Author: jackfigure

Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu has given his fans many memorable moments throughout his illustrious career. Along with all of the medals and world records, the superstar has made an indelible impression with the athleticism and interpretation in his programs.

After winning the world junior championship in 2010, he began his first senior season on the Grand Prix circuit later that year. He burst onto the international scene with his bronze medal at the 2012 world championships in Nice, France.

What follows are the top five skates of his career as analyzed by jackfigure.com:

羽生が生んだ伝説のプログラムトップ５

翻訳者: ギャラガー美慧菜（ヴィエナ）

2度に渡ってオリンピックを制覇した羽生結弦は多くの印象的な滑りをファンへと贈ってきた。勝ち取ったメダルと更新した世界記録と合わせて彼はハイレベルなプログラムでその名をフィギュア界に刻んだ。

2010年に世界ジュニア選手権で優勝し、その翌年にグランプリシリーズで初のシニアシーズンを迎えた。羽生が世界の注目を浴びるきっかけとなったのが2012年にフランスで開催された世界選手権で勝ち取った銅メダルだ。
が分析した羽生のパフォーマンストップ５を紹介していきたい。

1. 2017 World Championships (Free Skate)

Three years later, Hanyu’s mind-blowing skate to “Hope and Legacy” remains the greatest single performance in the history of the sport. Vaulting from fifth place after the short program to win his second world title, he landed four clean quads in a showing that brought the crowd in Helsinki’s Hartwall Arena to their feet.

What resonates most about his incredible effort that magical night is how effortless it was. He glided across the ice from element to element as if he were a leaf blowing in the wind. As time passes, what he did on that night continues to grow in stature.

His fusion of physicality and grace in that program remains one for the ages.

1. 2017年 世界選手権（フリープログラム）

3年の歳月が流れた今も「Hope and Legacy」のメロディーにのって驚異的な滑りを見せた羽生はフィギュア歴代最高峰のプログラムであると言っても過言ではないだろう。ショートプログラムで5位に入ってものの、フリーで4本の4回転を決め、ヘルシンキの観客を見事に魅了した。この大逆転で彼は2度目の世界チャンピオンとなった。

このパフォーマンスで何よりファンの心に響いたのは巧みな滑りによって楽々とこなしているように見えた彼の演技だ。氷上で見せた繊細な滑りはまるで風になびく木の葉のようだった。あの夜に羽生が見せた優雅で洗練されたパフォーマンスは伝説となった。

2. 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics (Short Program)

Just three months after suffering a serious injury to his right ankle that prevented him from practicing for several weeks, Hanyu returned to the ice in dramatic fashion with his performance to Chopin’s “Ballade No. 1.” Upon finishing his program, Hanyu said, “I’m back.”

The tension inside the venue was palpable as he took his position at center ice. Hanyu’s legion of fans breathed a collective sigh of relief after seeing how he performed at the Gangneung Ice Arena that afternoon. 

2. 2018年 平昌オリンピック（ショートプログラム）

深刻な右足首の怪我で練習を中止してからわずか３ヶ月、羽生はショパンのバラード第一番の音色にのって氷上への劇的な復活を見せた。プログラム終了後、彼は会場の大歓声に「ただいま」と答えた。

羽生がリンクの中心に立つと共に会場には緊張が走った。多くのファンが息を飲んで見守る中、彼は無事滑り終え、会場の大半がホッと一息をついただろう。

3. 2015 Grand Prix Final (Free Skate)

Hanyu set a new world record with a total score of 330.43 points to capture his third straight Grand Prix Final crown. Just two weeks after setting world bests in the short program, free skate and total score at the NHK Trophy in Nagano, he topped all three again in Barcelona with his skate to “Seimei.”

This was Hanyu’s at his physical peak, before he suffered serious injuries in consecutive seasons two years later, and it was truly a sight to see.

3. 2015年 グランプリファイナル（フリープログラム）

2015年のGPファイナルでは世界最高得点を合計330.43点で更新し、羽生は三年連続優勝を果たした。2週間という短期間の間にNHK杯のショート、フリープログラムそして合計得点で世界記録を更新した後に、また全3の世界記録を「Seimei」の演技で再びバルセロナの地で更新した。

この2年後に2シーズン続けて怪我をしてしまう羽生だが、この時期の彼のフィジカルは最好調に達しており、目を奪われる演技は誰もが一度は観るべきものだ。

4. 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics (Free Skate)

Having missed several weeks of training with his injured right ankle, Hanyu’s stamina ahead of the free skate in South Korea was a real question. Would he be able to make it through the entire free skate and retain the lead he had built up in the short program?

