World Championships 2012 - Pre-competition thread

Lady_in_black wrote:

The Russian curse continues, with Bobrova falling
I feel soo sorry for her, as today is her birthday

I am so sad, I can't watch Not a good day for Russian skaters at all...

At last Ilinykh and Katsalopov bring it! I hope the curse is broken now

Hm, interesting result. Personally, I would've put the first two couples even closer, with Tessa/Scott in the lead, and the french couple a bit lower.
I'm so happy that Lena/Nikita skated clean! I was getting seriously worried about the Russian team, with all those freak falls.

Go Merly/Charlie, rock the house tomorrow!

Here's the protocol

I am a sentimental fan of Nathalie and Fabian and really want that bronze for them badly! It was the last performance, the crowd went wild, they skated really well, yes, their score is high but it was an uplifting performance, can't blame the judges. I got chills just watching them on TV when the crowd was so laud(at the end) that I could barely hear the music, imagine being a judge in the arena LOL I would probably gave them 10 on every PCS!
Meryl and Davis were good as usual but to me, it lacked the sparkle tonight. This is a latin program and after Katilyn, Anna and Elena, Meryl was too cold for my taste. Tessa and Scott were foot perfect and they had the sparkle tonight.
Interesting to see almost all the couples receiving some negative GOE on the rhumba section, including D/W.

Lady_in_black wrote:

Interesting to see almost all the couples receiving some negative GOE on the rhumba section, including D/W.

Except Virtue/Moir. I always prefered Merly/Charlie and liked Tessa/Scott but after gpf and Scotts complaining, I lost my respect for Canadians.
I think the French will win bronze, the judges gave them enough cushion to make some mistakes and still get on the podium. I like this couple a lot, I just hate biased judging.
I must say Weaver/Poje and Cappellini/Lanotte were amazing. I would put Italians in front of Lena/Nikita though, and I absolutely adore this couple, but to me Italians were better tonight.

I hope that tomorrow the judges are going to be fair, especially the tech. specialists and downgrade ALL those who deserve it. Not nitpicking on certain individuals and blantantly ignoring the mistakes of certain others!
Lakernik please, please, please control Amano.

I agree, the Italians were ON and the ending was simply spectacular. If Lena/Nikita could maintain the speed and mood from the beginning of the program which is amazing, they would be even higher. But the program sort of looses intensity towards the end. I never enjoy them live because I always expect to see some mistakes
I don't like Scott as a person, I never did because he has a big mouth(like Patrick). But when he comes to the ice and skates like that I can't dislike him, no matter how hard I try. He and Tessa skate like champions. Meryl and Charlie have a better FD though so who knows

Any news about Mao today? How did her practise go?

zarinaballerina wrote:

Any news about Mao today? How did her practise go?

Someone from FSU posted today's ladies practice report, this is what they said about Mao: "Mao struggled a lot with 3a, she couldn't jump a clean one". That's all.

The report also said that Ashley, Kanako, and Elene looked strong.

I don't know what to think.. On one hand I agree with polosatik that we should be supportive and not worry too much, but I don't know, these practice reports don't sound too good. There is very little information about any other jumps from Mao, she seems to be very focused on that stupid 3A. I'm getting nervous

babayaga wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

Any news about Mao today? How did her practise go?

Someone from FSU posted today's ladies practice report, this is what they said about Mao: "Mao struggled a lot with 3a, she couldn't jump a clean one". That's all.

The report also said that Ashley, Kanako, and Elene looked strong.

I don't know what to think.. On one hand I agree with polosatik that we should be supportive and not worry too much, but I don't know, these practice reports don't sound too good. There is very little information about any other jumps from Mao, she seems to be very focused on that stupid 3A. I'm getting nervous

Mr. Sato please forbid Mao to do 3A! What's the point of risking it, if she can't even land 1 clean 3A. Come on Mao, 3A isn't everything!!!
I guess Mao knows what she's doing, I just wish she would stop focusing on 3A so much and wait until it's completely ready.
that is hard though, when all you're being asked about is that stupid 3A. When will japanese media learn, there's more to figure skating and especially more to Mao than just this one jump?!

