Cup of China: Men's Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Yi Wang (CHN)
  Music: Peer Gynt Suite

• My feed started a little late
• He looks a little reckless, flailing a lot
• I don't think he's conditioned enough to keep up with the music
• Very good effort though in trying to keep up with the music
• That was a pretty rough program, not going to even lie at all
• 29.40 (TES) + 28.85 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 57.25

2) Sergei Voronov (RUS)
  Music: Yablochko

• These Russian guys are all over the place, this should be interesting
• This music is much more intense and heavy than I though; I was expecting something whimsical
• Ooo we have our first Quad combo!
• 3a wild in the air, but catlike on the landing
• This music in the footwork section is wild and his movements match...but not in a good way I'm afraid
• Very bent leg on that last spin, don't do the catch foot if you can't straighten the knee 
• 39.44 (TES) + 34.14 (PCS) = 73.58

3) Jinlin Guan (CHN)
  Music: Danse Macabre

• I already like how theatrical this is from the start
• I love his asymmetrical hair cut already
• Unfortunate fall right away, I was getting interested in this program
• Big time 3A, he really uses the music well
• I like the choreography and composition of the program
• He has some nice qualities to his skating, but the jumps aren't happening today for him
• He seems to be concentrating really hard, he needs to let himself go
• Some of these movements are very Weir-esque
• 25.86 (TES) + 31.11 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 55.97

4) Nan Song (CHN)
  Music: The Middle East Side

• I like this choice of music for him, very nuanced
• Unfortunate fall from such a skilled jumper
• Huge 3A to recover, very tight rotation
• His spins have improved, still on the wild side, but better
• He's losing me in the footwork, I liked the music at the beginning, but now it's not holding my interest
• 39.53 (TES) + 32.22 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 70.86

5) Kevin Reynolds (CAN)
  Music: Chambermaid Swing

• He fell hard on that opening jump
• For somebody so skilled at landing Quads, he's struggled a lot the last 2 seasons
• Very wobbly 3A
• I still don't like this choreography, even after a 2nd year
• Advertisements came up in the middle of my feed, so I missed the 2nd half 
• 36.48 (TES) + 34.39 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 68.87

6) Brian Joubert (FRA)
  Music: Genesis & Aerodynamic

• Yay, please do great!
• He looks stunning in that all black number with the sheer and metallic accents
• He makes it look so easy, he's been doing this for so long
• I love this program, it's classic Brian
• The speed and smoothness is wonderful
• He reminds me so much of Yagudin, even more so now that he's older
• This program has too many throw away moments for IJS, but the step sequence is thrilling 
• 27.20 (TES) + 36.07 (PCS) = 63.27

7) Adam Rippon (USA)
  Music: Nessun Dorma

• Yay Adam, please be awesome!
• This costume is very simple, let's see if it works
• That is a very Todd Eldredge opening pose
• I love that we start with that beautiful laid out camel
• I see we borrowed the Denney/Coughlin Nessun Dorma remix
• Oh man, rough splayed out fall on the 3A, and it looked so solid going up!
• Very tight combo, good air positions
• He excels at the in-between moments
• His strength is in putting a full, complete program out there for us
• Very hard lean on the landing of the Rippon lutz, but he held it up
• This version works for him because he keeps it simple so it doesn't go to the Punk Rock Prom Queen place that Caydee Denney took it too
• Regardless of that fall on the 3A this should still score well due to the program composition, steps, and spins
• Not sure I love that ending, it was a little abrupt and could stand to be smoothed out
•  (TES) + (PCS) =

8) Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
  Music: F. U. Y. A.

•  (TES) + (PCS) =

9) Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)
  Music: Rock n' Roll Medley

•  (TES) + (PCS) =

Cup of China: Mens Preview

This is a tough event to call. Other than Takahashi, nobody stands out as a true podium favorite so it will certainly be an exciting one to watch! I will be in school during the short program, but I'll be up in the middle of the night to call the free skate!

Former World Champion Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) is the clear favorite to take Gold here. I live for his originality and performance quality. He is getting up there in years and before long he won't be able to jump the way he used to. Let's enjoy him in competition while it lasts and then he can ride off into the sunset, hopefully after winning Gold in 2014. They may be a romantic idea, but this is my blog so what I say goes! I cannot wait to see his new programs, especially the rock and roll short.

I'm going to choose with my heart here and say Adam Rippon (USA) can win the silver. He's changed coaches yet again, so let's pray that he's finally found what he's looking for with Rafael Arutunian. The short to Nessun Dorma is a very typical program choice for Adam, but The Incredibles as a free skate should be an interesting break. I want him to find the mental toughness to match the beauty that he has on the ice in time for Sochi in 2014. This is a critical year for him.

Nan Song (CHN) was the breakout star of the 2011-2012 season and Cup of China is where he reached his first podium of the season. I foresee that happening again here. He is such an athlete but his free is to Romeo and Juliet, so perhaps he's working on bringing out a softer side.

