Japanese Nationals

[hazey]

I'm glad that Mao finally showed everyone her beautiful SP without a hitch.
Her triple loop did look as if she touched the ice very slightly with her free leg (if you watch the replay) - but I love her tight, quick revolutions in the air. So pretty.

Did anyone hear how loud the crowd cheered the second when she landed the combo? I could be imagining it but I thought I heard a quick collective sigh of relief before the applause.

Another thing is Mao's musicality, I really like her movements to the music in this recent SP. There are so many moments when she did a move to highlight the music. One example: at the start of the second spiral position, she grabs her blade above her head (hitting the position) exactly to the violin note. My favorite part of the SP? The few seconds after her step sequence leading into the spin; they sum up my thoughts after watching the program: what an artist she has become.

Edit: I can't wait to see Takahashi's LP!

 

[Sylvia]

Daisuke Takahashi's FS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCAK6ZzyETo

 

[sorcerer]

terpskate4ever has already posted the details for us, but I'll note the links just in case you need them.

Enter from here:
http://www.skatingjapan.jp/National/2007-2008/fs/national/E/index.htm
I'm hoping the protocols will be linked from here tomorrow (or from pages nearby).
Mens LP:
http://www.skatingjapan.jp/National/2007-2008/fs/national/E/data0105.htm
Mens results:
http://www.skatingjapan.jp/National/2007-2008/fs/national/E/data0190.htm

Kozuka did very well, I think. It is almost certain that: too bad for Nakaniwa not getting the ticket for Worlds while congrats to Nanri for making it. Personally, I feel for Nakaniwa. He's 26 and it was when Japan had only 1 ticket for Worlds that he got silver in Nats ...and this season might have been his last chance...
(Selection for Worlds and 4CC won't be announced till tommorrow.)

Ladies LP will be televised in about 16 hours.
Mao has already been promised the ticket because of her podium in the GPF.
I wonder who'll make the 2 left tickets.
In the K&C Nakano's face turned very grave in discontent when she knew she came behind Suguri.
Such severe tension for everybody! Even the spectators' stomachs ache.

 

[Hsuhs]

Congratulations to Daisuke

 

[sorcerer]

So Miki gets the most of pressure again !
She'll start dead last in the LP !

http://www.skatingjapan.jp/National/2007-2008/fs/national/E/data0205.htm

 

[C_T_T_]

Yukari Nakano SP
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AclpzUrqVUI

Fumie Suguri SP
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wjpq0RsSWw4

Takahashi LP
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iCAK6ZzyETo

 

[Dodhiyel]

....Word has it from Japanese Media reports that he is currently talking with officials at JSF on when he will begin his 2008 season

Thank you for this good word, visaliakid; it is *so* good to read that Nobunari is talking about his 2008 season.

 

[Medusa]

Wow, Takahashi... If he does that at Worlds, Joubert would need three Quads, Lambiel would need to be clean (unlikely) and guys like Verner and Lysacek would need a miracle.

4T - 4T-2T - 3A - 3A-2T - 3F-3T - 3S - 3R - 3L --- the 4T and 3A combo both looked a bit tight, but no major mistake like stepping out. Everything else was beautiful plus five triples in the second half of his program! I love his very deep position on the sitspin, though I think that his spins could be a bit - I don't know - tidier. He does not have major mistakes while doing them, but often there is a tiny bit of traveling, the change of position looks a bit shaky sometimes.

I thought that the presentation was way better than at the GPF, the step sequences were amazing and suit the serious music. The program is really growing on me. It just looks more like a Morozov-production than anything else Takahashi has done last season or in this years SP.

 

[emma]

Takahashi did look good - thanks for the links!!! Quick question though: doesn't one of the combinations have to be a three jump combo to count??

 

[Mathman]

No, one of the combinations may contain three jumps.

 

[goldenpleasures]

Takahashi did look good - thanks for the links!!! Quick question though: doesn't one of the combinations have to be a three jump combo to count??

