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FULL ANALYSIS of Yuzuru Hanyu’s Hope and Legacy (his 2016/2017 Free Program), the record-breaking performance at World Championship 2017.

This was written by Юлия Кривихина ORIGINAL ARTICLE IN RUSSIAN: http://ametist-95.livejournal.com/7210.html TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY FAIRUZA VAGIZOVA

Some abbreviations you should remember before reading the article

CW: clockwise CCW: counterclockwise L: Left (leg) R: Right (leg) O: Outside (edge) I: Inside (edge) B: Back F: Forward For example, LBO = Left backward outside, LBI = Left backward inside, LFO = Left forward outside, LFI = Left forward inside, RBO = Right backward outside, RBI = Right backward inside, RFO = Right forward outside, RFI = Right forward inside.

“He’s incredibly musical, you can’t really teach that. He steps out onto the ice and you look at him and forget everything – time, people around you, about those who have already skated. It’s just mind-boggling”. Stephan Lambiel, 2017 WC 

                   ———————-//———————-//———————-

“I had a feeling as if I’d turned into the wind, as if I were swimming in a river, a feeling of becoming one with nature. It was a kind of nice state. Every time I landed a jump I felt I was merging with nature”. © Yuzuru Hanyu, interviewed after the WC.                    ———————-//———————-//———————- Last weekend, Yuzuru Hanyu won his second world title. In his free program, he achieved something impossible by jumping from the fifth place after the short program to the top of the podium with new world records in the free program (TES 126.12 points and TSS 223.20 points)

Videos with English commentary CBC version with interview https://youtu.be/np-VKVO2XUY No commentary: http://dai.ly/x5gz0m7

Protocol

Yuzuru’s free program, Hope & Legacy, is based on a gorgeous Japanese style music by Joe Hisaishi made of two of his works Asian Dream Song and View of Silence. The piece was chosen by Yuzuru himself since he’s fond of it. Shay Lynn Bourne choreographed the program. 

“It (the music) has Japanese melodic line, the reflection of nature, wind, trees, water. I’d like to express these natural elements. In this respect, the program is also related to last year’s exhibition number “Requiem of Heaven and Earth. So I want to fill this free program with everything I’ve already experienced and to continue to raise it to a new level. 

“It’s a very sophisticated program set to piano and it hasn’t got the kind of showy and sharp parts the previous FP had. That’s why I want to guard and cherish what I express naturally from the bottom of my heart. It’ll be great if I can perform like that” © Yuzuru Hanyu, Ice Jewel magazine, Iss. 4, 21.10.2016

“When you surrender yourself to the power of Hisaishi’s piano music, you can feel the wind and trees, and fresh air and other natural phenomena. Sharing with everyone the world flowing out of your skate, creating a program that reaches out to the audience – these are the highest form of figure skating combining both athleticism and art in it” © Yuzuru Hanyu, Bungeishunjū 2017/02

The technical content: 4Lo, 4S, FCCoSp, StSq, 3F // 4S+3T, 4T, 3A+2T, 3A+1Lo+3S, FCSSp, ChSq, 3Lz, CCoSp.

The jump and non-jump elements are balanced and evenly distributed along the program and on the ice. 4Lo, 4S+3T, 3A+2T are executed on the left side on the rink (from the judges’ side), 4S, 4T, 3A+1/2lo+3S are done to the right of the judges. The solo triple jumps are executed closer to the long board opposite the judges: the flip is done on the left close to the rink center, the lutz on the right also close to the center. The first and the final combination spins are on the same line close to the center of the rink, change foot sit spin is in the right half. 

The program starts with a musical fragment from View of Silence. Lunge, chasse RBI/LBO, turn, chasse LFO/RFI, 3turn RFI, Mohawk RBO/LFO, chasse LFO/RFI/LFO, lunge while turning, 3turn RBI, 3turn RFO, chasse RBI/LBO, three crossovers, chasse RBI/LBO, roll LBO, change of edge LBO/LBI, chasse LBI/RBO. Mohawk RBO/LFO – chasse LFO/RFI – Mohawk RFI/LBI – chasse LBI/RBO – Mohawk RBO/LFO – cross roll LFO/RFO – chasse RFO/LFI – Mohawk LFI/RBI – change of edge RBI/RBO – cross roll RBO/LBO – 4Lo 

If you don’t enter it with a shuu, you won’t make the jump © (Notes: Yuzuru has his own words to describe a jump, shuu – up and close the body, then paa – down and open the body)

Brian Orser said that this jump has a special rhythm to it. 