In what was his finest hour, he fought hard to land his first three quads, before wobbling on the landing of his fourth to “Seimei.” He then battled on before nearly going down on the landing of his final triple lutz, before steadying himself and thrilling the crowd with his hydroblade and Ina Bauer.

With the stakes being the highest imaginable, Hanyu made history by becoming the first man in 66 years (since Dick Button in 1952) to win a second straight Olympic gold medal.

4. 2018年 平昌オリンピック（フリープログラム）

練習を怪我の影響で数週間中断していた羽生。フリープログラムでスタミナをどのように温存させるかが大きな課題として残っていた。ショートで得たリードを保つためにもフリーの演技で彼の体力が持ち堪えることができるかが重点だった。

演技中に羽生は3本の4回転を決めたが最後の4本目には綺麗な着氷に苦戦した。3回転ルッツも乱れたが転倒を防ぎ、ハイドロブレードとイナバウアーを華麗に決め、観客を大きく沸かせた。

このプログラムで大きな賭けに出た羽生だったが66年ぶりに五輪連覇を果たし（1952年ディック・バトン以来）、歴史に残る感動を与えてくれた。

5. 2012 World Championships (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK3MJxS_–E

Eight years later, this remains a seminal moment in Hanyu’s career. The young star jumped all the way from seventh place after the short program to make the podium by claiming the bronze medal in Nice, France, at the age of 17. Even though he fell once, his drive and determination from start to finish were phenomenal to “Romeo and Juliet.”

This performance provided a glimpse of a superstar in the making, with Hanyu attacking the program while also displaying great interpretative skills throughout. For many of his fans, this remains one of the favorite programs in their hero’s career. It was his final competition with Nanami Abe as his coach.

5. 2012年 世界選手権（フリープログラム）

世界選手権初出場の大舞台から8年、この演技は彼のキャリアに大きな影響をもたらしたパフォーマンスだ。当時17歳の若きスターはショートプログラムで7位に入ってからフリースケートで3位までに登りつめ、表彰台に上がった。1度転倒したものの、氷上のプリンスは「ロミオとジュリエット」に合わせて圧倒的な滑りで力強くフィニッシュした。

後にスーパースターとなった彼はこのパフォーマンスを通して将来の大活躍を暗示していたのかもしれない。恩師の阿部奈々美コーチと望んだ最後の大会となったが、引き込まれるような演技力を見せた羽生の滑りは今も多くのファンが厳選する彼のプログラムの一つだ。

Last week the Shiga Prefecture Skate Federation announced they were canceling the Gensan Summer Cup, an annual event that attracts many of the top senior and junior skaters from around Japan, due to COVID-19.

The competition, scheduled for Aug. 10-13, is an important one for skaters in the runup to the Junior and Senior Grand Prix seasons. Yuhana Yokoi and Kazuki Tomono were the senior champions in 2019, while Rino Matsuike and Mitsuki Sumoto were the junior winners.

The view here is that this decision, made almost five months ahead of time, was hastily premature. As of Thursday, Shiga had reported just eight cases of COVID-19. This number will likely increase before the virus is tamed or dissipates, but what if the virus has died out by the middle of May or early June?

Will the officials in Shiga then reverse course and put the event back on again?

In February I attended the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, where officials were highly organized and checked the media’s temperature each time they entered the venue. We had to fill out forms granting organizers the right to do this, and they were similarly strict with spectators.

The Gensan Summer Cup certainly takes time to organize and execute each year, and in addition to the virus, there is the obvious concern that a great deal of energy would have to be invested in planning something that might not happen.

The health and welfare of the skaters, fans and staff at the event must be paramount. However, I don’t think pulling the plug so far in advance sends the right message. Young people and athletes need some hope and encouragement at such a precarious time as now.

Other sports, including baseball (NPB) and soccer (J. League), are taking it month-by-month in deciding when it will be safe to have games. For the Gensan Summer Cup, I feel 60 days before the event would be an adequate timeline for a decision.

It seems to me that at the very least, the competition could be staged without spectators, with just skaters, coaches, judges and parents in attendance. All would be required to be checked each day.

Organizers would likely say that this would be difficult, because the revenue provided by the spectators helps pay for the event. However, I have a solution to that: stage a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs for holding it and stream it online.

Knowing the passion of Japanese skating fans, I am certain they would gladly help pay for the skaters to have a chance to take the ice and watch them in action.

We can only hope the virus can be brought under control in an expeditious manner, so skaters can begin working on their programs for the coming season and people can resume their normal lives without fear.

