Nebelhorn Trophy 2011

I've added Nebelhorn Trophy pics to my picasa album. There's more photos to come, I just need some time to edit and upload them there.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101147884682179981995

Hello hsuhs

How sweet of you to give us access to these nice pictures - thanks a lot :-))))

Gudrun.

Any time, Gudrun! And thank you for your kind words

I love taking pictures of figure skaters, to me, they are incredibly interesting models. I love to observe them: in the practices, in the competitions, off the ice.

I just wish I can afford a much much better camera some time soon.

Hello hsuhs

You must have been either really close to those skaters or you have a very good zoom :-) I think your photos are really good. Just imagine you had a "much much better camera" - we would be blown away :-))))

Cheers
Gudrun.

Hi hsuhs!

Thank you so much! You are a wonderful photographer!!
How was Yuzuru? I know he won this game but what do you think? Was he fine?

Thank you for your comments, guys!

miyu, Yuzuru was great in the first practice, was landing jumps effortlessly. His 3A looks SO powerful: he jumps high, rotates so fast!

Then something happened. He missed some jumps in the warm-ups and competition. I don't know why. I think it's a combination of jet-lag, the Trophy being his first senior serious competition, just being away from home.

There was a Japanese female fan with a beautiful blue sparkling banner for him, in the audience. Naturally, we (me & hubby) waved our Japanese flag for him, and threw a toy bear onto the ice, after his short program.

I think he's very popular in Japan at the moment, but from what I've observed in Oberstdorf, he could walk (in the ice rink as well as around the town) freely, without obsessed fans bothering him for an autograph or a picture, too much. (Now that I think about it, maybe he did need people come to him and tell him how great he is and how they love his skating. Just to show their support, make it more obvious).

His jumps suffered once again during his ex number. I especially didn't like that fall on his 3A (looked scary to me). He attempted a 3A+3A seq during the grand finale, but only did a 3A+1A (if I'm not mistaken).

These all was a bit of a shock to me, because we've all seen those summer show videos where Yuzuru landed some very difficult and crazy jump combinations as if they were nothing. So I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong in Oberstdorf.

I also saw him after the free program press conference talking through an interpreter to an English speaking journalist. I think there's a nice lengthy interview coming soon, in some international figure skating magazine.

hsuhs Those pictures are fantastic!! How lucky you were able to see this competition live!

Thank you, hushs!

That's what I exactly want to know!!!

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I think it's a combination of jet-lag, the Trophy being his first senior serious competition, just being away from home.

Probably you are right and I really hope so, just jet-lag.
You know Tasuki Machida withdrew from the competition due to the injury. I was looking forward to seeing his new FP which choreographed by Stephane….. He will skate in NHK in Nov. Get well soon, Tatsuki.

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Naturally, we (me & hubby) waved our Japanese flag for him, and threw a toy bear onto the ice, after his short program.

Yuzuru was very happy to find a Japansese flag (waved by non-Japanese couple!) in Germany. Thank you!

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I especially didn't like that fall on his 3A (looked scary to me).

Yuzuru often fell that way. You don't need to worry much about it.

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So I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong in Oberstdorf.

Me, too. I'm afraid he is exhausted after participating EVERY show in Japan this summer. You know, it's incredible………. Please don't get injured, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru will skate in Carnival on Ice on the same day of Japan Open. It will be aired on Sunday.

Thank you, TwisterSister

miyu wrote:

You know Tasuki Machida withdrew from the competition due to the injury. I was looking forward to seeing his new FP which choreographed by Stephane….. He will skate in NHK in Nov. Get well soon, Tatsuki.

Yes. I believe I witnessed the very moment he got injured in the practice. He had a rough fall on one of his jumps and it seemed his leg was hurting. It took quite some time for him to resume the practice (but he did stay on the ice till the end).

But I also saw him doing off ice exercises and stretching in the arena on the day of mens' long program, which made me feel optimistic. I second your wish for Tatsuki's speedy recovery!

Stephane was there all the time: in the audience, talking to fallow skaters, giving interview. I believe he's also Denis Ten's choreographer for this season. I saw the two in the town in a coffee shop.

miyu wrote:

Me, too. I'm afraid he is exhausted after participating EVERY show in Japan this summer. You know, it's incredible………. Please don't get injured, Yuzuru.

Well, I don't know what his team's plans are (I can only guess they want Yuzuru to make world team, this year). I'm sure Mrs. Abe does realize what a precious jewel Yuzuru's talent is, but isn't he her first elite student? If he is, she might be learning along with him. Ah, we're just silly skating fans, what do we know.