Europeans 2001

Men's Short Program

Or what Eurosport showed us!

For those of you who want to ask Nicky Slater a question, go to
nickyslater@iceskater.co.uk or go to the eurosport.com website and click on
the iceskating logo.....will anyone join me in the petition to cut his hair?
He's saying that Yags looks good....with Plushy and Abt we're talking
potentional Russian 123....Abt has sinus infection.....all to play for in
the free says Nicky but he backs Yags who is acting more the champion....he
says that Plushy is artistic but his presentation stops at the edge of the
ice, he doesn't engage the crowd....I'd go along with that.

Looks like they're not showing group one....except the Brit so here we
go....

Alan Street GBR
Oh good lord.....ruffles and velvet and Mask of Zorro and gold piping and
EEK! Crossovers to start.....3flip with a turn out, triple toe.....down on
the triple axel, zero height,....sit spins combo.......little travel, but
not bad positions....flying camel...straighten your leg......kill the
ruffles........circular step sequence quite nicely done.....and he pops the
triple loop badly.....more steps and this is nice footwork.......he's got
good artistry....sit change sit........seems to go on forever.....and he's
done....summary, nice spins, too bad about the jumps, the costume needs to
go now. Soon. Yesterday. I'm not fussed when.
marks ....2.8-3.6 / 4.3-4.8.

Silvio Smalun GER
Black costume with red...stuff on it and around it.....weird music...he's
got gloves! and he pops the 3ax in midair. landing two footed...eh just
stopped! leaning on the 3lz but he got it....flying sit....travels a lot on
it.....steps....really interesting choreography says Joanne.....and I
concur.....double axel , slow going out.....spins.....more steps, which are
really good....interesting stuff he's doing stuff with his feet! Sit change
sit....with again, different arm positions....very innovative stuff....not
sure that it's quite there for me yet artistry wise, but the seeds are
there....he beat Vlaschenko at nationals....no Stefan Lindemann here...looks
like he's gone for the season....aah Larry we hardly knew ye! really
interesting entry into the sit change sit,....in a besti squat and he just
went into it! That was great!

Schmerkin leads, Tupikov (UKR) in second, Grezgorczyk in 3rd
Marks 4.0-4.5 / 4.5-5.1....5 1sts, 3 3rds and a 4th....he's 4th overall.

Dmitrenko in 5th, Toth in 6th...
..van der Perren
Dolfini
Urbas
Street
Tourlakov
Peinado.

Ice resurface....grr.....

And repeats! I take it back!

Dmitrenko
10th in qual.....kinda knightly costume.....in velvet....shiny
velvet....double axel meant to be a triple and he had to stop himself
putting on the combo!.....triple lutz a little late getting the leg
around....spin sit change sit and it could be lower......steps.....very
unusual, it's like he's one the edge of the blade the whole time ,and he
does the 2ax there! Spin combo....incl layback.....good as usual......more
steps as he gets the crows to clap....they don't....flying camel to
finish....nice position in the spin......and he gives it loads to finish! Oh
dear...too bad. Replays show a 2footed lutz.....Chris raves about his
expression.....reminds us he's never finished outside the top ten at
Euros....never got into the top ten at worlds!
marks 3.5-4.4 / he looks gutted! 4.6-5.2....

Shmerkin
A real character...and with a costume like that....Zorba the Greek...black
waistcoat &pant and purple shirt......down on the 3ax.....maybe the draught
going down his all but open shirt chilled him.....short on the 3lz...opened
out too early and down....camel spin change camel....nice position....dance
on centre ice.....circular step and sell the program which is done
well...leaning on the 2ax but he got there.....sit spin......more selling
and dancing.....camel to sit to layback to sit to scratch spin to
finish.....shame about the jumps! It would have been a great program.
marks....3.6-4.1 / 4.5-5.1

Back to the warmups....

