Ladies LP

[CalloftheBlade]

Is it just me or does Yuna's edge jumps always keep you on the edge worried that she'll make a mistake? She seems to struggle with the salchow a lot and the loop as well. Her salchow never seems to get enough height and usually looks underrotated to me :-/

 

[PROKOFIEV]

So, we have a champion who can perfect only 3 jumps, 2A, 3T and 3Lz.???

 

[gourry]

Is it just me or does Yuna's edge jumps always keep you on the edge worried that she'll make a mistake? She seems to struggle with the salchow a lot and the loop as well. Her salchow never seems to get enough height and usually looks underrotated to me :-/

I wouldn't say that. Axel is also an edge jump, right? Her 2A is to die for.
Also, she is confident enough to add combination jumps to 3S when she has trouble with her planned combination jumps. She has had her 3S in her gala numbers as well for quite a while.
About 3L, she said it's psychological stuff. Here is what she said about her loop;
''If I couldn't do it, I would just give it up. But in practice I land Loops just as well as other jumps. So I can't throw it out completely. It's just psychological." I think it was during an interview before 4CC or GPF.
Her 3S is not as huge as her toe-jumps but I love that jump of her and I think so does Kurt who said 'bea~utiful Salchaw' during his commentation on her 4CC LP.

 

[bekalc]

I find the idea that Yu-na has issues with her 3 salchow to be laughable. Yu-na didn't miss her 3 salchow ONCE last year, and she landed it just fine 3 times this year.

Her 3 salchow seemed to have a pretty difficult entrance just right after her spiral sequence and it's at the end of her program. It's more likely that Yu-na has some stamina issues, more so than issues with her 3 salchow. Seriously if the girl couldn't do a 3 salchow, she wouldn't be putting it in her exhibitions so much.

 

[screech]

IIRC, Yu Na did a nice 3s in her exhibition...

 

[gourry]

So, we have a champion who can perfect only 3 jumps, 2A, 3T and 3Lz.???

You see, you should be really careful because this kind of remark can bring this kind of reply:

We had a champion who didn't have 3Lz and 3S.

Ouch!

 

[cvg16]

I’m so heartbroken for Mao. I really wanted her to win this one mostly because I’ve always been drawn to underdogs and to people who I see are trying to overcome difficulties and their weaknesses. I sort of feel more invested in them and in their growth that way and it makes me appreciate their performance more. I don’t really follow the figure skating season - up until this one. But I saw Mao at Worlds 07 and I liked her. I saw her at Worlds 08 landing everything after that disastrous fall on the 3axel and I loved her. I watched her videos and saw her attempting 3a, 3a3t, 2a3t, 3f3t, 3f3lo and improving her spins and spirals over the years. She brought back her salchow and her solo toeloop. She’s trying to correct her lutz. She’s really inspiring – like, sometimes, if I’m lacking in motivation, I’ll tell myself “If Mao can do it so can I” Corny and kinda lame, I know, but I get so desperate and sooo unmotivated at times…

And that’s why I find it so frustrating that despite all these elements that she can do, the high quality of her spins, spiral and skating, it still comes out that the one to beat is Yuna. Don’t get me wrong, I love Yuna and she definitely deserved her win. But perfection can get boring. Its like after I watch a perfect Danse Macabre once, I don’t wanna see it again. Is her 4cc performance of it really 3pts better than her Worlds performance of it? (Just thinking out loud, I’m really not familiar with the scoring and the judging) I would have loved her win better if she attempted the loop at the long – even if she doesn’t land it.

So the name of the game really is consistency –pinpointing the stuff you do best and doing it over and over again. Apparently being the jack-of-all trades is not the way to go. There is reluctance in Mao’s camp I think to just pick the stuff that she can really do consistently so she can get more points. They would have to make a decision about it for next year. Hopefully, Mao comes out strong and consistent next year so I can have another overcoming-all-obstacles, triumphant-after-hardship inspirational story I can bawl all over.

