SKATE AMERICA 2014: Mens Preview

The Skate America Mens event is shaping up to be a great battle. We have an interesting mix of veteran skaters like Ten and Abbott, skaters approaching their prime in Brown and Machida, and last year's junior world medalists Nguyen, and Pitkeev. I'm having a really hard time trying to predict the results, but I will do my best!

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
Silver: Jason Brown (USA)
Bronze: Nam Nguyen (CAN)

Tatsuki Machida (JPN) has been gradually improving in recent years, but last year he really stepped it up. He won Skate America and Rostelecom Cup. He finished an impressive 5th at the Olympics and won silver at worlds. He is a skater that starts off the season strong. He has all the goods and most importantly, is entertaining to watch. I look for him to defend his Skate America title.

Jason Brown (USA) is America's sweetheart and last year about this time was when he began his steady climb to Sochi. He is still working on the advanced jump content, but he has everything else, plus that X-factor that can't be quantified. I don't look for him to be perfect here, but I think he will lay down the ground work for a strong season. He will be well trained, having already won Nebelhorn, while others may not be quite tuned up in competitive shape yet.

Nam Nguyen (CAN) could be the next big thing. He was the junior world champ in 2014 and finished a respectable 12th on the senior level. With Patrick Chan's skating future uncertain, Nam will be Canada's best hope in the mens event moving forward. The past few years we have seen the young ladies make much stronger senior Grand Prix debuts, but I think Nam will be ready to go. Skate America tends to be a messy event, particularly in the mens event with the early season quad and triple axel attempts, so the most prepared will make the podium.

The Rest of the Field:
Jorik Hendrickx (BEL)-9th at 2014 Europeans, 16th at 2014 Olympics, 17th at 2014 Worlds
Chafik Besseghier (FRA)-12th at 2014 Europeans, 9th at 2014 Olympics, 3rd at 2014 Challenge Cup
Alexei Bychenko (ISR)-10th at 2014 Europeans, 21st at 2014 Olympics, 15th at 2014 Worlds, 7th at 2014 Nebelhorn, 5th at 2014 Finlandia
Denis Ten (KAZ)-4th at 2014 Four Continents, 3rd at 2014 Olympics
Michael Christian Martinez (PHI)-19th at 2014 Olympics, 1st at 2014 Triglav Trophy, 6th at 2014 Lombardia Trophy
Artur Gachinski (RUS)-8th at 2013 Skate America, 6th at 2013 Cup of Russia
Adian Pitkeev (RUS)-2nd at 2014 World Juniors, 3rd at 2014 Trophy Lombardia
Jeremy Abbott (USA)-12th at 2014 Olympics, 5th at 2014 Worlds
Douglas Razzano (USA)-2nd at 2014 International Challenge Cup, 4th at 2014 US International Challenge

2012 Skate Canada: Mens Preview

Patrick Chan (CAN) looks to take back his Skate Canada title after Javier Fernandez won last season. He is going with Rachmaninov for the short and Vivaldi for the free...trying to win over those Europeans eh? Patrick is literally on thin ice with the skating fans this season for multiple reasons. Aside from his many off-color comments in the press, many people believe that he was undeserving of the World title over Denis Ten last season. He needs to clean up his skating this season and put together perfect programs in order for skating fans to believe that he is deserving of Gold in Sochi.

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) is one of our favorite skaters. He has the artistic soul of Johnny Weir and Sasha Cohen, but unfortunately he also has their competitive mentality. He does well on the Grand Prix, however, and luckily for him, he earns extremely high PCS marks and levels so he can absorb a few small mistakes and still earn high scores overall. I want to see him put together a full season this year and earn the Olympic medal that he truly deserves. I cannot wait to see his interpretation of Rota's Romeo & Juliet and Parisian Walkways made famous by our own Lang & Tchernyshev.

