#loquacious laz

I thought about how that one minute felt long, but the earthquake that day was six times that length - it must have felt like an eternity.

I’ve spent about three hours writing down the notes I made while watching the livestream of the 4CC Men’s SP. Yuzu’s section got really long, so I’m separating it here into its own post. Edit: Here are the links to the Group 4 and Group 5 recap posts. Yuzuru Hanyu 111.82 (SB, New WR) 4S huge, 4T3T powerful, FCSp4, 3A huge&so easy, CSSp4, StSq4, CCoSp4 My god, what a magnificent performance. He really draws you into the moment like no one else. It was like he was in a different world, dancing to Chopin’s piano, and we were given a window to watch something unique and beautiful unfold. The commentator said it well - this was a privilege to watch. His 4S was so big - it had so much height to it, and covered a lot of distance. He exits it, and goes into his spread eagle with his eyes closed like it was nothing. The 4T3T was commanding - the placement with the music is so nice. I feel like I could make an entire post on how the differing placements of his elements in each of his Chopin versions highlights alternate moments in the music, changing the atmosphere of the program as a whole. This entire program felt nostalgic, because it reminded me of Barcelona, but the StSq reminded me of PyeongChang. The 3A was beautiful. I really like the placement in the Chopin 3.0 version because it’s executed on the silence between phrases, but it works here just as well. In the PC Olys version, the final jump combo serves as the accent with the landing hitting the final piano note of the phrase, and the exiting steps leading into the tango stop and the subsequent flurry of the StSq. In Chopin 2.0/this reworked version, the spins serve as the accent, building up tension because he’s in one stationery location on the ice, but moving incredibly fast and changing positions as the piano rises and falls. Then he leaves that spot and it feels like he’s physically stretching, exteeeending the tension into the tango stop and subsequent StSq. It’s so powerful. Speaking of spins, they were all so fast, and I will never get over how seamlessly he transitions from a backwards spinning camel to a forward spinning camel. If I didn’t know to look for it, I wouldn’t even notice he was changing it. Yuzu helping the sweepers clear off the ice was such an unexpectedly touching moment. He knows how many presents he gets, and I don’t think he planned ahead of time to do this - it seemed like a spur of the moment “oh, there’s a lot of stuff near me. I’m not completely wiped out - let me pick up this little spot, oh, and I can do this part while I’m at it, actually, I can get this section too - you know what, Brian, just take my edge guards, I’m going to go ahead and help for a bit.” At first he grabbed a bunch in his arms to throw over the boards, but then he just started gathering/pushing the presents into easier-to-collect piles and shoving them toward the edges where the sweepers would find it easy to grab and throw over the boards. Kind of like a Yuzu-snowplow. The wait in the Kiss&Cry was super long. The commentator mentioned that it had been 5 minutes already (he also mentioned that judges were being hit by the gifts, and one landed where he was. You could hear him chuck it.). I figured the score would be either really high, or really low, but with a clean performance like that, if the score was low, then we would have quite the questioning going on. 111 - it was really cool to see that number again. ------------ Also-- Did Yuzu get a new costume? (Satomi Ito - did you pull off a miracle to get this done in time?! I guess POTO costume 2.0 did happen, but.) The color looks different. I’ve watched the PyeongChang SP dozens of times, and stared at enough pictures to be able to tell from first glance that this looks different. The color has a bit of green to it, making it closer to cyan than the light blue he used for Chopin 3.0, and it’s not the sky blue he used for Chopin 2.0 (plus, that version had gold triangular cutouts on the torso sides and on the sleeve cuffs). The neckline too, has green beading and other colors in there. It doesn’t have the tiny lace(?) flowers that Chopin 3.0 had either…the sequin work looks fuller too. Maybe it’s the same costume but the lighting makes the color look different, or maybe it’s redyed? I know going from lighter to darker could work (and has been done with the first Chopin costume), but from light blue to a light cyan-blue-green... And I guess the stitching for the flowers could have been pulled out??? Would he really go and change his iconic Olympic costume(s), though? Hmmm.  I’ll have to hunt down pictures as soon as I’m done typing all these notes down.