Brian Joubert (FRA) is another interesting case. He withdrew from the GP last season due to injury, but he did place 4th at Worlds and 1st at a small International this season. He has been around for so long and I know that deep down he's holding out for his Olympic medal in 2014, but I just don't know if it will happen. This is a crucial year for him. What I'm most excited for....did he hang onto The Matrix?

My Podium Prediction:
Gold: Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)
Silver: Adam Rippon (USA)
Bronze: Nan Song (CHN)

The Rest of the Field:
Kevin Reynolds (CAN)
Jinlin Guan (CHN)
Yi Wang (CHN)
Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
Sergei Voronov (RUS)

2012 European Figure Skating Championships: Men's Short Program Results

Plushenko's Short Program

Qual.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Q	Artur GACHINSKI	RUS	84.80	45.91		38.89	7.86	7.50	7.82	7.75	7.96	0.00	#25
2	Q	Evgeni PLUSHENKO	RUS	84.71	42.21		42.50	8.64	7.86	8.71	8.43	8.86	0.00	#4
3	Q	Tomas VERNER	CZE	81.14	42.39		38.75	8.00	7.43	7.75	7.68	7.89	0.00	#21
4	Q	Javier FERNANDEZ	ESP	80.11	40.83		39.28	7.89	7.64	7.93	7.82	8.00	0.00	#20
5	Q	Florent AMODIO	FRA	78.48	39.87		38.61	7.86	7.50	7.82	7.61	7.82	0.00	#23
6	Q	Michal BREZINA	CZE	76.13	37.91		39.22	7.89	7.54	7.82	7.93	8.04	1.00	#18
7	Q	Kevin VAN DER PERREN	BEL	71.05	37.50		34.55	7.04	6.57	7.04	6.86	7.04	1.00	#28
8	Q	Jorik HENDRICKX	BEL	68.98	36.73		32.25	6.64	6.18	6.50	6.36	6.57	0.00	#24
9	Q	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	68.33	36.29		32.04	6.54	6.11	6.46	6.32	6.61	0.00	#27
10	Q	Brian JOUBERT	FRA	67.92	31.07		38.85	7.96	7.39	7.82	7.75	7.93	2.00	#22
11	Q	Samuel CONTESTI	ITA	66.86	31.36		36.50	7.50	7.07	7.18	7.36	7.39	1.00	#26
12	Q	Chafik BESSEGHIER	FRA	63.12	35.97		28.15	5.75	5.36	5.79	5.54	5.71	1.00	#16
13	Q	Peter LIEBERS	GER	61.08	29.40		31.68	6.36	6.21	6.32	6.36	6.43	0.00	#19
14	Q	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	60.88	30.74		30.14	6.25	5.61	6.21	5.93	6.14	0.00	#17
15	Q	Zoltan KELEMEN	ROU	60.12	34.94		26.18	5.50	4.89	5.32	5.11	5.36	1.00	#8
16	Q	Kim LUCINE	MON	57.64	30.91		26.73	5.29	5.11	5.54	5.29	5.50	0.00	#15
17	Q	Paolo BACCHINI	ITA	55.77	26.20		30.57	6.21	5.89	6.04	6.14	6.29	1.00	#29
18	Q	Justus STRID	DEN	54.71	29.09		25.62	5.18	4.75	5.29	5.04	5.36	0.00	#10
19	Q	Alexei BYCHENKO	ISR	54.69	28.76		25.93	5.29	4.89	5.32	5.14	5.29	0.00	#9
20	Q	Maciej CIEPLUCHA	POL	54.17	29.41		24.76	5.07	4.61	5.11	4.86	5.11	0.00	#6
21	Q	Viktor PFEIFER	AUT	53.58	27.83		26.75	5.57	5.04	5.46	5.25	5.43	1.00	#11
22	Q	Viktor ROMANENKOV	EST	52.24	28.63		23.61	5.04	4.46	4.79	4.68	4.64	0.00	#14
23	Q	Paul FENTZ	GER	51.74	26.64		25.10	5.25	4.82	4.96	4.96	5.11	0.00	#7
24	Q	Dmitri IGNATENKO	UKR	51.61	29.04		22.57	4.71	4.14	4.54	4.64	4.54	0.00	#5
25		Jason THOMPSON	GBR	51.42	29.67		21.75	4.57	4.07	4.43	4.36	4.32	0.00	#1
26		Pavel KASKA	CZE	51.34	24.99		26.35	5.39	5.00	5.46	5.18	5.32	0.00	#13
27		Vitali LUCHANOK	BLR	48.32	24.31		24.01	5.11	4.54	4.82	4.79	4.75	0.00	#12
28		Slavik HAYRAPETYAN	ARM	45.75	23.40		22.35	4.54	4.21	4.64	4.39	4.57	0.00	#2
29		Ali DEMIRBOGA	TUR	45.54	24.08		21.46	4.46	4.04	4.25	4.32	4.39	0.00	#3

