Mao's strategy going forward?

zooma wrote:

I don't think Saint-Saens's "Swan" is a good choice. Her SP's of the last two seasons are same kinds of music (graceful and lyrical style) and they didn't work for her. She needs something more cheerful and invigorating. Id like to see a tango piece.

I think her "Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra" SP was fantastic when she did it at Worlds , but I agree that "Clair de Lune" might have been a little too soft/calm, especially compared to Yu-Na's "Danse Macabre."

I agree with Okami that "The Swan" might be a bit over-used, and it is kind of slow. I'd prefer something more like "Nocturne" or "Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra." The tango might work well too.

Speaking of which, this is random, but Mao's tango, "Por Una Cabeza," was composed by Carlos Gardel, who is from Argentina, which is where I am currently! In Buenos Aires, home of the tango!

And then I was thinking about it - two years ago, Mao's EX was "Habanera" from "Carmen" - a French opera - and I went to Paris. And then last year Mao's EX was "So deep is the night," which was in English and sung by Lesley Garrett, a British singer, and I went to London! So clearly my travel spots and Mao´s EX songs are connected, don't you think? Maybe if she does a Japanese song next year I'll be able to go to Tokyo agan!

Quote :

who is from Argentina, which is where I am currently! In Buenos Aires, home of the tango!

Oh! So lucky, have a wonderful time!

Batsuchan wrote:

And then I was thinking about it - two years ago, Mao's EX was "Habanera" from "Carmen" - a French opera - and I went to Paris. And then last year Mao's EX was "So deep is the night," which was in English and sung by Lesley Garrett, a British singer, and I went to London! So clearly my travel spots and Mao´s EX songs are connected, don't you think? Maybe if she does a Japanese song next year I'll be able to go to Tokyo agan!

Wow, what a coincidence!

Have a nice time in Buenos Aires!

What a coincidence,Batsuchan!
Perhaps you could check your travel plan this year, then we could have some clue about mao's ex program next season^^

What I'm really curious right now about and what, in my opinion, will greatly affect the chances of whoever for whatever Olympic medal is whether the order to skate in the Free Skate will be a result of a random draw (like at the last Worlds) or it'll happen due to the standings after the SP (a holder of the first place skates the last)?
I think this is a very, very important moment! Does anyone have any information on this matter?

And also let's not forget that the last three competitions before the Olympics Mao skates in Japan (NHK (presumably), GPF, Nationals). I don't know if it will influence Mao (and if yes - in which way), but this fact also should be taken into consideration I think.

The final flight will consist of the top 6 skaters after the SP, but in random order, and I honestly don't see any problems in that. If anything, skaters who are in serious contention should do anything to make sure they just end up in the final flight, and they are pretty much set...it's the penultimate group skaters should avoid if they want to make a strong impression on the judges.

I've yet to see Mao on an "off-day" during a major competition (both the SP and FS having several errors) in Japan so I'm not worried.

clovera wrote:

I've yet to see Mao on an "off-day" during a major competition (both the SP and FS having several errors) in Japan so I'm not worried.

Gahh, I just went and knocked on wood!

@ summervie

The order in which the final group skates does seem to be important - it affects both the judges (who might hold off on giving really big scores until later) and the skaters (later skaters have a chance to see what the others have done).

That being said, I'm not worried about Mao, because she has skated in pretty much every possible order in the final group of the competitions - first skater, somewhere in the middle, last skater - and done well.

I have no idea what she prefers though...being last - yes that means you know exactly what you have to do, but that also seems like it would translate into a whole lot of pressure, unless the others have really done badly.

Thoughts, anyone?