Men's discussion thread: "... in the Olympic season everyone fights for himself"

[aftershocks]

But I feel so bad about the Sweeden Fed though... ugh...

As many skaters who have talent and aren't able to go to the Olympics, we could probably make a list of who it's possible to feel bad for. I don't 'feel bad' however for any skating federation. It's the athletes who deserve more and better in the sport of figure skating, not specifically the federations.

And I still feel very happy for MCM! He's a lovely skater to watch. Countries and their federations who care about their young athletes should try to invest in and grow the sport of figure skating, as well as becoming more involved with advocating for positive changes in how the ISU runs the sport.

 

[aftershocks]

I am really interested to see what shape Boyang is in.

It looks like Boyang ('Boing' per Kurt B) is doing just fine. His fed is behind him 110% riding all their money on his quad talent. He seems healed, and once again for the big competitions of the season, he's looking well-prepared and determined.

He's still obviously being given extra credit on PCS in some categories where he's serviceable but not that special. He skates competently over the music, he does not interpret the music. But he's well-studied and capable of rapping off the point-getters. He's got a pleasing personality as well. So all told, if he skates cleanly, he will grab a lot of points, and more than he actually should on PCS.

 

[missing]

Javier Fernandez weighs in on quads:

"I enjoy doing quads. But the older you get, the harder they get. Now I'm 26. I'm not 20 anymore. They are way harder. And when you fall, you fall way harder," says Spain's Javier Fernandez in the AP's "The Olympians." http://apne.ws/UaaGoPD #MeetTheOlympians

 

[Ohyes]

If Hanyu doesn't repeat I want either Javier or Nathan to win.

 

[Meoima]

Asked whether it was realistic to expect Hanyu to succeed in his quest to become the first figure skater in 66 years to win consecutive Olympic gold, given that he is not yet fully fit, Orser told Kyodo News, "He will be 100 percent."

"It is amazing how we can peak pretty quickly. I remember in the summer we got back training in July and saying then he's ready for the Olympics. He was ready in August. So we have all that work behind us and it is sort of in the bank and thank goodness for that because now it is all coming to fruition," said Orser.

"We are kind of peaking again and it is mainly conditioning right now and getting some run-throughs done. But he has done a lot of conditioning off the ice so in some ways he is much stronger than ever but we need the extra time."

Orser said that with exception of Hanyu's quad lutz, all of his jumps were fine ahead of the men's singles starting on Feb. 16.

"It was his decision and everyone's decision not to do the quad lutz. He is not ready to go there and I have said all along he doesn't need it."

From https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...0-ready-to-defend-title-says-coach-orser.html

 

[skatingguy]

From https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...0-ready-to-defend-title-says-coach-orser.html

In other words, he's not ready yet. Doesn't leave that much time to be ready.

 

[Meoima]

In other words, he's not ready yet. Doesn't leave that much time to be ready.

https://twitter.com/yonpi7/status/9...share|twsrc^m5|twgr^email|twcon^7046|twterm^3

 

[Sylvia]

Just bumping this thread up in case anybody wants to discuss any performances in the Men's team and/or men preparing for individual events at the Olympics (also for those who don't have Kiss & Cry access).

Phil Hersh wrote an update on Yuzuru Hanyu via Brian Orser: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/08/266110814
Excerpt:

Exactly where he stands now is unknown except to Orser and the members of his coaching team, Tracy Wilson and Ghislain Briand, who are working with the Japanese superstar at his training base back in Toronto. Hanyu does not arrive here until Sunday.
"In some ways, he is in much better shape than he even would have been because of all the extra (physical) training he had to do when he couldn't skate," Orser said.
"That's why my idea as a coach is that even though the (big) event may be far off, let's get a bunch of work done now."
Orser said Hanyu's final Olympic preparation, this week and last, has been focused on building stamina. That includes up to three short program run-throughs or two free skate run-throughs in sessions when Hanyu might ordinarily have done one of each.
"It's really intense training," Orser said. "That's why he needed to stay home, do the blood, sweat and tears we need to do there instead of in this fishbowl.
"There will be a lot of extra attention (here) because there are a lot of unknowns, and people are curious."

Brian Orser also spoke about Jun Hwan Cha's prospects in this Feb. 7th article: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/02/07/23/0200000000AEN20180207007100315F.html

 

[volturemean]

If Hanyu doesn't repeat I want either Javier or Nathan to win.

Javier please, Nathan god no. Especialy as Tara and Johnny licking his bumhole so excessively is starting to turn me off him.

 

[MAXSwagg]

Javier please, Nathan god no. Especialy as Tara and Johnny licking his bumhole so excessively is starting to turn me off him.

But he has “the most incredibly choreographed short program of all the men this season!” And, according to Tara, if skates clean can break Hanyu’s record SP score of 112+ that no one has ever come close to other than Javier (once).

I agree. The hype is so so whackjob and borderline obsessive I can’t take it. I can’t remember the last time a skater from any federation was as hyped as this. They just need to let him grow and progress...

