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

[DimaToe]

When Hongo Zhao decided to break up Yu/Jin, IMO he slaughtered the future of Chinese pairs. Y/J were in a stronger era of IJS than S/H when first debuting in seniors, so right off the bat Y/J’s results weren’t going to measure up to S/H’s. It was obvious that they were more of a Pang/Tong rather than a Shen/Zhao pair, they needed more time. Yes Zhang Hao has logevity, but he’s not a Dmitriev or a Savchenko.

 

[barbarafan]

When Hongo Zhao decided to break up Yu/Jin, IMO he slaughtered the future of Chinese pairs. Y/J were in a stronger era of IJS than S/H when first debuting in seniors, so right off the bat Y/J’s results weren’t going to measure up to S/H’s. It was obvious that they were more of a Pang/Tong rather than a Shen/Zhao pair, they needed more time. Yes Zhang Hao has logevity, but he’s not a Dmitriev or a Savchenko.

Well..he is most likely 36 so he is not doing so bad for an old guy.

 

[binbinwinwin]

Zhao didn't slaughter anything because it wasn't even his decision, and it wasn't Hao Zhang's either so you can get over it. Originally he was only training pairs, and this past year they made him head of all the skaters on the national team, what did everyone expect? Let him learn, he's inexperienced, not stupid, they know Hao Zhang isn't some young up and comer. I have no idea why people keep thinking they know better on how to handle the team when China is so isolated and barely reveals anything.

 

[Japanfan]

Well..he is most likely 36 so he is not doing so bad for an old guy.

His motivation is skate in a China's first winter Olympics. I'm sure it will be a great honor for him.

Plus, I think that grandpa genuinely loves to skate. He is really quite graceful for a man who is built like a line-backer, and IMO he gets emotionally invested in his programs. When he was skating with Dan Zhang, it was she who looked miserable all the time, not him.

Not to mention, I am sure he is well reimbursed. I know that he married, and a child may be on the way (he may even have one already?). Providing for his family is probably important to him.

 

[DobrinFan]

Not to mention, I am sure he is well reimbursed. I know that he married, and a child may be on the way (he may even have one already?). Providing for his family is probably important to him.

He has a son who will be 3 next month
https://m.weibo.cn/status/Ch1jnwsv8#_rnd1431472521453

 

[clairecloutier]

Zhao didn't slaughter anything because it wasn't even his decision, and it wasn't Hao Zhang's either so you can get over it .... I have no idea why people keep thinking they know better on how to handle the team when China is so isolated and barely reveals anything.

This is a discussion board. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion & can share it here.

 

[jlai]

Yes, every one is entitled to an opinion, just like every one can psycho analyze skaters, speculate over their lives, etc.
There is always a fine line between opining and jumping to conclusions. We just need to tread carefully. (Of course, our own defining of the fine line is always right! (look no further than the Plushy kiddo thread) )

 

[Japanfan]

When Hongo Zhao decided to break up Yu/Jin, IMO he slaughtered the future of Chinese pairs. Y/J were in a stronger era of IJS than S/H when first debuting in seniors, so right off the bat Y/J’s results weren’t going to measure up to S/H’s. It was obvious that they were more of a Pang/Tong rather than a Shen/Zhao pair, they needed more time. Yes Zhang Hao has logevity, but he’s not a Dmitriev or a Savchenko.

Also, any changes that Yao or Zhao made to skaters' pairings would have been done with one thing in mind: winning.

In the book 'The Second Mark' Shen stated that coach Yao absolutely loved to win! I would imagine that Zhao now shares that passion, especially with the Beijing Olympics upcoming. I think that the recent reshuffling of pairs would have been done according to the view of which pairings would produce the best results - S/H being the exception of course, given that they've had such great results.

Of course there is no guarantee that a repairing will work out, but there is still time to create the best possible pairs team for Beijing.

 

[skateboy]

It's absolutely heartbreaking to read that Zhang wants to continue and Yu may be his prisoner for another four years.

A terrible mistake was made when Yu/Jin were forced to break up, and all parties involved will continue to struggle until they are reunited.

For me, Yu/Jin were meh. I like the re-pairings far better.

 

[Japanfan]

For me, Yu/Jin were meh. I like the re-pairings far better.

Far prefer Zhang/Yu to Zhang/Peng - Peng looked like his child, not his partner.

 

[hanca]

For me, Yu/Jin were meh. I like the re-pairings far better.

Me too. I didn’t like the way their federation did it, against the skaters’ wishes, but Yu was always a bit non expressive so she fits well with Zhang who is also non expressive. Peng always drew my attention by being very expressive and Jin is also quite expressive. It feel more balanced now, the programs fit them better.

 

[Japanfan]

I didn’t like the way their federation did it, against the skaters’ wishes, but Yu was always a bit non expressive so she fits well with Zhang who is also non expressive.

