2013 Skate America

Alokya wrote:

I posted this on the Facebook page, and I'm reposting it here without names. As most of you are aware, we made Mao a photobook and a banner cheering her on toward Sochi. Well, we managed to deliver it straight into her hands at Skate America. Here is the story.

At the short program practice, we got to talking with some of the people around us. We mentioned that we were all from the Mao Fan Forum and the Mao’s Guardian Angels Facebook page, and we got to talking about our project. We showed them the wrapped photobook and then took the banner out of the bags I was carrying it in to show them. Everyone’s jaws quite literally dropped. People everywhere around us started taking photos of the banner! Seriously, everyone was in love with it. I see that someone posted the banner on Twitter. Because it was so amazing, someone pointed the banner out to the TV Asahi film crew, which, sadly, was the only film crew at Skate America. Well done, America, for your amazing interest in your own event. In any case, the film crew came up to us and started talking to us about the banner and about the photobook. We explained whom we were, how international our group was, why we enjoyed Mao’s skating, etc. They commented on how the signatures on the banner were from all over the place, etc. It was a really, really nice experience. We ended with giving her a video message, saying “we love and support you, Mao! Good luck this season, especially for the Olympics!” and things of that nature.

So, we start off with Mao doing a PHENOMENAL short program. I was trying not to cry. Then, we gathered our stuff together and raced to the skater’s entrance. It was raining and cold and not pleasant. On the plus side, while we were waiting around, we saw SHIZUKA ARAKAWA! She is BEAUTIFUL in person! So gorgeous! She was chilling with the Japanese media entourage, and they were also hanging around outside the skater’s entrance. So, after being there for about fifteen minutes, one of the event workers came up to us and said that we probably shouldn’t be in that area due to the buses coming and going and the like. However, he directed us inside and said that we could wait in there. Unfortunately, inside were really freaking grumpy event workers that were definitely not happy to see us, and for the next ten minutes, they spent every minute trying to kick us out. Eventually, they managed to do just that. At that point, two of us decided to go and watch the men’s free skate practice, which had just started. The rest, including myself, decided to go back outside and stand slightly further away from the entrance. The nice event worker who had escorted us inside initially finally came over and said, I quote, “to make everyone else happy, I’m going to place you here and put a barricade here.” So, he did that and we were kind of sad, but on the upside, the edge of the barricade was literally right next to the skater’s bus. A TV Asahi crew (separate from the one that had initially talked to us earlier) came over and “wowed” our banner, and they filmed us as well! After about five minutes after he had put us behind the barricade, Mao came out and was immediately mobbed by Japanese media. Poor girl. Anyway, as she walked toward the bus, she saw us and we waved, and she immediately made a beeline toward us. We said hello, and she saw the banner. And her mouth dropped wide open. We asked if we could get a picture with her, and she said, “yes, of course!” So, someone took a photo of us with her. After that, we gave her the photobook (encased in plastic bags due to the light rain), and we also gave her the banner. When I said, “the banner is for you, too,” her mouth dropped wide open – again! She literally could not believe it. You know the look Mao gets on her face when she gets unexpectedly amazing scores she cannot believe? Yeah, that look is what was on her face when we said that the banner was for her. The other good example was Mao’s shocked reaction to learning that she won 2008 worlds. As someone aptly said, it was “her version of emoticon .” Once she closed her mouth, she said, “thank you so, so much.” She kept doing her cute little Japanese bow to us. We said some things like, “you did an amazing job today, well done, you were a joy to watch. Good luck for tomorrow!” She kept saying “thank you” over and over again until she had to go. But yeah – she was really, really nice to us, and she LOVED the banner. I can only imagine how much she will love the photobook as well.

Ladies Free Skate

Mao’s Rachmaninoff program is a joy to watch in person. I think, with time, she will emote more power into the program, but boy is it amazing to watch live! It’s amazing enough on TV! Also, her dress is a lot more sparkly in person than on camera. I actually really hated it when I saw photos, but in person, I love it – the sequins really add to the program. Without them, I think it’s a bit of a weird dress.

