Mirai Nagasu | Page 22 | Golden Skate

Mirai Nagasu

I really love the SP and think she did a good job with it. I didn't care for the FS quite as much. I liked the choreography but didn't like the idea of the winner takes it all theme. Guess I thought she did such a great job at Worlds 2016 that I wanted to feel that she had moved on and gotten rid of her "demons". :) I was happy that she worked with different choreographers too. I'll be very interested to see what Tom Z thinks of the idea of keeping the programs.
 
Yes to the short. No to the long. I want her to skate to something that makes her smile again.
 
I can understand Mirai not wanting to ditch programs that she feels she has not skated to their full potential, but I hope that her team strongly discourages it. I cannot think of many instances, unless the person was injured for part of the season or did not skate in the grand prix series, where someone kept both of their programs from the previous season. I've always liked that Mirai has never kept a program for the next season, unless she kept one into the next season before and I am just forgetting.

The short is definitely the keeper of the two, though even with that she skated her personal best (Autumn Classic) and also somewhat had a moment with it at Nationals. I'm still hoping for two new programs. Maybe Mirai can turn Winner Takes it All into an exhibition if she really likes it that much? I also hope that Mirai and Tom make the decision sooner-like in early May at least- rather than later, since Mirai has talked about how it takes her a while to feel comfortable with a program.
 
Last edited:
For her sake I would think it's better to avoid a repeat of what happened for Sochi where she just missed out. A free program like that would be doubly depressing. Already I think it's going to be a tough hill to climb if the ladies can't secure 3 spots at this year's worlds (it's looking bleak). Since they have that new rule that they can send whoever they want and even national champions aren't guaranteed a spot anymore, that worries me for her sake. Wagner is definitely going. If Gracie rebounds she is definitely going... So it's tough.
 
Mirai should leave "The Winner Takes it All" behind, IMO. David Wilson missed the mark with that selection, which is surprising b/c he usually gets it right.

She enjoys her current EX to "Shake it Out" which is also personal but more uplifting. I'd like to see her do a Florence+the Machine medley for her freeskate. Perhaps Dog Days, Shake it Out and something more ballad-like would work.
 
I am an avid Mirai fan but, imo, she does not have natural musicality. So I can understand her desire/need to hang on to 2 programs that she has some connection with and can work on to make even better. It would be fantastic if she could take both these programs and focus on making a true connection with the music. The SP has already proven to be a top 3 program. And there was glimmer of greatness with the 4CC with the LP. I get those concerns about "the winner takes it all" as being a downer for Mirai. But I think as she has matured and now has more to her life than just skating, she realizes that "winning" is much more than medals. If she keeps the LP PLEASE, Team Mirai, get rid of that silly beginning where she pulls her head back and then forward. What is that - slo-mo whiplash?? And she needs to "sell" the step sequence at the end. The program has decent technical content but she needs to work on relating to the music and expressing it to the audience. If she lands her jumps and with her excellent spins, she could score in the 140s IF she can bump on those component marks.
 
apgold said:
Mirai should leave "The Winner Takes it All" behind, IMO. David Wilson missed the mark with that selection, which is surprising b/c he usually gets it right.

She enjoys her current EX to "Shake it Out" which is also personal but more uplifting. I'd like to see her do a Florence+the Machine medley for her freeskate. Perhaps Dog Days, Shake it Out and something more ballad-like would work.
Click to expand...

I've been playing Final Fantasy XV and they have a cover for Stand By Me in the game that I really like. Could be a nice exhibition!
 
apgold said:
IN has a new article about Mirai.

Mirai will be at the the Denver Invitational where Tom Z says:
Click to expand...
Love the fire that Mirai and Tom Z are showing in preparing for now and next year. I think she should keep both programs and really focus on consistency and ramping up the artistry particularly with the LP. If the USFSA won't send Mirai to 2017 Worlds to maintain 3 spots for the Ladies then she will just have to go after whatever is earned. Go Mirai!
 
why not add the 3A in the SP instead of LP?? since they are testing it, I would think adding it in the SP is the smarter move since she will only focus to 3 jumps and have better stamina.
 
Kittosuni said:
why not add the 3A in the SP instead of LP?? since they are testing it, I would think adding it in the SP is the smarter move since she will only focus to 3 jumps and have better stamina.
Click to expand...

Because they are adding the 3Lz to the program first. She often gets an edge call, so it's better to split them like this.
 
It's interesting that they are trying the lutz in the short. It looks like Mirai didn't get edge calls on her lutz this year at Autumn Classic, NHK, or 4CC (just a ! on her lutz at Lombardia). Though Mirai is one of those skaters who sometimes gets an edge call on her lutz OR flip (she got an ! on her flip combo in the NHK lp but a clean lutz). She's had some random issues with her SP loop this year, so we will see how the lutz goes at the local event.
 
slider11 said:
I am an avid Mirai fan but, imo, she does not have natural musicality. So I can understand her desire/need to hang on to 2 programs that she has some connection with and can work on to make even better. It would be fantastic if she could take both these programs and focus on making a true connection with the music. The SP has already proven to be a top 3 program. And there was glimmer of greatness with the 4CC with the LP. I get those concerns about "the winner takes it all" as being a downer for Mirai. But I think as she has matured and now has more to her life than just skating, she realizes that "winning" is much more than medals. If she keeps the LP PLEASE, Team Mirai, get rid of that silly beginning where she pulls her head back and then forward. What is that - slo-mo whiplash?? And she needs to "sell" the step sequence at the end. The program has decent technical content but she needs to work on relating to the music and expressing it to the audience. If she lands her jumps and with her excellent spins, she could score in the 140s IF she can bump on those component marks.
Click to expand...

