Four Continents 2/7-11 2013

swan wrote:

Alokya wrote:

Tatjana Flade ‏@Tatjana21
Adam Rippon (USA) withdrawn from 4Conts due to injury. :-( Replacement Richard Dornbush.

This. SUCKS. Also, any reason why Jeremy ISN'T on that replacement list??

wow what happened?

It's so unfortunate

"Rippon, who placed fifth at the 2013 U.S. Championships, sustained
an ankle injury on Saturday. He is expected to make a full recovery."

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48962&type=media

A message from Lori to Mao for 4CC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIJ8ESF2tY&feature=youtu.be


I have tears in my eyes, I soo want Mao to be happy because what she has done and what she does all the time is just increcible..! Goooo Mao!!!

Ohhhhh, my gosh, guys, eurosport is covering 4CC!!!! Yaaaay! (Only eurosport2 though...)
I'm soo happy right now. We can hear the British guys once again (and I have to ignore the Germans once again...)
But it's so cool. They are broadcasting even more than the Euros... woow

http://tv.eurosport.com/search.shtml?query=figure%20skating

There's only one con: I have to study actually...

josling wrote:

A message from Lori to Mao for 4CC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIJ8ESF2tY&feature=youtu.be


I have tears in my eyes, I soo want Mao to be happy because what she has done and what she does all the time is just increcible..! Goooo Mao!!!

Whoa! Lori is like 49? She looks much younger than that. But such a nice message from her. I hope Mao is able to do well in 4CC. Like what I've read on my twitter feed it's the last chance to impress before Worlds.

I think Mao’s SP looks juniorish because of her costume and hair do. According to the clip COHK posted in the Mao news thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3LhSfOhHHs), she says she didn’t like the costume she got for her SP and so she picked the orange/silver one from what she had in her closet. She thought it suit the best to “I Got Rhythm” because the music is lively and she thought the vivid orange color would project the image of the liveliness of this program.

Now I’m very curios how the original SP costume looked like and why she didn’t like it … maybe because it’s not how it looked but how she didn’t feel comfortable when she performed the program in that costumer ??? I believe her SP would give a different impression and more matured look if she changes the costume and hair do. I wonder if she got any advice from Lori about it when she was in Canada last month.

Regarding the choreography, I like it and also the opening movements, especially this pose.



It really emphasizes the beauty of Mao’s body -- her long legs and arms. I’ve seen a lot pictures taken from different angles of this pose and her line and posture are perfect in every photo. I just wish I can see it in different costume.

Shizuka, Yamada-sensei and Juniko (Yaginuma) says whenever they comment on her SP at different competitions and show that the viewers may think she is doing something very easy but actually the step sequence of this program is way difficult. And, whenever I hear them say so, I always hope the judges on the panel do have enough competence to recognize the steps. If they are like me and general layman viewers …

Thanks joslin g for the clip! How sweat Lori is!

This competition is Mao's to lose. Unless she is injured or sick (or there is more crazy judging), there's no reason she shouldn't skate plenty good enough to win

Alokya wrote:

swan wrote:

Alokya wrote:

Tatjana Flade ‏@Tatjana21
Adam Rippon (USA) withdrawn from 4Conts due to injury. :-( Replacement Richard Dornbush.

This. SUCKS. Also, any reason why Jeremy ISN'T on that replacement list??

wow what happened?

No clue... USFSA hasn't even released a statement about it yet. I guess we will just have to wait for news. I have a feeling that Jeremy is furious right now - WHAT is with USFSA's habit of promoting their poster children? Yes, Ricky came in sixth... not as bad as last year... but 4CC is quite a prestigious competition, so why didn't they put their third place winner as first alternate? Or better still, have let him gone to the competition in the first place? UGH! Sorry for my rant.

This is my best guess: When even though a skater does well nationally, but keeps being inconsistent-bad internationally, I think the US kind of looses hope in them. At that point, I think they want to focus more on who the next great skater might be instead of someone who's already used up their chance to prove themself. Jeremy is a great example of this. Also, notice in recent years, US team A has shrunk significantly. They used to be more generous with those spots. Apparently, they don't think there's enough skaters worthy of those spots right now. I gotta say - as far as international results go - I agree.

