Wowowowow Mirai!
I was SO thrilled to see her make the final group by the skin of her teeth, and to skate last...that's such an impressive accomplishment for her, when you think of where she was just months ago. I don't know how she'll finish; I really doubt she'll medal. But I just hope she skates clean and makes the world fall in love with her, and sets her journey to Sochi off on the absoloute best foot possible. 
I was in tears for Joannie; what a brave, brave woman. Everyone was predicting that she'd fall apart here, but somehow she dug deep inside herself and skated so beautifully. Her mother is so proud of her; I know it. Joannie deserved her scores and I hope that that moment she was able to have out there on the rink today brought her some happiness and comfort in her grief.
I really don't know how the long program will go as far as Joannie is concerned. She was able to do something amazing tonight, but I can only wonder what might happen two nights from now, when some of the emotional peak has worn off. I'm scared that she won't be able to match what she did tonight and will not be able to keep herself together for a much longer, much more demanding program. But hey. If anyone can do it, Joannie can. I'll be rooting for her.
Very nice job by the other top 6 skaters, with Miki being probably the least spectacular of them all. I was looking to her to be the dark horse for the OGM, but I'd say that's gone now. She'll be fighting for a bronze medal with Joannie unless she completely implodes.
The US girls did themselves proud today. I don't see either of them on the podium unless A) Miki and Joannie fall completely apart and B) They skate absolutely LIGHTS out with no downgrades; no errors. Of the two girls, I'd say Rachel has the best chance of pulling of an upset since she is very much a tremendous long program skater. Mirai probably won't be able to get through her program without at least one downgrade.
Anyway, Thursday night should be fun!
I was in tears for Joannie; what a brave, brave woman. Everyone was predicting that she'd fall apart here, but somehow she dug deep inside herself and skated so beautifully. Her mother is so proud of her; I know it. Joannie deserved her scores and I hope that that moment she was able to have out there on the rink today brought her some happiness and comfort in her grief.
I really don't know how the long program will go as far as Joannie is concerned. She was able to do something amazing tonight, but I can only wonder what might happen two nights from now, when some of the emotional peak has worn off. I'm scared that she won't be able to match what she did tonight and will not be able to keep herself together for a much longer, much more demanding program. But hey. If anyone can do it, Joannie can. I'll be rooting for her.
Very nice job by the other top 6 skaters, with Miki being probably the least spectacular of them all. I was looking to her to be the dark horse for the OGM, but I'd say that's gone now. She'll be fighting for a bronze medal with Joannie unless she completely implodes.
The US girls did themselves proud today. I don't see either of them on the podium unless A) Miki and Joannie fall completely apart and B) They skate absolutely LIGHTS out with no downgrades; no errors. Of the two girls, I'd say Rachel has the best chance of pulling of an upset since she is very much a tremendous long program skater. Mirai probably won't be able to get through her program without at least one downgrade.
Anyway, Thursday night should be fun!
but I just want her to skate well and have fun ... and not think about the scores if she possibly can. She's 16 and that the Olympics... She should just be reveling.