Mao Asada news

[rtureck]

What a nice thought and I second this outstanding Hall of Fame coach seeing one of his students win the OGM.

Kozouka is a possibilty as well in 2014 so Mr Sato could even win a double!

Or Koz and Mao can play double themselves LOL

If Mirai doesn't win in 2014 then I would hope that Mao wins.

Nagasu has youth and Frank on her side. She is one of the best spinners in the world, or maybe she is the best spinner in the world. When ppl talk about Mao needs to improve her jumps, I think in addition to improving her jumps she needs to improve on her spins. Somehow her spins seems slow compare to Nagasu. Maybe Mao need to take a page from MK (practicing her spirals with the goal to beat Nicole), in order to beat Mrai, Mao should work on her spins

 

[camion]

Somehow her spins seems slow compare to Nagasu. Maybe Mao need to take a page from MK (practicing her spirals with the goal to beat Nicole), in order to beat Mrai, Mao should work on her spins

Really?! I never knew Michelle worked on her spirals with the intent of beating Nicole. Where did you hear that from?

I also noticed Mao's spin seemed slow. They were pretty fast during her junior days so I'm guessing the way her body matured had something to do with it. Judging from recent clips the speed in her spins have gotten better.

 

[aftertherain]

Nagasu has youth and Frank on her side. She is one of the best spinners in the world, or maybe she is the best spinner in the world.

Really? I never got that impression. How so?

 

[bekalc]

Nagasu has youth and Frank on her side. She is one of the best spinners in the world, or maybe she is the best spinner in the world. When ppl talk about Mao needs to improve her jumps, I think in addition to improving her jumps she needs to improve on her spins. Somehow her spins seems slow compare to Nagasu. Maybe Mao need to take a page from MK (practicing her spirals with the goal to beat Nicole), in order to beat Mrai, Mao should work on her spins

Mirai's not THAT young. She's only what two years younger than Mao. And at Mirai's age, Mao was already a world champion. I think that Mao's triple axel is always going to trump Mirai's faster spins. Plus I think Mao is a bit more mature artistically.

There are a lot of young skaters coming up too, with youth far more on their side.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Mirai is 3 years younger than Mao. If she wins the World Championship this coming season, she'll have won at the same age as Mao did.

When Mirai won U.S. Nationals in 2008 at age 14, she showed better performing ability than Mao did at 14 years old (2005), IMO. She was held back by a poor 2009 season that hindered her growth as both a competitor and artist, but she has the potential to score just as high or even higher than Mao in terms of the "second mark" this coming season. Look at the SP at 2010 Worlds - she was already receiving Program Component scores from the judges that were nearly as high as Mao's.

Mirai has a spark and a warmth to her skating that Mao lacks. If she is able to increase her level of maturity this season, she will be seen as equal to Mao. And if she continues to grow in confidence, as Yu-Na Kim did, she will pull ahead of Mao just like Yu-Na did. I really hope Mao has an artistic renaissance of her own. She's incredibly talented.

 

[miki88]

I like Mirai and I do agree that she has a lot of spark. But I don't agree she was a better performer at 14 than Mao was at the same age. They have different styles. Actually, I feel Mirai have been doing different versions of her "lively persona" in her skating through the years. Hopefully, her programs this year can help her branch out more.

 

[janetfan]

I like Mirai and I do agree that she has a lot of spark. But I don't agree she was a better performer at 14 than Mao was at the same age. They have different styles. Actually, I feel Mirai have been doing different versions of her "lively persona" in her skating through the years. Hopefully, her programs this year can help her branch out more.

Is it Mirai's turn for a "Bells" type program?

Or something as disappointing as "Cleopatra"

I hope not

 

[miki88]

Is it Mirai's turn for a "Bells" type program?
I hope not

Well, Memoirs of a Geisha is a departure from her usual style.

 

[janetfan]

Well, Memoirs of a Geisha is a departure from her usual style.

We haven't seen Mirai's "Geisha" program yet so we don't know how she will interpret the music or character.

Having read the book and seen the movie a couple of times it was not my impression that a Geisha is a sad, or even a serious character. They seem to have different styles and personalities just as other people do.
Charming, artistic, flirtacious and entertainer are a few characteristics that come to mind - and Mirai has shown she can do those things very well - even when she was only 14.

 

[miki88]

We haven't seen Mirai's "Geisha" program yet so we don't know how she will interpret the music or character.

Having read the book and seen the movie a couple of times it was not my impression that a Geisha is a sad, or even a serious character. They seem to have different styles and personalities just as other people do.
Charming, artistic, flirtacious and entertainer are a few characteristics that come to mind - and Mirai has shown she can do those things very well - even when she was only 14.

Charming and flirtatious are not what I would associate with the music from the film soundtrack. They are quite melancholy and intense. We will see how it turns out.

 

[janetfan]

Charming and flirtatious are not what I would associate with the music from the film soundtrack. They are quite melancholy and intense. We will see how it turns out.

I have never listened to the CD release of the soundtrack - but typically there is much more music than the sketches that weave in and out of a movie.

Are you saying that all of the music from the movie is intense and gloomy? We might have different ideas about what is intense when it comes to music.

