that they've shown in their previous two short programs. The Hallelujah they chose is actually one of my favorite renditions, but it doesn't build like it should, probably because of the quickness of the short program. It's just 'nice'. And the free skate.. I don't know where to start. The costumes are very Shen-Zhao-esque and the music is more or less the same, but the comparisons stop there. The major elements of the program are timed so weird (not on big moments of the music at all) and I would rather it be a complete instrumental than the lyrics coming in halfway through. The first half has next to nothing in terms of choreography, either. They obviously aren't in shape yet, but I think the whole program needs to be reworked or ditched for something more exciting if they keep the SP.

I can see the short program working well with some mileage but Hallelujah calls for long, sweeping edges and S&H need to show more of that.

Turandot is just a complete letdown.

 

[nimi]

My first impression of Sui/Han's Hallelujah is that it looked pretty promising and the choreo fit the music nicely (for a pairs SP, that is). Especially the latter part from the stsq through the lift to that death spiral with beautiful entry almost got me teary-eyed... although that might be partly/mostly due to reasons related to my menstrual cycle and general weepiness at the moment. (ETA: sorry if that was TMI)

Echoing what @Tony Wheeler and @Marco said about Turandot.

The Leftovers' programs are my early faves of the Chinese pairs this season. IMO Yu/Zhang's Swan Lake has potential to be impressive too; their FP felt somewhat generic and forgettable, but maybe it'll grow on me as the season progresses.

 

[Quadjump]

Yu/Zhang should use star wars for their short program an swan lake for the long. The SP has to be a cracker. Even when they skate clean, Swan lake needs more time to build that special moment.

Sui/Han hallelujah looks quite good indeed. But why the hell isn´t it their FP?? Their turandot does not seem to be a topdraw. Agree with the other users here.

 

[Japanfan]

Sui/Han aren't doing it for me with either program so far. I really adore this team and the crisp, dynamic skating that they've shown in their previous two short programs. The Hallelujah they chose is actually one of my favorite renditions, but it doesn't build like it should, probably because of the quickness of the short program. It's just 'nice'. And the free skate.. I don't know where to start. The costumes are very Shen-Zhao-esque and the music is more or less the same, but the comparisons stop there. The major elements of the program are timed so weird (not on big moments of the music at all) and I would rather it be a complete instrumental than the lyrics coming in halfway through. The first half has next to nothing in terms of choreography, either. They obviously aren't in shape yet, but I think the whole program needs to be reworked or ditched for something more exciting if they keep the SP.

While no skater/skaters own any piece of music, I find 'Turandot' a very odd choice. I'm sure that S/Z's iconic performance to that music not so long ago is well-known among Chinese skaters, and H. Zhao would have had a say in this music choice. A certain extent of copying would therefore be unavoidable.

I'm very disappointed that S/H chose this music as the favorites for Olympic Gold - would have preferred them to make a more original choice. Last season's 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters' was more Olympic worthy in this case, IMO.

 

[Japanfan]

Comments from Lori Nichol on the Chinese pairs:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/04/c_136499198.htm

This reads awkwardly, not the way Lori talks - she is very articulate. I wonder if the interview was translated into Chinese and then translated back into English?

 

[Dobre]

I've been waiting a couple years to see Yan Hao debut on the JGP. Well, he did today. And despite mistakes on the jumping passes, I'm just as impressed as I was when he performed as a guest skater during the exhibitions at the 2015 Worlds. He hears the music. Beautiful footwork & spins. Went for the triple axel, and according to the commentary, he was landing it in the warm-up. Per the commentary, he is 14.

His SP performance is at the 1:04:15 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6N2WWN2xP8

@Spun Silver

 

[Spun Silver]

His SP performance is at the 1:36:33 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6N2WWN2xP8

@Spun Silver

Could you please double check the time mark? TY!

 

[Dobre]

Could you please double check the time mark? TY!

Yep, sorry. 1:04:15

I'm not sure how that happened. I must have been half asleep when I posted.

 

[Spun Silver]

Thank you for keeping me abreast of Yan Hao's progress, @Dobre! Hope he has or had better luck with the jumps in his FS.

 

[Dobre]

Hope he has or had better luck with the jumps in his FS.

His free skate is at 2:14. (As of now, anyway).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OtDFES9gao

Sixth place in the free. Eighth overall. But this was a heck of a junior men's event. The best of the JGP season so far, IMO. (Nice that we are getting far enough into the season to see more confidence in the junior performances. A lot of turnover in the junior men's field since last season so a lot of younger and less experienced junior athletes). Yan Hao's overall score, 187.48, would have medaled at two of the JGPs. Quite a nice score considering the SP mistakes. Much cleaner in the free, though I like his short program best.

 

[Spun Silver]

It is easier for me to appreciate his feline skating and soulful quality in the free. He's special - I hope he's able to strengthen his jumps because even most of the ones he landed seemed tight. No doubt at 14 it is hard to adjust to a constantly growing body. Thanks for posting his skates, @Dobre.

 

[kalamalka]

Yan Hao is 14, but only 13 in ISU years, since his birthday was in August. He has a lot of growing to do in every sense, but I'd never heard of him before yesterday's SP, and look forward to watching his development. He is indeed special.

 

[Jun Y]

I'm sad that the Chinese federation will not spend their political capital on Peng and Jin. I prefer them to Yu/Zhang. They are coming along nicely as a team but cannot get the respect they deserve if their own federation has an attitude of "do well, but not too well." But that's how it works in the system. (Sorry, I always root for neglected stepchildren.)

