U.S. Men 2019-20 season - news & updates

[Sylvia]

I thought Jimmy Ma scored 219 somewhere this season? Perhaps a local comp

Jimmy Ma scored 219 at Skate Detroit in July.

Update from regionals- qualifying total min score for Nationals is 92...

Sebastien Payannet (67.90 in FS+ 36.52 in SP, total 104.42) made it from SWPac.

Emmanuel Savary (49.40 in FS+ 43.30 in SP, total 92.70) just makes it from Southwestern Regionals.

So far no other men from the senior regionals comps have attained the 92 total.

Jordan Moeller (60.14 TES in FS + 40.36 in SP, total 100.5) won the Upper Great Lakes Senior Men's event this past weekend and got the minimum.

 

[Marco]

Out of all the top junior men, I like Camden and Alexei K the most and am happy with Camden's successful debut this weekend. Too bad Alexei K's PCS isn't climbing at a rate that they are supposed to. I am hopefully at least one of them would make BJ Olympics in 2022.

 

[concorde]

Out of all the top junior men, I like Camden and Alexei K the most and am happy with Camden's successful debut this weekend. Too bad Alexei K's PCS isn't climbing at a rate that they are supposed to. I am hopefully at least one of them would make BJ Olympics in 2022.

??? Don't you mean those debuting in the Senior Grand Prix not "top junior mean."

 

[Dobre]

Alexei is in his second GP season rather than debuting.

*Tomoki

(Though I'm all that Camden had a great debut).

 

[Marco]

Weren't there like 6 men whom they were considering to send to Jr Worlds last season? I mean from those six.

 

[Sylvia]

Weren't there like 6 men whom they were considering to send to Jr Worlds last season?

Yes. The six men who attended the camp after Nationals were (from the 2019 Junior Worlds selection announcement on Feb. 5, 2019):
Tomoki Hiwatashi
Alex Krasnozhon
Camden Pulkinen
Alternate 1 – Andrew Torgashev
Alternate 2 – Ryan Dunk
Alternate 3 – Dinh Tran

New articles:

Hiwatashi Prepares for His First Senior Grand Prix, Step-by-step - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Last season, Tomoki Hiwatashi watched "the big three" of U.S. men's figure skating – Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou and Jason Brown – and wondered when he would

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Excerpt:

Hiwatashi is branching out into ballet for his free skate this season, with a free skate choreographed by Tom Dickson to Stravinsky's Petrushka. The skater admits portraying a tragic puppet is stretching his artistic muscles, but he's embracing the challenge.
"I've never done ballet music before," he said. "(The program) is all about being a puppet, but we're trying to add ballet style to it. My arms need to move like a puppet's, but I also have to be relaxed."
His short program, choreographed with Mark Pillay, is set to pop rock band One Republic's "Love Runs Out."
"I wanted a contrast between the two," Hiwatashi said. "One is ballet, and one is excitable, enjoyable music."

The Art of Skating with Andrew Torgashev - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

For 2015 U.S. junior champion Andrew Torgashev, skating is a form of art, a creative process that allows him to express true emotion.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[Sylvia]

I missed seeing this Tomoki article by McCarvel earlier today:

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/October/31/Spurred-By-Nathan-Chen-Next-Gen-Of-American-Mens-Skaters-Looks-To-Make-Its-Mark-On-The-Senior-Level

Excerpts:

For Hiwatashi, he plans to do three quads between his two programs this weekend: A quad toe in his short program, and then another toe (in combination) in his free skate, followed by a quad Salchow.

“I’ve been trying to practice the quad Lutz, but I did a show (in Japan) this summer and I needed to make my (other quads) consistent,” Hiwatashi said. “The toe and Salchow are the ones I’m focusing on right now.”

“Nathan obviously has set the standard for American men very high,” said Hiwatashi. “That has made me feel that I can’t reach him where I am right now, but it’s given me a reason to push myself and try to reach the top.”
“The U.S. junior men have been so strong. We’ve really (helped raise) the bar.”
...
“We all grew up together,” said Pulkinen. “I’ve known Tomoki for so long, and I’ve known Vincent and Nathan for a long time, too. We don’t want to just improve American skating; we want to do so on a global stage. We’re pushing each other… including when we’re down and also when we are doing well. There is a camaraderie there. And that drives us more.”

