Rino Matsuike | Page 4 | Golden Skate

Rino Matsuike

Rino!!! What an eventful season. 4CC may not be the end of the (international) season she had wanted, but to make it to the team especially after the results of her previous seasons is quite remarkable.

I'm here especially after watching the Women's 4CC FS and listening to Chris Howarth being so, so effusive about Rino's skating. It takes me back to Ted Barton going "wooowwwweee!!!" the first time he watched Rino in the JGP back in 2019. Rino's skating skills are such a God-given gift, I'm so, so, so happy that now more and more people have seen it and think the same, including Lori Nichol herself!

Back in 2019 it felt like a long way to go, there were some very difficult years in between too. As a fan, I hope Rino realizes that her skating belongs with the best of the best in this sport, and that she can be up there too at the top of the competition if she can continue to build from this season and be more consistent in rotating and landing her jumps. But even if her path turns out to be outside of competition, I will support her too.

Korean fans are reporting that Rino is able to communicate quite well in Korean, with it being one of the things she studies at college and also her being a fan of Korean boy group BTS. It's nice to see and I hope she enjoys her stay in Korea!
 
I absolutely love Rino's Lux Aeterna. She performed a SP version at Dreams on Ice, so I guess she is repurposing it for the coming season. I'm happy to have more of Lux Aeterna, but my initial reaction is that perhaps a long form version is better for this music and concept. I feel that the program benefits from having more time to build the dreamy, spiritual effect. However, I'm open to being convinced otherwise and I realize that it is still very early. Just want to say again how much I treasure Rino's skating, and I'll be rooting for her!
 
Video of Rino's CoC skates, from the ISU's YouTube channel.

Her SP, Lux Aeterna is still lovely when short:



Her FP, complete with unexpected step sequence fall:

 
I love Rino's skating so so so so much. Finlandia's Nutcracker was pure delight.



Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker is a tough program because it is quite one-note with the very moderate tempo, as well as the melodic theme repeating over and over again. But with Rino's skating it becomes so compelling to me, like watching a ballet performance where I just enjoy the music together with the patient glide and flow, and I just love the consistency of her positions and the way she goes into them. She is the little ballerina and she made that venue her music box, enthralled with every single stroke.

I don't think she'll make it to the Olympics, but I really, really hope she can get the support to compete for another quad. I'm just not ready to lose this style and quality of skating just because her scores will never be able to accurately reflect the magic that her skating can bring.
 
I admit I have been unaware of this beautiful skater. Watched her Fin programs over the weekend and was blown away! It has been a very very long time since I saw such a beautiful FS! Congrats Rino on wining the Bronze Medal. I am sure Gold is in your future.
 
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