Jeremy Abbott (USA) is a sentimental favorite for me to make the Sochi team. His Vancouver trip was disappointing and unfortunately, the last quad has been a roller coaster for him. He only went to Worlds 2 of the last 4 seasons, finishing 5th in 2010 and 8th in 2012. He has everything he needs to make an Olympic podium, but he has to catch lightning in a bottle and put them all together in 2 programs. I'm so thrilled that he is revisiting Muse, because his previous Muse program was fantastic and his best of the quad. He will face competition at home, but I strongly believe that if he goes clean, he will make it to Sochi. That road starts here and there's no reason he can't medal here. I actually think it will be good for him to face two of the best in the world here. Why not meet the competition face to face early on?


My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Patrick Chan (CAN)
Silver: Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)
Bronze: Jeremy Abbott (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Elladj Balde (CAN)
Andrei Rogozine (CAN)
Michal Brezina (CZE)
Takahito Mura (JPN)
Nobunari Oda (JPN)
Joshua Farris (USA)
Ross Miner (USA)

Skate America: Mens Preview

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) is the lovechild of Daisuke Takahashi & Johnny Weir and this is going to be his breakout season. He is really the only person on the scene who has the big technical elements and actual unique artistry. I hope he sweeps every event this year.

Jeremy Abbott (USA) is one of my great loves of figure skating but he makes me too nervous when he competes. I want so badly for him not to be scared anymore and to light it up on the ice. He should do us all a favor and let his inner diva shine because that Patrick Chan-esque attempt at keeping all the emotion inside ain't working for me.

I had such high hopes for Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) after his World medal in 2011. His confidence took a nosedive last season, but maybe now that Hanyu is coming into his own as on one of the favorites, maybe Taka won't feel so much pressure. I love his clean style and I hope he makes a comeback.

Michal Brezina (CZE) is an oddball whom I've never particularly enjoyed. I'm sure he is a lovely young man, but I don't particularly enjoy his skating. He always looks rushed and never finishes his movements. I'd like to see some attempt at style before I give him my "Barbie Seal of Approval."

Douglas Razzano (USA) could be the surprise medalist of the bunch. He is a beautiful lyrical skater who also has a good quad. If he does his best, I sincerely believe he will be on the podium. I believe that he has a beautiful spirit and I am pulling for him to have a breakout season.

Podium Predictions:
Gold: Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)
Silver: Jeremy Abbott (USA)
Bronze: Douglas Razzano (USA)

The Rest of the Field:
Tomas Verner (CZE)
Tatsuki Machida (JPN)
Konstantin Menshov (RUS)
Alexander Majorov (SWE)
Armin Mahbanoozadeh (USA)

2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Men's Preview

With the recent dominance of Patrick Chan, this event is seemingly the easiest to predict, but it wouldn't be the wonderful world of figure skating if things were predictable. The men skate their short Friday March 29th at 7:30 am and their free Saturday March 30th at 7:55 am EST.

Podium Predictions
1) Patrick Chan (CAN)
2) Daisuke Takahashi (JPN)
3) Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)


The Top Contenders


Patrick Chan (CAN) has been dominant for the past two seasons and he seems poised to take a 2nd consecutive World title. It would take an epic meltdown for him to lose his title.

Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) is a sentimental favorite and a true artist, but I think his best years may be behind him. Even with his beautiful dance quality, he had no hope of beating Chan unless he can put multiple Quads into his programs. He does, however, have a fantastic shot at the podium if he's clean.

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) has only an outside chance at the podium but for some reason I think he'll do it. He's streaky, but has beautiful jumps and a Quad when he's on. The Johnny Weir fan in me loves his artistry and wants him to do well. I think he's the Japanese hope of the future and has a great shot looking toward Sochi.

Jeremy Abbott (USA) has had a tumultuous career and this may just be his year to strike it big at Worlds. He has fantastic programs, a great Quad, and the new found confidence that he can beat Chan. If he adds the Quad to the short and the combo into the long, he could be in the running for Silver, but will need Chan to make mistakes if he wants Gold.

