Will Ando make the Olympic Team? | Page 4 | Golden Skate

Will Ando make the Olympic Team?

gmyers

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 6, 2010
100%? That's quite the assertion. She has a shot, after seeing what she's done at Nebelhorn. But considering the depth in Japan, Miki isn't a sure bet. Mao is most likely to make the team regardless of how she skates. And Kanako and Akiko can certainly beat Miki.

It's what I believe. There is no one she can't beat in Japan. She can beat all the UR skaters and inconsistent skaters in Japan.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Murakami's record for 2012-2013:

Skate Canada bronze
4th SP 2a, 3t+3t<, 3f<<-df
4th FS 3ze, 3lo, 3f, 3lo<+2lo, 3f^1a, 3s<+2t+2lo, 3t<
Cup of Russia 4th
6th SP 2a, 3t+3t<, 3f<↓
3rd FS 3ze, 3lo, 3f, 3lo<+2lo, 3f, 3s+2lo+2lo, 3t*
DID NOT MAKE GPF
4CC
3rd SP 2a, 3t+3t, 3f
3rd FS 3ze, 3lo+2t, 3f<, 3lo<, 3f^1a, 3s+2lo+2lo<, 3t
Worlds 4th
3rd SP 2a, 3t+3t, 3f
7th FS 3ze, 3lo<+2t, 3f, 3lo<, 3f^1a, 3s+2lo+2lo, 3t
Did not skate at WTT


Suzuki record for 2012-2013
Skate Canada silver
5th SP 5th 3t+3t<<, 3ze, 2a
1st SP 3ze+2t+2lo, 2a+3t, 3f+1lo, 3f, 3lo, 3s, 2a
NHK silver
5th SP 3t+3t, 1z, 2a
1st FS 3ze+2t+2lo, 2a+3t, 3f, 3ze, 3lo+2t, 3s, 3lo<
GPF bronze
3rd SP 3t+3t, 3f, 2a
3rd FS 3f+2t+2lo, 2а+3t, 1ze, 3f↓, 3lo+2t, 3s, 3lo<<↓
4CC silver
2nd SP 3t+3t, 3f, 2a
2nd FS 3f+2t+2lo, 1a-df, 3ze, 3f, 3lo+2t, 3s, 3lo
Worlds 12th
7th SP 3t+3t<-fo, 3f, 2a
13th FS 3f<<-hd, 2a↓, 3ze-df, 3f, 3lo<+2t<, 3s, 2lo
WTT 1st
2nd SP 3t+2t, 3f, 2a
1st FS 3f+2t+2Lo, 2a+3t, 3ze-fwd, 3f, 3lo, 3s, 3s+2t

Clearly, Murakami had the better showing at Worlds, but Suzuki had a far better season, with a better GP, making the GPF and medaling in the GPF, beating Murakami head to heat at 4CC, and winning the WTT.

Murakami's results are marred by her continuing habit of underrotating jumps.

Thanks for posting this. The one competition you left out was Japanese Nationals, but Murakami wasn't going to be called out for URs and Suzuki skated disastrously, too. Looking at the past season's record, and considering Suzuki's world bronze from the year before, it's mind-boggling why people think Murakami is a lock over Suzuki. And if people want to say that Suzuki's World bronze was in a weak field, Murakami's 4th place finish wasn't exactly accomplished in the strongest field herself.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
And if people want to say that Suzuki's World bronze was in a weak field, Murakami's 4th place finish wasn't exactly accomplished in the strongest field herself.

Murukami's 4th was behind 3 of this cycle's world champions. Nonetheless, despite her great result at World's I also don't think she is a lock for the Olympic team. But I think she is strong enough that only Akiko and Miki could bump her off, whereas the latter two could be bumped by an up-and-comer.
 

CaroLiza_fan

EZETTIE LATUASV IVAKMHA
Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Country
Northern-Ireland
Now, I have been deliberately avoiding this thread as I know from past experience (re. the Russian Ladies team) that threads like this rapidly descend into slanging matches. So, I haven't read ANY of the posts so far.

And anyway, I decided a long time ago who, in an ideal world, I wanted in the team - Asada, Suzuki and Ando.

However, I have been watching the coverage of the Ladies SP at the Ondrej Nepela trophy, and have just seen the 2 girls Japan has sent to Slovakia - Haruka Imai and Yuki Nishino.

Both of them put in really beautiful performances. Haruka was even doing wonderful things in the warm-up:

Haruka Imai landing a perfect 3S+3T!! :clap:

Unfortunately, she didn't manage to repeat it in the actual routine. But, it was still a very good performance.

As for Yuki, she had a fall not long into the routine, but otherwise it wasn't bad.

