The essential Mao Primer

[skateluvr]

Mao Asada has some wonderful, memorable skates and we have seen her as a remarkable young lady with a triple axel. Did she have it as as a junior? Please share your memories of Mao and which of her programs moved you most, or remains your favorite. The great thing is Mao's best could still be yet to come. Marvelous Mao!.Don't know why my link isn't pasting, usually does...but I am trying to link to Mao's 2008 sp at worlds which was so incredible. She is like a blue buttterfly for me, capable of seeming otherworldly... Mao fans tell us what you loved... Sorry link copied but won't post.

[Mathman]

Here she is at 2005 Junior Worlds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx31mJfhyeY

[skateluvr]

I knew she did 3 axel as a junior but since age 12? So amazing. Where does the power in those little legs come from? I have never unnderstood it. My, her skating boots look huge. Tara, Sasha, Mao...tiny woodsprites with amazing skills. They came to earth just to skate!

[Olympia]

That's a great way to describe those three, skateluvr. Mao is one of my top forever favorites. Her delicacy and musicality never fail to move me.

Here's her exhibition program "Jupiter."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsf31viaYlo

And maybe my favorite ever, her 2009 Worlds exhibition to "Scent of a Woman"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9921L...feature=fvwrel

[macy]

That's a great way to describe those three, skateluvr. Mao is one of my top forever favorites. Her delicacy and musicality never fail to move me.

Here's her exhibition program "Jupiter."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsf31viaYlo

And maybe my favorite ever, her 2009 Worlds exhibition to "Scent of a Woman"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9921L...feature=fvwrel

i have never seen either of those before. both were so captivating. the first was so soft and delicate, it was like i was watching an angel. the second was a side of mao we don't see too often, and i love it! so much energy and pizzazz. i would love that to be a short program for her.

[deedee1]

the second was a side of mao we don't see too often, and i love it! so much energy and pizzazz. i would love that to be a short program for her.

That's what lots of fans claimed in a chorus in the Olympic season (2009-10): to convert this lovely ex 'Scent of a woman' to her short program, instead of using Masquarade Waltz, the recycled one from the previous season. I am still in tears whenever recalling her sad face at Vancouver...