Practices

PolymerBob said:

Now, I wonder if this means her back condition is deteriorating, or that the pain is going away?

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mizu_iro said:

From what I gathered from the Korean search engine, she says that her body's condition is okay, so I'm assuming the back's not as bad as it's been.

Photos of her at Narita Airport:
http://news.naver.com/news/read.php...icle_id=0000348055&section_id=104&menu_id=104
http://news.naver.com/news/read.php...icle_id=0000348056&section_id=104&menu_id=104

Interesting to see that the Korean press is putting Asada, Kim and Meissner first (they call it a "Three Nations War" between Japan, Korea and the U.S.), and then briefly mentions Ando and Meier as possible spoilers. They are conceding the fact that if Mao's perfect, it's highly unlikely that anyone will beat her.

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iloveaxel said:

Do u know if Korea's SBS will have live coverage?

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Attended Official Practice on 18th March at the Main Rink. My personal observations are as follows:

Ice Dance:
Only saw the last practice group.
Delobel/Shoenfelder did not look sharp, particularly Isabelle. She fell during str steps and their unison was quite a bit off. Pech/Bour looked much sharper.

Mens:
Saw the entire practice. RUS, Lysachek were no shows.
Lambiel: Excellent Spins as usual but having some prob with difficult jumps.
Buttle: ditto
Sandhu: nailed all four 3Ax passes, looked very sharp
Joubert: Spectacular. twice nailed 4tlp/3tlp
Weir: Looked good with new FP to American Indian type music.
Takahashi: looking good. two 4tlp landed.
Oda: Looked good skated new Free program to Mission Impossible music. Nailed 3Ax/3tlp/3lp but started to fall on four successive "3Lz". On closer look, I thought these four jump passes were QUAD LUTZ! It looked fully rotated but he was having problem controlling the rotation after landing. Interesting strategy COP wise since 11.0-3.0-1.0=7.0 is still quite a lot of points.

Ladies:
RUS, CAN, USA, FIN,KOR were no shows.
Gedevanishvili: In crowded group but looked good. did several different 3/3, including 3tlp/3tlp, 3flip/3tlp, 2Ax/3tlp (nailed these) fell on 3Lz/3tlp. Her flexibility is amazing.
Kostner: Looked to be concentrating on testing the ice, testing edge control etc. Did some jump passes at the end but no 3/3.
Marchei: Looked v. good. Still having problems with jumps when SP music came on with fall on 3Lz, singling Ax. But nailed 3Lz several times at the end of session.
Meier: Only one in her practice group to show. Very good spins and secure jumps.
Mao Asada: Three 3Ax tryouts, nailed two, slight two foot on one. She seems ON.
Miki Ando: Looked less sharp than Mao. Evidently, this was her first practice on this ice. Tried 4Sal 4times, fell in three flip out on one. When her FP music came on she fell on the first 3Lz/3lp combination and had to go and consult with Morozov. Later in the session landed several beautiful 3Lz inc 3Lz/3lp. Did one pass of 3flip/3lp.
Yukari Nakano: Full run through including jumps of the FP. Fell on 3Ax but otherwise good. Tried 3Ax 3times more, landed 2.

JPN Ladies collectively are expected to try 2-3 3Ax and one quad in th LP!

Did not stay for Pairs.

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Spun Silver said:

Johnny has a new FP??? Oh my gosh. It just gets better and better.

I don't like the look of Yu Na's back in those pix.

I!

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Spun Silver said:

Johnny has a new FP??? Oh my gosh. It just gets better and better.
Ho, ho, ho!

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