U.S. Men in 2017 - articles & latest news

[Sylvia]

Nathan had a Skate America media teleconference call last week and here's an article based on the call: http://figureskatersonline.com/news...ond-grand-prix-at-skate-america-this-weekend/

ETA: One of the topics he touches on was his experience of working with choreographers Lori Nichol and Shae-Lynn Bourne on his programs this season.

 

[Mrs. P]

Jason, Max and Vincent have each skated strongly and poorly at least once so far this season. They each won some medals (Vincent at Finlandia and Max and Jason at a GP) but none qualify for the GPF. Jason had some BOW based on his top 7 Worlds and 4CCs placements last season and Vincent won Jr Worlds. But IMO this is not that significant.

Adam has SA this weekend - if he medals and makes GPF, he will be favoured over these three because the BOW achievement is more current. If he bombs / somehow does not make GPF, all four of them will head to Nationals on somewhat equal footing and best 2 out of 4 will be named.

Jason still has a shot at qualifying the GPF. He's currently 3rd among the GP standings. The odds are not in his favor based on the field and how they've been skating but given how this season's gone so far, it's not out of the realm of possibility.

If Adam does poorly at Skate America, i.e. finish 4th with a lower score than Jason's at NHK or 5th or lower, then Jason gets into GPF. Not that I wish that on Adam, just talking pure calculation.

There are more likely scenarios where Jason would be out of the final:
* Podium finish for both Boyang Jin and Adam Rippon + 5th place or higher ranking for Nathan and Sergei Voronov
* 4th place finish for Boyang Jin and/or Adam Rippon w/ scores of 242.62 and 245.11 or higher, respectively. + 5th place or higher ranking for Nathan and Sergei Voronov.

Han Yan, Takahito Mura and Ross Miner can all play spoiler on those scenarios. Jason, in pretty much all scenarios, will end up first alternate, so he could end up at GPF if someone W/Ds.

 

[Sylvia]

Han Yan, Takahito Mura and Ross Miner can all play spoiler on those scenarios.

And Maxim Kovtun if he's healthy (Skate America is his international season debut).

For those with Kiss & Cry access, @toddlj has calculated the GPF men's qualification odds and possible scenarios in the Skate America forum -- ETA the direct link to his men's post: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...r-the-gpf-and-how-thread.102362/#post-5190581

 

[Mrs. P]

And Maxim Kovtun if he's healthy (Skate America is his international season debut).

For those with Kiss & Cry access, @toddlj has calculated the GPF men's qualification odds and possible scenarios in the Skate America forum.

It didn't sound like Maxim was healthy from recent reports, which is why I did not include him. But yes, indeed, he is a factor if he is skating well.

 

[olympic]

Yan has the biggest chance to upset the apple cart as far as Adam is concerned. Voronov is a safer bet due to his NHK win. He only needs a 5th place finish at SA. I would categorize Jin as second safest due to his international standing, strong scores, and his ability to get progressively stronger over the course of the season. I never count out Kovtun but he doesn’t sound 100 percent healthy. I don’t think Ross or Hendrickx are necessarily a threat to spoil. I am not sure what has happened to Mura but he is way off his best. Their scores and standing lag the others by a bit

My prediction-

1. Chen
2. Jin
3. Voronov
4. Rippon - over 245 easily
5. Yan
6. Kovtun

 

[Firedancer]

Icenetwork article primarily on Nathan with a lot of interesting quotes from Lori Nichol:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/11/21/262269462

Really excited to see the continued improvements he has made in his programs this weekend!

 

[Frida80]

Icenetwork article primarily on Nathan with a lot of interesting quotes from Lori Nichol:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/11/21/262269462

Really excited to see the continued improvements he has made in his programs this weekend!

Nice article. I’m glad he’s still developing his FS with Lori and working more with his blades.

But why not make a completely separate article for SA athletes in general. I was stunned to see them include a bit about the Shibsibs, Ashley and pairs. Give them their own article so we can learn about them as well.

