Mirai Nagasu's future prospects

[Tavi...]

This is one of the things I hit on in my posts, her "choreographer/music editor" who is probably the same person (Adam) doesn't have the ear to cut the music for proper interpretation (I went into the choreography failure in an earlier post). It's a mess. And if an "experienced" editor cut the music, shame on them (unless they just were told by Adam/Mirai what they wanted and threw it together with no content).

I do find these cuts awkward, & if it were my program, I would choose differently. But just to play devil's advocate, I would argue that even with the music as is, she could create a compelling character if she tried. Would different musical choices make it easier? Probably. I'm guessing that Demons worked for her because she connected easily with what the words & music express. To make this music work as is, she would need to bring more to it herself, basically, to think about what she wants to say about this character. I can't speak as a choreographer or music editor, and will bow to your expertise on that. But I actually think Adam is very musical & really liked what he did with afternoon of a faun. So not sure what's going on here.

 

[Sandpiper]

Mirai is done when she wants to be done. It's not our place to say, especially after just one competition.

 

[andyjo24]

Mirai is done when she wants to be done. It's not our place to say, especially after just one competition.

Yes, she is done only when she wants to be done, but this isn't only after one competition. This is after four and a half years of under-performance.

 

[IcyEdges]

I do find these cuts awkward, & if it were my program, I would choose differently. But just to play devil's advocate, I would argue that even with the music as is, she could create a compelling character if she tried. Would different musical choices make it easier? Probably. I'm guessing that Demons worked for her because she connected easily with what the words & music express. To make this music work as is, she would need to bring more to it herself, basically, to think about what she wants to say about this character. I can't speak as a choreographer or music editor, and will bow to your expertise on that. But I actually think Adam is very musical & really liked what he did with afternoon of a faun. So not sure what's going on here.

Oh, I totally agree. She could still make a compelling, believable character out of this program, but I fear she is going to need to bring in a more experienced choreographer to help her do so and to turn the mess that is her current program around.

 

[jenaj]

Sorry, as a professional, I'll have to agree to disagree with your opinion on Rippon's choreography. His "golden pond" program was lovely, but these competitive pieces are fit for a novice skater, not a well seasoned Senior. And again, I'll say that it speaks volumes when he won't choreograph his own competition programs but will throw Mirai under the bus. Abbott at least choreographs his own competitive programs and they are wonderful. That just goes to show you confidence in work. Nothing against Adam, I just think he should have stuck with choreographing exhibition programs for now.

If you are a professional, state your name. Otherwise, that aspect of your post must be disregarded. I like Mirai's programs very much. To say Adam is "throwing her under the bus" is ridiculous. If you really were a "professional," or at least a competent one, you would know that true professionals rarely perform their services for themselves. As they say, a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.

 

[Tavi...]

Oh, I totally agree. She could still make a compelling, believable character out of this program, but I fear she is going to need to bring in a more experienced choreographer to help her do so and to turn the mess that is her current program around.

And/or an acting coach...I know we don't generally think of skaters as actors, but frankly, if you're doing Butterfly you've gotta act or there's no point to it. What Jason & Rohene are doing with Tristan et Iseult works for me despite the music (which I don't love, but which is effective) because the cuts work, choreography works & Jason is telling a story.

 

[IcyEdges]

If you are a professional, state your name. Otherwise, that aspect of your post must be disregarded. I like Mirai's programs very much. To say Adam is "throwing her under the bus" is ridiculous. If you really were a "professional," or at least a competent one, you would know that true professionals rarely perform their services for themselves. As they say, a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.

First of all, there are many people in the business here that don't need to state their name. So that's none of your business, I am helping others from the professional side of things and you seem to be the only one that can't respect that or have a problem with it. Deal with it. Second of all, Adam isn't doing Mirai any favors by giving her that mess of competitive programs. It doesn't take a pro to see that, as many "fans" here have seen it as well. Lastly, I never said trialed professional choreographers offered to do work for her for free, that would be shooting themselves in the foot, obviously you didn't seem to understand that part of my post.

 

[fleeting]

Early September is too soon to make any sort of call for a season.

Did anyone think Polina would have made the Olympic and World team in September?
Did anyone think Adelina would medal in Sochi after Ashley beat her at TEB?
Did anyone think that I/K could medal at the Olympics? Heck, they finished below the Shibutanis at NHK last year - and that was in November.

There's multiple examples that show that now isn't a good time to pass judgement. I wasn't impressed, but I'm waiting for Skate America to make a call on her this season.

 

[IcyEdges]

And/or an acting coach...I know we don't generally think of skaters as actors, but frankly, if you're doing Butterfly you've gotta act or there's no point to it. What Jason & Rohene are doing with Tristan et Iseult works for me despite the music (which I don't love, but which is effective) because the cuts work, choreography works & Jason is telling a story.

