Some observations eyewitnesses from 2nd Men's training - Saturdayhttp://twitter.com/SarahandDrew# RT @LynnRutherford
Abbott did clean run thru of long, with no music, but with quad and two triple Axels. He loves the ice, feels strong.
about 13 hours ago
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http://twitter.com/MichaelWeiss2about 8 hours ago
Men's Practices...updates:-) Started with Chan.....his music was 1st, so he walked the opening jumps, then fired off a nice 2nd triple axel!
Chan had a good practice.....until he tried 2 Quads, and fell on them both:( But programs look great!
Lambiel also on Chan's practice....nice 1st Quad in runthru, almost collision w Chan;( .then fell on 2nd Quad, and few other minor mistakes.
Oda - amazing start to practice...3Lu/3T/3Lo combo, then 3A/3T/3Lo, then 4T/3T/3Lo!!! Amazing! then struggled the rest of practice:(
Daisuke wasn't at practice.
Verner walked his prgm, cautious all session. Popped a few Quads, before nailing a sweet Quad/triple
U.S. Men - Weir had a great practice, is skating really well. Evan was solid, solid too - methodical. Jeremy....
...Jeremy Abbot nice Quads again! Struggled w both 3Axels in runthru:( Mayb cause he has put in a 2nd 3Axel since Nationals. Hope he pulls it off!
Plushenko owned his practice...very efficient again. One Quad warmup, 3A/3T. then in runthru- nice Quad/Tripl, walked the rest. His2lose
Men....u could be 2nd, as easily as 8th ! it's gonna b that close!! Gonna be awesome!
Joubert 1st practice very good! Nice Quad/triple. Walked his runthru - looked like 2 Quad Toes planned in opening!! We'll c:)
in the runthru Jeremy popped the first and fell on the 2nd Axel. He did hit 'em nicely before and after runthru:)
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http://www.michaelweiss.org/vancouver.htmBehind the scenes in Vancouver
Day 2 practices for Men:Chan (Canada) – music was played first, so he warmed up quickly. Marked the jumps in his opening, but skated the program well. Then ripped off a nice Triple Axel out of nowhere!! Great footwork, nice 3 loop….hand down on the 3 sal.
Out of the program -- two more nice 3 Axels. Starts to mark the Quad…..then tries 2 and falls on both? Too bad cause he was having a hot practice! Still a solid practice, looks good to contend.
Lambiel (Swiss)- same practice as Chan. Nice Quad toe before runthru. In runthru – nice Quad toe plain. Then almost runs into Chan….messed his timing up a bit, and then eats it on the 2nd Quad? Loop hand down, Flip step out, 3 Sal/2toe. Not looking real happy.
That’s what I love about him…..wears his heart on his sleeve! Best spinner in the world…duh!
Oda (Japan) came out on fire! Triple Lutz/3toe/3loop combo. Then, 3 Axel/3toe/3loop combo…..and if that wasn’t enough did Quad toe/3toe/3loop combo!!! Wow!
From there, the practice went down hill (guess that’s the only place it can go from that awesome start;-)) Opened his runthru with a popped Quad into double…..then marked the rest, with a 3Lutz/3toe/2loop midway
Daisuke (Japan) didn’t do the practice today.
Verner (CZE) warmed up slowly, cause it was his first time in the arena. Skated pretty cautiously. Popped a few Quads at first, then hit Quad toe/3toe, and another Quad toe/2toe.
USA team practicing together -- Weir, I think was the best for this practice. He has been real solid since he got here…don’t think I’ve seen him miss a triple axel since he’s been here!
Evan was his usual dependable practice. Looks very comfortable in this building. I was distracted slightly when watching this practice, as I was in the NBC booth while Scott, Sandra and Tom were taping a “tease” for the men.
Jeremy opened the practice with some solid Quads again….he really has a consistent one now. In his runthru, he did a nice Quad, then did a single Axel, and fell on his 2nd Triple Axel attempt? Triple Lutz/3toe/2loop was landed, but shaky. After the runthru, he did land some nice ones though?
Plushenko (RUS gold medal favorite) had another methodical practice. He trains differently than he used to…he used to do 8-10 Quads, just to show you how easy it is for him;-) Now he does 1 or 2 and lands them both! It’s about percentages anyway….in competition, you have to land the one you try…and he’s at 100% since he’s been here….Hasn’t missed a jump. Nice Quad toe/3toe in runthru, then marked all of the other jumps.
I think he’s training much more smart, in his “old” age;-) He is only 27, but that’s a grandpa in this field? Efficient jumps, 1 of each….and land the one you try.
Joubert (France) This was his first time in the arena, and he had a great practice. Nice triple Axel in his runthru, and he walked thru what looked like 2 Quad toes, from one end to the other in the opening of his long. No Quad Salcows, not even walked. But huge triple Lutz and Flips. All in all a very good practice!
Your guess is as good as mine, as to where this competition will end up?? It is soooo competitive. We could see a few points separating 7 or 8 places after the Short prgm. We could also see someone going into the short in 7th and end the night with the Silver medal! It is that close……so hold on, this could be the most unpredictable event of the Olympics....
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