That’s all and I hope I didn’t offend anyone. (I get so scared of posting here sometimes for fear of upsetting someone. *Shudder*)

 

[bmelanie]

I’m so heartbroken for Mao. I really wanted her to win this one mostly because I’ve always been drawn to underdogs and to people who I see are trying to overcome difficulties and their weaknesses. I sort of feel more invested in them and in their growth that way and it makes me appreciate their performance more. I don’t really follow the figure skating season - up until this one. But I saw Mao at Worlds 07 and I liked her. I saw her at Worlds 08 landing everything after that disastrous fall on the 3axel and I loved her. I watched her videos and saw her attempting 3a, 3a3t, 2a3t, 3f3t, 3f3lo and improving her spins and spirals over the years. She brought back her salchow and her solo toeloop. She’s trying to correct her lutz.

I definitely admire Mao for her ability to make a comeback after falls and her willingness to challenge herself, again and again. I was really impressed by how ambitious her LP was this season, not just with the difficulty of the jumps but also by the choice of music, but I also think it underlined the fact that Tarasova is not really the best coach for her. Sure, Mao's trying out new styles, and this season I think is more experimental than her other seasons (especially with regards to her LP) but, as another poster said, she's putting all too many eggs in the triple axel basket. The fact that she had two 3As was amazing, but also felt like a big shout out: 'LOOK! I'VE GOT TWO 3AS!'. And while I was impressed with her LP, but I didn't like it. It felt like two 3As, combos, and a lot of arm-flailing in between. Mostly the aggressive music consumed and owned Mao rather than Mao owning the music. I felt tired just watching her skate.

I see where you're coming from with Danse Macabre (it's strange, because I never tire of rewatching her Tango SP but this one wore out mid-season for me). That said, I find Yuna very inspiring because she literally came out of nowhere onto the figure skating scene. Korea does not have a history of figure skating. She does not have her own rink to practice at in Korea (Mao has, um, two) so she has to go to a public rink where people take photos of her 24/7, and a lot of the money she earns from starring in commercials goes to a) funding for young prospective figure skaters and b) her own training fees (I can't imagine Canada and Brian Orser come cheap). This is one of the reasons why Koreans adore her so much - she's totally the underdog dream come true. No funding, no support, no sponsors...yet she made it through. And this is the first season she's been completely injury-free! I'm just so happy that she didn't let the grand prix loss get to her and just skated as well as she could have. I'm always in awe of her perfection, because I know all the difficulties she must have gone through to get there.

 

[PROKOFIEV]

You see, you should be really careful because this kind of remark can bring this kind of reply:

We had a champion who didn't have 3Lz and 3S.

Ouch!

Yes. But Mao had 3A besides other jumps. And She worked hard and perfected 3S
And hopefully she will perfect 3Lz, too.I admire her for trying to fix it.I just am hoping that Yu-na will work hard and fix her flip and loop and put them in her program next year. I feel that in order for her to become an Olympic champion,she must show us her versatile. She has to show us that she can do everything. That is to me the real champion. It would be nice that if rules require both toe combos and loop combo. Would it be nice to see triple-triple toe and triple-triple loop combo in one program? And that it requires not to repeat any jumps.But I know it is too much to ask.

 

[PROKOFIEV]