Konstantin Kostin LAT
Grey...with blue on top and then red stripes a la the American flag....slow
music right into camel change camel which is lovely Joanne says....huge 3ax
2 toe! Music is 2001.....I think.....triple lutz and he was leaning and
touched down and Joanne says that it wasn't off the b/o edge......huge leap
into flying sit! Steps that have nothing to do with the music,,,, and he
almost does the splits....music is now something else famous that I can't
name as he does the 2ax.....Jo says his spins are slow....so is his footwork
and that's all me! Combo spin to finish and he does. This chaps broken his
leg twice....he competed here nine years ago...did quads in 92....that 3ax
was mammoth! nice position in the camel.....Chris tells me I was right about
the music....and that the footwork didnt' go with it all the time.....
Marks.....4.6-5.0 / 4.6-5.2

Kristoffer Berntsson SWE
Hair is doing a reddy auburny thing....black t shirt and trousers, silver
waistcoaty top.....smoke on the water is the music........down on the 3ax
does the 2toe....he looks ten, he can't be 18......3flip....very nicely
done.....flying camel which travels at the start but holds it
well.....straight line step....Chris says he started it down the rink which
he did.....sit change sit.....Jo bemoans the lack of maturity.....not really
doing anything wit hte music....leaning all over the 2ax falling of
it......more steps...camel to sit change sit to cross foot upright to
finish....and he's not happy looking! He's talented says Chris, then hands
him deductions of 0.8......there is work to be done to be done.....all he
needed was another inch on the 3ax....he's the first Swedish skater to do
that you know. nice line on the camel spin as we see it from
overhead....double axel was careless.....
marks 3.8-4.2/ 4.4-4.8
7th overall

Marcus Leminen!
Out with the drool bucket! And Marcus goes for classic elegance....navy
velvet trousers, white shiny shirt, Gettysburg......Joanne says he looks
beautiful....oh, she was talking about his presence on the ice and his
line...so was I...honest....really.....triple lutz was effortless....landed
it with one hand behind his back....flying back sit with touchdown so
deduction but it was only tiny! and a hand down on the 3ax, double
toe....amazing sit change sit while we gaze in awe at the recovery on the
axel! Straight line step as Joanne annoints it her kind of program....lady,
I saw him first! double axel landed with arms folded in front! This is just
lovely......circular step....in time with music....camel to sit to upright
to sit.....little bobble on the spin changeover.....and he's done.....that
was beautiful! Just beautiful. And he's kinda blonde, but it looks good on
him as we get a back view and I have to fan myself down.....Joanne is in
love....says his sit spin could have been lower....I am saying nothing, this
is a family list. Yum. Sorry.
Marks 4.4-5.1.....he's going to lead, yay! Go Marcus! 4.5-5.3....2 seconds a
third the rest 1st.

Sigh.

Sergei Rylov AZE
He's wearing a gray one piece bodysuit, done like a tuxedo... wine insert
for waistcoat......yuck.....La Traviata.....truns out of the 3ax, does
2toe.....really fast sit change sit.....really fast! triple lutz was clean
as you like.....steps....Joanne isn't sure of the music.....camel to sit to
upright change camel to sit. to y spin.....really fast spinner.....double
axel looked easy....flying camel......circular step very easy...much three
turns and two feet and he's done and that costume is ugly ugly ugly. It's
kinda a dirty gray.....it's not flattering......Joanne calls it flat, I
agree......needed more height on the 2ax....
Marks 4.3-4.8 / 4.6-5.3....judge 2 is brit, 9 belarus...they have him 1st

Frederic Dambier FRA
It's red. Red all over. With gold spangles and sparkles. Last Temptation of
Christ by Peter Gabriel....steps out of 3ax, does the 3toe.....steps into
the 3flip......camel spin to sit change sit to camel to sit....really fast.
then to upright....great spin! crowd clap.....circular step and those feet
are moving! double axel which was ok.....spreadeagle was very nice.....into
flying sit......lots of detail and artistry in the program, skating actually
to the music....footwork is nice....sit change sit also very well
done....and the crowd liked that! And he's happy too, as well he shouldbe!
Second at French nats.....he beat Restencourt......should have got that
axel....Chris and Joanne rave about the artistry of the French team in
general and the success thus far....about how they prepare for a
championships.
Marks there's Annick....4.6-5.2 / 4.9-5.3
he's in first.....

