Europeans 98

Steven's program was to a piece of music entitled "Cool Jazz" and his starting pose suggested just that. Dressed in a trendy tight top in shades of blue, he looked confident from the minute the music started. The performance contained lots of jazz-stle moves where Steven proved he's no slouch in the shoulder rolling, hip wiggling department. His first jump was a triple axel double toe, that Robin Cousins described as "nice and clean" and it was. The program had a variety of pace, but very much kept the same jazz style throughout. Barry Davies commented that "his timing to this piece of music is really very good indeed." The next jump for Steven was the triple lutz, which the crowd certainly enjoyed. Robin Cousins called it "terrific." It was well executed, but also the timing with music was great, as was Steve's face on landing it! A clean double axel followed by some neat sit-spins got the crowds attention, and with a great finishing pose, there was applause all around the arena with some people standing. The commentator said, "well, the judges must surely have liked that!"	1	Alexei Yagudin	RUS	0.5
	2	Alexander Abt	RUS	1.0
	3	Evgeni Pluschenko	RUS	1.5
	4	Andrejs Vlascenko	GER	2.0
	5	Dmitry Dimitrenko	UKR	2.5
	6	Viacheslav Zagorodniuk	UKR	3.0
	7	Steven Cousins	GBR	3.5

Well, no, they didn't. The marks for an anxious looking Steven in the kiss and cry were:

(5.3s from Bulgaria, Romania and Poland, 5.5's from Russia, Switzerland and Finland)

I find these marks more than a little baffling, particulary those for presentation. I thought Steven had 10 times the presentation and style than those who the judges deemed worthy enough to be placed above him. From his reaction in the Kiss and Cry, I'd say Steve feels pretty much the same way. A quote from a BBC interview with Barry Davies:

Barry: Now, be hyper-critical for a moment. Where could the judges have docked your marks?

Steven: Erm, well, I think . . . but I'm not sure . . I think they saw that I didn't shave today.

So, a bit of sarcasm to finish from Steven, although I wouldn't be surprised if that was a reason. It made more sense than anything else I can think of! But skating wouldn't be skating without judges with the taste of Pasha and Splatov's costume designers, would it?

Robin Cousins said, "People around here can't believe that we've ended up with Steven in seventh." I think that sums up Steven's Short Program at Europeans 98. Let's hope the judges see the light and Steve skates as well in the Free.

Firstly, Steven chose not to do his quad during the warm up, looking as if he was going to go for a less risky program with the aim of skating clean. Steve's opening was quite majestic as he led into his first jump, the triple lutz. The jump was great, as was it's timing with the music. Robin Cousins enthused, "That was a beauty!" and the the Italian audience certainly thought so! Next up for Steven was a attempt at the triple-triple combination, but it came off as a triple axel double toe, the axel being one of Steven's best. This was followed by some very good spins from Steve, he's certainly improved those this year, as he's improved his overall presentation. A triple salchow with a lot of height came where he may have put the quad, and the expression improved as the program continued. His triple flip, double toe got a "good and strong so far and right on the money with all the landings" from Robin. The planned second triple axel turned out to be a double, but with the music building, no one in the building seemed to mind. Some interesting "dancing" footwork from Steve, slightly reminisent of his Beatles Free Program of 95. Two more triples, before Steve is into the slow expressive end to his piece. And boy, he nailed it and got a standing ovation from many areas of the audience, and kisses from some of the lucky young ladies!	1	Alexei Yagudin	RUS	0.5
	2	Evgeni Plushenko	RUS	2.0
	3	Alexandr Abt	RUS	2.5
	4	Andrejs Vlascenko	GER	4.0
	5	Viacheslav Zagordniuk	UKR	5.5
	6	Steven Cousins	GBR	6.5
	7	Dmitry Dmitrenko	UKR	7.0

But what did the judges think of Steven's performance? The marks were as follows:

Steven didn't react a lot to these either. He made a remark about the judges. I'd imagine it wasn't overly complimentary.

Steven said that his intention was to skate clean and that he was very pleased that he had done so for the first time in quite a few years. This has set Steven up nicely for Nagano with the judges now aware that he has certainly improved his overall presentation and that he's capable of skating without mistakes, putting the nightmare of Edmonton 96 behind him.