Living the PyeongChang Dream: Korean skaters strive toward 2018

[seabm7]

I can't read Korean but I assume Hanul Kim won with two clean programs that included 3-3 combinations. She's small and compact which can affect her line but she has some personality on the ice.

SP 3rd + FS 3rd = Total 2nd

Dabin Choi also skated pretty cleanly with no 3-3. She really needs to add some expression.

Dabin could not practice her programs recently, due to family circumstances. She needs more time.

The rest of the field did not have a good competition. SoYun Park seems to have lost the 3Lz (she landed a clean 3F -- her nemesis jump -- in the short, and landed one of two in the free).

Soyoun is still recovering from her broken left ankle. Apparently, she got loop and flip back. The next step is getting back salchow and lutz.

 

[Dobre]

Reposting from the Kiss & Cry.

Senior Ladies:

1. Dabin CHOI 181.79
2. Hanul KIM 169.15
3. Sohyun AN 162.44
4. Suh Hyun SON 162.44
5. Yujin CHOI 153.44
6. Soyoun PARK 149.15
7. Seoyoung LEE 127.88
8. Nahyun KIM 127.19
9. Sena KIM 121.63
10. Haejin KIM 120.09
11. Hyunsu JANG 103.12
12. Kyoungyeon SHIM 98.61

Junior Ladies:
1. Ye Lim KIM 193.08
2. Eun Soo LIM 174.17
3. Young YOU 170.01
4. Yun Kyung KAM 165.88
5. Hyun Soo LEE 154.80
6. Ji Hun TO 141.56
7. Su Been JEON 141.21
8. Eun Bi KO 141.15
9. Ji Yun LEE 129.46
Etc.

All of the junior athletes listed above earned at least one JGP spot. The top athletes earned two, but I forget exactly how many. For certain, the top three. But mathematically speaking, I think likely the top 5.

 

[cgirl8]

Jun-Hwan Cha has injured his right ankle and hip, he withdrew from the Asian Open due to injury and after the free skate at the ranking event he could not stand so he went straight to the hospital, skipping the medal ceremony.

http://v.sports.media.daum.net/v/20170731112149651?f=m
English summary: http://fyeahcjh.tumblr.com/post/163623990257/피겨-차준환-31일-정밀검진아시아트로피-출전-포기

 

[Marco]

Jun-Hwan Cha has injured his right ankle and hip, he withdrew from the Asian Open due to injury and after the free skate at the ranking event he could not stand so he went straight to the hospital, skipping the medal ceremony.

http://v.sports.media.daum.net/v/20170731112149651?f=m
English summary: http://fyeahcjh.tumblr.com/post/163623990257/피겨-차준환-31일-정밀검진아시아트로피-출전-포기

Oh no! Wishing him a speedy recovery - he is my pick for the Korean men's entry to PC!

 

[Sylvia]

Good news for Alexander Gamelin: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/07/31/0200000000AEN20170731003400315.html

SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- A U.S.-born ice dancer has acquired a South Korean passport ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, a national skating official said Monday.
An official with the Korea Skating Union (KSU) said the justice ministry approved Alexander Gamelin's application for special naturalization last Thursday. The 24-year-old will represent his adopted country should he and his partner, Min Yu-ra, qualify for next year's Winter Olympics.

On to Nebelhorn Trophy!

 

[Sylvia]

It was tough to read the English summary of Jun Hwan Cha's injuries and skating in pain. I found an article in English about his injuries:
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/07/31/0200000000AEN20170731006200315.html

Cha, considered a favorite to win the men's singles event last weekend, instead finished in third place, hampered by a series of jumping mistakes. Lee June-hyoung finished first with 228.72, while Cha scored only 206.92 points. He was transferred to a local hospital immediately after his free skate Sunday and missed the medal ceremony.

Fan cams of Cha's programs:
Short Program (It's A Wonderful World by OneRepublic)
Free Skate (The Planets by Holst)

Cha had been bothered by ankle issues since last year while working on his quadruple jumps. He competed through the season without setting aside time for proper treatment.
Making matters worse for the teenager was that he hasn't been able to find boots that fit. He's been taping them to keep them tight in competitions, and said last week he'd stick to the current pair because it's risky to change skates once the season is underway.

