2012 Cup of China

i'm wondering how lori, an experienced choreographer, couldn't have realized that what she's making mao do looks juniorish. on the bright side, i'm very glad she decided to have mao do something much different in the past. although a bit on the actressy side, she's become much more musical. it makes mao become a much more versatile skater overall. for all those haters who said "mao doesn't emote" or "mao doesn't feel the music" well, take that!

swan wrote:

i'm wondering how lori, an experienced choreographer, couldn't have realized that what she's making mao do looks juniorish. on the bright side, i'm very glad she decided to have mao do something much different in the past. although a bit on the actressy side, she's become much more musical. it makes mao become a much more versatile skater overall. for all those haters who said "mao doesn't emote" or "mao doesn't feel the music" well, take that!

I'm wondering the same thing, and I hope ballerinamao is right and mrs.Sato will make some changes to this program.

I agree, this better silent the critics, because she's emoting and feeling the music very well, but then, they'll only find something else to nitpick at.

Mao's SP is not the greatest one she ever had and is quite girlish. But Mao is happy with this program, and I can tell she enjoyed skating it. That is all matters.

Plus, I feel the second place is a good position for Mao to start with. It will not put that much pressure on her to go into the LP.

Overall, I feel Mao is on the right track this season.

In response to Kiira comments - Kiira is very expressive even when she fails technically - that is probably why she gets high PCS marks - and you can't deny that her programs are beautifully choreographed. She has a very open face, and that really matters in figure skating. I think that is why Taka hasn't done quite as well as Patrick Chan despite the fact that they both have gorgeous skating skills - Chan just has a more open face.

I actually like Mao's more childish poses - I think she really needs to have fun with the music. And just because it is fun and playful does not mean that it has to look juniorish - I think it actually looks quite mature, but it's different to her normal style and different to many other senior skaters' styles.

leo wrote:

Mao's SP is not the greatest one she ever had and is quite girlish. But Mao is happy with this program, and I can tell she enjoyed skating it. That is all matters.
Plus, I feel the second place is a good position for Mao to start with. It will not put that much pressure on her to go into the LP.

Overall, I feel Mao is on the right track this season.

Alokya wrote:

I actually like Mao's more childish poses - I think she really needs to have fun with the music. And just because it is fun and playful does not mean that it has to look juniorish - I think it actually looks quite mature, but it's different to her normal style and different to many other senior skaters' styles.

Glad to hear some positive opinions...We all know that Mao has gone through a very hard time last season, and I don't think she's gotten over her mother's death yet at all. So even if her SP is juniorish, even if some of you don't like her ponytail and costume, I think we should give her and her team a break. I thought it was wonderful that Mao was able to skate her SP with joy. It reminded me of when she was young, fearless and always enjoying competitions without feeling pressured. I think maybe Lori made this pro so Mao can recapture such emotions.

I haven't been that fond of Lori the past few seasons (because of her connections with the judges concerning Pattie), but seeing her interview on tv, I really felt she cared for Mao and made her SP so she can go to practice and feel happy to skate as Lori herself had said. For that I deeply appreciate this new SP even if it's not the best of her pros. Mao says she likes it, so that's more than enough for me. I do agree that there can be some changes made to make it better, but I think we should all give this pro some more time and see how it turns out. Mao has just began to become consistent in her jumps, so I don't think we should be asking for more at this point. As long as she's comfortable with this pro I think it's okay. She managed to score over 60 with it the first time she skated to it in competition, so I don't think that this pro is doing any damage for her either.

Why can't we just support her in what she's skating to? She must've put alot of effort into practicing this pro, and commented that she would like everyone to enjoy it as much as she does skating to it. If Mao read and understood some of the comments about her SP that's been posted here, I think she'd really feel depressed.

