World Championships 2012 - Pre-competition thread

"Lady_in_black"

the Technical Specialists will be "Appointed" by the ISU President Ottavio the"Speedy" Cinquanta, as per Article 16 , paragraph 1f of the ISU Constitution.

do any of you remember the 2008 Worlds tech. panel?
especially the Technical Specialist?
that person was the Tech. Specialist at the 2012 4 Continents Championships just recently.
her name is Ms. Pirjo Uimonen, the same person was the Technical Specialist at the 2008 Worlds. coincidence?

now, the Speedy appointed Shin "my favorite skater is/was Brian Orser and I once coached Patrick Chan", Amano ? I don't think so.

Looks like there aren't many TC and TS in Figure skating now a days....

Any how, we should all know that 50 is not a FAIR guy (and he should retire now) and is desperate in making Karolina (and PatChan) a champion this time round.

Fair play in figure skating ??? I don't know when was the last time I saw that.

fgr8sktrfn wrote:

the Technical Panels for the 2012 Worlds:

Technical Controller Mr. Alexander Lakernik Russia
Technical Specialist Mr. Shin Amano Japan
Assistant Technical Specialist Ms. Claudia Unger Germany

thanks for nothing "Speedy".
it will be very difficult task for Mao but I will be rooting for you !!!
Go Mao !!!

god this is awful news i'm sad. Now I just want Mao to skate her best and be happy about it regardless of the placement. Whatever.

cashley wrote:

Hi there!!! I'm a new user to this forum but I'm off to Nice on Wednesday. I have an all event pass and am just wondering whether this will allow me entry into the practice sessions free of charge? Also, does anyone know where the practice sessions will take place, is it near the palais des expositions?? Thanks in advance and hope to see some Mao fans in Nice, I have my Japanese flag ready and waiting!!

Hi cashley, welcome! Please cheer for Mao for us! About the practice rink, people at FSU posted this link to the building: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patinoire-Jean-Bouin/152149538160139
They say it is one block away from the main arena. I didn't check myself but I am almost 100% sure you will be able to enter practice sessions for free with your pass.

fgr8sktrfn wrote:

the Technical Panels for the 2012 Worlds:

Technical Controller Mr. Alexander Lakernik Russia
Technical Specialist Mr. Shin Amano Japan
Assistant Technical Specialist Ms. Claudia Unger Germany

thanks for nothing "Speedy".
it will be very difficult task for Mao but I will be rooting for you !!!
Go Mao !!!

Are you freaking kidding me?!!!! What the heck is wrong with speedy? One would think that since a lot of the money for ISU comes from Japan, speedy would at least try to be fair.
If Amano downgrades a clean 3A again, I hope Japan fed will finally voice (file) a cmplaint! Enough is enough. The last thing this sport need is more controversy, imo.

Edit: Just imagine, Mao skates two perfect programs and ends up behind Caro. People would be furious. I remember a "scandal" at 2006 euro ice dance FD, audience was convinced Drobiazko/Vanagas should have been placed higher (judges put them in 3rd) and the lovely french audience was very vocal through out the victory ceremony. I must admit, I loved every minute of it. I can imagine something like this happening again...

Oh, hell no. Amano again
Seriously- total setup.
God, can Cinquanta get any more transparent??

Amano & Speedy

ETA: It seems Mao is going to depart Japan tonight. 真央ガンバ!

Welcome, cashley! I'm very envious of you and josling having the pleasure of watching Mao skate live! I hope you guys have a great time and enjoy Nice.

Thanks for the info babayaga, I did read somewhere that the practice rink would be very close to the actual rink so that sounds like the one!! I'll certainly be cheering very loud for Mao!! Thanks maowataiyo, I'm sure I'll have a great time!! Really looking forward to it now!!

let`s talk wrote:

ddmm wrote:

Fuji's Sporto started some news about FS last night with Shizuka Arakawa. Last night, they talked about Yuzuru Hanyu and Arthur Gachinski. I think tonight will be Kanako. Usually they keep Mao and Dai for the last days before the SP starts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ML6fjaD0O0

Akiko and Kanako at the airport:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVar4w3Yyr0&feature=channel

This is from the same youtube user who uploaded the video that let's talk posted. I think at the end the announcer mentions Mao's name, but I can't understand what she is saying

I cannot believe the competition is almost here! I'm so excited to see Mao perform

Hope you have a wonderful time in Nice, cashley and josling!!

