Sunday, September 9, 2012

Video of the Day: Grant Hochstein at Mids



It was great watching Grant Hochstein at Mid Atlantics earlier today. Grant is a skater I've always wanted to do extremely well, yet his triple axel has continually held him back. This new program is really great for him. Grant tried to butch it up on the ice, even though he was clearly bopping to Beyonce or Rihanna when he was walking around getting ready to take the ice. After several dreadful and directionless junior men, Grant was the only senior man to compete. It is great to see someone who has floundered at times step up and be the star of the day when it is their moment. Grant's spiral is very Paul Wylie with more extension and toe point. I did it. Loving the transition into the salchow. His triple axel may have been a miracle, but I'll take it. Just please, don't make me watch anymore junior men.

Note: I am not the one groaning about flutzes.

In other news, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney apparently injured themselves on bars today. Maroney's is apparently a serious leg/knee injury. No word on Aly's. Why either is ever touching bars after London is a much bigger question. Get well soon.

10 comments:

  1. Oh no! was worried about injuries during the tour.. those girls must be so tired at this point...

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  2. WTF, on the second day of the tour? Insufficient padding? Aly and McKayla on bars? What are they going to call Jordyn, Gabby and Kyla now, the Threatened Three?

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  3. Will this keep Aly from ever competing again ? I am devastated that our chance of seeing her usual display of grace and unparalleled beauty is at risk. I will light a candle that this does not keep the most beautiful gymnast ever from showing us her prowess. Those lines, that grace, we pray for the new Nadia. Our ballerina Aly.

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    1. Oh she doesn't remind you of Bicherova?? She must be absolutely useless then. Yes why don't you pray for a career ending injury then. So what if she isn't your cup of tea? That doesn't mean it is in any way a good thing that she is injured. Anyway, she bruised her legs and that's it.

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    2. I hope she is OK but I also hope she goes away for good.

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  4. Aly's fall was really scary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5HVanlmuQ&feature=player_embedded the set-up for this thing is a mess.

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  5. I like Grant's programs.

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  6. The announcer called them the "Fierce Three"....well if that doesn't sound awkward...

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  7. It wasn't just the flutz that was effed up. He does *not* have the stamina for that program. Last combo spin=fail. At least one other spin was pretty sketchy. I'm all for the spiral, but if you're going to do it, please hold it for more than a second. Jumps are nice...when they're integrated into the program and you aren't doubling/falling out of/and/or just throwing them for what seems to be the hell of it. Plus, when you botch as many as he does, it makes the successful triples seem kind of like flukes.

    As far as the choreography and music go, the program was a snoozefest.

    Idk how bad the junior men were, but if this is what is considered "good" for senior men now, US Figure Skating is in some serious trouble.

    (And no, I'm not just a casual observer of skating. I spent a fair amount time involved in the sport in various capacities and in retrospect, I'd *really* like some of it back.)

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