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Trophee Eric Bompard Men's Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Romain Ponsart (FRA)
     Music:

• This is my first time seeing Romain and I'm excited!
• Very nice 4t!
• Stumble out of the triple axel, hands down, very splayed out on the ice
• Popped the 3rd jump to a single, he didn't do a combination unless I missed it on the 1st jump
• He is a very theatrical skater and this music suits him so well
• He is so expressive and so passionate, especially in this step sequence
• Even with those jumping errors, he is a joy to watch
• I'd like to see him relax his upper body a little more to move more fluidly through some of his positions
• Very abrupt ending, if you've been reading me  you know I hate that

SP Score: 23.36 (TES) + 27.67 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 50.03

2) Chafik Besseghier (FRA)
     Music: Artsakh

• He reminds me of a mini Florent, both in looks and in style
• Took the first jump to the knee, but almost made it look intentional rather than like a fall
• Huge height and power in the triple axel, but again hand down and almost to the knee
• And we have a pop, these young Frenchmen are struggling to jump today
• He has so much energy and power through this program, but I would love to see more expression on his face

SP Score: 19.14 (TES) + 27.29 (PCS) = 46.43

3) Nan Song (CHN)
     Music: Requiem for a Dream

• This program was amazing at Cup of China, let's see if he's carried that momentum here
• 4t-3t, looked so easy for him
• He has that catlike ability to land almost anything, even if it looks awful in the air
• Huge triple axel
• Everything he does on the ice is huge
• Really low landing on the triple lutz
• He is really throwing everything he has in him into this footwork
• If he does this in the free, he may be up on the podium again!
• I hate that "butt out" spin position 
• What a short program, he laid down the gauntlet for the 2nd group of men
• He is a special talent, if he worked with a dance teacher and a top choreographer, her could really contend for medals

SP Score: 44.92 (TES) + 31.61 (PCS) = 76.53

4) Kevin Reynolds (CAN)
     Music: Chambermaid Swing

• Kevin is a little more stylish this year
• Both jumps of that opening 4s-3t looked two-footed to me
• He struggled on that axel, was that even a triple?
• I loved those steps into that triple lutz
• This choreography is a bit strange for me, I get that he's trying to show he can perform and not just jump, but this is just a bit odd for me
• Good short program outing for him overall

SP Score: 32.57 (TES) + 32.99 (PCS) = 65.56

5) Alexander Majorov (SWE)
     Music: Soul Bossa Nova

• Oh Austin Powers
• Triple axel, hand down
• This costume is very bizarre, but it fits the music at least
• I missed the jump but saw the fall, I think that was a triple axel?
• His programs still look very junior-ish to me
• That was a very abrupt ending in the music and in the choreography
• He has a lot of maturing to do

SP Score: 32.45 (TES) + 30.67 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 62.12

6) Florent Amodio (FRA)
     Music: Summertime, Jumpin Jack

• Big 3a
• He looks really comfortable over his legs today, opposite of Skate America
• Could those pants get any tighter
• Mr. Gershwin would roll over in his grave if he heard his music in combination with Jumpin Jack
• I hate that in every program, he stands at the end of the rink and gestures wildly before going into his footwork, it is the equivalent of a runner starting a spring from the blocks
• A little tight on some of the jumps, but he'll be happy with that home performance

SP Score: 36.11 (TES) + 35.31 (PCS) = 71.42

7) Adam Rippon (USA)
     Music: Korobushko by Bond

• In this costume I feel he should be skating to Trepak from Nutcracker
• Rippon lutz! I miss that at every competition he's not in
• Very low landing on the triple axel, needed more flow in the exit edge
• Very stiffled 3F-3t
• He is landing the jumps, but they look rushed today,  two-foots here and there
• He didnt' have the technical package of Song, but that was a more complete program with stronger spins, more elaborate footwork, and better performance quality

SP Score: 36.42 (TES) + 36.54 (PCS) = 72.96

8) Nobunari Oda (JPN)
     Music: Memphis Soul Stew

• What happened to Nobu's jumps? No Quad, falling out, where has he gone?
• That shirt looks like a piece of art taken off the wall at MOMA
• He usually has such long gliding edges out of his jumps but everything looks so stiffled today
• He still has the softest knees in figure skating
• I love his sit spin variation!
• There was just no life to that program

SP Score: 27.52 (TES) + 36.43 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)= 62.95

9) Michal Brezina (CZE)
     Music: Best of Kodo

• I'm not a fan of re-using programs, I find it to be cheating
• Big 4t-but only a double toe
• Nice jumping overall today
• This choreography brings out the subtle nuances of the music quite well
• Very good execution of this short, but that tends to be easier when you are using last year's short
• His spins are quite slow, probably the weakest aspect of his skating

