Olympics 2006
Men’s Short
You know you’ve been watching too much skating when you read down the following list and find yourself looking at the name of every second skater going, “Oooh I love him!”
And we go from the speed skating to the luge, at six o’clock? Papers said six, channel yesterday said six fifteen… gotta say, I miss Plushenko, and blood will be on the floor. (Also Takahashi and Shawn Sawyer. And Chengjiang Li. And Jeff Buttle. And Ivan Dinev…oh bugger that’s a heckuva first group!)
And we’re here… no, the luge guy lied to me. Back to the results of the 500m ladies speed skating which I won’t report just in case. I have the Blue Screen of Ads and Sponsors… which is good, right? And the black screen of logos and men warming up!! And Plushy! Never have I been so delighted to see the man! They’re cutting away for half an hour in the middle for Alpine skiing… missing Buttle and Lambiel… oh honey, I’m cheating on them with BBC interactive!
Warm-Up Group No. 1
1 TAKAHASHI Daisuke JPN
Hello to the mullet… and black suit, tux effect, white shirt and then red sparkles on the lapels…Simon tells us the tale of the mix up at Japanese nationals, mix up in the scoring and he wasn’t given it? Piano type music from Moulin Rouge… does much to explain the costume… and skates around to combo triple flip triple toe, not looking secure on the landing of that but I think it was clean… axel triple with double footed step out.. sit spin change edge with travel, change foot sit spin, nice and fast throughout that… steps into the triple lutz… steps that incorporate a slide spiral, and this the circular step methinks…good use of edges and he’s motoring around the place… camel spin to sit spin change edge to layback change foot sit spin change edge to scratch with head thrown back… boards, and straight line step… and that was end to end, albeit with much flailing, and a huge flying sit with change of edge and he’s done. Very very good that was… yep Simon says on slo mos leg touched down on triple toe, surely no running edge out of it, and the turn out on the axel, and Simon thinks again df… it’s not, but it was close to it… Morozov is with him, and a Japanese woman I should know but don’t…
Marks TE 38.45 PCS 35.32 for 73.77
2 PLUSHENKO Evgeni RUS
All in black, with cut outs of black zig zags on the top of his chest. Simon calls him the red hot favourite, beaten three times in last four years (quick, name them!) He takes his time getting himself ready… shakes the leg a little… he’s had a cold… Tosca the music… crossovers to begin and the quad triple toe combo, but he landed heavy on the quad, had to get right down in the knee… axel triple is huge and clean… turns into the lutz triple clean with arms outstretched… and flying camel spin, lovely position with change of edge… and catch foot donut spin… and stop. And spin to mark the start of a circular step, marked by your traditional Plushy arm flailing and turning steps, and is pretty damn good…sit spin change edge change foot sit spin and change edge and out… to the boards… straight line step… music speeds up which gives him a chance to really let fly… and then the camel spin to sit spin change edge to scratch spin and change foot sit spin change edge and one foot upright and he’s done. Wow. He pumps his fist and so well he might… that was excellent. Simon says he nailed it, I still query the perfection of the landing on the quad, he fairly thumped it, but I’m being churlish there, because well, it is my lot in life. Big praise from Mishin… yeah, he was down in the knee for that quad landing, don’t try to tell me he wasn’t, you could see him clench his fists and really concentrate on not putting that hand down… Simon now concedes that it was off balance. *g* But yeah, he did what needed to be done.
Marks TE 49.69 PCS 40.97 new PB of 90.66.
3 SAWYER Shawn CAN
Well now, I might be running downstairs to change channels any minute here… he’s all in black, with curlicues of colour on his back and shoulders, white shirt and deep V on the jacket , and Libertango by Piazola, and he’s got a blue sashy belty thing high on the waist… start with triple flip triple toe, and he nailed that… steps, and here comes the axel triple with double footed landing…camel spin with change edge change foot camel… to bent leg and then catch foot camel… nicely done. Steps around and along the ice to the split into a triple loop… and the boards mark the beginning of the straight line step… very nice. And flying sit spin with change edge and up…. Circular step, would like to see from up above, he seemed very far away from a circle in places… camel spin with bent leg to sit spin with travel and change foot camel getting slower, to sit to Y spin to split spin that makes me go ouch and that was very good! Canadians are standing… this is shaping up to be a good night. Simon says we’re going away shortly… I run to change channels during replays.
Back! TE 35.02 and PCS of 32.18 and he’s got a smile for 67.20 and he’s got a PB and third place.
We now have Barry Davis in commentary box. I miss Simon already but what are you gonna do?