I'm pleasantly surprised that Jin Boyang is making significant progress every season in the quality of his skating. Not too many skaters with his level of success (already) would continue to push himself.

 

[clairecloutier]

I'm sad that the Chinese federation will not spend their political capital on Peng and Jin. I prefer them to Yu/Zhang. They are coming along nicely as a team but cannot get the respect they deserve if their own federation has an attitude of "do well, but not too well." But that's how it works in the system. (Sorry, I always root for neglected stepchildren.)

I hear you, but what evidence do we have that the Chinese fed is not supporting Peng/Jin at this time? They got new programs & costumes this season, and they were sent to Finlandia & won, which will only raise their WS points and general reputation. Also, they got 2 Grand Prix assignments--when they were only guaranteed 1 assignment. That would not have happened without Chinese fed support, IMO.

I think we all know that Yu/Zhang and Sui/Han are favored. But I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the opportunities that Peng/Jin have received so far. When they initially split the 2 pairs, I feared it would be the end of Peng's career and possibly Jin's too, that they wouldn't get programs/choreo/assignments, and that they would be shunted behind Wang/Wang regardless of actual performance.

But instead, they've been given opportunities and a chance to succeed. What more could the Chinese fed really be doing for them at this moment? True, I don't expect to see Peng/Jin beat Yu/Zhang anytime soon in a domestic comp. But on the international stage, I think Peng/Jin will be scored fairly and have a chance to succeed. Peng/Jin will not face Yu/Zhang at either of their GP events this year--which means their fate is in their own hands and any fed politiking at those events should be in their favor, rather than not.

As you know, I've been critical in the past of some of the Chinese fed's decisions with the pairs, but in this situation I can't fault them too much right now.

 

[Jun Y]

I think we all know that Yu/Zhang and Sui/Han are favored. But I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the opportunities that Peng/Jin have received so far. When they initially split the 2 pairs, I feared it would be the end of Peng's career and possibly Jin's too, that they wouldn't get programs/choreo/assignments, and that they would be shunted behind Wang/Wang regardless of actual performance.

I don't think Wang and Wang are coming back to competitions. Isn't she still recovering from injury? And his technical skills were never going to be sufficient to take them anywhere. The Chinese federation needs 3 competitive teams to go to the Olympics and Worlds and look good. That's why I think they're in the delicate position of wanting Peng/Jin to "do well, but not too well." (But then ice is slippery, so the outcome can never be fully controlled.) Besides, I would imagine they don't want any more bad publicity coming out of either Peng or Jin.

But instead, they've been given opportunities and a chance to succeed. What more could the Chinese fed really be doing for them at this moment? True, I don't expect to see Peng/Jin beat Yu/Zhang anytime soon in a domestic comp. But on the international stage, I think Peng/Jin will be scored fairly and have a chance to succeed.

So far, Peng/Jin have worked as hard as they can to make the best of the opportunities they are given. I too think they are not likely to beat Yu/Zhang in any domestic competition. The day when they skate as well as or better than Y/Z and get placed accordingly, I will gladly accept I'm wrong and eat my keyboard.

International judges, generally not beholden to the Chinese federation (although I cannot prove that either), will score them more fairly than domestic judges, but domestic ranking does have an impact on how international judges view top-tier skaters.

 

[barbarafan]

I don't think Wang and Wang are coming back to competitions. Isn't she still recovering from injury? And his technical skills were never going to be sufficient to take them anywhere. The Chinese federation needs 3 competitive teams to go to the Olympics and Worlds and look good. That's why I think they're in the delicate position of wanting Peng/Jin to "do well, but not too well." (But then ice is slippery, so the outcome can never be fully controlled.) Besides, I would imagine they don't want any more bad publicity coming out of either Peng or Jin.



So far, Peng/Jin have worked as hard as they can to make the best of the opportunities they are given. I too think they are not likely to beat Yu/Zhang in any domestic competition. The day when they skate as well as or better than Y/Z and get placed accordingly, I will gladly accept I'm wrong and eat my keyboard.

International judges, generally not beholden to the Chinese federation (although I cannot prove that either), will score them more fairly than domestic judges, but domestic ranking does have an impact on how international judges view top-tier skaters.

Sadly this is Olympic year and at least re: Pairs anyway...We are talking about reputation judging through and through....Their errors today of which 2 were epic splats did not hurt their PCS even though they were disruptive to their program...It was correct that they beat K/S though as they had 3 falls...2 were very bad...2 lifts were mooshed and Fedor has stopped catching Ksenia in the triple twists. He did not catch her in either the short or the long.He just touches her with his hands. Again PCS do not reflect this. Peng is a beautiful skater with lots of performance quality...and definitely should be right up there.

 

[DDNatalia]

Are we guessing that Worlds could be hosted in China in 2021? Year before the Beijing games?

 

[feraina]

So, not the same competition, but Y/Z got beaten by P/J in both SP and LP scores, mostly by having lower PCS (of around 2 points). International judges are not scoring Y/Z like the Chinese #2. It’ll be interesting to see them compete head to head.

 

[Seerek]

Are we guessing that Worlds could be hosted in China in 2021? Year before the Beijing games?

The designated Olympic Test Event will likely be Four Continents, as was the case w/Pyeongchang, Vancouver and Salt Lake City

 

[chapis]

So, not the same competition, but Y/Z got beaten by P/J in both SP and LP scores, mostly by having lower PCS (of around 2 points). International judges are not scoring Y/Z like the Chinese #2. It’ll be interesting to see them compete head to head.

In Nice, maybe they were conservative with scores in general, in ice dance Penny and Nicholas got lower scores than Nebelhorn, and they were the top team competing in the event too.