Skate America Men's Free Skate Results

Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	174.20	90.84		83.36	8.46	7.93	8.57	8.36	8.36	0.00	#8
2	Max AARON	USA	162.45	90.47		72.98	7.46	6.89	7.39	7.39	7.36	1.00	#3
3	Adam RIPPON	USA	160.98	79.90		82.08	8.11	7.89	8.29	8.32	8.43	1.00	#6
4	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	159.12	72.40		86.72	8.75	8.43	8.50	8.79	8.89	0.00	#4
5	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	153.20	72.28		80.92	8.29	7.96	7.96	8.21	8.04	0.00	#5
6	Jason BROWN	USA	147.25	68.69		79.56	7.71	7.86	8.07	8.00	8.14	1.00	#7
7	Artur GACHINSKI	RUS	138.35	70.35		68.00	7.04	6.50	6.75	6.89	6.82	0.00	#1
8	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	133.75	67.03		67.72	6.82	6.57	6.79	6.75	6.93	1.00	#2

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	265.38	1	1
2	Adam RIPPON	USA	241.24	3	3
3	Max AARON	USA	238.36	6	2
4	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	236.21	5	4
5	Jason BROWN	USA	231.03	2	6
6	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	230.95	4	5
7	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	208.72	7	8
8	Artur GACHINSKI	RUS	208.16	8	7

Skate America Men's Short Program

Group 1

Max Aaron, USA: 41.37 TES + 35.54 PCS -1.00 = 75.91 and into 1st place

• No audio on the feed so it will be a little hard to judge connection to the music and timing
• Fall on the opening quad attempt but it looks like he slipped off the landing edge so he might get full rotation credit
• Triple lutz + triple toe
• Decent stretch through his position but he could be lower throughout his sit spin and losing a bit of speed at the end
• Big triple axel in the bonus with a nice landing
• Good position in the twisted camel spin but not a lot of flexibility through the catchfoot
• Good speed and intensity through the footwork with lots of intricate changes of direction and one foot sequences and it's nice to see him let lose and smile a bit
• Nice back entry to the sit spin with a good broken leg and back tuck variation ending right in his ending pose

Adam Rippon, USA: 43.23 TES + 37.03 PCS = 80.26 and into 1st place

• Quad lutz just a little bit down on the landing and has to put his hand down
• Lots of speed in his twisted sit spin with nice positions
• Decent camel position into a nice catch foot with good speed maintained throughout
• Triple axel a bit wonky in the air but he fights to hang on to the landing
• Triple flip + triple toe
• Nice expression and movement quality in the step sequence with lots of use of the full body and changes of direction; the crowd is really getting into it and he's flying across the ice
• Good speed in the camel spin into an even faster sit spin and a really nice layback

Artur Gachinski, RUS: 37.24 TES + 34.57 PCS -2.00 = 69.81 and into 3rd place

• Quad toe feel slid out from under him on the landing--it just seemed like he didn't have enough going into it
• Triple lutz + triple toe hand down on the landing
• Nice triple axel
• Twisted broken leg camel into a really weak catch foot position 
• Broken leg sit spin with good speed throughout
• The audio has come back and I'm not feeling this music for him...doesn't seem to suit his style at all
• A little choppy and on top of the ice in his step sequence and a few places where the edge changes are not clean
• Twisted camel into a sit position that seemed a bit out of control and ending with an upright y spin

Alexander Majorov, SWE: 41.29 TES + 34.68 PCS -1.00 = 74.97 and into 3rd place

• Quad toe with a hard fall
• Triple lutz + triple toe with a lot of spring and height in the 2nd jump
• Decent positions in his spin but he needs more stretch through the free leg in his sit and camel positions
• Triple axel but I'd like to see a better landing position
• Really slow broken leg camel spin but a nice catchfoot position
• Interesting steps in his step sequence and the crowd seems to be enjoying it; a few bobbles here and there on the turns
• Back entry to a twisted sit position losing speed through the back tuck position
• Finishing a bit before his music

Group 2

Jason Brown, USA: 44.85 TES + 38.93 PCS = 83.78 and into 1st place

• Nice triple axel
• A lot of attention to detail in the in betweens in this program
• Triple flip was high and gorgeous but tight on the triple toe landing
• Great catch foot camel spin with his foot above his head and his free leg on his back
• Nice low sit spin position
• Triple lutz with the 'tano variation
• Nice step sequence with excellent edge changes, interesting variations on the movement and changes of direction 
• Camel spin with a twisted position into a nice sit spin and ending with a scratch spin
• Really solid Grand Prix debut from him!

