Due to two serious errors, Italy’s top skater Maquen scored 170.18 in the free skate.

Of course, this score was relatively low for Maquen himself, but for other athletes, especially many junior athletes, even 150 points was an elusive goal.

In the Vancouver cycle before the Sochi cycle, the International Skating Union’s rules placed more emphasis on program completion. Many male singles skaters, aiming for stability, only performed triple jumps in their programs. At that time, even the top male singles skaters in the senior group could only score between 150 and 160 in the free skate.

Throughout the Vancouver cycle, no one broke the free skate world record of 178.65 points, showing that a change in ISU rules stalled the development of men’s figure skating.

When the Sochi cycle began, a series of highly skilled newcomers emerged. Vasili and Maquen were at the peak of their careers, and Vasili reset the free skate record to 189.67 points, truly reviving the era of the quadruple jump.

At that time, only geniuses like Zhang Jue, Ilya, and Hayato Teraoka could challenge 160 points in the junior group. Before Zhang Jue moved up to the senior group, he had already set a new junior free skate world record of over 165 points. It was foreseeable that future skaters would struggle to break his score.
This was still the case with the judges suppressing Zhang Jue as an Asian athlete. Otherwise, he could have broken the 170-point barrier before moving up to the senior group.

After all, the double quadruple jump configuration was no longer a problem for him in the junior group.

Shen Liu put his arm around Zhang Jue’s shoulder and tightened it slightly: “Don’t worry, you were clean this time. Your technical score will definitely be above 95, maybe even hit 98. As long as the judges aren’t too stingy with the performance score, you’ll get what you deserve.”

Zhang Jue’s scores were announced.

Technical score: 94.04

His uncle glanced at Shen Liu: “Above 95?”

Shen Liu awkwardly coughed. Zhang Jue was drinking a lot of water for the upcoming urine test. No one spoke, and they looked at the other scores.
Performance score: 83.66

Hayato Teraoka in front of the TV clicked his tongue twice: “This score is interesting.”

Zhang Jue had this performance score in the junior group, and now that he was in the senior group with such a good performance, they didn’t even give him a one-point increase? They promised that the performance score would increase appropriately after moving to the senior group. Why didn’t it apply to Zhang Jue?

Of the five components of the performance score, Zhang Jue’s skills, transitions, completion, choreography, and musical interpretation were all capable of challenging for perfect scores.

His coach took a sip of tea beside him: “Asian figure skaters’ performance scores are destined to rise slower than Europeans. Now he’s up against Maquen, and the judges will certainly suppress him.”

Hayato Teraoka shook his head: “This score, any expert would be uncomfortable seeing it. These people have turned competitive sports into nationality-based sports. Maquen is probably not happy about it either.”

He was right. Seeing Zhang Jue’s score, Zhang Jue himself was fine, but Maquen was quite upset.

Maquen wanted to build a good relationship with Zhang Jue to potentially enter the Chinese market in the future. These judges’ tricks not only tarnished Maquen’s reputation but also potentially his financial prospects.

Zhang Jue’s final free skate score was 177.7, and with a short program score of 90.12, his total score was 267.82, 8 points higher than Maquen, who placed second.

No doubt, this gold medal at the US Championships belonged to Zhang Jue, but the score was too low for someone who just beat the world champion Maquen.

Top male skaters scoring clean double quadruple jumps in their free skate usually score above 185. Zhang Jue didn’t even reach 180, making it seem like he won not by skill but by luck.

The coaching team and many fans were not happy about it, but Zhang Jue showed maturity. After various scandals during his training period, he had perfected his expression management.

The young skater smiled warmly at the camera, clapped with just the right amount of joy, stood up to bow and wave to the audience, and then hugged his coach, happily talking about wanting to eat dumplings when they got back.

Even during the award ceremony, Zhang Jue maintained a calm smile. Maquen was friendly, offering to help him onto the podium when Zhang Jue approached.
Zhang Jue’s first time on the World Junior Championships podium ended with him falling spectacularly, leading everyone who knew him to believe he needed help to get on the podium.

Zhang Jue waved his hand generously, took a few steps back, then sprinted and jumped onto the top of the podium

The audience laughed, many people couldn’t help but smile.

Maquen also laughed, whispering: “I look forward to our next competition. I promise to clean my program and win fair and square.”

Zhang Jue replied quietly: “You think too much. I have already beaten you fair and square once and can do it again.”

Maquen paused, impressed. The Italian admired the young skater’s emotional control.

Everyone maintained friendly expressions. When the national anthem played, Zhang Jue sang it seriously and then took off his gold medal, holding it high for the camera.

Zhang Junbao stood on the sidelines, holding Zhang Jue’s detailed score sheet, feeling gratified.

The score sheet is a document skaters can get from the staff after the competition, detailing the scores of each technical element and which judges gave high or low GOEs.

As expected by Zhang Junbao, Zhang Jue was indeed suppressed by the European judges, like judges 2 and 5.