June Hyoung Lee is on the initial entry list for the Philadelphia international competition this week, but now that he is the one going to Nebelhorn Trophy, will he still compete in Philly? Here are his programs (fan cams) from the Korean ranking competition:
Short Program (Terry's Theme from Limelight)
Free Skate (Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody)

This article on Cha's quad plans was published before the competition: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/07/27/0200000000AEN20170727008300315.html

 

[Catherine M]

That is good news for Alexander Gamelin & Yura Min. They were one of the few teams that I actually enjoyed last season.

I have no clue if they have a decent shot at getting an Olympic spot at Neblehorn. Best of luck to them as they try!

 

[SamuraiK]

Oh no! Wishing him a speedy recovery - he is my pick for the Korean men's entry to PC!

Isn't June Hyoung going to Nebelhorn instead? His chances are not that high. Unless KOR still gest a spot regardles of the nebelhorn results.

 

[Sylvia]

The 2018 Olympics qualification system document states:

The host country places will only be implemented if there are remaining places from the ten (10) Team event “Additional Athletes Quotas”.
...
In the case where the host country, the Republic of Korea, went through the normal qualification procedure and did not qualify for any or only for some of the individual events (Ladies Single Skating, Men Single Skating, Pair Skating, Ice Dance), the Republic of Korea will be allocated one host country place for the individual event(s). This means that the host country places would apply, if applicable, for one (1) skater in Ladies Single Skating and/or one (1) skater in Men Single Skating and/or one (1) Pair Skating couple and/or one (1) Ice Dance couple for a total maximum host country places of six (6) skaters.

ETA:

That is good news for Alexander Gamelin & Yura Min. They were one of the few teams that I actually enjoyed last season.

I have no clue if they have a decent shot at getting an Olympic spot at Neblehorn. Best of luck to them as they try!

At Helsinki Wolds, Min/Gamelin finished 1 place behind the Germans (Lorenz/Polizoakis) who just missed the Olympic qualifying cut-off. So, on paper, Min/Gamelin have a very good chance to earn an Olympic berth, especially now that Gamelin has been approved for expedited citizenship.

 

[Dobre]

That is good news for Alexander Gamelin & Yura Min. They were one of the few teams that I actually enjoyed last season.

I have no clue if they have a decent shot at getting an Olympic spot at Neblehorn. Best of luck to them as they try!

They have a very decent shot. They are one of only two teams/countries expected to be there that qualified for the free dance at Worlds last year. I would say one of four teams with a stronger competitive record than the rest of the anticipated competitors.

Coomes & Buckland
Lorenz & Polizoakis
Min & Gamelin
Muramoto & Reed

There are more spots than that available in dance. It is a new season, however. New material, some new teams on the scene, some young teams working their way up, many of them from Europe where the competition will be held. Early in the season, with largely untested programs, when mistakes are common. I wouldn't be surprised to see some surprises. The Finns, Czechs, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania--all possible countries to also be in the mix.

 

[RoseRed]

They have a very decent shot. They are one of only three teams/countries expected to be there that qualified for the free dance at Worlds last year. I would say one of five teams with a stronger competitive record than the rest of the anticipated competitors.

Coomes & Buckland
Smart & Diaz
Lorenz & Polizoakis
Min & Gamelin
Muramoto & Reed

There are more spots than that available in dance. It is a new season, however. New material, some new teams on the scene, some young teams working their way up, many of them from Europe where the competition will be held. Early in the season, with largely untested programs, when mistakes are common. I wouldn't be surprised to see some surprises. The Finns, Czechs, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania--all possible countries to also be in the mix.

Smart/Diaz qualified a spot for Spain at Worlds already. So there are only two teams expected to be there that qualified for the free dance at Worlds last year.

 

[Dobre]

Smart/Diaz qualified a spot for Spain at Worlds already. So there are only two teams expected to be there that qualified for the free dance at Worlds last year.