今夏のげんさんサマーカップが中止：早すぎた決断

翻訳者: ギャラガー美慧菜（ヴィエナ）

滋賀県スケート連盟は先週、８月１０日に開幕を予定していたげんさんサマーカップの中止を発表した。新型コロナウイルスの影響を受けて下された決断だ。毎年開催されるこの大会は国内のトップジュニア、そしてシニアスケーターの多くが参加する大会であった。

三日間にかけての開催が予定されていたげんさんサマーカップは来季のジュニアとシニアグランプリシリーズに向けて選手たちにとって大切な大会だと言っても過言ではない。昨年の大会を政したのはシニア枠で横井ゆは菜と友野一希、そしてジュニア枠では松生理乃と須本光希であった。

これは選手、そして大会関係者の健康面を考慮した上での決断だということが見受けられるが、大会の中止はいま決定されるべきであったのだろうか。開催から約５ヶ月前に下されたこの判断は極めて時期尚早だ。４月２日の時点で滋賀県では新型肺炎の感染者は８人しか確認されていない。現段階では感染は拡大することが予想されるが、もし５月中旬から６月の頭にかけて新型コロナが収束したらどうなるのだろうか。

滋賀県は中止という判断を取り消し、大会の実行を再検討するのだろうか。

今年の２月、私は四大陸選手権が開催された韓国を取材に訪れた。大会では運営側が計画的にコロナ対策が行われていたことがとても印象的だった。会場を出入りするメディア関係者や観客には場内に入場するたびに検温が行われ、このような検査を許可する書面にも記入しなければならなかった。

中止となったげんさんサマーカップは他の大会同様、計画から実行までに時間のかかる課題だ。それに加え、この新型ウイルスで実行までに至らない可能性がある中、大会の計画を進めることに多くの実行委員が懸念を抱いただろう。

選手、スタッフ、そしてファンたちの健康は最優先に考慮されなければならない。しかしながら開幕から約５ヶ月前に下されたこの決断は果たして正しいメッセージを発信したのだろうか。今こそ若者や選手たちは励ましと希望の眼差しが必要ではないのだろうか。

プロ野球、そしてJリーグなどの競技連盟は１ヶ月ごとに試合の延期を安全確保のために判断していくと発表した。げんせんサマーカップに関しても私は開幕予定の６０日前に判断を下すのが妥当であったと強く感じた。

少なくともこの大会は中止ではなく観客なしで行われ選手、コーチ、審判団そして選手の両親などのみでの実行は可能ではなかったのだろうか。四大陸選手権と同様、会場内に入場する者全員に適切な検査を行うことを踏まえてだ。

大会の実行委員はおそらくこのような形での大会実行は困難であると主張するだろう、観客が購入するチケットなどが収益の中心だからだ。だが私はそれへの解決策がある。それはクラウドファンディングのキャンペーンを立ち上げ、開催へのコストを集めて、大会をウェブで生中継することだ。

パッション溢れる熱血的な日本のフィギュアファンは選手がリンクを滑るためであったら喜んでサポートをしてくれるだろう。

選手たちが来季のプログラムに向けて専念できる日々、そして私たちが通常の生活を取り戻すためには不要不急の外出を控え、この新型ウイルスの感染拡大がいち早く終息することを願うしかない。

Even though the season was short-circuited by the postponement of the world championships, it was a successful one for American Bradie Tennell.

The 22-year-old earned the bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul in February just weeks after finishing second behind Alysa Liu at the U.S. nationals in North Carolina.

In an exclusive interview with jackfigure.com, the Illinois native discussed a wide range of topics, including her thoughts on stars Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno, her feelings about teammates Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou, her work with innovative choreographer Benoit Richaud, and more. 

“This season has gone pretty well for me,” Tennell stated. “There were of course things that could have gone better. Overall, I think it is an improvement from last year. Every year my goal is to better than I was before.”

Early influences

Tennell, who began skating when she was two years old, talked about the skaters who influenced her growing up.

“Yuna Kim was one of my idols,” Tennell recalled. “I remember watching her win the (Olympic) gold in 2010 on TV and was like, ‘Wow. That was amazing.’

“When I was much younger, I really loved watching Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen. I loved watching Kristi Yamaguchi as well.”

Tennell then praised one of skating’s veterans.

“More recently I like Carolina Kostner. I love the way she skates,” Tennell noted. “No one can skate the way that she skates. Just so beautifully. She is one of my inspirations for the artistic side of skating.”

