Mao News - The 2010-2011 Season!

I still would like to see Mao doing a 3-3 in her FP this season!
I saw vid of her practicing those moves...

and yeah Scott Hamilton is an IDIOT!

Thanks for the link kawaiimao!
I was 'lolling' in my corner here with that commentary >.<

I think that mao doing a 3-3 in the fp is almost sure since it would be a waste to do it in practice and not put it in competetion and mao seems like she also wants o include a 3-3 combination and a 3A in the same program now that she finally has the opportunity to do it, which I think is going to be a 3f-3lo combination, but it's going to be interesting to see if mao is going to try it in 4cc.

and I have a feeling that mao might also do a 3-3 in the sp as well. and that would probably be a 3lo-3lo combination since she right now does a 3lo-2lo, and I know that she thereby takes a risk but compared to last season even if the second 3lo get's slightly downgraded it wouldn't be as much as last year. and therfor I think there is much more to gain from doing it, especially since mao is going to bring back her 3-3 combination no matter what, it's just a matter of time and if she does it soon it would be better since she will get used to them again.

I really loved er 3-3 combo at 2008 worlds sp and fs and in 2009 worlds sp, and it would be so nice to see her do a 3-3 and a 3A in the same program, but at the same time it's going to be very exhausting to attempt all a 3-3 and a 3A and the other tripples all in the same program, especially since it's been a long time since she last did it. but knowing mao she will probably do her best and isn't the type to hold back...

I don't like how fans get crazy just because they saw a video of her doing a 3-3. she has also practiced it last season, i am pretty sure.

she hasn't been doing the 3-3 for two seasons if i am not wrong so it would be surprising to see it at this year's worlds where she has to fight with 3Sal, 3Lz as well as a modified flip technique. this girl is not a machine =)

her goal should be to regain her confidence by staying on her feet and doing the three revolutions on the basic solo jumps. and to put some double loops here and there on the end as combinations. next season she should slowly start upgrading the difficulty of her jump layout.

itcaip wrote:

I don't like how fans get crazy just because they saw a video of her doing a 3-3. she has also practiced it last season, i am pretty sure.

she hasn't been doing the 3-3 for two seasons if i am not wrong so it would be surprising to see it at this year's worlds where she has to fight with 3Sal, 3Lz as well as a modified flip technique. this girl is not a machine =)

her goal should be to regain her confidence by staying on her feet and doing the three revolutions on the basic solo jumps. and to put some double loops here and there on the end as combinations. next season she should slowly start upgrading the difficulty of her jump layout.

I disagree. I may be wrong, but she needs to try it now, otherwise next season she'll be insecure again about 3-3. And for some skaters this reworking technique process could take a long long time, but Mao is Mao.

kawaiimao wrote:

Lol, Scott is actually very funny, especially when he doesn't even mean to be!
His rotation theory is absolutely priceless but it still doesn't compare to his to his comments on Yagudin's LP in Salt Lake City.

That was definitely Scott Hamilton at his very best :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu3s9aR079k

HAHAHAHA you're right, that really is his worst ever! Wow, his commentary for this year's Olympics was nothing compared to that. Wow. Plus, the whole time he kept mentioning Timothy Goebel and kept saying how conservative/"safe" Alexei was being...over and over.

The comments on that video are hilarious. I love this one:
"a lot more convincing a victory than i thought it was going to be." uhhhhh only you thought that, scott.....

alyssa wrote:

itcaip wrote:

I don't like how fans get crazy just because they saw a video of her doing a 3-3. she has also practiced it last season, i am pretty sure.

she hasn't been doing the 3-3 for two seasons if i am not wrong so it would be surprising to see it at this year's worlds where she has to fight with 3Sal, 3Lz as well as a modified flip technique. this girl is not a machine =)

her goal should be to regain her confidence by staying on her feet and doing the three revolutions on the basic solo jumps. and to put some double loops here and there on the end as combinations. next season she should slowly start upgrading the difficulty of her jump layout.

I disagree. I may be wrong, but she needs to try it now, otherwise next season she'll be insecure again about 3-3. And for some skaters this reworking technique process could take a long long time, but Mao is Mao.

I would have to agree with Alyssa. Maybe Mao has been practicing 3-3 last season and never tried it, but look at this season. She has a new coach and new tecniques, and she is still the same fighter we know. Therefore, she might actually give the 3-3 a shot in 4CC or/and Worlds. We'll have to wait and see.

kawaiimao wrote:

Lol, Scott is actually very funny, especially when he doesn't even mean to be!
His rotation theory is absolutely priceless but it still doesn't compare to his to his comments on Yagudin's LP in Salt Lake City.

That was definitely Scott Hamilton at his very best :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu3s9aR079k

Ah, yes. Vintage Scott. I remember very well what I was thinking as I watched this back in 2002:

'Scott my man, everyone (else) knows that all Yags has to do to win is stay on his feet. I don't care if he only did one triple Axel—he's got this, he's running away with this title.'

I shudder to think of all the poor souls who know nothing about skating except what they 'learn' from Scott.

illani wrote:

I shudder to think of all the poor souls who know nothing about skating except what they 'learn' from Scott.

