To Quad Or Not To Quad, Part 2

NBC hasn't broadcast the men's long yet, although from tweets it appears Jeremy Abbott is already skating as I type.

Also as I type the quad hype continues. Since Tuesday the media has created an epic storyline of Plushenko's athleticism vs. Evan Lysacek's artistry. Evan Lysacek as an artist? That's another debate. Plushy is still lambasting those without a quad while commentators like Paul Wylie are quick to point out the difference in Evgeny's and Evan's component scores.

I thought the most interesting voice in the dialogue is Tom Zakrajsek's on his blog. Zakrajsek is coaching in his first Olympics with Rachel Flatt and has a few skaters practicing and completing quads. He seems to share the thoughts that skating is moving backward with fewer people attempting quads,

"Last I checked the Olympic motto was faster, higher, stronger....not risk-freeer, safer, lesser. When you add the suffix "er" to a word it means "more." If a man wins the Olympic figure skating title without a quad will our sport be advancing in the spirit of the Olympics?"

 Now, Zakrajsek is NOT slamming those who did not attempt a quad. He's a brilliant coach and is advancing the sport with his leadership and professionalism alone. He is merely expressing his opinion on the difficulty of completing a quad and how it could be rewarded in the judging.

However, it made me think the real tragedy in the quad debate is that few men seem to be seriously practicing the quad throughout the season. With so much risk to be penalized in the quad attempt and more opportunities to earn points on other components, I think we're seeing fewer quads due to a lack of focusing on them. It takes some pain to get a consistent quad and then it takes additional energy to complete one during the 4:30 min free skate.

Evan has faced injuries from training the quad and did not attempt one in competition until January. He said all season long he was building to put one in during the Olympics. However, as he laid out solid performances on the Grand Prix circuit, he didn't get the practice in of attempting a quad under pressure. I don't think he's mentally prepared for throwing down a quad much less physically prepared.

Evgeny, on the other hand, consistently practices quads and has put them in his programs in the few competitions he's entered this season. After three years away to come out with the quad took some serious blood and sweat that allows him to be mentally ready for the demands of completing a quadruple jump in competition. I expect to see it tonight and if he wins, I'm confident the rest of the field will take the time to practice a quad to get it competition ready and then start breaking them out next season.