This and That: 2024-25 ISU Grand Prix Series Assignments

[@janethuppi6041]

Thanks for putting this on the main feed!

[@hellsbellsmichelle]

I have so been looking forward to a This and That for such a while. Thanks for bringing it back.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@johnseals1986]

So excited for a This and That!!!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️❤️

[@wandaperdieu8137]

Yes!!

[@emilymclane5965]

I literally squealed when I saw the new episode! 🤩

[@NewjeansPOWERPUFF4567]

Edit: I sadly don’t have enough time to finish them off if anyone is willing to do so please be my guest. 1:00 Touring with Stars on ice and In Japan. Working with other skaters 3:20 Frank’s death and his contribution to figure skating. Honoring him video upcoming up 6:30: Alissa skate America and skate canda experience. 8:32: Touching on Amber and Isabel 11:46: Stars on ice funny moments 12:48: Shoma Uno Retirement Touching on Olympics 2026 15:00 New generation of skaters 15:35: Ilia and Yuma 15:41: Yuma and his progress and how he will continue to progress Women: Skate America 18:38: Wakaba 18:45: Participants 19:08: Alysa Liu (comeback) 22:58: USFS and marketing 25:02 collegiate skating Skate Canada 26:15 Women France 28:12 Women 30:00: Potential Rivalries domestically, what USFS could do 33:35: past competition talk CD

[@NewjeansPOWERPUFF4567]

34:30 Alex and Maia Shibutani

[@NewjeansPOWERPUFF4567]

35:00-36:12 Russia, Stars, personalities, storylines NHK Women 36:12 36:24 Finland Women Cup of China Women: 36:35 37:00 Chaeyeon and Hana Yoshida

[@ИринаШпаковская-р8о]

Wow, thank you so much for putting it out there for everyone to watch!

[@nikki_at_disney]

TOTALLY agree on the missed opportunities for NCAA skating. I've seen Karen's programs at the shows at Cornell and they are exquisite. The crowd here knows who she is and adores her. The other skaters on the team are also solidly talented and entertaining. If USFS can do what USAG did on the collegiate level think of how much the sport would grow in popularity.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@khorkina2010]

Not such a good idea. NCAA gymnastics is watered down, overscored gymnastics.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

@@khorkina2010 Are you aware that NCAA has actually kept gymnastics afloat by funding the gymnasts and their medical care, giving them huge fan bases and extending the careers of national team members?

[@kirstenneville1934]

I love this idea and completely agree. I would have loved this as a college student. Would love to watch it now as an older adult. But sadly I cannot imagine this ever happening. Usfs is so old fashioned and out of touch. This is why as a retired competitive skater I’m pretty much more of a gymnastics fan than skating these days.

[@CrazyTiffany86]

Let's Go!!! Was hoping you'd post an episode

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

I must say that I am thrilled to see you both back here on KZbin with your insider knowledge and your companionable banter! 😍🎉

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@ddjr6673]

Thrilled to have you back here! Just woken up to this - Thank you so much ❤ and hoping all is well with you - all the very best from London UK ❤

[@mollyalmulki7429]

I'm so happy to see you both! Thanks for the episode

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@mayamae55]

I love Allisa on the program I appreciate her straightforward comments 0:50 the singles’ men skaters on SOI were Shoma, Kao, Kazuki.

[@memom2227]

Are you referring to ALYSA Liu or some other random Allissa/Allyssa/whatever. I do remember another "whatever" who was a national champ and fell on average three times a program. Please respect Alysa Liu and spell her name correctly. MMkay? Thx.

[@ArohaStill]

​@@memom2227your personality screams unpleasant

[@memom2227]

@@ArohaStill Well, I don't know about your personality, but you scream ignorant, and not knowing what/who you are talking about and not someone I would take seriously. Her name is Alysa. Too much for you to comprehend or handle. Best luck to you in your endeavors, however failed they will be. I'll own be "unpleasant" versus being an inaccurate twit. Thank you and have a nice day.

[@PoshPigsHerd]

Love what you said about spirals and laybacks! It is SUCH an indicator of attention to detail.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@emilvin]

Thank you Dave, Jonathan and Alissa for keeping us abreast of world and national figure skating news and upcoming events in the midst of an eventful summer (at least here in Northern California). You guys always work hard to entertain us and make our weekends easier to navigate.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️❤️

[@AuroraR]

Yay! I’m so happy you posted. Thank you! 😊

[@TheSkatingLesson]

You are so welcome!