4 LI Chengjiang CHN
Very sky blue shirt/blouse, slightly darker pants, and a sparkly cummerbund… has he lost weight or is it just me? Wingy thingys on his shirt… fifth at last worlds, music is liebestraum…and Robin! 4/3 combo and he’s down on the quad, no triple. Oh that’s a shame. Axel triple and he steps out of that as well…oh dear says Barry. Flying camel spin change edge and upright and that was slow, I’ve got to say… boards and midline step… not sure of the content on that… steps into the triple loop and he needed that…camel spin change edge to sit spin and variations change foot sit with change e edge to shotgun… Robin says his spins better but then says they won’t make up for problems on jumps… i.e. better but not much! Circular step… that looks quite laboured. Sit spin with change edge change foot sit spin… and up, and he’s done. And he did the spin in the Olympic rings, and he moved out of the ring, which Barry comments on, and Robin adds that it was a rather average sit spin at that… Barry concludes a rather average program…and it did nothing for me. Looked very slow along the ice (that can’t be explained away by the music being slow) … too much knee bend says Robin on the quad, too much rotation on the triple axel… loop was fine. And yikes, we get skycam on the final spin…moved from green to black to yellow to blue circle and back to yellow again… and he screws up his face at the end…oh the poor chap. Manages a wave in K&C
Marks TE 30.55 PCS 30.68 and that has him in 60.23 with ded of one. Fourth.
5 BUTTLE Jeffrey CAN
Black pull over with multi coloured bobbles on it, white shirt underneath, and black pants. I take a deep breath. And bless myself… while at the same time thanking God I’m not to Elvis-like levels of terror now… starts off leaning back… little shimmy… bluesy music… and steps back and around… to the triple triple flip toe and he nailed it. Phew. Good start says robin… 3ax next… and he’s down. Hard. Flying sit spin with change edge then change foot to scrunched up position… and youch…. I’m still on the axel here. Circular step as someone scats on the soundtrack… nice musical interp here… sit spin with change edge and change foot, nicely centred… and out of that… steps, lutz triple and hand down… bugger. I should have kept my mouth shut. Straight line step… nice footwork here… and glide to centre ice and camel spin with change edge to sit spin dropping down and bent over spin change foot sit spin to upright, and Robin remarks on the travel… and to the boards and the judges, mug a little and slide back… and he’s done, with a shrug of the shoulders and a wry smile. And he looks not impressed. Canadians standing still… Robin said he saw it coming towards the axel, upper body tension creeping into his shoulders… hand down on lutz, and straight line step didn’t then start at the wall… combo was a beaut. Axel, could see apprehension on his face, quarter turn short, clearly visible on the footsie cam… ack. And lutz… started footwork a good four metres from the barrier says Robin… he says hi to everyone at home… kind of resigned looking here…
Marks TE 37.01 PCS 37.28 ded of one gives 73.29 and he’s third.
6 DINEV Ivan BUL
All in black, with white piping on the edge of jacket and the cuffs, and on the lapels… and W Y and Z on his right chest side… in silver, X and R, I think, on the leg… piano music… his third Olympics… 11 and 13 in that order… triple triple to begin, lutz long wait, double toe… slow music here… 3ax is next, and he nailed that. Was huge. Butterfly to flying sit with change edge… and glide… music changes with drums and typewriter change… circular step is picking out the nuances well, this piece called “The Typewriter” and one can see why! I resist the urge to hum “9 to 5”… steps to the triple flip, query landing…camel to sit spin change edge to upright and change foot sit spin change edge and upright… to the boards, straight line step… nicely done. Back to centre ish for the sit spin change edge and grab blade change foot sit spin with change edge and he’s done, after a series of little steppy steps. Robin thinks that he didn’t use the accents on the music very well… did a good job but not as good as it could have been… and while I hesitate to contradict Sir Robin of Cousins, I thought he picked out the music well… could have been better, yes, but I didn’t find it as bad as he seemed to… he got good height on his jumps, triple flip, yes, it was double footed, I rock! I know that girl with him… and it is! Angela Nikodinev…wow, she looks fantastic!
Marks TE 34.29 PCS 29.35 for boos and 63.64 and he’s in fifth place. Judges, Barry said, agreed with Robin on choreography.
Seventeen point gap, or as good as, between first and second.
Warm-Up Group No. 2
7 BERNTSSON Kristoffer SWE
Black shiny pleather top with red on the front and shoulder on the left, and normal black velour pants…shirt more like a blouse, with three quarter length sleeves (not a good look on most people, and he’s no exception) with a few buttons done up in the middle (not a good look on most people and he’s no exception) – the guy, no harm to him, looks as if he’s wearing someone else’s clothes that are too small for him. 23 years old… sounds like phone ringing, and then a scream on sdtk and he mimes the same… I like that. Crossovers to the axel triple and he got it! Very high, good position in the air… and then the lutz triple with double toe, and he had to work hard on the lutz… flying sit spin with travel and change edge and stop dead on the music… looks at watch and screams again… did he just see wardrobe sketches? Circular step is quite empty looking… turns into the triple flip that’s double footed I’m sure… sit spin change edge change foot sit spin… change edge again, and up… stop and shimmy… steps now, and straight line step… more content than in circular step… stars to the camel spin change edge slow… sit spin half layback change foot sit spin with travel to upright and scratch spin and he’s’ done. With more phones ringing and another scream as he looks at his watch. Cute idea, liked how the theme carried on right the way through it… axel we see again was great. Lutz landed right on the toe pick. And now the flip… possibly two footed, if it was it was with the edge of the blade rather than anything else, so maybe not? He looks happy enough in the kiss and cry…
Marks TE 31.34 PCS 28.21 for boos and 59.55 and he’s bottom of the pile.