I understand that we all want the best for her and that's why sometimes her pros might not seem that good for her, and that's why some of you guys don't like it. But I do not think this is the right time to criticize Mao or her teams choices. She said she wanted to quit skating right after last season; I'm sure none of us imagined she was disturbed by probabaly everything then. But she decided to go on. I think she needs support and encouragement from her fans more than ever this season. And we are her fans aren't we? Let's just be happy that she decided to continue competing with a bright smile!

thanks for this beautiful post pochinko and i totally agree with everything, and i think Mao did an amazing job!

can't wait to see her swan lake tomorrow!

by the way i would really like to see that interview with lori, do you still have it pochinko?

Thank you Pochinko for your intelligent post. I just saw Mao's sp, and I love, love, love it. Why, because first and foremost, I saw Mao's uplifted spirit shining through out her entire performance. And that's what I want to see when Mao performs. If she's happy, I'm happy for her. And I know her mother is at peace knowing her daughter is happy.

With regard to Julia... interesting blog post from Tony Wheeler. I am so happy that he is blogging again - I really missed him last season!

http://www.flutzingaround.com/2012/11/lipnitskaia-pre-rotations.html

Mao's SP with 720p and 1080p HD versions posted by tokitama on twitter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK-U_HinhZs

I'm so hoping later Mao will skate that swan lake even better than in JO and we finally get HD videos of it.

roma wrote:

Mao's SP with 720p and 1080p HD versions posted by tokitama on twitter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK-U_HinhZs

I'm so hoping later Mao will skate that swan lake even better than in JO and we finally get HD videos of it.

Thank you so much for the video roma, it has a better resolution and a different camera angle, even the color of her costume is more beautiful, I've ever love that dress, very pretty and sexy

I like Mao's SP, it's different, fresh and energetic and Mao looks happy performing it. How I said previously, I like her ponytail, I think it matches the music very well, it's kind of cool. I like her facial expressions too, she looks happy, relax, free, cute and very pretty If Mao is happy with this SP I'm happy too.

I can't wait for her FS!!!!!!! I love Swan Lake too

Has this been posted already?

British Euro version!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7Xy5Hw7Zk

As usual, they love Mao.

But the camera angles were really pity.

@figureskate5ch　 (TV Asahi twitter)

Mao Asada looked relaxed and checked her skating. She fell once on her lutz and then she used some time to work it out. It seems she's pleased with her practice.

Costume is same as JO.
http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/kkfksenia/album/191618/?p=3

Go Mao-chan!!

linglang wrote:

@figureskate5ch　 (TV Asahi twitter)

Mao Asada looked relaxed and checked her skating. She fell once on her lutz and then she used some time to work it out. It seems she's pleased with her practice.

Costume is same as JO.
http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/kkfksenia/album/191618/?p=3

Go Mao-chan!!

Did you hear anything about the 3-3?

When is the ladies' LP event?

ballerinamao wrote:

thanks for this beautiful post pochinko and i totally agree with everything, and i think Mao did an amazing job!

can't wait to see her swan lake tomorrow!

by the way i would really like to see that interview with lori, do you still have it pochinko?

I'm sorry ballerinamao, I only saw the interview footage on tv and I wasn't taping it. Maybe somebody might upload it on Youtube but it was a very short interview, so I'm not sure if they'd bother. Btw, there was a footage of Mao being asked what she thinks about Julia on tv too. Mao said she was amazed by her flexibility and that she felt as if Julia isn't just skating but also doing gymnastics at the same time. She really seemed amazed and was smiling all the time when she commented about her. Hope Julia sees this clip...but I doubt she'll have the chance to.

linglang wrote:

Has this been posted already?

British Euro version!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7Xy5Hw7Zk

As usual, they love Mao.

But the camera angles were really pity.

Thanks linglang for the link!

Luv this commentator! So happy he liked Mao's performance more than Julia's. Think he's the guy who's been praising Mao like crazy when she skated her 'Masquerade Waltz' FP in Korea GP. I think he truely understands the essence of the sport; you need charm not just skills to make the 'it' factor work. And the one thing Mao has more than any other lady skater right now is charm! She's always had it since she was a small kid, and it's still there.

