OLYMPICS 2010- Page 15

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:11pm

uncageg, Florent Amodio was the first skater last night. I believe he is in 11th place.

I'm sorry that Patrick Chan didn't skate as well as he's capable of. I just can't picture him talking smack about other skaters though.

[EVIE]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:12pm

And why was everyone making such a big deal about him being roomies with Tanith Belbin?

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:14pm

Chan did make several comments regarding other players in the past two years. I am not bothered by that. He is still young and a bit ego can help him to go through the tough time.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:16pm

Thanks, Sanda. I was not aware of this. Maybe it's my perception of him that he doesn't seem the type to talk smack about others!!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:27pm

I can't get past Chan's crazy-intense 'I may kill you or just hate-f*ck you' eyes. Boy needs a xanax.

Labmiel's footwork sequence was dazzling. I'm very excited to see his long program.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:30pm

SonofRobbieJ, I keep watching Stephane's program from last night!! It would have been interesting to see his placement had he skated a clean program.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:47pm

it's such a shame that Lambiel, for all his brilliant spin and artistry, cannot land a quad to save his life. His best season was 08. Given all the injury he had after that, I doubt he would be a main contender. However, he is still one of my favorite performers and I am just happy to watch him for the last time in Olympics.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:52pm

And he doesn't have a triple axel either. I'm glad he's back, too, considering he retired a couple of years ago. There has always been such a joy to his skating, which is probably one of the reasons why I responded to Florent Amodio from France.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:55pm

My take: Chan is simply crosseyed, that's all.

I hated Lysacek's costume with those puffy sleeves and low back. Very femme, if you ask me. Especially for such a "manly" man, LOL.

I didn't like any of the men's costumes whatsoever. In fact many times, they are distracting from the skating. Especially in Weir's case, but last night I stared at all of them too much.

I've been following Plushenko since he started competitive skating and I noticed that in the beginning, he incorporated much more grace and artistry in his programs. He was trained in ballet, as most of the Russians are, and his programs showed it. Somewhere along the line, he became more forceful and rigid in his choreography. I'm sorry that happened, but I still love him the most. He'll always be the champion he is now to me.

I think they made a big deal out of Weir and Tanith because Weir's so outspoken in the media about being gay. He's got to expect reactions, no matter how stupid they are.

Can't wait to see the long programs tomorrow!

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 12:58pm

I'll be rooting for Lysacek, but I'll mostly be rooting against Plushenko.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:00pm

Jane2, you should see Jubert's outfit in Grand Pix Paris 09. It will make Weir blush.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:03pm

Haha, Sanda! I'd love to see it.

madrrian, how funny, I'll be rooting for Plushenko, but mostly rooting against Lysacek!

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:07pm

I don't have anyone particular to root for. Anyone of the top3 winning it will make me very happy. It's really a wonderful Olympics final.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:11pm

Sanda, according to what I read and heard, he also stooped doing the Quad because he injured himself doing it and took it out of his program. Also, it seems that while Plushenko is making his point, he is playing a bit of a head game. He was said to have checkled to himself after making the statement last night. There was talk of him trying to intimidate the other skaters with some comments he has made. Just going by what I am hearing on tv and reading in the news.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:21pm

Well, then that injury must be a very long one cause I remembered it clearly that he missed all quad on 07 season and never did it again.

And I have no problem with Plushenko's talk. If other players feel intimidated by some comments, well,I cannot imagine how they can handle the pressure on the rink.

Look, if you can do 4-3-3 in 06 and after 4 years still no one can do what you can, I think you have every right to brag about it.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:33pm

I try to separate the person from the art. Not only skating, but in all arts. Many folks decide they don't like an artist because of their real life persona. I'm guilty of a little of that with a couple of artists, though.

OH, and btw -I'm not really rooting against Lysacek or anyone. I was just being silly back to madbrian!

Updated On: 2/17/10 at 01:33 PM

[EVIE]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:49pm

"I've been following Plushenko since he started competitive skating and I noticed that in the beginning, he incorporated much more grace and artistry in his programs. He was trained in ballet, as most of the Russians are, and his programs showed it. Somewhere along the line, he became more forceful and rigid in his choreography."

I agree Jane2. I heard Scott Hamilton mention during one of his commentaries that it had something to do with the new scoring system. Plushenko's skating changed to reflect a check list system or something. I'm still a big fan of his but Yagudin will always be my ultimate champion.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:52pm

From what I gathered, it is not that the injury is still there, it is that he doesn't want to risk another one.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 1:56pm

I think to criticize Plushenko's artistry, we have to consider that he came out from his retirement not long ago. He must spend most time trying to pick his jump back and getting as many points as possible. He did not have the time like other players do who spent the last two years polishing the choreography for Olympics.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:05pm

I love these 'masculine' skaters talkin' trash about each other. Or, in drag queen speak (which is FAR more appropriate here), 'throwin' shade.'

I don't know. I think there is an irony to Weir that allows him to pull off whatever costume he wants. He's got a touch of the Gaga about him.

But the rest of them? I'm afraid that they really think they look hot and manly. And that's just sad. In a really funny way.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:08pm

I dont think his artistry is any less than it was when he first started...it was always just smoke and mirrors...and hand waving.

Yagudin was a master of all...a wonderful artist and the first quad king (others had done them, he did them well and didnt fall most of the time.) Plushenko is and always has been a VERY impressive and, unlike all the rest, consistent jumper. The rest of his skating just leaves me cold.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:22pm

Evie, it's true. I distinctly remember admiring the old Plushenko because he was so balletic as well as athletic. He had it all as far as I was concerned. I'm not wild about his lack of artistry these days but as Sanda mentioned, there's a reason for it, and it seems to be working for him.

As for Weir's costumes, of course he can get away with wearing anything he wants. Too bad they're all so ugly.

So what are we saying? Plushy's the only straight one there????

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:29pm

Speaking about the "gay" costuming, I'm so disappointed about Elvis Stojko's homophobic remarks about men's figure skating becoming too gay...or some such nonsense.

What a dick!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:44pm

Ugh. I'm so glad Stojko hurt his dick in 1998 and ended up with only the silver. Aw...poor boy with bad skin and a Brillo-y mullet. People might think you're gay. However will you go on???

[EVIE]

Posted: 2/17/10 at 2:45pm

Something about Elvis Stojko always reaked of douche to me, maybe it was the mullet, I dunno.

"Yagudin was a master of all...a wonderful artist and the first quad king (others had done them, he did them well and didnt fall most of the time.)"

Amen, doodlenyc!