SP Score: 36.51 (TES) + 37.81 (PCS) = 74.32

10) Patrick Chan (CAN)
      Music: Take Five

• Again with last year's program, we've seen this program now like how many times?
•  Fall on the opening Quad toe, how do you botch a program you've been doing forever? Undertraining?
• Beautiful exit from the triple axel, he could have sat on that edge for a minute and not run out of speed
• Steps into 3F-3T, equally beautiful
• I like this music because it is in a difficult time signature and it forces the skater to really listen and skate into the music rather than over it
• He has such gorgeous swing on his free leg
• I hate that its recycled, but that's how you do a complete program

SP Score: 41.20 (TES) + 43.96 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 84.16

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Patrick CHAN	CAN	84.16	1
2	Nan SONG	CHN	76.53	2
3	Michal BREZINA	CZE	74.32	3
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	72.96	4
5	Florent AMODIO	FRA	71.42	5
6	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	65.56	6
7	Nobunari ODA	JPN	62.95	7
8	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	62.12	8
9	Romain PONSART	FRA	50.03	9
10	Chafik BESSEGHIER	FRA	46.43	10

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Patrick CHAN	CAN	84.16	41.20		43.96	8.96	8.64	8.61	8.93	8.82	1.00	#10
2	Nan SONG	CHN	76.53	44.92		31.61	6.54	5.86	6.57	6.32	6.32	0.00	#3
3	Michal BREZINA	CZE	74.32	36.51		37.81	7.64	7.18	7.71	7.64	7.64	0.00	#9
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	72.96	36.42		36.54	7.36	7.00	7.43	7.32	7.43	0.00	#7
5	Florent AMODIO	FRA	71.42	36.11		35.31	7.18	6.46	7.25	7.21	7.21	0.00	#6
6	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	65.56	32.57		32.99	6.57	6.39	6.64	6.64	6.75	0.00	#4
7	Nobunari ODA	JPN	62.95	27.52		36.43	7.75	7.04	7.21	7.25	7.18	1.00	#8
8	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	62.12	32.45		30.67	6.14	5.82	6.18	6.21	6.32	1.00	#5
9	Romain PONSART	FRA	50.03	23.36		27.67	5.96	4.96	5.57	5.50	5.68	1.00	#1
10	Chafik BESSEGHIER	FRA	46.43	19.14		27.29	5.68	5.11	5.46	5.61	5.43	0.00	#2

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of China Men's Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Jialiang Wu (CHN)
     Music: Poeta en el puerto

• Good triple-triple to start things off
• The Chinese Men have always been good jumpers, where he'll be lacking is in the components mark
• I really liked his music choice
• Sorry for the lack of commentary, my feed cut out mid-program

SP Score: 37.35 (TES) + 27.71 (PCS) = 65.06

2) Nan Song (CHN)
     Music: Requiem for a Dream

• NICE QUAD
• He too is a very strong jumper but will be lacking in the components mark
• This is a big day for the Chinese men, they don't get much international exposure
• Good effort on the footwork
• I hate that butt in the air spin
• The home crowd will love that!

SP Score: 41.38 (TES) + 31.34 (PCS) = 72.72

3) Richard Dornbush (USA)
     Music: The Fifth

• Come on Ricky (my mom loves him!)
• Ricky start, fall right off the top
• Hand down on the triple axel
• He had really awesome speed
• I appreciate that he is really going after the program, but he looks a little wild out there, there are times when you need to reign it in
• That being said I do like this program and he needs to find the appropriate intensity level, he'll get there by Nationals

SP Score: 31.50 (TES) +32.43  (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 62.93

4) Kevin Reynolds (CAN)
     Music: Chambermaid Swing

• Look for some big Quad action to come
• Nice toe-tapping footwork to start off
• 4s-3t like it was nothing
• His hair is too much for me, I just can't stop thinking of Frodo
• Wild turn out of the triple axel, tries to save it and does a few turns and puts a hand down
• I like that knee down entry into the triple lutz
• He has moments of performance, but slips in and out a lot
• His spins really hold him back, he'd do well to work with somebody like Lambiel or Buttle to teach him some artistry

SP Score: 31.36 (TES) +32.95  (PCS) = 64.31

5) Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)
     Music: Etude in D sharp minor patetico

• Only 16, a baby in Men's figure skating but so strong already
• I love this program
• 4toe!!
• Really nice triple axel, he has really good flow on the edges out of his jumps
• He looks like Johnny Weir out there in that donut spin in baby blue
• Huge 3f-3t
• Really beautiful footwork
• Good sit spin variations, I like the arms out at the sides
• He is really something special, he has a bit of polishing to do but I bet anything he'll be a World champ someday

SP Score: 44.93 (TES) + 36.44 (PCS) = 81.37

6) Jeremy Abbott (USA)
     Music: Bei mir bist du schoen, Swing Kids

• Nice opening choreography
• 3f-3t
• I hope we'll see a Quad later this season
• Solid triple axel
• I'm obsessed with the toe point in the sit spin!!
• I'm no fan of Benji Schwimmer but this is really good choreography, not a second is wasted
• Funky landing out of that triple lutz
• I like the costume too, it's understated