[@alyonam]

It's so heartwarming to see your favourite skaters who appear to be a profound, intelligent, reflecting people. Alissa has always been one of a kind - and it's oh so good to see her, to listen to her here on the This and That. Same story happened to me with Margarita Mamun's movie recently - I don't follow gymnastics that closely but Rita has always stand out - and it was so touchy to discover her as a person. Thank you Dave, thank you Alissa (as well as 'thank you' to Rita and Vita Kravchecko in regard to this gymnastics case) - it is really important to open great athletes as great personalities as well. And oh, thank you for mentioning a bunch of show programs that I've missed - watching them already. (my God, could I imagine back in my Soviet late-80's childhood that I'd be able to follow those great skaters not only in videos but in a live talks, almost in a live conversation with them. Thanks for this opportunity, Dave)

[@Urumi89]

Very happy that Alysa is back. It was unfortunate the way she left like it was a sentence she had finished serving after she got the bronze at Worlds. It looked like the people around her burned her out and took any joy from it (also the weird stuff going on in Beijing with her dad and her dad in general - if any of it, it's true). Now it seems she had time to sit with what happened and found new joy in the sport.

[@peggyharvey-marose1405]

So excited to have This and That back!!!!! You were missed!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@amethyst5512]

Enjoyed hearing your perspective again on skating & Alissa, as always, was an awesome cohost.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bettybleu12]

I soooo missed This and That!!! Welcome back!

[@sheilaberry9837]

So good to see you back!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@CB6184]

Obsessed with Dave's shirt today!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

I’m that girl.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Camel spin when the edges switch are just so beautiful to watch.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@topicdel]

Yay! So happy to see this

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@berry9960]

Can we bring back gymnastics compulsories but for skating? An elegant crisp baseline program that is worth 15% of the final score.

[@thesovgc]

Alissa looks amazing!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

She does!

[@knocturna9731]

10:18 My favorite version of Yagudin’s Gladiator was performed at the 2001-2002 GPF. Loved the ending change!

[@johnnyhale8213]

Missed you so much!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@hellsbellsmichelle]

Is it OK to ask about Jonathan? I hope he's safe and well. Love Alissa, she's wonderful and knowledgable, and one of my favourite skaters to watch.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

He is away.

[@saramisthal6658]

Yes!! I’m glad you are back! ❤

[@sschimel]

Oh, lordy, I've missed you guys! David, I've missed This and That so much!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

🙏

[@ArohaStill]

So glad to receive such a pleasant surprise! Will be happy to join on Patreon at the start of the season💜

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@jsail3351]

Thanks for bringing Alyssa back!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

🙏

[@webbdanster5286]

As with gymnastics, having skaters compete in the NCAA for universities can be a great growth opportunity for the sport, and for the skaters. It could also level the playing field between those with money, and those on scholarship…

[@alexac3098]

Alissa, I believe Alysa started uni in 2022-2023, which means she’d actually be a junior this year.

[@deborahmcdermott6927]

Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

🙏

[@PoshPigsHerd]

I’m really glad she said some very positive things about Ilia and his love of skating and knowledge of skating history. I feel like some people have been unreasonably harsh with him. For me, he is a prime example of someone with extreme physical intelligence. He has also has grown and matured artistically every year since turning senior but there’s still a faction of skating fans for whom it seems he can never do enough.

[@NewjeansPOWERPUFF4567]

Probably in denial that their favorite all left 😭😭😭😭. We just ended an era where all the greats from that generation have retired so I get it why the harshness is there.

[@LinaMalkova]

​@@NewjeansPOWERPUFF4567what greats are you talking about?

[@iliab0t-yk5cj]

i like how you use "extreme physical intelligence" to describe ilia's skating ability. to me "physical intelligence" not only means he can jump/rotate/leap/flight like no other but also manage nuanced motor control to skate to the music and ilia is aware, understand thus enjoying all of these. That's why (according to alyssa) ilia loves skating, all possibilities of skating

[@KS-lp3ui]

First impressions can be sticky. I think of how I disliked Carolina Kostner's skating for years after first seeing her beat out Michelle Kwan for bronze at 2005 Worlds. Eventually I recognized her artistic growth and became a big fan of Carolina, but my first impression clouded my judgment for a while.