Thoughts on Mao, Yuzu, Shoma

Asked about Japanese skaters she admired, Tennell identified one of the sport’s legends.

“Mao Asada was one of the early skaters to have a triple axel,” Tennell commented. “It was so powerful and so big. I just loved watching it when I was younger.”

Tennell then cited a couple of her contemporaries for praise.

“Among my competitors, Rika (Kihira) is amazing to watch, and Kaori (Sakamoto), who also works with Benoit. I love watching the different programs that he develops with her and then with me,” Tennell said. “It’s very cool because has such a creative range of genius to explore. I always love to see what he comes up with.”

When it comes to the Japanese men, Tennell spoke about two-time Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno.

“Yuzuru and Shoma are both amazing,” Tennell remarked. “Yuzuru is just like everything he does is just so smooth and so precise. It is a joy to watch them. Shoma has such powerful jumps.

“It is incredible to watch two skaters who are so different, yet alike in some ways. They both bring such different elements to skating.”

Tennell, who was ninth at the Pyeongchang Olympics, is already looking ahead to 2022. 

“My ultimate goal right now moving into the Olympic season is the Beijing Games,” Tennell said. “I want to be on the team and be the leading U.S. lady then.”

Collaboration with Richaud

Tennell provided the back story on how she came to work with Richaud.

“I met Benoit back in 2017 at junior worlds. I remember I thought he was kind of scary at first because he was wearing all black and had a black fedora on,” Tennell stated. “Now I have come to learn that is just Benoit. He loves his black hats.

“I remember the first time I worked with him it was like a new level. I thought at the time, ‘I don’t know if I will be able to do this.’ 

It is clear that Richaud’s influence on Tennell has been profound.

“We work as a team. If I say something doesn’t feel right, then he will find a way to change it or to make it fit my style,” Tennell commented. “We work so well together. I am so grateful that I have him on my team. He is so supportive and works so hard for his skaters.”

Tennell, who finished fifth at this season’s Grand Prix Final, admitted that Richaud’s intensity had her on edge at the outset of their collaboration.

“He was intimidating in the beginning, but not now, because I know he cares so much,” Richaud remembered. “That makes me want to work that much harder for him. Because sometimes you coaches can see the potential you have, even when you don’t see it in yourself.

“I know he is always striving to push me to new heights and push past my limits, as a coach should,” Tennell continued. “When I work with him, his intensity is the driving factor.”

Reviving skating’s popularity at home

I asked Tennell what she thought the U.S. needed to do to recapture it previous glory in skating.

“We need to make people more aware of the sport and what is going on in it,” Tennell said. “Let them know we are still here. Figure skating is such a great sport. I don’t think people realize the hours and hours of work that goes into these programs.

“If people knew more of the background and what goes into it, maybe that would spark their interest more.”

Tennell spoke of her impressions of two-time world champion Chen and 2019 world bronze medalist Vincent Zhou.

“I think Nathan is such a positive influence on the sport. He is such an amazing athlete,” Tennell commented. “Watching him skate is captivating. He brings so much to the sport. I think the U.S. is so lucky to have him.”

Tennell is happy that Zhou has returned from his brief hiatus from skating.

“Vincent is also a great athlete. I’m really excited that he is skating again,” Tennell proclaimed. “He had to take a small break back in the fall. I’m glad he is back. He was on the podium at nationals and was on the world team.”

Pivotal point in career, looking ahead

I wanted to know at what juncture Tennell realized that she might make it to the elite level.

“When I won my U.S. junior title (2014-15 season), is when I felt that I had found my place in the world and skating was my thing,” Tennell reflected.

Tennell plans to pursue her education in the coming years and also says she would like to give coaching a shot.

“I do want to get my college degree. I am very interested in the health sciences, like kinesiology,” Tennell said. “I think I might do something along those lines.”

About being behind the boards someday, Tennell admitted she wants to pass on her expertise to future generations after her career is over.

“I do love coaching, so I think I will also coach at some point in my life,” Tennell stated. “I’m not sure how serious of a coach I will be, but I know I will be coaching. I love the sport and have a passion for it. As long as I am able to stay healthy, I will skate as long as possible.”

Tennell indicated that she would relish the opportunity to skate in shows in Japan.

“I have done ‘Carnival on Ice’ at the Japan Open, but that is it at this point,” Tennell noted. “I would love to take part in any show in Japan.

She concluded our chat with a message for her Japanese fans.

“Thank you so much for all of the support. I love you guys so much,” Tennell commented. “It is amazing to read all of your messages, all the kind words you send me. I can’t wait to come back to Japan.”