Here is a movement I find neither intense or full of melancholy - and there is more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdqBZoD6pWI&feature=related

But I agree - we will have to wait and see the program later this season. For me, as a musician I identify more with how a skater moves and interprets the music. Character portrayals are nice but not as important as the blades on the ice, body line and rhythmic feel. The overall expression a skater projects it what matters the most.

 

[dlgpffps]

Great coach news! People gush over Mao's jumps, but I still think her greatest asset is her gorgeous skating. Armed with Liebesträume and Sato (love Kozuka and Yuka), Mao's skating will shine like it has never done before. Her SP was a slight disappointment, but I might warm up to it as the season progresses. I don't really care, though, as long as Liebesträume lives up to its potential.

My guess is that Mirai's "Geisha" music will be a medley with a wide range expressing the dynamics of geisha life -- combining the flirtatious and the tragic. The soundtrack is mostly "melancholy and intense", but there's also "Brush on Silk" (to Japanese traditional instruments) which is more upbeat & can definitely make space for "charming and flirtatious."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZfbzLc2Hvw&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh+div-1r-6-HM

I found this: a Sasha montage for "The Chairman's Waltz" from the "Memoirs" soundtrack. It's nice. Mirai's program might take this track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eoU-8GZkVQ&feature=related

Can't wait to see Mao's and Mirai's new programs.

 

[janetfan]

Great coach news! People gush over Mao's jumps, but I still think her greatest asset is her gorgeous skating. Armed with Liebesträume and Sato (love Kozuka and Yuka), Mao's skating will shine like it has never done before. Her SP was a slight disappointment, but I might warm up to it as the season progresses. I don't really care, though, as long as Liebesträume lives up to its potential.

My guess is that Mirai's "Geisha" music will be a medley with a wide range expressing the dynamics of geisha life -- combining the flirtatious and the tragic. The soundtrack is mostly "melancholy and intense", but there's also "Brush on Silk" (to Japanese traditional instruments) which is more upbeat & can definitely make space for "charming and flirtatious."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZfbzLc2Hvw&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh+div-1r-6-HM

I found this: a Sasha montage for "The Chairman's Waltz" from the "Memoirs" soundtrack. It's nice. Mirai's program might take this track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eoU-8GZkVQ&feature=related

Can't wait to see Mao's and Mirai's new programs.

I agree with you. But here is what I was thinking - and maybe Blades meant something along these lines too.
I have seen Mao's new exhibition program and just love it.

But,,,,,,, might this be the third year running where Mao's best program is her exhibition?
Just saying Mao's exhibition skates seem totally different than her competitive programs. She seems so much more expressive and natural. Simply irresistable

Yuna shows a joy of skating in her comp programs. So did Akiko and Mirai last season. At times, it just feels like this quality is missing from Mao when she is competing.

I don't know if I am explaining this so well - and I think Mao is a brilliant skater. It might just be better if she showed more of the qualities from her exhibition skates in her competitive programs.

 

[dlgpffps]

But,,,,,,, might this be the third year running where Mao's best program is her exhibition?
Just saying Mao's exhibition skates seem totally different than her competitive programs. She seems so much more expressive and natural.

Yuna shows a joy of skating in her comp programs. So did Akiko and Mirai last season. At times, it just feels like this quality is missing from Mao when she is competing.

I don't know if I am explaining this so well - and I think Mao is a brilliant skater. It might just be better for her if she showed the same qualities from her exhibition skates in her competitive programs.

I get the same feeling as well. I'm guessing too much is running through her head when she's on competitive ice & I'm reminded of Sasha's interview right after the 2010 Nationals SP:

The new scoring system has left her head full of numbers, Cohen said, as she makes sure that she spins the proper number of revolutions and holds her spiral for the required number of seconds. It’s something she does not like, counting instead of simply performing.

I always point to this as the reason CoP skating is relatively lackluster. Freed from her technical binds, Mao has the ease of mind to be "more expressive and natural." I don't think she suffers from an inherent lack of artistry. It's just the pressure of landing all those jumps which makes her more timid and reserved. It doesn't help that her technical load changes every year & even during the season. I was watching an NHK documentary on the Olympics and while talking about her 3F-2T-2Lo (or was it 2Lo-2Lo?), she said she made a mistake because she kept thinking that this one jumping pass could garner a whopping 9 points. Yu-na, on the other hand, tries her hardest to forget about points & live the moment. Most skaters do the same. Perhaps that's the difference.

We should also remember that Mao was trying a complete departure from her original musical niche the last two seasons. I still think the programs didn't fit her. Maybe she felt the same way as well.

My favorite Mao moment was during her 2005 Worlds Lp. It was magical. She had this spark then. My favorite Mao program is her 2008 SP, but it was not a spell-binding moment (for the reason you and Blades have mentioned), although it was indeed a marvelous skate.

 

[bekalc]

Mirai is 3 years younger than Mao. If she wins the World Championship this coming season, she'll have won at the same age as Mao did.