I totally disagree about Mirai's musicality. I saw her at one of her guest appearances in a local show and she definitely had it going on. But I agree that if she loves TWTIA, that is reason for her to keep it. (I also like the beginning where she leans back and then forward).
 
Danibellerika said:
For her sake I would think it's better to avoid a repeat of what happened for Sochi where she just missed out. A free program like that would be doubly depressing. Already I think it's going to be a tough hill to climb if the ladies can't secure 3 spots at this year's worlds (it's looking bleak). Since they have that new rule that they can send whoever they want and even national champions aren't guaranteed a spot anymore, that worries me for her sake. Wagner is definitely going. If Gracie rebounds she is definitely going... So it's tough.
Click to expand...

But she won't miss out because of her music selection. Mirai just needs to land her jumps. She can't control her PCS, which I think is unfairly low. She can control her technical content. Her non-jump elements are among the best--certainly the best among the American ladies (with Karen Chen a close second). If she can pull off the 3A and skate the rest mostly clean (no falls, two-foots or step outs), I think she can make the team for the Olympics. After all, unless Gracie Gold comes back with the competitive mindset of a Michelle Kwan or Katarina Witt, the US has no shot at a gold medal. If there are three spots (a big if, I know), I think Mirai with a 3A would be a lock for the team. I think the US should wait until after the Olympics to name the World team. In some ways, that selection is more important because it determines the number of spots for the next season.
 
jenaj said:
But she won't miss out because of her music selection. Mirai just needs to land her jumps. She can't control her PCS, which I think is unfairly low. She can control her technical content. Her non-jump elements are among the best--certainly the best among the American ladies (with Karen Chen a close second). If she can pull off the 3A and skate the rest mostly clean (no falls, two-foots or step outs), I think she can make the team for the Olympics. After all, unless Gracie Gold comes back with the competitive mindset of a Michelle Kwan or Katarina Witt, the US has no shot at a gold medal. If there are three spots (a big if, I know), I think Mirai with a 3A would be a lock for the team. I think the US should wait until after the Olympics to name the World team. In some ways, that selection is more important because it determines the number of spots for the next season.
Click to expand...

I never thought about it like that, but a Mirai showing a reliable triple axel could definitely make a stronger case for herself, especially if she has a good grand prix series and nationals.
 
jenaj said:
But she won't miss out because of her music selection. Mirai just needs to land her jumps. She can't control her PCS, which I think is unfairly low. She can control her technical content. Her non-jump elements are among the best--certainly the best among the American ladies (with Karen Chen a close second). If she can pull off the 3A and skate the rest mostly clean (no falls, two-foots or step outs), I think she can make the team for the Olympics. After all, unless Gracie Gold comes back with the competitive mindset of a Michelle Kwan or Katarina Witt, the US has no shot at a gold medal. If there are three spots (a big if, I know), I think Mirai with a 3A would be a lock for the team. I think the US should wait until after the Olympics to name the World team. In some ways, that selection is more important because it determines the number of spots for the next season.
Click to expand...

Insightful comment, jenaj. Alot is on Ashley's shoulders this year to not only have a podium finish at Worlds but help secure 3 spots for the USA for next year. Then, of course, it's what the skaters can put forth for next season as winning programs. Gracie is the mystery skater - can Marina get her back on track. The judges never really abandoned Gracie so if she can regain her jumps I think she has potential to be the US #1. Mirai is the wild card! I agree that if she can pull off that 3A, keep the rest of her technical content in place and ramp up some artistry - she could definitely be in the mix. Mira has had alot of good and bad skates in the last couple years, but overall, I see the international judges as slowly coming back to her with less scrutiny on her jumps and better components. But it's been slow and something like the 3A may be the spark she needs.
 
Danibellerika said:
I never thought about it like that, but a Mirai showing a reliable triple axel could definitely make a stronger case for herself, especially if she has a good grand prix series and nationals.
Click to expand...

Yes it could in theory help her to get more respect & better scores even if it wouldn't be permanent element of her programs. It could elevate her from ''one of many good skaters'' to ''one of contenders'' category / tier. Better programs with more expression would not hurt either, but I can understand her current focus on improving jumps. It's basis. Otherwise she has all the makings to be contending for medals internationally not only at 4CC.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

labgoat
2025-26 Kazakh Championships
Replies
0
Views
650
labgoat
labgoat
R
What are your 5 favorites programs of the season so far?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
5K
cocteautwin
cocteautwin
Walt FSHunter
2026 Ukrainian Junior Championships
Replies
0
Views
481
Walt FSHunter
Walt FSHunter
Silevril Ilumire
Patrick Blackwell
Replies
1
Views
814
Silevril Ilumire
Silevril Ilumire
Walt FSHunter
2026 Hong Kong Nationals
Replies
1
Views
455
labgoat
labgoat
Back
Top