Mirai Nagasu picked as one of the funnest sports figures..

[R.D.]

To clarify- I said she's the CLOSEST THING to killer instinct. Not that she actually has it.

She's the only one showing a desire to win and improve her skating- but again, the skating will do the talking next week. Her fans seem to be getting increasingly confident (along with her) but the danger then becomes getting too excited and focusing too much on the result, which distracts from the task at hand. Hopefully Nicks can keep her calm and focused on the task.

[mskater93]

Thank you for clarifying. I try not to get too excited that she's on the right track because I've been disappointed several times when she's imploded in the SP

[kalle]

I think Mirai can build on her GP showings, they have grown on me..

I actually like her SP (too bad that she will not try a 3/3) but with a bit of "attack", the scoring should be close to Alissa if both skate clean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Xak...eature=related

The LP is still not as fluid as I would like it to be..I guess, it is because she has still has to get in all her jumps (2A/3T and a Flip?) but Lori generally tweak her programs a bit so I am hopeful, it will look better at Nationals.Also, I would love a different dress, something like Kwan's 01/02 LP dress would look pretty on her!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5bxo...eature=related

[Jammers]

Mirai needs to skate without looking like she's just going though the motions. She needs to learn how to bring her programs alive and not make them look like it's all work. Say what you will about Aleona Leonova but she skates the hell out of her programs no matter how awful they are. Mirai skated with no energy at her two GP events. That won't cut it at Nationals. The judges will give her big scores when she skates well but she needs to skate like she really wants to win.