Btw, I sort of think this commentator is gay...he always uses the word 'lovely' so many times, lol! But if he is, it's nice to know he's fond of Mao's skating style, cause in Jpn it's been written in an article before based on interviews on gay figure fans here that they do not like Mao that much but prefer Miki more. But that was long time ago, maybe that's changed now.

ladies fs will begin in an hour gurami

I read everything and hard to quote everyone's comments.
But about P-chan, I have something to say..although he talked big and sounds arrogant about skating thing...but I think he is a good guy off-ice and most of Japanese skaters get alone with him very well.

Last year in 4cc, one of the fan went to watch their practice, then when Dai walked away after finishing and didn't see the fan wanted to give him the gift. P-chan asked the fan is that is for Dai and took the gift then tracing after Dai to pass that for the fan. and ppl said that was not a good day for P-chan's practice then he spent some time there to talk to fans (maybe the practice didn't go well then he decided to step down a little bit) I addition, i saw a lot of off-ice shot from fans that he took with Dai.

The other thing happened one week ago, when the announcer from Japan, Mr. Kato, he said he was on the same plane with p-chan, then he said after landing, p-chan helped everyone around him who needed help to get their bags down. Mr. kato said he is a nice guy.

some of us may hear about taka said p-chan translated French for him when they had dinner together with other skaters and spoke slower to let him understand.

so i think p-chan is arrogant for skating thing and nice off-ice. I am not fan of his PCS but I won't say he is bad person or arrogant person when things are not about skating.

just remember ppl said when he came to Taiwan for AOI last year, his mother spent a lot of time with fans waiting there (even some of fans there is not for him) and talked to them. she doesn't sound like crazy skating mom like what others said, she even shared with fans what her boy likes to eat...

the point is not how nice p-chan is but one thing is very important that there are culture differences and sometimes we never see someone's the other side. everyone may think Japanese skaters are humble but that is also sort of culture thing. Asian won't show as much emotion as westerner does. we always joke about doing survey in Asian never works correctly since if you ask us to rank from 1 to 5, we will always give you 3. so unless i heard Yulia says "I don't think Mao is good skater" ...i won't care to much.

I enjoy what i saw yesterday and looks forward to today's FS. from the same twitter of the TV Asahi, Mr. Kato said Yulia was perfect in the practice without any mistake.

i am sooo excitet to see Mao again

linglang wrote:

Has this been posted already?

British Euro version!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7Xy5Hw7Zk

As usual, they love Mao.

But the camera angles were really pity.

British commentators are my favourite, though Nicky still hasn't learned Mao's name. I watched the highlights yeaterday on Eurosport (they showd the best 4 in every discipline) and Nicky started with Maya Asada which gradually changed to Mayo (pronounced as in mayonnnaise). I'm hoping that this season he'll learn to pronounce her name correctly.

ballerinamao wrote:

i am sooo excitet to see Mao again

I know, me either, the ladies live coverage has just started. First group is warming up. I can't wait for Mao!!! GO MAO!!! Kick butt!

zarinaballerina wrote:

linglang wrote:

Has this been posted already?

British Euro version!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7Xy5Hw7Zk

As usual, they love Mao.

But the camera angles were really pity.

British commentators are my favourite, though Nicky still hasn't learned Mao's name. I watched the highlights yeaterday on Eurosport (they showd the best 4 in every discipline) and Nicky started with Maya Asada which gradually changed to Mayo (pronounced as in mayonnnaise). I'm hoping that this season he'll learn to pronounce her name correctly.

ballerinamao wrote:

i am sooo excitet to see Mao again

I know, me either, the ladies live coverage has just started. First group is warming up. I can't wait for Mao!!! GO MAO!!! Kick butt!

Approximately how many hours from now will she be going? Does anyone have a live stream link?

http://mypremium.tv/stream/?id=1454&1318021101

British Euro livestream starting now!

Ying Zhang's dress looks just like YuNa's Arirang dress

sofia is really having a hard time out there

inskate wrote:

Ying Zhang's dress looks just like YuNa's Arirang dress

Yes, I thought the same...

ballerinamao wrote:

sofia is really having a hard time out there

It's not her day at all...