SP Score: 40.39 (TES) +38.93  (PCS) = 79.32

7) Artur Gachinski (RUS)
     Music: Saint Louis Blues

• Quad-triple, messy and slanted in the air just like his idol Plushenko
• That was a very ugly spread eagle into that triple axel
• That broken leg camel spin is horrendous looking, as is that wrapped sit spin
• I feel about this like I feel about a Plushenko program; good jumps, not much else happening

SP Score: 44.63 (TES) + 37.01 (PCS) = 81.64

8) Nobunari Oda (JPN)
      Music: Memphis Soul Stew

• Gigantic triple axel, he has the softest knees of any skater I've seen
• Nice big triple-triple
• But where is the Quad?
• Loved that little West Side Story jump!
• Triple flip
• He has the springiest legs I've ever seen, like Tigger
• Perfect technique on the jumps, and more performance than I'v seen from him in a while

SP Score: 39.68 (TES) + 37.97 (PCS) = 77.65

2011 Cup of China: Men's Preview

Can you believe we're approaching the 3rd Grand Prix event of the season already? If you live in the US, we'll be watching Cup of China in the wee hours of the morning but I'll be awake and live blogging every moment! The men will skate their short program at 6:45 a.m. EST on Friday November 4th and their free skate at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday November 5th. This Men's event is interesting because there are no front runners, but rather a mixed bag of young rising stars and more experienced skaters trying to revive their careers.

Jeremy Abbott (USA) is one of the skaters looking to revive his career this season after landing off the podium at US Nationals and failing to make the World team. He is a delicate skater in terms of the mental game and last year he struggled with his skate boots which threw off his preparation. He's solid with his boots this year and aims to add the Quad back into his programs, which he'll need in order to be competitive. Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) seems to be the next heir to the throne of Japanese Men's figure skating. He had a very strong start to his season, winning the Nebelhorn trophy even with some pretty major mistakes. He'll have to clean up his programs to medal here though. Nobunari Oda (JPN) is another skater looking to come back to top form this season after screwing himself out of a World medal last season. He has consistent Quads but he often loses major points for performing too many combinations in his free skate. He must learn to stick to his programs or he'll find himself off the podium again. Artur Gachinski (RUS) is the reigning World bronze medalist. He's aiming to prove his win wasn't a fluke. He does have a good Quad, but he lacks artistry. He looks like a mini-Plushenko, but I hope he'll work toward finding his own identity as a skater.  Richard Dornbush (USA) had a rough debut this season at Skate America. He placed 4th but he made many errors and he'll have to keep those to a minimum as this field is much stronger. He's such a crowd pleaser, but I don't know if that will translate to the Chinese crowd. Kevin Reynolds (CAN) could play spoiler with his strong Quads, but he usually fails to put together two strong programs in the same competition. Brian Joubert's (FRA) was scheduled to compete but has withdrawn as of 11/1 due to back problems.

My Podium Picks:
1) Jeremy Abbott (USA)
2) Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)
3) Nobunari Oda (JPN)


Competitive History:


Jeremy Abbott (USA)-3rd at 2011 Four Continents, 3rd at 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 2nd at 2010 NHK Trophy, 4th at 2009 Grand Prix Final; PB: 237.72 at 2009 GPF


Richard Dornbush (USA)-4th at 2011 Skate America, 9th 2011 Worlds, 1st 2010 Junior Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 JGP Germany, 4th 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 222.42 at 2011 Worlds


Artur Gachinski (RUS)-3rd at 2011 Worlds, 5th at 2011 Europeans, 6th at 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 7th at 2010 Skate Canada, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 1st 2010 Finlandia Trophy; 241.86 at 2011 Worlds


Jinlin Guan (CHN)-6th 2011 Four Continents, 4th 2011 Winter Universiade, 8th 2010 Cup of China; PB:201.98 at 2011 Four Continents


Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)-1st 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 7th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 4th 2010 NHK Trophy; 228.01 at 2011 Four Continents


Nobunari Oda (JPN)-6th 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Winter Universiade, 2nd 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 Skate Canada; 244.56 at 2006 NHK Trophy


Kevin Reynolds (CAN)-7th at 2011 Skate America, 20th 2011 Worlds, 11th 2011 Europeans, 4th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 218.62 at 2010 Skate Canada


Nan Song (CHN)-22nd 2011 Worlds, 9th 2011 Four Continents, 3rd 2011 Asian Winter Games, 6th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 10th 2010 Skate America; PB: 209.68 at 2010 Four Continents


Jialiang Wu (CHN)-8th 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2011 Asian Winter Games, 10th 2010 Cup of China, 7th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 203.60 at 2010 Four Continents

2011 World Figure Skating Championships: Mens Free Skate Live Blog

1) Paolo Bacchini (ITA)

