Nathan Chen, of USA, short program
(a) I love him; (b) this routine is so great; (c) I feel like I was nearly having an anxiety attack during this program, I was VERY nervous for him; (d) I love Nathan's commitment to always wearing his KN95. He is trying very hard to not get freaking Covid.
Nathan Chen, of USA, short program
The suit he is skating in is so elegant, too. My mother texted me that she thought this look was "very effective" and I agree.
Yuzuru Hanyu, of Japan, short program
My notes for him just said, "ooh sassy choker SHOCKER!!!!!" I was NOT shocked by this sassy choker -- he looks very elegantly icy -- but rather by his shocking error which happened literally as I was preparing to wax poetic to myself about said choker. He is such a beautiful skater. No matter what, he has two gold medals and is one of the best ever.
Shoma Uno, of Japan, short program
It has come to my attention that I LOVE the Japanese skating contingent. Reigning silver medalist Shoma Uno is SO good and this skate is so elegant and his costume looks like it was designed by Donna Karan in her heyday.
Yuma Kagiyama, of Japan, short program
And I am obsessed with Yuma Kagiyama, who is just personality plus and SO cute. He skated to the Sinatra version of "When You're Smiling," and I WAS smiling. This outfit is not overtly thrilling but he has CHARM. He's also in second place.
Cha Jun-hwan, of South Korea, short program
Truly, look at everyone's lustrous locks. All these men could be selling us shampoo. This was probably the fluttery-est of the top men's looks and I wrote down that if feels like "man cocktail wear."
Keegan Messing, of Canada, short program
WELL there seems to be much to discuss here, given that as I understand it, he had a positive Covid test recently-ish and the way it shook out, he arrived in China like....VERY recently. So he may have been jetlagged for this routine, which was to Joe Cocker covering INXS (!) and it's very enjoyable, although he seemed to be having issues with his footwork sequences. He has big smirky energy -- this is not a complaint, the last guy I dated looked just like this. Johnny informed us all that he has "a solid marshmallow knee," which is a good thing apparently.
Evgeni Semenenko, of the Russian Olympic Committee, short program
This program did not stick with me but I enjoy that he seems to be asking us to please speak to the hand here.
Morisi Kvitelashvili, of Georgia, short program
As you know from my previous posts, I also love Team Georgia and this dude had to skate after Nathan Chen like.....destroyed it. And he ALSO NAILED IT! Tara and Johnny points out that he trains with the Russian women, so he is really not intimidated by people going out there and blowing it all away on the regular. He's currently in 5th! What is gonna happen!
Daniel Grassl, of Italy, short program
Johnny Weir has totally turned into Dick Button, as he said, "Daniel is not much of an artist....yet." The pause there was LONG! Tara may have kicked him. (I agree that he is artistically not quite there but this program is soothing to me.)
Jason Brown, of the United States, short program
Because there was some confusion about this last time, let me once again note that I am a longtime fan of Jason Brown and I love him. HE KILLED THIS ROUTINE. The choreography is amazing and I love that he looks like your favorite, most ebullient beat poet.
Jason Brown, of the United States, short program
I jest, this is a beautiful costume and a beautiful routine. BIG! FINISH! (Heather noted to me that she decided this is a salute to Rene Russo's sheer dress in The Thomas Crown Affair, which also uses this song! I think this must be true.)