There is nothing greater in sports than watching a young skater come into their own. The years of hard work begin to bear fruit with results improving and the upward trend evident for all to see.

Such is the case with Tomoki Hiwatashi, the reigning world junior champion.

The 20-year-old Hiwatashi claimed his first medal at January’s U.S. Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, taking the bronze behind Nathan Chen and Jason Brown, with a stirring free skate that saw the crowd give him a standing ovation when he finished.

In an exclusive interview in late January, Hiwatashi talked about his latest achievement.

“I’m just really excited about what I just accomplished,” Hiwatashi stated in a call from his training base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “I have gotten a lot better than last year and am really happy.”

Hiwatashi has made a habit of surging at major competitions, having won the U.S. title at four different levels in his career, while also medaling twice at the world junior championships.

I wanted to know if there was a special motivation or reason for this.

“I guess I’m just not good at preparing myself for events early in the season,” Hiwatashi candidly remarked. “I kind of start peaking at this time of the year. It’s really just about preparation. I need to get better at that in the Grand Prix seasons. That will be my goal for next season.”

Damon Allen, who coaches Hiwatashi along with Christy Krall, feels his student has a special gear he calls upon when needed.

“Tomoki’s assets are his dynamic jumping abilities, great show stopping tricks like his amazing split jumps and cantilever,” Allen wrote in an email. “He has been able to demonstrate a great competitive spirit and can rise to the occasion when needed.”

Hiwatashi, who was fourth after the short program, landed two quadruple toe loops and seven triples in his free skate to “Petrushka.”

I wondered if Hiwatashi was making a push for the podium in his free skate or just wanted to give the best performance he could.

“I was just trying to do my best. I just really wanted to perform and give it my best and enjoy that moment of being there,” Hiwatashi commented. “I didn’t feel like I was able to do that at the Grand Prix series.”

The native of Englewood, New Jersey, came in fifth and 10^th in his two GP assignments this season.

“I thought that competition – the nationals – may be my last competition of the year, so I wanted to really enjoy it,” Hiwatashi noted. 

Making the moment even sweeter was the fact that both of his parents, who hail from Kobe, and one of his two older sisters were on hand to see him capture his first medal at the U.S. nationals.

Before the Four Continents, where he finished ninth, I asked Hiwatashi what elements he needed to improve on for the event.

“The first quad toe/triple toe – that jump was shaky on the landing (at nationals),” Hiwatashi noted. “I would like to do better on it at the Four Continents. The second triple axel was also a little shaky. I was going into it and I thought I shouldn’t be messing this up. But the thought of messing it up kind of affected it.”

Hiwatashi intended to stick with his programs this in Seoul.

“I’m not planning any changes to my programs at Four Continents. I just want to do the same thing I did at nationals and keep the consistency,” Hiwatashi said. “There is not much time between nationals and the Four Continents to make changes.”

It was clear the crowd on hand in North Carolina got behind Hiwatashi in both of his programs.

“I really appreciate the audience for doing that,” Hiwatashi said. “Especially for my short program (“Love Runs Out”), because with that music it is very important to have the crowd on my side. If I can do that and have people enjoy watching me, that means it is a successful program.”

Hiwatashi impressed in the second half of his free skate with a triple lutz/euler/triple flip combination.

“I have been working on it and the consistency has been good,” Hiwatashi stated. “I am confident now that I will be able to do it well.”

Some controversy arose at the end of the U.S. Championships after Hiwatashi was passed over for Vincent Zhou for the third spot (after Chen and Brown) on the U.S. team for the world championships in Montreal that were postponed.

Hiwatashi was magnanimous about not getting the nod, supporting the decision of U.S. Figure Skating in picking Zhou.

“I’m totally fine with it, to be honest. I didn’t do so well in the Grand Prix series,” Hiwatashi noted. “The only competition I have done well at this season has been nationals, so I really understand their decision to pick Vincent over me because of how great he did last year and how great he did at nationals.

“He is the world bronze medalist at this point. I feel like sending him is that right choice. If I were in their spot to decide who would go to the worlds, I would have probably picked Vincent over myself to.”

The blow was cushioned by Hiwatashi’s own expectations going into the nationals.

“I really didn’t expect to go to worlds. I’m excited to be going to Four Continents,” Hiwatashi commented. “I think deciding on the skater based on one competition is not correct. Because at times I have not been able to do what I wanted, and what people wanted me to do, I feel that their decision was the right choice to make.”

Hiwatashi’s attitude reflects both his class and upbringing.