Noticing Zhang Jue’s excellent performance in the first half, realizing that Maquen would lose, they heavily suppressed his scores in the second half, leading to strange GOEs in the second half.

For instance, the 3F jump with a GOE of only 0.85 was frustrating for those in the know.

He slowly said: “These two blind judges should be doing business instead. They’d get rich quickly!”

Zhang Jue’s jumps were executed with extended arms and delayed rotations. Despite some unconventional take-offs, the quality was there, but they couldn’t even give a score of 1? Reducing the GOE to less than one was ridiculous.

If it weren’t for his nephew’s solid base difficulty and flawless performance, these judges would have buried him with their scoring.

Shen Liu coolly added: “GOEs are the average of the judges’ scores. This bad score means someone gave Zhang Jue 0.1 or even 0. This stinginess wouldn’t last in business; their reputation would be ruined in no time.”

Shen Liu also disapproved of some judges’ attempts to protect their European star by unfairly suppressing their precious skater.

This result was like Maquen answering the questions wrong but still getting 85 points on a 60-point test, while Zhang Jue scored 120 points but the judges only reluctantly gave him 90. They won, but it was frustrating.

Shen Liu reminded him: “When we get back, show this score sheet to Coach Sun. If there’s a Grand Prix event, we won’t invite these two judges. Judge Lujin is strict but fair to technically sound skaters. I’ve gained new respect for him today.”

Zhang Junbao nodded: “I understand.”

“Uncle! Brother Shen!”

A child’s cheerful voice rang out, making the two coaches smile simultaneously. Zhang Junbao opened his arms at the rink exit, caught the charging Zhang Jue, and spun him around twice.

“Good boy, you skated really well today. Come on, Uncle will take you to eat chive dumplings. Yang Zhiyuan went back early and found a wok in the hotel kitchen. We’ll have stir-fried chive dumplings.”

Shen Liu reminded the two who tended to gain weight: “Take it easy on the carbs, or you’ll gain weight again. Also don’t give the kid anything spicy, his voice is changing.”

Zhang Jue casually hung his gold medal around Zhang Junbao’s neck: “Today, I’m the champion. I’m the biggest. I not only want to eat carbs, but I also want to eat to my heart’s content.”

Zhang Junbao was silent for a moment before breaking into a sunny smile: “Then I need to check if Yang Zhiyuan’s wok is big enough.”

Helena, passing by, hurriedly picked up her water bottle and quickened her pace. Zhang Junbao was left puzzled, holding his nephew.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Shen Liu replied impassively: “Nothing, just that you and Tom Cruise are the same height, and your smile is so handsome it probably stunned her.”

The competition at the U.S. event ended. Huang Ying and Guan Lin won the silver medal in pairs with their short programs “Greensleeves” and “Libertango,” while Zhang Jue took the gold medal.

Even though they were rookies just barely meeting the age requirements, they delivered impressive performances for their events.

On the day of the exhibition skate, Zhang Jue wore a white shirt, bell bottoms, wristbands, and fingerless gloves, stepping onto the ice under the spotlight.

As the deep male voice accompanied by piano sang “Say You, Say Me,” many were astonished to find that the young skater’s exhibition program was to Lionel Richie’s 1985 movie theme song from “White Nights” – “Say You, Say Me.”

This song, which swept the Golden Globes and won an Oscar for Best Original Song, blended elements of American country music, rock, and disco. The first half was soothing and melodious, while from 2:50, the rhythm quickened, the mood lifted, creating a powerful emotional impact.

Lionel Richie was a legendary figure, having co-written the iconic “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson shortly before creating this masterpiece, cementing his status as a hall-of-fame artist in the music world.

Zhang Jue initially chose this piece because Xu Delu had played the drums to it before. He used his brother’s drumming version, but when he performed, his pure stage presence captivated the audience.

Because like the lyrics of the song, Zhang Jue always believed in himself and saw himself as a shining star, believing he could shine brightly even in darkness.

And in the Sochi cycle, Zhang Jue wasn’t the only rising star.

Five days after the U.S. event, in Windsor, Canada, Yin Meijing and Liu Mengcheng broke the world record for ice dance with their creative program to “I See the Light,” becoming the first Asian ice dance pair to achieve this feat.

Meanwhile, Ilya Safoshenko challenged Vasily in the men’s singles at the same event, finishing just 1.2 points behind him, a commendable performance despite the loss.

Ice skating fans joyfully dubbed this period as the “Era of Rising Stars.”

As for the shining star himself, after a long flight back to the black soil of the northeast, still groggy from the flight and lack of sleep, Zhang Jue saw a round, red figure rolling towards him.

“Brother!”

Zhang Jue widened his eyes in shock at the sight of the plump Xu Delu, holding his face in horror: “Xu Dela, what have you been eating while I was away!”

A beautiful woman, her face as fair and smooth as a lotus in a clear lake, stood beside him, looking helpless.

