Mao News - Off-Season 2011!

i agree aoi88 but you can't just expect and ask for a masterpiece of a competitive program from a choreographer and get it.. since the choregrapher always does his best or is atleast suppost to wheter that is enough to create a program the judges like is a totally different case..
no matter what is going to do for mao as long mao is in great condition and have completely gotten used to her new technique she will do fine.. since even if the judges don't like her program as long as the technical content is there she will be unstoppable... just think about 2010 where mao's sp masquerade and fs bells wasn't well received but she still won national, 4cc, and worlds that year.. so for me the biggest obstacle and the only thing that I am worried about is that mao has gotten used to her new technique which I think she has thinking about how she performed at nationals and 4cc... and ofcourse is in good condition..

ballerinamao wrote:

i agree aoi88 but you can't just expect and ask for a masterpiece of a competitive program from a choreographer and get it.. since the choregrapher always does his best or is atleast suppost to wheter that is enough to create a program the judges like is a totally different case..
no matter what is going to do for mao as long mao is in great condition and have completely gotten used to her new technique she will do fine.. since even if the judges don't like her program as long as the technical content is there she will be unstoppable... just think about 2010 where mao's sp masquerade and fs bells wasn't well received but she still won national, 4cc, and worlds that year.. so for me the biggest obstacle and the only thing that I am worried about is that mao has gotten used to her new technique which I think she has thinking about how she performed at nationals and 4cc... and ofcourse is in good condition..

This. To me all these talks about programs are just excuses, let's remember Plushy. If you're in great shape, hitting all your jumps, you're a top skater, no matter what program you have. No matter how masterpiece your program is , it won't help you if your technical side is down. I know almost all Mao fans like Dreams of love LP, but I'm the one who is not fond of it, it's too mediocre. Mao is capable of more, much more then repeating herself from 2006 and to me it doesn't look good anymore.

well I don't thik mao has repeatet herself just because mao's s liebestraum is soft music and reminds of mao's nocturne... I looooved mao's fs this year and I am one off those who wouldn't mind her keeping it since it's a wonderful piece og music and choreograpy... and pretty unique how mao beginns and ends the programm... and like a said before it's the te4chnical content that matters and mao's condition...

I am sorry - I have no technical or insane knowledge about choreography!
But you gotta do what the judges want!
And for the last three years - Judges have been intently scrutinizing minor details and giving high scores to skaters who maintain a flow in their choreography (Yuna/Mirai for example)
Okay Tat is an extremely talented lady - But what she does for Mao is just not appreciated by the judges -
I really loved Mao's Olympic SP or the Bells LP! They were powerful pros - But as stated in many posts above - It felt incomplete - You just feel a bit weirded out when Mao just flows on the ice - with no movement - It was as if she stops too much in between her choreography - and obviously skaters like Yuna who really perform every single move - overscore Mao!

Okay liestraume is a soft romantic thing which seems another Lori's act - But it was a good change for Mao - I mean she did not skate on something likewise for the last two seasons - and what's wrong in doing what you do the best! Plus it has a variety of jumps - the choreography seems so much complete - (You don't see her pausing) - Its like a pro which would get her huge marks! If I had to choose between Liestraume and Bells - It would have been Liestraume - Maybe Bells was something unique and is now a 'Mao-Cult' - But I would not encourage something new - specially if Mao is still working her jumps -

I just hope Tat won't pressurize Mao to do two 3A again - or leave down her 3-3 which she should include if she wants to remain at the top!

EDIT: I miss you guys! Exams in a week!

Taka & Mao at Kyoto!



Source : http://t-kozuka.com/blog/2011/06/post-73c3.html

Yunamao wrote:

Taka & Mao at Kyoto!



Source : http://t-kozuka.com/blog/2011/06/post-73c3.html

they look fantastic i´m happy to see Mao relaxed enjoying the off season. I tried to traslate in ggogle the comment of Takahiko, is like they picked luck notes or something like that and Taka was bad luck note and Mao was in tears(i guess of laughing).

jkblues wrote:

Yunamao wrote:

Taka & Mao at Kyoto!



Source : http://t-kozuka.com/blog/2011/06/post-73c3.html

they look fantastic i´m happy to see Mao relaxed enjoying the off season. I tried to traslate in ggogle the comment of Takahiko, is like they picked luck notes or something like that and Taka was bad luck note and Mao was in tears(i guess of laughing).

Taka got 凶...which is the worst one and Mao got 大吉 the best one means lucky for everything
I forgot i read that somewhere that they went kyoto for other tv show and we may see the clip soon

polosatik wrote:

This. To me all these talks about programs are just excuses, let's remember Plushy. If you're in great shape, hitting all your jumps, you're a top skater, no matter what program you have. No matter how masterpiece your program is , it won't help you if your technical side is down. I know almost all Mao fans like Dreams of love LP, but I'm the one who is not fond of it, it's too mediocre. Mao is capable of more, much more then repeating herself from 2006 and to me it doesn't look good anymore.

Polosatik, I get what you're saying. I also think Lori's choreography lacks originality. Personally, I want Mao to find a entirely new choreographer altogether. TAT does have more original ideas but they don't translate well into Mao's competitive programs for various reasons that others have listed.