8 CHIPER Gheorghe ROM
Peach blouse with black vine on it, black pants… also black gloves. And I like this guy and want him to do well, which we all know is the kiss of death for him… carried flag in opening ceremony… twenty third in SLC… opens with triple axel… and he got it. I did not jinx him, thank you! Robin points out not much running edge on landing but good position… and down the ice now for the flip toe… triple triple, with stumble out on the toe, too much rotation… sit spin change edge change foot sit spin change edge… eyes up the judges and attempts to hypnotise them in circular step… and the steps to the lutz and he nails the triple, in second half… camel spin to sit spin and upright with blade held and change edge, change foot sit with change edge and up… to the boards and shimmy… robin picks on his positions in the spin… circular step, he’s selling for all he’s worth… and it went end to end… stars to flying back sit spin change edge and travel, and slowing down as he comes up, and he’s done. Punches the air a little, so he seems happy, finished a bit ahead of the music. Robin thinks not enough variation in the spins, Sandra looks happy as she gives him a big hug when he comes off the ice (tell me his wife’s name is Sandra… you see, Chris and Simon would tell me!) I think Robin is praising his straight line step, but it’s hard to be sure…
Marks TE 37.12 PCS 30.54 for 67.66 which puts him in fourth with a new PB. Leading Barry to make a pun on his name.
9 DAMBIER Frederic FRA
Navy blue outfit with sparkles and three keys of a xylophone on the front…Annick sends him out… have I mentioned that that woman scares the ever loving bejaysus out of me? OK then. Starts off kneeling on the ice… praying, good move… ok, carmina burana… lots of speed in crossovers to 3/3 … flip with double toe on the end… spread eagle n the way out, to make me love him… around the corner after steps to set up the axel from spread… triple and down he goes… bugger. Camel spin to sit spin change edge, travel, change foot camel to sit change edge and upright sin with change of edge, out of that, to the boards. Straight line step… flying sit spin with change of edge, right in the corner away from the judges… glides now to set up the steps for the lutz and triple. Nice. Circular step as we hit O Fortuna, and he’s selling it for all he is worth, very Plushyesque… sit spin change foot sit spin and foot down in the middle of it which is not good at all, and he’s done. And he throws the head back as if to say “Oh feck it all, I’d like to have that one back.” Or the French equivalent thereof. Lutz was late in performance… takes his time coming off, and if I was coming back to Annick, so would I… I’m sure she’s lovely, but…see above comments about the ever loving bejaysus. Tight in shoulders on triple axel, you can really see it! We see the sit change sit again… no we don’t, that’s the flying sit… Annick gives the Gallic shrug…
Marks TE 30.48 PCS 31.69 for ded of one and 61.17 and he’s in seventh. Oh dear.
10 PFEIFER Viktor AUT
Velour purple/blue trousers, crimson gloves, top with big thick silver rope lines crisscrossing the top…it looks very much like his top has ripped and someone has duck taped him into it. Panels of velour colour (reds and blues) underneath the tape. Music very church and organy… sets up the flip toe combo and he gets triple in both, and did flip have hands over his head? Robin says yes and it gets extra points, nice beginning. Step to the lutz with again hand over head and he punches air on way out…camel spin with bent legs variation to sit spin and catch foot… change foot sit where he grabs blade and he does that freaky freaky arm over the shoulder and grab blade spin, which in honour of the concerns of St Robin of Cousins, I deem will henceforth be known as the ShoulderDislocation spin… circular step looks slower… and axel double is clean… sit spin, with blade grabbed and change edge and travel, change foot sit spin slowing down. Out of that and straight line step, started quite far out I would have thought? Uses music quite well, if not the blades… ends it at the boards… and then the flying sit spin… which slows and travels, with change position and edge and he’s done…and he roars. Milks the crowd for the applause, gets it, gets big hug off coach… nice jumps, love the Boitano of it all, as Robin name checks him… we see the ShoulderDislocation spin again… twice.
Marks TE 34.28 PCS 27.89 and there are boos on the second one and he calms down… 62.17 and seventh. Five points ahead of his PB.
11 LAMBIEL Stephane SUI
Black pants and waistcoat style on top, with red blousy shirt underneath… no, it’s more a tunic style top… and I’m nervous people. I am ever so nervous. Ooooh there’s the cutest Chinese kid in a ladybird outfit waving a flag for him… drum music begins… steps to begin, triple axel will be first element… oh God… here we go… and he doubled it. Has been injured… and here we set up the quad triple toe combo, and toe loop triple not great one landing but got it… and sit spin change edge change foot sit spin, really good… crossovers to steps for the triple lutz… he gets that too and I breathe again… steps in what I think is the circular step… lots of kicks and turns in this …stars into flying sit that’s really fast with change of edge and brings arms up behind him…more steps… really selling this… camel spin to sit spin and variation with travel and change foot sit change edge to blur spin and travel and he’s done… and he narrows his eyes and glares at something we can’t see… and the look on his face, he knows that that axel has cost him… here it is again… very good double axel, had room for triple… quad was smashing, triple toe less so, and Robin wants to see it again to see was it df, and foot touched the ice on the kick through for the landing… not two footed landing, but it did brush the ice on the way through…
Marks TE 40.61 he shrugs PCS 38.43 for 79.04 and second, but 11 marks behind Plushy.