No, it doesn't have to be, though if it isn't then he's not maxing out his technical score.

Was Dai's second 4T under-rotated? It looked it to me; does anyone know whether it was downgraded?

 

[emma]

thanks for the clarification MM and goldenpleasures

I only watched once - the quad looked good but I wasn't looking closely for errors, just getting the feel for the performance -- i was wondering about the salchow or loop (can't remember which one).

 

[Hsuhs]

Was Dai's second 4T under-rotated?

Could be. It looked like it took ages for the judges to announce the score.

 

[Mathman]

No, it doesn't have to be, though if it isn't then he's not maxing out his technical score.

But I think in Daisuke's case this program pretty much maxes out what he is capable of.

He did a quad combo and a 3A combo. Most combos with three jumps are something like 3F+2Lo+2T (only 2.8 extra for the two doubles). Takahashi's 3F+3T is worth more, and he probably feels it's not worth the risk to try to tack a 2T onto the end of it.

If he could manage a 4T/3T or a triple 3A/3T, change his 3F/3T to 3F/3Lo, and change his solo loop to a double Axel he could squeeze a couple of extra points out. But his present jump layout seems to be perfect and perfectly in accord with his ability.

 

[bibi]

I like her dress. It made her look more grown-up, lady-like. Now we know why, it's her older sister's dress -- maybe Mao should consider switching costume designer/producer, I think at 17 going on 18, it's time for her to go with a more mature look on the ice. I like how she stayed in character with her dramatic music for a few seconds after her music ended -- she looked so serious. It's only when she smiles again, that you realize that she still is just a girl.

Does someone know who is her costum designer?

Wow! I liked so much Mao SP, hope she can skate as good in the LP as she did at the GPF!

 

[lerei]

Kozuka did very well, I think. It is almost certain that: too bad for Nakaniwa not getting the ticket for Worlds while congrats to Nanri for making it. Personally, I feel for Nakaniwa. He's 26 and it was when Japan had only 1 ticket for Worlds that he got silver in Nats ...and this season might have been his last chance...
(Selection for Worlds and 4CC won't be announced till tommorrow.)

I feel for him too. I love his skating style. I hope he can have a solid showing at 4cc.

 

[Bennett]

Mao's dress. I like the shape and colors of the new dress. I think that the combination of purple, white, and a bit of pink is very feminine and suits her well. I think that bright, rosy colors tend to underscore Mao's natural brightness and happiness.

The longer skirt is also very pretty. I always like Mao wearing long skirts, so does Yukari. The length of this skirt is very ladylike. The light airy texture of the skirt also suits her light skating.

The only thing that bugs me about this dress is the the shiny rainbow colored decoration. I don't find it very tasteful. But seen from the distance, it's not noticeable.

On the other hand, I think that the older dress has a more beautiful design; especially seen from the close distance, the picture of the bird is like an artwork. The only complain that I had about that dress was the short skirt. The short skirt tends to make her look a bit younger. Other than that, I loved that dress a lot.

 

[demarinis5]

Loved Fumie's SP. You go girl!! I will be rooting for her to medal and make the World team.Thanks for the link.

 

[ChrisH]

Fumie's jumps looked bigger and more solid. She appeared to skate faster. OTOH, I preferred the originality of the tuxedo costume she used in the GPs, although it could've used some color. I don't think she sold the choreo as much. Imagine that, more focus on the technical vs. presentation led to a higher score.

Does Fumie have to win big over Nakano to make the Worlds team?

 

[Jaana]

Takahashi did really well and I´m very happy for him. Have to watch the Kozuka and Nanri clips (did like Kozuka in previous season a lot). I´m though worried about Takashi´s freeskate programme as it seems to me to have been created as a bit too busy. Kind of reminded me (in being a bit too busy) of Kulik´s 1996-1997 freeskate, which though was created by Tarasova.