The medals in men’s figure skating will be decided tonight (NBC, 8 p.m. ET). With less than one point separating first from third, the top of the podium is up for grabs. Here, a look at the free skates for the Top 6 competitors.
Russia’s Yevgeny Plushenko (currently sitting in first) at the European Championships:
USA’s Evan Lysacek at U.S. Nationals:
Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi at the Grand Prix Final
Japan’s Nobunari Oda at Cup of China
Switzerland’s Stéphane Lambiel at the European Championships (the commentators’ reaction when he falls during the footwork sequence at 3:35 = priceless):
USA’s Johnny Weir at U.S. Nationals:
BONUS: Because we couldn’t wait to see what Italy’s overalls-loving Samuel Contesti (14th) would wear in his long program, here he is at the European Championships:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yik4caFDHU&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Now, what’s your prediction for the podium? Come back tomorrow morning for our recap.
More PopWatch on Ice:
Recap: Villains, heroes, and fashion victims in the men’s short programs
Olympic Stud of Day 5: Evan Lysacek
Recap: Shen and Zhao win pairs gold following collective gasp
Recap: Good music, bad costumes, and questionable scoring in the pairs’ short programs
Scott Hamilton: The 5 most memorable Olympic figure skating falls
Scott Hamilton: The 5 times I was a little too excited in the broadcast booth
Scott Hamilton: The 5 programs I would have skated
I would love to see Lambiel pull an upset and get on the podium again. Other than that, as long as Plushenko doesn’t win gold, I’m good. It would be nice to see Johnny Weir on the podium too–as much as he weirds me out, he is one helluva elegant skater.
my votes are on the japanese – Asian loyalty all the way! Besides all the other faces have been there for a looooooong time.
Mandi, please try to get your hands on that clip montage NBC aired of Evan Lysacek working out, that they showed prior to his performance Tuesday night! I’m fortunate enough to have it on DVR, but it’s really something that should be shared with the world (again). And put me on stalker watch while you’re at it.
Looking forward to seeing the feathers fly tonight! Could Plushenko possibly be more villainous?!? (No). Could Johnny Weir be more awesome? (No). Will we see spandex hillbilly overalls ever again in figure skating? (I really hope not).
GOOO Evan!!!
Spandex hillbilly–I love it. It has to be one of the worst costumes to date. Unfortunately though, I think it can (and probably will) get worse than that. Just the nature of the fashion of the sport.
I think the worst costumes are the ice dancers. Some are pretty out there. Spandex hillbilly- LOL. Love it.
Ambient Lite, thanks for trying to find this clip for me yesterday. I spent alot of time trying to find it, but no luck. Maybe Mandi will have better luck.
Fingers crossed for Evan! My heart will be pounding while he’s on the ice.
Sure, Lorie! Evan-a-holics gotta stick together!
Man, that ice is sure to melt with all these flamers prancing on it.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
My dad is gay.
Shhhhh!!!! Don’t tell.
I agree. I would love to see Lambiel somehow get on the podium. He isn’t so far back that he couldn’t make it. His component scores will enable him to leapfrog people ahead of him if they falter. Hopefully, he has fixed the bugs from this European performance.
Other than that, I just want to see someone beat Plushenko. Lysacek can probably do it. He will outscore Plushenko in the component score. Fingers crossed.
I’m with you, but the problem tonight is that Plushenko is planning to do a quadruple, something Lysacek cannot/will not do. We can only hope that Plushenko fails.
The only thing is Plushenko hardly ever fails. DAMN!
Ugh, I know. He’s a machine. Still rallying for my boys though.
Rooting for Lysacek, Weir, and anyone who does more than jump (albeit spectacularly) and rattle imaginary sabres in the air (that’s just weird). Still mourning for Jeremy Abbott, who I was hoping would make the case for the return of normal costumes…
Yeah–I felt so sorry for the kid after the short program. Doesn’t help that he looks so much younger than he is. You just want to hug him and bring him hot cocoa or something similarly grandmotherly.
Can’t wait til tonight. I’m already biting my nails. Hoping for Evan to win but if he doesn’t then I’ll be happy for Lambiel or Takahashi.
Me, too. I really don’t want Plushenko to win the gold. I just hope that he’s given the proper low scores for artistry. I don’t think that someone should win a gold medal just for landing a quad.
Anyone but Plushenko! I don’t think he has any joy in his performance, and that’s not the mark of a true athlete, to me. Lysacek/Weir for the win! And I’m not even American…
I am really looking forward to this competition tonight! I like Takahashi and Lambiel (I find them more engaging and dynamic than Lysacek or Plushenko.) Most of all though, I’ll be rooting for Johnny Weir.
In my opinion, Weir was underscored by the judges on the short program. I understand he lost points on grade of execution, but that much on an edge violation? Considering the performances of those with the closest scores, I think he should have been placed higher, and his chances of reaching the podium would have been a bit better. The commentators really minimized his ability as a skater and competitor too. Oh well, I hope he skates clean again tonight and puts on a show!
Plushenko all the way. No one else even compares. He’s a master of the sport. I think it’s a bit strange that he is painted to be some sort of a villain simply for being the best and knowing it. The mere fact that he came out of retirement to skate like THAT is a testament to his tremendous talent and power. As he said, men’s figure skating is nothing without a quad – this isn’t ballet. I do enjoy the crazy costumes and flamboyancy of Weir and the elegance of Lysacec but Plushenko is the man to beat.
Lysacek was amazing and deserved the gold. Weir was robbed.
Johnny Weir gets no respect from these judges. But I am so incredibly happy Plushenko got taken down. He is a douche and he needs to learn some modesty. Most of all he needs to respect the sport–ALL parts of it.