Figure Skating

[boaty mcboatface]

Very disturbing interview with Bruno Massot in L'Equipe yesterday about the true details of his release from FFSG. I can't find a link to the full French article directly but a Russian site has picked up on it and Google Translate at least gives the gist: https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/darling/1624416.html

 

I knew it took a long time and caused money problems but the extent of it is shocking. For 18 months Didier Gailhaguet would not release him but blockaded him from earning any money in competition or shows so he was surviving on pasta and 200 euros a month and had absolutely nothing. He said he was happy to bring a gold medal to Germany because even when they didn't know if he would ever be able to skate for them, the DEU not only paid for his training, they literally put a roof over his head and food on the table so he was not living in his car. He's decided to speak the truth now because he's in Germany and not afraid of Gailhaguet anymore. I knew Didier was a scumbag, but to treat your own skater like this is sickening. 

[displayname]

49 minutes ago, boaty mcboatface said:

I knew it took a long time and caused money problems but the extent of it is shocking. For 18 months Didier Gailhaguet would not release him but blockaded him from earning any money in competition or shows so he was surviving on pasta and 200 euros a month and had absolutely nothing. He said he was happy to bring a gold medal to Germany because even when they didn't know if he would ever be able to skate for them, the DEU not only paid for his training, they literally put a roof over his head and food on the table so he was not living in his car. He's decided to speak the truth now because he's in Germany and not afraid of Gailhaguet anymore. I knew Didier was a scumbag, but to treat your own skater like this is sickening. 

So when is Didier going to be kicked out? It's been enough time.

[healthnut]

On 3/18/2018 at 8:44 PM, BelleBrit said:

The Skating Lesson was never better to me than when they were covering the 2015-16 season. After Jenny Kirk left, it's gotten way too negative and messy for me.

Interesting because I like it better with Dave & Jonathan. 

[Jeddah]

44 minutes ago, healthnut said:

Interesting because I like it better with Dave & Jonathan. 

Me too! I think they’re great together. I didn’t like the Olympic recaps because they had guests. I just wanted to hear Dave and Jonathan’s opinions. 

[carrier76]

I liked a lot of what Meagan Duhamel had to say on TSL, even the gossip part, but what I didn’t like was the whining about people being mean to them. The Russian coach, Tara and Johnny. I thought there were more? The part especially about T&J (or maybe just Tara?) “saying mean things about us” was just like....girl, they are commentators. Come on.

[ChicksDigScars]

16 hours ago, boaty mcboatface said:

Very disturbing interview with Bruno Massot in L'Equipe yesterday about the true details of his release from FFSG. I can't find a link to the full French article directly but a Russian site has picked up on it and Google Translate at least gives the gist: https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/darling/1624416.html

 

I knew it took a long time and caused money problems but the extent of it is shocking. For 18 months Didier Gailhaguet would not release him but blockaded him from earning any money in competition or shows so he was surviving on pasta and 200 euros a month and had absolutely nothing. He said he was happy to bring a gold medal to Germany because even when they didn't know if he would ever be able to skate for them, the DEU not only paid for his training, they literally put a roof over his head and food on the table so he was not living in his car. He's decided to speak the truth now because he's in Germany and not afraid of Gailhaguet anymore. I knew Didier was a scumbag, but to treat your own skater like this is sickening. 

Holy shit. Gailhaguet is a scum bag (which we already knew). Why, exactly, did he "hold back" Papadakis and Cizeron from Sochi? 

 

I woke up this morning, turned on the Ladies Short on the Olympic Channel and the first thing I hear is Moulin Rouge (Tango de Roxanne). I take the pooch out to do her thing, come back in, and the second thing I hear is Hallelujah.  Dear lord, let this season end. 

Looks like Mirai is in 9th. I assume that she did not land the triple axel. And Carolina is in first, ahead of Zagitova? Smell that home cooking! LOL. The Eteri bitch face must be EPIC right about now!

Edited March 21, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[HartofDixie]

13 hours ago, carrier76 said:

I liked a lot of what Meagan Duhamel had to say on TSL, even the gossip part, but what I didn’t like was the whining about people being mean to them. The Russian coach, Tara and Johnny. I thought there were more? The part especially about T&J (or maybe just Tara?) “saying mean things about us” was just like....girl, they are commentators. Come on.

