Trophée Eric Bompard Cachemire 2008

Okami wrote:

polosatik wrote:

I feel like I'm in hysteria, why a lot people think that new programs are awful and terrible? They said"TAT don't know what is good for Mao" and something like that. TAT is perfect for Mao, when skater makes mistakes ,everyone became so mean to him/her I can't stand this anymore....

Don't worry about it too much, polosatik! Those who complain just prove that they lack understanding of figure skating and respect for hard work.

I've read many unpleasant messages, too. Some said that it was stupid of Mao to try Lutz when she can't land it, some implied that she'll never correct it, some said that she should not attempt 3S if it gives her troubles, some said that she was the best when she won GPF and declined after that.

I say it's nosense. Mao was brilliant when she won GPF, but that program, with two Flutzes, no 3-3, no 3T or 3S, wouldn't score all that much when compared to what Mao is capable now. She improved everything; jumps, spins, footwork, spirals, expression...

Some might say that Mao and TAT overdo things and try to attempt too many difficult things at the same time. Sure, if all Mao cared about was victory, she could try a different approach. She could cease to learn new things, to do old spins and spirals, to do easier footwork. She could concentrate just on landing jumps cleanly, give up on doing two 3-3s (one would suffice to have a 7-triples program). She could have a simple program choreographed to some popular music that would make audience clap along, ignore transitions, just have fun and beam at the audience. The experience has shown that a simple program skated witn power and difficult jumps can earn more PCS than more artistic, but understated program (Brian vs. Jeff at Worlds, Plushenko vs. everyone else at Olympics).

Instead she chose to work on every single weakness - and more than that, to improve everything to perfection even if it is not necessary or will not give her any points under CoP.

It's not an easy task. Many skaters struggle for months and seasons with fixing "just" their edges or positions, or trying to learn a new jump. Mao does everything all at once.

Many might say it's pointless, but I believe it will pay off one day. I have no doubts that she has the ability to eventually handle the pressure and nervousness - and skate the program as perfectly as she does in practice. She might pay for this with a few worse showings in the GP series - but years will pass and people will forget what happened during the GP events. However, outstanding skaters who are pushing the sport forward won't be forgotten.

Skaters like Midori Ito, Lucinda Ruh, Natalie Krieg, Nicole Bobek are still remembered and appreciated, even though they have never won a gold medal at Worlds (except for Midori). Midori's jumps, Lucinda's and Natalie's spins and Nicole's spirals have set new standards and pushed the sport forward.

I believe that Mao will be remembered as a skater who had pushed figure skating to new limits - not just when it comes to jumps, but also when it comes to spins, spirals, steps and choreography. And this is what makes a true champion.

You really made my day Okami! Now I'm more assured in my opinion then was before!

@Okami

I'm really glad you said that. That's just what I thought too.
I also read the GS forum and I was just appalled how most of the poeple reacted there.

Some really said Mao sould go back to her Flutz, because she has problems with her new Lutz.
I think as soon as she would use her Flutz, the same people would call her a cheater again.
Don't they see that it takes some time for this? Did they expect Mao to do all the jumps perfectly?
And hell, she was nervous! Everyone was paying attention on this special issue, so it's understandable she made mistakes.

Also TAT was the culprit at once. She's too ambitious, she's just a choreographer, Mao should change coaches etc..
I'm not sure abouth all this either. But these people are just overreacting.
Let's trust Mao's decision to train with TAT. That's what she wanted and I'm sure TAT, as a very successful coach, knows how to handle it.

As for the short and the long program:
I loved Claire de Lune at once. It's just perfect. I don't know why some are still not satisfied.
The music couldn't be better and the choreography is superb. Lori Nichol has done a marvelous job again.
And so much has improved, why are there so few poeple who see this?
I love the step sequence into the Lutz, the spread eagle into the axel, the gorgeous broken camel spin and her beautiful new layback positons.
Maos flow is effortless as usual and her skating is still so soft.
She'll get to the jumps sooner or later, I'm sure.

However her new LP is something I still need getting used to.
The music's still not my favorite, but the choreography, all the transitions fit well.
It's very complex, everytime I watch it, I discover something new. So all in all, I like it and I'm sure I'll even like it more after NHK.

I think Mao will do better then. She is very strong and after failure she can come back even stronger.
I'm not expecting her to do everything right, but I'd love to see cleaner programs.
Even flawed they're beautiful and how dazzling will they be, when she completes most of the jumps?

