2024 Riga Cup Women's Short Program

[DemTuppesSeine]

And can they PLEASE stop marking elements invalid??

 

[Mariiiiskate]

Mao great as always

I still dont know if I like this program but her dress is very pretty.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

5. Mao SHIMADA
Defying Gravity by K. Chenoweth, I. Menzel

2A
3F
FCSp4 (slight travel on butterfly entry)
3Lz+3T
StSq?
LSp4
CCoSp4 (small travel on the I-spin)

SP: 71.67

Mao's packaging has consistently been excellent. This program is junior-appropriate while forcing her to perform and develop more presence on the ice. Having her spins on the climax of the music normally would fall flat, but since they're her best element, it's quite effective. The step sequence is very well-choreographed as well.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

Good ol' Mao~

 

[Layback11]

Is the sound a bit of the muffly side for other folk? I mean, the music choices so far have not been exactly inspired anyway but it sounds a bit more dull than at all necessary.

Oh good, I hear applause, the cameras seem fixed on the empty sides of the rink

Oh yeah, it was super noticeable when Mao's music started. Sound on the rink end is definitely muffled.

Also - love this music choice for Mao! She just looks a little serious at times? There are flashes of it here and there, but I really hope she can have fun with this program as the season goes and play up the exuberance of the music.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

I love the music. Can't remember how often I've seen Wicked and am definitely hyped for the movie

 

[elektra blue]

of course Mao is the best of the crop, that said this program feels generic and she's not giving me witch at all...well it's not easy to be green

 

[hermine17]

Great job Mao!!!

Mao + Penguin = adorable

 

[Jeanie19]

Mao. Pretty green dress. A fabulous program and skate.

 

[Jeanie19]

And can they PLEASE stop marking elements invalid??

Yes Please.

 

[TallyT]

Mao's dress is gorgeous, her music is a dreary mess (could be partly the poor sound quality).

I can't connect with her at all, but I can't deny the technical quality.

 

[lariko]

Great from Shimada!

 

[Mariiiiskate]

wait we have new georgian girl

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I didn't get the chance to say it at the time, but there was something badly wrong with the music that Kidakarn THAMSIRIANUNT (THA) was skating to.

You could barely hear Amy Winehouse singing! She was being drowned out by the drumming.

I'm not sure if it was the playback in the arena, or if it was actually meant to be like that. But, it just didn't sound right.

And although it was not quite the same extent, it was the same with Mao SHIMADA (JPN) there now. Idina Menzel was a lot louder than Amy Winehouse was, but the backing track was still louder than the vocals.

At least the skating went better for Mao than it did for Kidakarn.

New leader by some distance. But, that was to be expected.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[elektra blue]

first group ended and my notepad is still empty btw but maybe not for long...

 

[anonymoose_au]

Hello everyone! The skating season is on like Donkey Kong!

Ooo Jason Brown is commentating next event, exciting!

 

[TallyT]

At least the skating went better for Mao than it did for Kidakarn.

I hope Mao doesn't end up feeling stifled, given she has already won so much in juniors but can't go senior till after the 2026 Olympics.

 

[auser]

Ooh excited for the guest commentary lineup.

 

[anonymoose_au]

Ooo there's an Aussie here, neat!

How has everyone been over the past few months? I got into archery and am taking beginner's lesson on Sundays.

Dang this song always gets stuck in my head, I just got it out after last season

 

[elektra blue]

surprise cartwheel!