 Music: Cirque du Soleil

• I love the commitment to the character of the piece right off the bat
• A little slow in the entry to the axel, slightly shaky landing
• Very tilted in the air, pops his combination
• He looks anxious and unsettled out there, he needs to calm down and find his timing
• I'd like him to use more of his torso in this footwork sequence, not just his arms and legs
• I like the arrangement of this music, it has good lulls and climaxes, very high drama
• His jumps are still tilted in the air; he has doubled quite a few of his triples
• Its a shame he wasn't able to relax into this program and find his groove
• He seems very proud of this effort so I'm happy for him

 FS Score: 64.87 (TES) + 59.30 (PCS) - (DED) = 124.17

 Total Event Score: 58.96 (SP) + 124.17 (FS) = 183.13

2) Kim Lucine (MON)

 Music: Singin In The Rain

• Fall on opening triple axle attempt
• He is very in character for this piece, though I don't know that he'll compare to Verner in my mind
• His footwork is very whimsical and true to the theme, but I'd like to see more intricacy and speed to up the level
• After that fall, he looks very settled and has done some nice combinations and triples, including 3F-3T and a nice 3Z
• This costume is very drab for me, I'd like a splash of color since this is such a theatrical piece of music
• I'm glad to see him doing a hydroblade move, that is often a forgotten move
• He has good speed on his spins and has kept up his energy throughout the entire program
• A clean program after that initial fall

 FS Score: 58.56 (TES) + 55.56 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 113.12

 Total Event Score: 58.81 (SP) + 113.12 (FS) = 171.93

3) Nan Song (CHN)

 Music: Yellow River Concerto

• Song has some huge jumps so get ready for that
• Right off the top, he's showing some nice speed
• Popped his opening 4t attempt
• Turned out of the 3a
• Hand down
• This program could be choreographed much better; a lot of the musical nuances are not being used
• I'd love to see him be more expressive in the soft, lyrical section of the music
• Very tilted in the air, couldn't control the landing after getting huge height on that triple
• He could really benefit from some dance and acting training because I can tell he is trying to be expressive, and I respect that, but he just needs to learn how
• He is having some highs and lows in this programs, but he is really a fighter
• I would love to see a much lower position in the final sit spin; it also seemed to travel a lot, at least from my angle

 FS Score: 58.81 (TES) + 54.40 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 112.31

 Total Event Score: 63.78 (SP) + 112.31 (FS) = 176.09

4) Jorik Hendrickx (BEL)

 Music: Flamenco/Tango

• Very solid opening triple-triple
• He just does a 2a, which I'm happy to see clean over a messy 3a
• He has very good speed and energy, I hope he has the stamina to maintain it throughout the program
• Very nice speed in this footwork sequence, I'd like to see him get a bit deeper into his knees for more level variation
• He does a nice job of using his arms and upper body for expression
• Nice triple loop with a double toe (Rippon-style) tacked on
• He has some very nice spins with good deep low positions
• So far the energy and speed have stayed high
• His concentration and focus seem to really be on today
• Another Rippon-style toe tacked onto a three-jump combination
• If he would use his head a little more, his step sequence would be even better
• The broken camel position was a bit awkward entering into the final donut spin
• Very strong, very clean program from Jorik, very happy for him

 FS Score: 68.06 (TES) + 59.42 (PCS) - (DED) = 127.50

 Total Event Score: 60.74 (SP) + 127.50 (FS) = 188.24

5) Kevin Reynolds (CAN)

 Music: Johann Strauss Medley

• Fall on opening 4s; he seems to struggle a lot with consistency this season
• Fall on 4t
• Wow poor Kevin is really struggling so far with 2 falls and hands down on the 3a
• This music does not suit him at all in my opinion
• A clean 3l; that will hopefully get him back on track
• I have to wonder if Kevin is sick or injured because he does not seem himself at all

 FS Score: 63.65 (TES) + 62.22 (PCS) - 3.00 (DED) = 122.87

 Total Event Score: 64.36 (SP) + 122.87 (FS) = 187.23 

6) Joey Russell (CAN)

 Music: Don Juan de Marco

• He has great speed 
• That 3z attempt never really got of the ground; missed the combination
• He has lost a great deal of speed after that fall 
• He is really starting to run out of steam mid-way through
• I was really hoping he could rise to the occasion after Reynolds' poor free skate
• He has some very nice attack on the step sequence, good incorporation of his upper body and good overall choreography

 FS Score: 50.62 (TES) + 58.42 (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 107.04

 Total Event Score: 61.69 (SP) + 107.04 (FS) = 168.73 

7) Javier Fernandez (ESP)

 Music: Pirates of the Caribbean

• I love this program so I hope he'll do it well today
• Huge 4T, 4S and 3A in the opening section, very high and clean
• I love that he uses his whole body in this footwork and it fits the character of the piece
• This is the best program I've ever seen to this music (in my opinion)
• Sad down on the second jump of that 3-3 combo
• His jumps are very close to the boards, scary close
• That sash hanging across my body would annoy the crap out of me
• If he put the quad in his short program, he could be in the later groups 
• Great effort from Javier, but finished after the music