Takahiko Kozuka (JPN) is one of my favorites and he's the reigning World Silver medalist, but he's in a bit of a funk this year. He did win a Silver at NHK Trophy, but he didn't attend Four Continents so we haven't seen him in a while. If he brings his best stuff he could easily medal again, but he can't be timid as he's been all season.

In The Hunt


Artur Gachinski (RUS) is the reigning World Bronze medalist. He started out rough on the Grand Prix but he peaks late in the season as shown by his Silver medal at Europeans. It would've been Gold if Plushenko weren't there. He comes in as the best from Europe and that will carry some weight with the judges. I like this kid if he could just attempt to work at some artistry.

Javier Fernandez (ESP) was the surprise of the Grand Prix season and won Bronze at the final. Many expected him to win Europeans, but he only placed sixth. It seems when he hits the Quads, the triples fail him. If he could get it together and present the full package, he's a medal threat.


Adam Rippon (USA) is my favorite skater on the scene these days. I think he is about a year or two away from really peaking, but when he does, watch out World. Good news, that is right around the time of the Sochi Olympics. He is a gorgeous performer and once he gets that Quad Lutz (he's so close) he'll be dynamite. He finished fifth at his first senior Worlds in 2010 so if he could get back to that place, it would be a huge step in the right direction.


Florent Amodio (FRA) is fun to watch, but in my opinion, his brand of theatrics has no place in competition. His programs were not well received on the Grand Prix, but he did indeed pull a Bronze at Europeans so he's automatically in the medal picture.

Brian Joubert (FRA) is a great veteran and will be a sentimental favorite at home to take home another medal. He has been streaky his whole career and I think he's on the decline. Eighth at Europeans is not how you want to head into Worlds.

Michal Brezina (CZE) is all over the place but he usually peaks at Worlds. He does nothing for me personally, but with two Quads, he's immediately in the medal mix if he lands them. With two straight fourth places finishes, is he ready to medal at Worlds?

Tomas Verner (CZE) was a medal threat last season but he really fell off this year. He is a charming performer and I always enjoy watching him but he may not have the goods to compete at the top anymore.

Nan Song (CHN) emerged on the Grand Prix as a solid Quad jumper and picked up some medals to boot. He has little to no artistry, but he does try very hard. He had an unfortunate Four Continents, nearly passing out due to lack of oxygen, so let's hope he's better trained for this event and can shake off his last competition.

Kevin Reynolds (CAN) is a jumping machine with more Quads planned than anybody. If he can land them all fully rotated, he'll probably be in the top group but if not, well that's a different story and he's immediately out of the picture.

Kevin Van Der Perren (BEL) is in his final season on the way to a much deserved retirement. If he can hit, his technical content can get him huge points. I'd love to see him go all out and give us a great show. I'd be thrilled if he could place top-ten in his final Worlds.


The Rest Of The Field


Slavik Hayrapetyan (ARM)
Brendan Kerry (AUS)
Viktor Pfeifer (AUT)
Vitali Luchanok (BLR)
Damjan Ostojic (BIH)
Kevin Alves (BRA)
Manol Atanassov (BUL)
Jordan Ju (TPE)
Justus Strid (DEN)
Ari-Pekka Nurmenkari (FIN)
Peter Liebers (GER)
Luke Chilcott (GBR)
Harry Hau Yin Lee (HKG)
Marton Marko (HUN)
Alexei Bychenko (ISR)
Samuel Contesti (ITA)
Denis Ten (KAZ)
Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU)
Kim Lucine (MON)
Christopher Caluza (PHI)
Maciej Cieplucha (POL)
Min-Seok Kim (KOR)
Zoltan Kelemen (ROU)
Sergei Voronov (RUS)
Taras Rajec (SVK)
Javier Raya (ESP)
Laurent Alvarez (SUI)
Ali Demirboga (TUR)
Dmitri Ignatenko (UKR)
Misha Ge (UZB)

