Congrats to all the medalist! Superb event!
I want Carolina, Mao and Akiko on the world podium
I hate to say it but Mirai's problems seem to be all in her head. But not going out and fighting is not acceptable. Akiko struggled with some of her jumps but kept performing and not giving up. Maybe Mirai just isn't a competitor.
But Jammers, Mirai is a competitor. She may not be strong competitively, but she competes, and has wins. In my book that makes her a competitor, whether strong or not.
What makes you think Gracie Gold has got all it takes? Certainly a name like that does not hurt.
The US Federation would love to support Mirai but she has to earn it. Plus that is no excuse for skating so badly. I bet Frank would agree. This is all on Mirai.Possibly, but once again, see my post upthread -- Did Mirai's possible "lack of commitment" come about because of the hot and cold support by U.S. federation. ONce again, everyone took the Kween for granted, and still haven't come out of the shock and awe daze/ days.
The US Federation would love to support Mirai but she has to earn it. Plus that is no excuse for skating so badly. I bet Frank would agree. This is all on Mirai.
Still not convinced. I rewatched the program and am studying the protocols. It looks to me like Mirai threw away over 10 points in GOE, downgrades, and base value just by not skating her program as choreographed. Not that I've seen her planned elements list, but I'm assuming she meant to tack on a 3T to her 2A instead of a 2T, and didn't plan a solo 3T. She seemed to fall off an edge in her combo spin and abbreviate it (?). Surely her PCS would have been much higher had she whipped off her jumps and spun the way we know she can. I'm just guessing, but I think the program was a good showcase for her. I thought the music and costume were beautiful - she looked like a young Russian ballerina (much more than Tut did!) - and once I got over my first disappointment, I think she did a good job with it. It was just an off day technically, and that affected her ability to sell it. Whether she got distracted or didn't practice enough or what, who knows? But I don't think it's the program per se that held her back.I don't think this music works for Mirai. Compare with the cut Kwan skated to at 2005 Nats sp. And like you said re Akiko and Ashley, they were really into and enjoying their programs. It doesn't seem as if Mirai ever liked this program, just that she was being told to do it, like homework. I also don't find that her costume is working for her, nor the overall choreo. She sure doesn't seem happy with it. The program was just okay -- she didn't sell and she lost focus. I think that's obvious. She knew it and Frank knew it, and the judges certainly knew it -- they overly dinged her on PCS.
Ah, thanks! That's why I had a great feeling upon hearing it. Matt Savoie skated to the opening movement quite exquisitely in 2005. No comparison with what Alena showed here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAsNpBJbk0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD71832A6C18299B0
Still not convinced. I rewatched the program and am studying the protocols. It looks to me like Mirai threw away over 10 points in GOE, downgrades, and base value just by not skating her program as choreographed. Not that I've seen her planned elements list, but I'm assuming she meant to tack on a 3T to her 2A instead of a 2T, and didn't plan a solo 3T. She seemed to fall off an edge in her combo spin and abbreviate it (?). Surely her PCS would have been much higher had she whipped off her jumps and spun the way we know she can. I'm just guessing, but I think the program was a good showcase for her. I thought the music and costume were beautiful - she looked like a young Russian ballerina (much more than Tut did!) - and once I got over my first disappointment, I think she did a good job with it. It was just an off day technically, and that affected her ability to sell it. Whether she got distracted or didn't practice enough or what, who knows? But I don't think it's the program per se that held her back.
ETA: My most favorite move was the backward falling leaf, if that's the right name of the element. Anyway, some kind of backward-moving split jump!
I totally see what you're getting at, but I've been pretty "meh" on this program even when she did it relatively well at Nebelhorn. I love the music, but I just don't think I love it on her.
I totally see what you're getting at, but I've been pretty "meh" on this program even when she did it relatively well at Nebelhorn. I love the music, but I just don't think I love it on her.
Oddly enough, I actually liked her version of Carmen the most out of her FS programs. But I'm hoping she proves this wrong and makes it work.
Mirai's program is trash (even worse than last year's) and, sorry to say, she doesn't seem to be living a healthy enough lifestyle. She needs a new program with a different choreographer, a different coach, and someone outside of the rink to closely manage what she eats.