Mao needs victory at NHK Trophy to regain confidence

[Spun Silver]

It's simply untrue that she doesn't look skinnier than before. The change has happened since the Olympics. Compare this vid of her Oly exhibition with her FS at NHK:

Olympics, see spin at 3:24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gki8u...embedded#at=31
NHK, see same spin at 2:02 http://www.examiner.com/figure-skati...ee-skate-video

At the Olympics, she was slim but strong. She had thighs (mirabile dictu). Now her legs are just sticks. It's scary. It takes away any pleasure I might have in watching her.

[miki88]

It's simply untrue that she doesn't look skinnier than before. The change has happened since the Olympics. Compare this vid of her Oly exhibition with her FS at NHK:

Olympics, see spin at 3:24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gki8u...embedded#at=31
NHK, see same spin at 2:02 http://www.examiner.com/figure-skati...ee-skate-video

At the Olympics, she was slim but strong. She had thighs (mirabile dictu). Now her legs are just sticks. It's scary. It takes away any pleasure I might have in watching her.

For one thing, the first clip gives more of a close-up shot to the spin which can make the skater appear less thin. What I did notice from those clips is how much faster Mao is skating now compared to 2010. So I wouldn't say she is less powerful now, even if appearances may mislead.

[zizi31]

I looked at both clips, and I just don't see a significant difference in her weight. I think it's a matter of personal taste - I think she looks perfect, and her appearance enhances my enjoyment of her skating.

[wallylutz]

I believe we can conclude that even though she didn't win NHK trophy, Mao has her confidence back

How did you come to this conclusion?

[drivingmissdaisy]

How did you come to this conclusion?

Popping one jump throughout 2 programs and landing several jumps that have troubled her in the past can lead one to conclude she is back in a big way or at least confident and on the right track.

[wallylutz]

Popping one jump throughout 2 programs and landing several jumps that have troubled her in the past can lead one to conclude she is back in a big way or at least confident and on the right track.

Really? We must be looking at two different protocols. Her FS protocol sheet is being marked and noted by the Technical Panel all over the place.

1) First jump, planned 2A as the first jump of a program for Mao? Hard to believe. Otherwise, that's a pop as well.

2) 3Lz, continued to get an edge call on it, the problem is still not fixed

3) UR the 3F, which she almost never did in the past, that's definitely a step backward

4) Error on the 3Lo, negative GOE overall

5) Her entire FS has a total of merely 3 clean Triple jumps, all other Triples are either <, e, or had execution error

The only progress we can claim is that the 3S is now attempted and landed. Everything else, absent 3A (if so, should put the 2A elsewhere, not the 1st element), 3Lz - no improvement, 3F getting <, 3Lo error. Seriously, the leap of faith here is borderline fanatic, this is just sad, scoring 120+ notwithstanding.

[burntBREAD]

Really? We must be looking at two different protocols. Her FS protocol sheet is being marked and noted by the Technical Panel all over the place.

1) First jump, planned 2A as the first jump of a program for Mao? Hard to believe. Otherwise, that's a pop as well.

2) 3Lz, continued to get an edge call on it, the problem is still not fixed

3) UR the 3F, which she almost never did in the past, that's definitely a step backward

4) Error on the 3Lo, negative GOE overall

5) Her entire FS has a total of merely 3 clean Triple jumps, all other Triples are either <, e, or had execution error

The only progress we can claim is that the 3S is now attempted and landed. Everything else, absent 3A (if so, should put the 2A elsewhere, not the 1st element), 3Lz - no improvement, 3F getting <, 3Lo error. Seriously, the leap of faith here is borderline fanatic, this is just sad, scoring 120+ notwithstanding.

Did you watch the performance?

[wallylutz]

Did you watch the performance?

Is this a rhetorical question?

[drivingmissdaisy]

Really? We must be looking at two different protocols. Her FS protocol sheet is being marked and noted by the Technical Panel all over the place.

1) First jump, planned 2A as the first jump of a program for Mao? Hard to believe. Otherwise, that's a pop as well.

2) 3Lz, continued to get an edge call on it, the problem is still not fixed

3) UR the 3F, which she almost never did in the past, that's definitely a step backward

4) Error on the 3Lo, negative GOE overall

5) Her entire FS has a total of merely 3 clean Triple jumps, all other Triples are either <, e, or had execution error

The only progress we can claim is that the 3S is now attempted and landed. Everything else, absent 3A (if so, should put the 2A elsewhere, not the 1st element), 3Lz - no improvement, 3F getting <, 3Lo error. Seriously, the leap of faith here is borderline fanatic, this is just sad, scoring 120+ notwithstanding.

1) A 2A isn't a pop, you have to plan a 2A to do a 2A.
2) I was skeptical about the lutz, and she did get an edge call, but it IS better than last year when she was on a clear inside edge.
3) & 4) Errors happen, I never said she was clean I said things are a lot better than last year.
5) 3 is abut how many clean triples the top ladies are doing these days.

Look, she isn't World Champion Mao at the moment, but she is getting there, and certainly surpassed many of our low expectations here. Seeing the glass half-full isn't exactly borderline fanatic.

[wallylutz]

Look, she isn't World Champion Mao at the moment, but she is getting there, and certainly surpassed many of our low expectations here. Seeing the glass half-full isn't exactly borderline fanatic.