Thank you. I edited above.

 

[all_empty]

SP 3rd + FS 3rd = Total 2nd



Dabin could not practice her programs recently, due to family circumstances. She needs more time.



Soyoun is still recovering from her broken left ankle. Apparently, she got loop and flip back. The next step is getting back salchow and lutz.

Thanks! I'm a bit surprised as I thought Hanul was way ahead on technical content. Maybe she had a few UR. Is there a protocol?

Lots of warhorses among the Korean ladies (Aranjuez, Scheherazade, Swan Lake, West Side Story) so glad to see Hanul doing something a little more untraditional.

Good for Dabin, who earned those two spots. I read that her mother recently passed away (in Korean news, not gossiping), so hopefully this will bolster her.

Hopefully Nahyun and So Yun will recover from their ankle injuries.

 

[all_empty]

Also, I said it last year, but I think this year the Korean ladies will outshine the Japanese ladies on the JGP, as Marin Honda, Yuna Shiraiwa and Kaori Sakamoto are all senior now.

 

[Dobre]

Thanks! I'm a bit surprised as I thought Hanul was way ahead on technical content. Maybe she had a few UR. Is there a protocol?

Yes, but it's on a PDF linked on GS. I'm not sure how to post a direct link to the PDF. URs for Hanul are about as common as they are for Mirai, I think. In this case, Hanul had a UR on her 3Lz3T (-1 GOE from all but one judge) and she had a UR, plus an edge call, on her 3F (-2 to -3 GOE) for that one. Her BV was about 3 1/2 points higher than Dabin's, but her tech mark with GOE was only 3 tenths higher, while her PCS was over 6 points lower.

Sohyun An, who finished second in the free skate, had zero URs and a point higher base value than Hanul. She finished a few tenths lower than Hanul on PCS, but almost 4 points higher on the tech score. In the free, of course. Sohyun was substantially behind in the short.

Neither Dabin nor Sohyun received any URs or edge calls.

 

[Bellanca]

Thanks for the updates and informative commentary. Appreciate it!

 

[seabm7]

June Hyoung Lee is on the initial entry list for the Philadelphia international competition this week, but now that he is the one going to Nebelhorn Trophy, will he still compete in Philly? Here are his programs (fan cams) from the Korean ranking competition:
Short Program (Terry's Theme from Limelight)
Free Skate (Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody)

His Mom says he will be at Philly.

https://mobile.twitter.com/junemom567/status/891771745597652992

and replies.

 

[Jeschke]

Standing in the men's race to the Olympics:
1 JUNE HYOUNG LEE 228.72pts
2 JINSEO KIM 223.49pts
3 JUNHWAN CHA 206.92pts
4 SEJONG BYUN 152.52pts

Standing in the pairs' race to the Olympics:
1 SU YEON KIM / HYUNGTAE KIM 145.70pts
2 KYUEUN KIM / KANGCHAN KAM135.76pts

 

[Marco]

Standing in the men's race to the Olympics:
1 JUNE HYOUNG LEE 228.72pts
2 JINSEO KIM 223.49pts
3 JUNHWAN CHA 206.92pts
4 SEJONG BYUN 152.52pts

Are they using a points system for qualification? Or just the highest international SB? Or whoever wins Nationals?

Cha Jun-hwan already has a much higher PB than both Lee and Kim which he set at 2017 Jr Worlds.


ETA: found it: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/07/31/0200000000AEN20170731006200315.html

There will be two more rounds of Olympic trials in December and then January, with the combined score determining who will represent the host country in PyeongChang.

If Cha is healthy, I have no doubt he can snatch the ticket. Korea is the host and is guaranteed a ticket in the mens singles event regardless of what happens at Nebelhorn, right?

 

[seabm7]

If Cha is healthy, I have no doubt he can snatch the ticket. Korea is the host and is guaranteed a ticket in the mens singles event regardless of what happens at Nebelhorn, right?

No, that is not clear. ISU made some conflicting statements on this.