The longer/more personal version is in a note on Facebook. Take a look! And if you haven't already, please join the Facebook page!

I WISH I WAS THERE TO SEE HER REACTION!!!!!!!!! I BET IT WAS PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE TO MEET HER!

Some of Mao's jumps were a bit low today and I'm quite afraid she hurt really herself from that fall. She was tapping her back at the KnC before her scores came up. I hope she'll be fine.

That said, 3 judges gave her +2 in her steps while the rest gave 3. I hope by Olympics they'll all give her +3 across the board. And Mao needs to earn more GOEs in her other elements and put that 3-3 and 2A+3T in competition soon. Her other competitors are earning the points form GOEs and not just the levels.

Alokya wrote:

I posted this on the Facebook page, and I'm reposting it here without names. As most of you are aware, we made Mao a photobook and a banner cheering her on toward Sochi. Well, we managed to deliver it straight into her hands at Skate America. Here is the story.

At the short program practice, we got to talking with some of the people around us. We mentioned that we were all from the Mao Fan Forum and the Mao’s Guardian Angels Facebook page, and we got to talking about our project. We showed them the wrapped photobook and then took the banner out of the bags I was carrying it in to show them. Everyone’s jaws quite literally dropped. People everywhere around us started taking photos of the banner! Seriously, everyone was in love with it. I see that someone posted the banner on Twitter. Because it was so amazing, someone pointed the banner out to the TV Asahi film crew, which, sadly, was the only film crew at Skate America. Well done, America, for your amazing interest in your own event. In any case, the film crew came up to us and started talking to us about the banner and about the photobook. We explained whom we were, how international our group was, why we enjoyed Mao’s skating, etc. They commented on how the signatures on the banner were from all over the place, etc. It was a really, really nice experience. We ended with giving her a video message, saying “we love and support you, Mao! Good luck this season, especially for the Olympics!” and things of that nature.

So, we start off with Mao doing a PHENOMENAL short program. I was trying not to cry. Then, we gathered our stuff together and raced to the skater’s entrance. It was raining and cold and not pleasant. On the plus side, while we were waiting around, we saw SHIZUKA ARAKAWA! She is BEAUTIFUL in person! So gorgeous! She was chilling with the Japanese media entourage, and they were also hanging around outside the skater’s entrance. So, after being there for about fifteen minutes, one of the event workers came up to us and said that we probably shouldn’t be in that area due to the buses coming and going and the like. However, he directed us inside and said that we could wait in there. Unfortunately, inside were really freaking grumpy event workers that were definitely not happy to see us, and for the next ten minutes, they spent every minute trying to kick us out. Eventually, they managed to do just that. At that point, two of us decided to go and watch the men’s free skate practice, which had just started. The rest, including myself, decided to go back outside and stand slightly further away from the entrance. The nice event worker who had escorted us inside initially finally came over and said, I quote, “to make everyone else happy, I’m going to place you here and put a barricade here.” So, he did that and we were kind of sad, but on the upside, the edge of the barricade was literally right next to the skater’s bus. A TV Asahi crew (separate from the one that had initially talked to us earlier) came over and “wowed” our banner, and they filmed us as well! After about five minutes after he had put us behind the barricade, Mao came out and was immediately mobbed by Japanese media. Poor girl. Anyway, as she walked toward the bus, she saw us and we waved, and she immediately made a beeline toward us. We said hello, and she saw the banner. And her mouth dropped wide open. We asked if we could get a picture with her, and she said, “yes, of course!” So, someone took a photo of us with her. After that, we gave her the photobook (encased in plastic bags due to the light rain), and we also gave her the banner. When I said, “the banner is for you, too,” her mouth dropped wide open – again! She literally could not believe it. You know the look Mao gets on her face when she gets unexpectedly amazing scores she cannot believe? Yeah, that look is what was on her face when we said that the banner was for her. The other good example was Mao’s shocked reaction to learning that she won 2008 worlds. As someone aptly said, it was “her version of emoticon .” Once she closed her mouth, she said, “thank you so, so much.” She kept doing her cute little Japanese bow to us. We said some things like, “you did an amazing job today, well done, you were a joy to watch. Good luck for tomorrow!” She kept saying “thank you” over and over again until she had to go. But yeah – she was really, really nice to us, and she LOVED the banner. I can only imagine how much she will love the photobook as well.