Takahiko Kozuka, JPN: 38.15 TES + 39.60 PCS = 77.75 and into 3rd place

• Quad toe a little tight on the landing
• Nice triple axel
• Losing a bit of centering on the entrance to his camel spin but good low sit position and nice timing with the music
• Triple lutz stepped out of the first jump and can't tack on the combo
• Nice camel position
• Good flying sit spin but losing speed through the back tuck position
• Good speed and flow through the footwork sequence and he even seems to pick up speed toward the end--a bit of ice spray on some of the turns

Tatsuki Machida, JPN: 50.08 TES + 41.10 PCS = 91.18 and into 1st place

• Nice opening quad toe + triple toe
• Beautiful triple axel
• Good camel spin with a nice change of leg although a bit slow
• He has really nice connection and flow with his music
• He could use more stretch through his free leg in the sit spin
• Nice triple lutz but I would have liked to see him hold the landing a bit longer
• Nice flow through his step sequence although a bit bobbly on some of the turns and losing speed and flow toward the end
• Camel spin into a broken leg sit and ending with a back scratch spin

Daisuke Takahashi, JPN: 35.84 TES + 42.25 PCS -1.00 = 77.09 and into 5th place

• Quad toe two footed and then falls
• Nice camel but he could use more flexibility through the catch foot; after the change of foot he could use more height in his free leg as well
• Triple axel really tough landing and had to put his toe pick down after a half turn
• Triple lutz + double toe with no oomph behind it and he has to step back on the landing of the toe
• Finally he starts to look like Dai here at the end of his program--he seemed to be going through the motions the first half and didn't really connect with the music or the program
• A rough outing for Takahashi but he fought for everything

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	91.18	50.08		41.10	8.14	7.96	8.43	8.25	8.32	0.00	#7
2	Jason BROWN	USA	83.78	44.85		38.93	7.57	7.64	7.79	7.89	8.04	0.00	#5
3	Adam RIPPON	USA	80.26	43.23		37.03	7.57	7.18	7.50	7.39	7.39	0.00	#2
4	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	77.75	38.15		39.60	8.21	7.75	7.75	7.93	7.96	0.00	#6
5	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	77.09	35.84		42.25	8.57	8.32	8.18	8.54	8.64	1.00	#8
6	Max AARON	USA	75.91	41.37		35.54	7.18	6.89	7.11	7.18	7.18	1.00	#1
7	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	74.97	41.29		34.68	6.86	6.71	6.93	7.04	7.14	1.00	#4
8	Artur GACHINSKI	RUS	69.81	37.24		34.57	7.11	6.61	6.89	7.00	6.96	2.00	#3

Asian Figure Skating Trophy Men's Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	72.70	38.78		34.92	7.17	6.83	6.92	7.00	7.00	1.00	#4
2	Misha GE	UZB	69.61	34.94		34.67	6.92	6.75	7.00	6.92	7.08	0.00	#3
3	June Hyoung LEE	KOR	60.65	33.47		28.18	5.67	5.42	5.75	5.67	5.67	1.00	#7
4	Hyon CHOE	PRK	56.40	30.57		26.83	5.67	5.25	5.33	5.25	5.33	1.00	#8
5	Dong Won LEE	KOR	53.61	25.87		27.74	5.75	5.33	5.58	5.58	5.50	0.00	#6
6	Jui-Shu CHEN	TPE	50.99	28.16		23.83	5.00	4.50	4.83	4.75	4.75	1.00	#1
7	Harry Hau Yin LEE	HKG	39.51	18.51		21.00	4.50	4.00	4.08	4.17	4.25	0.00	#2
8	Suchet KONGCHIM	THA	39.13	17.55		21.58	4.50	4.08	4.25	4.42	4.33	0.00	#5
9	Kwun Hung LEUNG	HKG	34.69	15.02		21.67	4.50	4.00	4.25	4.42	4.50	2.00	#9
10	Shrey PAINULI	IND	2.26	0.00		2.26	0.58	0.42	0.42	0.42	0.42	0.00	#10

Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	153.51	80.17		73.34	7.50	7.25	7.42	7.25	7.25	0.00	#10
2	Misha GE	UZB	134.02	63.68		71.34	7.00	6.92	7.17	7.25	7.33	1.00	#9
3	June Hyoung LEE	KOR	118.31	61.31		59.00	6.17	5.83	5.75	5.83	5.92	2.00	#8
4	Hyon CHOE	PRK	111.26	55.24		56.02	5.92	5.42	5.67	5.50	5.50	0.00	#7
5	Dong Won LEE	KOR	108.49	53.97		54.52	5.75	5.17	5.42	5.42	5.50	0.00	#6
6	Jui-Shu CHEN	TPE	100.00	51.00		49.00	5.17	4.75	4.92	4.83	4.83	0.00	#5
7	Harry Hau Yin LEE	HKG	74.05	33.71		41.34	4.33	3.92	4.08	4.17	4.17	1.00	#4
8	Suchet KONGCHIM	THA	71.86	29.86		42.00	4.25	4.00	4.25	4.17	4.33	0.00	#3
9	Kwun Hung LEUNG	HKG	63.85	27.01		39.84	4.25	3.75	3.92	4.00	4.00	3.00	#2