Kevin Aymoz SP score: 96.71 (Personal Best) 4T, 3Lz3T, ChCSp4, 3A, FSSp4, ChCoSp4, StSq4. He did it! Clean! And everything landed well! I’m so happy for him. This was such a great performance. He was so overjoyed that he could barely hold his ending pose. (By the way... they started the wrong music for him at the beginning. I wonder if it broke his nerves or simply didn’t affect him.) Boyang Jin SP score: 80.67 3Lz(pop), 4T3T held on, 3A beautiful, FCSp4, ChSSp4, StSq3, ChSp4 The first half looked a bit jump-focused, but he interpreted the music nicely afterward with an expressive upper body and some delicate movement. I love the split jump in his Step Sequence. I’m just so glad we have the chance to see him in this year’s GPF. Dmitri Aliev SP score: 88.78 4Lz2T, 4T, FCSp3, 3A, StSq3, ChSSp3, ChCoSp4. He almost fell in his Step Sequence, which is likely why he only earned a level 3. It looked like he was running out of energy toward the end - the spins seemed a bit slow - but he held on. I love the moment in the program where the music has a change of pace choreographed to a deep breath. Nathan Chen SP score: 110.38 4Lz easy, 3A, ChCSp4, 4T3T, StSq4, FSSp4, ChCoSp4. He had some really nice speed on his spins. There were some nice parts in the StSq - he uses his hands well. What I really appreciate is how he skates somber to fit the tone of the music.  Alexander Samarin SP score: 81.32 4Lz double hand down - missed his combo, 4F<turn 2T, FCSp4, 3A nice, ChSSp4, ChCoSp4, StSq2 The unfortunate thing about this music, is that I can’t help remembering another skater who performed to this and now I expect so much. Samarin did a good job of holding it together after the mistakes on the first couple of jumps. Yuzuru Hanyu SP score: 97.43 4S gorgeous, 3A beautiful, 4T (step out) he missed his combo, FCSp4, ChSSp4, StSq4, ChCoSp4. Even with the missed combo this was such a beautiful program to watch. I can never rehash enough how much of a difference it is seeing him skate. The attention to detail, the way he seamlessly adds steps in between elements - one of my favorite parts is that spread eagle after the 4S, and then there’s the high note after his twizzle-3A-twizzle where it looks like he breaks the tension with a lift of his wrist. He’s skated this program pretty much error-free all season, so I knew this would be coming at some point. My heart kind of hurt seeing him unaccompanied in the Kiss&Cry with a sober expression and calculating something on his fingers. I’m sure he’s very kuyashii about his program...

