#andrei lazukin

[fs-rambling]

I rescored the rest of the men’s top 10 at Worlds 2019

A while ago, I decided to rescore (and subsequently rerank) the top 5 men at Worlds.  Now, as requested by @scifikimmi , I’ve done the rest of the top 10 (sorry it took so long!).  I also made a few small adjustments to the scores I gave previously.

Results:

1. Yuzuru Hanyu, 306.17

2. Nathan Chen, 291.88

3. Shoma Uno, 278.93

4. Mikhail Kolyada, 257.24

5. Matteo Rizzo, 255.54

6. Jason Brown, 253.96

7. Boyang Jin, 253.84

8. Vincent Zhou, 249.04

12. Michal Brezina, 239.71

16. Andrei Lazukin, 234.55

As always, here are my notes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1miBuwqj4PhtPdQFntBl4-aACaB_mnHpeg9EKT0t0yBM/edit?usp=sharing - let me know if you think I made a mistake anywhere.

Tell me what I should do next!

[figureskatingcostumes]

Andrei Lazukin skating to Mack the Knife for his short program at the 2020 Russian Championships.

(Source: Sport24)

[figure-skating-confessions]

“Lazukin was really rude to Boyang during the op at the 2019 worlds. He was practically shouting into Boyang’s ears for no apparent reason and he got away with no ramifications.“

[lazuliblade]

Skate Canada Men’s FS (Group 2)

Writing down my live impression of the second group!

Deniss Vasiljevs 143.39, TS: 227.40

3A3T nice, 4T double footed shaky landing, 3Lo2T nice exit, 1A pop, StSq3, 3LzEu3Sal nice, 3F, 1Lz pop. Not the best skate, but at least he pulled through. I like his costume. I think the skate would hold better if he had skated clean, because these few mistakes really cost him on performance. The program didn’t feel like it built up in momentum as a result. Andrei Lazukin 133.08, TS 212.07 4Lz (it sounded like his free leg touched down?), 2T pop, 2A foot down, 3FEu2S, StSq3, 3Lo, 3Lz1T - you could tell the 3Lz looked wrong from the takeoff, so kudos to him for staying upright and tacking on something, 3F2T, oof he slipped into his spin. Mmm, the music is nice, but I feel like there wasn’t much choreography to work together with the music. After he popped that 4T into a 2T it felt like he lost concentration or confidence. It was rough to watch, but at least he didn’t fall much. Keiji Tanaka 169.91 250.02 4S, 4S1T - it was getting really close to the boards so I wonder if he didn’t feel he had enough room to try a bigger combo, 3A3T the 3A had a lot of power going into it wow, his camel spin was timed to the tempo of the music change so that felt very satisfying to watch, 3F very nice running edge, 2T pop, 3LoEu2S(pop?), 3Lz nice, StSq2. He uses his arms well throughout and takes advantage of the quiet moments in order to create contrast with the more energetic moments later. I love how he ends this program. It feels very fitting for the character. C’mon Keiji, I need you to bring it this year! Bring down the house and then give the judges that sultry(?) last look!

Camden Pulkinen 155.73 TS:244.78 4T not the best exit but not bad, 3A very nice, 3Lo, 3LzEu3S, StSq2, 3A2T, 3Lz, 3F step out. I like how when the music changed going into the second half he used his arms to highlight the softness and flow of the music. I really like this program and look forward to seeing it throughout the season. Also, Yuzu’s right in calling his 3A “dynamic” it really had a lot of height and power into it. Yuzuru Hanyu

212.99 TS:322.59

YOOOOOO

Ahhh that was so good! No falls! His opening 4Lo wasn’t the best exit but he held it, 4S was huge holy heck the height on that, 3Lz was clean and easy, the 4T was easy as pie (it felt like he was talking to himself before he went into it? confirming something? I thought he would be turning this into a combo), then the 4TEu3F was nice - I was not expecting him to do that. His 3A3T was so fast and tight, and for the final 3A2Trippon the Axel had a lean on landing but he held to turn it into a combo. HE GOT A STSq4! First of the men today! All lvl 4s on his spins as well.