 

[Sylvia]

Korea is the host and is guaranteed a ticket in the mens singles event regardless of what happens at Nebelhorn, right?

Re-posting the excerpt in post #219 above:

The 2018 Olympics qualification system document states:

The host country places will only be implemented if there are remaining places from the ten (10) Team event “Additional Athletes Quotas”.
...
In the case where the host country, the Republic of Korea, went through the normal qualification procedure and did not qualify for any or only for some of the individual events (Ladies Single Skating, Men Single Skating, Pair Skating, Ice Dance), the Republic of Korea will be allocated one host country place for the individual event(s). This means that the host country places would apply, if applicable, for one (1) skater in Ladies Single Skating and/or one (1) skater in Men Single Skating and/or one (1) Pair Skating couple and/or one (1) Ice Dance couple for a total maximum host country places of six (6) five (5) skaters.

 

[Dobre]

I am very sorry to hear about Cha's injury. I hope he will really take the time to heal. He should have a long & promising career ahead of him. A home Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I hope to see the development and future of Korean skating last much longer.

Are we to assume that there is no provision for injured athletes who miss one of the three required events to qualify for the team?

Are they using a points system for qualification? Or just the highest international SB? Or whoever wins Nationals?

The answers are on the previous page: posts 195, 197, 199. It's the sum total score of three events held in Korea.

My best wishes for Lee at Nebehorn. Regardless of whether Korea is guaranteed a place in men's singles, it seems as though qualifying an individual in the men's event may be vital for Korea to qualify a team. Though it would be nice if there was some clarity about whether teams will be able to qualify based on points if less than a full field is able to qualify individuals in three disciplines.

 

[Areski]

Also, I said it last year, but I think this year the Korean ladies will outshine the Japanese ladies on the JGP, as Marin Honda, Yuna Shiraiwa and Kaori Sakamoto are all senior now.

Post - Yuna Kim skating boom girls are growing up & moving into junior rank.
It looks like it could be great year for Korean lades - indeed Yelin Kim will be tough cookie to beat this season in juniors - it heads into this direction right now.

 

[Dobre]

Geon Hyeong An-3rd in senior men at the Asian Open

Hanul Kim-3rd in senior ladies at the Philadelphia Summer International

Eunsoo Lim-2nd in junior ladies at the Asian Open
Yelim Kim-3rd in junior ladies at the Asian Open

Sung Hoon Park-2nd in junior men at the Asian Open
Jae Seok Kyeong-3rd in junior men at the Asian Open

Chae Eun Noe-3rd in advanced novice ladies at the Asian Open


That's a very nice week for team Korea, I think.

 

[cheremary]

June Hyoung Lee FS from Philadelphia: https://youtu.be/XWAwG45cMjY

 

[Seerek]

June Hyoung Lee FS from Philadelphia: https://youtu.be/XWAwG45cMjY

I think JH will get an Olympic men's berth at Nebelhorn. 200 total should be more than enough.

 

[seabm7]

I think JH will get an Olympic men's berth at Nebelhorn. 200 total should be more than enough.

That is not clear. There are many men who are capable of more then 200 at Nebelhorn competing for 6 tickets, besides JH Lee:

Hendrix, Majorov, Martinez, Julian Lee, Righini, Stephane Walker, an Ukraina representative, a Polish representative.

 

[seabm7]

For fun.

Young Hyun CHA, a Korean junior skater, is also a rope acrobat. Here is a clip of his performance when he was 11 years old. He is not related to J H Cha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-byCIDoF1c


His 2015-16 program with the traditional acrobat hat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK6SmLVQe7w

 

[Sylvia]

Playlist of fan cam videos from the "Ice Festa" show in Korea yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX24M5ymNzE_Akxt3EtjRGjgzyiuFrK6-

 

[Karpenko]

Eunsoo Lim is a star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MMduwW66jA

I saw this pop up earlier and was kind of shocked that I hadn't seen her before, and it's only an exhibition! Her performance instincts are outstanding for her age IMO, not many of the senior ladies could pull it off as convincingly. Just a lil' pop star who is working that music. She's going to be spectacular!