Mao arrived
http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/sports/international/20120326000572 真央と小塚、明るい表情で決戦の地に到着
‎http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/f-sp-tp0-20120326-923636.html 真央トリプル「跳べる」
Airweave desu

of course, with Taka (did he hold mao's the other airweave? or he uses airweave too ?--> I don't think he needs that since he can sleep anywhere)




finish update~going back to work ORZ

Shikure thanks for the pics! Mao looks good and it's nice to see Taka-Mao again. I hope there are going to be many Mao-Taka moments for us to see.

josling and cashley have a great time at worlds and please report! I'm so jealous!
And cashley welcome to the forum.

maowataiyo wrote:

Amano & Speedy

I love this! Sometimes, I wish JSF would to the same to Speedy, maybe then he'd be more fair.

Anyway GO MAO, give them a hell of a hard time trying to down grade and underscore you!

Thank you so much shikure!!! I love Mao scarf I hope she's feeling good and will practice well!

Lakernik gave an interesting interview before WC. He talked about P.Chan, and said very important thing in my view. Though he thinks Patrick is incredible skater and reflects the new system really well, he is against high scores for bad skate. And he also told in this interview that he is working with judges about this point, so he has an answer to their question, whenever they should lower PCS then the skater had mistakes or not. You can't get 9's for a skate with the falls, he made it clear.
Why he's not a tech controller in men's competition?

Our girls already saw Mao with Sato in cafeteria The started to talk about her , how she's lovely etc. And Mao turned to them and smiled))) What an angel, they called her Maochka

hi everyone and miss you guys so much~hope i have more time to stay around ...sigh
josling and cashley~ have fun

Taka is on ice and started to practice

look like they enjoy good flight and both of them look great in airport.

kanako said she didn't sleep well and felt nauseous.

Shin Amano is the worst

Anyone know when Amano and Laternik have worked together before?

I googled Laternik and found another interesting quote from him (thanks polosatik for the information about some of his other quotes): "Technical panels determine the levels of elements with sufficient accuracy, except for those borderline situations where there is discussion. Usually, problems with the technical panels arise when the people are quite knowledgeable, but think that their opinion is absolute. Such desire to translate their views into the panel decision no matter what becomes dangerous, especially if other members do not have the strength to withstand this onslaught, even though they should."

That sounds like Amano, doesn't it? But it also sounds like Laternik is one who can "withstand the onslaught" if he disagrees.

Glad everyone arrived in Nice safely! Looking forward to updates about their practices. Those of you who are there, have so much fun! I'm jealous!

bellarina wrote:

Shin Amano is the worst

Anyone know when Amano and Laternik have worked together before?

As far as I know no, Lakernik was a tech controller at Olympics 2010.

bellarina wrote:

Shin Amano is the worst

Anyone know when Amano and Laternik have worked together before?

I googled Laternik and found another interesting quote from him (thanks polosatik for the information about some of his other quotes): "Technical panels determine the levels of elements with sufficient accuracy, except for those borderline situations where there is discussion. Usually, problems with the technical panels arise when the people are quite knowledgeable, but think that their opinion is absolute. Such desire to translate their views into the panel decision no matter what becomes dangerous, especially if other members do not have the strength to withstand this onslaught, even though they should."

That sounds like Amano, doesn't it? But it also sounds like Laternik is one who can "withstand the onslaught" if he disagrees.

Glad everyone arrived in Nice safely! Looking forward to updates about their practices. Those of you who are there, have so much fun! I'm jealous!

This is the first time I hear about Lakernik, but based on what I read (especially his quotes) I like him more and more.
And yes bellarina, I agree with you, this does sound like he's talking about Amano.

Thanks chiyori for such a detailed response! Unfortunately I have to work on Sat, and we have no dvr right now. So looks the ONE part of the competition I will have to miss is the womens FS! No no no!!! Looks like they will have an encore on monday, but by that time, I will already know what happened. Oh well, better than nothing... I will definitely be catching everything else I possibly can.\

As far as this Amano thing goes, yes it is unfortunate for Mao. I can see a repeat of 2008 worlds already - and I just hope the outcome is the same with Mao winning, and not what the powers that be were hoping would happen, with Carolina winning.

Mao after her first practice:
https://twitter.com/#!/ISUWorlds/status/184403673835769856/photo/1

josling wrote:

Mao after her first practice:
https://twitter.com/#!/ISUWorlds/status/184403673835769856/photo/1

I wonder how the practice went

Kayo has posted some really nice updates on our girl in the FB page. It seems that our girl's outlook is really positive. I'm excited!

arrival news clips
https://youtu.be/_8TaxiuFMeE
https://youtu.be/8pbXHp33fYI
should be the same one

based on twitter
taka practiced 3A+3 and other triples, looks relax and smile a lot. no quad practice. actually I saw a lot of pics of him on twitter in smile.
Mao did run-through for FS and not change too much only changed her first 3+2 to 3+3. 3A not clean but flow is nice. Luz looks good but with a little bit concern on the edge.

Since I know some of you don't have FB account, i still post update here

Thanks shikure! Mao seems in a good shape, sounds promising Can't wait for videos

Thanks shikure! Mao looks great!