[@christinethorp3684]

I've had many online arguments with skating "fans" who overly criticize Ilia. They almost always turn out to be Fanyus. They're never going to get over Ilia landing the quad axel when Yuzu wasn't able to, even going so far as to insist that Yuzu landed it first and wasn't given credit for it.

[@iliab0t-yk5cj]

imho, the only thing that ISU has to do to improve artistry (perhaps the only effective way) is to require musicality of movements (transitions, jumps. spins variations, difficult steps, upper body movements etc. all of them) as the priority bullet for GOE and PCS judging (not just the last thing come into judges mind).

[@BillyWhaler]

RIP, Frank. Hope the USFS can manage a respectful, dignified tribute without bumbling it.

[@maytc2011]

when Dave uploads a new video but you’re at work and have to wait 8 more hours…😩

[@ddjr6673]

Or you’re in a different time zone and asleep! But then it’s a really lovely surprise to wake up to!❤

[@isayso2011]

I think the Japanese woman with the amazing footwork Alissa mentions is Mone Chiba, her step sequence last year in the short was beyooonnd amazing!

[@aeway160]

My guess is she is talking about Yuna Aoki, not because Mone’s step sequence wasn’t good, but because I remember Alissa being very complimentary about Yuna.

[@emilymclane5965]

To me, the top 3 male singles skaters in the world are: ilia, Adam, and yuma. I am excited to see more of Yuma’s personality in his skating because it’s so wonderful to see hidden personality shine through! Easier said than done, though, as I am not a skater. Mad respect for all athletes go through and (hopefully) competing out of the goodness of their hearts! I, as a fan, am grateful. Thank you, figure skating, especially those that are working to combine artistry and technical panache! I for one am grateful.

[@Fatima502]

Regarding Daniel Grassl, don't the ISU issue statements explaining why sanctions have been reduced?

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

Daniel Martynov in juniors for U.S. men also performs a heel spin, which we saw in his programs on the JGP last season. The Selevko brothers are definitely fun to watch. I was bummed that at Worlds 2024 Alexander was not given more deserving scores over Jun and Kao (who were sloppy in the free skate). Alexander just missed out on making the top ten, which would have meant securing a second spot for Estonia, which would have given more opportunities for other Estonian male skaters, including Alexander's brother, Mikhail and Arlet Levandi, who could move up from juniors.

[@evanperilstein5308]

If Grassl's suspension was reduced to only one year, why are they letting him off the hook so much easier than Carolina when her suspension wasn't even for a doping violation for herself? Has it been confirmed that his suspension was reduced?

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Excellent point.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

They haven’t published anything officially. The ISU did mention an unspecified doping case at today’s congress.

[@evanperilstein5308]

@@TheSkatingLesson The lack of transparency around Grassl's case is disappointing but not surprising. It seems like there was slightly more transparency around Valieva's case, though.

[@ArohaStill]

Yeah that exact thought was stressing me out last night before bed and I woke up with the same thought like Carolina really got shafted

[@sallyjean2250]

And I thought Corey Circelli would be sent to at least one Grand Prix event.

[@chrisjacobsen5558]

Thrilled to see This and That back! 🫶🏽🙌🏽

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@reneecarlson1784]

Sasha's spins were magical - and a traditional layback with a beautiful leg position would be fantastic to see!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@maria375s]

Love this, thank you!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

You're so welcome!

[@meredith7299]

I love Alissa. ❤️

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

Tomoki Hiwatashi competed at 2024 U.S. Nationals. I believe he trains now with Japanese coaches. He placed 6th in the sp; 9th in the free skate; and 8th overall. It seems his programs weren't very memorable since his presence at Nationals has to be double- checked. I vaguely recalled he was there, but I had to look it up to confirm placement details.

[@maryloureiff6489]

Great show! TY!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️🙏

[@maryloureiff6489]

@@TheSkatingLesson Thrilled that Mrs. Browning likes Kazuki!