In regards to Plushy, I have to say I am not a fan of his skating. I thought he could have done far more in the artistic area with his talents and charsima. I am someone who values the artistic side of skating more than the technical. Contrary to popular opinion, Mao's real strengths lie in the aesthetic aspects of her skating rather than the technical. It is her beautiful lines, posture, position, flow that set her apart from the others, moreso than the triple axel. She deserves to have programs that showcase these wonderful qualities. There have been skaters who have declined technically as they aged but still had memorable programs. Yukari and Lu Chen comes to mind. It saddens me that Mao's competitive programs in recent years haven't been memorable("Bells" is memorable but for the wrong reasons.) because I know that she is capable of much more as you said.

The thing is simply, enough is enough, I love bells, masquerade sp, liebestraum, but Mao need something new, just a chance, if its not work then she can change it,, but, please, even yuna with david wilson is so much, just for once, something new.
I hope Tat is coreograph her ex or just one program.

I think it would be interesting if every skater tried to work with a different choreographer this season! It would be nice for Yuna to work with someone other than Wilson, and Mao to work with someone other than TAT/Lori. There are so many good choreographers out there, and no one needs to be limited to the same person/people every time if they have the financial means that both Mao and Yuna have.

Does anyone know who did Risa Shoji's choreography this past season? Her programs were beautifully choreographed and included interesting moves that were not in everyone else's programs. Also, I think this more fluid style fits Mao, and could help her keep her flow between elements, which the judges really like. Just an idea.

maofan93 wrote:

Does anyone know who did Risa Shoji's choreography this past season? Her programs were beautifully choreographed and included interesting moves that were not in everyone else's programs. Also, I think this more fluid style fits Mao, and could help her keep her flow between elements, which the judges really like. Just an idea.

I think her short was done by Miyamoto and her Long was done by her coach. I loved her LP!

You know what would be an interesting choice of music to skate to? Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. It got 10 times the angst of "Bells" or "Tango". I wouldn't mind the angst and darkness if it has a little rock to it.

^I believe that Alexe Gilles's lp last season was Bohemian Rhapsody or Queen music.
It didn't go very well for her, but I think that Mao could pull off something like that.

Being something of an opera junkie myself, I would like it if Mao picked something opera-themed(excluding Carmen and Turandot of course ...too overused).

But that wouldn't be too much of a departure from what she's already done and I know that many people are looking forward to seeing a "new" and different Mao next season.

Hmmmmmm, strange.....there's been absolutely no news that Mao is working with Tat in Japan so far (correct me if I'm wrong). Last season's SP I ended up not liking much, but the EX was fab, so I basically still believe in Tat. But still, I would like to see Mao trying out other choreographers.

Btw, did someone already post this link?:
http://kimono-hosho.co.jp/gallery/

Seems like they've made Mao's kimono brand site, but it still seems incompleted a bit. But she looks great in the photos!

Pochi-san! Glad to see you back! We've missed you.

Mao's site looks great! Love the kimonos she's wearing. I'm hoping we also get to see a blue kimono and a faint yellow kimono modeled by her. I think it'll look great with her tanned skin. And the hakama she's wearing is lovely. I've always wanted to try on a hakama after seeing my cousins graduation.

*A page before, snowdrops linked a nikkansports website that says she is/was in Russia for choreography. I agree with everyone that said they'd like to see Mao branch out and work with different choreographers even though I do like a lot of the programs that TAT has made.

I'm a little late, but love the expression of Taka's face after he got his omikuji. Thanks Yunamao!

I serously need some news about mao I really miss her.. by the way does anyone know when the granprix series is going to beginn...

I'm going to my summer practice in Syzdal for two weeks, I hope to see more good news when I will get back!!!

^Do you partake in some type of instrument or sport, polosatik? Have fun! Hopefully the grand prix assignments will be announced by the time you're back.

maowataiyo wrote:

^Do you partake in some type of instrument or sport, polosatik? Have fun! Hopefully the grand prix assignments will be announced by the time you're back.

I'm an artist, thanks!!!

Oooh, no wonder you could make such beautiful banners!

http://maimao-asada.com/mao/private/2011/06/05/58/

Mao's blog was updated. She is in Moscow and the photo is taken at a Uzbekistan restaurant. She's excited to experience her first Uzbekistan cuisine.

So, she's in Moscow and definitely with TAT ...
I hope they are working on an exhibition program.

Well, even if they are working on competitive programs, it may be much better to get wrong music and programs for coming season rather than in the Olympic year.

One of the reasons why Tango might not have been the best program could be that Tarasova simply didn't have enough time to work on it. I remember she was complaining that she only had three days to choreograph three programs. Maybe if this time Mao actually spent some time with TAT they might have created a more balanced program.

I hope that they only do one program and that Mao will get her LP from someone else. Not because I don't like Tarasova but because I'm dying to see what other people can do for her!!

I can't read Japanese, but I am curious if there is a place on Mao's website where people can leave comments? Maybe someone can tell her about Camerlengo's offer?

Source : http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c277062292?u=img_japan_charity

thaaaanks for the pictures mao seems to be enjoyig herself I hope to get some practice clips soon heh

babayaga wrote:

One of the reasons why Tango might not have been the best program could be that Tarasova simply didn't have enough time to work on it. I remember she was complaining that she only had three days to choreograph three programs. Maybe if this time Mao actually spent some time with TAT they might have created a more balanced program.

But she also made "Ballade" in the same time frame and it was quite wonderful. I think the problems lies in what Okami says about TAT not really understanding CoP rules. Now, I'm hoping that Mao keeps Liebestraum now to prevent having all TAT-styled programs this season.

On the bright side, I'm glad Mao looks more cheerful in her recent pictures. I hope she gets back to good shape during the off-season.