Four Continents 2014 (1/22-1/25)

ISU Four Continents FS Championship
@Taipei City

Website:
http://www.fc2014.com/

Event Schedule
Wednesday, January 22
12:00 ICE DANCE – Short Dance
15:00 PAIRS – Short Program
17:10 Opening on Ice
18:00 MEN – Short Program

Thursday, January 23
12:30 ICE DANCE – Free Dance
16:15 LADIES – Short Program

Friday, January 24
14:45 PAIRS – Free Skating
17:35 MEN – Free Skating

Saturday, January 25
12:00 LADIES – Free Skating
17:00 EXHIBITION

Tickets can be reserved now via the following website:
http://www.fc2014.com/ticket-reservation
[NB: though the reservation for tickets is free of charge, there is no indication about where your seats will be located in the arena. So most like the seats will be assigned later on. And for each Booking ID, the maximum # of tickets you can reserve for each event is 2.]

COHK wrote:

And for each Booking ID, the maximum # of tickets you can reserve for each event is 2.]

Well it is not like all your family and friends will be fighting to join to you, at least in my case, practically I need beg them and to pay their tickets  .
People in Taipei is lucky, free tickets  , I wonder what skaters going to participe this season? If Mao is not at least I want to watch the Shibs

Thank you COHK. Taipei people are so lucky to get the free tickets  . I hope to see Zijun and Karen Chen there.

Wow, am I dreaming? I can technically book all the events at free of charge?   I've booked the ladies SP and FP, men FP and Free Dance. Yay thank you Taipei  
But is the whole process this simple  

pearlyriver wrote:

Wow, am I dreaming? I can technically book all the events at free of charge?   I've booked the ladies SP and FP, men FP and Free Dance. Yay thank you Taipei  
But is the whole process this simple  

 
Well, it has to do with that Taipei arena being used for a public event, so the local co-organizer can't have the tickets go on sale and profit from ticketing. Also, given Taipei arena is quite big with plenty of seats, but there wouldn't be enough ppl coming for the event, it's just doubtful the local organizer will be making $$ to have the tickets go on sale.

But, one downside is that, as written in my original post, you don't get to pick the seats when reserving the tickets. This means that the organizer will be assigning seats later on. For me it doesn't matter that much, as I've already felt appreciated that the local organizer is welling to host the event and providing free entrance to general public!

*sigh* I remembered Mao did so well in Taipei the season she started reforming her jumps. She had dismal GPs but landed a beauty of a 3A and one of her highest FS scores there. I wanted to go since it was also free but that time we were in the middle of a very complicated standards migration at work so I couldn't file leave.

This time I can't take leave during those times also... so whoever can make it do enjoy yourselves and cheer hard for the skaters competing. It's very rare to see events like this for free.

COHK wrote:

 
Well, it has to do with that Taipei arena being used for a public event, so the local co-organizer can't have the tickets go on sale and profit from ticketing. Also, given Taipei arena is quite big with plenty of seats, but there wouldn't be enough ppl coming for the event, it's just doubtful the local organizer will be making $$ to have the tickets go on sale.

But, one downside is that, as written in my original post, you don't get to pick the seats when reserving the tickets. This means that the organizer will be assigning seats later on. For me it doesn't matter that much, as I've already felt appreciated that the local organizer is welling to host the event and providing free entrance to general public!

Are you going too, COHK? I don't mind which seats I'll be assigned, since I've never been to a skating event and probably won't have a chance. This is already too generous for me and I couldn't ask for anything else  

Entries are announced (other than the participants from USA/CAN that are TBA). The following is taken from GS

Pairs (6 more entries from US/CAN)
1 Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN CHN 2
2 Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG CHN 2
3 Xiaoyu YU / Yang JIN CHN 2