Vakhtang Murvanidze GEO
I like Vakhtang! He wears black trousers, mustard shirt. Violins play....and
guitars.....3flip 3toe! Beautiful! Trousers are green...triple lutz and that
was fab! steps...flying sit which is so fast! h'e does a little dancy thing
and he's just flying! Keep your head! yes! 2ax! camel change
camel......footwork which has sell ababy sell written all over it and it's
fantastic....he slides, he turns and twirls, he mugs to the crowd who whoop
and holler.....camel to sit to upright to change camel to catch foot camel
to sit to upright and he'd done! Yes! I have never seen him skate better!
Whoo-hoo! He doesn't have a triple axel but the presentation is so much
better than anything we've seen so far! And he's thrilled and people are
standing! This is so great! First clean short notes Joanne....we see slomos
of the footwork ....and he was oozing personality says Chris!
Marks....he was 8th in his qual group....4.7-5.3...they'd better go up!
Chris says they will.....5.1-5.4...he's in first! He had a lower base mark
of course, but the artistry set him up.

Next group are warming up

Sergei Davidov
Black trousers, white shirt, grey waistcoat....long build up on 3ax which
was great, but fell off 3toe on the end...shame....3lutz was good.....camel
to sit to layback to change....catch foot camel.....steps....more
steps.....double axel.....flying camel...Joanne calls the program
clinical....oh yes. I agree....circular step....sit change sit.....and
that's the end of that. Well....as Joanne said...it was as if he went from
one element to the next and there wasn't much movement in between! he just
landed over the toe int he triple toe...he's gonna hate himself for this!
Nice combo spin.....Chris says he's struggling to make the transition
between junior and senior
marks 4.8-5.3 / 4.9-5.6
he's in the lead.

Andrejs Vlascenko
He's all in black....except for the love hearts sown on the top...I kid you
not....tangoey type music......can you believe he's only 26....triple axel
double toe.....triple lutz and the germans are screaming now...huge flying
back sit.....circular step.....little schmoosy moves to the
audience....doubleaxel .....camel to sit to layback change sit layback
again....straight line step and he started it well back! And steps that had
to do with the music....eyeing the judges! Sit change sit to finish.....and
he does.....and while I didn't actually like the routine he skated it very
well. Chris is asking could he win a medal here....Joanne says he has a good
chance....triple toe could be crucial feels Chris.....you won't see a better
3ax but he played safe with the 2toe...you've got to wonder......
Marks....5.1-5.4 / 5.3-5.6 ....first across the boards, on the short, second
overall. Davidov leads overall.

Stephane Lambiel SUI
All in black and he's only fifteen....steps to start....triple lutz triple
toe! And he looked so happy with that, you could see the yes! on his face!
mores steps into the flip and it was clean too and good boy! flying
camel....not as good as some we've seen but not too shabby......more
steps......circular step that time.....double axel....really low sit change
sit and he leans into it after the change, me like that! bit of posing in a
good way......more steps...crowd get into it and clap.....camel spin to
sit....wow! look at the positions on those spins, I won't even try to
describe them suffice to say they are awesome! That was great! Just amazing!
10th at Junior Worlds.....storming performance, fifth in qualifying....he
was super! Remember the name - how can he be only fifteen? And Joanne
reminds us that if you take out the elements you;d still have something to
watch......Chris says he does need the 3ax, Joanne points out that he had
plenty of time. Spins shown again and are fantastic!
Marks.....4.8-5.4....remember, lower base mark, now go up! and they do a
little, 4.9-5.4.....he's third overall....and quite happy might I add.

Alexei Kozlov EST
Black with silver piping on belt and collar.....Tocata in Fugue......build
up for the axel which he pops to a single....oops....not a good start says
Joanne....triple lutz.......flying sit.....steps...incl
spreadeagle...audience clap.....double axel.....camel....change camel and
this is slow......someone wind him up!....circular step and he lost it going
into that spin and that was bad! TOok him forever to get it back, .4
deduction. That was a shame....Chris says the bits in the middle weren't
bad....5 deduction for the axel.....
marks....long wait as the judges do the math.....first
Euros.....3.6-4.2....yikes!...he can't believe it! 4.6-5.0....10th place
overall, and lower on the short. 13th there.