“I’m excited for Nathan, Jason and Vincent to go out and do their best to get the three spots so I can actually go in that spot maybe next year,” Hiwatashi said.

Decision to go with Zhou explained

I asked legendary skating writer Phil Hersh for his take on the choice of Zhou over Hiwatashi.

“The world bronze had to be decisive,” Hersh declared in an email. “And Vincent skated very respectably at nationals on almost no training.” 

Hersh thinks it might have been better for both Hiwatashi and Zhou to have one more competition before the decision was made.

“It seems as if it would be better if USFS asked both to go to the Four Continents and then made a decision, but there is no provision for that in the selection process,” Hersh noted. “Plus the Four Continents is so soon (after nationals) with a long trip it would be hard to draw conclusions from it.”

Hersh then explained the criteria the USFS uses to make calls like this one.

“The selection system in place values the previous year’s results as well as results of nationals and GP,” Hersh wrote. “Vincent skipped the GP series where Tomoki was 10th and fifth.  In their other head to head this season, Vincent was third and Tomoki fourth at the US International Classic.

“Vincent was second and Tomoki fourth at 2019 nationals, and Vincent won not only world bronze but the Four Continents bronze (Tomoki was eighth),” Hersh continued. “That trumps Tomoki’s world junior title.  If you look at the whole ‘body of work’ applicable, it’s easy to see why they took Vincent.”

With the abbreviated season now finished, I have collated a top 10 list of the best performances by Japanese skaters during the 2019-20 campaign. The list places a priority on results in major competitions like the Grand Prix Final and national championships, while taking into account mitigating factors like injury, record scores and big moves up the standings.

1. Yuzuru Hanyu – Four Continents (Short Program)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWp3PHPhUoE
Hanyu established a new world record in Seoul where he scored 111.82
points on the way to winning the Four Continents for the first time. Back in South Korea for the first time since winning his second Olympic gold medal at the Pyeongchang Games, Hanyu gave an elegant performance to Chopin’s Ballade No. 1.

2. Yuzuru Hanyu – Skate Canada (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMEXeWxK5Zs
Hanyu set a personal record under the new scoring system of 212.99 points by landing four quads to capture Skate Canada for the first time by nearly 60 points. Hanyu was back at full health following two injury-plagued seasons as he racked up a total tally of 322.59 in the victory.

3. Shoma Uno – Challenge Cup (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhumVvNoW3I
Uno was fantastic in The Hague, showing that his short collaboration with Stephane Lambiel is continuing to bear fruit. He cleanly hit three quads and gave an absolutely beautiful performance to “Dancing On My Own.” It’s a pity that more fans were not able to witness his effort in person.

4. Shoma Uno – Japan Championships (Free Skate)

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm36124603?ref=search_key_video&playlist=eyJpZCI6InZ
pZGVvX3dhdGNoX3BsYXlsaXN0X3NlYXJjaCIsInNlYXJjaFF1ZXJ5Ijp7InR5cGUiOiJrZ
Xl3b3JkIiwicXVlcnkiOiLlrofph47mmIzno6ggMjAxOSIsInBhZ2UiOjEsInBlclBhZ2UiOjMyL
CJzb3J0IjoiK2gifX0&ss_pos=5&ss_id=a2f56a53-7932-478a-8e11-88cf50a71ed0
Uno came from behind to capture his fourth straight national title in impressive fashion, defeating Hanyu, who was skating at the nationals for the first time in four years. After struggling following his split with longtime coaches Machiko Yamada and Mihoko Higuchi, this was his first competition with Lambiel in his corner and the impact was obvious in what may have been the most important triumph of Uno’s career.

5. Rika Kihira – Challenge Cup (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p59n88Bflyg
Following her victories at the Japan Championships and Four Continents, Kihira finished off her season with a third straight win in a stellar showing in the Netherlands. She landed both of her triple axels (one in combination) on the way to topping the podium as she looks to carry the momentum into next season.

6. Rika Kihira – Japan Nationals (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ljAyfE3PM
Having lost to Kaori Sakamoto in 2018 after entering the event as the favorite, Kihira was exquisite in notching her first senior Japan title. A year after winning the Japan Junior Championships, she landed six triples and earned level fours on all of her spins and step sequence to “International Angel of Peace” in the triumph.

7. Shun Sato – Junior Grand Prix Final (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAIEjbfk_Mw
Just two weeks after losing out on the Japan Junior Championship to rival and friend Yuma Kagiyama, Sato came from third place after the short program with a magnificent performance to capture the title. His show of power under pressure, while landing three quads and five triples, in Turin, Italy, exhibited his past potential for the future.