 

[Firedancer]

But why not make a completely separate article for SA athletes in general. I was stunned to see them include a bit about the Shibsibs, Ashley and pairs. Give them their own article so we can learn about them as well.

I agree. Don’t they usually do an article and put out the audio for each teleconference?

 

[Frida80]

I agree. Don’t they usually do an article and put out the audio for each teleconference?

That’s what I thought was supposed to happen. I’ve been hearing about Ashley’s teleconference, but not much else. Perhaps we’ll get something soon.

 

[misskarne]

But your message seems to be "we are going to judge based on what you did at earlier events not Nationals" (Especially if it's in favor of the skater you like. I have a feeling that if it was the other way around between Max and Vincent you would be saying 'the earlier skates shouldn't count at all")

Because that is what the USFS have said it will be. The USFS have made it very clear that body of work counts and will play a big part in the selection process. So the fact that Max has beaten Vincent in both their head-to-head matchups - especially when the general expectation seemed to be that it would be very much the other way around - is absolutely an important factor and one that could become a mark in Max's favour.

As for me: I never had any doubt that Max could beat Vincent twice, especially before an international panel. And I have no doubt he can do so again.

 

[Firedancer]

That’s what I thought was supposed to happen. I’ve been hearing about Ashley’s teleconference, but not much else. Perhaps we’ll get something soon.

Hope so!

 

[olympic]

Congratulations to Alexei Krasnozhon on winning silver at Tallinn Trophy! I didn't see any videos up but I read the protocols and he was squeaky clean in the SP, going north of 80 pts. for the 2nd time. He was just a few points off a PB I think.

 

[el henry]

Congratulations to Alexei Krasnozhon on winning silver at Tallinn Trophy! I didn't see any videos up but I read the protocols and he was squeaky clean in the SP, going north of 80 pts. for the 2nd time. He was just a few points off a PB I think.

I would love to see an Alexei video at some point. When I saw him at Liberty this summer, he finished behind Paniot, and this time he pulled ahead.

I know it’s sacrilege, but I am more interested in Alexei’s skates than I am the three American men skating at SA (well, maybe if Ross slays that wacky SP of his, I do like that one)

 

[Willin]

Today in bizarro facts: If Adam & Nathan end up on the podium with one of Voronov/Jin finishing lower than 4th place, the US could have 3 men at the GPF.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

^^^ Is this factoring Hanyu being out?

 

[Willin]

@AngieNikodinovLove Yes

 

[katmari]

I would love to see an Alexei video at some point. When I saw him at Liberty this summer, he finished behind Paniot, and this time he pulled ahead.

I found videos of Alexei's programs

Tallinn Trophy SP

Tallinn Trophy FS

 

[el henry]

I found videos of Alexei's programs

Tallinn Trophy SP

Tallinn Trophy FS

Thank you! I don't know why, it's counter-intuitive for what I say I like in a skater, his spins make me ,

but I love me some Alex K.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

JUST LOVING LOVING LOVING Nathan's SP Music and ALL! This might be my favorite men's SP of all time!!!!

Heres hoping Nathan and Adam go 1-2!!

(although nervous about Adam doing a 4 lutz)

 

[Rock2]

JUST LOVING LOVING LOVING Nathan's SP Music and ALL! This might be my favorite men's SP of all time!!!!

Heres hoping Nathan and Adam go 1-2!!

(although nervous about Adam doing a 4 lutz)

I've tweeted as much. If I was a skater and Bourne brought me this music, I probs would have said "awesome music. Now, get out and come back with something I can skate to"

Nathan has risen to the challenge and Shae has given him a unique and compelling vehicle, wrapped around the most difficult elements skating has ever seen. Mind = blown.

I think the program is about 90% there...and that's OK as it's just not an easy program to skate and perform to right out of the gate with those elements. Right now the intensity and choreo drops in the middle as the flip and axel become the focus. With more reps and as this program simmers, it's only going to get better.