[@yosily]

collegiate figure skating is a GREAT idea

[@TheSkatingLesson]

100%

[@alessandracambre4991]

Definitely please post performances of Barb and Paul, Kurt- Nyah is genius and Singing in the Rain, and Alissa- her skating is always so elegant and would be great to hear from her which programs meant the most to her, also how about Tatiana Malinina?

[@marycoyne1889]

Love Alyssa. She’s my fav guest of your regulars! But Where is Jonathan ? We miss him

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

Not only are Gabby and Guilliame not skating, they aren't friends...

[@evanperilstein5308]

I kind of don’t blame her.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

@@evanperilstein5308 thanks for the thought provoking rebuttal

[@evanperilstein5308]

@@BnizzofashizzoWhat’s wrong with my response? I wasn’t rebutting anything. Just commenting on what you said. Her comments about her abortion made it sound like Gui and IAM were kind of cold and didn’t show much empathy.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

@@evanperilstein5308you don’t say anything. Now you are. You can’t see for yourself ? Also, ki&&ing your own unborn baby? You wanted them being warm and fuzzy ? It’s them that should unfriend her. She’d get treated worse if she did to a puppy what she did to her child.

[@slumberland969]

Why aren’t they friends anymore?

[@francoiseaudegon744]

Great ⛸️🥰

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@bianchka]

So happy to see this!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@KIMJenny-dg1qr]

It was Miki-Yuna-Kostner at the podium at 2011 worlds, Leonova won silver at 2012 worlds. No Russian ladies on the podium at 2011 worlds. Just wanted to make sure:)

[@dianecormier7187]

Thank you Dave and Alissa was happy to see this what happen I watch this every week were Jonathan

[@drewpuig7330]

Great episode, Dave!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️🙏

[@anthonydolio8118]

Thank you. Great conversation.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brandonsaloy]

OH YEAH WE'RE BACK BABY

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@Quintupletwist]

We appreciate the occasional free episode!

[@leilani319]

The legendary Slavka Kohut Button also passed this year around springtime. It is really disrespectful to not dedicate time to this brilliant woman who changed the sport revolutionized what a coach and choreographer could and should do! Janet Lynn was no slouch obviously! Must one say more? I mean, come on, guys. Slavka was crucial to our sport. Please give this bright light in skates her flowers! 💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@TheSkatingLesson]

I wrote an entire eulogy with clips of her on Facebook.

[@MelissaGraham-rm5ip]

Love his Crash Program

[@Quintupletwist]

For years the rhythm dance has been “sparkle, flash, high energy, enthusiasm.” Give something new or abolish the theme!

[@meowkmeowk13]

Yay! Happy youre back, Dave!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@b.reamsnider1328]

I like the crayon example!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

thank you!

[@JoshuaFazeli]

I’m happy that Finlandia Trophy is back in Helsinki this season at the Ice Hall. Espoo Arena had THE WORST seats. Not sure the Ice Hall’s seats will be any better though. Wish Finland still had a Challenger though.

[@Becca3232]

I've missed you, Dave!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@Dan-cg6ni]

Speaking of 2011 worlds, Carolina won bronze. Not Leonova, she got second in 2012. (I think)

[@strawberrylime33]

Alyssa is right about 3 revolutions! What if we have to endure half-assed choreo spins with just 3 revolutions??

[@KS-lp3ui]

I think it's intended as the minimum number of revolutions for a spin to count at all (e.g., if you mess up after only two revolutions, you get no points, but if you completed three revolutions before messing up you still salvage some points)?

[@suzannefraser4966]

Trying unsuccessfully to find your wonderful interview with Frank Carroll

[@TheSkatingLesson]

It is on our Patreon

[@etherealtb6021]

Yeah!!!!! ❤

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@thelittleblackbedroom6548]

I want Sailor Moon on ice!!!!

[@AndrewSchwepps]

I like Alissa, she seems very nice.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

She is amazing.