12 ZIVANOVIC Trifun SCG
Cerise pink shirt, with black t-shirt
underneath it, and black pants. Thirtieth at 2005 worlds, he takes his time…
steps to begin… sets up the flip toe... triple double combo. Clean. Turns to
the axel, triple and he gets landing all wrong, double footed and hops on the
way out… flying sit spin with change of edge… out of that and steps around
gliding, if this is a circular step, there’s little enough in it… around the
corner now, and down along the straight to the triple lutz… clean… .back sit
spin change edge, change foot sit spin change edge and position… and to the
boards for midline step… and camel spin to sit spin change edge to upright spin
change foot sit spin change position and cross foot spin and he’s done. Dances
With Wolves and The Postman is the music, and he looked happy with that,
smiling, and doing little hoppy step along the ice… seems to have found someone
in the crowd, points to them and puts his hand over his heart and nods… Robin
says he was a good talent when he was younger, haven’t seen that as a senior,
not in the
Marks TE 29.44 PCS 23.96for 53.40, and he’s twelfth of twelve.
Break for the ice resurface. Not filled with Eurosport blather, but with a Zamboni and silence.
Warm-Up Group No. 3
13
WEIR Johnny
Black pants, sparkle white/grey top that’s vaguely swan like, red gloves, and left sleeve is flesh coloured net with latticed sparkles going down it. He gets a huge roar. Johnny’s Angels wave their banner. I nearly forget to set the tape, such is my anxiety. Flame effect ish on his shirt…music is The Swan… oh I so called it! Cut outs on the left leg, did I mention? Setting up the triple something… axel… and he nailed that. Only glove on one hand… lutz toe combo... triple triple, and he made it look easy…lying sit is lovely, with change edge and change variation, to him all tucked up with leg underneath him… and arms up… steps now, circular step that has really nice flow and speed, and picks up the music… steps in to the flip and that was double footed. Stars into sit spin with travel change foot change edge and position and travel on that… robin notes that too, it’s not just me… steps in straight line… lots of twizzle like effects, and such a lovely flow along the ice… stars to camel spin to change edge to sit spin change edge change foot sit spin change edge and travel to half biellman to shotgun and travel and he’s done. Robin notes there was more travel on last spin… but you’d never know it from the audience! They just love him as Barry notes that this an unusual performance from a man… the tech specialist Robin tells us will look for the flip… hug from thee coach… Robin talks about his lovely lyrical quality… axel was a beauty. In every way. We get sky cam for to see the travel on one of his spins… and now the flip… no, he was clean. We were wrong! And this is why we have replay…
Marks TE 40.99 PCS 39.01 and I hear screams… 80.00 and he’s second! There are more screams.
14 ZHANG Min CHN
Fluorescent pink shirt and black pants. With pinstripes of white going down along the legs. And suspenders. Natty. Deep V on the shirt. Oooh and his skates have covers on them so they look like those shoes that they wear with the Zoot Suits? There’s a name for them, and I must find it out. He did compete in Lillehamar, knew I wasn’t imagining it… music is swing… lots of speed, quad toe and triple toe, very close to boards but it all counts, nice. Axel double… stars into flying sit spin with travel then change edge… down the ice to the lutz triple, from steps… sit spin change edge change foot sit spin with travel and change position, so that free leg is up behind his spinning ankle… steps now, methinks the circular step, done off centre for a change, and Robin calls it more an oval! Think this the midline step, slower looking now… and to centre for camel spin with travel and change edge to sit spin to layback that’s ugly change foot sit with travel and cross foot upright and he’s done… and there was no speed left by the end of that, or for steps at the end… Chris and Simon would be saying how warm it is in the arena, I would imagine (I know Eurosport are back, but I’m afraid they’re not going live right through, must check FSU on the next ice resurface) … he gets handshake from coach… such height on the quad… and was so close to boards on triple toe! Robin says not the strongest of spin positions…
Marks TE 36.29 PCS 31.10 for 67.39 and he’s seventh overall.
15 DAVYDOV Sergei BLR
Navy blue velvet, with light blue wispy bits attached to the top, going along the diagonal. He is really rocking the mullet in a major way. Think Limahl without quite the spiky bits on the top and you’re halfway there… there are going to be people reading this who weren’t born when Kajagoogoo were on the go. I’m old. Someone’s mobile phone is ringing. It’s not mine. Good lord… that hair. It is bad. Maybe he’s Too Shy Shy to go to a barber and get it fixed? (If you don’t know Kajagoogoo, you won’t get that joke, and I really can’t help you.) Crossovers to the axel triple and it was perfect. And the steps to the lutz triple and he gets the triple toe loop on the end, how I do not know, the lutz was all over the place in the air… down for the flip that he goes down on, can’t hold landing and puts two hands down, flying sit spin with change of edge and up… Robin picks on steps going into flip, not the hardest he says… circular step… nice… camel spin to sit spin change edge to upright change foot sit spin layback and change edge upright and out… into back sit spin with change of edge change of foot change of edge… and steps now, down the centre of the ice… this a nice step seq… Robin calls it wonderful so it’s not just me… and kneels on the ice and he’s done. Kotin greets him on way out, that axel was right out of the top drawer… and he lipped the flip… that could cost him too. As Barry remembers Kotin’s battles with Fadeev…
Marks TE 35.58 PCS 29.07 for 64.65 and he’s in ninth. New PB though.