Vitaly Danilchenko UKR
Black trousers, black blouse open to the waist, with gold trim, red
undershirt for which I am thankful . Gypsy Passion is the music as spanish
guitars fill the arena.......double axel which should've been a triple
combo....did wise....only a 2lutz and this ain't good! Flying camel.....nice
position....steps including some fast twizzling....straight line step from
way down the rink, very fast and tricky but was it long enough? and he pops
the axel into a single....sit change sit.....circular step
sequence.....camel to sit which isn't low enough change camel to sit with
interesting position and he finishes before the music.....and he's
absolutely gutted.....he can barely even wave to the crowd....but he did
keep trying from go to woe.....footwork was nice....first set of marks will
be way down and he didn't even stay in kiss and cry, we've got an empty
bench.
Marks...3.8-4.3 / 4.6-5.3....7th overall.

Robert Kazimir SVK
The hometown boy and they are screaming! Nice mossy green/brown shirt, black
trousers....Texas Flood......yeehaw, I like this already.......looks good,
calm confident....as I jinx him..... and the triple axel is landed forwards
on the toe but he hangs. on..... combo spin which includes a wickedly low
sit spin position.....triple lutz triple toe good boy! That's a happy crowd!
Circular step.........steps into the flip and he has to turn out of
it.....sit change sit.....forward sit is SO low! Straight line
step.....flying sit.......and I can see Josef Sabovcik at the back and he
loves it and so does he! He's finished, before the music, but that was so
good! Lives and trains in Salt Lake city.....he just looks so
confident....that was really good....although Joanne doesn't think there was
muchbetween the elements.....over-rotated the landing of the flip was the
only flaw...
Marks....4.6-5.2....boos and whistles abound.....4.9-5.4...he's 6th
overall...brit has him second, can 8th aussie 9th.....whew!

Ice resurface and 6 to go!

Studio chatter....

Nicky is starting a campaign to have the flags on the marks reinstated....he
says everyone go to info@isu.org and tell them. Who am I to argue with the
man?

We can see the warmup.....oh lord the costumes....I am going to have such
fun...in a scary oh dear lord what is this kinda way....Joanne sits on the
fence, Chris backs Yags....I'm going for Jeannette.....oh, am I ever!

Anyhoo.....

Ivan Dinev
Is wearing this black one piece unitard thing....with silver snail-slime
like stuff wrapped all around him, some of the body actually red....it's
...original....Sound System is the music.....as he pulses.....he has red
gloves.....mere words don't do this justice.....drums and middle eastern
sounds.....triple toe loop on its own.....was he going for the quad????
triple axel on its own......very well done he flew into it.....first element
should have been either quad or quad triple....steps.....deduction also
cause triple jump wasn't taken from steps....double flip double toe
loop.....he's making it up as he goes along and not in a good way....combo
spin......which wasn't the best we've seen......steps...Joanne says he's
confused....I say if he agreed on that costume he's been confused for a
while.......steps....straightline step....sit change sit...and he finishes
behind the music....what a disappointment says Chris....he got himself all
muddled up....program would have been different with quad, then he tried to
change it and got himself all conflustered and, as J&C say, lost the plot.
tricky entry into the flying sit....out of a bestisquat.....
marks....and three more confused people I've not recently seen....4.4-5.3
and that 5.3 is way out on its own....next highest is 5.3....4.9-5.4....8th
overall....

Alexei Yagudin
Not too bad from him actually....black and red affair, same as all season.
No gloves. Which is a plus. Revolution Etude (SP?) GIves it attitude at the
start......he's down on the quad toe! Smackdown...he tillted all the
way.....triple axel and he only held onto it....he was leaning all the
way....flying back sit as the piano comes in......circular step.....nicely
done and in time with the music....great speed across the ice....triple lutz
from steps....sit change sit.....no problems there.....more
steps........much waving of the arms......little hoppy things as he goes
into the combo spin, with great changes of position... and he's done. And he
is not amused. 7 of the 8 elements were brilliant says Chris......Joanne
says that it never looked on....Chris picks on his quad technique, saying
that it takes him around the corner a lot......here it is on
replay.....swing and the toe slips as he plants it.....and the replay shows
oscillation on the triple axel.....Chris says the door is open for Plushy.
marks....5.3-5.5...add 0.4 and you've got his marks with the
quad.....5.7-5.9.All have him in first.
But for how long?