I thought it was Tarasova and Maxim Trankov that were mean to them?

[Quof]

Hell, I'm mean to them.  Extend your arms and point your damned toes, woman.

[HartofDixie]

2 hours ago, ChicksDigScars said:

Holy shit. Gailhaguet is a scum bag (which we already knew). Why, exactly, did he "hold back" Papadakis and Cizeron from Sochi? 

 

I woke up this morning, turned on the Ladies Short on the Olympic Channel and the first thing I hear is Moulin Rouge (Tango de Roxanne). I take the pooch out to do her thing, come back in, and the second thing I hear is Hallelujah.  Dear lord, let this season end. 

Looks like Mirai is in 9th. I assume that she did not land the triple axel. And Carolina is in first, ahead of Zagitova? Smell that home cooking! LOL. The Eteri bitch face must be EPIC right about now!

I'm not sure why P/C weren't chosen to go to Sochi.  I didn't get a chance to watch the ladies short but I think Carolina skated very well and Zag skated after her and as far as I know she didn't have any major issues.  Mirai did a 2A but got a UR on another jump.

[displayname]

2 hours ago, ChicksDigScars said:

And Carolina is in first, ahead of Zagitova? Smell that home cooking! LOL.

Deserved.

[ChicksDigScars]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm doing cartwheels over it.  If it means a non-Eteri skater winning, I'm all good. 

 

Crossing fingers that Kostner can keep it up (but I'm not expecting it).

Edited March 21, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[Omeletsmom]

I'm not a fan of Carolina Kostner, but that was a lovely skate.  The stone faces in the K & C when Zagitova's score was announced were amusing.

[herbz]

Kostner deserved it today. Is she retiring here? 

Some super lenient (non) edge and UR calls in that final group.

Tango de Roxanne must never ever be used again if only because it's been stuck in my head for the past month and it's infuriating me. Tango Romantica is the short dance pattern next season and I'm praying that V/M have sufficiently deterred any team from using it. We'll just have to sit through nine Assassin's Tangos in a row instead. 

Edited March 21, 2018 by herbz

[displayname]

1 minute ago, herbz said:

Kostner deserved it today. Is she retiring here? 

Some super lenient (non) edge and UR calls in that final group.

Sotskova's score made me laugh. UR'd everything, got 71.

 

Zag's Lutz looked under?

 

Satoko's jumps are always a question mark, so at least she got called for one.

 

This is the level of the current ladies' field.

Edited March 21, 2018 by fan94

[herbz]

6 minutes ago, fan94 said:

Sotskova's score made me laugh. UR'd everything, got 71.

 

Zag's Lutz looked under?

 

Satoko's jumps are always a question mark, so at least she got called for one.

 

This is the level of the current ladies' field.

 

Zag's 3Lo combo was definitely under but not called, and Sotskova's fairy godmother must've been the tech specialist. 

Edited March 21, 2018 by herbz

[displayname]

7 minutes ago, herbz said:

Zag's 3Lo combo was definitely under but not called, and Sotskova's fairy godmother must've been the tech specialist. 

 

Zag's combo deserved more of a deduction for how wonky she was in the air. Yes, she hooked that 3Lo, too, I remember now.

 

But she's OGM, and that's all that matters. She'll get that grand slam, and career grand slam, in her senior debut.

Edited March 21, 2018 by fan94

[vixenbynight]

I am having a total shallow moment, but the male pair skater from China (the one with the very broad sboulders and very tall) is absolutely gorgeous. Wow!!

[ChicksDigScars]

The younger Chinese pair (Yang Jin)? Not Big China (Zhang), who looks like his partner's father, right?

 

With the top four left to go, it looks like Bartholomay and Stelatto may be the first ones out, as far as qualifying for the long program.  I doubt one of the top four is going to be placed 14th, which is what needs to happen for Nathan and Deanna to qualify for the long. What is the cutoff for getting two pairs into World's next season?  The Knerim's are in 7th with four pairs to go.  A repeat of last year's dumpster fire. Maybe worse, since Sui and Han are out and Duhamel and Radford retired. 

 

And we're going to have to see that god-awful Candyman long program, aren't we?