16 VERNER Tomas CZE
Black shirt with orange cut outs on the back, and a deep V on the front filled with orange… big belt buckle on his belt. Orange pockets stitched into jacket and above left breast. Like expression on his face at the start… he knew where the camera was! Music is Blues Three Quarter meter under water… axel and hand down on the triple… steps now… rolls the shoulders back as he goes around… combo, triple flip triple toe, has to work hard on the landing of the toe… flying sit is nice and fast with travel on change of edge… steps in circular step wherein he eyes up the judges… and does some rather nice footwork to boot… around he goes… and sets up the steps to the pop on the lutz, and it’s a single, didn’t even get the toe pick in, not sure what happened there… sit spin change edge change foot sit spin change edge… and out… straight line step… which I like… and he stumbles on the end as I type that… camel to sit change edge travel change foot sit to camel to upright… and he’s done right on the music, as Robin picks on his spin positions… Barry notes response is rather quiet… oomph went out of him after the axel… Robin notes his hands are weak/loose on way into a jump… and the look on his face after the botched lutz…that will have felt horrible.
Marks TE 30.25 PCS 29.46 for 59.71 for fourteenth place.
17 OTHMAN Jamal SUI
Black pants and cream ribbed shirt, with white collar. And God help him and bless him and protect him, but I like him. He’s so doomed. Takes his time coming to the centre… starts off with arms a waving and isn’t this my sweet and tender beast? Starts with the flip triple with hand down… combo next, triple lutz triple toe… not sure of landing on the toe, I’m wondering about the free foot… huge flying sit spin with great speed, arms up behind him and change of edge… I think. Then to sit spin change edge hand up behind him change foot with travel and then change edge? Out of that, and around the corner, down the midline of the ice… step seq… not sure what’s in it, but he makes it look pretty… axel double is fine. Steps now, circular step… is this looking raggy or is it just me? To centre ice, camel spin sit spin change position and edge to upright change foot to camel spin, half biellman and upright spin and he’s done. With a smile. Very nice says Robin. And I enjoyed that. Not told til first of February that he was coming here? That’s a bit mean surely! Robin also questioning toe loop landing, nice back spiral into the triple flip, you know I’m a sucker for a back spiral, shame about the landing! Combo on replay… triple toe was clean on landing, but under rotated slightly, not sure by how much…
Marks TE 24.46 and listen to the whistles! PCS 27.72 for 52.18 and he’s in 17. there are more whistles… we think 3toe given as double?
18 VAN DER PERREN Kevin BEL
Black velvet with all his colouredy sparkles of squares and rectangles and the odd arrow here and there… and oh dear. I’m so nervous. Because I loves him. I does. He’s got exit written on his back… and he’s pumping himself up here… off to centre ice. Still taking his time. And here we go… carried his flag in opening ceremonies… does the miming thing to the computer game music… and here we go…axel triple yes!!! Hoppy entry that I hate but he got it… combo, lutz triple and triple toe… good boy! Keep thinking….flying sit is huge, change of edge… and stop in front of the judges, and off he goes again in a very Plushyesque circular step, legs and arms a-flailing and the crowd, they do be getting into it… and around to the steps for the flip triple and flip! He’s down. Sit spin change foot sit spin change edge… and out. Boards as he wipes his brow, now the straight line step… and that was good… sit spin change edge to upright change foot sit spin to right angle spin to layback to stop. And he’s done and he smacks his head and I don’t blame him. Oh dear oh dear oh dear… such a shame. He shakes his head… can’t hear/understand what he’s saying, but I know frustration in any language! And the axel was so good! And the combo was so good! And the flip… over rotated it said Robin… oh I could cry. I could. I won’t. but I could.
Marks TE 33.50 PCS 32.86 ded of one for 65.36 and he’s in ninth.
Warm-Up Group No. 4
19 LINDEMANN Stefan GER
In many colours of sparkles, red and wine and lime green diagonals on black… and he’s working the gel in the hair… stepping steps… right down to it, with the triple flip triple toe loop good boy… easy says robin, that’s easy for him to say!!!! And now the triple axel… and he singles it and I could cry… camel spin with change edge to sit spin and upright change foot sit spin change edge and upright… and kicking steps begin the circular step… nice. And around now, heading for lutz… he needs this… and no, can’t hold the landing… got rotation… sit change sit spin, with change of edge on both feet… straight line step… and huge flying sit spin with change of edge and he’s done. And oh dear. And he looks devastated. Started off so well too… just caught heels on landing of the lutz…. Was going down anyway but that didn’t help…
Marks TE 27.94 PCS 32.58 for 60.52 for 14.