Alexander Abt
Door is ajar for this guy says Chris.....who is in a black outfit with
enough tin foil stuck on it to do turkeys at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
triple axel triple toe and the toe he had to do a turn on the ice after
it....and the quad is done....might have been double footed and Chris says
it was.....spin.....circular step with bendy squatty positions...not sure
about that, Joanne calls it different. Good word! Camel to sit change camel
to sit....and slow in the spins especially after the change.....he doesn't
have the speed of a Yags, clean 2ax though....camel change camel.....dancey
steps as dustbin lids rattle in his step sequence which is rather nifty and
the crowd love it and he's done. Joanne says it was fantastic.....I'm not
sure if I liked it, but he skated itwell, and he's happy. Many people are
standing, Chris is raving, mentioning his sinus problem and his problems
over the past couple of days......good routine, I just felt that it was very
slow....the quad was double footed....step sequence at the end was great,
and it looked faster to me than anything else in the routine.
Marks ....5.2-5.5...whistles and boos ahoy and Yags is still ahead....Joanne
says.....5.6-5.8....every judge but number 9 (belarus) has him in second.

Evgeny Plushenko
Cut. Your. Hair. Now. Please. Yesterday. Cut. It. Skating to Bolero. In wine
velvet with gold inserts and gloves. And the suit is too tight. quad toe
triple toe! Clean as you like! he looks like a champion....not a trace of
nerves.....triple axel and he claps his hands coming out of it....flying
camel......into a catch foot camel.....hip swivel. and no Joanne we don't
like that! Circular step very fast and tricky....little hops....triple lutz
leaning forward and ice flew up...combo spin including biellman.......more
steps....down the centre of the rink.....sit change sit also very low to
finish, first lower than the second........finishes dead on the music, you
can almost hear him thinking take that! People are standing and this will be
first. No doubt. I guess when you skate like that you can look however you
want so apologies if my earlier remarks offend! Joanne is now off the fence
and has him in first. Chris says you'd need a police escort if he didn't!
Not a trace of nerves
Marks ...I can hear 5.9s being called but I don't se....all but 1 a
5.9....the other 5.8.....2 5.8s for presentation, the rest 5.9s

Gheorge Chiper ROM
And who'd'a thunk that he'd be here? Oh my god. Men should not wear green
flowers sown onto their trousers. American Beauty which explains
that....burgundy.....and a slow start.....and he's down on the axel but he
does the double toe....triple lutz from steps and the ending was a little
slippery.....camel spin....travel galore......steps....circular step.....and
he almost comes a cropper during the steps.....and he's out of the double
axel falling out of it.....sit spin...change sit.....mores steps the length
of the ice, not too hard......combo spin.....which is slower than
slow.....alright then....that was.....there....and I've just seen that
there's a huge ginormous rose making up the top of his costume.....and then
the green piping down it is the stem....with leaves....
marks..4.1-4.7....perhaps fortunate says Chris...who points out Marcus is
10th....4.7-5.3....14th on the short, 12th overall.


Stannick Jeannette
And the French are in fine voice......Eeep. Baby, I love you, but the
costume, a gray black and white hodgepodge must die. Very
original.....already you can see the shapes he makes aren't like anyone
elses......triple axel just got it and he can't quite holdthe double
toe........triple lutz very deep on the knee with the landing....flying back
sit with really unusual position and I've lost the sound momentarily but
it's back now......nice step sequence.....double axel ......sit change
sit...not the smoothest change but different positions...he went from
forward to back to forward...opposite to everyone else...Joanne said that
not me....combo spin...and again the positions must be seen to be believed
but I'm getting back spasms just looking at him.....fantastic innovation as
the French stand....not flawless says Chris but the long wait has that
explained. Combo......slipped on the landing of the axel, just held it and
lord knows how he got the toe in and then fell off that.......Joanne raves
about his fantastic innovative programs....
Marks....4.9-5.5....and he's going to be fourth.....5.5-5.7.....and fourth
he is!

So then....
Yags
Plushy
Abt
Jeannette
Vlascenko
Davydov
Lambiel
Murvaniddze
Dambier
Kazimir
Leminen
Dinev
Chiper
Kostin
Rylov
Danilchenko
Smalun
Kozlov
Shmerkin
Tupikov
Grzegorczyk
Dmitrenko ....and I've lost the last two for the free, but Dmitry should be
22nd.

That;s it for tonight gang - tomorrow the pairs free.