I beg to differ, as I think Zhang is quite expressive in his own way. He shows that he is responding to the music with small movements in his hands and arms, gestures to his partner, or small facial expressions. No, he is not over the top in terms of expression, but he is clearly invested in his programs and their interpretation.

IMO the man clearly loves to skate.

Sorry I am repeating pretty much the same thing I said above.

 

[hanca]

I beg to differ, as I think Zhang is quite expressive in his own way. He shows that he is responding to the music with small movements in his hands and arms, gestures to his partner, or small facial expressions. No, he is not over the top in terms of expression, but he is clearly invested in his programs and their interpretation.

IMO the man clearly loves to skate.

Sorry I am repeating pretty much the same thing I said above.

I don’t doubt that he loves to skate, otherwise he wouldn’t be doing it for so many years, but I don’t think I have seen him managing to make any facial expression while skating any of his programs. He has blank face throughout. He may do the small movements with his hands, but that comes from the choreography rather than from himself. There is nothing that he does that would show how he actually feels. And that go as far as skating program (exhibition) about love with his partner and having no interraction (no look or no smile at each other) which to me feels very weird to watch. It reminds me Mukhortova and Trankov skating to love story , also without any looks or smiles. Everyone around knew how they really felt about each other.

 

[clairecloutier]

Nice photo gallery of the pairs short program at Milan Worlds: https://www.flickr.com/photos/asveri/sets/72157694696755924/

I'm posting it here because the pictures of Peng/Jin's "My Drag" SP are fab. You can really appreciate all the details in this program--facial expressions, etc.--in the pictures.

 

[kittyjake5]

Beautiful photos!

 

[blue_idealist]

I wouldn't mind Yu and Jin back together but I hope they don't put Zhang and Peng back together. I guess they're probably thinking of someone completely different for both Z and P though.

 

[Sylvia]

Chinese National Trophy competition (March 31-April 1, 2018) results/protocols (63 pages): http://chnfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018040301.pdf

Pairs SP top 3 scores: http://fyeahchinesepairs.tumblr.com/post/172465427797/2018-chinese-national-trophy-top-3-pairs-after
Pairs FS/final top 3 results: http://fyeahchinesepairs.tumblr.com/post/172484994177/2018-chinese-national-trophy-top-3-pairs-1
Final standings (7 teams competed):
1 Peng/Jin 223.78 1 1 (77.24 SP, 146.54 FS)
2 Gao/Xie 181.80 2 2 (63.42 SP, 118.38 FS) - 4th at Junior Worlds & still ISU Jr. age-eligible next season
3 Wang/Wang 178.64 3 3 (61.58 SP, 117.06 FS)
4 Feiyao Tang/Yongchao Yang 168.34 4 4 (5th at Nationals; 12th at Junior Worlds: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00103493.htm )
5 Mingyang Zhang/Bowen Song 145.02 6 5 (6th at Nationals; 3rd pair at CoC: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102572.htm )
6 Yuchen Wang/Yihang Huang 141.82 5 6 (8th at Nationals)
7 Yuyao Zhang/Ziqi Jia 125.52 7 7 (7th at Nationals; competed on JGP: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102575.htm )

Men top 3:
He Zhang 204.51 1 1 (78.49 SP, 126.02 FS; 2nd at Nationals & 19th at 4CC: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012835.htm )
Lei Zhu 186.68 2 2 (5th at Nationals)
Yudong Chen 186.10 3 3 (4th at Nationals: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102548.htm )

Ladies top 3:
Hongyi Chen 154.90 2 2 (54.36 SP, 100.54 FS; 18th at Junior Worlds: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102558.htm )
Xiangyi An 154.64 4 1 (48.50 SP, 106.14 FS)
Xinjing Cao 146.52 3 3 (52.00 SP, 94.52 FS)

Ice Dance top 3:
Shiyue Wang/Xinyu Liu 169.40 1 1 (66.38 SD, 103.02 FD)
Linshu Song/Zhuoming Sun 131.30 2 2 (12th at 4CC: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00101814.htm )
Wanqi Ning/Chao Wang 127.52 3 3 (22nd at Junior Worlds: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00101527.htm )

Thanks to the nice person who helped translate the names!

 

[Sylvia]

ISU delegates confident about Beijing 2022's Figure Skating/Short Track venue: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/15/c_137113188.htm

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Two technical delegates from the International Skating Union (ISU) toured the Capital Gymnasium this week to discuss retrofitting plans for the Beijing 2022 figure skating and short track speed skating venue.
After three days of on-site visits and off-site meetings (April 9-11), the technical delegates expressed confidence that the renovated Capital Gymnasium would be a good venue for the two disciplines in 2022.
Peter Krick, ISU's technical delegate for figure skating, called the venue "a good facility", not least for its large capacity and a practice rink conveniently located right outside the competition venue.