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	226.21	1	1
2	Misha GE	UZB	203.63	2	2
3	June Hyoung LEE	KOR	178.96	3	3
4	Hyon CHOE	PRK	167.66	4	4
5	Dong Won LEE	KOR	162.10	5	5
6	Jui-Shu CHEN	TPE	150.99	6	6
7	Harry Hau Yin LEE	HKG	113.56	7	7
8	Suchet KONGCHIM	THA	110.99	8	8
9	Kwun Hung LEUNG	HKG	98.54	9	9
10	Shrey PAINULI	IND	2.26	10

Coupe du Printemps Senior Men's Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Jorik HENDRICKX	BEL	67.34	39.00		28.34	5.92	5.42	5.92	5.58	5.50	0.00	#1
2	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	61.47	32.47		29.00	6.17	5.50	5.83	5.58	5.92	0.00	#5
3	Zoltan KELEMEN	ROU	60.92	33.67		27.25	5.58	4.92	5.67	5.58	5.50	0.00	#11
4	Paul FENTZ	GER	53.04	27.54		25.50	5.25	4.83	5.17	5.08	5.17	0.00	#2
5	Mario Rafael IONIAN	AUT	49.08	25.66		23.42	4.83	4.42	4.67	4.83	4.67	0.00	#8
6	Noël-Antoine PIERRE	FRA	47.59	24.50		24.09	4.75	4.67	4.92	5.08	4.67	1.00	#4
7	David RICHARDSON	GBR	46.27	22.19		24.08	4.67	4.58	4.83	4.92	5.08	0.00	#7
8	Gaylord LAVOISIER	FRA	45.75	24.16		21.59	4.58	4.17	4.25	4.42	4.17	0.00	#6
9	Manuel KOLL	AUT	37.13	16.30		21.83	4.42	4.08	4.25	4.50	4.58	1.00	#9

Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	120.11	61.11		60.00	6.17	5.67	6.08	6.00	6.08	1.00	#8
2	Jorik HENDRICKX	BEL	119.42	59.90		59.52	5.92	5.67	6.00	6.17	6.00	0.00	#9
3	Zoltan KELEMEN	ROU	113.20	59.70		54.50	5.50	5.00	5.67	5.50	5.58	1.00	#7
4	Paul FENTZ	GER	109.54	64.36		47.18	5.00	4.42	4.75	4.75	4.67	2.00	#6
5	David RICHARDSON	GBR	94.78	47.44		47.34	4.83	4.50	4.75	4.92	4.67	0.00	#3
6	Gaylord LAVOISIER	FRA	89.32	46.82		43.50	4.50	4.17	4.50	4.33	4.25	1.00	#2
7	Noël-Antoine PIERRE	FRA	88.31	48.65		43.66	4.67	4.08	4.33	4.50	4.25	4.00	#4
8	Mario Rafael IONIAN	AUT	86.76	45.24		43.52	4.75	4.17	4.50	4.17	4.17	2.00	#5
9	Manuel KOLL	AUT	80.15	37.15		43.00	4.67	4.00	4.25	4.33	4.25	0.00	#1

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Jorik HENDRICKX	BEL	186.76	1	2
2	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	181.58	2	1
3	Zoltan KELEMEN	ROU	174.12	3	3
4	Paul FENTZ	GER	162.58	4	4
5	David RICHARDSON	GBR	141.05	7	5
6	Noël-Antoine PIERRE	FRA	135.90	6	7
7	Mario Rafael IONIAN	AUT	135.84	5	8
8	Gaylord LAVOISIER	FRA	135.07	8	6
9	Manuel KOLL	AUT	117.28	9	9
WD	Maurizio ZANDRON	ITA
WD	Patrick MYZYK	POL

Grand Prix Final Men's Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Javier FERNANDEZ	ESP	178.43	95.93		82.50	8.21	8.00	8.39	8.29	8.36	0.00	#2
2	Yuzuru HANYU	JPN	177.12	91.96		85.16	8.61	8.29	8.61	8.61	8.46	0.00	#4
3	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	177.11	87.89		90.22	9.00	8.82	9.07	9.11	9.11	1.00	#6
4	Patrick CHAN	CAN	169.39	79.75		90.64	9.11	8.96	8.96	9.11	9.18	1.00	#5
5	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	166.88	85.58		82.30	8.32	8.04	8.18	8.32	8.29	1.00	#3
6	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	128.05	56.41		72.64	7.39	7.07	7.18	7.39	7.29	1.00	#1

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	269.40	1	3
2	Yuzuru HANYU	JPN	264.29	3	2
3	Patrick CHAN	CAN	258.66	2	4
4	Javier FERNANDEZ	ESP	258.62	5	1
5	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	253.27	4	5
6	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	198.63	6	6