20 MURVANIDZE Vakhtang GEO
Yay! I love him!!! Red sparkly waistcoatish effect on black top and trousers… Dear SkateGods, please, grant me an exemption and let this man stay upon his own two feet. Much love, me. Kinda gypsy sounding music… and right form the start you can see him selling it, with the little moves… sets up the jump… axel triple with a lean and he goes down hard. And the triple toe turn double toe… SkateGods, no love! Come on… steps into the lutz... and he gets that. Just. Flying camel spin with change of edge and catch foot… out of that...to the boards… straight line step in which he stumbles at the start… sells it the rest of the way… camel spin to change foot camel spin with change edge… and upright and out… steps to camel to bent up leg change camel to catch foot and upright and quite slow, to scratch spin and moves on centre ice on the spot.. and here comes the circular step… and his heart is not in it, you can tell…and you could really see that at the end, he just stopped, then realised he still has a couple of seconds to go… and oh my poor Vakhtang, he looks near tears. Covers face with hands as he goes off… and his exact words to his coach – “Sorry man, I tried.” Cue the sound of a thousand hearts breaking. Or perhaps just mine. Just skidded on landing of the triple toe it looked like…
Marks TE (these will hurt) 24.32 PCS 26.36 for ded of one and he’s last with 49.68.
21 KOVALEVSKI Anton UKR
All in black for him, with sparkles on the chest, and red gloves and little wingy accents on the sleeves… never seen him before. 20 years old… Piazola again, so tango. Blond hair a blowing he does 3qx with no speed but makes rotation and df the landing… triple flip triple toe should be combo… and blow me, it is! Flying sit spin with travel and up… steps into the lutz triple and that’s clean. Straight line step… very useful footwork here… lots of speed and turns, this is good, and will teach me to dismiss anyone out of hand! Sit spin with change edge and travel, change sit spin change foot again... to the boards, though a ways out from it… straight line step… not as good as circular but ok… camel spin to sit spin change edge and shotgun change foot sit spin to layback with leg down and he’s done. Very very good. Big hug from coach, replays, and axel was df… he knew it. Replay of SL step make it look better than I remember…
Marks TE 33.95 PCS 29.46 draws whistles, and he laughs at that… for 63.41 for 12 place… new PB as well.
22 SAVOIE
Matthew
My boy!!! I never ever ever though I’d see the day I saw him at an Olympics, and lord knows, I love him, so God help him, he’s doomed, but I’m so happy he’s here! Dark teal blue shirt or blouse, black trousers, boot covers to match the shirt. SkateGods, you’ve screwed me over with my other men in this group, just give me this one? Please? Flying sit to begin with change of edge… and out of that… crossovers around… and down the ice to the axel triple and he nailed that… sets up the triple flip triple toe and nails it…please god… kick slide glide spiral… and steps… does this be his circular step, little spread in there… so graceful on the ice… spread eagle again, and change direction in it and lutz and he steps out to it and gets it wrong again then on way out…. Sit change sit is fabulous… and I’m so heartbroken! Straight line step, come on keep it together… that’s such a shame! End to end, and then camel spin to sit spin change sit shotgun and upright change of edge…hydroblade to end. *headdesk* *wails* big hug from coach. We see the replays – axel, loved it. Combo, loved it. Lutz… and he bailed on it, I think a double, and then caught his heels on the wall, on each other, not sure… and it was only two turns that he did. But so much to admire there, and so pretty to watch… I love him. God help him. Robin says PCS will be high… Barry’s worried after last lot!
Marks TE 35.22 PCS 33.93 and I’ll take those… 69.15 and he’s in sixth. Oh yes, I will take that at this point.
23 JOUBERT Brian FRA
Frosted white front on his tux effect jacket, black on the back with 007 in silver sparkles… takes a deep breath. Glides towards the judges, stops… Barry makes bond joke about being neither shaken nor stirred… quad, and hand down, double toe… axel triple, nice. Quite low, but nice…huge flying sit spin with change of edge and really good speed! Music speeds and he mimes boxing… steps now to set up the flip, nice. Circular step… and really nice, using the hands to mimic the guns etc, working the theme, feet going all the time… really well done, mimes driving… camel spin sit spin upright change foot sit spin change edge to variation position… to the corner… or the boards anyway, and straight line step… really using everything here… into sit spin change foot sit spin change edge and change foot again, and he’s done. Wow. Really really good there… if only the hand hadn’t gone down… won’t get close to Plushy, which means you have to look at Weir and Lambiel… Robin calls him rough around the edges, which works with this music, thinks some of the “action” was at the expense of footwork…Morozov greets him… quad on replay… yeah, landed near the toe pick… did well with the double… axel ok, as was the flip, though Robin says little forward on the toe pick… I’m going to guess third… but there’s not much room between second and third…
Marks TE 40.59 PCS 37.18 for fourth, what do I know? 77.77. He looks ok with that.
