Even Yuzuru Hanyu can struggle in September.
The Olympic and world champion singled his first jump, doubled a few more and fell in the free skate of his opening event of the Olympic season on Saturday. Video is here.
He squandered an 11.52-point lead over two-time world champion Javier Fernández from Friday’s short program at the Autumn Classic in Montreal.
Hanyu ended up 10.83 points behind Fernández overall, even though the Spaniard also fell in his free skate.
It’s a familiar feeling for Hanyu, who saw Fernández pass him in the free skate at the 2015 and 2016 Worlds.