World Figure Skating Championships 2014

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1kofae_140330-mr-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%87%E3%83%BC_sport?from_related=related.page.int.behavior-only.58e1e26849a9a2e97289a5eba8a9acdc139621487

Pre or post banquet interview
Don't understand a word but love group interviews

sry for bombarding everyone with my posts, just want to share what I am finding

French TV interviewed Mao after her Gala. She is speaking English!    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJsQcld9BfE

itsonlykat wrote:

French TV interviewed Mao after her Gala. She is speaking English!    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJsQcld9BfE

she is so cute in her english.   is it just me or is she getting better at speaking english?

While I like Mao's dress at the banquet, I would like to see her in a bold colour, preferably red.  

@emory903, thanx for posting those videos!

zarinaballerina wrote:

itsonlykat wrote:

French TV interviewed Mao after her Gala. She is speaking English!    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJsQcld9BfE

she is so cute in her english.   is it just me or is she getting better at speaking english?

While I like Mao's dress at the banquet, I would like to see her in a bold colour, preferably red.   

and with her hair down   

i found the guys small medal ceremony if anyone is interested
but still no luck in finding the ladies'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeNTm6_y58

zarinaballerina - no thanks needed, I just don't want to be annoying with my multiple posts

emory903 wrote:

Cute moment between Kanako and Mao
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjkyMTQ1MzEy.html

OMG, that was soo adorable! Thanks so much for posting, emory903!! The way that Mao said "Kanako~!" was so sweet!

emory903 wrote:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1knoxi_20140330-spnews_sport
tiny shot of the small medal ceremony, when everybody is doing their favorite pose??
I got "half-half" about retirement and having a "colorful" career??? something about color??

Thanks for all the videos, emory903!  

Yes, they asked Mao what her future plans are, and she said that she hasn't had a chance to think about it (since Worlds just ended), so she's still "half-half" on retiring.

About the "colorful" comment--I guess that same reporter asked her several seasons ago, "what color would you use to describe your season?" and Mao actually remembered being asked that, and what she had said--"colorful."  That was back in 2007 (after the previous Worlds in Japan).   Then he asks the same question, and Mao says "It's the same as then--colorful.  There was a happy pink, and a calm blue, and a passionate/excited red, and a sad black...there were really all sorts of things, so it's still 'colorful'--nothing has changed."

 (Since we don't have a rainbow icon. )

**

A part of me does want to see Mao continue competing, because it does seem like her jumps are finally stable.  I honestly never thought she'd be able to do the 3F-3Lo under pressure (i.e. under at a major competition), but she's proven me wrong twice now!  (Regardless of what the tech caller said!    )  I also worried that she'd double the 3S after she messed up the 2A-3T combo, but she nailed it!  She finally seems to be at a place where her jump demons are mostly behind her, so I would love to see her keep going...

At the same time, a BIG part of me feels that Mao's style of skating is just not rewarded under the current judging system.  Mao has had a history of struggling, so I think they automatically review several of her jumping elements, which is never good.

And in general, bigger, faster, stronger is what the judges are looking for.  To some extent, I agree--when you are watching live (and it does make a huge difference), the faster and bigger you skate, and greater ice coverage--it really looks impressive.

Ethereal, light, pretty--that does not get you high GOEs, unfortunately.   

So yes, at this point, I hope Mao takes at least one season off.  If she can come back at a similar level, then maybe the judges will finally give her the scores she deserves, because they'll realize how much they missed her!

But if not, what a way to end a glorious career!  An awe-inspiring Olympic LP, followed by a record SP and a 3rd World title in front of the home crowd!  Her senior career that began with a playful, happy-pink "Nocturne," ends with a beautiful, bittersweet purple-pink "Nocturne"...

Thank you, Mao, thank you!!!  

I wish I can see Mao skate live again. It really is wonderful esp when she broke that SP record. Well, she's skating in Sapporo next week but I won't be able to go as I already took days off to go to Saitama.