Go Mao, rock that gorgeous short program of yours! (preferably without 3A)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luYZTJuNya0

i think they talk a bit about jumps and steps...for those of you who can understand japanese, please let us know what shizuka and the other reporter said.

The 3A, on the other hand, really doesn't look good. and Coach sato looked almost frustrated and agitated at the rink @2:02...The 3f-2l-2l @2:28 is not as clean and secure as it could be...

Kanako and akiko looked great though, kanako especially. is that a 3t-3t @1:02? It was soooo huge and covered so much distance that it would put kim yuna to shame!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaHEenJ0JEI

The men look really good, on the other hand...

zarinaballerina wrote:

babayaga wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

Any news about Mao today? How did her practise go?

Someone from FSU posted today's ladies practice report, this is what they said about Mao: "Mao struggled a lot with 3a, she couldn't jump a clean one". That's all.

The report also said that Ashley, Kanako, and Elene looked strong.

I don't know what to think.. On one hand I agree with polosatik that we should be supportive and not worry too much, but I don't know, these practice reports don't sound too good. There is very little information about any other jumps from Mao, she seems to be very focused on that stupid 3A. I'm getting nervous

Mr. Sato please forbid Mao to do 3A! What's the point of risking it, if she can't even land 1 clean 3A. Come on Mao, 3A isn't everything!!!
I guess Mao knows what she's doing, I just wish she would stop focusing on 3A so much and wait until it's completely ready.
that is hard though, when all you're being asked about is that stupid 3A. When will japanese media learn, there's more to figure skating and especially more to Mao than just this one jump?!

Go Mao, rock that gorgeous short program of yours! (preferably without 3A)

I know, right? Not a single clean attempt since she arrived to Nice, what's the point?

This is what I would love to see happening: Mao does a beautiful clean short program with a 2A, scores around 65 and gets a very good chance for a podium finish. Then maybe attempts a 3A in the long. Then works on 3A in piece during the off-season.

This is what I am afraid will happen: Mao goes for 3A in the short no matter what, makes a mistake, gets hammered on PCS and finds herself outside the final flight for the long program.


Hope I am wrong though

any streams for tomorrow's short program?

babayaga wrote:

I know, right? Not a single clean attempt since she arrived to Nice, what's the point?

This is what I would love to see happening: Mao does a beautiful clean short program with a 2A, scores around 65 and gets a very good chance for a podium finish. Then maybe attempts a 3A in the long. Then works on 3A in piece during the off-season.

This is what I am afraid will happen: Mao goes for 3A in the short no matter what, makes a mistake, gets hammered on PCS and finds herself outside the final flight for the long program.


Hope I am wrong though

It's not easy being a Mao fan sometimes!

I myself am constantly torn between wanting Mao to totally kick @ss and blow the competition away, and wanting Mao to be able to follow her own wishes, no matter how self-destructive and un-strategic they may seem to me.

In the end, I want Mao to be happy. And time and time again, it seems like Mao won't be happy unless she wins by HER OWN standards--which means doing everything she can do (including the 3A). And I highly respect that determination, though it's terribly frustrating and painful when she doesn't succeed.

So I can see what Mao is thinking. When she first arrived in Nice, she sounded super excited about the competition. She said that she had just gotten the hang of the 3A back in Nagoya, and that she was almost sure she would put the 3-3 in the long program. This must mean that she was doing everything perfectly back at home.

Right now, she hasn't quite adjusted to the ice in Nice--and it sounds like it's not ideal skating conditions--but I can totally understand why she wants to do the 3A. If she had been having problems at home and continued to have problems in Nice, then yes, I would say omit it, but otherwise, my guess is that they'll see what happens in the 6-minute warm-up tomorrow and then make a final decision.

At any rate, all I can say, is GOOOO MAO!!!! Just believe in yourself and go for it!

No matter what happens, I hope to see you smiling at the end of the competition!!

