Triple Axel no jutsu

Patinage Magazine 02/2020 has an article about Shoma, Yuzu and the next Japanese generation (think that means Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato)

Yuzuru refers to Shoma as a wall, Shoma doesn’t agree

at the press conference after Japanese nationals 2019 (I don’t actually know what Shoma was saying here but I mean this is definitely it right)

+ bonus happy faces

Rika Kihira, International Angel of Peace || 4CC 2020

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) becomes the first mens’ single skater to achieve a Career Grand Super Slam. This consists of winning all major titles at both the junior and senior level. Yuzuru was the JGPF Champion in 2009, Junior World Champion in 2010, GPF Champion in 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016, Olympic Champion in 2014 & 2018, World Champion in 2014 & 2017, and, Four Continents Champion in 2020.

4CC is the only valid competition 😌

Alright since the US Nationals and Europeans are this weekend, I’m likely not going to do a full recap on the Grand Prix Final. It’s been a month and it would just be silly at this point. So here are some notes on it for completeness sake.

The ladies played out more or less how I imagined it would. I was hoping it would be Alena Kostornaia that took the gold but it was always going to be the three Baby Russians.

I’m surprised Tennell finished 5th, so good for her. She did better than I thought. I will say I like her new dress.

My heart breaks for Alina Zagitova. That was a disaster and I’m wondering if now that she’s withdrawn from the season, if we’ll even see her compete again. I would imagine that if she does, she’ll do like Evengia and go for a new coach.

The men’s competition was a blast.

Probably not the competition Hanyu wanted, he had a lot of mistakes. But damn if the ‘rivalry’ between him and Nathan isn’t freaking fun. My respect for this man continues to grow.

KEVIN freaking AYMOZ! What a fall he’s had! And now he’s a favorite for Europeans! Yay!

I’m glad to see Boyang Jin continue to improve.

Alexander Samarin’s long program continues to scare me.

And some quick figure skating news from the last month:

Shoma Uno has officially signed on with Stephane Lambiel as his coach and I couldn’t be happier. They look like a great team together.

Shoma also won the Japanese Nationals! What a recovery from his lowest low in the Grand Prix. Congratulations, Shoma!

I’m extremely disappointed in the news about Sylvia Fontaine and John Zimmerman. They should have protected the girl. There’s just no excuse.

Gracie Gold will skate at Nationals. I can’t wait to see how she does.

Origin 2.0 is so gorgeous 😭😭