[vixenbynight]

I am partial to older men, so Zhang fits me. He looks like he could be a cartoon character from Johnny Bravo.

[displayname]

24 minutes ago, ChicksDigScars said:

And we're going to have to see that god-awful Candyman long program, aren't we?

Going for gold with Candyman, now with extra candy!

[HartofDixie]

Virtue/Moir on Ellen

[SeanC]

Poor Julianne and Charlie.  That was such a disappointing way to end what was a pretty good season for them.

[displayname]

3 hours ago, herbz said:

Sotskova's fairy godmother must've been the tech specialist

LOL, Shina Amano is known for being a tough taskmaster. Not today, for some reason.

[ChicksDigScars]

7 hours ago, vixenbynight said:

I am partial to older men, so Zhang fits me. He looks like he could be a cartoon character from Johnny Bravo.

Oh, he’s not unattractive at all. (I always had a thing for Hongbo Zhou). I think it’s the age difference with his last two partners always that makes me think, “WTF?” 

 

And the US (11th and 17th) and Canada (10th and 18th) each only qualify one pair for the long program in pairs. Swell. Are both countries in danger of only sending one pair next year, if the placements hold up? 

Edited March 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[herbz]

^ I think Canada could find themselves in that position if MT/T can't hold it together. As things stand I think the federations would both get 2 spots. It might be a bit of a rocky road for CAN for a few years across at least three of the disciplines as the veterans all retire. Their next gen aren't ready right now.

Have we discussed this H/D interview yet? http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/03/20/gabriella-papadakis-guillaume-cizeron-madison-hubbell-zachary-donohue-figure-skating-world-championships-ice-dance-preview/

Excuse you, Zach Donohue, but those World and Olympic medals weren't supposed to be yours by default if you actually managed to stay upright, the Shibs were beating you every time they went clean themselves. 

In other dance news, Angelika Krylova is returning to Russia. I wonder where Hawayek and Baker go from here.

Edited March 22, 2018 by herbz

[ChicksDigScars]

“I wish the Shibutanis were [in Milan] because last year I gave them my medal,” Donohue said, “and I don’t plan on doing that this year.” Uhhh..what?

Yeah, and they gave you their National title this year by fucking up on their Twizzles.  It goes both ways, asshole. 

What a douchy thing to say. The sense of entitlement is why I can't root for these two. Hey, Moir! Your title of Supreme Dance Douche has been passed on!  Congrats!!!

Edited March 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[alexa]

So perhaps the Olympic situation wore me out on Mirai, but I really do hope she retires this year.  She just doesn't seem to enjoy skating and it shows on the ice (at least for me).  I think now that she had a "moment" at the Olympics I hope she will finally move on because frankly she isn't able to compete with the current group anyway.  

Carolina surprised me...she usually has bored me this year, but there was something different about that performance that kept my attention.  But hopefully she retires too.... 

[herbz]

The whispers that there was real tension among the dance couples regarding the Team Event probably had a fair bit of truth to them. Not that any of that was the Shibs' fault, of course, all three of those teams would have skated both portions of the competition if they had been asked to do so. 

If you're going to talk smack, at least have the resumé to back it up. H/D have never, not once, beaten the Shibutanis in international competition. 

Edited March 22, 2018 by herbz

[Jillibean]

3 minutes ago, herbz said:

The whispers that there was real tension among the dance couples regarding the Team Event probably had a fair bit of truth to them. Not that any of that was the Shibs' fault, of course, all three of those teams would have skated both portions of the competition if they had been asked to do so. 

If you're going to smack talk, at least have the resumé to back it up. H/D have never, not once, beaten the Shibutanis in international competition. 

I agree. I don't think you would talk like that about a team you considered good friends. On the other hand, H/D seem very close with C/B--one has to wonder if they can maintain that friendship more easily knowing that C/B pose no real threat to their professional goals. 

Zach's team should really work with him a bit. There's a world of difference between "I gave them my medal" and "If I had skated cleanly I think we would have beaten them." 

[Jeddah]

I already thought Hubbell and Donohue acted a little entitled for a team that has rarely delivered when it counted (Nationals this year being the exception), but wow. What an obnoxious thing to say about the Shibs! It’s easy to trash talk a team he doesn’t actually have to compete against at Worlds.