24 HAN Jong In PRK
All in black, with short sleeves on the top, with what looks like a bird’s wing on the back of his leg shoulder, and it continues, reaching down over the left side of his chest… his first major championships and it’s the Olympics, so no pressure… has quad/triple planned… steps around the ice… then and does double toe single toe instead… oh dear. And he doesn’t look too confident… axel triple and he was confident there, I’ll shut up now… camel to sit spin nice and fast change edge change foot to camel spin sit spin lousy position… and something that’s nearly a layback but not quite… steps now, then the lutz and pops that to a single… back sit spin nice and fast change edge and travel, change foot sit spin… and upright and out… circular step now… and then into the straight line step… flying sit spin… change of edge… and he’s done, right on the music. He’s not looking too shiny coming off there now… and the axel was a corker. Such a shame about the other jumps, because he surely had the height for the quad…
Marks TE 19.50 PCS 22.61 for 42.11.
So, with six to go – Plushy by a mile, Johnny, Lambiel, Joubert, Takahashi, Buttle, Savoie, Chiper are 1-8. Zhang, Sawyer, Van Der Perren Davydov Dinev Kovalevski Pfeifer Dambier, Lindemann I, Verner Berntsson Zivanovic Othman Murvanidze, Han.
Decided to stick with BBC Interactive, mainly because during the ice resurface, I had to think about starting packing – have midterm break on Thursday and Friday, so am over in England at fiancé’s house… the first time he sees me watching a skating competition and it’s men’s free program at the Olympics… I figure if he still wants to marry me after that, we can survive anything! This is by way of saying that the men’s free program and original dance reviews will be quite a bit delayed – I won’t be doing them over there; I don’t think he’s quite ready for that, so I’ll work off videotape when I get back (the sister has been well briefed!)
Warm-Up Group No. 5
25 ZELENKA Karel ITA
Dark blue and bright blue velvet, with gold braid on shoulders and on waist, making a mini belt… still bringing the Sabovcik hair in a search for inspiration… and I’ve just realised why I recently spent a weekend at a Stargate convention called Dr Zelenka “Karel” instead of “Radek”….and he gets a huge roar, big surprise. Are there people standing before he even goes out?? Yes is the short answer. Has the high collar going to… Jumpin’ Joe or Elvis dude, make up your mind. (Presley, by the way, not Stojko) Romeo and Juliet… received citizenship this year… axel to begin and down hard on the triple… didn’t make rotation nor even close to it. Down the ice and sets up the triple flip which he gets and the triple toe too! Good boy… spread/besti on the way out… steps now, setting up the lutz with a lean back but it’s triple and clean… steps now, and this I think the circular step… not great and really slow…flying sit is big change of edge and position is good. around the corner and in for the straight line step… corner to corner, and crowd are doing their best for him… sit spin change foot sit spin change of edge, well centred, good boy. And out and to centre for the camel to sit spin o Y spin change foot sit spin change foot has lots of travel and he’s done. 22 years of age, has been living in Italy since he was six… axel was leaning and not enough height, and a half a turn short, landed right on the toe pick… did well to come back and put the combo on it… Robin seems to have disappeared… lutz was a double, not a triple, my mistake…
Marks TE 27.96 PCS 26.50 ded of 1.00 and 53.46 and he’s 21.
26
LYSACEK Evan
Same short costume from last year, the black matador type thing with the bolero jacket and gold braid and white shirt, little red tie and cummerbund. And I? Am saying nothing. Not a thing. Frank Carroll sends him out with some words of wisdom… seems to be telling him he’s strong… several times… running steps to begin… espana cani the music… and straight away axel, triple with lean and down he goes. Crap. Down the ice for the combo triple lutz triple toe is nailed. Flying sit spin with change of edge, nice and fast, good changes of position and fairly well centred. Circular step now with limbs a flying… slower part now… and he’s motoring through the steps… and here we go, steps the flip and he doubled it… sit spin change edge change foot sit spin change position… and my heart is like a rock in my stomach… straight line steps and you can see the heart’s gone out of him… a little, certainly at the start… keeps going then, and to centre for the camel spin change edge to sit spin change foot camel to sit spin change edge and upright and scratch spin and he’s done. And if your heart does not break at the look on his face, you do not have one. Barry thinks he may well find himself the third of the Americans…and my instinctive response is, “Dude, he’d damn well better.” Frank Carroll asks him is he ok, and he says nothing, to which Frank Carroll says “No you’re not ok,” gives him a hug and tells him that it’s ok… and I hasten to add that I really like this kid, so I’m not being mean, but he can’t be above Matt with those two mistakes, and the heart really went out of him after the flip. And he can’t look. He’s in tears.
Marks TE 33.80 PCS 34.75 for ded of one and 67.55 and he’s in ninth. Mr Carroll, you will earn your money in the next two days Sir.