I have to be honest - I thought it was going to be Asada and Suzuki as definites for the Olympic team, with a straight fight between Murakami and Ando for the third spot. I never even took the younger girls as serious contenders. (Sorry, but, based on last season, I still feel Miyahara and Sakamoto are not ready yet).

But, if Imai can polish off her routines by the time Japanese Nationals come along, she could become a dark horse.

Things have suddenly got a lot more complicated than I initially thought! :think:

Oh, I wouldn't want to be the ones making the final decision on who goes to Sochi! :eek:

CaroLiza_fan
 

LiamForeman

William/Uilyam
Medalist
Joined
Nov 24, 2006
I hope it isn't Suzuki's heart that is broken.

Well, at least Suzuki has BEEN to an Olympics. Ando totally screwed Yukari Nakano of a place in 2006, or I guess JSF did since Miki had all her endorsers applying pressure. Money talks. I'm not sure what Miki has in terms of support this time, but I hope if she's not good she isn't just sent as a throwaway third team member.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Well, at least Suzuki has BEEN to an Olympics. Ando totally screwed Yukari Nakano of a place in 2006, or I guess JSF did since Miki had all her endorsers applying pressure. Money talks. I'm not sure what Miki has in terms of support this time, but I hope if she's not good she isn't just sent as a throwaway third team member.

There's no way this will happen. She's been off the radar and she's not like an Asada where if she performs poorly they'll still send her because "The Olympics won't be the same".

Miki will have to fight for her spot and even if she goes clean (unless she has superb content), she isn't guaranteed to get it over Murakami/Suzuki.
 

kwanatic

Check out my YT channel, Bare Ice!
Record Breaker
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May 19, 2011
Based on what Miki did at Nebelhorn, I don't think she's up to the level she'll need to be to get by Akiko or Kanako right now. Kanako isn't a beginning of the season skater but she always gets stronger as the season goes on. Akiko skates strongly at the beginning of the season and sometimes fizzles out late so she'll have to pace herself. Judging from the practice video I saw of her from Finlandia, she's looking strong. Most of her jumps were easy and secure. Akiko's challenge will be maintaining that through the 2nd half of the season.

Miki didn't look very good at Nebelhorn. What she did was good considering it was her first competition back but judging her next to everyone else in the field, she wouldn't crack top 10 at worlds with that. She was slow and labored, her spins were bad, she's developed a more pronounced leg wrap and her programs are very generic/uninteresting.

I will never count Miki out b/c she knows how to compete but I'm not sure if her best will be better than Akiko and Kanako's best. Miki has no GP invites which puts her at a disadvantage in terms of building her reputation back up. Yes she's a 2-time world champ and that will help her but not much, especially if she doesn't improve her skating.

For now Akiko and Kanako are safe IMO. We'll have to see what the landscape looks like in the next few months...
 

CaroLiza_fan

EZETTIE LATUASV IVAKMHA
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Country
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^^^The most accurate and non-biased assessment I have read in any of these "who should be on such-and-such team" thread!

Well written, kwanatic!!!

Miki's performance was good at the Nebelhorn considering how long she's been away. But, as you have pointed out, as it is, it is not good enough for the high placing that somebody of her talent deserves at the Olympics.

She will improve with more practice. But, I'm just concerned about her lack of competition practice between now and the new year.

She's not doing GP's, so will she be able to get the chance to compete at other Senior B's before then?

If she is entered in some, she might just improve enough to get on the Olympic team. If she isn't entered in any, I think she'll have trouble getting in the team.

Incidentally, Haruka Imai just put in another beautiful performance in the FS at the Ondrej Nepela there now.

CaroLiza_fan
 

silverlake22

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Thing is though, Miki's level at Nebelhorn is comparable to or even better than what we've seen from US ladies who are considered to be contenders for the US Olympic team at this point in the season. The US ladies field at this point is pretty comparable to that in Japan, though with even more ladies in contention for the 3rd spot. Gold scored in the mid 160s at SLC, Zawadzki only like 150, Gao 153 at Nepala. So, if those are the kinds of scores American lady Olympic contenders are putting up at this point in the season, it sort of puts things into perspective, if they are going to make the team, those marks are going to need to be quite a bit higher, but it's expected that they will be quite a bit higher come Nationals and even the GP. If Miki's at a 162 now and needs to get to a 180-190 score to make the Olympic team, yeah that's a big ask, but the American ladies contenders don't seem to be in any better form at this point, and most of them even worse, and most fully expect that by Nationals that 20 to 40 point jump will be made. If they can do it, why can't Miki?