 

[Dobre]

Kudos to Tomoki for coming back so well in the free skate today. A lot of learning he did in this competition this weekend after that rough short, but it was nice to see him refocus and meet his goal of landing two quad toes in an LP. I like the program. It's very ambitious musically; and during the free here, he was clearly focusing on getting those jumps done; but there's a lot of potential there with the changes throughout the piece and glimpses of personality even.

Congratulations to Nathan too! I feel like we're watching him build a program, but we do not get to see the blueprint. I start to think I know what the plan is. And then he skates. And I start wondering all over again. But I am enjoying the ride.

 

[olympic]

Regarding Nathan, my first inclination was to clutch my pearls that he is lagging Yuzu in the scoring dept. But, I realized he is indeed building the programs and is probably non-plussed with a master plan. So Kwanesque.

 

[meer]

Yeah, what Nathan does in his GPs is not what he would do against Hanyu. Not downplaying his recent competition, but Nathan hasn't done his final layout yet (or needed to) and hasn't been clean either. I'm guessing 4lz3T, 4F in the SP. 5 quads, 2 3a's in the FS is the final goal.

And he lagged in scoring last GP as well until he turned it up when it actually mattered.

Interested in what he does at the GPFs against Hanyu though. Neither will want to peak there, but neither will want to lose. I wouldn't expect Nathan to peak before Nationals though.

 

[olympic]

I remember watching Kwan in those pivotal years leading up to the 02 Olympics in SLC. She was consistently losing to Slutskaya even up to the GPF, but came back by Worlds at least in 2000 and 2001. Very close in 2002 at SLC. Nathan's non-plussed attitude towards the competition, and his complete focus on self and development without any visible concern, reminds me of Kwan. I don't recall that from other competitors (except Sonja Henie, who in 1936 took a nap, then beat Cecilia Colledge who had gasp double jumps!)

GPF is close to Uni finals. Is Nathan going for sure?

 

[SmallFairy]

I remember reading Boitano also took a nap between his two figures in Calgary The wait was so long...

 

[sk9tingfan]

Regarding Nathan, my first inclination was to clutch my pearls that he is lagging Yuzu in the scoring dept. But, I realized he is indeed building the programs and is probably non-plussed with a master plan. So Kwanesque.

At the end of the day, regardless of what Nathan does or doesn't do in the Grand Prix Final or the Olympics will define him. While I'm sure he wants to consistently win, he is trying to define himself beyond skating and has a long road ahead of him. A dual major in statistics and mathematics followed by med school is no joke.

 

[meer]

He's going to the GPF for sure. He said that's always the goal. Finals aren't for a few days after the GPF. He'll have thanksgiving break before the GPF. Last season he had his last GP, finals and the GPFs all around the same time. At least it's better this year. He's done for now.

 

[cheremary]

Here’s a fairly lengthy translated interview (from Russian) with Nathan after Skate America. Apparently Marie-France Dubreuil conceived the Rocketman program for ice dance, but it didn’t suit any of the teams in her group, so she ended up giving it to Nathan.

Nathan Chen: Any sport is a story about how to get better day by day

Elena Vaitsekhovskaya's interview with Nathan Chen. After Grand Prix Skate America 2019.

fs-gossips.com

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over what I had posted a few days ago in Nathan's fan thread:

I've posted the link to this week's Ice Talk podcast, for which Jackie Wong chatted in person with Nathan for about 10 mins. at Skate America in Las Vegas, in GSD here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/ice-talk-podcast-2019-20-season-4.106124/#post-5673070

Nathan on the process of working with his choreographers, Bourne and Dubreuil (summarizing/paraphrasing):

Shae is "... very, very professional, she's very detail oriented, super type A, very serious during work although she's very creative and happy and fun to work with, she's also 'we're not going to move on from this movement until it's perfect and until I love it!' That's great to have but also kind of tiring" (laughs).
On the French song program: "It's something I'm still trying to figure out... I feel like there's so many layers to the program. Shae is allowing me to figure it out on my own but she is giving me guidance ... I'm trying to create characters for each section... it's still a work in progress and more conversations with Shae will help a lot."

