A working link to Mao\'s SP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgkICQ8oV8o
I agree. She had the most complex and challenging choreo by far, and yet at the same time the most smooth. All the elements were superb and just so effortlessly flowing from one move to another. The step sequence brought me to tears. How come it does not get lvl4 is beyond me - I think even most of the dancers would have problems executing such complex steps, including twizzles in both direction with hands over head, a twizzle right out of a falling leaf, gorgeous arabesques... And yet it goes with the music so well and does not look like random chopping the ice just for the sake of getting a higher level.
A poster on the Mao forum said that her low score was a result of getting low non-jump elements (lvl1 spiral, lvl2 spin...). Which is sad, because she obviously spent so much time working on those elements, and they looked great and well-timed with the music. I\'m afraid that the choreography, as gorgeous as it is, is at fault here: the moves are so close one to another that missing the timing could easily disrupt the flow and make the moves not go with the music well. Mao chose to ride the music - and I think it was her best performance emotion-wise - but she apparently held the position just not long enough.
It reminded me of a recent performance of Fumie Suguri... As the camera closed on her during the spiral, you could clearly see her lips moving - she was counting the seconds, with the expression of utmost concentration. This was sad to see from a skater who is usually so joyful and expressive in Galas...
I had really liked the idea of CoP, but I\'m getting really annoyed with how it is being implemented.
Not so long ago, when I saw a great performance I could say it was a great performance. Now I apparently must rewatch it again with a timer, check the number of revolutions, check the features for levels, wonder (with little success rate) what will be downgraded and what-not... A clean(er), powerful, often more difficult performance does not impress the judges anymore, it is only important that you mind your levels and rotate jumps (even if you fall - see Pairs LP).
I still think CoP could become a great system. But this clinical, mathematical approach makes me think that the judges/TC\'s can\'t see the forest for the trees.