 FS Score: 84.32 (TES) + 65.78 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 149.10

 Total Event Score: 69.19 (SP) + 149.10 (FS) = 218.26

8) Kevin Van Der Perren (BEL)

 Music: Reflections of Earth

• I like that he knows his style and what he'll do well so he always chooses these strong, very masculine pieces of music
• Huge 4T to open
• I love watching him jump because he spots the way that dancers spot pirouettes
• Popped open his second quad, no idea why because it was very strong
• There was a clean 3A
• That spiral position was very weak, no idea why it was even in the program
• He just popped the opening of his three jump combination
• I have no idea why somebody so strong in jumping would pop them
• He botches that flying spin a bit and really loses speed
• I'd like to see him hang onto that hydroblade position and ride the curve a little longer
• Not the skate he wanted for his last worlds

 FS Score: 67.34 (TES) + 61.42 (PCS) - (DED) = 128.76

 Total Event Score: 68.34 (SP) + 128.76 (FS) = 197.10

9) Anton Kovalevski (UKR)

 Music: Stazione di Palermo

• He has some very fast spins and some really unique variations, particularly in arm positions
• He looks very focused, I can see the concentration on his face
• He has that Plushenko-esque flailing thing going on
• This is a good example of sacrificing the beauty of a spin in order to achieve a higher level with position variation

 FS Score: 69.48 (TES) + 67.00 (PCS) - (DED) = 136.48

 Total Event Score: 65.16 (SP) + 136.48 (FS) = 201.64

10) Peter Liebers (GER)

 Music: Sherlock Holmes

• I'm glad he and Dornbush aren't in the same group, both with Sherlock Holmes Free SKates
• Good opening combo, second jump a little shaky, but landed nonetheless
• Nice big triple axel
• I love the wally jump entrance into triples, I think that is an underused choreographic choice
• So far, this is not at what the level of what we'll see from Dornbush
• The jumps are clean, but I'm not seeing much in the way of artistic interpretation or expression
• This is a very flat program for me

 FS Score: 73.94 (TES) + 63.92 (PCS) - (DED) = 137.86

 Total Event Score: 67.73 (SP) + 137.86 (FS) = 205.59

11) Ross Miner (USA)

 Music: As Time Goes By

• This was gorgeous at US Nationals and let's hope he can do that again
• I love that he starts with his footwork sequence as opposed to a jump just to get his feet under him and his timing correct
• Huge 3a combo from Ross 
• What a great start
• 3z-3t combo is equally strong and on a great musical climax
• I really enjoy the choreography of this program
• Another giant triple axel from Ross
• The hardest part of this program is done, now he just needs to keep going in the same way
• He reminds me of a Todd Eldredge style skater
• What he lacks in the quad, he should make up for in positive GOE on his triples
• This program has a great elegance to it
• Nice three jump combination
• This is going to be an amazing experience for Ross and I expect that it will give him confidence and we'll start seeing him medal at Grand Prix events next season
• This is the best skate Ross could have asked for in his first trip to senior worlds!

 FS Score: 78.75 (TES) + 68.78 (PCS) - (DED) = 147.53

 Total Event Score: 70.40 (SP) + 147.53 (FS) = 217.93

12) Samuel Contesti (ITA)

 Music: Sikuriadas/Wara Bolivian/Cacharapaya

• Clean start so far
• I am not loving this music, and the costume is too over the top and distracting
• He is very tall for a skater, which unfortunately makes it more noticeable when his jumps are titlted in the air
• He is landing these jumps, but they are not pretty

 FS Score: 63.53 (TES) + 68.28 (PCS) - (DED) = 131.81

 Total Event Score: 64.59 (SP) + 131.81 (FS) = 196.40

13) Brian Joubert (FRA)

 Music: Symphony No. 9

• 4T right off the bat, beautifully landed
• His connecting elements are just that, a way of connecting the dots between elements
• Nice 3A combination
• His footwork looks very simple to me
• I feel like he is just going through the motions and not committing to the style
• He was always better, in my opinion when he chose stronger pieces of music like The Matrix, etc as opposed to this softer, more lyrical style
• I hate how he virtually stopped before going into his straight line step sequence
• He finished way before his music and just showboated the last 10 seconds

 FS Score: 80.80 (TES) + 75.58 (PCS) - (DED) = 156.38

 Total Event Score: 71.29 (SP) + 156.38 (FS) = 227.67

14) Tomas Verner (CZE)

 Music: Michael Jackson Medley

• Fall on opening jump; he's been struggling here
• This costume has changed about 4 times this season
• Off-beat clapping from the audience has to be a distraction
• I like this Michael Jackson program much more than Amodio's
• The "smile" section is very beautiful
• Two-footed and under-rotated triple axel
• These are definitely not the programs he wanted for worlds