Ladies Free Skate

Mao’s Rachmaninoff program is a joy to watch in person. I think, with time, she will emote more power into the program, but boy is it amazing to watch live! It’s amazing enough on TV! Also, her dress is a lot more sparkly in person than on camera. I actually really hated it when I saw photos, but in person, I love it – the sequins really add to the program. Without them, I think it’s a bit of a weird dress.

The longer/more personal version is in a note on Facebook. Take a look! And if you haven't already, please join the Facebook page!

Thank you so much for this report!    

I would've loved to see Mao's expression.   You guys are so lucky.

roma wrote:

Some of Mao's jumps were a bit low today and I'm quite afraid she hurt really herself from that fall. She was tapping her back at the KnC before her scores came up. I hope she'll be fine.

That said, 3 judges gave her +2 in her steps while the rest gave 3. I hope by Olympics they'll all give her +3 across the board. And Mao needs to earn more GOEs in her other elements and put that 3-3 and 2A+3T in competition soon. Her other competitors are earning the points form GOEs and not just the levels.

ITA. In worlds 2013 FS, yuna earned 16+ points in GOE, caro 10+, while Mao just 3+...

Alokya, thank you so much for detailed report.  I was so excited when I was reading it.  I'm really happy for you that you were able to hand the photo book and banner to Mao in person!!

Nick Verreos has blogged about the costumes at Skate America and he likes both of Mao's costumes:

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.jp/2013/10/ice-style2013-hilton-hhonors-skate.html

Well, I did post a comment with a link to the CM if he liked the original lilac or the red cm-only dress for the SP. Dunno if he'll reply, though.

COHK wrote:

ballerinamao wrote:

COHK wrote:

Finally got the chance to catch up most of the ladies' SP. It feels so good to see Mao smiling all the way after the competition  .  It's so cute even at the moment that she mixed up Nocturne with Liebestraum during the post interview!  

which interview? would you mind posting it:D 

I finally find the video:
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjI0MDExMzE2.html

This is the post-SP-interview broadcast by a certain JP TV station. Note the interviewer's question at around 46 sec. and Mao's reaction at around 50-54sec. (She answered: This "Liebestram"..ah no no ((and shaking her head and looking upward)) en...it's Nocturne....) 

Thanks for the clip COHK  

ballerinamao wrote:

Thanks for the clip COHK  

No problem!

After watching the delayed broadcasting of ladies' FS, one point occurred to me: comparing Mao's Rach2 Stsq with her Swan Lake Stsq last season, there's a difference in the tempo. For Rach2, the tempo is very steady, and slower, while for Swan Lake, it's quite up-beat and the tempos actually change throughout (if you try to go back to the video clip of SL, it was very difficult to clap hands all the way through the Stsq part; the tempo changes.) So I'm guessing it wouldn't be as noticeable as the SL Stsq last season that once she looses the speed, everything looks like she's chasing after the music. As result, her movements looked like out of synch with the music sometimes.

Another place about the Stsq is that, the rules have changed: IIRC, the part about "executing the Stsq quickly" was taken out of the rules from last season. As long as the Stsq goes with the rhythm of the music, it's ok. I think Mao's Rach2 Stsq is already full of dynamics and very spectacular, all she needs is to "attack" some of the movements more while keeping the speed, she wouldn't be looking like falling behind the music (I hope!)