Grand Prix Final Men's Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	92.29	49.15		43.14	8.61	8.46	8.75	8.64	8.68	0.00	#2
2	Patrick CHAN	CAN	89.27	44.74		44.53	8.96	8.75	8.79	8.96	9.07	0.00	#6
3	Yuzuru HANYU	JPN	87.17	46.76		41.41	8.29	8.11	8.36	8.29	8.36	1.00	#5
4	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	86.39	46.64		40.75	8.32	7.96	8.11	8.18	8.18	1.00	#4
5	Javier FERNANDEZ	ESP	80.19	42.94		38.25	7.68	7.46	7.64	7.79	7.68	1.00	#1
6	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	70.58	34.30		37.28	7.61	7.32	7.39	7.50	7.46	1.00	#3

Grand Prix Final Men's Preview

The men have been up and down all season but the Japanese have proved supreme with four entrants in the Final.  All three of the Grand Prix Final medalists as well as the World medalists are at this event.  Only Tatsuki Machida is at this event for the first time.

Patrick Chan made some mistakes at home in Canada and won the silver medal behind Javier Fernandez.  He threw up a huge score at Rostelecom Cup with two quads in his free skate to claim back his top spot.  He's going for his third consecutive Grand Prix Final title.  He has the 4th best short program, best free skate and best total scores of the season.

Yuzuru Hanyu has set two world record short program scores this season but the 17 year old struggled under the pressure at Skate America in his free skate.  He rebounded at NHK Trophy and showed that he is ready to compete with the best and challenge for the top of the podium.  He has the best short program, 4th best free skate and 2nd best total score of the season.

Takahiko Kozuka won the gold medal at Skate America.  Although he won the silver at Rostelecom Cup, he faltered and scored 21 points less.  If he can skate like he did at Skate America he can be on the podium, otherwise he'll be at the bottom of the pack.  He has the 5th best short program, 3rd best free skate and 5th best total scores of the season.

Javier Fernandez also started strong defeating Patrick Chan at Skate Canada but he dropped to 4th place at NHK Trophy.  He has three quads planned in his free skate but has yet to hit them all.  If he can do it, he'll have a huge technical score in addition to his PCS capabilities.  He has the 3rd best short program, 2nd best free skate and 3rd best total scores of the season.

Daisuke Takahashi has struggled this season and his programs don't really seem to fit his personality. He won two silver medals this season on the Grand Prix and didn't win gold for the first time since 2009.  He has the 2nd best short program, 5th best free skate and 4th best total scores of the season.

Tatsuki Machida was one of the biggest surprises of the season, backing up his Skate America bronze medal by beating Takahashi at Cup of China for the gold medal.  He has the 6th best short program, 8th best free skate and 7th best total scores of the season.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Yuzuru Hanyu
Bronze: Daisuke Takahashi

Bios of the competitors:
Patrick Chan, CAN: He is the reigning World Champion and Four Continents Champion.  He won silver at Skate Canada and gold at Rostelecom Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  He qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and won gold.  He is the 2011 World Champion, 2009 and 2010 World silver medalist, 2009 Four Continents Champion and 2007 World Junior silver medalist.  His personal best is 280.98.  He is 21 years old.

Yuzuru Hanyu, JPN: He is the reigning World Bronze Medalist.  He won silver at Skate America and gold at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  He qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and finished 4th.  He is the 2011 Four Continents Silver Medalist and 2010 World Junior Champion.  His personal best is 261.03.  He is 17 years old.

Takahiko Kozuka, JPN: He finished 11th at Worlds. He won gold at Skate America and silver at Rostelecom Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  He is the 2011 World Silver Medalist, 2009 Four Continents Bronze Medalist and 2006 World Junior Champion.  His personal best is 258.41.  He is 23 years old.

Tatsuki Machida, JPN: He finished 7th at Four Continents.  He won bronze at Skate America and gold at Cup of China.  He is the 2010 Four Continents Silver Medalist.  His personal best is 232.92.  He is 22 years old.

Daisuke Takahashi, JPN: He is the reigning Worlds and Four Continents Silver Medalist.  He won silver at Cup of China and NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  He qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and won silver.  He is the 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2010 World Champion, 2007 World Silver Medalist, 2008 and 2011 Four Continents Champion, 2005 Four Continents Bronze Medalist and 2002 World Junior Champion.  His personal best is 276.72.  He is 26 years old.

Javier Fernandez, ESP: He finished 9th at Worlds and 6th at Europeans.  He won gold at Skate Canada and finished 4th at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  He qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and won bronze.  His personal best is 253.94.  He is 21 years old.

