Mao Asada

[SXTN]

Mao will do the same elements that she did during the Olympics Games.

3X-3T is impossible (she couldn't even manage many ratified 2A-3T) and 3F-3L has been downgraded for years. In addition: Her 3A sometimes got the benefit of doubt. If Liza hits it perfectly like she did at Worlds or WTT, even the slightest turn of Mao will get dinged. She has competition now.

 

[MaxSwagg]

Mao will do the same elements that she did during the Olympics Games.

3X-3T is impossible (she couldn't even manage many ratified 2A-3T) and 3F-3L has been downgraded for years. In addition: Her 3A sometimes got the benefit of doubt. If Liza hits it perfectly like she did at Worlds or WTT, even the slightest turn of Mao will get dinged. She has competition now.

We're talking about the SP layout. We know and have known about the free. Half of the flip-loops have been bogus calls. The same with 3A. And she's always had competition. It's not like having competition is a new thing for her. If anything, there's more competition on Liza in terms of handling pressure...

 

[dorispulaski]

As many of you may know, Olympia, the lovely woman who started Mao's fan fest, passed away. GS has added the Library forum in Le Cafe in her memory. Is there anyone who would like to take over ownership of Mao's OP?

If so, please PM me.

 

[dorispulaski]

thank you, tulosai for volunteering to take over ownership of Mao's OP.

 

[gotoschool]

I am just reposting the only HD copy of Mao's Sochi LP (with the final group) I can find on youtube because I don't want to lose it. I think this is the true spirit of figure skating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5fA9o2sBis

 

[Meoima]

I know that people who are big fans of rivaling skaters tend to like to play tech specialist, but it really bothers me when those people even bring it to the fan threads, i don't take their so called "specialist" claims seriously, and usually ignore them, but when the same people even come to the fan thread with their rubbish it really bothers me, desperate much. I totally understand that seeing Mao in such good shape from the beginning of the season can be intimidating when you cheer for another skater, but i hate how low some are willing to fall, to convince others of their hopeful views.

oh well, so being realistic is "bringing down the skater"?

 

[gotoschool]

oh well, so being realistic is "bringing down the skater"?

Mao's triple axel looks rotated to me because it is within the 1/4 rotation and others thinks so as well, so there are quite a few who don't share your vision of reality.

 

[hurrah]

Yes, Mao's triple-axel done in the pre-season before she has actually peaked already looks to be only 1/4 rotation short, and so I think it is totally realistic to assume that in her peak state, her 3-axels will be fully credited.

 

[largeman]

Yes, Mao's triple-axel done in the pre-season before she has actually peaked already looks to be only 1/4 rotation short, and so I think it is totally realistic to assume that in her peak state, her 3-axels will be fully credited.

Yes, that's an encouraging thought!

10 more days till we see Mao in action... Let's take a stroll down memory lane and marvel at her 3As over a legendary 10-year competitive career so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vRRne5CADs

 

[Meoima]

Yes, Mao's triple-axel done in the pre-season before she has actually peaked already looks to be only 1/4 rotation short, and so I think it is totally realistic to assume that in her peak state, her 3-axels will be fully credited.

Pre rotation, somehow people forget to take it into account. Realistically, we have to admit judges will pick on her jumps. Even if her jumps look borderline, there is high chance they will mark her UR. Been there done that. Tech panel has always been exceptional picky when it comes to Mao. You don't agree?
Having said that, I have no ill will towards her. She is a beautiful skater and her presentation and SS are much more appealing to the eyes than many ladies these days.
But FS is not just art, and history has been told, I don't understand why pointing out the reality is that offensive to anyone.

 

[tulosai]

Pre rotation, somehow people forget to take it into account. Realistically, we have to admit judges will pick on her jumps. Even if her jumps look borderline, there is high chance they will mark her UR. Been there done that. Tech panel has always been exceptional picky when it comes to Mao. You don't agree?
Having said that, I have no ill will towards her. She is a beautiful skater and her presentation and SS are much more appealing to the eyes than many ladies these days.
But FS is not just art, and history has been told, I don't understand why pointing out the reality is that offensive to anyone.

I don't think anyone is offended, but you have to keep in mind this is Mao's fan fest thread. This is not an analytical thread. There are some of those going in the Edge forum. This is a place for people to cheer Mao on. Harping on her shortcomings, even if real or realistic, is just not the point of the thread. The point of the thread isn't to be delusional either, but quite simply to cheer Mao on, to dwell on her good qualities, and to on her skating.

 

[Meoima]

I don't think anyone is offended, but you have to keep in mind this is Mao's fan fest thread. This is not an analytical thread. There are some of those going in the Edge forum. This is a place for people to cheer Mao on. Harping on her shortcomings, even if real or realistic, is just not the point of the thread. The point of the thread isn't to be delusional either, but quite simply to cheer Mao on, to dwell on her good qualities, and to on her skating.

I didn't criticize her at all.
After all about her skating I have nothing to criticize. But when people ask if her jumps in the video are fully rotated or not, I see UR so I simply said it's UR. I can't say "because I like her so I will give her a pass" Usually when there is a hook at the landing it's the case (of course not all UR cases are like that).
So all and all it's a simple comment. Haven't we seen many times in competitions, when her jumps were borderline and should be given benefits of doubt but tech panel still called her? In anyway it's not a negative comment. I don't get why some people think it's bringing her down.
This time it's still early so there's still much time to improve. In real competition it will be different. So there is no need to panic or get offended.
Best wishes to her.

 

[Krunchii]

Mao is the type to never give up and her determination is one of the best, I don't think she will ever give up on the 3Lz, she's a perfectionist and that attitude is one of the things I love about her. Even if she gets e I think Mao will keep trying to work on it.

 

[gotoschool]

Pre rotation, somehow people forget to take it into account. Realistically, we have to admit judges will pick on her jumps. Even if her jumps look borderline, there is high chance they will mark her UR. Been there done that. Tech panel has always been exceptional picky when it comes to Mao. You don't agree?
Having said that, I have no ill will towards her. She is a beautiful skater and her presentation and SS are much more appealing to the eyes than many ladies these days.
But FS is not just art, and history has been told, I don't understand why pointing out the reality is that offensive to anyone.

Everyone has and is allowed some pre-rotation (up to a quarter turn). In regards to your reference to the tech panel being exceptionally picky on Mao, that's why a lot of people think she gets quite a few bogus calls, especially when others are given a freer pass. This extra scrutiny which you admit in your comment makes me very critical of her scores quite often when it contradicts visual evidence and / or the judges' original GOE before ur calls. Figure skating is not just art as you have written, but it has to be scored fairly for me to take the scores and results seriously. Otherwise, I won't. That's my reality.

 

[Leonardo]

I don't think anyone is offended, but you have to keep in mind this is Mao's fan fest thread. This is not an analytical thread. There are some of those going in the Edge forum. This is a place for people to cheer Mao on. Harping on her shortcomings, even if real or realistic, is just not the point of the thread. The point of the thread isn't to be delusional either, but quite simply to cheer Mao on, to dwell on her good qualities, and to on her skating.

Thank you!

 

[MaxSwagg]

What actually irks me is people saying "she's been out for a year", etc. Hello?! It's not like she's been sitting on the couch eating crisps that entire time. Sure, she wasn't "training" at that level but I'm sure she was doing jumps here and there for fun during her practices...

 

[yhmafan]

Pre rotation, somehow people forget to take it into account. Realistically, we have to admit judges will pick on her jumps. Even if her jumps look borderline, there is high chance they will mark her UR. Been there done that. Tech panel has always been exceptional picky when it comes to Mao. You don't agree?
Having said that, I have no ill will towards her. She is a beautiful skater and her presentation and SS are much more appealing to the eyes than many ladies these days.
But FS is not just art, and history has been told, I don't understand why pointing out the reality is that offensive to anyone.

That’s why we fans are nervous and usually tend to be so nervous when it comes to her jumps (scores), when people refer to about that insensitively.
and I think no one have said and will say that “They shouldn’t give her ur call because I like her”.

You pulled out the answer yourself.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I've been watching this skate the last couple of days.

http://youtu.be/XbPbbUeQ3Kw

She is one of a handful of skaters that I really enjoy watching their steps. Hard to believe this was almost 10 years ago. History in not only the sense of time but literally history as in...she was making it

 

[Meoima]

That’s why we fans are nervous and usually tend to be so nervous when it comes to her jumps (scores), when people refer to about that insensitively.
and I think no one have said and will say that “They shouldn’t give her ur call because I like her”.

You pulled out the answer yourself.

My point is, realistically, when her jumps are borderline, there is high chance that judges will call her. So even if it's 1/4 under rotated to your eyes, judges will call her. So it doesn't matter if her fans say "it's not UR", if judges call it UR she will loose points.

To get over it, she needs to jump bigger, so big that judges have no chance to give her dubious calls. You don't think so?

Sadly this is the case, because she has reputation with UR among the judges. And I have checked many of her protocols, there are events it's not Shin Amano working as the tech specialists, other tech specialists were still very strict on her.

I think her team know all of this, that's what training is for. I don't think there is any panic yet. It's still early and Mao is a very hard worker so maybe she will make it. I am also excited to see her programs, because most programs from ladies of this season so far have been quite disappointing. I hope Mao will be the savior for that.

 

[gotoschool]

My point is, realistically, when her jumps are borderline, there is high chance that judges will call her. So even if it's 1/4 under rotated to your eyes, judges will call her. So it doesn't matter if her fans say "it's not UR", if judges call it UR she will loose points.

To get over it, she needs to jump bigger, so big that judges have no chance to give her dubious calls. You don't think so?

Sadly this is the case, because she has reputation with UR among the judges. And I have checked many of her protocols, there are events it's not Shin Amano working as the tech specialists, other tech specialists were still very strict on her.

I think her team know all of this, that's what training is for. I don't think there is any panic yet. It's still early and Mao is a very hard worker so maybe she will make it. I am also excited to see her programs, because most programs from ladies of this season so far have been quite disappointing. I hope Mao will be the savior for that.

What is so ironic about your comments is that you have made many posts stating that you thought Mao should have set the world record for her Sochi LP and you have also said that you are not her fan. Do you remember these posts?

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/maos-lp-at-the-olympics.92547/ post number 6

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/maos-lp-at-the-olympics.92547/ post number 24

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/maos-lp-at-the-olympics.92547/page-2 post number 31

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/maos-lp-at-the-olympics.92547/page-2 post 49

Did she set the world record for that performance? If you are not her fan and you still think she should have set the world record and even took the time to argue strongly for it, how do you think her fans feel about that performance on her own thread? Do you think they believe a 6th place finish in GOE and a 5th place finish in PCS is a just score for a performance that the Russian pairs champion Maxim Trankov said live on Russian TV was the performance that "only an Olympic Champion could give" and that "she would have been Olympic champion but for her SP performance"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C62RN3YikFQ at about 5:30

What incentive did Mr. Trankov have to make such a comment with Julia and Adelina both left to skate for medals?

Philippe Cadeloro, the two times bronze medalist from 1994 and 1998, also said that Mao gave the performance of an Olympic champion on French TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHLBCzL_8Yg at about 5:45

Both hosts of the American show "The Skating Lesson" also said that Mao gave the best performance of the Sochi's Women competition with one saying it was the best performance in all of the figure skating competitions.

http://www.theskatinglesson.com/tsls-2014-olympic-ladies-recap/ at about 18:00

Finally, the two times Canadian Olympic silver medalist Elivs Stojko said that Mao "hands down" gave the best performance at the Sochi games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8M98el0qxo

Furthermore, Mao's Sochi LP performance has a poor quality video with almost 2,200,000 views on youtube, more than any other skater who is currently competing, another video with over 1,000,000 views with Mao's sister Mai has been deleted, the NBC version with well over 400,000 and several others are over 100,000. As someone wrote, what more could she do?

If you want to bring in the unjust skating order argument for the deflated Sochi score, then please explain why Mao originally received an excellent +1.6 GOE on her 3A and an excellent +1.3 GOE on her 3F / 3L from a non-Asian judging panel in the Worlds 2014 LP, which was subsequently given urs despite the fact that they looked fully rotated on instant replay as they evidently did to the judges? They were big with distance, erect posture, musicality, symmetrical air position, a theatrical balletic flair on exit and rotated. Mao skated 1st place after the SP, so I believe it was probably an attempt to normalize the deflated Sochi LP scores. If I perceive injustice, I will speak out and not just believe rulings that defy my eyesight or that defy the judges' rulings or Olympic medalists' views. I wouldn't mention all this, but you keep bringing all this up on Mao's own fan thread over and over again and I think she deserves a defense.