 

[volturemean]

But he has “the most incredibly choreographed short program of all the men this season!” And, according to Tara, if skates clean can break Hanyu’s record SP score of 112+ that no one has ever come close to other than Javier (once).

I agree. The hype is so so whackjob and borderline obsessive I can’t take it. I can’t remember the last time a skater from any federation was as hyped as this. They just need to let him grow and progress...

I guess it isn't fair to blame Nathan, the poor kid has no control and himself seems down to earth and nice despite all his success and the overkill on the hype machine from NBC and the USFSA and reporters, etc....Still it is hard to not get agitated by it, and it does the poor kid no favors IMO.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Javier please, Nathan god no. Especialy as Tara and Johnny licking his bumhole so excessively is starting to turn me off him.

That phrase you used is gross and unnecessary.

How is it Nathan's fault if others choose to hype him up? Getting 'turned off' of a skater because of how others act towards him makes no sense at all. Smh.

 

[Meoima]

Lmao Tara and Johnny announced Hunger Game: https://twitter.com/shomuno/status/961882712477806592

 

[nimi]

I'm rewatching parts of the men's comp I missed earlier (it started at 3 am for me and I didn't wake up quite that early) and... oh dear... It started off so strong with Jun-hwan skating well in front of his home audience and then...

Several outlets & articles seem to be discussing the effect the abnormally early starting time (esp. when it comes to the morning practice) might've had on the men's event, like this one with quotes from Chan, Chen & Uno: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/09/266183904

Recap of Day 1 of the team event, or -- It's just way too early in the day for quads

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/961884986625245184


Also people like Sandra Bezic & Jeff Buttle have had their say on twitter

1) it’s hard to perform in the AM even when you train for it 2) maybe the team event would be better skated after the individual events

https://twitter.com/SandraBezic/status/961791440278835201

Let’s all remember we are watching this live from Korea. The event started at 10am in Korea. Unconventionally early for a skating competition of this caliber. (...) it’s hard to “practice” the effects of jet-lag, the stresses that can sometimes occur going through Olympic security...

https://twitter.com/J_Butt/status/961784616251162624 & https://twitter.com/J_Butt/status/961818591468314625


Oh well... Let's just hope that the Splat'n'Pop Monster is now satisfied with the amount of offerings it was offered by Chan, Chen & co. (I'm picturing it as a giant overfed python.)

 

[MAXSwagg]

I'm rewatching parts of the men's comp I missed earlier (it started at 3 am for me and I didn't wake up quite that early) and... oh dear... It started off so strong with Jun-hwan skating well in front of his home audience and then...

Several outlets & articles seem to be discussing the effect the abnormally early starting time (esp. when it comes to the morning practice) might've had on the men's event, like this one with quotes from Chan, Chen & Uno: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/02/09/266183904

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/961884986625245184


Also people like Sandra Bezic & Jeff Buttle have had their say on twitter

https://twitter.com/SandraBezic/status/961791440278835201


https://twitter.com/J_Butt/status/961784616251162624 & https://twitter.com/J_Butt/status/961818591468314625


Oh well... Let's just hope that the Splat'n'Pop Monster is now satisfied with the amount of offerings it was offered by Chan, Chen & co. (I'm picturing it as a giant overfed python.)

Shoma said he's trained for the early skating and the time didn't bother him.

 

[Madhatter]

^^
Probably so did Junhwan. Orser said something a long time ago about training for that and some adjustment. But the fact that Junhwan had no quad probably helped him too.

 

[Rafter]

Shoma said he's trained for the early skating and the time didn't bother him.

Yes but he wouldn’t have the same jet leg issues, flying in from Japan.

 

[nimi]

Yes but he wouldn’t have the same jet leg issues, flying in from Japan.

I know "jet leg issues" is a typo (or autocorrect?) but that's actually a good term for what happens when you have to sit in the economy class for the whole long trans-continental flight!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

"Highlights" from the men's team event - short program

 

[MAXSwagg]

Yes but he wouldn’t have the same jet leg issues, flying in from Japan.

You act like they got there the day before...

 

[Tavi]

Yes but he wouldn’t have the same jet leg issues, flying in from Japan.

If you know jet lag is a factor, you arrive at your destination several days to a week early. And if you’re smart, you will already have put yourself on an early training schedule at home, so that you’re not dealing with both issues at the last minute.

 

[aftershocks]

Finding a more appropriate home for this inane 'flop'-ridden discussion, as excised from of all places, U.S. pairs thread:

Did you see his face when he finished or hear his interviews? He flopped and he knew it. He is known to be one of the best jumpers...his protocols have a 0 for a jump element and another across the board -3 GOE. He blew it big time. You say have some perspective, well, perspective matters in calling a flop. He and SK/K got the same number of points for the team, sure, but for him it was with one of his worst skates and we'll behind what he should have done. Whereas they exceeded expectations.