One think I can say seeing them both, though, is that I thought Mao was faster than Carolina this time. But Caro still had higher PCS even with the fall and pops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMB-i55qez4
It's the 30 minute Mao special that fuji tv aired after the gala
roma - I think its the same thing that you posted in the post-sochi thread but longer

Seems like it focus a lot on whether she will retire or not, not that I understand a word hahahaha

Love Mao shouting gambatte to kanako during the short program before kanako skated  
Love Akiko staying rinkside to watch Mao's 3A before going in to do interviews after her performance
Love the Kanako-Mao hug... I am going to miss the 3-sisters' interactions
Love conversation b/n mao, yulia, and carolina... mao look so excited that Carolina is going on tour with her, trying to involve Yulia in the conversation
and of course love all the Mao-fangirling

Did the commentator just call Mao the QUEEN at 0:12? I'm used to people calling Yu-na this title. I wish there was a title for Mao aside from triple axel queen! She's more than the triple axel! I always wonder how Yu-na's nickname of "queen" got around.

You guys, we need to start spreading an amazing nickname for Mao, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8vp-2X2rM

Is there a full record of the gala available yet on YouTube, can't find any?

Thx

emory903 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMB-i55qez4
It's the 30 minute Mao special that fuji tv aired after the gala
roma - I think its the same thing that you posted in the post-sochi thread but longer

Seems like it focus a lot on whether she will retire or not, not that I understand a word hahahaha

Love Mao shouting gambatte to kanako during the short program before kanako skated  
Love Akiko staying rinkside to watch Mao's 3A before going in to do interviews after her performance
Love the Kanako-Mao hug... I am going to miss the 3-sisters' interactions
Love conversation b/n mao, yulia, and carolina... mao look so excited that Carolina is going on tour with her, trying to involve Yulia in the conversation
and of course love all the Mao-fangirling

emory, thanx again for posting all the videos.   keep them coming.   

I'm not familiar with the athlete's area at competitions, but is it normal that a skaters warms up at a place that looks like a parking lot?  

So we can asume that Caro will also join The Ice cast this year? She and Mao really go along well. I also wouldn't be surprised if Julia would get invited, and I'm pretty sure Adelina will be there. I can't wait for July. 

emory903 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMB-i55qez4
It's the 30 minute Mao special that fuji tv aired after the gala
roma - I think its the same thing that you posted in the post-sochi thread but longer

Seems like it focus a lot on whether she will retire or not, not that I understand a word hahahaha

Love Mao shouting gambatte to kanako during the short program before kanako skated  
Love Akiko staying rinkside to watch Mao's 3A before going in to do interviews after her performance
Love the Kanako-Mao hug... I am going to miss the 3-sisters' interactions
Love conversation b/n mao, yulia, and carolina... mao look so excited that Carolina is going on tour with her, trying to involve Yulia in the conversation
and of course love all the Mao-fangirling

awww, I loove all these moments, didn't know that akiko stayed at the rinkside to watch Mao's 3A. but i can totally picture it     even she could not restrain her curiosity  

ohh! It's me in this video with many photos in my phone))) We made this record last week in Moscow. It was great! Thank you guys for these posters that Asya (Polosatik) gave me!!)

Whoa! MaoRussianFan, that's you? Thanks for sharing the projects with them!

yeahh! It's me, Irina    You are Welcome. Congrats our girl with her 3rd WC title! I'm so happy for her!     

Mao's mini-blog updates -- to see her fully dressed-up in the banquet:
http://mao-asada-ouen.jp/eye/09/

COHK wrote:

Mao's mini-blog updates -- to see her fully dressed-up in the banquet:
http://mao-asada-ouen.jp/eye/09/

Thanks for the link.  Mao is so charming!    And I like the ice sculpture.
And just saw the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMB-i55qez4 emory903 provided. Thanks!

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

Did the commentator just call Mao the QUEEN at 0:12? I'm used to people calling Yu-na this title. I wish there was a title for Mao aside from triple axel queen! She's more than the triple axel! I always wonder how Yu-na's nickname of "queen" got around.

You guys, we need to start spreading an amazing nickname for Mao, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8vp-2X2rM

I have some ideas

Emperess of figure skating
Musicality on ice
  

It will be fun to come up with one

zarinaballerina wrote:

emory903 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMB-i55qez4
It's the 30 minute Mao special that fuji tv aired after the gala
roma - I think its the same thing that you posted in the post-sochi thread but longer

Seems like it focus a lot on whether she will retire or not, not that I understand a word hahahaha

Love Mao shouting gambatte to kanako during the short program before kanako skated  
Love Akiko staying rinkside to watch Mao's 3A before going in to do interviews after her performance
Love the Kanako-Mao hug... I am going to miss the 3-sisters' interactions
Love conversation b/n mao, yulia, and carolina... mao look so excited that Carolina is going on tour with her, trying to involve Yulia in the conversation
and of course love all the Mao-fangirling

emory, thanx again for posting all the videos.   keep them coming.   