[@ursulamackinnon119]

Gary Beacom was fabulous!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯❤️

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

We can do without the Russian strong arm methods and uber defensiveness and their sad government influence and interference in sport. If/ when the athletes repping Russia are allowed to return, stronger efficient policing methods need to be in place to guard against their hidden doping practices. I do not agree the sport needs the Russians for rivalries or to generate interest in the sport. The fact is, there are numerous Russians still competing all over the place, for other eligible countries. Not to mention Russian coaches everywhere. What the sport needs to do is to have better leadership and to evolve and improve the antiquated competitive structure for the benefit of skaters. They have to find novel ways of expanding opportunities for skaters. As it is now, the sport's handlers are bent on cutting off skaters with qualifying rounds and entry limits for free programs. I think they should allow skaters who are cut in the sp at Worlds to still compete their free skates as a separate group, even if not covered or streamed. Other competitive avenues need to be devised for new partnerships to develop, instead of this quickie partnering with huge, immediate expectations and then throwing those who don't succeed right away out on the scrap heap. This sport consistently loses promising talent because it has historically been poorly managed by former speedskating political machinators. 🙄

[@maytc2011]

Wouldn’t Annabelle be too tall for Ian? I think she’s taller than Emily Bratti…

[@tigera6681]

anyone knows when the Russian skaters are returning to international competitions?

[@TheSkatingLesson]

There are no plans as of now.

[@soulmuzixercher]

More more more please 🙏

[@MMG1800]

Where is Jonathan? Sorry, Alissa was really off.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

He is away.

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

Hmm, Alissa, I love your skating, and I respect your knowledge and experience. However, I personally never found the Russian ladies' soap opera dramatics, as engineered by suspect Rusfed, Eteri (the hovering former anesthesiologist 'doctor'), and the rest of her crew, at all 'exciting.' During that entire extravaganza, I quickly lost interest in the ladies' events. It went from being one of my fave disciplines to my least favorite. Of course, there was much to admire at first in Lipnitskaya, Kostornaia, and somewhat with Trusova and Valieva. Outside of her physical beauty and her determined athleticism, Zagitova was not a great skater. After Z's premature Olympic win, a growth spurt tanked her confidence. It was commendable for her to comeback, but her crossovers were horrendous. 😱 Medvedeva was beautiful, too, and also extremely determined. But the poor Eteri training technique deep-sixed M's career, and was a direct cause of all her injury problems. Valieva was mesmerizing. But once again, badly coached and misused. Despite being a very lovely skater, Valieva's talent was wastefully over-embellished with dumbfounding music/choreo concepts and terrible costumes. Not to mention the 'oops' got caught doping scandal, which is sadly all she will be remembered for. 🫤 I did not take to overly thin and brittle Shcherbakova either. But I thought she was stellar at the 2022 Olympics. It was awful that Trusova did everything she was told would get her the Olympic gold and it didn't happen for her. Yet Scherbakova performed brilliantly, maybe because she no longer had any huge pressure being directly applied upon her to win. Scherbakova's coaches certainly were not actively congratulating her when she won Olympic gold! 👀😳🫣 So, nope, I can do without all that manufactured assembly-line, manipulative, harmful, non-exciting drama & hysterics, please. 🙏 I will take Loena vs Kaori; Lindsay vs Ava; Amber vs Isabeau; and Bradie vs the World, any day over the mess that the Russian 'doping denying' machinations wrought on the women's discipline. 😢

[@TheSkatingLesson]

I think you missed Alissa’s point. It is clear that you still watched those skaters, even if you didn’t care for their results. Right now, we need more strong skaters with personalities.

[@LindyMia-ft9md]

@@TheSkatingLesson Hey, Dave, thanks for responding. I did enjoy your witty, humorous takes on the Russian ladies drama a few years back. And of course, I have seen some of the Russian ladies performances over the years, but I did not closely watch them, nor have any interest in avidly following ladies events at GPs. It's not just because of the over-manufactured Russian ladies' drama that I lost interest in the women's discipline. You have sometimes commented about the boring, cookie cutter ice princess sameness and the need for the women's discipline to change. I find it boring to watch all the ladies, so I haven't for years. Even in the U.S., I only tend to watch the top ladies. But I will watch all of the men everywhere in juniors, seniors, at every single event during the season. Why? Because the men are absolutely more interesting. And it's NOT because of quads either. The over-emphasis on quads also hurt the men's discipline, but the bevy of great skaters have simply overcome the challenges presented by managing quads while not losing artistry. I also love pairs and I watch every single team, even the less talented teams because I always learn something about how difficult this sport is by watching. I find pairs, ice dance, and men much more fascinating than ladies, although good change is occurring with Kaori, Loena, Amber, et al, who are breaking the ice princess mold, which never fit any female skater anyway. None of the greats were illusive ice princesses. They were all artists and athletes with hard fought stories to tell. I miss Alissa! She had an important influence on her generation of skaters. I didn't mean my initial post to be negative toward what Alissa said. I do understand her specific point, in respect to rivalries. I was just elaborating on the problematic nature of what we witnessed during the rise of Eteri's skaters. The problems were talked about around the edges, but ignored. So, what culminated at the 2022 Olympics was always an 'accident waiting to happen.' BTW, thank you again, Dave, for your instructive learning videos with Paul Wylie. My eyes were opened to how difficult it is to master skating technique. As fans, we don't always truly understand the grind, the hours of practice, the difficulty at any age of making the mind and body work together effortlessly. Kudos to your progress as an adult athlete! 👏 And thanks for your contributions to covering the sport with TSL!