The positive criteria of the jump execution: clear recognizable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; good flow from entry to exit; effortless throughout; element matched to the musical structure (steps preceding the jump and the jump itself fit musical accents). GOE criteria +2 (and more).

“Yuzuru doesn’t expend any excessive energy on his jumps. He just enters it at a good speed and – bam! – he jumps it”. © Nobunari Oda

Crossover, turn, curve movement, Mohawk RFI/LBI, chasse LBI/RBO, 3turn RBO, Mohawk RFI/LBI, change of edge LBI/LBO, chasse LBO/RBI/LBO, rocker LBO, change of edge LFO/LFI, Mohawk LFI/RBI, crossed step, chasse RBI/LBO, two crossovers. Choctaw LBO/RFI/LBO  - chasse LBO/RBI – Mohawk RBO/LFO – chasse LFO/RFI – Mohawk RFI/LBI – chasse LBI/RBO – 3turn RBO –mohawk RFI/LBI – 4S 

Positive criteria of the jump execution: clear recognisable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; good flow from entry to exit; good position at the landing; effortless throughout; element matched to the musical structure (Choctaw and Mohawk at the start of the element fit the piano chords to perfection, while the jump itself fits the beginning and the end of a musical phrase). GOE criteria +3. 

A beautiful posturing after the jump exit, turn and entry through a simple jump into the camel spin, combination spin FCCoSp.The spin difficulty features a difficult camel spin variation (layover), a difficult catch-foot variation (doughnut), a difficult sit spin variation (broken spin), a difficult upright spin variation ( Biellmann ). 

The spin includes all of the three basic positions (camel spin, sit spin and upright spin). For any change foot spin, the maximum number of features one can get for spinning on one leg is 2. The requirement is met (two positions are executed on the right foot, and two more on the left). 4 level spin. 

The positive criteria of the spin execution: good speed; ability to centre the spin quickly; balanced rotations in all positions; good control; element matched to the musical structure (the foot change fits the start of the new musical fragment Asian Dream Song, soft and fluent lowering of the leg and the arms after the Biellmann). GOE criteria +2. 

When exiting the spin Yuzuru does a beautiful pivot. The start of the step sequence (StSq) fits the beginning of the new musical phrase. 

Here is the video of his step sequence at World Championship 2017: https://youtu.be/JnPzMX5PhlM

The step sequence itself is done to the most peaceful and serene musical fragment. 

Chasse LFO/RFI/LFO, Choctaw LFO/RBI CCW, 3turn RBI CCW, chasse RFO/LFI, bracket LFI CCW, cross roll LBO/RBO/LBO, chasse LBO/RBI, turn CCW, Besti LBO-RFO with a beautiful movement of the torso and arms, chasse RFO/LFI, Choctaw LFI/RBO CCW, change of edge RBO/RBI, loop RBI CCW, turn CCW, rocker LFO CCW – counter LBO CCW – loop LFO CCW, chasse LFO/RFI, 3turn RFI CCW, posturing with beautiful arm and head movement to the musical accent, Mohawk RFO/LBO CCW, crossed chasse LBO/RBI, Ina Bauer RBI-LFI, chasse RBI/LBO, twizzle RBI CCW – rocker RBI CCW– counter RFI CCW – counter RBI CCW into a spread eagle on inside edges CCW, Mohawk RFO/LBO CCW, chasse LBO/RBI, turn RBI/LFO CCW, twizzle LFO CCW chasse LBI/RBO, jump CCW (RBO*L*RFI), bracket RFI CW, jump, chasse RBI/LBO, rocker LBO CW – bracket LFO CW – counter LBI CW, Mohawk LFI/RBI cw, chasse RBI/LBO, jump LBO/RBI, turn RBI/LFO CCW, chasse LFO/RFI, a beautiful curve RFI to the music, change of edge RFI/RFO, chasse RFO/LFI, Mohawk LFI/RBI CW, chasse RBI/LBO, roll LBO with a beautiful leg swing, Mohawk LBO/RFO CW

