Four Continents 2/7-11 2013

inskate wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

Wait. Isn't there a section for learning more about jumps in this forum? LOL!

There will be! It's under construction now. I was going to take care of the videos, but my old Premiere trial has run out, and I can't install the new version because it needs an x64 Windows, and I have the x32 version. I need to finally upgrade my computer sometime soon, but the very thought of re-installing my 6464864863 programs makes me .
Or maybe somebody knows of a decent video program that runs smoothly and supports many video tracks..?

Anyway, I'll post a bit more about GoEs on different jumps with eamples of most common technique flaws in an hour or so (I need to buy some cat food, or my kitty will eat me ). I'll just quickly paste what I wrote yesterday and couldn't post because of a power failure:

I saw some posters worrying that the Technical Caller didn't appreciate Mao's step sequence in the LP: actually, she lost the edge at the beginning and it caused her to miss one of the requirements. If you look at the video from the Nationals, the step sequence begins with kick/loop -> change of leg -> twizzle -> 3 turn -> rockers and so on. This fulfills half of this bullet point for lvl4 step sequence:

Quote :

4) Two different combinations of 3 difficult turns (rockers, counters, brackets, twizzles, loops) quickly executed within the sequence

If you look at the 4CC LP video, she skids while she's on the RBO (right back outside) edge just after doing the twizzle and has to support herself with the left leg - in result, the combination of quick turns is disrupted. Just a freak accident, hopefully it won't happen again.

You can use Sony Vegas pro! I like it)

Bit late, but I just had to make something to congradulate Mao!



Love the new dress now. Much better than the old one. Thank you Tat!

Great job Pochinco!!

Star85 wrote:

Great job Pochinco!!

Thanks Star85!
I think Mao looks nicer with wings in Tat's costume rather than the old one.
But again, I had a hell of a time getting rid of the color difference between her skin and the illusion fabric...boy do those illusion fabrics drive me crazy whenever I make fan art!

polosatik wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

polosatik wrote:

I think clean starting can also mean clean take off, edge etc.

Oh okay! I'm starting to get a clearer understanding of GOE's.

I'm thinking of Mao's flip now. Why doesn't it get more GOE's if it's such a clean take off? I mean, she doesn't get an "e" next to it usually. Is it because of the height of her jump or the area it covers? How high and how big does a jump have to be so it can be considered as a "good" jump?

The problem is that Mao flip is not that good either, to get a big GOE she has to improve distance,and height also. When Mao was little her jumps had flow and fast rotations, not so much now. But if you compare her jumps from 2010 and now, it got much better. She was leaning too much forward at the take off, now it's gone, the height is better. Also if Mao can improve her speed at spins,it would be perfect! She has good positions, centring is also good. Our girl improved a lot in every aspect of her skating, and she won't stop. So I'm happy for now!

It sounds like such a rigorous process. I definitely admire Mao even more! I feel like her new technique has helped her land excellent 3A's whenever she lands to complete the rotation. I also like how Mao says that she isn't even close to 50% of her full shape in one of her interviews a few months ago. She just loves to fight! Lol!

Also, thank you inskate!

Pochi, it's gorgeous.
Is there a way you could send your banners to Mao's costume designer so she/he could see what an illusion fabric should look like? Seriously, I hate ilusion fabric on Mao's costumes, it's always so freaking dark, there's no illusion there...

I'm loving the new costume more and more, but I do wish she'd drop the feathers from her wrists, it's a bit to much for my taste.

linglang wrote:

The report says she told Mr. Sato that she wanted to do 3A at nationals, but he said no because she tried it in only two run-throughts. She agreed with him and didn't attempt it at nationals. Starting from the new year, she eagerly practiced 3A and have her programs modified to include it. She even attempted it at ice shows, which was actually an appeal to Mr. Sato. She realized that she has to demonstrate to Mr. Sato that she's been doing it at high consistency in practices, and then she will be able to get a go from him. Mr. Sato laughed saying she's finally realized it. "Actually I'm the one who is most aggressive (among us). I want to let her attempt 3A. It's like come on! just convince me to say 'go for it'."

Team Sato is Mao's coaching dream team. I'm so happy all that hard work is finally showing, and hopefully Mao has learned that listening to Sato-sensei is the best way to go.

I wonder more and more, what kind of Mao we would have seen in Vancouver, had she been coached by her coach (TAT or whoever else) full time in 08/09 and in 09/10 seasons instead of only part time.

zarinaballerina wrote:

I wonder more and more, what kind of Mao we would have seen in Vancouver, had she been coached by her coach (TAT or whoever else) full time in 08/09 and in 09/10 seasons instead of only part time.

I dont know, but I cant handle that she did 3 beautiful 3a in Vancuver . About to improve just look Shizuka doing spiral, her position is better and better. min 2:09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl1zP32Hq6U and she is 31 years old.

chapis wrote:

zarinaballerina wrote:

I wonder more and more, what kind of Mao we would have seen in Vancouver, had she been coached by her coach (TAT or whoever else) full time in 08/09 and in 09/10 seasons instead of only part time.

I dont know, but I cant handle that she did 3 beautiful 3a in Vancuver . About to improve just look Shizuka doing spiral, her position is better and better. min 2:09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl1zP32Hq6U and she is 31 years old.