Unfortunately I will be in school during Mao's short program but I will be thinking about her and cheering for her! I will find out the results of the short program as soon as I get finished! Go Mao!!!!

「ＳＰからトリプルアクセルを入れる予定です。ダブルアクセルは考えていない」。

That's her answer to the question if she will include a 3A. yes she plans to in both sp and lp and 2A is not even under consideration.

mao's feature for the worlds. i hope someone would translate her interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NnW4pqA5HU&feature=channel

the first part talks about the triple axel, again. then later on from what i gather. i hardly speak/understand japanese. sato-sensei talks albout improving the overall quality of skating of mao?? and focusing on improving her speed and ice coverage???

then mao talks about her mother... she was almost got teary-eyed.. so someone please translate this portion of the feature.

and finally, what her expectations/goals for worlds are?? and that is to level-up??

i hope mao would skate a great short program.. a performance that will make her really happy..

Well, yeah, if she still couldn't make a single good one, that's kind of pointless. But I see where mao is coming from. She had it at home, but couldn't get here. Why this happens?

It's her choice but she is not doing herself any favors, that's for sure. After watching ice dance I realized Maxim Trankov was right about the ice. The best ice dancers were throwing snow everywhere around them while skating, which never happens to the top group. Maybe that is the reason she can't land her 3A. And if that's the case why trying it here? It doesn't make any sense.

Lady_in_black wrote:

It's her choice but she is not doing herself any favors, that's for sure. After watching ice dance I realized Maxim Trankov was right about the ice. The best ice dancers were throwing snow everywhere around them while skating, which never happens to the top group. Maybe that is the reason she can't land her 3A. And if that's the case why trying it here? It doesn't make any sense.

I guess Mao heard about the difference of the training ice rink and competition ice rink. I think if she going to try 3a in warm up and it will be good,she will go for it .if not she will stick with 2a. You know, our Mao is stubborn but not crazy, she's for sure is coming from something, why her 3a now is not good. Maybe now I see her point, why she always arrive late. If that was her strategy and how her body works,she should be late like Alena and Caro. You see, both them are still not at the practice rink .

polosatik wrote:

Lady_in_black wrote:

It's her choice but she is not doing herself any favors, that's for sure. After watching ice dance I realized Maxim Trankov was right about the ice. The best ice dancers were throwing snow everywhere around them while skating, which never happens to the top group. Maybe that is the reason she can't land her 3A. And if that's the case why trying it here? It doesn't make any sense.

I guess Mao heard about the difference of the training ice rink and competition ice rink. I think if she going to try 3a in warm up and it will be good,she will go for it .if not she will stick with 2a. You know, our Mao is stubborn but not crazy, she's for sure is coming from something, why her 3a now is not good. Maybe now I see her point, why she always arrive late. If that was her strategy and how her body works,she should be late like Alena and Caro. You see, both them are still not at the practice rink .

Wait, is it the practice rink or the competition rink that's bad? Or both? I agree, I think it'll depend on her warmup and the way she's feeling. If the 3A is still not good, I don't think she'll do it, and I don't think Sato will recommend it either.

bellarina wrote:

polosatik wrote:

Lady_in_black wrote:

It's her choice but she is not doing herself any favors, that's for sure. After watching ice dance I realized Maxim Trankov was right about the ice. The best ice dancers were throwing snow everywhere around them while skating, which never happens to the top group. Maybe that is the reason she can't land her 3A. And if that's the case why trying it here? It doesn't make any sense.

I guess Mao heard about the difference of the training ice rink and competition ice rink. I think if she going to try 3a in warm up and it will be good,she will go for it .if not she will stick with 2a. You know, our Mao is stubborn but not crazy, she's for sure is coming from something, why her 3a now is not good. Maybe now I see her point, why she always arrive late. If that was her strategy and how her body works,she should be late like Alena and Caro. You see, both them are still not at the practice rink .

Wait, is it the practice rink or the competition rink that's bad? Or both? I agree, I think it'll depend on her warmup and the way she's feeling. If the 3A is still not good, I don't think she'll do it, and I don't think Sato will recommend it either.