Step sequence diagram

Difficulty features of the step sequence: 1. The elements which count in: 2 clean Choctaws (both CW), 2 rockers (CW and CCW), 2 counters (CW and CCW), 2 twizzles (CW and CCW ), 2 loops (CWand CCW), 2 brackets (CW and CCW). They result in 12 difficult turns and steps (the minimum is 11 difficult turns and steps). The five types of difficult steps and turns (rocker, counter, twizzle, loop, bracket) are executed in both directions (clockwise and counterclockwise). The meets the requirement for the complexity criterion, the maximum 4 StSq level. 2. Rotation in either direction (to the right and to the left) with full body rotation (covering at least 1/3 of the pattern in total for each rotational direction) is present for more than 1/3  of the pattern in either direction). The feature is counted in. 3. Use of body movements for at least 1/3 of the whole pattern (the arms, head, hips and legs do a lot more than that). The feature is counted in. 4. Three different combinations of 3 difficult turn are executed (two on the left foot, one on the right foot). All the combinations during the step sequence are executed with a clear rhythm. To meet the requirement for complexity feature a skater has to do two different combinations including three difficult turns on both feet. The features count in.

This results in level 4 step sequence. Positive criteria of StSq execution: good energy and execution; good speed during the sequence; use of various steps during the sequence (Yuzuru uses all the difficult steps and turns, simple steps and turns and some skating elements); good control and commitment of the whole body (difficult turns are united into combinations the number of which exceeds the required); creativity and originality (some variations of steps and turns in difficult positions, for example, counter ending with a spread eagle); element enhances the musical structure (the musical accents fit the choreographic ones during the step sequence). GOE criteria +3.

“Just listen to the wind. Fear nothing.” ©

Chasse RFI/LFO, 3turn LFO, chasse LBI/RBO, turn, crossed chasse LFO/RFI, 3turn LFI, turn, cross roll RFO/LFO, counter LFI, change of edge LBI/LBO, crossed chasse LBO/RBI, turn and – bam – 3F with a 3turn LFO (with a raised arm) – 3turn LBI – 3turn LFO. 

Positive criteria of the jump execution: unexpected and difficult entry; clear recognisable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; creative (unusual) exit – twizzle RBO with arms aloft and a good position at the landing; effortless throughout; good flow from entry to exit; the jump matches the musical structure (the steps at the entry fit the music perfectly, the takeoff and the landing of the jump fit the accents of two musical notes). COE criteria +3 (and exceeding that)

“Hanyu can land a jump perfectly at the end of the musical phrase and step on his other leg at the beginning of the next note” © Judge Mayumi Kato, World Figure Skating magazine.

The second half of the program starts. Turn, 3turn LFO, chasse LBI/RBO, 3turn RBO, Mohawk RFI/LBI, a skating move with shoulder, arms and head movements, crossover. Posturing with a lunge on his left leg, chasse LBI/RBO, Mohawk RBO/LFO, 3turn LFO.

Catch the falling star… It’s an angel flying to the Earth

Crossover, turn, 3turn RFI, turn, 3turn LFO, chasse LBI/RBO, 3turn RBO, Mohawk RFI/LBI, chasse LBI/RBO, crossover, turn, chasse LFO/RFI, chasse RFI/LFO. The music is getting more powerful. Mohawk RFI/LBI – chasse LBI/RBO – 3turn RBO – Mohawk RFI/LBI – 4S+3T

Positive criteria of the combination execution: clear recognizable steps immediately preceding the jump; good distance and distance; good flow from entry to exit; a good extension on exit; effortless throughout; the jumps matches the musical structure (both jumps in the combination fit their own musical accent). GOE criteria +3 

Crossover, turn, 3turn LFO, chasse LBI/RBO, spread eagle RBO/LFO with a beautiful arm movement, 3turn LFO. Then a change of edge LBI/LBO, crossed chasse LBO/RBI, three crossovers. 3turn RBO – chasse RFI/LFO – Mohawk LFI/RBI – crossed chasse RBI/LBO, chasse LBI/RBO. 3turn RBO – Mohawk RFI/LBI – chasse LBI/RBO – turn – 3turn LFO – 4T

Positive criteria of the jump execution: clear recognizable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; good flow from entry to exit; good extension at the landing; effortless throughout; the jump matches the musical structure (the landing coincides with the end of the musical phrase). GOE criteria +3.

A new musical fragment of View of Silence starts. Turn, posturing with a beautiful arm and head movement, Mohawk LFI/RBI, crossed step, turn, 3turn RFO, chasse RBI/LBO, crossover, turn, rocker RFO, crossed chasse RBO/LBI. 3turn RBO – Mohawk RFI/LBI – chasse LBI/RBO – turn – 3A+2T 

Positive criteria of the jump combination execution: clear recognizable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; difficult variation in the air (Rippon when jumping the toe loop); good flow from entry to exit; matches the musical structure (both jumps in the combination fit their own musical accents). GOE criteria +3.