2012 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Men's Free Skate LIVE Coverage

1) Alexander Aiken
  Music:
  (TES) + (PCS)=
  49.05 (SP) + (FS) =

2) Daniel Raad
  Music:
  56.48 (TES) + 43.78 (PCS) = 100.26
  47.11 (SP) + 100.26 (FS) = 147.37

3) Richard Dornbush
  Music: Western Medley

• Is it just me or does he look super tall today?
• There we go, nice triple lutz
• Really smooth triple axel
• He's finally starting to hit a stride here
• I really like the acting in this program, very few people can sell a program like Ricky
• If only he could've done this program in the short, we'd be right in business
• Great finish, courageous skate

  71.42 (TES) + 78.58 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 149.00
  51.59 (SP) + 149.00 (FS) = 200.59

4) Wesley Campbell
  Music: The Mission

• This is our tall guy right here
• I kind of like that tunic, and brown is a nice change from black
• Nice 3-3 combo, a little wild on the second landing
• Hard fall on the 3a
• He is remarkable elegant for such a tall guy
• He really stretches through his legs and extends through the fingertips
• He really could up the level of expression and speed in this footwork sequence to match the drama in the music
• I really like the arrangement of this music

  61.73 (TES) + 60.28 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 121.01
  45.93 (SP) + 121.01 (FS) = 166.94

5) William Brewster
  Music:

• I wish this costume had some more pizzazz to it
• That triple axel just kind of stayed in one place
• 3lz-2t
• 3s-3t combination
• Spins are slow, he seems to be lacking energy here
• This whole costume looks like it was meant for a person larger than he is
• He could use some more conditioning, but he is on the right track and Jason and Yuka will help him greatly

  51.94 (TES) + 49.84 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 100.78
  55.70 (SP) + 100.78 (FS) = 166.48

6) Alexander Johnson
  Music: Gayane

• Regardless of how he jumps, this will be beautiful
• He pays so much attention to the subtleties, every finger, every head movement
• Singled the axel, not enough speed I think
• 3f-3t, that was a fight, but that's a great side to see from him
• He would be an amazing ballet dancer, he has the body and the hair, he'd be a fantastic Cavalier in Nutcracker
• His jumps are beautiful, and that gorgeous spiral
• Though the jumps are very nice, he doesn't even need them, everything else he does, he does so well
• Fantastic skate from Alex, way to recover and finish strong from that short

 69.92 (TES) + 71.58 (PCS)= 141.50
  57.73 (SP) + 141.50 (FS) =199.23

7) Scott Dyer
  Music:

• I like that he takes a totally different approach in his too programs, jazzy short and romantic free
• I like this costume, it's very soft and I like the detail
• He has a nice body carriage, very strong back, good fluidity in the upper body without being sloppy
• He is a very complete skater, nothing in this program is a weakness
• Gorgeous form in those jumps, nice and upright
• That was a fine skate from him, very good quality in that skate

  67.04 (TES) + 74.44 (PCS)= 141.48
  66.49 (SP) + 141.48 (FS) = 207.97

8) Joshua Farris
  Music: Rachmaninov

• I love him in romantic programs, so happy he changed it from the JGP
• He needs to focus, I hope he's not recalling last year's nationals
• Johnson and Farris back to back is like beauty upon beauty
• I had hoped this would be a break out Nationals for him, but alas he looks a little cautious
• No, just sat down that 3lz!
• He just doesn't seem to be fighting like I've seen him do in the past

  69.17 (TES) + 65.38 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 132.55
  65.43 (SP) + 132.55 (FS) = 197.98