“He’s been learning to make fried food with his dad, bringing the failed batches to his bandmates. The unsuccessful ones ended up in his own stomach, so he got fat.”

…

Icy Snow – Random Chat

【HOT~】Our Little Star

…

121L

Ah! The official posters are already on presale right after the competition ended!

122L

Wasn’t there only 3000 prints for the first batch? You managed to snag one in the presale? Impressive!

123L

Ying and Lin also have their first competition posters, the “Greensleeves” set, with only 1000 prints. It was just a test run, but they sold out in two hours, and now they’re on their second batch. The Crocodile’s batch sold out in half an hour, and now they’re on their third batch.

124

It seems all our national skaters wore green costumes this season, and they looked great. The official posters chose the green set first. Does anyone know who their designer is?

125L

To answer above, it seems it’s a professor from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, an elderly man in his seventies. His designs are like works of art rather then produced by a studio.

126L

The “Spring God” set is destined to be a classic. Can you imagine? Maquen actually lost! He was the world champion last season!

127L

I admit “Spring God” is a classic, but Maquen didn’t lose! If he hadn’t made mistakes, the Crocodile wouldn’t have stood a chance!

128L

But the fact is, he made mistakes. That’s how competitions go. He couldn’t hold it together, and the Crocodile seized the opportunity. Nothing wrong with that.

129L

I find some people funny. When Teraoka Hayato won against Ilya, many said he didn’t deserve it. When the Crocodile beat Ilya, it was luck. Now that he’s beaten Maquen, he still gets criticized. It’s not that they didn’t deserve to win; it’s their nationality that some people have a problem with.

130L

If you’re not European or American, some people think you don’t deserve to win.

131L

Exactly. Spring God’s performance was actually better than Turandot’s. Compared to a lingering romance, the refreshing “Spring God” is more enduring.

132L

Not arguing about strengths, Maquen’s performance is widely acknowledged as excellent. Zhang Jue is just a rookie, not qualified to be compared to veterans.

133L

This is a competitive sport, where skill matters more than experience. As long as you’re strong enough, it’s normal for juniors to beat veterans.

134L

The Crocodile’s performance is indeed excellent. He might not spin as well, but his expressive power is undeniable. Why criticize every new rising star? Especially some male fans, calling him effeminate. His programs are typical men’s singles choreography, full of power. Being slim doesn’t mean effeminate.

135L

Ying missed her solo jump again this time. She hasn’t landed a 3T since the start of the season. Luckily, her throws and twists are stable, and their performance seems more mature this year.

136L

Definitely. They haven’t used the quad throw this season, probably still growing. Hopefully, they finish developing before Sochi.

137L

Looking at it this way, the most stable chance for a medal in Sochi might be the Crocodile, and Xu Chuo, who’s moving up next year. Fifteen or sixteen is peak age for female singles, light and agile. Our singles skating might actually rise.

138L

Our pairs aren’t weak either. Once Ying finishes developing, they’ll be top-tier competitors!

139L

But the most impressive rookie this season isn’t them. Keiko Shiratsuka is the youth division champion, with performance levels similar to her sister’s, and a solid 3lz+3lo

140L

That ice dance pair, Yin Meijing and Liu Mengcheng, broke records with their Disney-inspired “I See the Light” It was so amazing!

141L

The world might be fake, but the dream couple is real. Did you know Meijing can legally marry next year?

142L

They never fake their chemistry. They’re a real couple! Meijing is willing to support Mengcheng’s world, and Mengcheng embraces their future together.

143L

Unfortunately, our welcome group is still too young for shipping. Though they’re sweet, Lin refused to change partners, argued with the coach, and ended up writing an apology online.

144L

He’s stubborn, said if they split him up, he’d retire. Luckily, Sun Qian intervened, or he might have been kicked off the team.

145L

Speaking of ships, our Crocodile has many! The most popular is Ilia x Crocodile, followed by Bird and Crocodile.

146L

I know Ilia x Crocodile, but Bird and Crocodile?

147L

Teraoka Hayato and our Jue. Teraoka means bird, and our Jade is a crocodile.

148L

After the U.S. event, Maquen x Crocodile has also gained some fans.

149L

Why ship the impossible? He’s too young, and the coach is strict. Better to ship two male coaches, Muscle x Glasses!

150L

Ahem, I thought Muscle x Me was more popular?

151L

Ahem, I thought Muscle x Me was more popular?

152L

+1 to the person above. Instead of shipping Coach Zhang with another man, I would rather take the spot myself! [Serious face.jpg] After all, men like him, who smile like Tom Cruise and have such a great physique, are rare. Marrying him would mean instantly becoming the Crocodile’s aunt.

153L

Who hasn’t dreamed of becoming the Crocodile’s aunt, using that dream to touch the Crocodile?

154L

Ahhhh! Everyone, a swimwear brand has chosen Coach Zhang to be their spokesperson!

155L

Wow! Coach Zhang, the first retired athlete to make a comeback in popularity!

 

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