Grand Prix Final
Grand Prix Final
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Report from Sally, Canada: December 15, 2001 - Second free skate "Super Final":
Alexei: 4T/3T; 4T; 3A; 3A/2T (landing wonky on 3A); 3Lutz; 2Flip; 3Sal
Evgeni: 4/3/2 (extra turn after quad); 4T; 3A; 3Sal; 3Lutz/3Toe; 3Loop; 3Flip
IMHO, Evgeni was clearly the better skater technically.
Presentation wise, Alexei was probably better but Plush was pretty darn good.
Alexei was really running out of steam at the end of his program. Evgeni was not.
Subjective sport .... what can I say. I really don't agree with it, but I have
to accept it. Liked the costume. Liked the music (for it being the first time "hearing" of it).
Evgeni clearly thought he had won at the end of the program - he was very happy and they showed
Alexei going backstage looking very sad (he had sat right at the boards and watched Evgeni
throughout and you could tell that, at that moment, Alexei thought he had lost).
Evgeni's marks:
Yagudins marks:
Tracy Wilson (TV commentator) was shocked that Evgeni's technical marks were
not higher "for what he'd done". On ABC, one of the commentators (not sure which one)
said "these marks, look at them, they're all over the place; these should be much higher").
But then Dick Button seemed happy that Alexei had won, so go figure.
It's sad. I don't know what else to say. Perhaps something good can come from this, but
I think it was unfair. Plush will take this, try to understand it, work hard and do what
he has to do. Evgeni's new free skate:
The music from Cirque de Soleil/Moulin Rouge is wonderful. It has many variances
in speed and provides the opportunity to express many different moods.
The program begins with violins playing and Evgeni "sweeps the bow across
the violin" to start. The 4Toe/3Toe/2Loop had two turns after the quad,
turning the combination into a "jump series" rather than a pure combo, but
all three jumps were well done. The 2nd quad toe was text book perfect.
The music changes to brass band (the type of music you would hear at a circus) and
Evgeni did a 3Axel. He was too close to the boards to add the planned 3Toe.
Unfortunately, the ice surface at Kitchener was not Olympic size and landing
too close to the boards was a common problem for most skaters.
Evgeni began his straight line footwork sequence with some hip wiggles (always
get some squeals from females in the audience) and then he did some dazzling
crossover steps before picking up full speed to go down length of the ice.
The next section of music (electric piano) is especially beautiful
(slow and delicate with "accents"); a kind of haunting melody and I
felt this was the best part of the program. The music carries Evgeni and the viewer.
His arm movements here were particularly expressive and his jumps, which included a
flawless 3Lutz/3Toe were well spaced.
Evgeni's Biellman spin was especially good in this program - 4 full rotations.
Final section of music is violin again and he ends the program with a final
"sweep of the bow across the violin".
When you stop to consider that this was his first time skating this program before an audiences
- and it was his 3rd program in 36 hours on a frozen ankle, Evgeni did a simply amazing job.
The expression on his face at the end was one of satisfaction (with the way he had skated)
and, I thought, relief that his job was done. His week in Kitchener had not been pain-free,
for sure.
It was evident, from the look on his face, that he thought this had been enough to win.
He had completed 2 quads, 7 triples, including a 3/3 combo. The top technical marks did
go to Evgeni; but, unfortunately, by a 4-3 split of the judges, the final result placed
him 2nd.
The fans really enjoyed Cirque de Soleil/Moulin Rouge and; as he sat in the K/C, he let
Alexei Mishin hold a giant lion toy someone has given him. It was obvious that both
Plush and Mishin were surprised by the 2nd placement, but both were great about it -
continuing to smile and Evgeni waved to the crowd.
They weren't the only ones who were surprised. Dick Button's response to the
technical marks was "These are all over the place from 5.7 to 5.9 - these should
be much higher. His precision and carriage were wonderful." As Plush took his
bows at the end of the performance, Cdn. commentator, Rod Black, said, "Well, it looks
like the (winning) streak will continue for Plushenko." And, when the marks came up,
Tracy Wilson said that the marks should be much higher, considering what he had just done.
Evgeni appears to be in very good shape - he did not seem out of breath at the end of this
performance. This program has tremendous potential - the music is wonderful and it will
only grow and improve with time. Photos © by Manaaw
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Evgeni
finished 2nd to "you know who" at GPF. I'm not a happy camper. How can 2 judges tie
skaters for the technical mark when this is what they've done?
As Evgeni skated to the center of the ice to begin his new FP to Cirque de Soleil/Moulin Rouge,
Dick Button, commentator for American TV network, said that, at the 2001 Worlds,
Evgeni Plushenko was "just electric; so full of conviction; he was magnificent;
full of assurance and had laser-beam focus." Shows how much Evgeni has impressed
Mr. Button, a 2-time Olympic champion himself. They also said that Evgeni had received
another shot to freeze his ankle just prior to this free skate.
And Dick expressed a concern that Evgeni, on his toe jumps, when he drives the toe pick
of the free legs into the ice, his ankle bends at an awkward angle. This does not affect
his technique (which Dick said is perfection); but it is very hard on his ankles.
It would be much easier on his body if he could keep that joint straight when he
puts so much force on it. This is a habit Evgeni has formed and Dick worries that
he may be susceptible to more ankle injuries because of it.