Dance
1 Danielle OBRIEN / Gregory MERRIMAN AUS 1
5 Shiyue WANG / Xinyu LIU CHN 3
6 Yiyi ZHANG / Nan WU CHN 3
7 Yue ZHAO / Chang LIU CHN 3
8 Emi HIRAI / Marien DE LA ASUNCION JPN 4
9 Ksenia KOROBKOVA / Daryn ZHUNUSSOV KAZ 5
10 Pilar MAEKAWA MORENO / Leonardo MAEKAWA MORENO MEX 6
11 Yura MIN / Timothy KOLETO KOR 7
15 Elizaveta TRETIAKOV / Viktor KOVALENKO UZB 9

(cont.)
Men
1 Andrew DODDS AUS 1
2 Brendan KERRY AUS 1
3 David KRANJEC AUS 1
7 Nan SONG CHN 3
8 Yi WANG CHN 3
9 Han YAN CHN 3
10 Jui-Shu CHEN TPE 4
11 Jordan JU TPE 4
12 Chih-I TSAO TPE 4
13 Ronald LAM HKG 5
14 Takahiko KOZUKA JPN 6
15 Takahito MURA JPN 6
16 Keiji TANAKA JPN 6
17 Abzal RAKIMGALIEV KAZ 7
18 Denis TEN KAZ 7
19 Julian Zhi Jie YEE MAS 8
20 Christopher CALUZA PHI 9
21 Maverick EGUIA PHI 9
22 Michael Christian MARTINEZ PHI 9
23 Jin Seo KIM KOR 10
24 Dong Won LEE KOR 10
25 June Hyoung LEE KOR 10
29 Misha GE UZB 12

Ladies
1 Brooklee HAN AUS 1
2 Isadora WILLIAMS BRA 2
6 Zijun LI CHN 4
7 Kexin ZHANG CHN 4
8 Ziquan ZHAO CHN 4
9 Melanie Yuung-Hui CHANG TPE 5
10 Crystal KIANG TPE 5
11 Ami PAREKH IND 6
12 Haruka IMAI JPN 7
13 Satoko MIYAHARA JPN 7
14 Kanako MURAKAMI JPN 7
15 Reyna HAMUI MEX 8
16 Alisson Krystle PERTICHETO PHI 9
17 Hae Jin KIM KOR 10
18 Tae Kyung KIM KOR 10
19 So Youn PARK KOR 10
20 Ceciliane Mei Ling HARTMANN (*) SIN 11
21 Lejeanne MARAIS RSA 12

pearlyriver wrote:

Are you going too, COHK? I don't mind which seats I'll be assigned, since I've never been to a skating event and probably won't have a chance. This is already too generous for me and I couldn't ask for anything else  

Sorry about my delayed reply, pearlyriver. yes, I'm planning to attend. But the schedule of 4CC this year is not really the best. So in the end I may choose to miss the pairs competitions, and hoping I can catch up the rest by rushing to the arena after work...

Happy to see Zijun and Denis Ten made it to the entries!

Why only one female skater for AUS? I thought that for 4CC every federation can send three skaters/pairs per discipline. I know AUS has more than one ladies skater.   

Kanako and Denis are competing at 4CC? I thought they might have wanted to skip in favor of preparing for Olympics.

ilovethai wrote:

Kanako and Denis are competing at 4CC? I thought they might have wanted to skip in favor of preparing for Olympics.

I think skaters who've been chosen to go to the Olympics shouldn't compete at 4CC this year. They need to be in their best physical and mental condition, even if they may not have a chance of medalling. They could have sent younger skaters to 4CC. Is last year's 4CC the most competitive in its entire history? There were Mao, Kanako, Akiko, Zijun, Christina etc. I think Mao is one of a few top skaters who take 4CC seriously. She brought more prestige and publicity to an event which has traditionally been regarded as inferior to the European Championships and been ignored in favor of Worlds.

pearlyriver wrote:

ilovethai wrote:

Kanako and Denis are competing at 4CC? I thought they might have wanted to skip in favor of preparing for Olympics.