If he can do this to its full potential in Korea I would agree it's the greatest men's short I have ever seen.

Whatever happens, he should be proud of himself for taking this on. And Shae Lynn gets a glimmering gold star for a brilliant and refreshing piece of work.

Standing O.

 

[Rock2]

Today in bizarro facts: If Adam & Nathan end up on the podium with one of Voronov/Jin finishing lower than 4th place, the US could have 3 men at the GPF.

More importantly, it's starting to look more and more like those 3 will be the ones in Korea. Which I never would have predicted....

 

[olympic]

Max and Vincent still have fighting chances. I think if Max skates his heart out and beats Adam and Jason at Nationals, the USFSA would send him. He is a GP medalist and he set a PB this year. Vincent’s chances are more remote and he needs certain events to fall into place to have a shot

 

[Willin]

@Rock2 Yeah, that's the strangest part. I agree with @olympic that Max has a chance as well, but who knows what will happen... I don't think Vincent has a chance with all the falls and URs. Certainly the next Olympic cycle he'll be a contender if he continues, but this season he hasn't looked quite as ready as the other men.

 

[Willin]

So, only two US men at the GPF, but Jason is the first alternate, so if anyone's injured he'll go as well. It makes it seem like Jason's spot is the least safe on the US team.

Also, my love for sassy Adam was solidified today. I hope he makes the Olympic team.

 

[Tavi]

So, only two US men at the GPF, but Jason is the first alternate, so if anyone's injured he'll go as well. It makes it seem like Jason's spot is the least safe on the US team.

Also, my love for sassy Adam was solidified today. I hope he makes the Olympic team.

Why do you think his spot is least safe?

 

[ilovepaydays]

Also, my love for sassy Adam was solidified today. I hope he makes the Olympic team.

I think that Adam has made as good of a case as he can, from a "body of work" standpoint.

I would be worried right now if I was Vincent or Max. They are going to have to skate lights out at U.S. Nationals.

 

[Xela M]

So, only two US men at the GPF, but Jason is the first alternate, so if anyone's injured he'll go as well. It makes it seem like Jason's spot is the least safe on the US team.

Also, my love for sassy Adam was solidified today. I hope he makes the Olympic team.

Has he just won the FS over Nathan?!?!?!

 

[Vagabond]

That is all.

 

[Xela M]

I think that Adam has made as good of a case as he can, from a "body of work" standpoint.

I would be worried right now if I was Vincent or Max. They are going to have to skate lights out at U.S. Nationals.

...or Jason

 

[Willin]

@Xela M Yes! But Nathan only landed two clean quads and popped quite a few jumps. They swapped out his blade this morning, which seems to have not worked out for him... I don't think it'll happen again.

@Tavi Based on the Grand Prix rankings and Season's bests, Nathan, Adam, and Jason look to be the top three for the Olympic team going into Nationals. But, Jason's season's best is only a couple points better than Max's. Both also missed the GPF as opposed to Nathan and Adam who made it. They each have one GP medal and CS silver. I'd say that 3rd spot is between Jason and Max right now just based on that. (Why can't there be four? I don't want any of them to miss the team!)

For Reference:
Grand Prix Standings (US Men only)

1. Nathan - 30 (Qualified for GPF) - 1/1
2. Adam - 26 (Qualified for GPF) - 2/2
3. Jason - 22 (1st Alternate for GPF) -2/4
4. Max - 15 points - 3/7
5. Vincent - 9 points - 4/9

Season's Bests - Season's Best Total (Season's Best SP/Season's Best FS)

1. Nathan - 284.42 (104.12/193.25)
2. Adam - 266.45 (89.04/177.41)
3. Jason - 255.66 (90.71/176.87)
4. Max - 252.82 (86.06/176.58)
5. Vincent - 242.96 (80.23/176.43)