Stars on Ice Japan Tour 2012

I completely agree with kaarolcia on this one. It is better than the one she did at JSC because it's not two-footed, but the 2nd jump is still over 1/4 of a turn underrotated and would no doubt get a << mark in competition. She lands it completely forward and quickly turns on her blade to unwrap her leg and glide backwards. I feel like the 3L is slightly higher than last time though, which is awesome.

I'm very happy to see her keep doing it! That's the only way she'll get it back. I actually hope she tries it out this season at 4CC or Worlds. Even if it's likely to be << or maybe < if the judges are lenient (which they are not on loop combinations), she'd still get the experience and the value of the rest of her program is plenty high enough to make up for it. Plus, she finally has the PCS back on her side this season and has been scored consistently higher than all her competitors despite not always being clean. I'd say go for it. And even if she doesn't win, well too bad; Sochi is in two years and that's her goal.

Thank you for the lovely updates- kirakira, shikure, Dani-chan & kaarolcia!

Gah, I really luv that pic of Mao trying to kick her leg up high! (so cute) And she totally should wear more costumes that show off those beautiful tanned shoulders

What can I say about Jupiter that hasn't already been said? Nothing really, but breathtaking nonetheless! The loop does look a little short on rotation, but I concur- so glad she's trying the 3-3 combo in a program!

chiyori wrote:

I completely agree with kaarolcia on this one. It is better than the one she did at JSC because it's not two-footed, but the 2nd jump is still over 1/4 of a turn underrotated and would no doubt get a << mark in competition. She lands it completely forward and quickly turns on her blade to unwrap her leg and glide backwards. I feel like the 3L is slightly higher than last time though, which is awesome.

I'm very happy to see her keep doing it! That's the only way she'll get it back. I actually hope she tries it out this season at 4CC or Worlds. Even if it's likely to be << or maybe < if the judges are lenient (which they are not on loop combinations), she'd still get the experience and the value of the rest of her program is plenty high enough to make up for it. Plus, she finally has the PCS back on her side this season and has been scored consistently higher than all her competitors despite not always being clean. I'd say go for it. And even if she doesn't win, well too bad; Sochi is in two years and that's her goal.

Thanks for the second link, kaarolcia!

If you look carefully, you can see that when Mao takes off (when her blade actually finally leaves the ice), it is pointed forward as well--so she takes off and lands in the same position. I just can't count fast enough to see if she gets only 2 full revolutions in the air (sliding 1/2 a turn on the ice before and after the jump) or if she manages to get 3 full revolutions in the air (+ sliding 1/2 a turn before and after the jump). I'm guessing it's the former, unfortunately. Yep, I guess it definitely needs more work, but like we have all said, good to see her trying!

Batsuchan wrote:

chiyori wrote:

I completely agree with kaarolcia on this one. It is better than the one she did at JSC because it's not two-footed, but the 2nd jump is still over 1/4 of a turn underrotated and would no doubt get a << mark in competition. She lands it completely forward and quickly turns on her blade to unwrap her leg and glide backwards. I feel like the 3L is slightly higher than last time though, which is awesome.

I'm very happy to see her keep doing it! That's the only way she'll get it back. I actually hope she tries it out this season at 4CC or Worlds. Even if it's likely to be << or maybe < if the judges are lenient (which they are not on loop combinations), she'd still get the experience and the value of the rest of her program is plenty high enough to make up for it. Plus, she finally has the PCS back on her side this season and has been scored consistently higher than all her competitors despite not always being clean. I'd say go for it. And even if she doesn't win, well too bad; Sochi is in two years and that's her goal.

Thanks for the second link, kaarolcia!

If you look carefully, you can see that when Mao takes off (when her blade actually finally leaves the ice), it is pointed forward as well--so she takes off and lands in the same position. I just can't count fast enough to see if she gets only 2 full revolutions in the air (sliding 1/2 a turn on the ice before and after the jump) or if she manages to get 3 full revolutions in the air (+ sliding 1/2 a turn before and after the jump). I'm guessing it's the former, unfortunately. Yep, I guess it definitely needs more work, but like we have all said, good to see her trying!

Yes, it's the former. If it was the latter, it would be a quad loop attempt and while that's something she did try before (I think there are vids out there of tiny little Mao trying quad loops), that's probably not something we'll see from her again, especially not in combination. Loops usually involve a bit of prerotation so by the time her blade leaves the ice, she is indeed facing forward because of the 1/2 turn skid, but she only rotates 2 times in the air before landing forward again. She's missing 1/2 turn or a little less on the landing.

I think even without slow-mo the UR was evident but I'm glad she's really been adding it to her EX recently. I believe doing it more for programs like this will eventually help her get used to it and land it in competition. At least in an EX they don't deduct marks from her.

Today Mao tried to do the combo 3-3 but failed. The first jump was shaky, so the second she did a turn, then she just added a 2T practically from the same place, like on the floor. That was the only glitch. All the rest fo the program was as fairy and magical as usual. Her hands are very soft and airy, with those sleeves they look even more beautiful. The second biggest ovation of the today's show (the first belongs to Dai's, he didn't try a combo but he was as usually handsome and magnificent). A really nice afternoon I had in the arena today.

roma wrote:

Batsuchan wrote:

OMG, seriously???!!

Dai thinks Mao and Miki are sexy but in very different ways--but he couldn't decide between the two of them who is sexier, so they were tied for #3. (I'm shocked. )

Dai said that Miki is a more typical type of sexy, and sexy in both her personal life and in skating.