I think skaters who've been chosen to go to the Olympics shouldn't compete at 4CC this year. They need to be in their best physical and mental condition, even if they may not have a chance of medalling. They could have sent younger skaters to 4CC. Is last year's 4CC the most competitive in its entire history? There were Mao, Kanako, Akiko, Zijun, Christina etc. I think Mao is one of a few top skaters who take 4CC seriously. She brought more prestige and publicity to an event which has traditionally been regarded as inferior to the European Championships and been ignored in favor of Worlds.

In Kanako's case, it's obviously that she will not take part in the team event. Other considerations also include: 1. Kanako recently changed her SP, and the program has not yet been skated to in any international competition this season; 2. her current world standing is at 11th, so she can definitely use some more points to promote her ranking (though it will totally depends on her performances and I'm not sure how much advantage it will be).
In Denis' case, I'm guessing it's because he missed the GP events this season. IIRC, Denis was in some B-events, but has not yet participated in any major competition either?

Actually, Denis' participating in 4CC may not be as bad, since KAZ is not taking part in team event. I'm more wondering about how the Team China will be strategizing and arranging their single skaters for the team event, as Han Yan, and either or both Kexin or/and Zijun will have to attend the team event.

Denis competed at Cup of China this season. I agree with him competing at 4CC to refine his programs and building momentum for the Olympic, but I'm still worried about Kanako and team China attending 4CC. Actually, I think Zijun definitely needs to compete at 4CC to get more used to her new body.

Competitions will start tomorrow!

News:
- Kanako arrives in Taipei:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/140120/oth14012022330032-n1.htm
It is reported that Kanako's foot/feet is hurting, due to change of skates (!) She's in ok condition. Yamada coach says they've once considered withdrawing, but decided to go on with the competition as it might change Kanako's WS.
- photos of practices: including Taka, Kanako, Haruka, and Satoko
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/photos/140121/oth14012117220011-p5.htm

Another interesting news (got from twitter): Mirai has her ISU bio updated. It's a surprise to see that her current coach has been changed to -- Takashi Mura (Yap! Mura's father!!)
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00010220.htm

Sorry to hear about Kanako's ankle.     I wish her quick recovery.

So will Mirai be based in Okayama in the future? I hope she will keep competing and make a team for the 2018 Olympics.  Shizuka missed SLC in 2002 before she won OGM in 2006.  Mirai will then be 24 or 25, right? She's too good to retire before it.

linglang wrote:

Sorry to hear about Kanako's ankle.     I wish her quick recovery.

So will Mirai be based in Okayama in the future? I hope she will keep competing and make a team for the 2018 Olympics.  Shizuka missed SLC in 2002 before she won OGM in 2006.  Mirai will then be 24 or 25, right? She's too good to retire before it.

Sorry for being dense, but what is SLC?   I hope Mira's new coaching choice will work for her.   

Helchan kindly shares this video of Zijun's practice. http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjU2MDI2Mjk2.html

I'm so happy for her.

pearlyriver wrote:

linglang wrote:

Sorry to hear about Kanako's ankle.     I wish her quick recovery.

So will Mirai be based in Okayama in the future? I hope she will keep competing and make a team for the 2018 Olympics.  Shizuka missed SLC in 2002 before she won OGM in 2006.  Mirai will then be 24 or 25, right? She's too good to retire before it.

Sorry for being dense, but what is SLC?   I hope Mira's new coaching choice will work for her.   

Salt Lake City, we often use it as reference to SLC Olympic Games in 2002.

COHK wrote:

Competitions will start tomorrow!

News:
- Kanako arrives in Taipei:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/140120/oth14012022330032-n1.htm
It is reported that Kanako's foot/feet is hurting, due to change of skates (!) She's in ok condition. Yamada coach says they've once considered withdrawing, but decided to go on with the competition as it might change Kanako's WS.
- photos of practices: including Taka, Kanako, Haruka, and Satoko
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/photos/140121/oth14012117220011-p5.htm

Another interesting news (got from twitter): Mirai has her ISU bio updated. It's a surprise to see that her current coach has been changed to -- Takashi Mura (Yap! Mura's father!!)
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00010220.htm

What's going on with all these boots problems? So many skaters  have problems with their boots this season.    I hope she'll be OK, she has Sochi to think about.

