http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2009lambiel.htm
Stephane looks like a little gain ? In the photo, his face looks slightly rounder than before to me.
Ray and I were laughing while reading his interview about the new judging system and competitions this season.
Because he has many same thoughts as us.
Also I think it’s similar to Johnny’s thought about the new judging system It’s always great to read the perceptions and ideas from true artists.
And sounded like he really enjoys right now, performing for only crowds without any pressure. And no regret for his decision about retirement .
I really think he retired in a good time especially this season, this brand new system became more crazy.
Interviewer
You once said that after your decision you were sad for two weeks. You should know that there are lots of people who are still sad, who miss you during every competition, every Grand Prix event…
Stephane
It’s sad, it’s a sad situation, because the skating world, the competition world is a little bit sick right now… because of the new system, which is very weird.
It was a hard decision to retire, because I loved to compete, it was always my passion, but now I understand how I can challenge myself in the shows.
I won’t disappear, I will always skate, and I skate for myself; and in the shows I skate for the crowd. It’s so nice to not have judges and not have rules, to just be free.
My comment
Sounds like he think he retired in the right time. Especially since this season, I think he was lucky not to compete under this system.
Interviewer
Do you know the results of American Nationals?
Stephane
That was a disaster… for Johnny it must be very hard, but I blame this on the new system.
For example, Evan Lysacek, he was skating not bad, he could win with what he did, but he was third. Judges sometimes can do weird things to push someone up, even more than before. The new system allows that.
For example, I still don’t understand how they call components: a skater can do a program without transitions at all, but he will receive a good mark, because he is a good skater.
Yes, if you’re a good skater, you should get high marks for your skating skills, but if you don’t have transitions, your mark for transitions should be low.
Usually all the marks in the components are almost the same. It’s not logical! Sometimes, for example, when a very famous skater makes some mistake, to save him they give very high components.
My comment
Except for the part about Evan Lysacek , I really agree with him. Nice to hear that he feels sorry for Johnny to have to deal with this new system.
Since his first words about this question is about Johnny, I can see he felt really bad for Johnny. I took his words as Stephane is understanding Johnny’s situation.
As he is also a true artist, I suppose he feels similar way as Johnny about this system.
I’m also curious how Stephane sees transitions in the programs.
One thing clear is he doesn’t seem think Jeremy Abbott really won in this competition or he is not impressed with Jeremy Abbott‘s performances.
Interviewer
Yes, but the same way they "saved" you in Zagreb during your short program where you made a very simple triple-double toe combination.
Stephane
Yeah, I know, but that’s not right! You can’t use components to push up someone and to put down someone else. It happens also when some non-famous skater performs a very good program and doesn’t get components he deserves only because he is not famous. This is why I don’t like this system, because it’s easier to cheat with it.
Interviewer
I’m very surprised to hear this from you. You were always very diplomatic about those things.
Stephane
I’m just shocked, because when I was skating I was not looking at the points. I told to myself that I shouldn’t either discuss, nor complain about marks, but now, when I see this from the outside, as a spectator, when I’m very interested in who’s gonna win, who’s gonna make it, I see that this is weird.
There is no truth in figure skating, I think, this is a subjective sport: you can like someone or not. But… sometimes it looks too weird.
But when I was skating I was not watching the others so I couldn’t tell anything.
My comment
This is exactly my feeling for this system.
But people talk as if it’s the fact. It’s just an opinions whether judges or audience.
Everything is subjective.
GOE and PCS. Level of elements, UR or wrong edges.
If a skater is lucky, he/she can get high scores by judges favors.
This is why I prefer to watch without scores, and judge by myself for each performance.
Reading lyrics of Johnny’s new favorite song Lily Allen’s “ The Fear “ ,
I just imagine that this lyrics may be fit with his true present feeling.
" I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear "
Stephane looks like a little gain ? In the photo, his face looks slightly rounder than before to me.
Ray and I were laughing while reading his interview about the new judging system and competitions this season.
Because he has many same thoughts as us.
Also I think it’s similar to Johnny’s thought about the new judging system It’s always great to read the perceptions and ideas from true artists.
And sounded like he really enjoys right now, performing for only crowds without any pressure. And no regret for his decision about retirement .
I really think he retired in a good time especially this season, this brand new system became more crazy.
Interviewer
You once said that after your decision you were sad for two weeks. You should know that there are lots of people who are still sad, who miss you during every competition, every Grand Prix event…
Stephane
It’s sad, it’s a sad situation, because the skating world, the competition world is a little bit sick right now… because of the new system, which is very weird.
It was a hard decision to retire, because I loved to compete, it was always my passion, but now I understand how I can challenge myself in the shows.
I won’t disappear, I will always skate, and I skate for myself; and in the shows I skate for the crowd. It’s so nice to not have judges and not have rules, to just be free.
My comment
Sounds like he think he retired in the right time. Especially since this season, I think he was lucky not to compete under this system.
Interviewer
Do you know the results of American Nationals?
Stephane
That was a disaster… for Johnny it must be very hard, but I blame this on the new system.
For example, Evan Lysacek, he was skating not bad, he could win with what he did, but he was third. Judges sometimes can do weird things to push someone up, even more than before. The new system allows that.
For example, I still don’t understand how they call components: a skater can do a program without transitions at all, but he will receive a good mark, because he is a good skater.
Yes, if you’re a good skater, you should get high marks for your skating skills, but if you don’t have transitions, your mark for transitions should be low.
Usually all the marks in the components are almost the same. It’s not logical! Sometimes, for example, when a very famous skater makes some mistake, to save him they give very high components.
My comment
Except for the part about Evan Lysacek , I really agree with him. Nice to hear that he feels sorry for Johnny to have to deal with this new system.
Since his first words about this question is about Johnny, I can see he felt really bad for Johnny. I took his words as Stephane is understanding Johnny’s situation.
As he is also a true artist, I suppose he feels similar way as Johnny about this system.
I’m also curious how Stephane sees transitions in the programs.
One thing clear is he doesn’t seem think Jeremy Abbott really won in this competition or he is not impressed with Jeremy Abbott‘s performances.
Interviewer
Yes, but the same way they "saved" you in Zagreb during your short program where you made a very simple triple-double toe combination.
Stephane
Yeah, I know, but that’s not right! You can’t use components to push up someone and to put down someone else. It happens also when some non-famous skater performs a very good program and doesn’t get components he deserves only because he is not famous. This is why I don’t like this system, because it’s easier to cheat with it.
Interviewer
I’m very surprised to hear this from you. You were always very diplomatic about those things.
Stephane
I’m just shocked, because when I was skating I was not looking at the points. I told to myself that I shouldn’t either discuss, nor complain about marks, but now, when I see this from the outside, as a spectator, when I’m very interested in who’s gonna win, who’s gonna make it, I see that this is weird.
There is no truth in figure skating, I think, this is a subjective sport: you can like someone or not. But… sometimes it looks too weird.
But when I was skating I was not watching the others so I couldn’t tell anything.
My comment
This is exactly my feeling for this system.
But people talk as if it’s the fact. It’s just an opinions whether judges or audience.
Everything is subjective.
GOE and PCS. Level of elements, UR or wrong edges.
If a skater is lucky, he/she can get high scores by judges favors.
This is why I prefer to watch without scores, and judge by myself for each performance.
Reading lyrics of Johnny’s new favorite song Lily Allen’s “ The Fear “ ,
I just imagine that this lyrics may be fit with his true present feeling.
" I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear "