Olympic figure skating team event -- men's and pairs' short programs

[bigboobedcanuck]

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?

Comments

[mander3_swish]

thanks for posting this! I missed the pairs but saw vid of pchiddy's skate earlier.
i can tell i'm not going to get a lot of work done this month...and super glad my boss is away next week so i stream the olympics to my heart's content.

PS have you been watching the Tessa and Scott show/documentary on W? I've been loving getting a look inside their preparations. the 2-part season finale is tonight...just in time for them to hit the ice in Sochi.

[bigboobedcanuck]

You're so welcome! I know, the Olympics are such a productivity killer!

I don't have cable, so my Mom has been PVRing Tessa and Scott's show. Going to visit the 'rents for the next week so we can watch the skating together, and will marathon the show as well. :D

[severina2001]

Thank you SO much for sharing these, there was no way I could've got up and watched and then worked tonight.

So Yuzuru Hanyu kicked ALL kinds of ass there. That was far and away the best program. Not only did he nail all the elements but he looked like he had fun doing it.

I have to disagree with you re: Chan vs Plushenko. I think Evgeni's footwork was *stellar*. Part of the problem for me with Chan's program was that his music didn't seem to fit his movements -- there is no flow, the program actually seems to fight the music. And also since the music is slow, Chan's footwork comes off as less intricate (at least to me.) Anyway, I think the scoring is right where it should be.

I think Jeremy Abbott has a similar problem re: music not matching movement. His program is just boring to me.

So is this just the new team program? Like do these guys have to do this all.over.again for the actual Men's medals, or are these scores for both individual medals *and* team medals?

Also. THIS --> As some of you know, I hate him with a

[bigboobedcanuck]

My pleasure! :)

Hanyu was fantastic. Fingers crossed he can do it again in the individual competition! So yes, these performances are soley for the team event. Most countries will likely swap out other skaters for the long programs to divide the load. It's completely separate from the normal individual events. But Plushenko will have to do the LP since Russia only qualified one man.

Yes, we will have to agree to disagree about Plushenko's footwork vs. Chan and Abbott, who are just so much more intricate and skilled. Plushenko's footwork is much easier, and he uses a lot of big arm movements to mask the fact that the blade work is pretty simple. But you obviously like his style, and to each their own! :)

And hee, we will never agree on Plushy, but at least we can laugh about it! :D

[snowmore]

I worked today, though snuck a look at online streaming through the lunch hour. I am hoping the team event will help all the skaters put any nerves/butterflies to rest as they get ready for their individual event.

So much talent in the men's field, but I do hope that Patrick will be the first Canadian man to win gold.

Thank goodness I read through the comments - mander3_swish reminded of the last two episodes of Tessa and Scott's docu.

Enjoy the competitions. I look forward to reading your thoughts throughout!

[bigboobedcanuck]

Hey! So nice to see you here. :)

I am hoping the team event will help all the skaters put any nerves/butterflies to rest as they get ready for their individual event.

Same! Except Plushenko. I hope he bombs the rest, lol.

I definitely want Patrick to win. Or at least skate his best, and the chips fall where they may. If he's his best, Hanyu should be the only person who could beat him. I'm going to be a nervous wreck!

[snowmore]

*waves*

I had heard after Russian nationals that Plushenko is only doing the team event. I hope that hasn't changes.

I took next Thursday and Friday off from work to watch skating. I'm be anxious and nervous and hope I haven't jinxed Patrick, Tessa and Scott and the others competing those days. lol

Hard to believe four years have passed since Vancouver!

[bigboobedcanuck]

No, sadly he didn't understand the rules, and only one Russian man is qualified for these Games, so he has to do it all. Unless he's "injured" after the team event, so Maxim Kovtun, the alternate, can compete. *knocks on wood* But if not, it's all Plushenko. :/

I know, I'm so anxious! I was pacing around and knocking on wood like a maniac. I'm going to visit my parents so much mom and I can watch most of it together.

It really is hard to believe four years have gone by so quickly!

[qafaddiction]

I actually loved Plushy's routine! His hand gestures were captivating and precise, and I really enjoyed watching him. I normally am not a big fan of how serious he can be, but I think a lot of that is cultural and he has shown he can be funny and have a good time too.

I just find it weird to be watching this stuff before the opening ceremonies have aired.

[bigboobedcanuck]

Glad you enjoyed it! I just...yeah, I detest him, lol. For so many reasons, but chiefly I just don't like his skating. But to each their own! :)

It is weird to have competition before the opening ceremony! Too many events to squeeze in.

[mech_bull]

Full disclaimer: I'm not a fan of skating. I only watch it (and only then, occasionally) during the Olympics. But, long story short, I've hated (and loved to hate) Plushenko for years, so I'm glad to see I'm not alone in that.

I really liked the pairs from Canada. Also please explain to me the difference between pairs and ice dance.

In conclusion: YAY WINTER OLYMPICS THEY'RE THE BEST!

[bigboobedcanuck]

You are most definitly not alone in that! I have hated him for his entire career, WHICH WILL APPARENTLY NEVER END. We will all be dead of old age and he will be landing quads. And he will have a mullet

[mech_bull]

Yes, that helps! Thanks!