9) Brandon Mroz
  Music: Carmen

• Come on Brandon, let's light it up her, I want to see some firepower
• Quad toe, fall
• Nice 3a-only a 2t on the end
• Double axel, I don't know if it was supposed to be a triple or not
• He looks very strong in this footwork, his posture has improved, but I still want him to attack it more
• Just let go and have fun and see what comes of it!
• Oh no, hands down, he's losing focus it seems
• Hands down again, he is just muscling these jumps too much and pitching forward
• He has no speed going into these jumps, it's all muscle power, nothing is flowing easily

  67.11 (TES) + 66.56 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 132.67
  67.47 (SP) + 132.67 (FS) = 200.14

10) Grant Hochstein
  Music:
  (TES) + (PCS)=
  67.89 (SP) + (FS) =

11) Jonathan Cassar
  Music:
  (TES) + (PCS)=
  67.86 (SP) + (FS) =

12) Jason Brown
  Music:

• I love this free skate and the costume, I love that everything is slightly gaudy
• He makes everything look easy, he is such a natural
• He exudes passion with every step
• I am loving this music right now
• He is a beautiful skater to watch, I loved him on the Jr. Grand Prix
• One little correction-watch the free arm in spins, sometimes it looks a little lifeless
• The flexibility is great, I bet he could almost do a Biellmann
• Really nice 3-3 combo, good job staying away from the boards
• I love his dance ability and his connection to the music
• So much of that step sequence is on one foot, the kid has such energy
• His study of music and piano aids him so much in the performance
• Trip on an easy step
• He's starting to lose it a little bit here, but that can't take away from what he had going
• I hate that he had that stupid little trip, totally sucked the wind out

  (TES) + (PCS) -3.00 (DED) = 133.48
  75.68 (SP) + 133.48 (FS) = 209.16

13) Douglas Razzano
  Music:

• He gets better and better at every competition
• He's such a quiet, calm skater
• He makes it all look so easy out there, he's in a zone, doing a phenomenal job
• Nothing flashy, just good, solid, clean skating

  (TES) + (PCS) = 150.80
  72.50 (SP) + (FS) = 223.38

14) Stephen Carriere
  Music: Swan Lake

• lots and lots of speed
• He really stepped up into that 3a, very good height
• He kind of looks like swan
• That fall on the 3a was so loud, with all that speed, it was a hard fall
• This program is so dramatic and intense
• Very ambitious program, not perfect execution, but so much passion and intensity

  (TES) + (PCS)= 141.59
  71.82 (SP) + 141.59 (FS) = 213.41

15) Max Aaron
  Music:

• I'm loving Max' jumpsuit, very fancy
• He still looks like a baby out there, but just wait until he skates
• This is a way more elegant program than you expect from him
• So much speed into that quad salchow, huge jump and huge crash
• Almost wipes out the triple axel, misses the combination
• He looks so dejected out there, it had to be heartbreaking not hitting that quad that's been so solid for him this season
• Wild, pitched landing, on that 3a
• Oy he's falling apart, he looks exhausted out there,why do Tom's skaters always look undertrained in big moments
• Good building blocks, he just needs to tie it all together

  (TES) + (PCS)= 135.14
  76.01 (SP) + 135.14 (FS) = 223.38

16) Ross Miner
  Music: The Untouchables

• Is this costume new, or have I never seen it in HD?
• Fantastic triple axel, such speed in and out
• Hard fall on that 3a, slipped on the landing 
• Looks like his pantstrap came undone, I hope that isn't a distraction
• He is skating so well so far, looks like that fall didn't affect him
• Good 3-2-2 combination
• He's sailing through this program, he's in a zone
• Time to sell this program
• He's looking like Rachael Flatt did at the end of her free skate, just a spectacular job

  75.62 (TES) + (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 151.42
   (SP) + 151.42 (FS) = 230.32

17) Keegan Messing
  Music: Pirates of the Caribbean 

• That 3a was gigantic
• Good decision to make that a 3t instead of a quad
• That squat spin was actually kind of cool
• 3-2-1 combination that looked like
• He just stopped to vogue at the judges, love it
• Stumble on the loop, I think he's muscling a lot here
• Jump, jump, jump, jump...that's awesome, but this is a crucial off-season to start adding some artistry and substance if he wants to make it to the Olympics