Precisely this. I totally agree. :agree:

 

[MK's Winter]

Early September is too soon to make any sort of call for a season. Did anyone think Polina would have made the Olympic and World team in September? Did anyone think Adelina would medal in Sochi after Ashley beat her at TEB? Did anyone think that I/K could medal at the Olympics? Heck, they finished below the Shibutanis at NHK last year - and that was in November. There's multiple examples that show that now isn't a good time to pass judgement. I wasn't impressed, but I'm waiting for Skate America to make a call on her this season.

Perfectly worded

 

[yyyskate]

She had sparks at broadmoor open... but not here....
And Adam's afternoon of faun is choreographed by Tom Dickson, if I remember it right, and I love it.

 

[breathesgelatin]

One real positive I saw for Mirai at this competition is that she seemed much less winded. Whether it's training at altitude, or part of Tom Z's fitness regimen, (probably some of both, I'd guess) she looks to have more stamina.

Hopefully, that will eventually be displayed in more energetic/emotional skating too.

 

[IcyEdges]

One real positive I saw for Mirai at this competition is that she seemed much less winded. Whether it's training at altitude, or part of Tom Z's fitness regimen, (probably some of both, I'd guess) she looks to have more stamina.

Hopefully, that will eventually be displayed in more energetic/emotional skating too.

I agree and I hope so too. I really want to see Mirai do well.

 

[Sandpiper]

Yes, she is done only when she wants to be done, but this isn't only after one competition. This is after four and a half years of under-performance.

Which is exactly why I don't understand why she'd be done now, after this one competition. Is this really enough of a tipping point?

 

[MK's Winter]

I agree and I hope so too. I really want to see Mirai do well.

Amen to that. Everyone wrote her off last year after Finlandia and NHK. She turned around and medaled at Rostelecom and medaled at US Nationals when it was probably the most pressure packed. It doesn't matter if Ashley opened the door she still had to skate through it. Her coaching situation is stable buts it's only been a few months. There has been improvement. Mirai seems to get into her season later. She just completed her second
competition. She still has Japan Open and her Grand Prix events. Let's just chill in deciding when we think her career should be over.

 

[ice coverage]

Mirai is done when she wants to be done. ...

:agree:
From Lynn Rutherford's Sep 12 article:

And she still has time. Reminded of Carolina Kostner, who performed the programs of her life in Sochi to win a bronze medal at age 27, Nagasu cracked her biggest smile of the interview.
"I think Carolina's age, and experience, is exactly why she is such a beautiful skater," she said.
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2014/09/12/94359474/change-of-scenery-puts-nagasu-on-solid-ground​

... I can't remember the name of the fellow she is working with in Colorado.

.... I fear she is going to need to bring in a more experienced choreographer ....

Another excerpt from the same article:

Nagasu's programs -- a short to "Variations on a Theme of Paganini" and free skate to Madame Butterfly -- were choreographed by longtime friend and U.S. teammate Adam Rippon prior to her move to Colorado. She also works with the World Arena's Tom Dickson.
"Adam is very talented, and I really admire his skating, so I really wanted to learn from him to develop those skating skills," Nagasu said. "I think he's done an excellent job with me.
"I've been working with Tom Dickson to make the programs even more beautiful, and to make them mean something to me. It's been exciting to work with both of them. I have a strong team of coaches (including Becky Calvin), not just technically but with my choreography as well."​

And I will remind everyone that Ashley Wagner also entrusted Rippon with the choreography for her SP. They later brought in Cindy Stuart as a collaborator, but the point is that Wagner also wanted Rippon as her choreographer. (And yes, I know that Ashley and Adam are friends, and that Mirai and Adam are friends.)

 

[Jammers]

I think Mirai's days of being a threat on the World stage are long gone. She just isn't that skater from 2010 who had a great future but never improved. She doesn't have the speed she once had and even her spins are not as fast. If other skaters like Polina, Gracie or even Ashley skate like they can Mirai will be hard pressed to beat them.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

To be honest, I was very disappointed in Mirai's both programs. She isn't any better artistically nor technically. She is still skating really slow with underrotations. I think she can be much better artistically because she shows so much musicality in her EX program.

I agree. Even in the SP, aside from the two times she was building speed for the triple jump passes, she was very slow. It might be because she is getting used to the programs. However, while she skates lovely, she does not relate to the music at all with her movement. If she delivered the technical elements better I think it would lift the programs a bit more; she looks nervous going into the jumps, and it makes me nervous to watch.

 

[AsadaFanBoy]

I just watched the short. Mirai is still a great skater.

She's just not a great competitor for the moment. I just hope she finds whatever she needs to deliver a great performance at the Japan open.

Skills, edges, extension -- still very nice.

Jumps, speed, attack, flow -- all need improvement.

From the interviews it seems she's taking responsibility for her skating. I'm taking that as a good sign. I'm hoping she can pull a Carolina Kostner or Akiko Suzuki.

You don't need to win the biggest prizes to leave your mark.

 

[yyyskate]

I am glad to hear that Tom Dickson is by Mirai's side. I love Tom Dickson's work for Adam. and Please watch Mirai's LP at Broadmoor open, she had sparks there....