The main challenge for the renovation lies in the reconfiguration of rooms and spaces for athletes, journalists, and other stakeholder groups, with the ultimate goal of ensuring secure and smooth Games-time operations, said Krick, who has visited the venue more than 20 times for various ISU events.
"The architects made a proposal, and we are quite confident that it will work very well," he said, adding that it was a "valuable" attempt at sustainability to use an existing venue for Beijing 2022's figure skating and short track speed skating events.
Beijing 2022 representatives said that the retrofitting of the Capital Gymnasium would be carried out with the high standards of a truly "athlete-centered" Olympic Winter Games in mind.

 

[nimi]

Fresh faces: Arutunian set to welcome new pupils

This new Icenetwork article about Team Raf contains an interesting tidbit:

He has also been in discussions with the Chinese Skating Association about their sending two young male singles skaters to train with him in preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

 

[feraina]

I wonder who they are. Also disappointed no female skaters are mentioned. There are a couple of young ones who are promising.

 

[Japanfan]

Also disappointed no female skaters are mentioned.

Marin Honda.

 

[Sylvia]

Marin Honda.

She's Japanese. feraina was referring to young Chinese female singles skaters.

ETA:

China didn't send a man to 2018 Junior Worlds. Yan HAO (14, will be 15 in August) and Shuai FANG (age 15) were the only 2 men who competed on the JGP this past season.

ETA #2 - oops, I forgot about @binbinwinwin's mention of Yan HAO in this March 26 post in this thread:

I beg to differ that Han Yan has no charisma, I enjoyed him very much live, I think Han Yan's problems came from the Chinese federation moving him around a lot, he never really got the stability he needed. He's a talent who was never nurtured properly.

Also Yan Hao has reportedly quit skating and has started coaching, he has grown to over 180cm and his height has been too much of a challenge for him.

I'm still and about the reports re. Han YAN not being able/allowed to decide his own skating fate.

 

[Sylvia]

Congratulations to Coach Bin YAO! He was elected to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame Class of 2018 - Chinese news article in English: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/18/c_137120075.htm

"It's a great honor not only for me, but also for our country," said Yao, who had retired from coaching last year.

"I was the first generation of pairs figure skaters in China. We caught up with the good times. Figure skating is not only competitive sport, but also a combination with culture and art. I do feel the credit should go to all the skaters, coaches and other working staff in our team," the 61-year-old added.

GSD thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...bin-yao-sandra-bezic-e-danzer-r-porter.103855

 

[binbinwinwin]

Yan Hao is confirmed retired, he has moved to Shenzhen. Fang Shuai could be one but he wouldn't go right now because he is reported to be injured and off ice for a while. The last one is Chen Yudong who has his triples up to 3Lz, other than that China doesn't really have many young men who can really advance.

 

[levineismine]

Lots of news from @pandaatlarge on twitter
https://twitter.com/pandaatlarge

Copying tweets here:

A few breaking news regarding Chinese figure skating from Hongbo Zhao's interview by Xinhua News today.

Here's what I heard at the moment, there WILL be some heart-breaking partnership changes I really hate to see, but let's pray till it's official. The boys' next stop is pretty much decided. At least 2 overseas Chinese girls in US were approached, not decided yet as far as I know.

News 1: The Fed is considering sending Boyang Jin to Canada to work with Brian Orser and (as always) Lori Nichol.
News 2: Another two boys with potential will be sent to US. (Rumor has it that it will be Rafael. )
News 3: Xiangning Li, the only ladies' single skater from China in Pyeongchang, will have a try in pairs skating, but will continue single skating for now
News 4: The Fed is in contact with a few ladies' skaters overseas whose parents hold a Chinese citizenship. Meanwhile, the Fed is also planning to send some girls to work with Russian coaches.
News 5: For ice dance, the Fed will start to work with Team Montreal, and there may be some switches. They are also looking for potential ice dancers in dance schools.

 

[Jeschke]

News 3: Xiangning Li, the only ladies' single skater from China in Pyeongchang, will have a try in pairs skating, but will continue single skating for now

I knew this was gonna come

News 4: The Fed is in contact with a few ladies' skaters overseas whose parents hold a Chinese citizenship.

Caroline Zhang for Beijing 2022!

 

[levineismine]

I hope they don't split Wang/Liu, or mess again with pairs (please don't split The Leftovers!)

 

[Jeschke]

I hope they don't mess again with pairs

Sui/Zhang for olympic home glory 2022

 

[binbinwinwin]

It's not that they want to mess with pairs, but some pairs just may not gel anymore.

Also keep in mind not all of these decisions are Hongbo Zhao's, he has to answer certain people and deal with a lot of bureaucracy. He will simply get the brunt of it because people know his name.

 

[meggonzo]

Sui/Zhang for olympic home glory 2022

If this happens, I will cut a bitch.