:scratch: I really dont see it, but at least I d prefer the non forced artistry of Mao to be copied.
Carolina s style doesnt look similar to Alisa btw.
Of course, Alissa and Carolina have different approaches and different styles. To me, when Alissa metamorphosed like a butterfly with her lovely, mesmerizing programs last season, that became the beacon. Even Miki Ando and coach took note and dumped Miki's original more edgy sp for a more lyrical style (which doesn't exactly suit Miki, but she prevailed overall at Worlds). For quite awhile, Carolina has been struggling with jump landings, consistency, and costumes (too often wearing too short numbers to show-off her legs, but coming off a bit too slutty -- the ones she's finally wearing now are much more complementary).
I think Carolina working with Frank is one of the first things that helped her adjust her approach and overall packaging, because she and her programs looked transformed during her brief time with Carroll, and I was happy for her. Carolina though wasn't happy in America, and she decided to return to a more comfortable setting with her former coach, which I think has been great for her. The key is that Carolina carried home with her a better, more refined approach to her skating, which is working beautifully. I'm not saying that Carolina is especially trying to do exactly what Alissa does. However, I am saying that Alissa's lyrical skating is inspirational. IMHO, Carolina has been inspired to express more lyricism without losing any of the edginess and angularity that defines her style. She has moderated her rush-rush speed, however, which I think has helped her concentration, and thus she is not botching as many of her jumps or falling completely apart. Not unlike Alissa, Carolina is still sometimes messy on the jump landings. Both Carolina and Alissa still have room for much improvement. I like them both, but I tend to enjoy Alissa more. That is not to say I don't root for Carolina -- I have and I do. I just do not like the sense of Carolina having the inside track politically, which even if many don't agree, has certainly been a factor in Carolina's career. At first she was being set-up for the 2006 Olympics (being awarded bronze prematurely IMO at 2005 Worlds). Carolina had a very hard time living up to the hype and the pressure, and she has struggled off and on since then. Perhaps this will be her season to shine more consistently. But I don't think she is high and above Alissa in any way. Speed is over-rated, and like I said, Carolina has modulated her speed for more effective presentation and artistic expression. We should all root for a good and uplifting rivalry.
ETA: I always enjoy hearing your take, museks8r. I never said that Alissa was the first or only lyrical skater on the planet. What I did and do say is that Alissa's skating has been inspirational to many of her peers, IMO, including Carolina. That doesn't mean I think their styles are the same. When we are inspired by something we see or feel, I believe that our senses and awareness are heightened to other possibilities within ourselves. This goes for skating and for any creative endeavor. As far as your other points, museks8r, sure I believe Mirai has not fully developed in her range because she has been struggling with her jump technique and her volatile emotions. You may love Carolina's choreography more than any of her competitors this season, but I don't think her choreography is necessarily superior to Alissa's. I do agree that Carolina has stronger jumps, but like Alissa, Carolina has lacked consistency in that area, for different reasons. As far as interpretive range, Carolina has nothing on Alissa. It seems to me there is an underlying sense in the critiques of "Oh Alissa and her spins, that's the only thing that sets her apart ... it's always heart in throat watching her jump." Well, I disagree that spins are the only thing Alissa has going for her, and I think Alissa has shown a great deal of toughness, spirit and backbone to get to where she is today. Both Alissa and Carolina sometimes struggle with their jumps, and they both have that "heart-in-throat" quality about their skating (in more ways than one).
2nd ETA: Definitely I agree with Carolina's win here, but she wasn't clean, and I do think her scores were a bit inflated, but nothing to get too excited about. At least Mirai is showing signs of life and improvement from her SC outing, and that's saying something.