I said earlier I want Hawayek and Baker to beat Hubbell and Donohue, and now I really, really, really want that.

Edited March 22, 2018 by Jeddah

[Good Queen Jane]

8 hours ago, ChicksDigScars said:

And the US (11th and 17th) and Canada (10th and 18th) each only qualify one pair for the long program in pairs. Swell. Are both countries in danger of only sending one pair next year, if the placements hold up? 

If the placements hold, both will be able to send two teams. The two placements have to equal 28 for a country to send 2 teams. But if either team doing the long drops even one place, then only one team goes next year. (BTW, any team that placed 18th or over gets 18 as their  placement.)

US Ladies, on the other hand, have a lot of work to do to keep three spots for next year. The top two placements have to equal 13.

[ChicksDigScars]

The thing is, Alex (or Maia) would NEVER say such a thing. Yeah, they may seem "programmed," and always saying the right thing, but there's a reason for that.  They know better. They're gracious and have class. The only people that they blamed for losing at Nationals was themselves. Alex looked like he hated himself. 

As for the tension at Olympics. Yep.  It was noticible. I looked at Instagram accounts and Madison Hubble had LOTS of photos posing with teammates, including Chock and Bates. Not one of Maia or Alex.  And the fact that they were the only ones that didn't show to cheer the team on, still speaks volumes. They felt cheated. They felt entitled to be a part of that team and when they weren't, decided not to support them at all. 

Team Hawayak/Baker and Chock/Bates!

I can see the US possibly being shut out of the medals in Dance.  One, the gold is already decided, so there's that.  Two, Stepanova and Bukin have something to prove, being left out of the Olympics, altogether. Three, Cappelini and Lanotte,  performing in Italy.  You'd better back your shit up, Zach Donahue.  Karma has a funny way of slapping you back down to reality. 

Wow. Nathan Chen AND Vincent Zhou! And Chen's quad jumping passes got negative GOE. Landed, but not as pretty as they should have been. 

Edited March 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[halopub]

After Nathan's short Raf actually smiled and was chatty in the kiss and cry. So maybe the two are on the same page right now.

I didn't think Nemesis was as energetic as it has been - the pony jumps weren't in time to the music, for example - and the jumping passes could have been more elegant. But hey, after those last two short performances, it was a relief to see a solid skate.

Vincent had beautiful jumps and I'm glad that Max Aaron was able to fight and save that quad.

I'm sorry that Shoma's skating on an injured ankle - he's actually my favorite of the current Japanese skaters.

[ChicksDigScars]

Vincent actually outscored Nathan on the TES. It was his lack of PCS that killed him. Well, not killed. But, put him in 3rd.  Looking at the results page, at least 10 guys outscored VIncent on PCS.  

[SeanC]

Wow, Keegan got a personal best and made the final flight for the men’s free skate.

[herbz]

36 minutes ago, SeanC said:

Wow, Keegan got a personal best and made the final flight for the men’s free skate.

I was so impressed by him today. The camel spin is spectacular.

Edited March 22, 2018 by herbz

[displayname]

7 minutes ago, herbz said:

I was so impressed by him today. The camel spin is spectacular.

Any comments on the non-UR calls on Nathan and Vincent today?

 

Such a great "sport".

[herbz]

6 minutes ago, fan94 said:

Any comments on the non-UR calls on Nathan and Vincent today?

 

Such a great "sport".

On first watch I think I would've had Kolyada in first even with Chen's higher base value today and I was someone who thought he was overscored at the Olys. Sigh. I was primarily an ice dancer, so heaven knows I'm used to ridiculous judging, but judging in all disciplines has and probably always will be a mess. Some very obvious errors were awarded +2 and +3 GOE in Pairs yesterday too. The other day Jackie Wong proposed placing the judges around the rink, like they do in Dancesport, instead of in a row. Lots of people have been saying this is worth a trial for years. It would be harder to try and strategically hide weaker elements that way if they were essentially being judged from a 360 degree angle. 