LMAO

You know, I really used to like Scott. I loved his skating (who am I kidding, I still do), I thought his comments were so insightful because he always said interesting things about what goes on in the head of a skater and so forth (he still has interesting things to say once in a while), but he has just become so biased. I feel he always has been to an extent, but I couldn't believe my ears when he went out and said that Mao's 3A+2T was easier than Yu-Na's 3Lz+3T. You ask any male skater and I am pretty darn sure they would have the exact opposite to say and be more specific about it and not fail to mention the darn forward edge take off.

I just can not imagine Scott saying that on air at an actual skating competition. I almost feel he just braved in saying that because the lady he was being interviewed by knew virtually nothing about skating.

It's hard for me not to like the guy when he gets all genuinely mushy during an emotional time/performance (Joannie at the Olympics, Michelle's "Fields of Gold" at Salt Lake, Paul Wylie's Silver winning freeskate, etc...) as he gets me all during those moments. But when he let's his personal feelings affect his judgement too much it's just...

periperi wrote:

You know, I really used to like Scott. I loved his skating (who am I kidding, I still do), I thought his comments were so insightful because he always said interesting things about what goes on in the head of a skater and so forth (he still has interesting things to say once in a while), but he has just become so biased. I feel he always has been to an extent, but I couldn't believe my ears when he went out and said that Mao's 3A+2T was easier than Yu-Na's 3Lz+3T. You ask any male skater and I am pretty darn sure they would have the exact opposite to say and be more specific about it and not fail to mention the darn forward edge take off.

Exactly! Dick Button would always talk about the difficulty of the Axel takeoff any time someone was going into an axel jump, but Scott just pretends it's just as easy as any other jump. Take it from someone who skates, it is NOT as easy as the other takeoffs - it is SO much harder.

I just found this really cute video of Mao!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQHxf_RHW-E

maofan93 wrote:

I just found this really cute video of Mao!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQHxf_RHW-E

So cute...

Her dress reminds me of some other dress...

thanks for the link mao was really cute I would really love to see the whole program and and hat they later said about mao...

maofan93 wrote:

I just found this really cute video of Mao!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQHxf_RHW-E

Mao is such a good dancer! I love the part from 1:50 to 2:09!

Thank you for the link, maofan93! Mao meeting her previous ballet teacher, whom she used to learn ballet from. Mini Mao in tutu is too cute!

A couple of news article/clips surfaced. They don't exactly carry brand new info on Mao but are all worth reading because they all help shed new light to the character of the athlete we all so love and support.

Someone kindly uploaded a documentary on Mao's journey to the Olympics. They contain footage of Mao training with Tat that I personally haven't seen before, details on how Tat worked with Mao on her artistic presentation and an analysis of her Bells FS (transitions, jumps and footwork). And other info about her training on and off the ice.

Can I say how I absolutely love watching Mao doing simple skating exercises on the ice?? (watch 12:42) She glides with such wonderful ease and elegance. And the ice markings she creates on the ice as she moves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfhc1jV-qso&feature=watch_response_rev (1/2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHY1-hw70Es&feature=watch_response_rev (2/2)

It's evident that Mao isn't comfortable with her FS music and choreography at first. But from the interviews, you see the genuine trust she has for Tat and her determination to overcome her insecurities.

A news article on Mao, with interviews of Mao, Sato-sensei and Kumiko-sensei. Nothing brand new; most info are mentioned in different articles. I think someone posted a brief translation of the main tidbits of this article before... But anyway, here's the full article (3 pages):

http://www.nikkei.com/sports/column/article/g=96958A88889DE0E3EBEAE3E2EBE2E0E2E2E3E0E2E3E3E2E2E2E2E2E2;p=9694E3E0E2EAE0E2E3E2E1E6E6E4

From the quotes, you get the feeling that the new coaching arrangement and environment is really benefiting Mao's training. The coaches watch over Mao's skating daily and they encouraged her on when she has a bad day. She finds training enriching, as she also trains with Taka-chan.

The coaches seem to understand Mao quite well, both in terms of skating and personality. And they work well with each other. Kumiko sensei compliments Mao on how she always practises simple skating exercises earnestly, even though a skater of her calibre would not be willing to do so. She also helps refining Mao's movements/poses in the choreography. Sato-sensei says that Mao's performance at nationals is not good enough yet. He hopes to elevate everything to a higher level but is concerned about how adding new things may destabilize her skating again.

The new changes this season, coupled with Mao turning 20 and starting to everything by herself, even the interviewer noticed the difference in Mao's demeanor when talking.

I paraphrased the main ideas... Please do correct me if I got any of the info wrong.

-------------------------

ETA: Oh, and THIS is news. An interview with Shizuka Arakawa, Takeshi Honda, Daisuke Takahashi and Mao

A Japanese blogger posted the interview:

http://toramomo.exblog.jp/14815657/#14815657_1

ETA 2: Sato-sensei's column on a Hokkaido evening newspaper mentioned Mao and her 3A (on 25.01.11)

故障知らず　努力の浅田　～佐藤信夫

http://ameblo.jp/barbie-bambina/entry-10780168431.html#main

Thanks a lot for the links snowdrops24!!

