World Team Trophy 2009

Might as well get this thread started, shall we?

English site: www.figurewtt.jp/index_en.html
Japanese site: www.figurewtt.jp/index.html

TV Asahi's site (Japanese): www.tv-asahi.co.jp/figure/pc/top/index.html
Official blog (Japanese): http://blog.tvasobi.jp/entries/index/figure

So, I'm still not completely sold on the format, but I suppose it's a good thing that the team scores are based on the aggregate placement scores (e.g., 1st place in the ladies discipline gets 12 points for the team, 3rd gets 10, etc.) rather than the actual performance score, since that would have made the competition far more predictable.

For the most part, the feds seem serious on sending their A-team, with some like the French sending Florent Amodio instead of Yannick/Alban based on recent competition results. For the sake of the Japanese team, though, I was hoping they could borrow K/S because it has to be overwhelming for Takahashi/Tran - they are still new on the junior circuit, for goodness sakes! Not that there was any possibility in that idea, of course, since K/S are skating for Russia... And I feel bad for China as well, since their top 10 team in the 4 disciplines is pairs and that's it.

The actual competition takes place from April 16 ~ 19.

A photo from the ceremony when the Japanese representatives were named:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20090401-00000043-jijp-spo.view-000
Of course, poor Reeds and Takahashi/Tran got ignored. I hope this event will spart more interest in pairs/dance.

News clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAlqBJERWI

A screencap:


みんあをリラックスさせる。- To make everyone relax/enjoy themselves..?
キーマン - kiiman..? Key man?

I like the design of the trophy - very elegant.

I hope that everyone will have fun at the event. It's a pretty nice way to end the competitive season. I think Mao said she's gonna try the 3A again? Miki and Kozuka are gonna try the quad too? I can only guess what they're saying in interviews cuz I don't know much Japanese.

Btw, The prize money is pretty attractive.

Okami wrote:

A screencap:


みんあをリラックスさせる。- To make everyone relax/enjoy themselves..?
キーマン - kiiman..? Key man?

Ok, I have to admit that I was a little thrilled to see Mao and Kozu sitting/standing next to each other. Surely it's just a coincidence but I couldn't help but think, "So cute!"

Okami - you got it, Oda said he wants to make everyone relax/feel relaxed. And yes, I guess Kozu wants to be the "key man" = "key player."

More pics:
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/photos/090402/gnj0904020502005-p1.htm
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/photos/090402/spm0904020504001-p1.htm
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/news/20090401165932/img.news.yahoo.co.jp/images/20090401/oric/20090401-00000015-oric-ent-view-000.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p2.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p4.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790189.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790187.jpg

This article has some good pics, and I'll translate a few quotes:
http://www.tvlife.jp/news/090402_02.php

The captain of the Japan team, Oda, said "With the responsibility as a representative of Japan, and aiming toward winning, I want to be a captain who can get everyone to focus, and even so, relax."
Ando said, "Just like at Worlds, I want to be able to express myself."
Mao said "With a change of heart and new feeling, I want to take on the challenge," said Mao with her eyes sparkling.
Kozuka said, "I want to dare and try the quad, but..." and looked at Oda with a smiling face, as if asking for permission.

The press conference ended with everyone in smiles.

************
Mao and Miki looked so pretty! Mao should do her hair like that more often! In fact, I totally prefer this outfit to what she wore to the school entrance ceremony.

One last thing - according to this article, Nobu went to Disneyland and had a good time (was able to get rid of his stress). I assume the others went too? How fun!
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2009/04/01/08.html

*******
ETA - found one more article with some good quotes, which I'll summarize:

http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/general/news/20090402k0000m050034000c.html

Miki says she wants to do the 3-3 combo and try the 4S; Mao said she wants to do the things she couldn't do at Worlds, and Kozu said he wants to try the 4T. And Nobu said, "Miki should relax, Mao needs fighting spirit, Kozuka should have fun - that's good enough."

Pics!!
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20090401-027291-1-L.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790186.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790187.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790188.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790189.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p1.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p2.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p3.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p4.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p5.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p6.jpg
http://contents.oricon.co.jp/upimg/news/20090401/64754_200904010637467001238571738c.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/news/20090401202856/img.news.yahoo.co.jp/images/20090401/jijp/20090401-00000043-jijp-spo-view-000.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/news/20090401200912/img.news.yahoo.co.jp/images/20090401/maip/20090401-00000017-maip-spo-view-000.jpg

Thanks for the pictures.

It appears the countries participating are taking this competition very seriously. Hopefully this pushes other federations to improve all 4 disciplines instead of dominating 1 or 2.

More pics:
http://www.timewarp.jp/pages/guest/article/article_detail.jsf?articleId=8189&cid=233161

Oh, and I forgot to mention - in that last article that I didn't really translate, Kozu is talking about doing more strength training, and he says something like, "I want to develop a body that I'm not ashamed of people seeing if I have my shirt off." OoooH!

