2012 GPF Ladies' Free Skate LP | Page 11 | Golden Skate

2012 GPF Ladies' Free Skate LP

Layfan

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
I thought Mao redeemed herself here after NHK. I still think her UR problem is a big issue, but at least she didn't double & pop jumps left and right. And I thought she skated with more energy here.

Ashley...:sigh: I know she's now America's #1 but I never liked her style of skating. And someone earlier got it (sorry I cannot remember the poster's name) -- her arm thrusting is extremely distracting, esp. because her arms appear really stiff when she does it. There's no fluid elegance to her arm gesture at all, and when all you do is just thrust your arms here and there to the music, while keeping them stiff, things get really old fast. I also don't believe that she's a naturally lyrical or musical skater, so she really works on those qualities (tho it doesn't always work...). Her skating feels very attack-y to me, but I think she did well here and really fought for her program.

Akiko is just... I can't even describe how disappointed that she didn't get to skate well here, and that she'll always be Japan's #2...maybe #3.

Funny, that is a bit how I felt about Ashley last year. Everyone raved about her Swan program and I wasn't sold at all. I thought she looked like she was trying so hard to be the swan and the swan arm movements were all wrong for her. You could see her thinking through it and and trying to be all feathery and floaty and fly-y. And just ... no.

But this year I feel completely differently! I think it's just the programs are so much better suited for her. I agree she is attack-y and she makes it look that way but this year's programs suit that. They are dramatic and they are not meant to be delicate. Ashley's not inelegant or anything but she's not a delicate type a la Mao so I think these programs work great for her.


Speaking of delicate (but strong) I just watched Mao finally with music and I love her final foot sequence. Phew! I kind of agree with Blades of Passion about the first half of the program not being the most original I've seen but I think she could still make everyone believe it is as the season progresses and her performance improves. But the last sequence - it seems very intricate yet powerful. Just me?
Really hope that girl continues to improve.
 

sapphiresky

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Did anyone see the French Canadian broadcast with Joannie's comments at the end? I tried to follow as much of the French as I could but would appreciate rough translations from French speakers :bow:
 

Ilvskating

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Congratulations Mao! I hope Yuna's return can give Mao new drive to be better. I hope Mao get her 3-3 and 3A back soon.
 

Tinymavy15

Sinnerman for the win
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Mao was a diffrent skater out there. I wonder if it has to do with that old competitive fire coming back with Yu-na's return. She skated with speed, fire, and that footwork sequence was simply fantastic. Now she just needs to start rotating those 3/3s.
 

creme cup

Rinkside
Joined
Dec 9, 2012
Mao pulled through a seemingly well done program though it wasn't technically intact. This will give her more confidence and motivation!
What I still don't quite understand is her strategy... She will be able to get bonus points if she does 3S jump just a few seconds later.
At first I thought she's gonna fix it but obviously she's just sticking with it.....
 
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