Big deal how anyone chooses to describe what happened to Mr. 18-year-old quadster slayer/slayee at his first Olympics event outing. I didn't say 'no see-e no flop' two days ago in the 'Nathan OTT expectations' watch. Just not a 'complete' flop -- a 'flop' nonetheless by Nathan's high standards and by everyone's gigantic, ginormous OTT NBC and Phil Hersh-sized expectations, obviously.

And yep, try to gain perspective and actually read the initial post where I qualified all of my statements. Praise be to the Lord and to the Knierim saviors!

Check out Olympics team event thread for more details, but please stay away from U.S. pairs thread if you've got Nathan 'flop' discussion-itis on the brain...

 

[Madhatter]

Just not a 'complete' flop -- a 'flop' nonetheless by Nathan's high standards and by everyone's gigantic, ginormous OTT NBC and Phil Hersh-sized expectations, obviously.

How is a popped combo, an invalidated jumping pass and a fall on an obligatory jump not a complete flop?

Edit: Well, okay. I guess if Kolyada sets the bar for a complete flop...

 

[aftershocks]

In this case, there's another day, another opportunity for both 'flop' messes to redeem theyselves. FS fans is some freakin' harsh taskmasters and semantics enforcers sittin' on their a$$es behind their computer screens.

 

[Seerek]

Interesting that a reasonable portion of the mainstream Olympic Twitter-verse actually understood that base value of quads even with mistakes still help towards the total score (some actually recommended that Adam should have inserted a quad even if it resulted in a fall). Shows you that people may not know skating, but they do know math.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Mens single start orders are up... Nathan right after Hanyu

http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/owg2018/SEG001.HTM

If Jason made the team would he be in last flight? whats his ranking?

 

[Tavi]

Mens single start orders are up... Nathan right after Hanyu

http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718//SEG001.HTM

If Jason made the team would he be in last flight? whats his ranking?

Yes. His world standing is 5. Nathan and Boyang are 6 and 7.

ETA correcting myself to say that ranking probably takes into acoount his bronze at 4CC, and if he had made the Oly team, he wouldn’t have gone to 4CC. I think he was ranked behind Adam before (?) so he probably would not have been in last group at Olys. Moot point, though, cause sadly, he didn’t make the team.

 

[nimi]

The struggle is real!

Jackie pt 1

Send help! I've decided to do a top 24 prediction for the men. I've already moved my predictions around 84 times. Yes, I counted.

& pt2

I’ve now changed my predictions another 23 times

ETA: He posted his predictions...

Nope, I have no idea. But somehow, I'm going to try to predict the top 24

...and his picks for the Top 3 are:

GOLD Nathan Chen USA - After a shaky short program in the Team Event, Chen has kept a relatively low profile, opting to train outside Gangneung for most of the past week and stay out of the limelight. His biggest asset here against his closest competition is his technical content - and now that he's gotten the quad lutz back into his program, that will keep him competitive with the Fernandezes and Hanyus of the world if all of them skate clean in the short. It's the free skate where he make up ground if he finds himself a few points behind after the short. But this prediction counts on him to turn his anger from the Team Event into fuel, which we've certainly seen him do to full effect in the past.

SILVER Javier Fernandez ESP - I've been saying from the start of the season - it may very well be that slow and steady wins the race for Fernandez. Unlike his competitors, Fernandez has not upgraded his technical content in the past couple of seasons. But he has also shown that he can beat everyone when the cards are dealt right. It's been a while since Fernandez has put down two clean programs in one competition, and this is as good a time as any for him to find his stride and redeem himself for the disappointment he had four years ago in Sochi.

BRONZE Yuzuru Hanyu JPN - The big question is - how is Hanyu's ankle? Practices this week have looked solid for the reigning Olympic champion. He started doing triple axels three weeks ago and quads two weeks ago, but his biggest concern is his conditioning. As of yet, I haven't seen him do a full runthrough of his free skate, and that's where mistakes may creep in. It will be important for Hanyu is to skate a clean short - his technical content won't be as strong as Chen's, Uno's, Jin's, or Zhou's, so he will need every bit of the grades of execution on the content that he has. But the real key is how he does with the free skate. As of now, the loop is back in the free - it's a risk he's willing to take for that second Olympic gold.

That said, two clean programs gets Hanyu to the top.

 

[olympic]

Well, tonight (tomorrow AM in Pyeongchang) is going to be probably the most gut-wrenching broadcast of a sports event that I can recall. My nerves are already shot and nothing has happened yet!

 

[nimi]

Well, tonight (tomorrow AM in Pyeongchang) is going to be probably the most gut-wrenching broadcast of a sports event that I can recall. My nerves are already shot and nothing has happened yet!

I was so emotionally invested in Bruno getting the gold for Aljona that I haven't really had the time or mental energy to worry about the men. Plus there are just so many skaters who I consider podium-worthy, my brain just kinda goes "...uh dunno". As long as the individual comp is not as bad as the team SP was, and nobody injures their ankle or dislocates their shoulder falling on a quad, I'm fine. Let the quadlord with fewest pops&splats win! (Although if Javi zayaks himself off the podium AGAIN, I might shed a tear.)