Also, it's so obvious she's not quite satisfied with the FS after the result. And she said in the post-interview: "this will be the 'minimum level' and I want to do better" It's very ambitious to have a FS of 131 pts as the 'minimum level'; but definitely NOT unreachable to get higher from this point! I'm now looking forward to her performance at NHK.

COHK wrote:

ballerinamao wrote:

Thanks for the clip COHK  

No problem!

After watching the delayed broadcasting of ladies' FS, one point occurred to me: comparing Mao's Rach2 Stsq with her Swan Lake Stsq last season, there's a difference in the tempo. For Rach2, the tempo is very steady, and slower, while for Swan Lake, it's quite up-beat and the tempos actually change throughout (if you try to go back to the video clip of SL, it was very difficult to clap hands all the way through the Stsq part; the tempo changes.) So I'm guessing it wouldn't be as noticeable as the SL Stsq last season that once she looses the speed, everything looks like she's chasing after the music. As result, her movements looked like out of synch with the music sometimes.

Another place about the Stsq is that, the rules have changed: IIRC, the part about "executing the Stsq quickly" was taken out of the rules from last season. As long as the Stsq goes with the rhythm of the music, it's ok. I think Mao's Rach2 Stsq is already full of dynamics and very spectacular, all she needs is to "attack" some of the movements more while keeping the speed, she wouldn't be looking like falling behind the music (I hope!)

Also, it's so obvious she's not quite satisfied with the FS after the result. And she said in the post-interview: "this will be the 'minimum level' and I want to do better" It's very ambitious to have a FS of 131 pts as the 'minimum level'; but definitely NOT unreachable to get higher from this point! I'm now looking forward to her performance at NHK.

That's the right mindset to have, she sounds fired up and determined, I am already looking forward to NHK.

http://theczarisalive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/skate-america-2013-notable-butts-and.html

Anyone else share a bit of naughtiness during the FS season?

http://www.2013skateamerica.com/davis-white-machida-lead-day/

Another article and the Gala:

part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyW_LVGSAGQ&app=desktop

part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOgGJY5bZNQ&app=desktop


Mao's gala program can be seen in part 2  

Czarace wrote:

http://theczarisalive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/skate-america-2013-notable-butts-and.html

Anyone else share a bit of naughtiness during the FS season?

I didn't know that this is your blog Cazr I always read it, I love how you focus the articles, You say things in a very interesting and funny way Great post about the ladies at Skate America Congratulations!!!!

Czarace wrote:

http://theczarisalive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/skate-america-2013-notable-butts-and.html

Anyone else share a bit of naughtiness during the FS season?

I love it. Can't wait for Skate Canada part.    

I'm glad you like my blog guys! I wasn't sure if I should have said before, but it was one of our fellow members who brought my blog to your attention! I was surprised! Glad someone out there reads my posts!

Look out for my butt-hunt at Skate Canada!
xxxx

Czarace wrote:

http://theczarisalive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/skate-america-2013-notable-butts-and.html

Anyone else share a bit of naughtiness during the FS season?

You already know that I will be reading your blog.  

Czarace wrote:

I'm glad you like my blog guys! I wasn't sure if I should have said before, but it was one of our fellow members who brought my blog to your attention! I was surprised! Glad someone out there reads my posts!

Look out for my butt-hunt at Skate Canada!
xxxx

It was me.   I had no idea you were a member when I brought the link to your blog over here. I was googling stories of Mao and came across your blog. After reading it while  I knew I had to bring it here and share it with the rest of the crew. Your blog is wonderful and witty.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9855159/espnw-japan-mao-asada-pushes-boundaries-wins-skate-america-gold-ashley-wagner
In this article it mentions that Elena Radionova sees Mao as her "idol", and doesn't consider her a rival.
This is just the sweetest thing ever

shar wrote:

Czarace wrote:

I'm glad you like my blog guys! I wasn't sure if I should have said before, but it was one of our fellow members who brought my blog to your attention! I was surprised! Glad someone out there reads my posts!