Photos:
http://photos.skatetoday.com/thumbnails.php?album=89
http://photography.ice-dance.com/2008TropheeEricBompard/
http://www.timewarp.jp/pages/guest/article/article_detail.jsf?articleId=4967&cid=1185560

I read that when Mao works with TAT, she only trains about 3 hours a day. Mao has said that 3 hours isn't enough to make her confident on her jumps. She is used to work 8 hours a day, to make her feel confident on her jumps. From now on they will work more like Mao is used to.

The stupid comments about Mao should just be ignored. They'll get payback soon.

I think it would be good for Mao if at the training camp she had some open practices. Since the Aurora rink was opened she's been skating mostly at private sessions. On the one hand it's great, because she can practice peacefully and concentrate on the tasks at hand. But on the other hand, I think, she misses an opportunity to get used to the audience, the pressure and worse ice condition.

Skating only in front of your coaches is definitely different than skating in front of the audience. There is no technical caller to pay attention if the edge on the Lutz was maybe slightly inside or flat, no audience or judges to notice if something was slightly wrong. If you miss an element you can just stop the program and start over again, and you don't have to worry that in 5 minutes the video of your mistake will be broadcasted all over the world. In result, there is no pressure, and the skater can fully concentrate on the performance.

However, the day of the competition eventually comes, and then the skater is suddenly out of the comfort zone. There's audience, media and judges, and the question "What if I do it wrong this time?" arises.

The media are often annoying, and skating before an audience can mess up the skater's concentration. But no skater will escape from it on the day of competition. That's why I think it would be good for Mao if she had a few open sessions - in front of the audience and other skaters (who could at the same time learn something from Mao). Maybe even invite some judges, if there are any living nearby and ask them to score Mao's performances as if it was a real competition.

Whatever happens, I'm sure Mao will find some way to overcome her lack of confidence.

We've all seen Mao landing her jumps perfectly in the practice - now time to bring them in the competitions, where they belong.

[quote="Okami"]

polosatik wrote:

<...>
I believe that Mao will be remembered as a skater who had pushed figure skating to new limits - not just when it comes to jumps, but also when it comes to spins, spirals, steps and choreography. And this is what makes a true champion.

And the Oscar goes to... Leonardo DiCaprio Okami. Wow, that was really close, Leo!

Practice
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/feature/figure/img/fi20081114_01_l.jpg

SP
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/feature/figure/img/fi20081115_02_l.jpg
http://sports.nikkei.co.jp/photo/n0/SSXKG0019%2015112008_1_1_n0.jpg

FS
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20081116-5304682-1-L.jpg
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/feature/figure/img/fi20081117_01_l.jpg
http://jp.ibtimes.com/files/general/2008111701393227.jpg
http://jp.ibtimes.com/files/general/2008111703091124.jpg
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/flash/images/KFullFlash20081117060_l.jpg
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/img/sp-081117-4-ns.jpg

Podium
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20081116-5305366-1-L.jpg

EX
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/feature/figure/img/fi20081118_01_l.jpg


What Mao said after TEB (my poor translation)

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081117-00000021-nks-spo
"It's my nature to challenge something new for every new season!"

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20081118-430744.html
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/flash/KFullFlash20081117060.html
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/sports/news/CK2008111802000056.html
"I have been losing confidence about my jumps for three weeks"
"I know it's the Russian way to practice few hours in very strong concentration, but I think it's better for me to practice more long time until I satisfy myself. Or I can't have self-confidence." "I should get used to the way of Tatiana-sensei, but also should tell her what I wish more clearly. This competition was good chance for me to understand it."

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20081118-430744.html
This article says the Russian or TT's way of training is 2-4 hours per day. It's also intended to reduce the risk of injuries. But Mao used to train 6-8 hours per day.

Thank you MaoNinja for the photos and translation! That was a great read. Mao doesn't have to say that it's in her nature to challenge new things... We can see it from her performances.

I hope she and Tatiana will work things out and establish a satisfying training routine.

Pics
https://2img.net/h/oi41.tinypic.com/2a4yhdh.jpg
https://2img.net/h/oi44.tinypic.com/xq9uut.jpg
https://2img.net/h/oi43.tinypic.com/2coo1nd.jpg
https://2img.net/h/oi40.tinypic.com/2ccv7ut.jpg
https://2img.net/h/oi41.tinypic.com/34qsfo9.jpg
https://2img.net/h/oi39.tinypic.com/2hoh99e.jpg

Photos:
http://www.figureskating-online.com/pageID_7528277.html
http://www.figureskating-online.com/pageID_7528287.html
http://www.figureskating-online.com/pageID_7528557.html