[displayname]

31 minutes ago, herbz said:

On first watch I think I would've had Kolyada in first even with Chen's higher base value today and I was someone who thought he was overscored at the Olys. Sigh. I was primarily an ice dancer, so heaven knows I'm used to ridiculous judging, but judging in all disciplines has and probably always will be a mess. Some very obvious errors were awarded +2 and +3 GOE in Pairs yesterday too. The other day Jackie Wong proposed placing the judges around the rink, like they do in Dancesport, instead of in a row. Lots of people have been saying this is worth a trial for years. It would be harder to try and strategically hide weaker elements that way if they were essentially being judged from a 360 degree angle. 

Kolyada should be in first. And Nathan and Vincent should have had those carrots served if Boyang was for his 4T. I would even say downgrades. This sport is an utter joke, and of course it depends only on who politicks more. Of course the CSA is weaker than the USFSA.

 

Chen was also overscored massively in the Olys, so I saw this coming, however. Those programs no longer deserve anywhere near the PCS they're being served, no matter how many "redemption" story arcs there may be.

[ChicksDigScars]

Well, they certainly didn't give either Nathan or Vincent any gifts on Grade of Execution. Nathan even got negative numbers there.  That red scoring box in the upper left corner flashed red at least twice on his jumping passes. As they probably should have been.  It's not much different than rewarding the Russian jumping bean women over the balanced programs of the others. 

 

Except that Nathan and Vincent have actually gone through puberty....

 

ETA: Pairs.

Dearest Skating Gods:

I know that you can't do much about the US and Canadian teams. Just try not to make them fuck up enough to drop placement (and not send 2 teams next year). And if you're listening, please knock that Candyman routine and fugly yellow and black checked costumes out of the medals. How about a podium with the German, French and Italians? I could enjoy that. 

Love and kisses:

CDS

Edited March 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[displayname]

14 minutes ago, ChicksDigScars said:

Well, they certainly didn't give either Nathan or Vincent any gifts on Grade of Execution. Nathan even got negative numbers there.  That red scoring box in the upper left corner flashed red at least twice on his jumping passes. As they probably should have been.  It's not much different than rewarding the Russian jumping bean women over the balanced programs of the others. 

 

Except that Nathan and Vincent have actually gone through puberty....

GOE doesn't make up for the fact that their rotation was lacking, even more than Boyang's supposedly was for his 4T. And if they'd been properly called, then their GOE would have gone down even more, just like Boyang's GOE for his 4T. Vincent also doesn't have a 4Lz -- he pre-rotates excessively, and has a full-blade take-off, so ratifying it as a quad already is an insult to Boyang and Nathan who have a real 4Lz. He also doesn't have a 4F, but I can't call that an insult to Shoma, who has similar technique on it.

It might not be "any different", but it's wrong, when Boyang has CLEARLY better jumps (better than the entire field's, except Hanyu's). Already they don't serve him with PCS (lol at the top three's PCS -- yes, Zhou, too, who should be in the mid 30s tops). I also called out the Russians yesterday.

 

Puberty affects men less, and is irrelevant here.

Edited March 22, 2018 by fan94

[ChicksDigScars]

I really doubt that Vincent is going to medal. The longer programs with more chances to pass him up on the artistry aspect, which he needs to work on, will work in the other's favor.  He'll take his little mini-medal for his short program and build from that. Shoma may pass Chen up in the same fashion, unless his injury really holds him back. I know that they keep promoting Nathan as "going for his first World title," but that's ridiculous. They should be happy with a medal of any color, particularly after his perfomance at the Olympics. But no, let's ramp up those expectations even more, shall we? Gold or nothing.  I guess USFS knows that their chances of a World title are non-existant anywhere else and are pinning all their hopes on Chen. Which REALLY worked well at the Olympics, didn't it. 

If the U.S. men get two medals out of this, I'll be shocked. 

ETA: Jesus. The Knerim's are nice people, but can they just retire now and make cute babies? That was hard to watch. Like Pogorilaya levels of hard. 

Edited March 22, 2018 by ChicksDigScars

[Good Queen Jane]

The order for the Men's Free is up. Vincent Zhou skates second last and Nathan Chen skates last.

ETA: Looks like the US is only going to have one entry in Pairs in next year's Worlds.

Edited March 22, 2018 by Good Queen Jane

[annzeepark914]

5 hours ago, Jeddah said:

I already thought Hubbell and Donohue acted a little entitled for a team that has rarely delivered when it counted (Nationals this year being the exception), but wow. What an obnoxious thing to say about the Shibs! It’s easy to trash talk a team he doesn’t actually have to compete against at Worlds.