Look out for my butt-hunt at Skate Canada!
xxxx

It was me.   I had no idea you were a member when I brought the link to your blog over here. I was googling stories of Mao and came across your blog. After reading it while  I knew I had to bring it here and share it with the rest of the crew. Your blog is wonderful and witty.

 

http://www.theskatinglesson.com/tsls-skate-america-recap/

TSL recap.  
I was pleasantly surprised that Jenny said Mao is more of the artist, in comparison to Yuna now. But I agree that Mao really has to go clean or very near clean to have a chance at the gold. I'm sure she knows she can't afford to have these errors in Sochi, so she is dissatisfied with her LP results here. I think she may be able to double on the triple-triple but she has to nail that 2A-3T.

pearlyriver wrote:

Oops, a video of Mao's FS got more than 100000 views and unsurprisingly 300 dislikes and 200 likes :eeklmao:Why so much hate? I don't think I've seen that much hate at the peak of Michelle-Sasha rivalry, or the internet wasn't so popular back then.

Ilovethai, what a beautiful profile.

I think they get even more enraged bc Mao is really loved and encouraged by everyone bc she is just a great person and a great skater, it makes some haters mad when she gains compliments

let`s talk wrote:

SOURCE

OMG this is so cute/crazy  , Mao is so admired   that's bc she is amazing   

this is a fan video of Mao's EX (forgive me if someone already posted)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_x41qxL6gw

Why do I feel like she got a little hurt from that 3A fall?    I hope not, maybe she is just a little sore

Dani-Chan wrote:

this is a fan video of Mao's EX (forgive me if someone already posted)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_x41qxL6gw

Why do I feel like she got a little hurt from that 3A fall?    I hope not, maybe she is just a little sore

I heard she bruised her hip with that fall, resulting in doubling some of her planned triples, like the 2A-3T. And also 2 footed and UR'ed others like her Lutz and her 3-2-2. I would rather have has her UR or 2 footing, then falling on her axel. Then her other jumps would've still been there, and she would have got 140+. But that fall really did affect her nerves and the rest of her jumps. And even her Ex.

But thank goodness she has enough time to heal and improve her jumps before her next assignment. And then she can go and kick butt at the NHK.     

My cable get Korean channel KTN-KBS. All though their shows have english subs, their news program did not. And they of course talked about Mao. And added clips of the NBC SA broadcast, where you can hear a female voice mention Mao only doing jumps and not much else during her long program.  I think it was the one Scott (suck up to Yuna) Hamilton was on. Of course KBS news are all about pushing anything negative re: Mao. I can't wait till Mao is in top form and really nail all of her jumps. If there's no UR, she will get 150+ by GPS.   And I shall be playing Kanye's "Stronger" song, with the one line "take that haters" on loop.   

So the only international Yuna will compete in the near future is Olympics? Or she may compete in a B-event but the scores there shouldn't be set as a benchmark. I'm not her hardcore fan but I really look forward to see what her programs look like. We'll have to wait until CoC to see how Carolina will be scored.

I want Mao to skate clean more than anything else, since that would surely shut up the haters. I've seen a lot of unreasonable hatred, but I've never seen such blatant, nasty and petty wave of hatred towards our Mao. No wonder why she's such a fighter. What can't kill you can only make you stronger.    

Dani-Chan wrote:

this is a fan video of Mao's EX (forgive me if someone already posted)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_x41qxL6gw

Why do I feel like she got a little hurt from that 3A fall?    I hope not, maybe she is just a little sore

I also was kind of worried cause it surely looked like Mao got gurt after that fall. But she took it easy in exhibition and I hope she's okay by now.  

The problem is Mao is never open about her injuries. We never know how serious her injuries are. Many people forget what she has to fight to get to this level.