My opinion on Mai is that she could improve her delivery because there wasn’t much excitement or wow to speak of in the FS and she could add a bit more emphasis in her movements. This beautiful style she has doesn’t need to lack the power and wow that others have. Look at Wakaba for example. Some of her jumps lacked secure landings and overall her skating just seems safe in relation the competitors who are edging her out. No she doesn’t need a transition packed program or acrobatic skating skills. She just needs to sell those movements a little better to entice the judges the same as anyone else.. Just my two cents
I said it before (I think the cup of china thread) that the Japanese ladies may skate pretty but they lack the extra wow that makes one stand out. When a competition is close that little extra counts A LOT. The girls who finish above them may have some issues and aren't perfect but they certainly project out more then the Japanese do. In comparison the Japanese look conservative and lack a sense of urgency. Watch Mao, Yuka and Shizuka or even Fumie and Miki and you'll see what this current crop of Japanese girls lack. You can't call the reserved like feeling cultural in this instance :confused2: