Rafael Arutunian Interview on Marin Honda

[chopinskate]

What I said was to reply to the post people hyping Marin to Mao. Because frankly, in my opinion, Marin is a weaker jumper than Mao ever was.

Well, after she went to Raf, sure. Mao did have a pretty bad toe-axel in juniors. But then, I haven't watched all of Mao's programs from juniors either to really judge, either.

 

[charlotte14]

Well, after she went to Raf, sure. Mao did have a pretty bad toe-axel in juniors. But then, I haven't watched all of Mao's programs from juniors either to really judge, either.

Mao spent her whole career to improve her technique since young, which was admirable. But at her natural core, she was a good jumper with decent height in her jumps. It's the technique + rotation (and maybe her confidence) the issue. Also, Mao keeps her 3A throughout most of her career (even with calls, how many could do that?)
Marin, on the other hand, has issue with the toe pick which sadly might never be called anyway. I doubt Marin will ever have a 3A. She could, however, improve her consistency and the ability to land her jumps in general. But at her core, I'd say Mao was a more natural jumper than Marin.

 

[chopinskate]

I agree that Mao was a better natural jumper for sure, yes. The 3A was always a beautiful sight.

 

[Ballade88]

I think Marin's jumps are nice for the most part, decent height and good flow. None of Hamada students have big jumps. But her jumps look much better than Satoko's and her Russian peers, in my opinion. If she wanted to improve her jumps, then Rafael was a good choice. I always believed Mao's jumps improved and was in their best state when he was her coach.

 

[OS]

My worst nightmare program for Marin from Lori are

Carmen
Madam Butterfly
Memoir of a Geisha
Miss Saigon
Big Spender
Somewhere over the rainbow
Ave Maria
Hallelujah
Bolero
Scheherazade
Basically classic warhorses like Moonlight Sonata, music by Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky (e.g nutcracker, swan lake, sleeping beauty etc..)
Ideally nothing by Lloyd Webber of even Schonberg as well pls.

Some of these these may suit her, but may be later, when she progresses more artistically, otherwise it is too safe and comfortable she can get pigeonholed by the judges as a soft lyrical princess skater. (Don't want her to go down the route of Li Zi Jun :sad21: I blame Lori ALOT for that!!!)

 

[charlotte14]

I think Marin's jumps are nice for the most part, decent height and good flow. None of Hamada students have big jumps. But her jumps look much better than Satoko's and her Russian peers, in my opinion. If she wanted to improve her jumps, then Rafael was a good choice. I always believed Mao's jumps improved and was in their best state when he was her coach.

Marin pre-rotates at the take-off just a bit less than Satoko. So I am not sure she is better than the Russians. She has nice flow but that’s the skill to hide UR or borderline UR.

 

[yoloaxel]

I think Marin's jumps are nice for the most part, decent height and good flow. None of Hamada students have big jumps. But her jumps look much better than Satoko's and her Russian peers, in my opinion. If she wanted to improve her jumps, then Rafael was a good choice. I always believed Mao's jumps improved and was in their best state when he was her coach.

Hmm her jumps may be better than Satoko's, but I honestly wouldn't say they are better than Zagitova's, Medvedeva's and Tsurskaya's, for example.

 

[Ballade88]

Lori's choreography was the least of Zijun's problems to be honest.........

I agree that her choreography tends to be on the safe side, but she can create gems for skaters she believes are talented. Some of the most interesting ladies programs in recent years have been Lori creations (e.g.Bolero, Ritual Dance). Raf praised Lori choreography for Marin, so I am curious to see what programs she has for next season.

 

[oatmella]

Raf said that Marin’s program from Lori is ‘very unique’ - so I’m guessing not classical warhorse or commonly used music. I’m looking forward to seeing it!

 

[MaiKatze]

Yes, something quirky and fun instead of overly dramatic like Turandot. Maybe something like 'The Nightmare before Christmas'? I have high hopes that we won't see generic warhose version 83019 from Marin this season!

 

[yyyskate]

I have an impression , that Turandot this war-house music is picked by Marin's coaching team for a safe OG program, and asked David Wilson to choreo for her.

 

[Ophelia]

My worst nightmare program for Marin from Lori are

Carmen
Madam Butterfly
Memoir of a Geisha
Miss Saigon
Big Spender
Somewhere over the rainbow
Ave Maria
Hallelujah
Bolero
Scheherazade
Basically classic warhorses like Moonlight Sonata, music by Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky (e.g nutcracker, swan lake, sleeping beauty etc..)
Ideally nothing by Lloyd Webber of even Schonberg as well pls.

Some of these these may suit her, but may be later, when she progresses more artistically, otherwise it is too safe and comfortable she can get pigeonholed by the judges as a soft lyrical princess skater. (Don't want her to go down the route of Li Zi Jun :sad21: I blame Lori ALOT for that!!!)

This.

 

[chopinskate]

No egg-laying firebird either. No egg-laying in general.

 

[shine]

Marin is much more artistically talented than Zijun. I don't think Zijun was one of those skaters who "inspired" Lori to come up with interesting choreography. Marin is totally different so I have high hopes.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Basically classic warhorses like Moonlight Sonata, music by Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky (e.g nutcracker, swan lake, sleeping beauty etc..)

I know what you mean but at the same time, has anyone ever done programs to Tchaikovsky's operas? Queen of Spades, Eugene Onegin, Iolanta and so on?

 

[oatmella]

An Onegin program! (I'm thinking of the ballet). Has anyone done one ... that could be really interesting

 

[OS]

I know what you mean but at the same time, has anyone ever done programs to Tchaikovsky's operas? Queen of Spades, Eugene Onegin, Iolanta and so on?

Good point...I think it would be fine. I actually suggested Tchaikovsky's Valse Sentimentale for Evegenia here (after last season, added extra poignancy to elevate and inspire performance as a Russian darling) https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?72548-Music-Choices-Prediction-for-Your-faves/page2

If I was to pick a classic work for Marin, may be this Smetana can be quite appealing, lush strings for Marin (not too feminine) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G4NKzmfC-Q

I wouldn't mind if is something not seen before or unfamiliar, just don't want her ends up a cliche.
I am a big fan of Tchaikovsky's work personally, but don't like people select masterpiece with pre-built credibility or successful formula that are already popular. That gives the skater less to do (therefore learning and developing) little room for original interpretation/emote. Cookie cutter copy and paste approach.

 

[combinationspin]

My worst nightmare program for Marin from Lori are

Carmen
Madam Butterfly
Memoir of a Geisha
Miss Saigon
Big Spender
Somewhere over the rainbow
Ave Maria
Hallelujah
Bolero
Scheherazade
Basically classic warhorses like Moonlight Sonata, music by Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky (e.g nutcracker, swan lake, sleeping beauty etc..)
Ideally nothing by Lloyd Webber of even Schonberg as well pls.

Some of these these may suit her, but may be later, when she progresses more artistically, otherwise it is too safe and comfortable she can get pigeonholed by the judges as a soft lyrical princess skater. (Don't want her to go down the route of Li Zi Jun :sad21: I blame Lori ALOT for that!!!)

I don’t fear that Marin gets pidgeonholed by the judges because so far they haven’t really noticed her as she didn’t have a big breakthrough performance in seniors yet, IMO. So I’m fine if she does a warhorse that truely showcases her strengths - the flow, skating skills, lyricism and elegance. Many people liked Romeo and Juliet because it fitted her so well although they were sick of the music. And I think something like Claire de la Lune or Meditation of Thais could be stunning if done right. Another possibility for something more unique would be a bubbly and fun program that showcases her extraversion, projection and charm like her Beetlejuice LP or her exhibition programs. But I’m afraid most people would find something like that too childish at this stage.

 

[yyyskate]

I don’t fear that Marin gets pidgeonholed by the judges because so far they haven’t really noticed her as she didn’t have a big breakthrough performance in seniors yet, IMO. So I’m fine if she does a warhorse that truely showcases her strengths - the flow, skating skills, lyricism and elegance. Many people liked Romeo and Juliet because it fitted her so well although they were sick of the music. And I think something like Claire de la Lune or Meditation of Thais could be stunning if done right. Another possibility for something more unique would be a bubbly and fun program that showcases her extraversion, projection and charm like her Beetlejuice LP or her exhibition programs. But I’m afraid most people would find something like that too childish at this stage.

these are screaming for comparison.
probably not a good idea. IMHO

but if Marin gets choreo from Lori from now on, recycle Claire de la Lune maybe possible.

 

[saigonohana]

I think Marin’s jumps at her best - e. g. her LP at Junior Worlds 2017, which is not too long ago - had unique and outstanding qualities. Lot’s of commentators praised her jumps because they looked so effortless, were incorporated seamlessly into her programs and maintained speed throughout the landing. Her air and landing positions were elegant and flawless - some people compared her landing positions to a dancer’s and many commended the immaculate running edge. Of course this was partly archieved through pre-rotation and low jumping but Marin’s jumps at her best looked very convincing as she was the ‘full package’.
All three Rusdian ladies you mentioned don’t have the prettiest landings to my eyes for various reasons (bent waist, muscleling, crashy landings that loose all flow etc.) - while their jumps have other great qualities of course.

I definitely agree with this. What I love about Marin's jumps are that she maintains posture even right at the landing and stays in that position for a few seconds so that people could actually see the beauty of her jumps. Another thing I love about her jumps are the way she goes into a jump (I don't know what exactly but she makes it appealing every time) and the way she unfolds her hands when she lands. Her Romeo and Juliet program especially showcased the beauty of her jumps but I was not really taken with the step sequences; this may be because there are too few steps to actually notice the sequence as a whole? Another program of hers that showcased her jumps and steps, for me, was probably her Turandot program in skate canada last year (though not the best choice of music but, for me, she makes it work every time). It seems that videos of Marin's FS there with commentators were finally uploaded in youtube earlier this year.

Btw combinationspin do you have any links to marin's romeo and juliet program in jwc 2017 with commentators?