Сompetition rink ice is better, but still not that good as it should be. Btw I also notice too much snow throwing from the skaters blades and that's usually only the weak teams case. Also that's why no one received level 4 on their rumba section. And I agree with you if the things will go well in warm-up, she will do it, if not- she will do 2a. When Mao will practice today?

日本での練習では「１日に１、２回決まっていた」と手応えがあっただけに
(http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/120329/oth12032907460000-n1.htm)

If I didn't get it wrong, she said she could do one or two clean 3A for one day at home. I don't know what to say, but one or two dosen't sound so good.

just hope other part would be ok

I heard Dai said he's not in top condition and his quad is not good. It seems two top Japanese skaters struggles with their hardest jumps. Go Dai and Mao! You can do it!!

Thanks for the links, princesspink & ashcroft1086

princessinpink wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luYZTJuNya0

i think they talk a bit about jumps and steps...for those of you who can understand japanese, please let us know what shizuka and the other reporter said.

I just did the translation on the first listen as I was typing so the interview of the ladies portion only-

R: Arakawa-san, What were your overall impressions of the Japanese women after watching their practice sessions?

S: They moved really well and I felt that they must have trained very thoroughly to exude such confidence, it was a very good practice session.

R: How is Mao Asada's condition? Her 3A wasn't successful in her run-through.

S: She did attempt the 3A a few more times after as well, at this point her 3A is not quite there yet, but I think her condition will improve hereafter. It conversely could be turned into a positive if she's more aware of what she needs to be careful of in competition.

R: I see. How about the other areas of her skating, for example like her spins and steps?

S: Those elements are fine as usual and her other jumps were successful so it's only a matter of the 3A improving.

R: And the veteran, Akiko Suzuki, turned 27 today. Her run-through was very lively. Her condition looked good.

S: Yes, it seemed good. Her jumps had snap and other elements like her steps had great rhthym and sharpness to it and I think she'll get the crowd going in the competition.

R: Her 3-3 combination went well in the run-through.

S: Yes, she attempted them a number of times and they were mostly successful.

R: Now, it was reported the Kanako Murakami wasn't physically well how is she, including her health?

S: It didn't seem to affect her at all because her practice session was good.

R: What should we look out for the ladies?

S: The condition of all three athletes is on the rise, so if they could translate that in competition and skate with confidence, they all could definitely get closer to the podium.

R: So you think they are all in good enough condition and have the ability to get on the podium?

S: I think they have the ability to do so, yes.

ashcroft1086 wrote:

mao's feature for the worlds. i hope someone would translate her interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NnW4pqA5HU&feature=channel

the first part talks about the triple axel, again. then later on from what i gather. i hardly speak/understand japanese. sato-sensei talks albout improving the overall quality of skating of mao?? and focusing on improving her speed and ice coverage???

then mao talks about her mother... she was almost got teary-eyed.. so someone please translate this portion of the feature.

What Mao says From the 2:17 mark-

If I have a strong conviction within myself, I am able to gain speed and can naturally go on the momentum of that, but I can feel my speed drop if my feeling go on the defensive end.

The content leading up to Fuji dramatics of parting with her mother and fighting on her own fluff was talking along the lines of mental toughness.

From the 2:46 mark-

I want to fix my undecisiveness. For example, if I go shopping I can't decide whether to get this or get that. Even when I watch TV, I change the channels often. There are lots of times when I'm undecisive.

From the 3:33 mark-

I usually was with someone whenever I did things. Right now I do things like driving on my own, It's not necessarily me being more grown up, but there are more things that I do on my own now.

*Mao wasn't necessarily talking about her mother. Fuji cuts and paste stuff, inserts captions, etc., for ratings so the viewer doesn't really know what question was directed at Mao when she was talking about being more independent.

ashcroft1086 wrote:

i hope mao would skate a great short program.. a performance that will make her really happy..

Me too

polosatik wrote:

Go Dai and Mao! You can do it!!