Cup of China Men's Free Skate

Group 2
Nan Song, CHN: TES + PCS =

• Collided with Rippon in 6 minute warmup and withdrew

Adam Rippon, USA: 61.81 TES + 71.86 PCS = 133.67 Total: 205.48 and into 1st place

• Popped his axel into a single + double toe
• Nice triple salchow
• With this new haircut he looks a lot like Kent Boyd from SYTYCD
• A little low on the landing of the triple loop but hangs on
• I like this fun carefree program--such a departure from what he normally does and it shows a different side of his skating
• Flying sit spin with a nice twisted position and good speed maintaining through the back donut
• I like the little choreographic touches in his transitions
• Triple axel and hangs on to the landing
• Triple lutz + double toe + double loop with one arm variation on the lutz
• Nice choreographic step sequence really playing to the crowd
• Nice speed in his combination spin with a good layback position included
• Step out and under-rotated Rippon lutz
• Double axel
• Nice spread eagle into triple flip right at the end of the program
• If he wants to break into the top group he'll need to get consistency on that triple axel as it is an absolute MUST in addition to quads.  He also seems to be struggling with his lutz lately which is his signature jump.

Sergei Voronov, RUS: 73.59 TES + 70.44 PCS = 144.03 Total: 217.61 and into 1st place

• Big quad toe just slightly forward on the landing
• Huge triple axel a little off in the air but he lands it
• Quad toe + double toe-- not a lot of transitions between those three jumps but he gained a lot of points
• Needs more flexibility through the catchfoot position in his camel spin; not a lot of speed but maintained throughout
• A little slow on the step sequence and he doesn't always extend through his free leg
• Triple toe + double toe
• Triple flip
• Double axel + double toe + double toe
• Triple loop
• Triple salchow--solid jumping day for him
• I like the freedom in this step sequence and he seems to be connecting with the audience and his music more
• Good speed in the camel position but his leg is slightly forward; traveling a lot after the change of foot and not a lot of flexibility in some of the positions
• Sit spin needs more stretch in the free leg

Tatsuki Machida, JPN: 76.66 TES + 77.78 PCS -1.00 = 153.44 Total: 236.92 and into 1st place

• Big triple axel but it looked like his free leg touched the ice on the landing
• Fall on the quad toe
• Triple lutz + triple toe off in the air and tight on the landing of his second jump
• Not a lot of rotations in the sit spin and no change of position so it will be a lower level
• A lot of movement in his step sequence with use of his full body but seems choppy in places and he's on top of his blade instead of into his edges in places
• Triple axel almost landed in a squat but he manages to tack on the sequence
• Nice camel spin 
• Triple loop
• Triple lutz
• Triple flip + double toe
• Triple toe
• He seems a little frantic in places in this choreographic step sequence and I'd like to see him have a bit more control while still having the same passion and feel for the choreography
• Not a lot of speed in his combination spin

Daisuke Takahashi, JPN: 65.30 TES + 82.66 PCS -1.00 = 146.96 Total: 231.75 and into 2nd place

• Two foots the quad toe but stands up
• I hate this costume--not sure what he's supposed to be; it looks like someone threw two costumes together
• Two foots the quad toe + single toe
• Huge triple axel right on the music
• Nice positions in his spins, good centering, not a ton of speed, but maintained throughout
• Good step sequence and I think he's doing all he can with what he's been given but I don't think this program truly lets him show off his style and play to the crowd which are two of his biggest strengths
• Nice layback spin
• Triple lutz a little forward + double toe
• Triple axel step out + single toe
• Triple salchow out of steps
• Triple loop
• He seems to be really running out of steam and he doesn't seem to be into this program at all; no magic at all and really lackluster
• Triple flip
• Now we're getting a little something in this choreographic step sequence
• Good speed in his final combination spin

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	153.44	76.66		77.78	7.75	7.39	7.89	7.86	8.00	1.00	#8
2	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	146.96	65.30		82.66	8.39	8.04	8.04	8.32	8.54	1.00	#9
3	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	144.03	73.59		70.44	7.32	6.54	7.21	7.04	7.11	0.00	#7
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	133.67	61.81		71.86	7.29	6.89	7.11	7.32	7.32	0.00	#6
5	Yi WANG	CHN	131.02	68.52		63.50	6.57	6.07	6.43	6.36	6.32	1.00	#2
6	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	128.37	62.17		67.20	6.82	6.64	6.64	6.64	6.86	1.00	#4
7	Jinlin GUAN	CHN	115.07	55.57		60.50	6.25	5.79	6.14	6.07	6.00	1.00	#1
WD	Nan SONG	CHN											#5
WD	Brian JOUBERT	FRA											#3

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	236.92	2	1
2	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	231.75	1	2
3	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	217.61	3	3
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	205.48	4	4
5	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	198.24	6	6
6	Yi WANG	CHN	188.27	8	5
7	Jinlin GUAN	CHN	171.04	9	7

