Japan Nationals

Thanks for all the info! I can't wait to see Dai, Yuzu, Kozu and Mura
Ladies SP is today right?

Well, I can't see how Dai and Yuzuru can have only a point difference in PCS. TES is absolutely fair to me)

I didn't get Yuzu's PCS at all until tonight. I though it too high.
But tonight at close-up on TV, Yuzu's edge got much deeper at step sequence.
And his SP is really a great program.

Hope he will manage to skate a decent FS tomorrow, although I want Dai to win.

Here's the video of practices earlier today (including Mao's and the men's):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJejGX_SkM&feature=youtube_gdata

A 3rd 3A landed by Mao.

(Some) photos are here:
http://ameblo.jp/atomu5551/image-11431792818-12339786353.html

Mao has her "game-faces" on!

(BTW, the 4th photo of Hanyu...was picking up a bug on ice )

Dai's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssduvvfSaU

Taka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QL5Usa7B-k


Many many thanks to the person who uploaded so so fast!!!

Mao is so fierce!!

linglang wrote:

Dai's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssduvvfSaU

The technical caller was really strict, I thought Dai's quad was less than 1/4 UR, it could have gone either way IMO

linglang wrote:

Takeshi says Dai might got UR

ETA: 4T is UR and 3lz is e

Thanks for the post. I was wondering if Takeshi was doing commentating.
Must watch yuotube videos later to hear his commentating.
I'm still a big fan of Takeshi.

Good luck to all the Japanese skaters.

Tono's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgQbZHyL71U

*just logged in* As usual i missed the best
Thanks for the infos! I cant believe Yuzuru got such a big lead, i hope, he wont be too nervous tomorrow!

Is the Womans short today too?

Haidogirl wrote:

*just logged in* As usual i missed the best
Thanks for the infos! I cant believe Yuzuru got such a big lead, i hope, he wont be too nervous tomorrow!

Is the Womans short today too?

No, it's tomorrow starting at 13:30pm JPN time

Lady_in_black wrote:

linglang wrote:

Dai's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssduvvfSaU

The technical caller was really strict, I thought Dai's quad was less than 1/4 UR, it could have gone either way IMO

I think callers and judges at JPN nationals are not lenient at all especially in recent years.
Yuzu's SP tonight could have got 100+ if he skated in a different country.

yukisnowflake wrote:

linglang wrote:

Takeshi says Dai might got UR

ETA: 4T is UR and 3lz is e

Thanks for the post. I was wondering if Takeshi was doing commentating.
Must watch yuotube videos later to hear his commentating.
I'm still a big fan of Takeshi.

Good luck to sll the Japanese skaters.

I saw Takeshi and Shizuka commenting so I guess yes, they werer the commentators.

I think Yuzu is skating better and better. He's more confident and his stamina is getting better too. I think he will skate and awesome FP tomorrow althogh I want Dai and Taka to do well.

I hoped the scores would've been closer but...most guys lost GOEs for at least one element except for Yuzuru, so I have nothing against the scores.

But since we can never tell what may happen to Yuzuru in his FP, even with 9 point difference, I think Dai still has a chance to win. But the other guys have to do brilliantly good to win or even make the podium.

Btw, Yuzurus' blades have a unique design...I noticed someone else using the same designed blades during GPF but can't remember who...??? Noticed Javier had his blades painted black or gun-metal, and thought that was cool too.

Anyway, can't wait till tomorrow!

linglang wrote:

Lady_in_black wrote:

linglang wrote:

Dai's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssduvvfSaU

The technical caller was really strict, I thought Dai's quad was less than 1/4 UR, it could have gone either way IMO

I think callers and judges at JPN nationals are not lenient at all especially in recent years.
Yuzu's SP tonight could have got 100+ if he skated in a different country.

Is the caller Ms. Okabe ? if so, I think she is often judge in int'tl competitions.

Yuzu's SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWXbV5SCCF8

ddmm wrote:

Is the caller Ms. Okabe ? if so, I think she is often judge in int'tl competitions.

Technical Controller, Ms. M. Maeda
Technical Specialist, Ms. I. Ishikawa
Assistant Technical Specialist, Mr. T. Oyama
Referee, Ms. Y. Okabe

Is Ms. Okabe the judge who gave explanation and comment on Dai and other skaters score and programs before GPF?

linglang wrote:

Haidogirl wrote:

*just logged in* As usual i missed the best
Thanks for the infos! I cant believe Yuzuru got such a big lead, i hope, he wont be too nervous tomorrow!

Is the Womans short today too?

No, it's tomorrow starting at 13:30pm JPN time

Thank you!

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

I hoped the scores would've been closer but...most guys lost GOEs for at least one element except for Yuzuru, so I have nothing against the scores.

