No, I'm just being stupid. I forgot for the moment that Delobel and Schoenfelder are not long-term injured or perhaps that Carron and Jost existed, I don't know.
Well, they only got 2 spots for Worlds so I guess Joubert and Ponsero? But you'll never know. They should send those two in my opinion, Préaubert didn't even manage to qualify for the GPF despite 4 impeccable performances on the circuit, he just doesn't get enough GOE and PCS.
Poor Amodio, I doubt they will send him to Euros (which would be the fair reward in my opinion, 142 points sound strong, must have been nearly as good as last week at the JGPF). He would deserve it, but I don't think they will leave Préaubert at home. But Amodio's score is just 7 points shy of Ponsero's...
He's certainly got a good shot at it, since Brian's health status is still unknown and Verner is so inconsistent - and the other contenders have been up and down this year. But Ponsero himself hasn't been a model of consistency (Skate Canada LP being a good example). I hope he does manage to hold it together and do well, especially if it means we'll see that hilarious exhibition of his in the gala :agree:.At least the guy has his priorities straight - he only regrets that he didn't face Brian, that he looks forward to that at Europeans and that he expects a podium place at Europeans. Well, I kind of expect that too.
There are three slots for Euros. There would have been three for Worlds, I think, had Alban not dropped out. The fairest thing, assuming Joubert's healthy and does both events, would be to look at it as three slots (one for Worlds, two for Europeans) and give each guy one. Well, maybe they won't consider it so fair .Regarding who'll be sent to what competition, (if I'm not mistaken, for the Euros, we've got three slots), The usual three will probably be sent (Brian, Alban and Yannick) and the decision for world's will probably be taken after the Euros. It'll be tricky if Brian is beaten by both (this season is looking as desasterous as the olympic one).
As for Preaubert and Ponsero both beating Brian at Europeans, I think it's too soon to write him off. He was discounted after TEB and came back with a wonderful SP at CoR. If he comes back in good shape physically, I imagine his results will be good and it'll be a confidence boost. And Yannick won Nats with a much lower score than Brian's last year.
I know the self-confidence issue is back for him, and I hope he and Simond can sort that out, as well as the LP choreo. Joubert's results so far this year haven't been great but they haven't been catastrophic, so hopefully he can get back on track. He does have a strong SP and he's shown that he can skate it well, so that would be a good starting point.I'm not writing Brian off, I, mean we've seen do spectacular comebacks. Moreover, I want him to win the Euros! The thing is though, as Jean-Christophe Simon put it, Brian is completely lacking in confidence right now. I think Brian being beaten by both Yannick and Alban isn't all that likely, and I'm not even sure one of them will beat him. I just think that it is a very slight possibility, but one that shouldn't be excluded. It all depends on Brian's mental shape. Saying that, the fact that he hasn't had the best of seasons might make it easier for him to win gold, as there might be less pressure than usual.
I also think that Brian should work on the choreography of his LP; granted he's had very genereous grades, but it might not last.
I know the self-confidence issue is back for him, and I hope he and Simond can sort that out, as well as the LP choreo. Joubert's results so far this year haven't been great but they haven't been catastrophic, so hopefully he can get back on track. He does have a strong SP and he's shown that he can skate it well, so that would be a good starting point.
I'm not sure he'll have less pressure, most people still see it as Brian vs. Tomas, and the latter hasn't looked great this season, either.
I think with Brian and Yannik at 2009 Worlds there is a better chance to get 13 points for the Olys, and who will be the three is another story later.
The biggest loser of the day was Alban Préaubert, 1st after the SP, but who fell right at the begining of his program, on a quad, and then lost the grip on his "Kalinka".
"I am disappointed of my performance. The first elemnts were catastrophic and then, I couldn't get in my program. Yet, I'm in a great shape and I do flawless programs in practice. It's a punctual failure and it doesn't question the work I've done" He relativized
Thank you, roseeThis is all I found:
No, what I meant was that since Brian is one of two skaters to be considered serious contenders for the top of the podium, there is more pressure than I'd like for him right now. I hope he does well and that he'll have an improved version of his LP for us.Well it isn't really an issue for Tomas, as the beginning of each season never really is good for him. Just look at last year! I remeber his peformance at the TEB - loads of mistakes! yet he still became European champion. So I'm not really worried about Tomas.
Coming back to the French guys, it wouldn't be surprising if Brian turned out to be the one that handles it better mentaly. Yannick and Alban both have high expectations from the federation and fans, their expected to get a medal, something they're not used to. Brian is used to being in the situation he's in.
The logical thing to do is send the experienced trio to Euros (Joubert, Preaubert, Ponsero) and the two who do best there will go to Worlds. As for Amodio, send him to Jr. Worlds where he's a contender for gold and will acumulate enough points and status for 2 assignments on the Senior GP next year.. It's a shame that one of these 4 great guys (or maybe 2 if things dont go well in L.A.) will miss the olympics in Vancouver.
OMG!
I can't understand how Blanc & Bouquet's PCS was lower than Findlay & Richaud's!
NatachaHatawa, rosee,
Did you happen to come across any interviews with Alban Preaubert (in French)? Am wondering how he explains his defeat. Thanks in advance.
I see. Thank you.That's the best link I've found so far. If I find a better one, I'll post it.
Uh-hah. Sounds like he's in denial. A not so serious problem with huge consequences reg his trips to this season's Euros and Worlds.According to Alban, it's just a punctual problem, nothing serious.