Marie is like "Oh there's like a million ideas I'm just going to throw at you and see what sticks and clean it up as it goes!"
Also, Sam Chouinard "did a little a bit last year" (he added a couple of arms & movement throughout in his Woodkid medley FS). He has more input this year because of the hip hop section of Rocketman: "...he just has SO much swagger and is way too cool when he does it... that's what I'm going to try and clean up on as the season goes on."

Re. his programs in the last five years: "Now I feel like I have a lot more input into the programs and really enjoy performing the programs." He cites "Nemesis" as "the easiest program for me to get into."

 

[DreamSkates]

Regarding Nathan, my first inclination was to clutch my pearls that he is lagging Yuzu in the scoring dept. But, I realized he is indeed building the programs and is probably non-plussed with a master plan. So Kwanesque.

I would guess the "master plan" is not for this year but building toward the next Olympics. For Hanyu to show everything he's got now, that only gives Chen a more clear plan. I have no doubt that Chen can equal or top Hanyu in the future.

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over from the ISU minimums thread:

Ryan Dunk (USA) earned the SP Worlds min at the Asian Open this weekend but did not reach the min in the FS. Hopefully, he'll get another assignment this season to be able to earn it there (mins are still good for 2 seasons, right?). He does have the 4CC mins.

Yes, minimums are still good for 2 seasons (current & previous).

CS Asian Open Trophy men's results overnight:
Silver - Andrew TORGASHEV USA 217.54 2 2 (72.91 SP, 144.63 FS)
Bronze - Ryan DUNK USA 199.03 4 3 (71.56 SP, 127.47 FS)

Torgashev SP jumps: 3A (+1.44), 4T< fall, 3F+2T;
FS jumps: 3A+1Eu+3S (+1.76), 2T, 3A (+1.6), 3F fall, 3Lz!+3T, 3Lo, 3F+REP.
3 for 3 in 3As landed with positive GOE on all!

Dunk SP jumps: 3A (-1.28), 3F+3T<, 3Lo;
FS jumps: 3A fall, 3Lo, 3F+2T, 3F+1Eu+3S, 2Lz, 3Lo+2T, 2A.

I haven't come across any videos yet (will keep looking).

 

[Sylvia]

Fan cam video of Torgashev's FS, filmed from above:

Andrew Torgashev FS Tosca 2019 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy

11.3.2019 CHINA/Dongguan TES69.03 PCS76.60 Total144.63

www.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

2 articles by Jean-Christophe Berlot (dated Nov. 5):

Nathan Chen, Master in Confidence - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Surely Nathan Chen's current short program was carved for him. Chen himself underlined the depth of the song Shae-Lynn Bourne suggested to him, Charles Aznavour's

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Will Nathan Chen return to six quad jumps in his free skate?

Two-time world champion Nathan Chen made history in PyeongChang with six quads in his free skate. With the rule changes, is he leaning towards that again?

olympics.nbcsports.com

Both Chen and Arutunyan highly praised Hanyu in Grenoble.
“I’m a big fan of Yuzuru Hanyu,” Arutunian said. “I heard about the big score he got at Skate Canada. He is such an iconic skater.”
“He’s Yuzu,” Chen added. “He’s won two Olympic gold medals, and he just put great results and got super-scores right at the start of the season, with high quality quads. He is a role model in figure skating.”
Four quads, incorporating three different kinds, seem to be the current highest standard in men’s skating under the new rules.
“Going for six quads is not worth the risk,” Chen continued. “Four is obviously less than six, but nailing four high-quality quads is more important nowadays.
“Which doesn’t imply that I’m not going for six quads!” he added mischievously.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Nathan Chen... a charming fellow...

https://i.imgur.com/XPqVcd4.jpg

 

[misskarne]

So the total minimum TES for 4CC is 74. You can get the SP and FS scores at different competitions.

The USFS is requiring Senior Men to score 92 total TES, across both programs, in one competition, to be allowed to skate at Nationals.

I enjoyed Andrew Austin and Ben Jalovick in Detroit. I thought they were pleasant skaters. Nobody is hurt by them being there. Both of them could attain the 4CC TES.

But because the USFS is on some kind of stupid, short-sighted power trip, neither will be in Greensboro.

What the hell are they thinking? They're going to have a smaller field than usual and if this keeps up they're going to get a lot of lower-level men quitting and then what? Then what, USFS?