[@MrBellacece]

❤

[@kirstenneville1934]

Dave thank you - a beilmann is not a layback!

[@kirstenneville1934]

NO ILLUSION BEFORE HAND! Ugh if only

[@TimSirin]

Yeay it’s been a while

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@adelemeltz9369]

Bring back professional worlds

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@j.r.8223]

Are the Russians going to be allowed to skate this year?

[@marcgalvan9360]

It’s been too long.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Like a warm hug. They’re back!

[@jabolanos]

Yey

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@webbdanster5286]

Having skaters learning to perform with some ambidextrous abilities would be nice….

[@ingridgamboa2066]

Shoma 😢

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Michelle liked opening with a double axel, but she felt like she had to during the 1999-2000 figure skating season during Nationals (when she was at UCLA and started growing back her hair to almost shoulder length and beyond) because she wanted to up the “technical ante.” That’s all we heard. “Up the technical ante.” Peter Carruthers wouldn’t shut up about it. So she put a triple loop in the beginning of The Red Violin and she switched her Triple Toe for a Triple flip in her single jump sequence in the short program. She also did in 2001-02 a Triple lutz / double loop in the long program, if I’m not mistaken. I wonder what Frank had to say about her adding all these little nuances. Frank was such a repetitive routine-ist. He got brilliance out of the skaters who bought into his structure. I just wish Michelle was able to skate her 2006 long program in Torino. She was so magnetic and amazing that she would have brought the house down. 🥲

[@MelissaGraham-rm5ip]

Kurt led zeppelin program

[@L1623VP]

Uno will be missed. Even in spite of skating in the shadow of Hanyu and later Nathan, he's had quite a respectable career, winning everything except an Olympic gold medal. In fact, he accomplished some things no other Japanese male skater did, including Hanyu. Uno is the only Japanese men's skater to successfully defend a World title. He's also the only Japanese men's skater to have an undefeated season. His career would have been even bigger, and he would have been more of a challenger to Hanyu if his jump technique hadn't been so wonky. Taking off with the whole side of the blade instead of the toe pick is what set all his toe jumps off kilter right from the beginning and led to his inconsistency. Hanyu wasn't all that consistent either, but it was Uno's poor jump technique that put him at such a disadvantage in every competition. Because of his jump technique issue, he's never really done a proper quad flip even though he's credited with doing the first one. To me, the first skater to land a proper quad flip was Nathan Chen.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Can Guillaume come back and skate with Annabelle Morozov? Is it only Gabby or no one? Of course I want Gabby back with Guillaume but…

[@JoshuaFazeli]

@@zio578 To me, it’s not a question of who is skating with whom. It’s a question of are these two skaters happy with what they did as a pairing, now want different things, and can communicate, negotiate + honor space to do things that they want to do today. Remember Gabby and Madison skated together to show the possibilities of same gender ice dance - which was magnificent. I know that Jeffrey Chen is working with Annabelle, but if Guillaume wants to skate, what should he do? Annabelle is a wonderful skater and it’s not “against the law” to explore new partners if he wants to. It’s just an idea.

[@webbdanster5286]

As with gymnastics, having skaters compete in the NCAA for universities can be a great growth opportunity for the sport, and for the skaters. It could also level the playing field between those with money, and those on scholarship…