8. Yuma Kagiyama – Youth Olympics (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0oNjkW0yc
Prior to the season, Kagiyama said his goal was to win the Japan Junior Championship and thereby earn the berth to the Youth Olympics. After accomplishing the first part of that goal, Kagiyama stormed back from third place to claim the gold medal in Lausanne, Switzerland, with a scintillating free skate. His reaction after his winning score was posted was one of the highlights of the entire season.

9.  Yuma Kagiyama – Japan Championships (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDU46q9l3Ok
Kagiyama, the son of two-time Olympian Masakazu Kagiyama, joined Uno and Hanyu with a steady showing to “Tucker” before a packed house in Tokyo. Coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Junior Grand Prix Final two weeks earlier, Kagiyama displayed his significant skills at Japan’s biggest domestic event of the season. 

10.  Wakaba Higuchi – Japan Championships (Free Skate)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX58U_l_QWs
With a spot for the world championships (that wound up being cancelled) on the line, Higuchi came through in the clutch after struggling through a poor Grand Prix season. The 2018 world silver medalist displayed her grit in what was a crucial performance for her career after battling a foot injury the previous season.

羽生が飾る今季シーズンのトップ10

翻訳者: ギャラガー美慧菜（ヴィエナ）

短縮されたフィギュアシーズンが幕を閉じた今、私は今季の日本人選手によるトップパフォーマンスを順に紹介していきたい。このリストをまとめる際、私は選手らのグランプリファイナルやメジャーな大会での成績を主に評価し、その他にも怪我の有無、自己ベストや世界ランキングでの大幅なランクアップなどを考慮して作成した。

1. 羽生結弦 – 四大陸選手権（ショートプログラム）

今季韓国で開催された四大陸選手権を初制覇した羽生は111.82点という高得点を叩き出し、世界最高得点を更新した。平昌オリンピックで2度目の金メダルを獲得して以来の韓国で開催された大会に参戦した彼はショパン作曲バラード第一番の音色に乗って洗練されたパフォーマンスを披露した。

2. 羽生結弦 – スケートカナダ（フリープログラム）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMEXeWxK5Zs

4本の4回転を決め、2位に約60点の大差をつけてスケートカナダ初優勝を果たした羽生は同時に212.99点をマークし、新ルール改正後の自己ベストを更新した。前2シーズンの怪我からの復活劇を見せた彼の演技は合計322.59点となり、圧勝だった。

3. 宇野昌磨 – チャレンジカップ（フリープログラム）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhumVvNoW3I

ハーグでの宇野の滑りは実に素晴らしく、ステファン・ランビエールとのコーチ契約を結んだことが鍵となっているようだった。「Dancing On My Own」に合わせて3本の4回転を華麗に決めた宇野は会場を大いに盛り上げた。ヨーロッパで開催された大会であったため、多くのファンが彼の輝かしい滑りを生で見届けられなかったと思うと非常に残念だ。

4. 宇野昌磨 – 全日本選手権（フリープログラム)

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm36124603?ref=search_key_video&playlist=eyJpZCI6InZ%20%20pZGVvX3dhdGNoX3BsYXlsaXN0X3NlYXJjaCIsInNlYXJjaFF1ZXJ5Ijp7InR5cGUiOiJrZ%20%20Xl3b3JkIiwicXVlcnkiOiLlrofph47mmIzno6ggMjAxOSIsInBhZ2UiOjEsInBlclBhZ2UiOjMyL%20%20CJzb3J0IjoiK2gifX0&ss_pos=5&ss_id=a2f56a53-7932-478a-8e11-88cf50a71ed0

長年連れ添ったコーチ、山田満知子と樋口美穂子の元を離れ、新しくランビエールとコーチ契約を結んだ宇野にとって始めて望んだ大会がこの全日本選手権だった。ショートでは4年ぶりに出場した羽生にリードされていたが、フリーで宇野は2位から上り詰め、大会4連覇を果たし全日本王者の座を守った。この新たなスタートが宇野にもたらした影響は凄まじく、彼の競技人生を大きく左右する決断となったと言っても過言ではないだろう。

5. 紀平梨花 – チャレンジカップ（フリープログラム）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p59n88Bflyg

全日本選手権、そして四大陸選手権で勝ち取ったVに続いて紀平はオランダで行われたチャレンジカップも圧巻の演技で制覇し、今季シーズンのラストを派手に飾った。二つのトリプルアクセル（のち一つはコンビネーションジャンプ）を綺麗に着氷し、来季のさらなる活躍を誓う演技となった。