After the jump exit two jumps with a direction change, 3turn LFI, 3turn LFO, chasse LBI/RBO, two crossovers, 3turn RBO, chasse RFI/LFO, Mohawk LFI/RBI. 3turn RBI – 3turn RFO – change of edge RBI/RBO – turn – 3A+1Lo+3S 

Positive criteria of the combination execution: difficult entry (counter to the jump), clear recognisable steps immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; good flow from entry to exit; good extension at the landing and creative exit (spread eagle with arms movement), effortless throughout; the combination matches the musical structure (the takeoff and landing of the axel and triple salchow, as well as the entry into the spread eagle, fit musical accents). Turn and entry into a foot change sit spin FCSSp.

Spin difficulty features: difficult entry (Flying sit spin in the air or death drop); difficult sit spin variation (Cannonball/shoot-the-duck sit spin); difficult sip spin position (sit spin in a tucked position or pancake); at least 8 revolutions in difficult sit spin positions (pancake). For any change foot spin, the maximum number of features one can get for spinning on one leg is 2. The requirement is met (two positions are executed on the right foot, and two more on the left). 4 level spin.

Positive criteria of the spin execution: good speed; good centering; balanced rotations in all positions; originality (arm movements during the sit spin), good control throughout all phases; the spin matches the musical structure (the death drop fits with the change of musical tonality, the music grow ever quieter and calmer during the spin). GOE criteria +3. 

The music swells. Exit from the spin and the start of the choreographic sequence (ChSq) coincides with the beginning of the last musical fragment of the program:

Two progressive runs, Choctaw RFI/LBO, chasse LBO/RFI, jump CCW, lunge, Mohawk LFO/RBO, crossed chasse RBO/LBI, jump CW, chasse RFI/LFO, Mohawk LFO/RBO, crossed chasse RBO/LBI, turn cw, 3turn RFO, hydro blade spiral, lunge, chasse LFO/RFI, twizzle RFI CCW, spread eagle RFI-LBI, crossed chasse LBI/RBO, jump CW, 3turn LFI CW, crossed chasse LBO/RBI/LBO. Three crossovers, Ina Bauer with a musical arm movement, crossed chasse RBO/LBI.

Positive criteria of the choreographic sequence execution: good flow, energy, and execution; good speed and acceleration during the sequence; good clarity and precision; effortless throughout; matches the musical structure (arm movements in the spread eagle and Ina Bauer, for instance). GOE criteria +2/+3

*All the arm three movements in Ina Bauer fit the musical accents on a high note: ‘one’ – the arms soar up, ‘two’ – he extends his arms to the side, ‘three’ – he opens up his hands*

The tension grows, the Ina Bauer at the end of the program and the triple lutz following it culminate the program. 

Mohawk LBI/RFI – foot change – Mohawk LFI/RBI – change of edge RBI/RBO – cross roll RBO/LBO – 3Lz. 

Positive criteria of the jump execution: difficult entry (off the Ina Bauer of the choreographic sequence); clear recognizable step immediately preceding the jump; good height and distance; good flow from entry to exit; good extension at the landing (body and arms movement); effortless throughout; matches the musical structure. GOE criteria +3

Turn, 3turn RFI and entry into the final combination spin CCoSp. The difficulty features in the spin: difficult entry (traveling camel); change of edge in the camel spin (from inside to outside); foot change through a jump; difficult variation upright. The spins include all the basic spins (camel, sit spin and upright). Four features of difficulty are used. For any change foot spin, the maximum number of features one can get for spinning on one leg is 2. The requirement is met (two positions are executed on the left foot, and two more on the right). 4 level spin.

Positive criteria for the spin execution: good speed and acceleration; good centering; balanced rotations in all positions; good control throughout all phases; the spin matches the musical structure (with the foot change the music becomes quieter, its tonality changes, fluid arm movements in the sit spin). GOE criteria +2/+3.

Welcome to the Planet Hanyu. Population – one. Him ©

That’s Yuzuru Hanyu’s Hope & Legacy.

I’d like to finish my story about this wonderful program with Shay Lynn Bourne’s words from her interview to World Figure Skating Extra magazine

“This program is him. The hope which Yuzuru is and his legacy. Yuzuru Hanyu as an athlete who never stopped moving ahead, never gave up, who always believed, an athlete who continues to inspire young skaters and everyone who watches him is going to be a person who will leave his name in history, I believe that”.