So I did actually type most of this up while watching a live stream, but got sidetracked with conversations for a solid two hours after the FS ended, and fell asleep before finishing up. I had to shorten what I wrote for Yuzuru because it got so long and reminiscing. Maybe I’ll post a longer thing later this week when I have time to properly edit a long post. This post is kind of redundant now that everything is over, but I figured I may as well put this up so it doesn’t lay rotting in my drafts. Boyang Jin FS: 160.77 Total Score: 241.44 4Lzfall, 4T2T good, 4T awkward fall, 3AEu3S, ChSq, FCSp4, 3A, 3Lz3T, 3F so light, StSq3, ChSSp4, ChCoSp4 The first few jumps he looked a bit stiff, but as soon as the second half started he really got into it. He was so expressive in the step sequence and the audience was really supportive. It may have only gotten a level 3, but I really liked it. Some of my other favorite moments were: the FCSp4 done to the music transition with the record spin/scratch and strings, and the spin to the ending piano notes which I thought was particularly gorgeously timed. The commentator (Chris) saying about the audience: “they’ve been so supportive of all of the athletes” Dmitri Aliev FS: 131.26 Total Score: 220.04 4Lz, 4T fall, 2Tpop, 3F fall, FCSp2, ChSq1, 3A hand down, 3Lz3T was great on the music, 3LoEu3S, StSq4 beautiful, ChSSp2, ChCoSp fall part-way through. Oh this was so hard to watch. He held on until the end, but my heart hurts. The entry on the 4T was strange and he fell over the back of his heel when he landed. On the 3F fall, he took a long time to get up again and the crowd cheered for him in support - that was wonderful to hear. I wonder if he got injured there? His following flying camel spin kind of just ended like he couldn’t hold it for long. He started to rally back, but then with the final spin he kind of fell part-way through and no base points were given. His face just fell and he looked so resigned.  Alexander Samarin FS: 167.51 Total Score: 248.83 4Lz3T, 4F hand down - the axis was so strange in the air, 2Tpop, FCSp4, 3A2T, ChSq1, 3A2T, 3LzRippon, 3Lo, ChSSp4, StSq4, ChCoSp4. The smile on his face was nice during the Step Sequence. I’m still not sure how I feel about this program. It feels like it needs more... something. Not the best skate, but he got through it. The 3Lz was particularly nice. Kevin Aymoz FS: 178.92 Total Score: 275.63 4T3T, 4T had a good landing but then he slipped on the running edge, 3A2T, 3Lo out of turns, ChCSp4, 3A, 3LzEu3S, 3F, ChSq1, FSSp4, ChCoSp3, StSq4 I love how the music starts so tranquil and his skating reflects that, and then it starts to build up into a triumphant sound by the end. Right after the 3Lz combo the music starts to change leading into the 3F, and afterward, he does this great spread eagle and his signature slide across the ice in his ChSq. I loved seeing his large smile along with the music swelling triumphantly. Oh man, his scream when he saw his FS score nearly gave me a heart attack. I looked away during the slow-mo recap to type some of this up, and here I am listening to the announcer calling for the scores when suddenly I hear a scream. They had to turn the mic down in the Kiss&Cry because he and his coach were so exuberant. That was great to see.   Yuzuru Hanyu FS: 194.00 Total Score: 291.43 4Lo beautiful, 4Lz gorgeous, FChCoSp4, StSq3, 4S, 3Lz, 4TEu3F<(step-out), 4T2T, 1A(pop), FChSSp4, ChCoSp4 Oh my god that was such a momentous skate to watch. The intensity of it was something else. I’m so proud of him for landing that 4Lz after not being able to put it in for two seasons, and overcoming that mental block.  The opening 4Lo was beautiful without the slightest wobble on the landing, the 4S as the third jumping pass had a bit of a lean but he landed it anyway, then came his 3Lz which was interesting to see because it felt like you could see his natural delayed rotation more clearly this time around compared to usual. I wonder if that was a result of having the 4Lz as well? Then the 4TEu3F looked so nice in the air but he had to step out at the end a bit - the tech panel ended up calling the 3F underrotated, too (it didn’t look under in the slow-mo at all....). He did a 4T2T next - he had planned a 4T3T but I think he didn’t have enough energy or he didn’t feel secure enough in the flow to do a 3T - and he popped his last jumping pass from the planned 3A3A sequence into a 1A. But more than the jumps, the entire program felt like he was on an epic, challenging walls and scaling them with grace. I never get tired of the choreographic moments he has everywhere. I was praying so hard at the end that his legs would hold out long enough for the hydroblade, the travelling stars into the camel spin, and for the spins themselves. I’ve seen enough skaters sit or lose balance on a spin to never take them for granted as an easy “he’ll finish with no problems” last element. Heck, there was an example of that earlier in this very event. I couldn’t help laughing with him when he went into his ending pose and couldn’t hold it longer than a split second. He lost balance a beat after the music finished, while the note was still ringing, and ending up partially leaning over before completely bending himself in half to just sit there on the ice. It reminded me so much of 2012 Worlds when he skated so hard his lips turned blue, and 2012 Finlandia and 2013 Worlds when he ended gasping and collapsing on the ice much like today. His first 5-quad program, and he gets through it with quite the fighting spirit. I can’t help remembering how the season after 2014 Sochi Olympics when he wanted to put in 3 quads in the Free, some people thought that that was crazy and lots of people doubted he had the stamina to pull something like that off. Now look at him doing a program packed with content, on top of 5 quads: one being the quad he pioneered (4Lo), one being a jump some people thought he might never bring back (4Lz), one being a quad that people said he should give up on because it just wasn’t going to be his jump (4S), and two quads (4T) in combination. I’m kind of confused about the score, but hmm. I guess he did pop his last 3A-3Asequence jumping pass and that would have given him like 15 points (18 or so if they gave him good GOE?). But even so... Hmmmm. Nathan Chen FS: 224.92 Total Score: 335.30 4F3T, 4Lz, 4TEu3S, ChCSp4, 3A, StSq3, 4S, 4T, 3Lz3T, ChCoSp4, ChSq, FChCoSp4 The jumps felt solid. There was just the slightest wobble on the 3Lz3T, but the rest were clean and solid. After they’re all done, in the last part of the program with the spins and choreo sequence, at least it looks like he’s having some fun. Did he almost trip in the beginning of his choreo sequence? I’ll have to go back and see that again later. Mmmm, I feel like some of the movements in the hip-hop(?) section could be sharper, but the season is only half over. That’s something he can work on going forward. Final Standings: 1st - Nathan Chen 2nd - Yuzuru Hanyu 3rd - Kevin Aymoz

1st Yuzuru Hanyu (beating Kevin by 55.03 points....) 2nd Kevin Aymoz 3rd Roman Sadovsky

I can’t believe I missed Julian.... I’ll have to see if I can go back and watch the rest of the first group I missed. Edit: Oh, and one tiny thing. I like the change to Yuzu’s costume. I wasn’t particularly bothered by the ruffly cloth on his chest in ACI, but it is more streamlined now.