Cup of China Men's Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Daisuke TAKAHASHI	JPN	84.79	41.90		42.89	8.57	8.32	8.50	8.71	8.79	0.00	#9
2	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	83.48	44.16		39.32	7.79	7.64	8.04	7.89	7.96	0.00	#8
3	Sergei VORONOV	RUS	73.58	39.44		34.14	6.96	6.36	7.00	6.86	6.96	0.00	#2
4	Adam RIPPON	USA	71.81	35.77		37.04	7.39	7.18	7.43	7.50	7.54	1.00	#7
5	Nan SONG	CHN	70.86	39.53		32.33	6.57	6.18	6.61	6.43	6.54	1.00	#4
6	Kevin REYNOLDS	CAN	69.87	36.48		34.39	6.89	6.82	6.82	6.86	7.00	1.00	#5
7	Brian JOUBERT	FRA	63.27	27.20		36.07	7.50	6.64	7.29	7.18	7.46	0.00	#6
8	Yi WANG	CHN	57.25	29.40		28.85	6.07	5.54	5.64	5.89	5.71	1.00	#1
9	Jinlin GUAN	CHN	55.97	25.86		31.11	6.46	6.04	6.07	6.25	6.29	1.00	#3

Cup of China Men's Preview

Daisuke Takahashi headlines this event and should cruise to an easy victory.  He battled with Patrick Chan for the top podium spot on several occasions last season and finally claimed gold at the World Team Trophy with personal best scores across the board.  His skating skills and performance qualities are legendary but he'll need a solid quad in both programs to stay in the mix on the World stage.

Brian Joubert rode his Matrix program to personal best scores and a 4th place finish for Worlds after dealing with injury most of last season.  The jumps are the highlights of his program and it will be interesting to see how he can build on the end of his season and find the right vehicle to exhibit his skills.

Tatsuki Machida won the bronze at Skate America as part of the Japanese sweep of the men's podium.  He had a personal best performance at that event and has shown he is gunning for one of the spots on the Japanese team.  He'll need a silver medal finish to give himself a shot at the Grand Prix Final and a gold medal to guarantee himself a place in Sochi.

Also in the mix are Adam Rippon, who just missed the podium at his two events last season but had a poor showing at Worlds and Nan Song who just missed the Final last season after winning a silver and bronze on the Grand Prix but struggled toward the end of the season.  If they can hit their quads and other jumps they both can make their way on to the podium.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Daisuke Takahashi
Silver: Tatsuki Machida
Bronze: Brian Joubert

Bios of the competitors:

Kevin Reynolds, CAN: He finished 12th at Worlds and 8th at Four Continents.  He placed 7th at Cup of China last season.  He is the 2010 Four Continents bronze medalist.  His personal best is 221.31.  He is 22 years old.


Jinlin Guan, CHN: He finished 10th at Four Continents.  He is the 2008 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  His personal best is 201.98.  He is 22 years old.

Nan Song, CHN: He placed 14th at Worlds and 11th at Four Continents.   He won bronze at Cup of China and silver at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  He is the 2010 World Junior silver medalist.  His personal best is 226.75.  He is 22 years old.

Yi Wang, CHN: This is his international debut.  He is 20 years old.

Brian Joubert, FRA: He finished 4th at Worlds last season and 8th at Europeans.   He is the 2007 World Champion, 2006 and 2008 World Silver Medalist, 2009 and 2010 World Bronze Medalist; 2004, 2007 and 2009 European Champion; 2003, 2005 and 2011 European Silver Medalist; and 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2010 European Bronze Medalist.  His personal best is 244.58.  He is 28 years old.

Tatsuki Machida, JPN: He finished 7th at Four Continents.  He won bronze at Skate America.  He is the 2010 Four Continents Silver Medalist.  His personal best is 229.95.  He is 22 years old.

Daisuke Takahashi, JPN: He is the reigning Worlds and Four Continents Silver Medalist.  He won bronze at Skate Canada and gold at NHK Trophy last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he won silver.  He is the 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2010 World Champion, 2007 World Silver Medalist, 2008 and 2011 Four Continents Champion, 2005 Four Continents Bronze Medalist and 2002 World Junior Champion.  His personal best is 276.72.  He is 26 years old.

Sergei Voronov, RUS: He finished 17th at Worlds and 10th at Europeans.  He placed 7th at Rostelecom Cup last season.  He is the 2006 World Junior Silver Medalist and 2007 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  His personal best is 220.39.  He is 25 years old.

Adam Rippon, USA: He finished 13th at Worlds and 4th at Four Continents.  He placed 4th at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  He is the 2010 Four Continents Champion and 2008 and 2009 World Junior Champion.  His personal best is 233.04.  He is 22 years old.

