Winter Olympics 2010

Wow,Lu Chen said that Yuna's score is inflated and Mao's score should be higher. She is a guest in a show. When the host asked her if Yuna has better presentation, she said that they are two different styles. Wow, this makes my day. I hope someone recored this and I could get the video clip.

ok, I really felt like having to post something too that's why i signed up to this site too
Because of Mao I really started watching figure skating (since she won at the worlds two years ago) and now I feel like having to support her...
I watched her short program today (I stood up at 01:00 before school started - I'm from Germany - and watched it until 06:00 in the morning to see everything live and to cheer for mao!!! ) I am so happy for her because she did really really great I felt so relieved when i saw her gorgeous performance. I was so thrilled!!! I have to admit, that I never liked her Masquerade program...well..it was more the music I didn't like that much...but today she presented it in a way that made me loooove it so much I think everyone agrees on the fact that Yu Na Kim got ways to much credits for her program...Yes she's an awsome skater! Yes she's an entertainer and sexy and knows how to show off...and not to forget her constituency! She's definitely a great skater but all that talk, her being the best and to pretend as if there were no other skaters on this planet is really annoying....I don't think it's unfair that she's placed first at the moment but a gap of 5 points is too much and I don't agree with that!
BUT that's not what I originally wanted to say
I just wanted to say that I think it's wrong to give up on Mao at that point because she can win this (even though the judges are on Yu na's side) I love her LP! Bells is my favorite program of all the female figure skaters this year (maybe even of all times ) I hope she can show it without making mistakes, to show the whole world how brilliant she is!!!!
Even if she doesn't win the olympics it would still be such a pleasure for me to see that beautiful program performed flawless and with all of Mao's charm and skills and
I am so looking forward to the LP...i am excited already!!!!

I know making the podium is great and I'm trying to focus on that. But it's so hard to tolerate such an unfair system. I just hope Mao is acknowledged by all her effort and talent no matter the results.

And she can still win. Who knows what destiny has prepared for her?

GO MAO!!!!!

PS: Any pictures of her new LP dress?

I'm not gonna add on the scoring difference. For me, just seeing Mao skate like that, that smile and reaction at the end of her program and that shocked and happy look on her face when she got her score means so much more to me.

Am so excited for her FS!

roma wrote:

I'm not gonna add on the scoring difference. For me, just seeing Mao skate like that, that smile and reaction at the end of her program and that shocked and happy look on her face when she got her score means so much more to me.

Am so excited for her FS!

So am I!! Me still feeling overjoyed for Mao.

coolmeia wrote:

Oh btw, has you guy also feel this or it's just me. I think that Mao is looking more beautiful tonight than before right! I don't know, I just feel so look so sparkles, her face, her skin, everything is so beautiful.

Such a sweet smile during her spiral sequence. She just look radiant throughout the entire program, bursting with excitement and joy.

Thank you for the news, video links and photos, guys!! Here is an interview of Mao after her SP: http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/figure/news/20100224mog00m050034000c.html (in Japanese) Anyone who can translate tidbits for us?

Thanks for sharing what Lu Chen thinks about Mao, tianrushui! I have always wanted to know how do the other Asians, particuarly skaters (aside from Koreans and Japanese) see Mao.

Mao's FS dress: can I possibly hope for one without a choker and lace?

BTW, did someone mention that Mao teared up a bit when she says she's happy that she's 5 points behind Yuna instead of the usual 10? Awwww... BIG HUG MAO!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I63nbjgUQrs

That's funny...

I have had hardly any access to the computer within the last couple weeks So I am very out of the loop on here, and I'm not even going to try to catch up on everything...

But I HAVE been watching the Olympics. So about last night:

I was SO SO SO proud of Mao! That was by far the best she's ever done that program. I was so happy she did everything clean, and did her best.