Then he said, "I think Asada-senshu doesn't have a 'sexy' image, but when I'm watching her performances, she really has this--how do I put it?--a fresh/refreshing kind of sexiness--a kind that is very hard for people to bring out."

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined Mao would be tied for #1 on Dai-chan's list of sexy female skaters.

This is something Asya and me will definitely cheer for. haha! MaoSuke!!!

Oh my God!!! What a exciting news!!! MaoSuke We still have a hope, Taka watch out

Jupiter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlDi2ryghL4

kaarolcia wrote:

Jupiter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlDi2ryghL4

Thank you karrolica for the link

Mao is beautiful and ethereal as ever, plus she's getting back her 3-3 even if it's underrotation now. I believe in her. She'll get back her clean 3-3l in the future.

@7:23 Mao was asked by a man (director?) if she felt strange about being interviewed by Mai. She replies, "Yes, it's strange. Because our voices sound like each other, if people are not looking the TV screen, they may think one person was doing the talking."

kaarolcia wrote:

Jupiter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlDi2ryghL4

Thanks kaarolcia for the link!

ballerinamao I completely agree, Liebestraume would look amazing in red, hopefully Mao will change her lp costume for 4CC and worlds.

and red is mao lucky color so there actually is a big chance that mao will change her fs dress to a new red dress one that would look gourges!

let`s talk wrote:

Today Mao tried to do the combo 3-3 but failed. The first jump was shaky, so the second she did a turn, then she just added a 2T practically from the same place, like on the floor. That was the only glitch. All the rest fo the program was as fairy and magical as usual. Her hands are very soft and airy, with those sleeves they look even more beautiful. The second biggest ovation of the today's show (the first belongs to Dai's, he didn't try a combo but he was as usually handsome and magnificent). A really nice afternoon I had in the arena today.

Thank you very much let's talk for the report! I am so glad Mao is attempting 3-3's in shows and hopefully getting all the mistakes out of the way. If she just started doing them in competition I am sure she would have made the same mistakes for the first few times.

Daisuke's El tango de Roxanne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M34FeOxhI4

I just wish the commentators would shut up!

Here, for most invited skaters, Miki and Sasha.
https://www.youtube.com/user/icechannel2011?feature=watch

And check this out from 1:35:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOoD6d5jKM
That's Miki being lifted by John Zimmerman and than later by John Kerr. Awesome!

And wow! Miki has said before that she gained weight after last Worlds and it showed a little over the shows this summer, but she really shaped up fast for this! She looks fantastic

ETA: Check out Taka-chan's Hello and Safety Dance; I think this is his best performance of this program. Dai-chan is very good as well, but I feel like he's not literally breathing fire like he was in 2007. Still miles ahead of Evan's Roxanne though!

Mao is just !

chiyori wrote:

Here, for most invited skaters, Miki and Sasha.
https://www.youtube.com/user/icechannel2011?feature=watch

And check this out from 1:35:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOoD6d5jKM
That's Miki being lifted by John Zimmerman and than later by John Kerr. Awesome!

And wow! Miki has said before that she gained weight after last Worlds and it showed a little over the shows this summer, but she really shaped up fast for this! She looks fantastic

ETA: Check out Taka-chan's Hello and Safety Dance; I think this is his best performance of this program. Dai-chan is very good as well, but I feel like he's not literally breathing fire like he was in 2007. Still miles ahead of Evan's Roxanne though!

Mao is just !

I think Miki is not at her best shape yet but she looks amazing in shows she got crazy schedule from last year end and I think that really helps her to shape up fast.
Taka's GLEE exhibition became better and better since he used his arm / upper torso more. we can see his back and abs often after 2011 4CC.
based on twitter, he delivered a perfect cello song on Sunday and he changed his first 2A to 3A then did everything perfect.
I think his JSC one is also very cute since he used the ice on his blade to attack team blue LOL.

linglang wrote:

@7:23 Mao was asked by a man (director?) if she felt strange about being interviewed by Mai. She replies, "Yes, it's strange. Because our voices sound like each other, if people are not looking the TV screen, they may think one person was doing the talking."

Not going to lie, I *totally* adore seeing Mai interview Mao.
Mai's always like, "Oooh, there's my adorable baby sister!! Let's go talk to her!" and Mao's always like, "What are you doing? Pull yourself together and do a proper job!"

In the interview before she performed, Mai asked her about having to skate last, and Mao said she's used to it by now (yeah, they always save the best for last, don't they? ), but she does kind of get nervous.

"Jupiter" was GORGEOUS!! I guess she changed the final spin from a plain camel spin to the donut spin/almost-Biellman that she uses in "Liebestraum"! I can watch this program all day long...

I do feel a little bad for Yaginuma-san though--she's had to comment about this program like 3-4 times since Nationals! Honda-san said that he loves this program and that you really don't need words to describe it. I agree!

Sorry for the double post.

Just got around to watching Bambi-chan's GLEE performance and the Taka-Kurt pair program. Bambi-chan is quite good at synchronizing with another skater, isn't he? This totally bodes well for the future Asada-Kozuka ice dance team!

And did you see Bambi-chan practicing those handstand push-ups while Dai was laughing at him? I'm glad to see he's working on building upper body strength!

Finally, I totally totally enjoyed Yuzuru's EX. I can see why all the little girls at his rink think of him as Romeo!