Skate America Men's Free Skate

Group 1

Douglas Razzano, USA: 68.29 TES + 62.38 PCS = 130.67 Total: 187.73

• Really nice quad toe with a solid landing
• Triple axel with a hand down on the ice and a turnout
• Triple axel + double toe nicely done
• Big telegraphing into a popped double lutz
• Camel spin with good position and speed; picking up speed through the catchfoot variation
• Nice flow in his footwork sequence but some ice sprays showing that not all of his edges were clean
• Triple toe + triple toe with nice height 
• Nice spread eagle stepping right into a triple salchow
• Good triple loop
• Nice passion and power across the ice in his choreographic step sequence
• Double axel + double toe nice
• Good speed in his final combination spin with a good stretched out sit position and ending with  a scratch spin

Tomas Verner, CZE: 64.63 TES + 73.94 PCS = 138.57 Total: 197.36 and into 1st place

• Nice smooth jazzy opening to the program
• Triple toe was very solid--looked like he had enough height so not sure why he didn't go for the quad
• Nice triple flip
• Single axel--completely open and couldn't get the rotation
• Good flying entry to the sit spin with an excellent back tuck position
• Great choreography in this program and excellent attention to detail throughout all the transitions
• Good triple axel
• Triple loop with a bit of a wonky landing but he hangs on
• Triple lutz + triple toe with good rotational speed but another slightly wobbly landing
• Triple lutz
• Triple salchow two foots but manages to save it
• A little slow in his camel spin especially with the pace of the music
• I liked how smooth and seamless his first step sequence was and the choreographic step sequence is much more upbeat and provides a nice contrast
• A bit slow in the camel spin as well and losing some centering through the end of his combo spin

Alexander Majorov, SWE: 61.02 TES + 60.92 PCS = 121.94 Total: 182.42 and into 3rd place

• Triple axel + triple toe to open the program
• Triple lutz with a hand down and completely stopped on the landing
• Triple axel flip out and hands down
• Nice stretched legs in his camel spin but losing a lot of speed toward the end
• Very choppy on his edges in the step sequence and not a lot of power across the ice
• Triple flip + double toe + double toe
• Double axel with a bit of a wonky landing but hangs on
• Double salchow + double toe with great spring on his second jump
• His posture on the takeoff of jumps is only costing him GOE points with a hunched over back and bent arms pulled next to his body; I don't think this helps him get up in the air to complete the rotation either
• Triple toe
• Good speed on his sit spin and nice centering

Armin Mahbanoozadeh, USA: 68.38 TES + 68.00 PCS -1.00 = 135.38  Total: 203.65 and into 1st place

• Quad toe with a fall
• Good triple axel with a solid landing
• Triple lutz + triple toe was really nicely done
• Great landing on the triple loop
• Good speed and position in his sit spin with nice centering
• He has a nice lilting quality to this step sequence; great use of his arms and lots of nice edges
• Single axel + triple toe
• Nice camel position with a change of foot into a catchfoot position
• Triple lutz + half loop + triple salchow
• Single flip + double axel sequence
• Nice use of the music and the space in the choreographic step sequence
• Good positions and speed in his final combination spin ending with a nice scratch spin
• There were some really great moments in his program and some misses but a nice outing for early in the season

Michal Brezina, CZE: 69.11 TES + 73.30 PCS -2.00 = 140.41 Total: 209.67 and into 1st place

• I didn't like this program or costume last season so I'm a little disappointed he's reusing it
• Hard fall on his hip on the quad salchow attempt
• Good triple axel recovery
• Quad salchow a lot closer but he falls--not sure what they'll do with these since you can't repeat a jump unless it's in a combo so that will cost him some points as well
• Really bent free leg in his sit spin
• Triple axel + double toe
• Triple flip
• Triple loop
• Triple lutz solidly landing
• Triple salchow + double toe + double toe
• These clock arms don't do anything for the program choreography wise and he's more capable then this
• Really losing speed in this combo spin through the flying changes and the awkward standing position holding his foot
• Nice twisted sit position into a broken leg position
• If you're going to repeat a program it needs to grow and show improvement and I think he was lacking a lot of the energy to really sell the program

Group 2

Konstantin Menshov, RUS: 67.43 TES + 71.78 PCS = 139.21  Total: 212.53 and into 1st place

• A little bobble on the end of his quad toe but he stood up and held on to it
• Quad toe + double toe nicely done
• Double axel--never really pulled in all of the way to get the rotation
• Triple lutz
• Triple axel + double toe was wonky in the air but he pulled it off
• Nice leg positions in his sit spin but he seems to have his arm at an awkward angle
• Double salchow
• Triple loop
• Flying camel into an upright spin with a flying change of foot into another upright spin--a little odd and seemed to travel a bit
• Very choppy in his step sequence and lots of ice sprays--he really needs to get into his edges to smooth this out
• Triple toe with hands down
• Losing speed in his combo spin after the change of foot
• He seems to be out of energy going into this choreographic step sequence and you can tell by the quality of movement and lack of control over some of the elements

Tatsuki Machida, JPN: 75.03 TES + 80.14 PCS -1.00 = 154.17 Total: 229.95 and into 1st place