6. 紀平梨花 – 全日本選手権（フリープログラム）

2018年に開催された全日本フィギュアで坂本香織に敗れた紀平だったが、今季は優美な演技を披露しシニア枠での初優勝を果たした。全日本ジュニア選手権を制してから一年、6本の3回転に成功し全スピンでの最高評価レベル４評価を獲得、そして「International Angel of Peace」へのステップシークエンスも見事に成し遂げた。

7. 佐藤駿 – ジュニアグランプリファイナル（フリープログラム）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAIEjbfk_Mw

友でもあり、良きライバルでもある鍵山優真に惜しくも敗れ2位に終わった全日本ジュニア選手権から二週間、ショートで3位に入った佐藤はフリーでのハイレベルな演技でジュニアGPファイナル王者となった。大きなプレッシャーを背負いながらも、アウェイの舞台で3本の4回転と5本の3回転をミスなく跳んだ彼への将来の期待が高まった。

8. 鍵山優真 – ユースオリンピック（フリープログラム）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0oNjkW0yc

今季の日本ジュニア選手権を優勝し、ユースオリンピックへの出場権を獲得することが目標だと鍵山はシーズン前に話していた。ジュニア選手権を制した後、彼はローザンヌで開催されたユースオリンピックのショートプログラムで3位となっていたがフリーの才気あふれる演技で1位まで上り詰め、見事に金メダルを獲得した。自らのスコアが反映された時の彼の表情とガッツポーズは今シーズンのハイライトだった。

9. 鍵山優真 – 全日本選手権（フリープログラム）

元オリンピアンの鍵山正和を父にもつ鍵山は宇野と羽生が以前楽曲に使用した映画「タッカー」のサウンドトラックにのり、迫真の演技で超満員の観客を沸かせた。二週間前のジュニアGPで4位となった鍵山だが、彼は自らの実力を国内最大級のイベントで世界に発信した。

10. 樋口新葉 – 全日本選手権（フリープログラム）

成績が伸びなかったグランプリシーズンから一転、樋口は世界選手権（今は中止となった）の出場権を掛けたこの舞台で情熱的な演技を見せ表彰台に登った。2018年世界選手権銀メダリストの意地を見せ、昨シーズンのケガを忘れさせるような力強い滑りだった。

April 1, 2020

Today I am very happy to announce the launching of my own figure skating website – jackfigure.com. This will be a reader-funded site that will focus on providing exclusive news, interviews and columns on Japanese skating. 

International skating will be covered as well, but the primary focus will be on Japanese skaters. My goal is to cover as many events as possible in person. This includes domestic competitions, the Grand Prix series and world championships.

For the past 25 years, as I have covered several Olympics and other major competitions, I have been writing skating stories and driving web traffic to other companies. But from now own I will be doing it for you readers and myself.

I want to write stories that readers want to read about skaters, coaches, executive and others in the skating community. So I will be asking for your suggestions in addition to your support of this project.

This will not be a subscription site. I want all to able to access the content, so there will be no paywall. Readers will be able to give monthly donations on Patreon, a Japanese crowdfunding platform, or directly through PayPal. There will be rewards for those who do contribute.

I am looking forward to the challenge of providing you with compelling content and beginning this journey together.

2020年4月1日

今日、私は自分のフィギュアスケートサイト-jackfigure.comの立ち上げを発表できてとてもうれしいです。これは読者限定のサイトで、日本のスケートに関する独占的なニュース、インタビュー、コラムを提供することに重点を置いています。

国際スケートもカバーされますが、主な焦点は日本人のスケーターになります。私の目標は、できるだけ多くのイベントを直接取り上げることです。これには国内大会、グランプリシリーズ、世界選手権が含まれます。

過去25年間、私はいくつかのオリンピックやその他の主要なコンテストをカバーし、またスケートの話を書いて、他の会社のウェブサイトへのアクセスを促してきました。しかし、今から私はあなた読者のためにします。

読者が読みたいストーリーである、スケーター、コーチ、エグゼクティブ、その他スケート関連情報等について書きたいと思います。また、読者であるあなたの提案に加えてこのプロジェクトへのサポートをお願いします。

これは購買サイトではありません。すべての人がコンテンツ（記事）にアクセスできるようにしたいので、有料ではありません。読者は、Patreon, 日本のクラウドファンディング、またはPayPalを介して直接、毎月の寄付を行うことができます。これら支援者様のためにすてきなお返しがあります。

私はあなたに説得力のあるコンテンツを提供し、一緒にこの旅を始めるという挑戦を楽しみにしています。