27 KLIMKIN Ilia RUS
Oh my. Bright blue trousers with a jump suit effect that goes up to mid-chest, and then flesh net with patterns of sparkles on it… and if it sounds ugly, then you should see it. It is, by far, the worst of the night. Apologies to fans but what is he thinking? If you can explain it to me, you get a prize. Axel triple out of nothing! I’s impressed! Combo and he triples the quad and doesn’t do a combo… triple flip and puts double toe on there… butterfly into flying camel spin with change of edge and bent leg variation… and what’s the music, because it’s not great. Circular step… with besti in it, and we all know how I feel about those… sit spin with travel and change edge change foot sit spin and that was better… out of that and along the ice in steps… which does not look secure… serpentine but still, some parts of it looking dodgy… camel spin to sit spin to leg in front spin, and upright spin and camel after change foot sit spin and he’s travelled non stop from that…upright and scratch to finish… and he’s done. Have to say, didn’t do a thing for me…1001 Nights is the music, and that’s exactly how long it felt like it lasted. Kudryatsev is his coach… and he had the height for the quad, just opened it out in mid air and he looked surprised at that, had to work hard on the landing, and a quick turn in after it… flip and threw in a wobbly double toe…gutsy. And we see the serpentine step again and I’m still not convinced it was all that it should have been, he definitely looked to lose his balance in at least one point of it.
Marks TE (big long wait) 29.90 PCS 31.71 and 61.61 and he’s 17.
28 URBAS Gregor SLO
White shirt in the style of a dinner jacket, black trousers. Gold braid on the left leg. Rhapsody on a Them of Paganini… belt is baby pink, and the collar of his shirt is likewise… sets off with lutz triple and double toe, and Robin is back… very clompy looking skater… axel long set up and horribly double footed, but tripled… huge flying sit spin with change of edge… and upright and out. Mini Ina Bauer, then flies around in steps to the loop triple from turns… sit spin change foot sit spin with arms behind him and up and out… circular step now… not bad… and slide to the boards and straight line step… not sure of content… and camel spin with change edge to sit spin and travel to laybackish spin change foot camel to sit to scratch and he’s done. Robin calls him an excellent warm up skater… lutz was late with free leg on way back. Axel dead stop on two feet and he was more than a quarter turn short, more like half… three turns into the loop was nice, but he couldn’t hold extension on the landing…
Marks TE 20.28 PCS 26.20 and he’s in 27, with 46.48.
29 TOTH Zoltan HUN
Black outfit, with yellow piping on back and front, and flamey effect on the back… red ascot type thing on the neck… yes, true, where else would you have it… flamey effect is on the right leg from knee to ankle… kill bill is the music… great music! Starts with flip toe combo, and he gets both tripled! Good man… good flow, and he’s using the music well… and it’s such a great piece of music! Steps into the triple lutz… and he gets that… well done. Flying sit spin… with change of edge… and stops and moves on centre ice, gets his breath back… circular step is good… sending ice flying up though at one point… and axel double has deep landing, but there. Straight line step… and sit spin with change edge change foot sit spin travels near the end… and into combo spin camel sit upright with change edge change foot sit spin ravel change edge and he’s done right on the music. Robin remarks on good ice coverage, not too difficult in transitions and field moves, thinks he might get a new PB out of this… I’m nervous about what’s happening next, vis-à-vis the unpredictability of it all and the current one to six so I’m typing to occupy my mind, a time honoured trick o’mine… lutz was good, we see axel, change of edge entry, tight on takeoff, straight off toe pick on skating foot….this is all Robin, can you tell? Close up of some of his steps which I liked, and I really like the music… and the costume made sense in context. He looked happy when he finished… his coach has big hair. He’s saying happy birthday to someone….
Marks (bigger longer wait than ever) and we find Plushy watching on… and he waves to the crowd… TE 29.67 PCS 25.40 for 55.07 and he’s 23, so new PB and he’ll make the free. He’s a happy man.
30 SANDHU Emanuel CAN
And now it’s a matter of hold on to your hats because anything can happen, and lord knows, it probably will! Wearing red satin shirt with black effect, black belt and black trousers, shirt is rocking the V on the chest. Has the goatee and the earrings going… and my stomach, she is knotted. Starts with arms folded… plenty of attitude… tango hold in steps… round the corner… robin says best season of career… and quad and he gets it with triple toe! Triple axel should be next… long prep and he singles it. Flying sit spin… change of edge… and out… steps… down the ice for the triple lutz and he stops dead, puts down hands down and nearly falls… oh I’m evil I’m evil I’m nasty and horrible and bad, I put the whammy on him…camel spin nice position changes through it change foot camel with change edge and bent leg… to the boards and straight line step and he’s selling this now… well as much as he can, and this would have been wonderful if he hadn’t made the mistakes earlier… and it went end to end… to the middle now, camel spin to sit spin, butt spin, change foot camel to sit to shotgun to upright and he’s done… unhappily. What an anti-climax says Barry… and he says Plushy will leave happy and sleep well tonight… Robin adds that this is what Sandhu is known for … and the hand goes over the face… Robin says the options Carlo used to give to him “Stand up or fall” – bailing out not an option for him. His quad combo, he says, was better than Plushy, and so it was. Spins robin reckons are also better. In places. We see the axel again… just gets really tight, right arm across his chest before even in air position… and lack of concentration with Lutz, nothing wrong with take off…head in hands…
Marks TE 33.00 PCS 37.75 ded of one for 69.75 and he’s seventh… below Buttle which is fine. Above Savoie which I cannot accept.
So Plushy, Weir, Lambiel, Joubert, Takahashi, Buttle, Sandhu, Savoie, and that’s where the broadcast ends without even the list of the order.
Until Thursday then, which will be more like Tuesday by the time the review comes up!