This is by far the most surprising news of the up coming 4CC:

Tatjana Flade ‏@Tatjana21
Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) to unveil brandnew short program at 4Conts: "Moonlight Sonata". He just confirmed upon arrival at hotel.

changing program in the middle of the season...but I'm looking forward to the new SP (no news about who choreo the program)

COHK wrote:

This is by far the most surprising news of the up coming 4CC:

Tatjana Flade ‏@Tatjana21
Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) to unveil brandnew short program at 4Conts: "Moonlight Sonata". He just confirmed upon arrival at hotel.

changing program in the middle of the season...but I'm looking forward to the new SP (no news about who choreo the program)

Seems Nikolai Morozov did.
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/298772126675132417
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/293324891913068544

I dunno what to feel or think. Why does i have to be a Morozov choreo. omg! But Ima gonna take it back if it's gonna be a good one. If not.... noooo!

roma wrote:

Seems Nikolai Morozov did.
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/298772126675132417
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/293324891913068544

I dunno what to feel or think. Why does i have to be a Morozov choreo. omg! But Ima gonna take it back if it's gonna be a good one. If not.... noooo!

oh well!...as long as it's not the techno version, please no techno version...

My opinion about Takahashi's choice:
-I'm happy that he's not doing the Rock&Roll SP anymore, i really didn't like it;
-I like the musical choice (but, please, no techno version!);
-I'm really worried about the fact that morozov is the choreographer!
I really hope he won't be receiving 4.50 in TR because of Nikolai's empty choreography... Oh, well, I forgot that ALL the Morozov programs are transitionless and receive 8s!

roma wrote:

COHK wrote:

This is by far the most surprising news of the up coming 4CC:

Tatjana Flade ‏@Tatjana21
Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) to unveil brandnew short program at 4Conts: "Moonlight Sonata". He just confirmed upon arrival at hotel.

changing program in the middle of the season...but I'm looking forward to the new SP (no news about who choreo the program)

Seems Nikolai Morozov did.
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/298772126675132417
https://twitter.com/irenissi/status/293324891913068544

I dunno what to feel or think. Why does i have to be a Morozov choreo. omg! But Ima gonna take it back if it's gonna be a good one. If not.... noooo!

Surprise!
I would think that Morozov wants to get rid of his image
as a choreographer considered over the hill ...

The only thing about Morozov choreographing and worrying me is the costume (no feathers pls!) and the fact that he likes his skaters to swing their arms all the way long

Other than that, I think he knows quite well how to maximise GOE.

He must have convinced Dai just like he did to Shizuka before Turin Oly when she switched coach from TAT to Moro.

We will see. Can't wait.

Hm, this will be interesting!

No techno version? Yeah probably not a good idea, but if it turns out something like his Swan, then I have no complaints! Please, no one tell me you DIDN'T love that program!

Star85 wrote:

Hm, this will be interesting!

No techno version? Yeah probably not a good idea, but if it turns out something like his Swan, then I have no complaints! Please, no one tell me you DIDN'T love that program!

I loved it. It was truly amazing and I'm gonna say it's my favourite program from Dai. But it was great cause it was original, the second "techno lake" couldn't work, but we will see.

Star85 wrote:

Hm, this will be interesting!

No techno version? Yeah probably not a good idea, but if it turns out something like his Swan, then I have no complaints! Please, no one tell me you DIDN'T love that program!

That is still my favorite Dai program! And one of my favorite programs of all time. Just so good.

Anyway, cannot WAIT to for 4CC to start! It feels like it's been so long since we've seen Mao.

Star85 wrote:

Hm, this will be interesting!

No techno version? Yeah probably not a good idea, but if it turns out something like his Swan, then I have no complaints! Please, no one tell me you DIDN'T love that program!

