Ladies SP

[figurejennah]

I am curious as to how and why Mao's jumps have become so unstable like this. I mean, Miki basically screwed up the whole season, but she fixed her jump and now she is more than fine, isn't she?

Also, Mao looked like she fixed her flutz perfectly on tv interviews, and how come not only her lutz, but her all other jumps are now messed up? She no longer puts any 3-3 in her program, 3A is killing her, and she keeps falling.... ugh. Moreover, didn't yuna also have that flip problem with "!" mark? Her fans say that her jumps were always perfect, but obviously it bothered yuna enough to take flip out of the 3-3 and put it separately. If Yuna really did have edge problems, then how could she fix her edge problem so easily without affecting any other jumps, but Mao on the other hand has all these problems?

I feel that after the whole flutz deal affected Mao greatly, and her strategy with jumping and programs have changed dramatically. I really don't get it. Is doing 3A really affecting her everything? Mao also doesn't seem to be jumping as high, and her body appears to be slightly heavier when she jumps. (Not heavy as in weight, but it's more stiff or some sort. Compared to her junior years, there's definitely a huge difference.)

Whatever the problem is, I really hope Mao finds a solution. I am still really shocked with her 6th placement and also her score...........

[janetfan]

It's good to see Ando Miki did better than the last 2 seasons. She must have had a hard time correcting some problems in her jumping. I hope that her effort will be rewarded.

Thanks for the links.
I enjoyed Alissa's program - and after a day of so much huffing and puffing about Mao/Tat, Alissa's gentle and elegant skating made me realize how much I enjoy figure skating.
I recommend to some of those who are still so worked up over Mao to take a look at Alissa. Maybe not the best, but surely lovely and full of grace.
Way to go Alissa!

[Basics]

What's up with Mao's high PCS score, anyway? Her TES is 8th and her PCS is 1st. Does this happen often in new judging system? & Can someone explain why she got the deduction? It doesn't look to me that she ended late.

[Okami]

What's up with Mao's high PCS score, anywayz? Her TES is 8th and her PCS is 1st. Does this happen often in new judging system?

Yup, it actually happens quite often. Technically speaking, PCS should not be influenced by the jumping ability (but more often than not they are).

Can someone explain why she got the deduction? It doesn't look to me that she finished late.

It was a time deduction, actually, according to someone who has seen the protocols.

[skfan]

Thanks for the links.
I enjoyed Alissa's program - and after a day of so much huffing and puffing about Mao/Tat, Alissa's gentle and elegant skating made me realize how much I enjoy figure skating.
I recommend to some of those who are still so worked up over Mao to take a look at Alissa. Maybe not the best, but surely lovely and full of grace.
Way to go Alissa!

going only by what i see in the short here i prefer wagner. more oomph. i could do without so much arm flailing in wagner's choreography. and i prefer alexe gilles to both of them.


i feel certain that mao won't continue to struggle like this--she will change things up. whether the adjustments work as planned or not, this just can't continue. i felt so awful watching mao waiting for her scores, a bit like, would the judges just give her the scores already so she can go hide from the cameras.


i believe mao will have worked out a plan by japanese nationals. now i just pray and hope that when she makes the team it won't be controversial in any way.

[Medusa]

Yup, it actually happens quite often. Technically speaking, PCS should not be influenced by the jumping ability (but more often than not they are).

Which is wrong, by the way. There is no other sport where you can suck and at the same time get big points. There needs to be a basis in my opinion. One double Axel and one Triple Flip is no basis. Plus, it's not like she skated the lights out. Some skaters, e.g. Lambiel, can make you forget some mistakes with their fantastic presentation. The judges shouldn't be influenced by that either, but that's more understandable than reputation judging.

[herro]

Oh Mao... she's so talented but she just needs to take the pressure off herself. I don't know whether to blame Tarasova or Mao herself for pushing for the 3A so far, but whoever it is, it needs to stop. I hope it hasn't become a "pride" thing. I do have faith in Mao to pull up considerably during the LP.

I really enjoyed Ashley's performance. Her skating was crisp and her program was pretty well-choreographed. Her jumps looked very light and clean too. I don't understand why she got such a score but we'll have to wait until the protocols are out.

Miki's program was a bit rough. I understand that she only had a couple of days to prepare it, so I'm expecting it to develop much more in the coming months. I'm currently not a big fan of Miki's artistry, but I hope she can prove me wrong.

[wonderlen3000]

Cant Mao Asada get a bronze and still get in.

She can, on a tie breaker. That's assuming other skaters with silver and bronze have lower combine score than Mao. Her score from TEB is not that great, and judging from her current SP score, she needs to hit 120+ to get over 170 total score mark. That's a score many skaters like Fumie, Nakano, Susuki, Flatt, etc. are capable of getting on clean skate.

[camion]

I just saw a couple of skaters' programs. I feel so sad for Mao....I don't know what to say, I've never seen her so dejected in the k&c. And even before her program started she looked extremely nervous. I hate to see her struggle so much. Maybe changing her SP can boost her morale.