  (TES) + (PCS)= 135.81
   (SP) + (FS) = 212.47

18) Armin Mahbanoozadeh
  Music: Kill Bill

• UR Quad toe and a fall, but I appreciate that he's trying it
• I still don't like the costume, but it's an improvement
• Eeked out that 3a, don't know how he saved it!
• This costume is lacking in excitement for me, the music has nice ups and downs, but this is a little flat for me, performance-wise
• Strong finish after a little bit of a rough start

  (TES) + (PCS)=
   (SP) + (FS) =

19) Adam Rippon
  Music:
  (TES) + (PCS)=
   (SP) + (FS) =

20) Jeremy Abbott
  Music:
  (TES) + (PCS)=
   (SP) + (FS) =

2012 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Men's Short Program LIVE Coverage

1) Richard Dornbush
  Music: Symphony No. 5

• Skating really fast thus far
• Oh no, fall on the triple lutz, not a good start
• Popped the axel into a single, very hard way for him to start his Nationals
• Oh no, a single flip
• My heart goes out to him right now
• I like that he's still maintaining the intensity of performance
• Just not his day, but he'll have better ones, I'm sure of it

  19.73 (TES) + 32.86 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 51.59

2) Adam Rippon
  Music: Korobushko

• I hope he can pick up the energy in this room
• Beautiful 3f-3t combo, beautiful and easy
• Gorgeous triple axel
• He looks very quiet and calm
• I think it's impossible for him to hit a bad position
• Fantastic Rippon-Lutz, as per usual
• He is a little more firey tonight than I've seen him before
• He is really selling it in this step sequence, fantastic, good for him

44.08 (TES) + 38.86 (PCS) = 82.94

3) Scott Dyer
  Music: Sing, Sing, Sing

• Oh now, 3 sal was clean, but slipped on the 3 loop
• Very jazzy, good musicality here
• Double axel, not a triple like others here
• Nice stretch and flexibility in the spin
• Triple lutz, a lot of snow flying on that landing
• Good skills, good basics

  33.60 (TES) + 33.89 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 66.49

4) Alexander Johnson
  Music: O Mio Babbino Caro

• This is one of my favorite opera arias, a joy for any singer
• Only a double axel
• Chest slightly down on the triple flip landing, but mostly clean
• I love that he extends his energy the whole way through his fingertips
• Stumble out of that triple lutz, almost went into the boards
• I like that he throws his head back in those spins, he extends the body line well through that
• A bit of a botched camel, he well may lose credit for that
• I liked the soft quality of that program, but for a short program it wasn't clean enough

  25.33 (TES) + 32.40 (PCS) = 57.73

5) Alexander Aiken
  Music: Paint It Black

• Lots of energy going into that triple axel, under-rotated and a fall
• 3lz-3t, just squeaked that out
• He seems really anxious out there and uptight
• I can tell he really wants to get off the ice at this point
• Nice high split jump
• Nice start for his first year as a senior
• Paul Wylie sighting

  23.87 (TES) + 26.18 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 49.05

6) William Brewster
  Music:

• I'm loving this purple on him
• Really good 3s-3t, easy combo, but well executed
• 3lz
• 2a
• He's done everything that was asked of him, now he needs to sell it
• Good gentle flow, nothing seems forced or muscled
• I like the fierce little attitude going into the that step sequence
• Really nice subtleties, down to the head and hands movements

  30.37 (TES) + 25.33 (PCS) = 55.70

7) Ross Miner
  Music: Para Ti

• I love the costume, it's simple, but still has bling
• Really deep knees going into that 3A, great smooth landing
• He goes so fast and bakes it look easy, just gliding like nobody's business
• Wonky landing out of that combination, will lose some GOE marks, but landed it
• Lovely triple flip
• Fantastic speed in that spin sequence
• He's selling the choreography, that footwork will get a high level
• Aside from the funky landing, he'll be happy with that short
• He rose to the occasion in terms of laying down a clean short