Fine, that's not unreasonable. I hope your optimism turns out to be right. I am quite skeptical seeing no fully rotated 3A (fall or otherwise but fully rotated) and no clean 3Lz. Those to me, were the main things she ought to prove but she delivered none of them. Let's see how she does in Moscow in two weeks, I hope she proves me wrong.

[burntBREAD]

I've read that Mao's not focusing on the 3A this season.

Regarding the lutz, I haven't heard of anyone aside from Joannie Rochette who has successfully changed their flutz into a true lutz. I don't know how easy it's going to be for Mao because she used to have such awful technique/an ENORMOUS flutz like Murakami has now (it wasn't nearly as bad here).

[Mirunna]

Really? We must be looking at two different protocols. Her FS protocol sheet is being marked and noted by the Technical Panel all over the place.

1) First jump, planned 2A as the first jump of a program for Mao? Hard to believe. Otherwise, that's a pop as well.

2) 3Lz, continued to get an edge call on it, the problem is still not fixed

3) UR the 3F, which she almost never did in the past, that's definitely a step backward

4) Error on the 3Lo, negative GOE overall

5) Her entire FS has a total of merely 3 clean Triple jumps, all other Triples are either <, e, or had execution error

The only progress we can claim is that the 3S is now attempted and landed. Everything else, absent 3A (if so, should put the 2A elsewhere, not the 1st element), 3Lz - no improvement, 3F getting <, 3Lo error. Seriously, the leap of faith here is borderline fanatic, this is just sad, scoring 120+ notwithstanding.

1. Yes, for this actual competition she went with her coach advise and opened with a planned 2A, especially after her mistake in the SP. So no, it was not a popped jump. It made no sense to change her entire layout when it's clearly she wants to put the 3A there eventually. You don't have to believe me, read what she said after the LP
2. Her 3Lz technique improved(looked at the entry in the jump), so it's a work in progress. Yes, she still flutzes but not as severe as before
3. She almost never got an UR on her 3F last season in the GP because she was unable to land this particular jump. Her 3F technique is better this season, look at the air position and the take-off to see why.(she does not lean so much on the take off and there is no more hammer-toe). It is not a step backward just because she did a mistake in the LP on the 3F.
4. It's the same story here. I never said her jumps are perfect and she is there 100% clean. I said she had her CONFIDENCE back which allowed her to skate as good as she can in this moment. 3L is one of the most stable jump for her and the mistake on it does not change the fact. It's like saying Cynthia's 2A is not so good because she took a hard fall on it in the LP.
5. She got credit for 5 triple jumps out of 6 she tried, even though the execution was not perfect.

The 3S is not the only progress she made. She also got credit for the 2A-3T combination for the first time in years, with positive GOE. She worked on the ice-coverage and the speed going into the 2A in order to add a 3T with full rotation. A less than perfect Mao having the best LP of the season so far(she has the season best LP score) with "only 3 clean triples" means she is on the right track.
After placing a disappointing 6th place(worst placement for her) at 2011 Worlds, losing her national title, being on the pressure to prove herself, she managed to skate very well and win the LP(almost winning overall) in the best skated GP so far. So yeah, after this performance she proved the has her confidence back.( not only in the jumps but the overall feel of the program, she looked relaxed and calm).
But after your post it's quite clear you refuse to accept and acknowledge that the hard work she has done is starting to pay off. I am sure her performances will get better and better as the season progress. This is one of her best season debut performance I remember from her

[bekalc]

Fine, that's not unreasonable. I hope your optimism turns out to be right. I am quite skeptical seeing no fully rotated 3A (fall or otherwise but fully rotated) and no clean 3Lz. Those to me, were the main things she ought to prove but she delivered none of them. Let's see how she does in Moscow in two weeks, I hope she proves me wrong.

Kostner right now is winning major with no 3axel and no 3lutz too. I don't know why Asada can't do the same especially since she at least has a double axel/3toe. Most of these women don't have a 3flutz.

I don't know if Mao's jumps are ever going to be great again, and she may want to dust of the triple axel if she can. But its not like the adult ladies are great jumpers. Against the coming Russian jumping beans Asada's jump content needs to improve, but against the current field. Mao actually could still win. As mentioned she has other qualities.

[pangtongfan]

I think NHK shows that Mao is in real trouble if she cant get the triple axel back at this point. She made 2 significant mistakes over the two programs (counting the < in the long) and lost to someone like Suzuki who also had two. Suzuki who while a very nice skater, isnt exactly a big name in the sport or a judges favorite, and last year was the #4 Japanese. Suzuki lost to her on PCS in the long, but easily beat her in PCS in the short, but I am almost sure someone like Kostner will have MUCH higher PCS than someone like Suzuki if they compete in Europe.

As for Kostner winning, what has she won of late really. A couple grand prix events? She could barely get a bronze at last years abysmal Worlds with that jump content, and lost to Czisny with numerous major errors at Skate America.

[miki88]

Mao's big mistake came in the SP which is much more costly than if she had made it in the LP. She also did have a few UR on her combo jump in the LP, which is like a major error on the scoring sheet although not a visible one in real time.

Akiko has also being doing well lately and she is finally getting some respect from the judges.

ETA: Looking at the protocals, Akiko not only got the highest SP score so far but she also has the highest PCS (a little more than Czisny in SA). At this point, I doubt Kostner will get much higher PCS than Akiko even if they both competed in Europe. Anyways, I think the judges at NHK got it right. They rewarded the highest total scores and highest PCS for the best SP and LP performances respectively.