I mean, I get Miki just had a baby, but if she got all her triples back in 5 months time, you would think that she could get better spins and footwork and add in more combinations in the 3 months until Nationals. I mean, Miki has the experience, and she's gotten level 3s and 4s on her spins and footwork in the past so I feel like there's a chance she could get them back in time. Not saying she's likely to make the team but she definitely has a shot.
 

Blades of Passion

Skating is Art, if you let it be
Record Breaker
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Sep 14, 2008
Country
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Clearly, Murakami had the better showing at Worlds, but Suzuki had a far better season, with a better GP, making the GPF and medaling in the GPF, beating Murakami head to heat at 4CC, and winning the WTT.

Murakami should have placed 1st and 3rd at her Grand Prix events and had a spot in the final. She also should have placed over Suzuki at 4CC.

Not to mention that Murakami did far better at Japanese Nationals.

Akiko is great, there's still a chance she could be in the mix for an Olympic medal, but she probably peaked in 2012. Her jumps became less stable last season and I don't see them returning to the level they used to be at.

Murakami's results are marred by her continuing habit of underrotating jumps.

Phantom underrotations, sure.
 

Blades of Passion

Skating is Art, if you let it be
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Country
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What reason would the judges have to call phantom URs on her that they dont on others.

Reputation judging. There's no way her second 3Lo at Worlds deserved the <. NO WAY.

And Kostner's blatantly < 3Toe in the SP didn't get called.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Two things about Murakami's second 3Lo:

a) it was iffy, and could have actually been UR'ed when the tech specialist slow-mo'ed it on replay.
b) even if was called as rotated, it wouldn't have made a difference in the final results.

Kostner's 3T not being called as UR was pretty ridiculous though as it was much more obvious than some of Kanako's URs.
 

Blades of Passion

Skating is Art, if you let it be
Record Breaker
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Country
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Two things about Murakami's second 3Lo:

a) it was iffy, and could have actually been UR'ed when the tech specialist slow-mo'ed it on replay.

It wasn't iffy at all. It was a very good Triple Loop, no question. You can see on the replay that even the very tippy top of her toepick is in the air at the 1/4 turn mark - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSNHk2GcISU . Also, the "1/4 turn mark" is relative to where a skater leaves the ice. She doesn't even take off perpendicular to the side board, she takes off a little bit before that point, which means the "1/4 turn mark" should actually be seen as slightly further back. Jumps also have a natural ride-out of 1/2 rotation on the landing. Look at where her skate is exiting the jump. Even the sound of the landing is correct to my ear!

Her first 3Lo was iffy but I don't believe that one was even more than 1/4 turn either, when you look at where she actually leaves the ice. Callers are supposed to give the benefit of the doubt. Of course, if they don't properly measure where a jump actually begins, then they are going to be off. They basically just call jumps as < when they see a skid on the landing, which is not correct. Jumps can be within the 1/4 and still have some skid on the landing (of course they can be underrotated and still appear smooth on the landing as well).

If Murakami's jumps had been judged as 3Lo+2T with 0 GOE and 3Lo with +1 GOE, and Kostner's 3T in the SP had been called <, the standings actually wouldn't have changed solely based on the tech mark. You are correct about that. Kostner would have still won the Silver over Mao by a little over .1 of a point and Murakami still would have been behind Mao. However, these bad tech calls are just one part of the problem. I feel Kostner and Asada were both overly gifted in the PCS as well. If you lower those scores by just a few points in total, between both the SP and LP, then Murakami is the Silver medalist.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Phantom underrotations, sure.

Say what you will, you and I and nobody else here has access to the close-up slow motion replays that the tech specialist sees. If several different tech specialists keep calling her out on URs, they can't all be ganging up on her. Hopefully she can get that extra spring on her jump that makes the full rotation less ambiguous because there's a reason she is consistently not getting the benefit of the doubt.
 

Selene

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Miki won SP at All Kanto. The first 3L-2R was clear, but 3L was ur. Some spins were better than Nebelhorn, some were not, according to the article.
http://www.asahi.com/sports/update/1013/TKY201310130203.html
Most likely she is going to East Japan, and then Nationals.

Miki landed two triples (both salchows) and scored 91.05 points in her LP (39.45 TES.) I am impressed with her progress so soon after giving birth, but that type of performance won't get her on Japan's Olympic team. If she can't land her triples, then she has nothing to offer. She is slow, her spins are really subpar, and her programs are totally devoid of any artistic value.
 

lcd

Match Penalty
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
When exactly will the team be chosen? Japan Nationals is usually right around the holidays/Christmas. But do they have some committee process for making a decision and is the decision during or immediately after Nationals? Timeline would seem to really matter as far as Miki is concerned.
 
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