- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
EDIT: NVM, someone already posted the answer
The layout is good if she does the second 3F not in combo, isn't it? Does Mao have problems with the loop (like Yu Na does)? If not, why doesn't she substitue the loop for the lutz, since she gets edge calls on the lutz?
clean ando will receive huge pcs as proved at la worlds. The home factor could boost more than that. Kim can't make more than one error to beat clean ando. Is that possible for the first competiton of the season?
I dont think so. If Mao is planning to include the 3A, she can afford the second 3Loop-2A sequence and 1/2 half way mark she can get huge score. I think its better if her stick to realistics layout like 3A, 3F+2Lo+Lo, 3Lo, 3F+2Lo, 3Lo-2A, 3S, 3T. In this way she can get 7 triples without any edge call, and if her 3A got <, the base value will be same as 3Lz so not much point will be lost. chances are Her 3+3 will be < more than her 3A. She can also boost up her TES score by doing 2A+3T instead of solo 3T and allow her to do extra 2A. Anyone know she compete it this jump combo recently?? the last time i saw was back in 2007 FS.
She did 2A-3T at Japan Open earlier but the 3T was downgraded. I think Mao should try the 3F-3T. Loop combos are so hard to get ratified these days.
I finally have the chance to post my thoughts on Mao's FS (& SP), which I watched earlier today.
That said, it seems to me that she is reverting back to her old technique in order to complete the jumps in order to make the World Team, which makes sense but still it leaves me a tad bit unsettled. It's like she's back where she started from ~ she still underrotates the 3A & 3R (when in combination) ~ and flutzes her 3L. But then I think "big deal", I love the old Mao, that's what made me her fan in the first place. I'll take a slightly underrotated 3A & 3R (in combo.) & 3Flutz anyday over anything I see on ice nowadays, and that's the truth. But for her sake, I truly hope she does what makes her happy, and if it's correcting her 3flutz and fully rotating her 3A & 3R (in combo.), then I hope she goes for it, even if it costs her a medal here & there.
Okay, back to what I was stating originally ~ National Title Record Holders in Singles (for women only):
Gabriele Seyfert (GER) -- ten!!!!
Michelle Kwan (USA) -- nine!
Chen Lu (CHN) -- nine!
Midori Ito (JPN) -- nine!
Constance Wilson-Samuel (CAN) -- nine!
Anne Karin Dehle (NOR) -- nine!
For me, Mao deserved to win. Her program and her skating are GORGEOUS. She gave the best performance by far. Beautiful lines and flow. Interpretative, continuous choreography. In terms of jumps Miki did more, but Mao was better on the spins and spiral and footwork sequence so I don't even think Miki really deserved much higher of a tech score. Mao's skating is just so much better than Miki's. She should have had a huge PCS lead over her. I wouldn't say Miki nailed everything either. Some of her landings could have been better. ALL she has is her jumps. None of her other technical elements are great and that program is so bad. She does spins (and not pretty ones) back-to-back and just walks around the ice and doesn't become one with the music, waiting until the halfway point to do a ton of jumping passes in a row (not the best interpretation of music there either).
Miki's program is nothing but a setup to gain points as easily as possible. She does barely anything in the first half of the program. It's not hard to put all those jumps in the second half of the program when you take, literally, a 50 second break beforehand. She seriously does nothing but STEP around the ice (and not in a way like Florent Amodio that takes a lot of energy and requires great talent to sell the movements), and a very simple spiral, all of that time before the second half of the program kicks in.
I think Kanako even should have been ahead of Miki in the Freeskate. Her performance had less energy than usual, she seemed more nervous, but she hit all of her jumps in a layout that is a bit harder than Miki's (albeit with not as good of technique) and has FAR better choreography than Miki. I honestly believe Miki's choreography is the biggest joke of this season. I don't want to put her down, but she objectively should be receiving 5's and 6's for Choreography and Interpretation. *shrug*
I though there is a "moment" between Miki and Morozov after the score come out, where they look at each other face really really close. lol
Thanks for that, aftertherain, I feel so embarrassed. : I meant no disrespect, just a tired mind is all, which I meant to rectify ASAP, but am glad to see that you did so, thanks!
And please feel free to add to the list, everyone, as I find it most interesting & fascinating...
Btw, I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays, especially Christmas, and next up New Year's! arty:
Miki has never been my type of skater but I have a tremendous amount of respect and like for her. She, IMO, has improved the most over the years of any skater, ever. She was this jumping bean in winning Jr Worlds 2004 and hyped to hold her own at Sr Worlds 2004. All that hype about the 4s and 3lz/3lp seemed to be her destiny, the way she was to leave her mark. Yet, she has developed into a very well rounded skater and really has improved in every aspect or her skating! I am soooo impressed I cannot put it into words!!!
Mao, though, is a sentimental favorite of mine. I love her kind of skating. I don't even know how to say what it is that I like except everything she does seems easy, natural. I love her spins, spirals, footwork and how she strokes across the ice. I love her arm motions and the tilt of her head. I don't care if she does a 3a but I admire her greatly for her determination to succeed. I greatly respect her dedication for becoming the best she can be by fixing her weaknesses instead of playing up her strengths.
Long story short-I am extremely happy with the 1-2 finishers this competition!
That does not go to say I am not happy for Kanako-she is a delight and such a joy to watch! I really hoped Akiko would be Bronze, but she just did not Bring It. I look forward to seeing the top 3 at Worlds, competing in their home country!
I agree with you on all counts. And isn't it great that both Miki and Mao have such incredible perseverance? Both just keep going no matter what, even through defeat. People have given both of them up for finished, and it's like motes of dust in the sunlight to them. They just keep going, and they keep getting better. As you say of Mao, everything about her skating is gorgeous. You and I are both Michelle fans, so you know that it takes a lot for me to say that any element is better than Michelle's, but I think Mao's arm movements are more beautiful than post-Lori Nichol Michelle's. They are balletic in their placement, yet completely natural in their flow. I could watch Mao endlessly, and I hope she does achieve her wish of winning ten Japanese championships, so we get to enjoy her at her peak for many years to come.