 

[jlai]

So the total minimum TES for 4CC is 74. You can get the SP and FS scores at different competitions.

The USFS is requiring Senior Men to score 92 total TES, across both programs, in one competition, to be allowed to skate at Nationals.

I enjoyed Andrew Austin and Ben Jalovick in Detroit. I thought they were pleasant skaters. Nobody is hurt by them being there. Both of them could attain the 4CC TES.

But because the USFS is on some kind of stupid, short-sighted power trip, neither will be in Greensboro.

What the hell are they thinking? They're going to have a smaller field than usual and if this keeps up they're going to get a lot of lower-level men quitting and then what? Then what, USFS?

My suspicion is more than a power trip. For one, US nationals has become this enormous thing and perhaps not enough clubs are making enough money off these events to bid on them. Shorter nationals is cheaper. I suspect it is at least one factor...

I'll also add that more skaters (Dunk and Torgashev) are sent out to get their minimums at international events so there are a couple more byes too, so if you consider how they would have ranked in their respective sectionals, then perhaps some others would have placed lower...

 

[wickedwitch]

I have nothing nice to say about the minimum score as it is currently implemented, so all I'll add is that doing a bunch of NQS events to ensure you get the scores is a huge added expense to an already expensive sport.

 

[misskarne]

I'll also add that more skaters (Dunk and Torgashev) are sent out to get their minimums at international events so there are a couple more byes too, so if you consider how they would have ranked in their respective sectionals, then perhaps some others would have placed lower...

Austin was the silver medallist at his sectionals. Even if Dunk and Torgashev were both at his sectionals (and I don't know who belongs to which so I can't really say), Austin would be the pewter medallist and still in qualifying position.

 

[jlai]

Austin was the silver medallist at his sectionals. Even if Dunk and Torgashev were both at his sectionals (and I don't know who belongs to which so I can't really say), Austin would be the pewter medallist and still in qualifying position.

I'm not talking about Austin in particular. I don't have a strong opinion about him for or against. I am merely stating it's probably more economics than anything

 

[haribobo]

SENIOR MEN SECTIONALS QUALIFIERS TO NATIONALS

Joonsoo Kim 213
Yaroslav Paniot 213
Jimmy Ma 210
William Hubbart 206
Dinh Tran 204
Sean Rabbitt 197
Jordan Moeller 191
Emmanuel Savary 175

INTL BYES - ISU SB
Nathan Chen 299
Jason Brown 255
Camden Pulkinen 244
Vincent Zhou 231
Alexei Krasnozhon 230
Tomoki Hiwatashi 227
Andrew Torgashev 217
Ryan Dunk 205

JUNIOR MEN QUALIFIERS

Maxim Naumov 207
Ilia Malinin 202
Eric Sjoberg 197
Lucas Altieri 196
Liam Kapeikis 191
Joseph Kang 184
David Shapiro 176
Matthew Nielsen 175
Chase Finster 165
Goku Endo 162
Daniel Turchin 157
Seth Kurogi 127
----- (adding top 2 novice from each section)----
Joseph Klein 180
Daniel Martynov 164
Samuel Mindra 162
Robert Yampolsky 155
Jacob Sanchez 146
Kai Kovar 142

 

[misskarne]

16 Senior Men. Not even three full warmup groups.

EDIT:

Condolences to the four men whose rightfully earned Nationals spots have been stolen from them: Andrew Austin, Ben Jalovick, Tony Lu, and Jun Hong Chen.

 

[clairecloutier]

Should we read the high TES minimums for men as a message of “Get quads or go home?”

Is the TES requirement for the ladies similarly high?

 

[jlai]

Should we read the high TES minimums for men as a message of “Get quads or go home?”

Is the TES requirement for the ladies similarly high?

But those who met mins didn't have quads, some not having even 3As. The men that didn't qualify have scores from 156 to 176. Sadly if Hsieh and Willima Annis entered as senior men instead of jr men they would have placed top 4 instead of Lu and Chen (instead of staying at home )! That's a rather a shame that respectable jr scores like that didn't make it.

As for ladies scores, the caller was helping out at Eastern at least with the mins. All in all, the domestic scoring is more generous, so a lot of skaters do end up getting them.