 FS Score: 65.85 (TES) + 76.08 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 140.93

 Total Event Score: 75.94 (SP) + 140.93 (FS) = 216.87

15) Richard Dornbush (USA)

 Music: Sherlock Holmes

• This choreography is fantastic
• Get it Ricky!
• Nice 3F to start off
• Very low landing on the 3A but landed nonetheless
• Nice 3z
• He almost lost it on that camel spin, but saved it
• This is looking a little unpolished, but it actually kind of fits the character of the piece
• Much better 3A this time, and this one in combination
• Nice 3-jump combination with a Rippon tacked onto the end
• This is a very solid performance for him; he is a good interpreter of this music
• This footwork sequence is where he really lights it up
• He is going to be a force to be reckoned with once he gets that quad up to par

 FS Score: 78.24 (TES) + 73.64 (PCS) - (DED) = 151.88

 Total Event Score: 70.74 (SP) + 151.88 (FS) = 222.42

16) Michal Brezina (CZE)

 Music: An American In Paris

• Nice 3A and quad
• I love the energy of this program; very whimsical and lighthearted
• He has an odd way of really turning it on in the big competitions
• Oops one fall there
• Another fall, he is kind of letting this slip through his fingers
• I hope I didnt jinx him by saying he is a clutch player

 FS Score: 83.19 (TES) + 74.92 (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 156.11

 Total Event Score: 77.50 (SP) + 156.11 (FS) = 233.61

17) Ryan Bradley (USA)

 Music: Amadeus

• I'm more nervous for him than anyone
• Nice 4T to open
• He needs to build up some more speed
• Didn't have enough glide out of the 4T, tacked on what looked like a 1T
• He really needs to work on his speed going into these jumps
• Triple axel
• I like some of his sit spin variations
• Let's see how the judges like this comic routine
• Nice 3z
• Landing was a little forward on the second 3a
• He is landing everything, but a lot of these jumps aren't pretty
• I can't get a read on him, he looks somewhat pleased

 FS Score: 72.74 (TES) + 69.52 (PCS) - (DED) = 142.26

 Total Event Score: 70.45 (SP) + 142.26 (FS) = 212.71

18) Denis Ten (KAZ)

 Music: Totentanz

• Fall on the opening 3a
• I wasn't confident that he could match his short program with a great free
• I can see Frank Carroll's work has already helped him to improve by a lot
• Fall on second triple axel, this jump seems to be his biggest demon
• I do appreciate the lyrical quality of his skating and his lovely flow across the ice
• I like the almost upside down variation on the camel spin

 FS Score:69.94 71.05 (TES) +  (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 138.99

 Total Event Score: 71.00 (SP) + 138.99 (FS) = 209.99

19) Patrick Chan (CAN)

 Music: Phantasia

• He looks calm off the bat
• Nice 4T to open 
• 4T-3T and he makes it look as easy as pie
• 3z
• This is really just a phenomenal program and I'll be sad to see it go after this season
• I love that hitch kick at the beginning of the program and then the repeat later on
• This program is just so easy to watch
• Step out of the 3A but no hands down or anything of that nature
• I love that he does the wally
• The spread eagle when that music picks back up is just such a beautiful moment
• And I'm now in tears, damn it Patrick
• Love the second hitch kick
• Final combination spin, and he has to know he has won it

 FS Score: 96.44 (TES) + 91.52 (PCS) - (DED) = 187.96

 Total Event Score: 93.02 (SP) + 187.96 (FS) = 280.98

20) Nobunari Oda (JPN)

 Music: Piano Concerto 1&2 by Grieg

• Huge jumps from Oda, I hope he counts his combinations
• I wish he had a free skat that he could attack more and show off his athleticism
• He is doing a remarkable job for what he had to follow
• I would very much like to see him win a medal
• This is the best I've seen him do this free skate all season

 FS Score: 72.75 (TES) + 78.44 (PCS) - (DED) = 150.69

 Total Event Score: 81.81 (SP) + 150.69 (FS) = 232.50

21) Artur Gachinski (RUS)

 Music: The Bolt

• 
  

 FS Score: (TES) + (PCS) - (DED) =

 Total Event Score: 78.34 (SP) + (FS) = 

22) Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)

 Music: Invierno Portento

• 
  

 FS Score: (TES) + (PCS) - (DED) =

 Total Event Score: 80.25 (SP) + (FS) = 

23) Takahiko Kozuka (JPN)

 Music: Piano Concerto No. 1 by Liszt

• 
  

 FS Score: (TES) + (PCS) - (DED) =

 Total Event Score: 77.62 (SP) + (FS) = 

24) Florent Amodio (FRA)

 Music: Broken/Apologize/Imma Be/Gonna Be Startin Something

• 
  

 FS Score: (TES) + (PCS) - (DED) =

 Total Event Score: 77.64 (SP) + (FS) =