  41.48 (TES) + 37.42 (PCS) = 78.90

8) Jonathan Cassar
  Music: Tango de Roxanne

• Great attack of this choreography
• 3lz-2t
• 2a out of an Ina Bauer
• He doesn't have the difficult jumps, but what he does is so beautiful
• He is a force out on the ice, he takes command
• Going all out in selling the spins and steps
• Exquisite spread eagle as well
• Fantastic "performance"

  33.40 (TES) + 34.46 (PCS) = 67.86

9) Wesley Campbell
  Music: Concierto D'Aranjuez

• Wow, that boy is as tall as a tight end, let's see how he skates tonight
• Very high wrap on that 1lz-2t combination
• Double axel
• His technical marks will suffer tonight because of that popped lutz
• He is remarkable good at getting into those knees for such a tall guy
• Very fast spins, especially in those crossing variations
• Not the best, but he got through

  18.07 (TES) + 27.86 (PCS) = 45.93

10) Daniel Raad
  Music: Kashmir

• I love the metallic and bling on that costume
• Terribly long lead-in, but really tight triple axel
• Triple flip-3 turn-3triple toe
• That smock kind of breaks up the lines in the spins as it flaps about
• Traveling quite a bit on the spins and losing speeds
• I think he's one of those "all jumps" guys, but they are huge
• Looked to have run out of energy by the time he hit that last jump

  26.76 (TES) + 21.35 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 47.11

11) Max Aaron
  Music: Assassin's Tango

• I'm loving the sparkles and the details on the back of his top
• Very subtle attention to detail on this opening choreography
• Quad sal! First quad of the night, made it look really easy, he was not phased at all
• A little wild in the air on that triple axel, but he reeled it in and landed
• The spins could be better, but we know he is more a jumper
• 3lz-3toe were very off in the air, but he pulled it out, he's a fighter that one
• All his landings are so quiet
• Good speed in this one-leg segment in the step sequence
• He's not flashy by any means, but he does the work and does it well

  42.76 (TES) + 33.25 (PCS) = 76.01

12) Grant Hochstein
  Music: Clair de Lune

• Fantastic use of the upper body, very expressive
• 3lz-3t
• Under-rotated the triple axel, he hung back a little too long, landed on crossed feet
• Beautiful triple loop, though not the more difficult triple flip we see from most of these men
• Really soft knees, great bend
• Beautiful spinning positions

 35.03 (TES) + 33.86 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 67.89

13) Brandon Mroz
  Music: Mack the Knife

• He's giving us a little face there at the beginning!
• Fall on the Quad toe, but it looked rotated so he'll get full credit
• Really low landing on that triple axel, good save, took a lot of strength to eek that out
• 3f-2t, looked so hard for him to pull out the landings
• It's unfortunate for it to go down like this, especially in a skater who has such fantastic jumps when he's on
• I think he gave up on it before he even took the ice, sad to see for such a talented guy

  34.43 (TES) + 34.04 (PCS) -1.00 (DED)= 67.47

14) Douglas Razzano
  Music: Piano Concerto No. 2

• I loved him last year, I hope that Doug shows up tonight
• Lovely speed into that 3A
• His expression is very subtle, like a refreshing breeze
• Unfortunate quad toe, looked fully rotated
• 3t-3t, not the difficulty of many skaters
• It's sad to see such a hard-working skater not reap the benefits of all of their work
• He's very regal, very proper on the ice

  39.17 (TES) + 34.33 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 72.50

15) Keegan Messing
  Music: Robin Hood

• This kid is such a character
• Ginormous triple axel
• He blew us away last season making the final group in the free
• 3lz-3toe, good saves
• His spins are so fast
• He reminds me so much of Kevin Van Der Perren
• Triple flip, no quad, come on Keegan!
• This is kind of a like a caricature of Robin Hood
• He is a wild skater, like he just throws everything like a bomb