The way he thanked the ice after he finished skating was precious. He fought well. Brian in the K&C: “You may have won your first Skate Canada” Yuzu: “Skate Canada, yaaay”

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

[shoma-uno]

#podiumproblems

[moonstarphoenix]

Skate Canada Men’s LP Pt. 2

Now for group 2. Again barring a complete and total meltdown which is highly unlikely, Yuzuru Hanyu has this one but the rest of the podium is wide open.

I’ve enjoyed Deniss Vailjevs the last couple of season. I apologize I’ve been misspelling his coach’s name and leaving off the e at the end. I should know better. He’s missing and popping a lot of the jumps. I like this music. It’s dramatic. If he lands the jumps, it could be an amazing program for him. He’s got a lot of skills and potential and his spins are highly unique. he was definitely hoping for a better long but I love his smile at the end. It’s fun to be able to hear the competitors in the kiss and cry. You can tell the ones who are serious about their performances. Deniss is a serious one. He said flat out he wanted to do well and needs to focus better. I hope his next competition is better.

Andrei Lazukin is next. He reminds me of the classic Russian male ballet dancers with how he moves. Lovely quad too. And then pops the next job. If I’m honest, I kind of lost interest through this program but looking at his tech score, it seems he had issues with this jumps. He’s not happy at all. I like his musicality but that program was frankly boring.

Keiji Tanaka is next. I thought he was newer then he was, so I apologize for that. He’s also skating to Sherlock Holmes. Excellent quad to open, but misses the second jump on the next quad combo. He’s got his jumps tonight. Not quite as in character as Brendan was but it’s a different interpretation. I like the choreography but I do think you could replace the music and it would still work. That said that was an excellent long program and he should be proud of that. He’ll be fun to watch this season.

Camden Pulkinen is the only American in the field this week. He gave a stellar short. Let’s see how he does in the long. He’s got a more dramatic long. Lands the quad. He’s determined to make his mark leading into Nationals this year. This is a lovely program but I’m not seeing a lot of spark like in the short. He looks like he’s almost thinking too hard on the jumps. I would also like to see some better transitions. But he will certainly be a contender in the years to come.

Fun question that I could actually look up the answer to but has Yuzuru Hanyu won all of the Grand Prix events in his career? It would be a fun fact and accomplishment if he has. I’m counting quads. While not my favorite,  can appreciate what he brings to the sport. I think it helps that he has challengers now. I’ve never liked when someone runs away with every competition. It makes me miss the days of Tara and Michelle when you didn’t know which one would come out on top. We’re at 4 now by the way. And that said, Hanyu is supremely talented. If he remains healthy, it’ll be one hell of an Olympics. They had to get help for all the plushies. I’m telling you, a big broom would do wonders after he skates. Nice bit of camaraderie with Nam before he steps out on the ice.

Nam Nguyen has to follow that and I’m sorry. He’s got a Beatles medley. I like the first song. It’s a good opening. His programs this year are much better. No wonder his programs play to audience. They were choreographed by Kurt Browning who is a master in playing to and connecting with the audience. And his footwork was to die for. The only thing I wish he would stop is the pointing at the audience and the winking. It gets creepy and cringey after a while. That was a great performance otherwise. He should get second easily. And he does.

An excellent competition. And now we are on to the next. Kevin Aymoz makes his season Grand Prix debut, Nathan has his second. It’s going to be a fun weekend.

[kittyprincessofcats]

I’ve got to say, props to Brendan Kerry for not giving up throughout that skate. Even when everything went wrong, he still kept performing and didn’t break character.

Julian Zhi Jie Yee really impressed me in this first group, well done! Beautiful jumps!

Andrei Lazukin was good too, but the mistakes took me out of the performance a bit.

[peacocksonice]

Banquet pics