Mao won in her second season. Mirai is going on her third. Not that it matters but Miria won't be a spring chicken in Sochi either. And I'm not sure Mirai will ever be able to match Mao technically. I think there's going to be a young skater maybe more than one that breaks through to the top by Sochi. For example, young Elizaveta has not only the 3axel (in practice) but also all the other triples, something Nagasu and Mao both have issues with. If Tukt makes it through okay and develops artistically, she'll be very scary. Than there's also for example Russia's Adelina, beautiful skater (and last I remember spinner) once again all the triples, not missing one. Reports are at the text skate she did a 3lutz/3loop which the technical caller went over with a fine tooth comb.

While Nagasu may be in the picture I don't think Sochi will be between Nagasu and Mao. And I will say this I think Yu-na really eclipsed Mao technically (although Mao's programs weren't great). With her speed, basic skating, and her perfect jumps, and those 3/3s. Nagasu doesn't have perfect jumps, great 3/3s to make up a difference with the 3axel. And I think Mao's a lovely skater, and with the right programs, I don't see anyone having this huge advantage artistically. Instead it will come down to jumps, skating skills etc.
And I think with Sato as her coach Mao's basic skating is going to improve tremendously. I'll wait and see what Lori does with the long Janet, before you say that Mao's exhibition is her best program.

 

[janetfan]

Mao won in her second season. Mirai is going on her third. Not that it matters but Miria won't be a spring chicken in Sochi either. And I'm not sure Mirai will ever be able to match Mao technically. There are young skaters coming up that I think Mao might need to be a bit more worried about.
And I think with Sato as her coach Mao's basic skating is going to improve tremendously. I'll wait and see what Lori does with the long Janet, before you say that Mao's exhibition is her best program.

Last year was Mirai's first trip to senior worlds. It is well documented that two seasons ago, (when she was 15) between her 5 inch growth spurt, injuries and problems with her coach it was a lost year.

I agree - we have to see the new LP and more importantly how Mao skates it in competition. Will it be with great freedom and expression - or will we see her looking apprehensive for the first half of the LP getting through her jumps. :think:

There is a reason Yuna beat Mao so easily at the Olympics last season even though their talent level seems awfully close.

 

[miki88]

I think it has more to do with her programs these last few years more than anything. TAT is a great choreographer but she has a distinctive style and unfortunately her style just doesn't match Mao's natural style very much. And oddly, TAT also seems to be putting her best efforts in Mao's exhibitions rather than her competitive programs. Lori does it better as seen in Nocturne and Clair de Lune but I have discovered that the choreographers Mao worked with during her junior years understood her style best. Here's her SP from 2003 Nationals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVxwDIW-qzs This performance has become a personal favorite of mine. It so effectively showcases the ethereal simplicity of Mao. I am really hoping that Mao and her team realizes that her skating doesn't need dramatic flourishes to be effective when it is really less is more in her case.

 

[Mathman]

Mao Asada at age 14?

Mao was one of skating's all-time child prodigies. At age 12 she landed a triple Axel and also a 3F+3Lo+3T combination in national competition. At age 15 she won the senior Grand Prix Final and in the course of the season whipped the entire Olympic podium (Arakawa (twice), Cohen and Slutskaya.)

 

[janetfan]

I think it has more to do with her programs these last few years more than anything. TAT is a great choreographer but she has a distinctive style and unfortunately her style just doesn't match Mao's natural style very much. And oddly, TAT also seems to be putting her best efforts in Mao's exhibitions rather than her competitive programs. Lori does it better as seen in Nocturne and Clair de Lune but I have discovered that the choreographers Mao worked with during her junior years understood her style best. Here's her SP from 2003 Nationals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVxwDIW-qzs This performance has become a personal favorite of mine. It so effectively showcases the ethereal simplicity of Mao. I am really hoping that Mao and her team realizes that her skating doesn't need dramatic flourishes to be effective when it is really less is more in her case.

Thanks for the link - beautiful, gentle skating from one so young.
And I agree that Tat's exhibition programs for Mao are just the greatest!

I think Wilson was very successful in bringing out Yuna's best qualities. I can't say the same for Tat's competitive programs for Mao.

 

[janetfan]

Mao Asada at age 14?

Mao was one of skating's all-time child prodigies. At age 12 she landed a triple Axel and also a 3F+3Lo+3T combination in national competition. At age 15 she won the senior Grand Prix Final and in the course of the season whipped the entire Olympic podium (Arakawa (twice), Cohen and Slutskaya.)

We have to consider this "who beat who" and particularly when and where.

A GPF 60 days before the Olympics was not nearly as important to the Olympic eligible skaters as it was to 15 year old Mao. Nor was Mao under the season long pressure Olympic years bring to contending senior skaters.

It seems a sure bet that the older ladies were not in peak shape for that event or really cared too much about it. They had their eyes on the big prize and their training was geared toward February.

Sure - anyone of them would not mind winning - but not if it did anything at all to diminish their chances in Torino.

Then there was the next season - when Mao was eligible for Worlds and showed she was not quite ready for the pressure of the big stage. When I hear how Mao or Yuna could have won the OGM in Torino I look to what they did the next season when they were eligible and under pressure. They both came up short to Miki, the 16th place finisher from Torino.

Skating is tricky and who knows what would have happened. We only know what did happen.