Grand Prix of Helsinki 2018 - Men SP - The Big League

Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu set a very high standard with his programme

The Grand Prix of Helsinki is undoubtedly the most exciting one for a lot of figure skating fans. One of the reasons is the presence of the Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu. Another is the fact we get to see Michal Brezina and Junhwan Cha skate again. They both achieved great results at Skate America, so I hope they manage to keep up the same level here.

Philip Harris is first to go, with a self-choreographed routine set to Bloodstream. He double-foots the landing of the 3Lutz and doubles out of both the 3Flip and the 3Toeloop. His spins are not the most flexible, but the programme is enjoyable. Score: 58.99.

Andrei Lazukin impresses today with no mistakes and a charming interpretation of I Put a Spell on You. I love the way his step sequence matches the different nuances of the music, slowing down and speeding up with the song. Score: 82.54.

Alexei Krasnozhon is another newbie to perform well. He loses his balance during a turn of the step sequence, but otherwise makes no mistakes. He has good transitions out of most of the elements and good low spin positions although the high ones are not some of the most elegant. Score: 74.05.

Alexei Krasnozhon skated to Dancing on My Own

 Junhwan Cha does not disappoint. The only mistake he makes is stepping out of the 3Loop. The transition out of the 3Axel, albeit a bit tight, is absolutely brilliant. I love the balletic arm movements that really make this look like the ice version of Prokofiev's ballet, Cinderella. Score: 82.82.

Valtter Virtanen steps out of the 3Toeloop, singles out of the 3Axel and doubles out of the 3Lutz. It's a shame, as the routine, set to a tango called Milonga de mis amores, has a lot of potential. I really like the shadow dancing with the invisible partner that makes this programme looked more like a tango than what we usually see when male skaters use this musical genre. Score: 48.16.

Did Michal Brezina just have the best short programme of his career so far? I'm thrilled he's even better in Helsinki than he was in Everett. His camel spin is a beauty and his jumps are not just well-landed, but pretty flawless. Score: 93.31.

Boyang Jin puts a hand down on the 3Lutz and falls on the 3Toeloop, but his step sequence is mind-blowing: fun, energetic, expressive, just everything you're looking for, really. The music, While My Guitar Weeps, seems to really suit him. Score: 85.97.

China's Boyang Jin showed improved presentation skills

For some reason, Keiji Tanaka doesn't look like someone who would be particularly great at spins, but he executes them surprisingly well and pays a lot of attention to details so even his fingers are included in the choreography. He does fall on the 4Salchow though. Score: 80.60.

The minute Yuzuru Hanyu ends his routine, the ice becomes completely covered in gifts - that's a testament both to his popularity and how good his performance was. Although the same thing would have happened even if he hadn't done well. He over-rotates a 3Toeloop, but who cares, honestly? Score: 106.69.

Alexei Bychenko pales in comparison to the Japanese, but I feel like if I had seen him perform before, I would have enjoyed it more. So by comparison, he's not as expressive or technically good, but by itself, this is a good, intense routine. He puts a hand down on the 3Axel. He does need to insert the quad back in his programmes though to compete at this stage with a chance. Score: 73.44.

Mikhail Kolyada is not at his best today with a step out of the 4Toeloop and singling out of the 3Lutz. He redeems himself with the 3Axel, which he ends with a gorgeous spread-eagle transition. His routine reminds me a little of Andrei's, whom I saw earlier. Score: 81.76.

So, Hanyu, Brezina and Cha all do great during the first leg of the competition. The Korean is currently on fourth though because Boyang Jin's performance was technically stronger, so it'll be a good battle between these two tomorrow. Brezina and Hanyu are second and first.

Quote of the competition is:

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Pairs SP

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