Yes, nailing 3 3As in Olympic games is a great achievement in female athletes history. There were factors that caused her coachless. One of them may be her stubbornness. It's said she declined TAT's advice to get a Japanese jump coach not only one time. I know many of her fans don't like to hear that she's stubborn, but the other side of the coin is she's perseverant. She strongly believes in herself and is very patient, which is a flip side of stubbornness I think.

She's so patient not to quit skating when she was so down after the end of last season. The darkest hour is always just before the dawn. I think this saying tells exactly what she experienced last year. I'm so grateful to her not quitting skating. The memory of her tears after Vancouver still aches our heart, doesn't it? I don't care if she wins or not at Sochi, but I don't want to see her tears of frustration or disappointment. I truly hope she will show us smiles of satisfaction.

It's nice to watch skaters keep improving even after retiring competitive skating.
Agree, Shizuka never stops improving her presentation.

Guys, I just watched Ladies FS again but with Russian commentators, I laughed a lot. Well, they said when Mao is talking Japanese it's like a music to them,a song,even they don't understand a thing! And was very disappointed they couldn't listened to the whole interview!

beautiful ladies @4CC plus a funny guy (Misha Ge, isn't he?)

polosatik wrote:

Guys, I just watched Ladies FS again but with Russian commentators, I laughed a lot. Well, they said when Mao is talking Japanese it's like a music to them,a song,even they don't understand a thing! And was very disappointed they couldn't listened to the whole interview!

Thank you, polosatik!

I've read somewhere that Russian commentators said Mao was like the sun
(or something like that) when they were watching her Ex.
I remember Lori said almost the same thing before.

Just thought I would share this video Mao and Kana are cuuute ♥ https://youtu.be/DqMrzAku66g?t=46s

silenceisgolden wrote:

polosatik wrote:

Guys, I just watched Ladies FS again but with Russian commentators, I laughed a lot. Well, they said when Mao is talking Japanese it's like a music to them,a song,even they don't understand a thing! And was very disappointed they couldn't listened to the whole interview!

Thank you, polosatik!

I've read somewhere that Russian commentators said Mao was like the sun
(or something like that) when they were watching her Ex.
I remember Lori said almost the same thing before.

Yes! They said that! They always call her sunny girl! It's impossible not to love this girl!

bibi wrote:

Just thought I would share this video Mao and Kana are cuuute ♥ https://youtu.be/DqMrzAku66g?t=46s

Thank you for the link, bibi!



from tokitama tumblr

silenceisgolden,what a beauty she is!!!!!!!!

I think that I'm one of the few people who liked the first dress more than the new one...

Mao2012 wrote:

I think that I'm one of the few people who liked the first dress more than the new one...

Nope. I like the old dress better, too, and based on blogs, it's about a 50-50 split.

Alokya wrote:

Mao2012 wrote:

I think that I'm one of the few people who liked the first dress more than the new one...

Nope. I like the old dress better, too, and based on blogs, it's about a 50-50 split.

I prefer the first dress too It's so elegant and delicate

silenceisgolden wrote:

bibi wrote:

Just thought I would share this video Mao and Kana are cuuute ♥ https://youtu.be/DqMrzAku66g?t=46s

Thank you for the link, bibi!



from tokitama tumblr

I want those pics for my wallpaper. *heads over to tokitama's tumblr*

Alokya wrote:

Mao2012 wrote:

I think that I'm one of the few people who liked the first dress more than the new one...

Nope. I like the old dress better, too, and based on blogs, it's about a 50-50 split.

Maybe it's because we visualize different Mao-swans in our heads. The new dress from Tat is very Russian and empirical for a swan costume, while the old costume is quite classy yet modern swan. Still... I think both look great on Mao.


Also, thanks for posting the pics here silenceisgolden!!]

I wonder if this Comparison of Swan Lake among CoC,
GPF and 4CC has been posted before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJLS5Gg01EQ

Thanks for that link! I love how the step sequences in all three videos are PERFECTLY in sync with each other!

silenceisgolden wrote:

I wonder if this Comparison of Swan Lake among CoC,
GPF and 4CC has been posted before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJLS5Gg01EQ

It's always beautiful to watch these comparisons...

I like both dresses maybe just about equally, but I might lean a little toward the old. The new one makes me a little nervous that it's gonna shed.

Just came by to say how much I love that every commentator is rooting for Mao Just saw the CBC broadcast on Sunday and as expected, they are all for the new Mao "Mao Asada is back! And better than ever"

(Also reading through the post about Tessa and Scott, as a fan since 2007 I can say they are nice people, but since the Olympics Scott seems to have developed like, a split personality where he comes across as more friendly off the ice than on the ice and Tessa is just, well Tessa. I understand his frustration at 4CC, in the slow mo's you can see how much he was trying to go for that lift and Tessa was not having it. I just get so confused when I see the "I hate this event" Scott and then this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csLsse9sqK8 , Meryl and Charlie are just so adorable and pleasant all of the time xD)

Also, random question, which of Mao's EX would you want to see turned into a competitive program the most? I'm all for her 08-09 Tango EX, it is just to die for!