Grand Prix Final 2016 - The Odd Finale (Men Final)

Out of all the short programmes in Marseilles, the men's was the only one not to have any elements of surprise for me. I expect the final to be the same in this battle of the continents - will the gold go to Asia, stay in Europe or move to North America?

Shoma Uno starts the event by proving yesterday's bad performance was an accident. The only error is the over-rotation of the quad Toeloop. He maintains the stance of a tango dancer throughout the routine, which helps link everything together. My favourite element is the triple Axel, set perfectly against the music. His score: 195.69. Overall: 282.51.

 For Adam Rippon the detail that connects the different parts of the routine is the bird movement he adds to every transition and element. As beautiful as this detail is, it can't save his routine today. He falls on the quad, steps out of the triple Axel, falls on the triple Lutz, doubles out of the triple Loop and possibly double-foots the last triple Lutz. He gets 149.17 points. Overall: 233.10.

Nathan Chen comes on ice with talent guns blazing. He aces quad after quad, not doing too bad with his presentation either. Love the costume as well. We have a future superstar here. His score: 197.55. Overall: 282.85.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan barely manages to win the gold medal
Photograph: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America
You know my favourite is skating when I get really nervous, and I just got nervous for Yuzuru Hanyu. Turns out, I was right to be so. Despite the three quads, he has one fall and a single Lutz, among other mistakes. He's definitely just given his rivals a chance to take the gold. He gets 187.37 points. Overall: 293.90.

Something is up with the Orser boys today. Javier Fernandez basically repeats Yuzuru's mistakes, but on different elements. He still makes me smile with this feel good, party routine. Unfortunately, he's not winning his first Grand Prix Final gold today. His score: 177.01. Overall: 268.77.

This will be remembered as a very odd final. Patrick Chan fails to rise to the occasion as well with three falls and only one quad. At this point, the only thing I can think of to say is that his song, A Journey was composed by Eric Radford. He gets 166.69 points. Overall: 266.75.

Well, the men's competition couldn't be the only one with no surprises now, could it? Yuzuru Hanyu still manages to win, but the silver and bronze medals go to Nathan Chen and Shoma Uno. That's two medals for Asia, one for North America and none for Europe.

Want more from the Grand Prix Final 2016? Have a look here.

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