I that program! It's unique and original at the time and Dai pulled it off wonderfully. However, if you look at the recent Morozov choreos out there... I just hope they'll be able to come up with something refreshing. I hope it'll be the classical version as it's been a bit long since Dai skated to one.

josling wrote:

Ohhhhh, my gosh, guys, eurosport is covering 4CC!!!! Yaaaay! (Only eurosport2 though...)
I'm soo happy right now. We can hear the British guys once again (and I have to ignore the Germans once again...)
But it's so cool. They are broadcasting even more than the Euros... woow

http://tv.eurosport.com/search.shtml?query=figure%20skating

There's only one con: I have to study actually...

This is amazing!!! I think this is the first time Eurosport is broadcasting 4CC? I completely take back my "I hate Eurosport" from Europeans. Now I only hope they won't be going back to their crappy coverage for the worlds.

I have mixed feelings about Dai's new SP. I'm happy he changed it, I wasn't a fan of his Rock'n Roll SP, but I really, really hate Morozov's choreography. The only choreo I like from him is Dai's Techno Swan. How I wish a miracle would happened and Dai would drop Morozov. I still can't believe he took Morozov back.

linglang wrote:

I think Mao’s SP looks juniorish because of her costume and hair do.

I think you're right. Like I said I LOVE her smile, but overall look (at least to me) is juniorish. However her step sequence is sick!

I love Lori's message for Mao.

Hopefully Mao will have a great competition. Go Mao!!!!

ddmm wrote:

The only thing about Morozov choreographing and worrying me is the costume (no feathers pls!) and the fact that he likes his skaters to swing their arms all the way long

Other than that, I think he knows quite well how to maximise GOE.

He must have convinced Dai just like he did to Shizuka before Turin Oly when she switched coach from TAT to Moro.

We will see. Can't wait.

Actually, the story about adding feathers to his costume is explained here: (the clip is from the same TV program in which Mao talks about her choices of costume for this season. Please ignore the first minute of this clip and start from around 1:10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frjV5LA1jIk
Dai's explanation: by adding the feathers, the purpose is to add the dimension to the movements of hands and arms. Also, since his arms/legs are shorter, he's trying to find a way to make them appears longer!

Just like his comment about the color of the rink when entering the ice rink in Sochi, it seems he takes a lot of thoughts on the costume and the presentation!

Adding: some more news about the change of music
http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/figureskate/headlines/article/20130206-00000040-dal

Thanks COHK!

BTW, it was said among fans that Dai changed his SP because the choreo wasn't good enough to get level 4. I now remember that there was an interview with a Japanese Int'l judge Ms. Okabe who was analizing few top skaters. If I'm not wrong, I remember she was saying that Dai's step seq wasn't good enough to earn level 4. His upper body wasn't really moving beside his arms.

So if this is the reason why he changed his SP, I agree with him.

But how courageous of him to change a program a month before worlds!

About Dai's short,according to some reports it seems like a classical version, and fans like it! Can't wait to see it, I think he can skate to this music like no one can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mPqDXkkBzxE a bit of Dai's short

polosatik wrote:

About Dai's short,according to some reports it seems like a classical version, and fans like it! Can't wait to see it, I think he can skate to this music like no one can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mPqDXkkBzxE a bit of Dai's short

Thanks for the link, polosatik! The Morozov factor makes me uneasy as always, but I'm still optimistic about Dai's new SP, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in full.

Score page: http://www.isuresults.com/results/fc2013/index.htm

And skater Misha Ge tweets these:

Quote :

Just finished watch @D1sk61316 Daisuke-San practice , few words: beautiful, smooth , gorgeous and amazing (skating) . ( Honestly saying )

Quote :

"The way (Daisuke-San) @D1sk61316 do , I think its what called real skating , and its a skating from the heart"

Ok. Now I'm intrigued! I wanna see Dai's new SP now. Will try not to think about Morozov anymore.

I am to hear that Dai is trying to take away
Morozov tone from the program as much as he can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVFEeXg1j7s

K&C

From Akiko's Twitter photo:

pic.twitter.com/rmHnga0P