bmelanie, Of course, she must put 3A in her programs. I do not care what anyone says, putting 2 3A is extraordinary. Who has done it before? There are skaters who can do 3L-3T combos but Mao is the only lady in the world who could to 2 3A in one program.And It is a courageous thing to do. It is risky to do so for the current new judging system, but Mao and TAT did not care. They wanted to try.And she is not just satisfied with having 3A .She got 3S back and now she is working really hard to fix her lutz. She did not say "hay I have 3A, so I do not need to fix anything." Whatever happens in the end, I just admire her for not dwelling on one spot, instead she is always challenging herself for new spot. And I know jumps are not only elements that she works on, just like other skaters, spins,spirals, step sequences, etc etc..... I believe that TAT is the best choice for MAO. After saying this, I am very sure Yu-na will do the same as well. I am sure she is not going to be satisfied and say "well, I have great 3L-3T, so I do not have to fix anything. I do not need to because I will win anyway with jumps I have". I am sure she will work hard to perfect all other jumps and improve other elements, as well especially now that she is a world champion.I just can not wait for the next season. I know all other skaters will work hard to show us improved skating. That is why they are considered top athletes in the world. Personally, I can not wait for Rachael, Caroline and Mirai.

 

[bmelanie]

prokofiev, I never said that Mao shouldn't put 3As in her program - she can do them, so of course she should use them! What I meant was that it seemed as though the focus was disproportionately placed upon the 3As, and not to other components of the program. Another poster used this term - 'ticking off jumps' - and that's what I felt watching her LP. There wasn't a lot of choreography between jumps (her step sequence was marvelous, but her arms were...well, flailing), and on the whole the artistry was a couple notches below Yuna's. I don't think I heard anyone say, 'wow, Mao showed so much emotion and expression in that LP', did you? Most of the times I watched her LP I saw her somewhat nervous, flustered and preoccupied (not her fault but more that of the choice of music...)

 

[life684]

With Mao finishing fourth does that mean she may be asked to complete in a grand prix event along with Yu Na Kim next year. That will be some competition but, will be very hard on other sin the field.

It seems strange that Mao is loosing levels on her spins and her spirals since she has some really good positions, i hope Tarasova and Mao will try to get level 4s in this department as well.

I am so glad for Miki, it will be such a treat if she walks away with gold in Vancouver. She has all the jumps to do it and hope she tries 3Lz+3T rather than the loop, It seems Tech. controllers are bit hard on ladies doing loop combo, Mao seems to be the only person who has been lucky(not always).

 

[antmanb]

So, we have a champion who can perfect only 3 jumps, 2A, 3T and 3Lz.???

No that is not only an understatement but it is completely incorrect. We have a world champion who in her LP at those world championships landed 2A (three of them all with positive GOE some as high as 3), 3T, 3F (there may have been a "1" but all of the judging panel bar one didn't agree that there was any edge chage) and 3Lz. She popped out on the 3S which means that she made an error in this one program. The loop is a jump she struggles with.

Ant

 

[gourry]

Yes. But Mao had 3A besides other jumps. And She worked hard and perfected 3S
And hopefully she will perfect 3Lz, too.I admire her for trying to fix it.I just am hoping that Yu-na will work hard and fix her flip and loop and put them in her program next year.

Maybe you forgot she fell down on 3A on taking off so practically there was no 3A and she didn't attempt 3S when she got the title. And you were talking about 'world champion', right?

But I'm glad Mao brought 3S this season.
About about Yuna's flip, I personally find no problem. Especially at this Worlds, it seemed perfectly ok so I was very surprised the judges gave her ! anyway. If you see the replay, you will find it difficult to tell it has edge issue. But that's just me.

 

[Mathman]

I’m so heartbroken for Mao. I really wanted her to win this one mostly because I’ve always been drawn to underdogs and to people who I see are trying to overcome difficulties and their weaknesses. I sort of feel more invested in them and in their growth that way and it makes me appreciate their performance more...

I am glad that you find inspiration in Mao Asada's skating. But I do not think we can say that Mao is an underdog at all.

Mao was the defending World Champion and the winner of the 2009 Four Continents, ahead of Yu-na Kim both times. She has won many championships in her career, including the 2005 Junior World Championship and the 2005 and 2008 Grand Prix Finals.

In the 2005-2006 season she was too young to go to the OLympics, but she beat the entire Olympic podium -- Shizuka Arakawa, Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya -- on the Grand Prix circuit.