Now when you look back -
Her program is extremely difficult!
The small steps which mounts to such an intricate choreography!

Tat is such a strong coach!
Maybe she wanted Mao to create a musical bang.
Intense music - morbid colors -
It was all a hefty atmosphere of dark success -

Mao is awesome!
Thanks for the links

Thanks for all the updates and links snowdrops24 and everyone else!
Time to give + votes now.

ETA: Currently watching Scott's commentary that kawaiimao posted a few pages back. Nevermind Scott being his usual awful self, what on earth is Tom Hammond saying?! Yags didn't end with any fire? Gamesmanship? Unbelievable. Thank goodness Terry Gannon replaced him at least for this season.

Message from Mao

http://www.maomaiasada.com/message/mao.html

by the way could someone pleae translate the article where sato talks about mao's 3A

snowdrops24 wrote:

ETA: Oh, and THIS is news. An interview with Shizuka Arakawa, Takeshi Honda, Daisuke Takahashi and Mao

A Japanese blogger posted the interview:

http://toramomo.exblog.jp/14815657/#14815657_1

ETA 2: Sato-sensei's column on a Hokkaido evening newspaper mentioned Mao and her 3A (on 25.01.11)

故障知らず　努力の浅田　～佐藤信夫

http://ameblo.jp/barbie-bambina/entry-10780168431.html#main

Thanks for that information.
Interview with Arakawa this time made me laughed.

Arakawa praised Mao again that she had a record of 3 times Triple Axel at Olympics.
Arakawa tried to brag in a funny way that she also had a record at Olympics too.
But not that wonderful record as Mao, she had a record as an oldest skater in Ladies,
who got gold medal. And she also said that even Mao can get gold medal at next Sochi,
she still cannot break that Arakawa's record. Ha ha ha.

About the next link, Coach Nobuo talked about Triple Axel that it is so difficult in Ladies.
Midori can jump that when and she was special, even his daughter Sato Yuka cannot
compare with Midori's talent.
Russian coach (Pluchenko's coach) showed him Russian skater succeeded a trial of Triple
Axel and Nobuo think in the future there will be more young skater who can jump 3A but
will they can bring this jump when they grow old ?

And when we think like this 3A at the age of 20 is not something simple so Mao is like
a MONSTER. She is special among skaters. The reason why she can still land 3A must be
the consistency of her trial.

BowbowDaijin wrote:

snowdrops24 wrote:

ETA: Oh, and THIS is news. An interview with Shizuka Arakawa, Takeshi Honda, Daisuke Takahashi and Mao

A Japanese blogger posted the interview:

http://toramomo.exblog.jp/14815657/#14815657_1

ETA 2: Sato-sensei's column on a Hokkaido evening newspaper mentioned Mao and her 3A (on 25.01.11)

故障知らず　努力の浅田　～佐藤信夫

http://ameblo.jp/barbie-bambina/entry-10780168431.html#main

Thanks for that information.
Interview with Arakawa this time made me laughed.

Arakawa praised Mao again that she had a record of 3 times Triple Axel at Olympics.
Arakawa tried to brag in a funny way that she also had a record at Olympics too.
But not that wonderful record as Mao, she had a record as an oldest skater in Ladies,
who got gold medal. And she also said that even Mao can get gold medal at next Sochi,
she still cannot break that Arakawa's record. Ha ha ha.

About the next link, Coach Nobuo talked about Triple Axel that it is so difficult in Ladies.
Midori can jump that when and she was special, even his daughter Sato Yuka cannot
compare with Midori's talent.
Russian coach (Pluchenko's coach) showed him Russian skater succeeded a trial of Triple
Axel and Nobuo think in the future there will be more young skater who can jump 3A but
will they can bring this jump when they grow old ?

And when we think like this 3A at the age of 20 is not something simple so Mao is like
a MONSTER. She is special among skaters. The reason why she can still land 3A must be
the consistency of her trial.

The triple axel is really Mao's weapon. I like how they called her a monster (but good connotation of monster, like powerful type. Lol!).

it's a really funny interview with arakawa!

I would really love to know what things sato would like to add to mao's program!

I can't wait to see how maos program will look like later on...

kirakira wrote:

Message from Mao

http://www.maomaiasada.com/message/mao.html

thanks!! Can someone please translate ?

bibi wrote:

kirakira wrote:

Message from Mao
http://www.maomaiasada.com/message/mao.html

thanks!! Can someone please translate ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message from Mao No.5

Hello everyone - thanks for all the support during the shows in Nagoya (the Nagoya festival and Japan Super Challenge) and SOI Japan Osaka! I'm currently training hard for 4CC! Please cheer me on this year as well!

↑↓Here are some photos from the Japan Super Challenge! It was a fun New Year's event (for me). (*＾＾*)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For once I did a more literal translation here which is a bit of a struggle for me since I tend to be a wordy person and personally prefer to free translate Japanese into longer sentences.

thank you so much Clovera !! Can't wait for 4CC !!!