Winter - Lausanne 2002

...the warmup....

N : There's Yagudin, great outfit. We have some very "interesting" outfits in this last group. Not sure if I would wear some of them, at all, myself, but that one works, very elegant. And he seems to be getting a spate in these European championships of drawing first. Last year he drew first in his qualifying group, the same this year and first in this last group to go. It's funny how you almost sometimes get into a spate of that and every time you go to pick a ball out of the bag you know you're going to get a first. People start to laugh and just expect it.

C : Plenty of support for Alexei here and a sort of buzz around the arena isn't there? Expectancy.

N : There is an expectancy. Alexander Abt looks really strong, he's - it's the first time I've seen it! - he's got a jacket on in the warmup ... (starts to laugh at a shot of a banner proclaiming "Alexei - Sex machine")

C : Did you used to get banners like that Nicky?

N : Not that I noticed! They must have been there though really!

C : Well of course!

...I think this is Lauries's banner on screen - We love you Alexei Yagudin....

C : We certainly do - I'd go along with that! Just looks such a cool customer.

...warmup over - please leave the ice Except you Alexei

C : Here we go then. The man who could only manage a silver medal last year behind Plushenko, but he'll be looking for gold all the way, Alexei Yagudin. Just taking his time to settle down for his short programme.

...cue music and snow and grins all round! ... heading for the combo...

N : Well it's all about focus and this man knows all about that ... quad toe, triple toe.

C : It doesn't get any better than that!

N : And there you have it.

C : Foot perfect.

N : Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

... triple axel .... WOHOO!!

C : Just phenomenal. That was the triple axel and it's all plain sailing from here on in.

N : Awesome start.

...bring back the dinky steps!!!!! circular step sequence ... triple lutz ... straight line steps ... I'm dying here!

N : Oh this is a fantastic programme and the roof will be coming off the building in Salt Lake City. *Excellent* choreography!!

....spins....snow....YAY!!!

C: JUST amazing!

N : Absolutely fantastic. Fantastic.

C : What a performance! That's Alexei Yagudin at his absolute best! He hasn't had it all his own way over the last twelve months or so. Plushenko's been the man to beat but he turned the tables in the Grand Prix Finals in December in Canada. He won, Plushenko's not here and now, with a performance like that, *this* man is the man to beat.

N : And you know, even the opening, the music is quiet, it's building up, but he has such power, such confidence. It's almost like he reinvents himself and builds each year and gets stronger and stronger and stronger. (slow mos start) And a great idea with the choreography, the little touches with just catching the ice.

C : He lives the programme doesn't he?

N : He's the whole package.

C : Watch this. Quad toe, just so, so easy!

N : There's no strain on the landing of the quad at all, is there?

C : He doesn't even have to check out does he? He's so strong, so over the skate. (triple axel) Head down a touch on that but down in the knee and powers out on a strong back outside edge ... butterfly into backsit, making sure that left foot doesn't touch. And you just have to marvel at his footwork don't you?!

N : I love the straight line step sequence that fitted in with the music so well. The showmanship of the programme and the phasing of it, on this bit in particular is fantastic! ( start of straight line steps)

...kiss and cry...

C : Well it just looked as though he loved being out there and LOOK AT THE MARKS FOR REQUIRED ELEMENTS!!! (I did read your post about caps Laurie but he really shouted!!!)

N : I wouldn't be surprised if we see 6.0s for artistic, I really wouldn't.

C : Well I'd certainly be getting a 6.0 out of my little box if I was there. 5.7 - that's pretty harsh!! What more do you want?!?!? Tatiana Tarasova sat alongside.

N : (laughing) 5.7! (you can almost hear him shaking his head in disbelief!)

C : Well, no 6.0s, but 5.9s, one 5.8. Pretty harsh I think. The Austrian judge, Helmut [something] hadn't got the courage to give him a 5.9! But nevertheless, that will take some beating and there's that little touch you were talking about. (replay of the snow at the end)

N : Brilliant!!