GPF 2015: Celebrating 10 yrs of Mao's skating career in GP

She does not need to feel the least bit ashamed of her performance in such a condition.

That was a hell of a triple axel for someone so gravely ill, and I doubt there is any lady in history who could do the same under those circumstances.
And she managed to do her first clean edge lutz.

BelieveInMaoself wrote:

She does not need to feel the least bit ashamed of her performance in such a condition.

That was a hell of a triple axel for someone so gravely ill, and I doubt there is any lady in history who could do the same under those circumstances.
And she managed to do her first clean edge lutz.

yes her first with the new technique, overall i think it's just a matter of time before she recovers her health, once she is healthy she will be fine, her practice sessions were stellar both in NHk and in the GPF, and that's when she was sick, now once she is healthy her stamina and consistency will be back

I just wish that her federation and coach would let her leave a competition if she isn't healthy, there is no point in competiting if you can't showcase what you are truly capably of delivering, and the whole world knows how much more Mao has in store...

I may be the only one who feels this way, but I wish she would leave coach Sato

I've been extremely busy with the GPF these last 3 days. Well, I mean busy attending the events...wish I always was busy like this!! LOL. It's time to return to reality now. Once I have time I'll write my thoughts on Mao's performance, compare her to others and probably write a post about how Mao looks like live. I'm sure those of you who have never seen her live have been asking questions like "how does she look like on the ice?", "Is she fast?", "Why does she seem to be lowballed in PCs sometimes?". I'll try to explain my experience well enough to answer these questions.

This is what Yuzu did to Shoma when a photographer said "Smile!"

Iceriver wrote:

I've been extremely busy with the GPF these last 3 days. Well, I mean busy attending the events...wish I always was busy like this!! LOL. It's time to return to reality now. Once I have time I'll write my thoughts on Mao's performance, compare her to others and probably write a post about how Mao looks like live. I'm sure those of you who have never seen her live have been asking questions like "how does she look like on the ice?", "Is she fast?", "Why does she seem to be lowballed in PCs sometimes?". I'll try to explain my experience well enough to answer these questions.

Can't wait Iceriver.

WowMao wrote:

Here is a comment by a poster who has a history of being fairly critical of Mao who believes the judging system is ridiculous because of the unjust double standard given to Mao's jumps, regarding Mao's 3 Flip and 3 Loop.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyCR-dg9nRs

B Brooks 13 hours ago (edited)
+girolle01 I'm so shocked that her (Satoko's) opening 3Lz+3T combination wasn't marked as under rotated because it was clearly VERY short of rotation on both jumps and she only received a -1 in GOE from one judge. Meanwhile Mao got -2's and even one -3 in  GOE for her 3+3 combination that the technical caller marked BOTH jumps as under rotated. So why was Mao penalized so harshly yet Satoko got a free pass? This judging system is absolutely ridiculous...

Here is another post by Sam-Skwantch who likes Mao overall but has been critical of her before.  
I'm not so sure I consider (Satoko's) fully rotated 3-3. The 3z is borderline at best and the 3t is an entire 180 degrees rotated on the ground. To me it's clear she under rotated and only Mao got called out for it.  
https://youtu.be/DBY837tqaoA


If Mao had done her SP yesterday or at Cup of China during 6.0, she could have done the flutz and gotten full credit for the 3 A and 3Flip and Loop and been way ahead of everyone else, especially since the 3A counted for a lot more then. Corruption in 2002 is the reason for the new faceless COP system that perpetrates even more corruption.

Therefore, the scores really have no meaning because they constantly change based on who the ISU wants to win, in my opinion.

I couldn't agree more, it's almost like they don't like Mao.

Inside Skating uploaded the previous and next photos of that one.
“Mission accomplished”  








http://www.insideskating.net/2015/12/21/features/yes-he-can-his-majesty-yuzuru-hanyu

Edges, lines, emotions: my week at 2015 Grand Prix Final
InsideSkating.net

by Florentina Tone

Swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth? I do – and here’s my confession to you:
no greater joy at this year’s edition of the Grand Prix Final than to see Mao Asada skate.
I’ve been a fan of this wonderful lady for years on end – and, coming to Barcelona,
I already knew this would be my highlight. And it was, it truly was, despite Mao finishing
the ladies event on the 6th place. But her programs this season, her maturity and arms
in the air, her skating skills, her butterflies,my butterflies – there’s truly no comparison to that.
And I do envy the Italian journalist who took a picture with Mao at the end of the press conference
after the short program – and then boldly kissed her on her cheeks, sharing the excitement with
everyone in the room: “Bellissima, bravissima Mao! Questa foto e per la mia mamma!”.
(Bold by me)




The pure emotion in the arena when Mao Asada lands a perfect triple Axel during practice –
as if everyone inthe audience rises and descends with her; as if everyone has, for a couple of seconds, Mao’s beautiful wings.





http://www.insideskating.net/2015/12/30/features/edges-lines-emotions-my-week-at-2015-grand-prix-final

Mao with Rafael Arutunian.  


https://twitter.com/yhgw1

silenceisgolden wrote:

It's wonderful to see they are still on good terms.
In some ways, I think he was much better at understanding her psyche and emotionally supporting her than the current coach. The eastern bloc coaches were trained in sports psychology, plus he seemed to have a personal investment in her performances.