I'm so happy for Mirai finding a coach. I hope she'll kick some major butt here at 4CC, and especially next season, and shove it to USFSA (Pat St. something) faces.   

Does this mean she's moving to Japan?

zarinaballerina wrote:

What's going on with all these boots problems? So many skaters  have problems with their boots this season.    I hope she'll be OK, she has Sochi to think about.

I'm so happy for Mirai finding a coach. I hope she'll kick some major butt here at 4CC, and especially next season, and shove it to USFSA (Pat St. something) faces.   

Does this mean she's moving to Japan?

Does having a Japanese coach and being based in Japan mean that Mirai won't have anyone to politick for her? Could this worsen her chance of making the team? I think she's been more Japanese lately. She bowed more in KnC.   

zarinaballerina wrote:

COHK wrote:

Competitions will start tomorrow!

News:
- Kanako arrives in Taipei:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/140120/oth14012022330032-n1.htm
It is reported that Kanako's foot/feet is hurting, due to change of skates (!) She's in ok condition. Yamada coach says they've once considered withdrawing, but decided to go on with the competition as it might change Kanako's WS.
- photos of practices: including Taka, Kanako, Haruka, and Satoko
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/photos/140121/oth14012117220011-p5.htm

Another interesting news (got from twitter): Mirai has her ISU bio updated. It's a surprise to see that her current coach has been changed to -- Takashi Mura (Yap! Mura's father!!)
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00010220.htm

What's going on with all these boots problems? So many skaters  have problems with their boots this season.    I hope she'll be OK, she has Sochi to think about.

I'm so happy for Mirai finding a coach. I hope she'll kick some major butt here at 4CC, and especially next season, and shove it to USFSA (Pat St. something) faces.   

Does this mean she's moving to Japan?

I thought Mirai wasn't competing. I didn't see her name on the list in the previous page.

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

COHK wrote:

Competitions will start tomorrow!

News:
- Kanako arrives in Taipei:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/140120/oth14012022330032-n1.htm
It is reported that Kanako's foot/feet is hurting, due to change of skates (!) She's in ok condition. Yamada coach says they've once considered withdrawing, but decided to go on with the competition as it might change Kanako's WS.
- photos of practices: including Taka, Kanako, Haruka, and Satoko
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/photos/140121/oth14012117220011-p5.htm

Another interesting news (got from twitter): Mirai has her ISU bio updated. It's a surprise to see that her current coach has been changed to -- Takashi Mura (Yap! Mura's father!!)
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00010220.htm

What's going on with all these boots problems? So many skaters  have problems with their boots this season.    I hope she'll be OK, she has Sochi to think about.

I'm so happy for Mirai finding a coach. I hope she'll kick some major butt here at 4CC, and especially next season, and shove it to USFSA (Pat St. something) faces.   

Does this mean she's moving to Japan?

I thought Mirai wasn't competing. I didn't see her name on the list in the previous page.

Yes, she is.    Samantha Cesario, Courtney Hicks and Mirai Nagasu.

http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00028056.htm

MEN'S SHORT PROGRAM
1.Takahito MURA (JPN) - 84.21 
2.Richard DORNBUSH (USA) - 82.13 
3. Nan SONG (CHN) - 78.71
4. Takahiko KOZUKA (JPN) - 76.85
5. Denis TEN (KAZ) - 76.34 
6. Jeremy TEN (CAN) - 75.21
7. Joshua FARRIS (USA) - 74.85
8. Adam RIPPON (USA) - 72.90
9. Jinlin GUAN (CHN) - 71.06
10. Nam NGUYEN (CAN) - 68.17