But since we can never tell what may happen to Yuzuru in his FP, even with 9 point difference, I think Dai still has a chance to win. But the other guys have to do brilliantly good to win or even make the podium.

Btw, Yuzurus' blades have a unique design...I noticed someone else using the same designed blades during GPF but can't remember who...??? Noticed Javier had his blades painted black or gun-metal, and thought that was cool too.

Anyway, can't wait till tomorrow!

I think they are similar to Caro's... Mrs bianconi (the Italian commentator) once said that they have a part made of carbon. And, will there be any live streaming tonight? (I know that in Japan is early morning, now, but here in Italy it will be late in the evening when Mao skates!)

Men's SP Results in English:

http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2012-2013/fs_e/national/data0103.htm

It's said Yuzuru's 4T and 3A got +2.2 GOE and all level 4 except for last spin. Dai's 4T was UR and got -1.2 GOE, all level 3 except for last spin which was level 4.

roma wrote:

Men's SP Results in English:

http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2012-2013/fs_e/national/data0103.htm

It's said Yuzuru's 4T and 3A got +2.2 GOE and all level 4 except for last spin. Dai's 4T was UR and got -1.2 GOE, all level 3 except for last spin which was level 4.

Dai really threw away many points. And he skates first tomorrow with Yuzuru last. I was hoping Dai will skate last and at least. Big pressure on Yuzuru though
I know there are different panels but it's strange to see Daisuke with level 3 steps and Ashley Wagner level 4(if I am not mistaken Dai got level 3 on steps in the GPF too). Sometimes it's like the judges have no idea what are they doing

Well, seems if you compete at Japan Nationals where a lot of skaters are at a very high level, you shouldn't hesitate and must give it your all. Don't throw points on levels. Need to milk every point you can get. :-)

Mao has been consistently aiming for all level 4s. Hope she'll get the same tomorrow. But Daisuke... now that younger skaters are catching up on the techs, he mustn't be throwing those points away.

But I cannot understand Taka getting low PCS again. Sure he got 41.55 but Yuzu got 43.90. Sure he skated real clean but to beat Taka even in SS is Maybe I'll give him 42+.

PochinkoPotanko wrote:

I hoped the scores would've been closer but...most guys lost GOEs for at least one element except for Yuzuru, so I have nothing against the scores.

But since we can never tell what may happen to Yuzuru in his FP, even with 9 point difference, I think Dai still has a chance to win. But the other guys have to do brilliantly good to win or even make the podium.

Btw, Yuzurus' blades have a unique design...I noticed someone else using the same designed blades during GPF but can't remember who...??? Noticed Javier had his blades painted black or gun-metal, and thought that was cool too.

Anyway, can't wait till tomorrow!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Wilson-Blades-Official/242809869095318?ref=ts&fref=ts

lots of people use their blades and they always cheer on the skaters who do :p

Lady_in_black wrote:

roma wrote:

Men's SP Results in English:

http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2012-2013/fs_e/national/data0103.htm

It's said Yuzuru's 4T and 3A got +2.2 GOE and all level 4 except for last spin. Dai's 4T was UR and got -1.2 GOE, all level 3 except for last spin which was level 4.

Dai really threw away many points. And he skates first tomorrow with Yuzuru last. I was hoping Dai will skate last and at least. Big pressure on Yuzuru though
I know there are different panels but it's strange to see Daisuke with level 3 steps and Ashley Wagner level 4(if I am not mistaken Dai got level 3 on steps in the GPF too). Sometimes it's like the judges have no idea what are they doing

I've checked after reading ddmm's above question and I was correct about Ms. Yukiko Okabe. She is a judge and gave explanation about skaters' programs and scores before GPF, which included why Dai got level 3 on steps in China.

She said it's because Dai's step sequence in SP does not satisfy this level requirement: "Use of upper body movements means the visible use for a combined total of at least 1/3 (instead of 1/2) of the pattern of the step sequence any movements of the arms, head and torso that have an effect on the balance of the main body core."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eERSpgqOl8w#t=26m30s

Sorry I don't have time to translate what she says. She points out where "effect on the balance of the main body core" is there or not, and it's not non but less than 1/3.

I don't know if her reasoning is valid or not but she's a judge. To be honest, I still don't have a good eye to tell and I though tonight Yuzu's edges and skating got much better. But re-watching his skate after re-watching Taka, I don't get why Yuzu is highly evaluated ... Taka's edges and skating quality are far far far better than Yuzus.

COHK wrote:

Here's the video of practices earlier today (including Mao's and the men's):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJejGX_SkM&feature=youtube_gdata

A 3rd 3A landed by Mao.

This is a very good 3A indeed.