I said earlier I want Hawayek and Baker to beat Hubbell and Donohue, and now I really, really, really want that.

Amen! A year ago I liked this new team but after their obnoxious attitude at Nationals, I began to really dislike them.  Then their nonappearance at the team event at the O's--not impressive. And now--how could anyone trash the Shibutanis?  Always good sports, always gracious.  Here's to C/B and H/B (or any other team) besting the two entitled ones at Worlds this weekend.  

[herbz]

I couldn't stand C/B getting another World medal even if they are the most delightful people in the world because the skating really does have an abundance of flaws but I am absolutely here for H/B making a splash. They're not fully cooked yet but they have real quality (they get deep into the knees and turn out fully from the hip, hooray!) and are always on the music. Interesting transitions too. Just don't eff up the twizzles. 

[NUguy514]

7 hours ago, ChicksDigScars said:

The sense of entitlement is why I can't root for these two. Hey, Moir! Your title of Supreme Dance Douche has been passed on!  Congrats!!!

Yep.

Dear Zach,

I hope you fall again, some more in the last five seconds of your free dance.

Dismissively yours,

NUguy514

[displayname]

1 hour ago, herbz said:

I couldn't stand C/B getting another World medal even if they are the most delightful people in the world because the skating really does have an abundance of flaws but I am absolutely here for H/B making a splash. They're not fully cooked yet but they have real quality (they get deep into the knees and turn out fully from the hip, hooray!) and are always on the music. Interesting transitions too. Just don't eff up the twizzles. 

I just saw the protocols for the FD in the Olympics, and P/C got higher PE and SS scores than V/M. 

 

XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

 

What a great "sport"!

[specialj67]

I’m very much looking forward to the men’s free skate. It’s kinda shallow to hope that Kolyada doesn’t win a world medal with that gawd awful Elvis program, right? I can’t help it though! I love his SP this season though. 

Its kind of a bummer to think that Zhou’s PCS are what could hold him back from maintaining that bronze medal position, even if he does skate as well as his did in his Olys free skate. I hope he finds a choreographer for next season that can really help him in that arena. 

Keegan Messing is such a delight. I know he doesn’t have a realistic chance at a medal without everyone else ahead  having meltdowns as well as skating the program of his life. With Patrick Chan now done for realsies, perhaps Keegan could be the Canadian champion next year? 

[herbz]

51 minutes ago, fan94 said:

I just saw the protocols for the FD in the Olympics, and P/C got higher PE and SS scores than V/M. 

 

XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

 

What a great "sport"!

That is a topic I'm not even going to properly get into lest I go on another 1000 word rant about how inflated P/C's components are. The sheer number of position changes and edge to edge turns V/M executed flawlessly without losing flow compared to the relatively simple steps between elements in Moonlight Sonata in order to gain speed should've won V/M SS handily. The complexity of the two's choreography isn't comparable. I believe that FD was awarded the highest PCS ever? No. The judges wanted to hand it to P/C even if the French federation have done nothing but shout about biased judging and robbery since the end of the Olympics. 

Edited March 22, 2018 by herbz

[SeanC]

4 minutes ago, specialj67 said:

Keegan Messing is such a delight. I know he doesn’t have a realistic chance at a medal without everyone else ahead  having meltdowns as well as skating the program of his life. With Patrick Chan now done for realsies, perhaps Keegan could be the Canadian champion next year? 

The national championship is absolutely Keegan's for the next year or two, unless Nam Nguyen can really get it together, and until Joseph Phan or Stephen Gogolev are ready to take things to the next level.

Onto the pairs final:
- And it's KMT and Marinaro with the save!  Hell, they almost ended up with a small medal.

- No such magic for the Knierims, though.  Alexa was on Twitter almost immediately afterward apologizing for losing a spot.  I felt really bad for them.

- Aliona and Bruno smash their own record and finally break Volosozhar and Trankov's record for combined score.

- We never have to see "Candyman" again!

- James and Cipres finally get a Worlds medal.  I credit Vanessa for skating the rest of the program flawlessly after that painful-looking fall on the throw landing.