• Nice triple axel to open the program
• Quad toe with a fall
• Triple lutz + triple toe nice
• Needs a bit more stretch through his sit spin but nice speed
• A little frenetic in this step sequence and doesn't seem to always fit the music which will cost him some PCS points
• A little back on the takeoff of the triple axel and he lands almost sitting on the ice 
• Lovely camel spin and while it's a bit on the slower side the speed is maintained and it really shows off the beautiful position
• Triple lutz nicely done
• Triple flip + double toe
• Triple toe
• I like the freedom and passion in his choreographic step sequence stepping right into his combination spin with good changes of position 

Jeremy Abbott, USA: 55.50 TES + 81.14 PCS -3.00 =133.64 Total: 211.35 and into 3rd place

• Triple lutz to open the program nice and solid
• Quad toe very close but he falls 
• Beautiful camel spin position with good maintained speed
• Nice triple flip
• Good camel and picking up speed through his sit spin and maintaining the speed through the change of foot
• A little forward on the landing of the triple axel but hangs on
• Stepping right into a second triple axel and falls
• Losing a little speed on his sit spin
• Double lutz + double toe + double toe a little tight at the end
• Double loop
• The choreography on this program is stunning and so intricate that you don't see the elements vs transitions
• Double toe
• The technical side unraveled there at the end but the program was beautiful and will be stunning when it's clean and all there
• He looks to be in pain as he's taking his bows and is struggling to get off the ice--he might have injured himself during the program which affected the rest of his jumps

Takahiko Kozuka, JPN: 81.84 TES + 84.28 PCS = 166.12  Total: 251.44 and into 1st place

• Really nice quad toe
• Quad toe (two footed) + double toe
• Triple axel
• Good camel spin into a fast sit spin and an interesting scratch spin variation
• Nice step sequence with lots of turns and changes of edge
• Triple axel + double toe + double loop
• Nice speed in his sit spin into a back tuck position
• Triple flip
• Good spread eagle into a triple loop
• Nice lightness and flow in this choreographic step sequence full of hops and little jumps
• Triple lutz + double toe
• Triple salchow hand down and then a step out 
• Losing a lot of speed through the position changes in this combo spin but picking it up to finish strong with a scratch spin

Yuzuru Hanyu, JPN: 72.11 TES + 79.56 PCS -3.00 = 148.67  Total: 243.74 and into 2nd place

• Fall on the quad toe
• Quad salchow with another fall
• Super height on the triple axel
• Nice tuck sit spin with no arms on his leg and good speed
• He seems to be on top of his blades and not in the edges on some of the steps in his step sequence
• Triple axel + triple toe nicely done
• An awkward triple lutz landed side ways, two footed and with a hand down
• Triple lutz
• Triple loop
• Nice camel spin with a great donut position into a nice low sit spin and ending with a Biellman
• Nice Ina Bauer going into a triple flip with an awkward fall almost landing on his back and he takes a second to get back up
• Not a lot of energy left in this program from him and completely lacking his characteristic passion and performance quality
• Final combo spin was traveling a bit

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	166.12	81.84		84.28	8.43	8.18	8.57	8.46	8.50	0.00	#9
2	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	154.17	75.03		80.14	7.93	7.71	8.11	8.14	8.18	1.00	#7
3	Yuzuru HANYU	JPN	148.67	72.11		79.56	8.18	7.89	7.68	8.21	7.82	3.00	#10
4	Michal BREZINA	CZE	140.41	69.11		73.30	7.54	6.93	7.36	7.36	7.46	2.00	#5
5	Konstantin MENSHOV	RUS	139.21	67.43		71.78	7.36	6.96	7.21	7.18	7.18	0.00	#6
6	Tomas VERNER	CZE	138.57	64.63		73.94	7.50	7.00	7.36	7.43	7.68	0.00	#2
7	Armin MAHBANOOZADEH	USA	135.38	68.38		68.00	6.82	6.64	6.82	6.86	6.86	1.00	#4
8	Jeremy ABBOTT	USA	133.64	55.50		81.14	8.00	7.93	7.82	8.39	8.43	3.00	#8
9	Douglas RAZZANO	USA	130.67	68.29		62.38	6.43	5.79	6.54	6.18	6.25	0.00	#1
10	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	121.94	61.02		60.92	6.18	5.82	6.14	6.25	6.07	0.00	#3

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Takahiko KOZUKA	JPN	251.44	2	1
2	Yuzuru HANYU	JPN	243.74	1	3
3	Tatsuki MACHIDA	JPN	229.95	4	2
4	Konstantin MENSHOV	RUS	212.53	5	5
5	Jeremy ABBOTT	USA	211.35	3	8
6	Michal BREZINA	CZE	209.67	6	4
7	Armin MAHBANOOZADEH	USA	203.65	7	7
8	Tomas VERNER	CZE	197.36	9	6
9	Douglas RAZZANO	USA	187.73	10	9
10	Alexander MAJOROV	SWE	182.42	8	10