Nam Nguyen 178.69 TS: 262.77 4S3T nice!, 4S, 3Lz easy, 3A1T (pop), 3AEu3S not a good running edge, but he held it, 3Lo, 3F nice. StSq3. Aaaaah, wow that was such a great skate. He started off with a lot of energy and really got the atmosphere going. I think he used the atmosphere of the arena to his advantage and rode the wave of excitement leftover from Yuzu’s skate, and then just let it build up. When the music changed to the slower portion I appreciate that he lengthened his lines. Then the entire end was like a victory lap - he really sold it and it was so nice to see him really get into it. This was such a nice ending to this entire competition. He got so emotional at the end. I’m so proud of him! Final Standings: 3rd: Keiji Tanaka 2nd: Nam Nguyen 1st: Yuzuru Hanyu

I was watching the livestream and taking notes, so I figured I would polish them up a bit and make a post. But first, I just want to say that the last two groups were amazing to watch. Everyone brought their best and it was such a pleasure to see such good skating back-to-back. I missed the early groups (Donovaaaaan, I’m sorry!), and was just in time for Han Yan in Group 3 when my VPN stopped working and I only just made it in time for Roman’s scores and Yuma’s SP. So technically, this is a “Group 4 (+ Yuma)” recap post. Edit: Here are the links to the Group 5 recap post and the separate Yuzu post. Yuma Kagiyama 91.61 4T super light, 3A great, 3Lz3T the slightest wobble on the 3T landing but a very good combo. The way he uses his arms reminds me of Yuzuru in the way that they’re relaxed and seem to float with the music. It was nice choreo - I didn’t quite feel the program, but that’s not to say it wasn’t beautiful. I’m really excited to see how he’ll mature as a skater. Nam Nguyen Uh......I seem to have not taken any notes here. I’m so sorry Nam! I vaguely remember the Blues for Klook guitar, thinking “geez, Nam looks so tall,” and I remember the commentator talking about how the music is a piece used often in figure skating (and thinking “Daisuke really brought it to the spotlight”). I’ll have to go back and watch it later. Tomoki Hiwatashi 88.09 (Season’s Best) 4T, 3A, ChSSp4, FCSp4, 3Lz3T, StSq4, ChCoSp3 That was such a great skate from him. He had such great energy and I loved the smile on his face. Throughout the season I felt like this program had such potential, I’m glad he was able to skate it like this here. I love the way he enters his spins, and the spins themselves have nice speed and strong positions. His catchfoot position is so gorgeous to watch. I definitely want to go back and watch this program again at some point. Camden Pulkinen 84.66 4T deep landing, 3A huge, ChSSp4, 3Lz3T, StSq4, ChCoSp4 The save on the 4T was amazing. He almost looked like he was going to sit on landing, but he held it. The 3Lz had a kind of strange axis in the air, but he landed it OK and managed to put the 3T on the end. I wish I remember more about this program besides the jumps, aaaaahhh... Brendan Kerry 76.70 (SB) 4T2T, 3S, ChCSp4, 3A turnout, StSq4, ChCoSp4 (not much speed), FSSp4 I somehow seem to forget he’s skating to this until I see the music title come up and go “oh yeah, the Mah na Mah na program!” It’s quirky. He really throws himself into the choreo and has fun out there. The 4T2T had a bit of a shaky landing, but not bad. The 3S was light, and his 3A was fine besides the turnout. Kazuki Tomono 88.22 (SB) 4T3T, 4S (a bit shaky on the landing), ChSSp4, 3A held, StSq3, FCSp4 He has really tight air position and fast rotation in his jumps. The 4T3T was so tight and well executed, and the 4S was so fast in the air. In the 3A he almost put his free leg down, but managed to hold it up. Another program where I forget he’s skating to this until he starts and I’m like “oh yeah, this program!” I love the music in this program and it’s such a strange but intriguing skate. He has really interesting bits in the choreo - strange movements and positions. It works well with the music. It’s just so weird I can’t help but love it. It was promising when I saw it earlier this season, but he hadn’t performed it like he did this time. I’m glad we could see it realized like this here at 4CC. Group 5 is in a separate post because this one is long enough as it is.