Did Mirai have a mentor this year?

[Moxie]

I know Ashley had Tara, Rachael had Dorothy Hamill.
Did Mirai have one? Or was she too far down the world standings, etc...

[DesertRoad]

I think Kristi Yamaguchi is her official mentor, while Evan taught her to drive and probably serves as an unofficial mentor to her. She's got the bases covered in terms of having Olympic champs as mentors.

[silverlake22]

I think Kristi Yamaguchi is her official mentor, while Evan taught her to drive and probably serves as an unofficial mentor to her. She's got the bases covered in terms of having Olympic champs as mentors.

I love how Mirai and Evan are friends, they are just so adorable! Apparently Evan thinks she's incredibly talented (which she obviously is) and feisty. Mirai said she wanted a fast car because it fits her personality, she is just too cute. I can't wait to see what her programs for next year will be - I think we will finally see Mirai do two sophisticated programs and phase out the cutesy. I think she would do great with a tango or some other dramatic music.

[zizi31]

I love how Mirai and Evan are friends, they are just so adorable! Apparently Evan thinks she's incredibly talented (which she obviously is) and feisty. Mirai said she wanted a fast car because it fits her personality, she is just too cute. I can't wait to see what her programs for next year will be - I think we will finally see Mirai do two sophisticated programs and phase out the cutesy. I think she would do great with a tango or some other dramatic music.

I agree with you on phasing out of the cutesy, but at the same time she should pick something age-appropriate that she's capable of interpreting. Expression-wise, I don't think she was ready for Carmen. Carmen is supposed to be fiery and passionate and a bit sexual. I don't think that Mirai was able to bring that across, so the music was just background. I wonder why Frank picked Carmen for her; he should have known that it would just make her appear immature and too young.

[Jaana]

I agree with you on phasing out of the cutesy, but at the same time she should pick something age-appropriate that she's capable of interpreting. Expression-wise, I don't think she was ready for Carmen. Carmen is supposed to be fiery and passionate and a bit sexual. I don't think that Mirai was able to bring that across, so the music was just background. I wonder why Frank picked Carmen for her; he should have known that it would just make her appear immature and too young.

I think Mirai had a great programme to the music of Carmen, which really seemed to suit her personality. I feel that a skater can either try to be a certain character or interpret the music. In my opinion both selections are equally good.

[zizi31]

I think Mirai had a great programme to the music of Carmen, which really seemed to suit her personality. I feel that a skater can either try to be a certain character or interpret the music. In my opinion both selections are equally good.

I guess that's where our opinions differ - if someone is skating to music that's associated with a well-known character, I expect to see that character brought to life. Also, music like Carmen draws comparisons to skaters like Katarina Witt, which isn't a wise move for someone who's new to the scene and might not measure up. Mirai's inability to interpret Carmen (for me) hilighted her immaturity, when instead they could have chosen a program that presented her youthfulness and energy and other good qualities (like her sp). The Carmen program may have caused her to get lower PCS because it just looked very childish. Overall, I don't think it mattered too much this year - the judges weren't going to give her huge PCS anyways, since she's new to the scene. For next year, something like Rondo (mentioned upthread) would be a great choice - she could display her sharpness and quickness and playful personality. Violins seem to suit Mirai.

[Moxie]

I think Kristi Yamaguchi is her official mentor, while Evan taught her to drive and probably serves as an unofficial mentor to her. She's got the bases covered in terms of having Olympic champs as mentors.

Really? I didn't know about Kristi. It's not coming up in any google search, but it certainly makes sense due to the geography.
And I agree about Evan. It probably did her a world of good even just to see him training. Likewise with Christina Gao and Yuna.
I wonder how Mirai will handle being the big fish next year.

[DesertRoad]

Really? I didn't know about Kristi. It's not coming up in any google search, but it certainly makes sense due to the geography.
And I agree about Evan. It probably did her a world of good even just to see him training. Likewise with Christina Gao and Yuna.
I wonder how Mirai will handle being the big fish next year.

I could be wrong about Kristi being Mirai's official mentor (if this mentoring thing is even official at all). But she has definitely spent time with Mirai and given her advice:

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/...3/2210027.aspx

And we know they hung out before (they went to Evan's taping of a talkshow together). Also, doesn't Kristi just look like she could be Mirai's slightly older sister? They should go around telling people they're siblings.

As for Mirai being big fish, don't forget she won US nationals two years ago! She's already been the big fish, then the big fish hobbled by a growth spurt, and now the big fish who made the comeback. She's already had the career roller coaster. I'm sure there's little that can faze her now.

[Moxie]

And we know they hung out before (they went to Evan's taping of a talkshow together). Also, doesn't Kristi just look like she could be Mirai's slightly older sister? They should go around telling people they're siblings.

As for Mirai being big fish, don't forget she won US nationals two years ago! She's already been the big fish, then the big fish hobbled by a growth spurt, and now the big fish who made the comeback. She's already had the career roller coaster. I'm sure there's little that can faze her now.

Yeah, they should. heh
And I meant big fish relatively. Evan was the biggest fish at the rink this year. She's been training in his shadow. The motivation is different when it's just you, and you have to push yourself and... I am having trouble explaining myself. :(

[silverlake22]

Yeah, they should. heh
And I meant big fish relatively. Evan was the biggest fish at the rink this year. She's been training in his shadow. The motivation is different when it's just you, and you have to push yourself and... I am having trouble explaining myself. :(

This is why I want Patrick Chan to come to Frank Carol, then HE can be the big fish and Mirai can be his just-as-awesome sidekick girlfriend and it will be perfect