I'm not familiar with the athlete's area at competitions, but is it normal that a skaters warms up at a place that looks like a parking lot?  

So we can asume that Caro will also join The Ice cast this year? She and Mao really go along well. I also wouldn't be surprised if Julia would get invited, and I'm pretty sure Adelina will be there. I can't wait for July. 

I know. I did not know Mao and Caro were so close. Not to start anything, but the closeness Mao has with her fellow skaters is amazing. So different from You know who  

Tripleaxelqueen wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

Did the commentator just call Mao the QUEEN at 0:12? I'm used to people calling Yu-na this title. I wish there was a title for Mao aside from triple axel queen! She's more than the triple axel! I always wonder how Yu-na's nickname of "queen" got around.

You guys, we need to start spreading an amazing nickname for Mao, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8vp-2X2rM

I have some ideas

Emperess of figure skating
Musicality on ice
  

It will be fun to come up with one

Mighty Mao, with all her extraordinary accomplishment it fits her well

ballerinamao wrote:

Tripleaxelqueen wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

Did the commentator just call Mao the QUEEN at 0:12? I'm used to people calling Yu-na this title. I wish there was a title for Mao aside from triple axel queen! She's more than the triple axel! I always wonder how Yu-na's nickname of "queen" got around.

You guys, we need to start spreading an amazing nickname for Mao, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8vp-2X2rM

I have some ideas

Emperess of figure skating
Musicality on ice
  

It will be fun to come up with one

Mighty Mao, with all her extraordinary accomplishment it fits her well

Yeah I like that very much. Now lets spread it across the boards  

Tripleaxelqueen wrote:

ballerinamao wrote:

Tripleaxelqueen wrote:

Mao_Asada_sunrise wrote:

Did the commentator just call Mao the QUEEN at 0:12? I'm used to people calling Yu-na this title. I wish there was a title for Mao aside from triple axel queen! She's more than the triple axel! I always wonder how Yu-na's nickname of "queen" got around.

You guys, we need to start spreading an amazing nickname for Mao, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8vp-2X2rM

I have some ideas

Emperess of figure skating
Musicality on ice
  

It will be fun to come up with one

Mighty Mao, with all her extraordinary accomplishment it fits her well

Yeah I like that very much. Now lets spread it across the boards  

Figure Skating Goddess! Because unlike the queen (who is stuck doing only 4 kinds of triples, has a weak spirals, footworks, lack of flexabilty) Mao continues to grow and improves in every aspect of FS, thus making her ability to achieve to be the best, limitless.

We've already seen the best of what the"queen" can do,  but Mao is already achieving twice that. And she's still capable of so much more.

shar wrote:

Figure Skating Goddess! Because unlike the queen (who is stuck doing only 4 kinds of triples, has a weak spirals, footworks, lack of flexabilty) Mao continues to grow and improves in every aspect of FS, thus making her ability to achieve to be the best, limitless.

We've already seen the best of what the"queen" can do,  but Mao is already achieving twice that. And she's still capable of so much more.

+++  

shar wrote:

Figure Skating Goddess! Because unlike the queen (who is stuck doing only 4 kinds of triples, has a weak spirals, footworks, lack of flexabilty) Mao continues to grow and improves in every aspect of FS, thus making her ability to achieve to be the best, limitless.

We've already seen the best of what the"queen" can do,  but Mao is already achieving twice that. And she's still capable of so much more.

Exactly!   

And this is why, despite being a big Yuna fan, in recent years I've always been more excited to see Mao's performances. Being a Mao fan is not easy because you (sometimes) have to suffer a lot for her but on the bright side there is always that kind of excitement you don't get with other skaters...what she's gonna try? Is she going to add something different? what's her next goal? I feel sorry for those who do not appreciate Mao and cannot experience all these emotions