Olympic figure skating team event -- men's and pairs' short programs
Olympic competition has begun! These are the times I'm so happy I work from home. :D Results, videos, pics and my ramblings under the cut.
ETA: CBC vids are apparently geoblocked. Sorry! So annoying. Perhaps there's a solution here?
As expected, Russia and Canada are neck and neck in the overall standings.
Men
1. Yuzuru Hanyu. He has declared himself the man to beat for gold in the individual event. He is a ROCK STAR, and I adore this program, choreographed by Canadian Jeffrey Buttle. It's sassy and fun, and he nailed it. So happy for him!
2. Evgeni Plushenko. SIGH. As some of you know, I hate him with a passion. But he is a fierce competitor, and arguably the most consistent jumper the sport has ever seen. This is his fourth Olympics as a podium contender. That is absolutely amazing. AND UGH, I HATE HIS SMUG FACE SO MUCH. He is all jumps, and then posing and shitty spins. He has always been overscored, and that continues here. He's improved from Russian Nationals, but I will just never like his skating. And to quote alexandral: "Surely not Plushenko again? How old is he? Even my mother hates Plushenko." And "He has to go. Surely I saw some nice young Russians somewhere on the news. But, I am all about Japanese guys this time."
3. Patrick Chan. It wasn't a disaster by any means -- double on the end of the quad instead of triple, and a step out of the triple Axel. It was still a lovely skate. I think his skating skills (the edges, the transitions, the spins and footwork) should have had him ahead of Plushenko, but this is Russia, so. I'm really hoping this will chase away the nerves and light a fire in Patrick to go out there and nail it when it (really) counts.
7. Oh, Jeremy Abbott. Please, please let this be the last disappointing skate of your career. Falling on the quad was one thing, but popping the Axel? Oy vey. That was tough to watch. I hope in the individual event it will be like a do-over and he will nail it.
Pairs
1. Volosozhar/Trankov. The class of the field, as expected. I enjoy this short program, although I've rarely loved any of their programs. They're so exquisite, and I wish I liked their material more. Alas. But look at that split triple twist! Yowsa. Best in the world, and they are adorable, and they adore each other and I just want to draw fangirly hearts around them forever.
2. Duhamel/Radford. Yay, Canada! This was such a lovely skate from Meagan and Eric! So proud of them. They are the only pair in the world that does triple Lutzes. After the scores she said, "That was freaking awesome!" And it was! With Meagan, there is never a filter, and I love her for it.
3. Peng/Zhang. You might remember Hao Zhang from the 2006 Olympics with his former partner, Dan Zhang (no relation). She had a terrible fall on the quad throw, and they had to take an injury time out, and went on to win silver. Dan retired a couple of years ago, and Hao now has a young new partner. Their first season, the age difference was really jarring, but she's a much more confident skater now. His rat tail is still jarring. :/ They are not the top Chinese team (that would be the soon-to-retire veterans Pang/Tong), but Peng/Zhang are contenders for a top five finish in the pairs event with a very outside shot at the bronze. The question going into the next quadrennial is how long can Zhang last until his body gives out, but as Jian Tong can attest, the Chinese federation will keep him on the ice as long as humanly possible.
Thoughts? Feelings? Let me hear 'em!
ETA: CBC vids are apparently geoblocked. Sorry! So annoying. Perhaps there's a solution here?
As expected, Russia and Canada are neck and neck in the overall standings.
Men
1. Yuzuru Hanyu. He has declared himself the man to beat for gold in the individual event. He is a ROCK STAR, and I adore this program, choreographed by Canadian Jeffrey Buttle. It's sassy and fun, and he nailed it. So happy for him!
Click to view2. Evgeni Plushenko. SIGH. As some of you know, I hate him with a passion. But he is a fierce competitor, and arguably the most consistent jumper the sport has ever seen. This is his fourth Olympics as a podium contender. That is absolutely amazing. AND UGH, I HATE HIS SMUG FACE SO MUCH. He is all jumps, and then posing and shitty spins. He has always been overscored, and that continues here. He's improved from Russian Nationals, but I will just never like his skating. And to quote alexandral: "Surely not Plushenko again? How old is he? Even my mother hates Plushenko." And "He has to go. Surely I saw some nice young Russians somewhere on the news. But, I am all about Japanese guys this time."
3. Patrick Chan. It wasn't a disaster by any means -- double on the end of the quad instead of triple, and a step out of the triple Axel. It was still a lovely skate. I think his skating skills (the edges, the transitions, the spins and footwork) should have had him ahead of Plushenko, but this is Russia, so. I'm really hoping this will chase away the nerves and light a fire in Patrick to go out there and nail it when it (really) counts.
7. Oh, Jeremy Abbott. Please, please let this be the last disappointing skate of your career. Falling on the quad was one thing, but popping the Axel? Oy vey. That was tough to watch. I hope in the individual event it will be like a do-over and he will nail it.
Pairs
1. Volosozhar/Trankov. The class of the field, as expected. I enjoy this short program, although I've rarely loved any of their programs. They're so exquisite, and I wish I liked their material more. Alas. But look at that split triple twist! Yowsa. Best in the world, and they are adorable, and they adore each other and I just want to draw fangirly hearts around them forever.
2. Duhamel/Radford. Yay, Canada! This was such a lovely skate from Meagan and Eric! So proud of them. They are the only pair in the world that does triple Lutzes. After the scores she said, "That was freaking awesome!" And it was! With Meagan, there is never a filter, and I love her for it.
3. Peng/Zhang. You might remember Hao Zhang from the 2006 Olympics with his former partner, Dan Zhang (no relation). She had a terrible fall on the quad throw, and they had to take an injury time out, and went on to win silver. Dan retired a couple of years ago, and Hao now has a young new partner. Their first season, the age difference was really jarring, but she's a much more confident skater now. His rat tail is still jarring. :/ They are not the top Chinese team (that would be the soon-to-retire veterans Pang/Tong), but Peng/Zhang are contenders for a top five finish in the pairs event with a very outside shot at the bronze. The question going into the next quadrennial is how long can Zhang last until his body gives out, but as Jian Tong can attest, the Chinese federation will keep him on the ice as long as humanly possible.
Thoughts? Feelings? Let me hear 'em!