And thank God, Miki changed her short. I think it's a hella lot better than her previous program. She has some hideous spirals though. The costuming & praying part reminded me of Mao's LP- I guess it's very Russian to say the least.
Ashley did great. She just needs to keep building this up. Her chances for an Olympic spot is looking fab. And Alyssa, my goodness- I always love her taste in dresses, programs. She did a good job. I think Brian is gearing her to have the right mentality. I really liked Leonova. Great energy from her. Reminded me a lot of Slutsukaya with that bubbliness, short hair & cherubic face. Still rough around the edges, but definitely someone to look forward to.

[R.D.]

OK, enough from me about Asada- on to the other skaters:

Czisny: Better than I expected. She stood up during the program which is always a positive. However, silly mistake on the 2A after nailing the first two triple jumps...had she hit that, she'd have a comfortable lead now, I'm sure of it.

Wagner: Good start. Seems like she underrotated some jumps because the score was a little low (I was expecting something closer to 58 or something)

Note: I still think they should either make it clear to the viewer on TV whether a jump was underrotated, or lessen the penalty for underrotated jump. I think only clearly visible mistakes should detract from the score but that's another thread. Just for the sake of the audience. suggestion: apply the -1 deduction for underrotation and give 0 points for failed jumps.

Ando: Unfortunate mistake but reasonable start. With Asada struggling, will she assert herself as the top Japanese lady in the field now?

[fairly4]

Okay==

Wagner overmarked--why--i don't know if she got downgrade on her two last jumps--but if not she should have--she should be around a 51 to 52.
my mom thinks she still skates like a kid.
TO me a bit improvement in artistry but not much why--just moving arms to music

Alissa marks a bit high should be a 55--i don't know if she got downgrade on single jump and her double axel but she should have. But improved a bit since nebelhorn trophy.

Not sure why she is 2nd above miki-but than miki didn't skate all that great.
Poor Mao--why 2nd straight week in a row--france and now here. her artistry shined through even with her mistakes. she also looks tired skating 3 events in a month is taking the toll on her.

[schiele]

Well for me, Julia was the absolute highlight.. Such a fresh and clean skate, great musicality.. Loved it.. I know shell probably be a victim to her nerves (yet again) tomorrow but its always great to see seasoned skaters to come on top like this.. And she deserved to be on top today..
And Mao... I cannot talk about it anymore.. Joubert and Mao, they make my heart ache.. My dream team for OGMs, visibly stepping away from any medal chance.. :(:( Can anyone pls convince them to stop this insane presssure on themselves?? well, there may be still hope for Joubert if he stops making 3 quad attampts, but for Mao, I see little light for this season. As someone previously pointed out, I think her toe jumps are goners..

[macemace1980]

I am curious as to how and why Mao's jumps have become so unstable like this. I mean, Miki basically screwed up the whole season, but she fixed her jump and now she is more than fine, isn't she?

Also, Mao looked like she fixed her flutz perfectly on tv interviews, and how come not only her lutz, but her all other jumps are now messed up? She no longer puts any 3-3 in her program, 3A is killing her, and she keeps falling.... ugh. Moreover, didn't yuna also have that flip problem with "!" mark? Her fans say that her jumps were always perfect, but obviously it bothered yuna enough to take flip out of the 3-3 and put it separately. If Yuna really did have edge problems, then how could she fix her edge problem so easily without affecting any other jumps, but Mao on the other hand has all these problems?

I feel that after the whole flutz deal affected Mao greatly, and her strategy with jumping and programs have changed dramatically. I really don't get it. Is doing 3A really affecting her everything? Mao also doesn't seem to be jumping as high, and her body appears to be slightly heavier when she jumps. (Not heavy as in weight, but it's more stiff or some sort. Compared to her junior years, there's definitely a huge difference.)

Whatever the problem is, I really hope Mao finds a solution. I am still really shocked with her 6th placement and also her score...........

This is what I have been thiking of.
But I suppose that Yuna had less problem of Flip compare to Mao's Lz.
Plus as Yuna's Lz is very stable, changing from 3F3T to 3L3T was not so hard for Yuna, acutally gets more points. Though I prefer her 3F3T which was so beautiful and high.
She looks very fine with jump layout now.

Then about Mao , her 3A is not like Yuna's Lz.
How is it possible to do 3A2T at competitions while she can't even do 3A at practice?
I think that if she wants to put 3A2T instead of 3F3L or 3Lz3L, she should be able to do 3A at practice at least 80%.
I also watched her doing 3Lz better than before and another combination jumps.
I don't really know what kind of problem Mao has. Mentally or Physically?

[demarinis5]

I know that people hate the term "puberty bug" when it is applied to the ladies, but it does happen and it usually affects a skaters jumps. Maybe Mao is going through that now. I know she is 19, but some ladies mature at a different rate. Just a thought.....

[cima]

Moreover, didn't yuna also have that flip problem with "!" mark? Her fans say that her jumps were always perfect, but obviously it bothered yuna enough to take flip out of the 3-3 and put it separately. If Yuna really did have edge problems, then how could she fix her edge problem so easily without affecting any other jumps, but Mao on the other hand has all these problems?

Well, actually Yuna didn't FIX her edge problem. As you know, Yuna hadn't got any edge problem until the last season, which means that she essentially had the right technique to do 3F with inside edge. When she got ! mark on her 3F in the last season, she said that because she had to think too much about putting 3T after 3F, her edge was changed slightly to flat. Now, she is doing 3F as a solo jump, and she is very comfortable with her 3F taking off with inside edge because she doens't have to think about putting 3T after 3F anymore.