I agree that it would be more interesting for Vancouver at this point if Miki or Joanie were to step it up and possibly go 200+.
But personally, I'm not too much of a fan of Miki or Joanie's skating. Sure they've got pretty consistent jumps, but artistically, I don't think they come near Yuna or Mao. I'm not trying to be malicious here, but I was never blown away or captivated by their presentation. They both... kinda... bore me. I've also thought that Miki is sometimes overscored. I give her credit for the athleticism she brings (no doubt about that) but her skating isn't too exciting.
What do you guys think? Do you think they will be the ones to challenge Yuna? I still think Mao has the greatest chance. She has the jumps and the artistry. It's just that TAT and the current programs don't do a good job showcasing that.
Wow, what am I doing... I'm counting in everybody...
If Miki or Joannie break 200 in the next two week I will smile ear to ear cause ladies and gentle men we have a competition. (I think Miki has the potential but Joannie needs a 3/3)
There's only one person (if I recall correctly) who has ever beaten both Yu-Na and Mao at the same time in a single competition....and her name is Miki Ando, at 2007 Worlds.
But I still think Mao may surprise us, though.
Hm... Maybe it's true, but I felt that she just wanted it to be that way. It's not like she is interpreting something in that program really. It has no story at all, she is supposed to be herself. I'm not sure if that can really be, but at least the intention is that.
Why not? I think Joannie has the greatest chance. About Mao - I really don't think she will be able to do something soon. Not because I think she's not good enough, it's just that she seems to have problems that are not very easy to correct, she will need more time. Actually, I expected her to come after this summer very strong and confident, but it all gone wrong.What do you guys think? Do you think they will be the ones to challenge Yuna? I still think Mao has the greatest chance. She has the jumps and the artistry.
I knew it, but I wanted to say it for others.I should make it clear that I'm not putting it on Kim.
Now that you talking about retirement. Yuna's dream was always to be the loved skater. Today I have seen clearly that even if she delivers nearly perfect performance people won't love it because of margin in points, of CoP, or I don't know... Well, I'm exaggerating, but I was hoping that one day she'll find a way to most people's heart. I don't know, maybe it's impossible because this is a competition and you can't love someone who's getting higher than your favorite skater. I'm kind of sad today...In fact, if she wins the OGM I don't see her sticking around.
I was referring to her artistry. That program is not supposed to be a story and she is not any character. That program is supposed to reflect herself and her development as a skater. I don't know if she can "act" that, she just has to be herself. And she did that, she skated lightly, with joy and without struggling, doing all technical elements with an incredible ease.So she did a less than stellar spiral on purpose because she was supposed to be herself and a strong spiral sequence wouldn't reflect that??
I think you are giving her a little too much credit there.
Maybe she will come and make it all more interesting. I would like to see her.I was really hoping Sasha would be back to salvage what was left of the artistic component.
Now that you talking about retirement. Yuna's dream was always to be the loved skater. Today I have seen clearly that even if she delivers nearly perfect performance people won't love it because of margin in points, of CoP, or I don't know... Well, I'm exaggerating, but I was hoping that one day she'll find a way to most people's heart. I don't know, maybe it's impossible because this is a competition and you can't love someone who's getting higher than your favorite skater. I'm kind of sad today...
When I first heard about "Bells of Moscow" I also thought that this is interesting choice. As much as medley from James Bond movies and then Gershwin's concerto. I was looking forward to see the actual performance and at Japan Open it turned out to be a big disappointment. The music could really be less repetitive and less loud.Although I will say it was interesting choice of Asada to take on such an intense song like that. She should be careful to own the song and not let the song own her, and I think the latter is kind of happening right now.
Sure. That's the most important thing.She is clearly loved by a lot of skating fans. Just listening to the reception she got in the arena, and seeing the 500 banners of her up there let me know that.
As for Caroline Z., drat, how does someone advance that far with questionable jumping technique? A ballet teacher would never allow such a thing in a dancer. Why would a skating coach? There's no time for her to relearn her jumps now. Alas!
I watched ladies' programs directly with my bare eyes
This is what i thought about mao vs yuna
mao
- personally i like her LP music (i think it's the same tune for too long, though)
- I prefer the dress she wore at Japan Open
- Except for jump problems, I liked her performance. Her nice 3A combo (3A looked URed, though - changed ISU regulations kind of allow it anyway) and smooth gliding on the ice.
- In fact, it looked much better live since i couldn't see her face very well. I think her body moves nicely to the music, but her facial expressions don't convince me. She looked akward and acting-for-acting when I watched her JO perf. on the internet.
yuna
- seriously, i think her LP music is quite a risky choice for the Olympics season. The melody itself doesn't really excite the audiance and pple have no idea what she wants to convey as the music itself has no theme.
- This slow music even makes her look slower
- My bf who watched figure skating programs for the first time said yuna looked way better than others. For sure, she landed jumps so easily and looked energetic till the end that i even said 'already?' when the program really finished - it's maybe partly b/c I didn't feel the clear climax of the music hwell:
my personal conclusion:
It's just a beginning of the season. Yuna could possibly get low scores later as both yuna and judges get tired of the overscore discussions and Mao could nail Yuna landing all her jumps "perfectly" and wonderfully as planned. They can also get beaten by darkhorses like joannie or miki ando. I was just happy to see their new programs performed for the first time live (except for mao's lp)
Some interesting points about this TEB (for fun)
- TEB should be very happy with the huge audience (for ladies' section) - mainly thanks to Mao & Yuna. Another quote form my bf: I've never seen so many asians all together in Paris!
- Certain skaters got a lot of flowers, gifts, etc on the ice. The prob was that there were certain bouquets of flowers and items not well wrapped that there were some substances remaining on the ice. There were even announcements recommending not to throw unwrapped items -> and yuna was apparently influenced by the remaining substance according to an interview. It explains why yuna suddenly freezes when she was just about to jump. it looked really~~ strange.
hmmmm.... i can't think anymore. need to sleep ; )
Is this the fatal problem of Mao as well? With the coaching expertise in Japan, the extraordinary natural ability shown by Mao very early in her skating years, an older sister also demonstrating world class skills, how could she have basic jumping issues today forcing her into this 3x dependency as her only hope? It seems to me that her inability today to skate toe to toe with Yu Na on the CoP basics is because she failed to learn them when she was young. The fact that she can succeed frequently with the 3x is an indication of natural ability not great training. I have seen YouTubes of Mao as a junior completing 3x's. Why weren't her coaches teaching her the basics of each jump?As for Caroline Z., drat, how does someone advance that far with questionable jumping technique? A ballet teacher would never allow such a thing in a dancer. Why would a skating coach? There's no time for her to relearn her jumps now. Alas!