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Post by reut on Jul 28, 2015 7:24:27 GMT 1
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Post by taipeifollowers on Jul 28, 2015 10:44:49 GMT 1
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Post by jomeku on Jul 29, 2015 9:00:24 GMT 1
Many thanks, taipeifollowers, for your rehearsing videos!! It's funny and interesting to see, especially how hard Stephane and Johnny have to fight for something that seems "simple" as this pairs spin . And thank you, reut, for the pictures. Nice to see Stéphane and Shizuka together again .
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Post by reut on Jul 29, 2015 10:09:44 GMT 1
Agree, it was fun watching practice videos, thanks, taipeifollowers! I wondered why it was so hard for them to spin, after all isn't Steph The Best Spinner Of All Times? But then I noticed that they went with clock-wise direction which is more comfortable for Johnny (Johnny is clockwise-skater, while Steph is not, like most of the skaters), but obviously it was more difficult for Steph to both change direction and make it in pair. Stephane is still in Japan, teaching in the National team camp. Wow, I'm amazed each time anew of how much he works... as he will be back directly for his own camp, non-stop really. Sources: 1, 2, 3
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Post by reut on Jul 29, 2015 11:35:59 GMT 1
jomeku, I just noticed it once with jumps (it was harder for me to identify the jump with "different" skaters), usually the direction would be the same with spins as well. Most of skaters, including Stéphane, jump and spin in the counter-clockwise direction, but some stand out. You usually notice this during practices and warm ups. Carolina, for example, is a clock-wise skater too.
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Post by jomeku on Jul 29, 2015 12:26:24 GMT 1
jomeku, I just noticed it once with jumps (it was harder for me to identify the jump with "different" skaters), usually the direction would be the same with spins as well. Most of skaters, including Stéphane, jump and spin in the counter-clockwise direction, but some stand out. You usually notice this during practices and warm ups. Carolina, for example, is a clock-wise skater too. Intresting. Thank you. I will focus on that a bit for the time to come. I noticed, for example, the huge preparation Carolina usually has for her take-off's to her jumps, but not the direction. Stéphane, in contrary, I noticed, usually hardly does any preparation to enter his jumps - exempt the quads. But the direction: I wonder if the direction the skaters jump happens 'accidentally' on their strong side, maybe their handedness, or if it is a decision they take, for a reason or another?
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Post by reut on Jul 29, 2015 12:37:25 GMT 1
Intresting. Thank you. I will focus on that a bit for the time to come. I noticed, for example, the huge preparation Carolina usually has for her take-off's to her jumps, but not the direction. Stéphane, in contrary, I noticed, usually hardly does any preparation to enter his jumps - exempt the quads. But the direction: I wonder if the direction the skaters jump happens 'accidentally' on their strong side, maybe their handedness, or if it is a decision they take, for a reason or another? It is usually the side which is more comfortable for them, but it is not always in direct connection with their handedness (you would think that left-handed skaters would spin clockwise, for example). I was curious about that subject, so I asked a few skaters about that. For example, Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers are both clock-wise skaters but Paige is not left handed (we talked once about that with them). Some skaters can do some moves both ways, for example, Stéphane can jump both clock- and counter-clockwise, but obviously counter-clockwise is more comfortable for him as this is what he did in competitions. I think I never saw him spinning counter-clockwise.
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Post by jomeku on Jul 29, 2015 19:05:18 GMT 1
It is usually the side which is more comfortable for them, but it is not always in direct connection with their handedness (you would think that left-handed skaters would spin clockwise, for example). I was curious about that subject, so I asked a few skaters about that. For example, Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers are both clock-wise skaters but Paige is not left handed (we talked once about that with them). Some skaters can do some moves both ways, for example, Stéphane can jump both clock- and counter-clockwise, but obviously counter-clockwise is more comfortable for him as this is what he did in competitions. I think I never saw him spinning counter-clockwise. I guess it's very helpful for the creation of Stéphane's choreographies that he can easily do so many moves both ways. Just re-watched some of his spins and compared with Johnny's. Yes, now I see: the different direction is quite obvious . Thanks for your investigations, reut!
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Post by taipeifollowers on Jul 30, 2015 8:57:51 GMT 1
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Post by jomeku on Jul 30, 2015 21:28:33 GMT 1
Once again: thank you, taipeifollowers, for your videos . The - counterclockwise - pairs-spin with Javier indeed looks more stable than the one Stéphane does with Johnny . And rehearsal videos always are a joy to watch!
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Post by pianomaya on Aug 4, 2015 20:57:30 GMT 1
I watched the video of Rachmaninoff at Fantasy on Ice in Kobe. Mr. Miyamoto, who is known as a choreographer was one of commentaries and said "Wonderful! he skates in very difficult way. As a skater I can learn much." Commentary asked "Especially in which point?" He answered, "All! How he skates is everything difficult. He's put all difficult steps, which you can not do normally. It was really wonderful program."
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Post by Gaja on Aug 4, 2015 22:42:57 GMT 1
Dear pianomaya, thank you for your comment. You have inspired me to watch this performance for the umpteenth time. It is truly remarkable. I think the choreography to Rachmaninoff is absolutely unusual even for Stephane's standards. I do not want to fall into exaggeration, but it is so beautiful that it makes me cry with emotions. Maybe it's Stéphane dancing like an angel maybe it's Stéphane and this beautiful music. I don't know... but I know that this program means something special to me. And the way he performs it... this is simply a total mastery. Every step, every gesture ... everything is under the absolute control and yet so natural and so beautiful. Each element comes together with an unrivaled level of care and precision. I know nothing about the figure skating but somehow I feel, I KNOW that this is the highest level of craftsmanship, an absolute technical perfection. And the words of admiration from professionals are like a balm to my heart
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Post by jomeku on Aug 5, 2015 2:07:46 GMT 1
So proud of him! It's like with music: Maybe you have to be an expert to be aware of the art of Stéphane's skating to the full extend. Thank you, pianomaya!
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Post by pianomaya on Aug 5, 2015 21:42:56 GMT 1
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Post by Gaja on Aug 6, 2015 13:03:43 GMT 1
Yes, this is exactly the performance that I watch over and over again. And here you can see it in HD quality - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAev3q1ObMUI think I like the most when Stéphane skates this program with Mr. Kotaro. They both are such wonderful artists.
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