  41.44 (TES) + 35.22 (PCS) = 76.66

16) Jason Brown
  Music: Grand Guignol

• Jason has this light about him, he and his coach have complimentary personalities
• Fantastic use of the whole body, so articulate and specific in his movements
• 3lz-3toe was crisp and clean
• I love the hand gestures in the spins, and just everywhere
• 3f-maybe a little two footed
• Fantastic stretch in the camel spin
• I'm loving this unitard
• He's fascinating, I feel like he has an artist's soul
• Love that high kick
• He will be a crowd pleaser for years to come

  39.29 (TES) + 36.39 (PCS) = 75.68

17) Jeremy Abbott
  Music: Swing

• I'm obsessed with those glittery suspenders
• Hate Benji Schwimmer, love this program
• Every ounce of this is so stylized
• Perfect 3f-3t, looked so calm
• Gorgeous triple axel, that was as smooth as they come
• That footwork really scuffs up some snow, but it adds to the effect
• Nobody acts like he does
• Steps right up into a triple lutz
• Jeremy is back!
• Little traveling and balance check on that scratch spin
• He is putting this on for the fans and himself, I feel like he's not even thinking of judges right now
• Fantastic!

  45.78 (TES) + 44.45 (PCS) = 90.23

18) Armin Mahbanoozadeh
  Music: Kashmir

• Made a coaching change, looking more confident
• Good 3a, 3f-3t
• He's ticking off the elements which is exactly what you want in a good short
• He is very calm tonight, very smooth and fast
• He uses the whole body well, and the arm movements actually mean something, it's not just flailing
• Fantastic improvement from him after a difficult GP series

  44.54 (TES) + 36.12 (PCS) = 80.66

19) Joshua Farris
  Music: Clair de Lune

• I died for him all Junior Grand Prix season, he was like a breath of fresh air
• Oh no, that was a very awkward landing on the triple axel
• He seems very tense tonight, usually he's so calm and smooth
• Oh no, he just tripped a little in footwork, he's just not the relaxed skater we saw all year
• Such beautiful lightness to those spins

  33.65 (TES) + 32.78 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 65.43

20) Stephen Carriere
  Music: La Vie en Rose

• This is a new approach to La Vie en Rose
• Gigantic 3a, but a stumble out
• Good 3a-3t combo
• He's almost a little too fast, seems out of control

  36.88 (TES) + 34.94 (PCS) = 71.82

Start No.	Name	Score
1	17	Jeremy Abbott, Detroit SC	90.23
2	2	Adam Rippon, SC of NY	82.94
3	18	Armin Mahbanoozadeh, WA FSC	80.66
4	7	Ross Miner, SC Of Boston	78.90
5	15	Keegan Messing, AK Assoc of Figure Skaters	76.66
6	11	Max Aaron, Broadmoor SC	76.01
7	16	Jason Brown, Skokie Valley SC	75.68
8	14	Douglas Razzano, Coyotes SC of AZ	72.50
9	20	Stephen Carriere, SC Of Boston	71.82
10	12	Grant Hochstein, St. Clair Shores FSC	67.89
11	8	Jonathan Cassar, All Year FSC	67.86
12	13	Brandon Mroz, Broadmoor SC	67.47
13	3	Scott Dyer, All Year FSC	66.49
14	19	Joshua Farris, Broadmoor SC	65.43
15	4	Alexander Johnson, Broadmoor SC	57.73
16	6	William Brewster, Detroit SC	55.70
17	1	Richard Dornbush, All Year FSC	51.59
18	5	Alexander Aiken, Atlanta FSC	49.05
19	10	Daniel Raad, FL Everblades FSC	47.11
20	9	Wesley Campbell, Colonial FSC	45.93