I'm really so excited about YHE WORLD TEAM TROPHY 2009. Finally, I can watch a real competitive figure skating!!!! I think this will make up for all the disconcerns and disappointments of the skaters, brought about by THE WORLDS. I can see the skaters performing their best with the simple reason that they feel safer competing with each other in a conducive and fair atmosphere. Now, everybody can emote their hearts out and show how much they love skating without anybody and anything suppressing them down. Good luck to all and for certain, they will have a wonderful time in this competition.

Woow, wonderful pictures!!! This is going to be such a great event. I think skaters take this event seriously but I feel they may enjoy more since they can share the pressure with other team members.Does anyone know if they will show it on TV in US. I agree with you a lot wi th your comment, juliet!!

I'm a bit behind on all the goss, so excuse my ignorance What exactly is the World Trophy? I've never heard of it before, but then again, I've only been following all the big ISU comps. Is this like those challenges they have between two countries, like USA vs. Japan?

If someone could explain this to me I would appreciate it greatly!

CHINESETEACUP - The ISU World Team Trophy is an ISU Senior Event which will be held in Tokyo from April 16 to April 19. Check out the link CLOVERA has sent both in English and Japanese. By the way, thank you very much CLOVERA

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )

Okami wrote:

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )

Very cute and adorable. Team Japan GANBA!

Okami wrote:

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )

Oh, Miki,she's adorable, Oda like a grandpa!

polosatik wrote:

Okami wrote:

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )

Oh, Miki,she's adorable, Oda like a grandpa!

haha...he's a brother, a dad and a grandpa!! He's great!

Thanks for the clip Okami!!

Have you seen any other clips ?? I read that in the full interview, Kozu also said:

"Oda is my older brother.
Asada is like, uhh,...I guess she's like my younger sister...? [Batsuchan: ]
Ando is my older sister."

But I haven't seen a full clip...wahhh!

can someone translate this clip?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_c8ZhnizT8
thanks

ETA: I just found out that it was translated in another thread!!

Okami wrote:

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )

Aww. Toe-melting, tooth-curling adorable.

Thank you to juliet and clovera for the information and Okami for the very cute video

I just thought of that....we didn't hear about Mirai Nagasu being with the Japanese media ?!?!

Batsuchan wrote:

Have you seen any other clips ?? I read that in the full interview, Kozu also said:

"Oda is my older brother.
Asada is like, uhh,...I guess she's like my younger sister...? [Batsuchan: ]
Ando is my older sister."

But I haven't seen a full clip...wahhh!

Yes, I have this one! I wanted to upload it, but for some weird reason the audio is not in synchro with the video...It looks weird when Kokubun's mouth move, but Mao's voice comes out. I'm trying to fix it, though!
Yes, Kozu said Mao's like a younger sister to him. Quoting from memory:
K: Asada-san is... Hmm... Family, she's like family.
*the interviewer laughs*
K: Like a younger sister... Certainly, there are times when she whacks me on the head! And Ando-san, she's like an older siter.

Then there was a short clip with Miki and her gold medal... And Nobu got from the show hosts a birthday cake and a DVD box with "LOST". He was like "MECCHA URESHII~~!"
Then the show hosts talked in the studio about how good it is that the Japanese team gets along well and their teamwork is good. They talked about Team Japan's chances in the World Cup. Somebody said that Nobu has noble blood, so he'll be fine as a leader.

Anyway it was cute and I'll try to fix the footage and post it!

Yakekona posted a short clip with Nobu on YT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIc1HyC6tgA

Quote :

Like younger sister... Certainly, there are times when she whacks me on the head!

cute!!

Okami wrote:

Somebody said that Nobu has noble blood, so he'll be fine as a leader.

This is why I LOVE the Japanese team!!! They are all so supportive and happy together! And they don't take themselves too seriously outside of competition (that "MECCHA URESHII" comment by Nobu explains it all).
They all work together really well and do seem to function as a family even if they are sometimes competing against each other. I really can't think of a country with a team as close as the Japan team.

Also, I never really thought about it that way...like a monarchy family or something.
Like...
Nobu = King
Miki = Queen (?)
Kozu = Prince
Mao = Princess
Or something like that xD

MaoMaoRevolution wrote:

Also, I never really thought about it that way...like a monarchy family or something.
Like...
Nobu = King
Miki = Queen (?)
Kozu = Prince
Mao = Princess
Or something like that xD

Haha, it fits!

A new World Team Challenge clip with Midori Ito:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkSQMrmiCFI

Midori explained how the countries qualify for the challenge... She hopes that Mao will be able to smile at WTC again. She looks great!

A new interesting fluff about japanese team:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quu1j4lC5iE (part 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xLLD0AY78 (part 2)

As I understand, Mao, Miki, Nobunari and Takahiko taste different kinds of food and talk about each other and World Team Trophy. But I don`t understand japanese at all, so any translation is really appreciated

There is also a small clip with Yu-Na talking about World Team Trophy. She thinks that Japan will win it :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsN5S02Wo7g

And interview with the Reeds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig24bOeI7L4