Mao will be back strong next year. As her coach, Tatiana Tarasova, said, "You have to cry this year so you can smile next year at the Olympics."

 

[PROKOFIEV]

bmelanie, you are right. you have never said Mao should not put 3A at all. So sorry if I put it wrong. And you are right in that she seemed nervous. In fact she was so nervous about lutz edge in short program that she lost correct timing and ended up doubling it and after that she could not skate as well as she could. And that caused her 10points behind Yu-na. Consequently, that made her more insecure about herself and led to not so great long program. (Although I still think she did well, but not as good as she could). Being nervous about jump costed her level of spins and spiral as well. We know she can do level 4 spins and spirals if she wants to. I also agree with you that with waltz music, it is really difficult to express emotions. I do not know why TAT music. She wanted to build up her stamina? I do not know.I hope Mao can become more comfortable with her jumps so that she can put everything she has into her program without any second thoughts.

 

[PROKOFIEV]

Maybe you forgot she fell down on 3A on taking off so practically there was no 3A and she didn't attempt 3S when she got the title. And you were talking about 'world champion', right?

But I'm glad Mao brought 3S this season.
About about Yuna's flip, I personally find no problem. Especially at this Worlds, it seemed perfectly ok so I was very surprised the judges gave her ! anyway. If you see the replay, you will find it difficult to tell it has edge issue. But that's just me.

You are right she fell 3A,but and did not try 3S. But she did do two 2A, 3F-3L, 3F-3T, 3L, 3Lz(with edge call). I felt her program was more versatile. I also though Yu-na's flip was good,but being champion, I am sure Yu-na definitely want to perfect it so that she will never get ! just like Mao is trying hard for her lutz. I am sure Yu-na will work on triple loop, too and maybe loop combination as well. With new judging sytem, it is easier to do jumps one can do well instead of risking the ones not so comfortable with in order to accumulate the points. It is wiser to do same comfortable jumps and accumulate plus GOE points to win.But to be a real champion, one has to show the best all-around skating. I know It is much harder to do, but Yu-na and Mao are capable of it. I just can not wait for next season. And I have to say again, I can not wait for Rachael, Mirai, and Caroline to improve more. They are still young and I know they will do the best they can to catch up with Yu-na, Mao, Johannie, Miki.
BTW, I really appreciate anyone commenting on my post. I know I do not have good command of English and I am very sorry if I confuse anyone or misunderstand anyone. Thank you.

 

[bekalc]

I'm going to say this as cool as Mao's 2 3axel attempts were, her program lay out was more difficult last year. Last year she had 2 3/3s and a triple axel. That layout was more successful and had more base value than what she performed at worlds.

Plus, Mao is inconsistent with 2 triple axels, I think she only hit them cleanly once this year,and well Yu-na would have been able to beat her at GPF, if Yu-na had skated her best.

The key for Mao next year will be 3/3s. If I'm Mao's competitor, I want Mao to go for 2 triple axels and no 3/3s.

 

[saltypig]

Maybe Mao should forgo the triple axel to make the program better just like Evan and Jeffrey before Evan forgoing the quad and winning worlds.

On the other hand if you do land it consistently go ahead because it will work wonders for your score. Just look at Yukari - she consistently landed it last year (albeit sometimes underrotated but it got her 4th in the world). This year she basically lost her triple axel and she didn't even make it to worlds.

 

[wonderlen3000]

I agree as 3/3 will be the key that possibly seperate the medal color between the skaters and who is on the podium and who is not. At this stage, it seem like Kim is the only one that is capable of fully rotated the 3/3 combination and her 2A worth as much as 3S or 3Lo with GOE. Mao just need one 3A to compensate for her flutz. To be hornest a < 3/3 get more credit than < 3A so she just need to get one consistant 3/3 and one 3A. Mao can make up other mark on the spins and spiral sequences. At this stage it seem like, other than Kim every skater should just play safe and do 3+2 combo, but then you don't know how far kim will be ahead of you.