But then, much of the air was taken out from my happiness, and I'm sure you all know why. Although Maos score was high, I knew Yuna would score higher - and she did. And surprise, surprise, by a record score - AGAIN. IMO Mao's, Yuna's, and Joannie's scores should have all been much closer. The three of them had programs that were on a similar level of difficulty (scoring wise), and none of them could have really done them any better than they did. So what makes Yuna so damn special, and so much better than everyone else?! When everyone else is at their best?! It just kind of made me sick In fact, I had bad dreams all last night about the LP.

I really think Mao and Joannie were robbed. And for that matter, I think Miki, Rachael, and Mirai were a bit underscored also. They were clearly not the frontrunners, but I don't think there should be such a wide seperation between them, and the top three.

Actually, I think the scoring in the SP in all the events has been funky so far, not just in the ladies. What's up with that?! So now, either Yuna will have to skate horrible, or Mao (or anyone else for that matter) will need a miracle to win. Five points is NOT easy to make up. It seems like the judges just had their minds already made up or something before the competition even began. Kind of like how they did with Shen, and Zhao. Not saying that Shen and Zhao didn't deserve to win, but come on. It was obvious that everyone was rooting for them - even the judges.

Just skate your heart out in the LP Mao! You can only do what you can do. And if you don't get the recognition you deserve, let me just put it this way: Those judges will have a special spot reserved for them in hell! Wow, did I just say that?!

I don't know when I will be able to get on here again, but hopefully it won't be too long!

this is Mai's interview, you can see her crying!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW97IvYz7eI

can anyone translate what did Mai said??

http://sports.cctv.com/20100225/100013.shtml
Lu Chen's comment on SP.
I am still buffering. I'll paraphrase what she said after I watch it

Yay, Mao did it!! I knew you can, girl!

snowdrops24 wrote:

Thank you for the news, video links and photos, guys!! Here is an interview of Mao after her SP: http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/figure/news/20100224mog00m050034000c.html (in Japanese) Anyone who can translate tidbits for us?

Just some excerpt from this interview. Sorry for being too lazy to translate all.

Mao is really relieved and happy with her clean SP performance.

During skating, her nervousness turned into joy of performing at the OG. (We could see it!)

She's still confident, and believe in herself.

She's still excited to be there, and really enjoys "Olympic life". It's full of fun and new experiences.
And she wants to join another OG again!

She sees her SP score and being runner-up by 5-point margin as a good step for FS.

Mao says she won't change her FS costume.


I saw that press conference on TV, and for a Japanese native speaker's eye, Mao's just polite and humble as usual, but definitely positive. I sense great vibes from her. I'm quite optimistic and my gut tells me Mao will show us super performance and gain what she really wants!

Star85 wrote:

Actually, I think the scoring in the SP in all the events has been funky so far, not just in the ladies.

It certainly feels that way, doesn't it? The judges clumped the top three away from the remaining skaters after the short program (or CD+OD in dance), and the only competitors to break that trend was P/T in pairs. I'm personally *not* very pleased with the inflation-madness the ISU have decided to stir up this season as well. I'll just leave it at that.

As mika have translated above, the Mainichi article confirms that the costume change is only for the SP, so we should be seeing the familiar red-and-black dress for Bells. My wish for a gold+silver dress thus comes to a screeching halt.
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Skate your heart out in the free skate Mao, as well as the laundry list of ladies I'm rooting for including Rachael, Mirai, Miki, Akiko, EleGed, Joannie, and CaroK!!

I'll leave further wuzrobbed comments on hold until after the FS.

Star85 wrote:

And if you don't get the recognition you deserve, let me just put it this way: Those judges will have a special spot reserved for them in hell! Wow, did I just say that?!

Star85 wrote:

Actually, I think the scoring in the SP in all the events has been funky so far, not just in the ladies.

Actually, I believe it's going to be a tendency for the future. They're going to give like crazy scores to call the attentions for the sport. Otherwise, will the media pay attention to FS if there's no one breaking records?

They should do like FIG does. Every 4 years, after the olympics, the rules are changed, so the athletes need to challenge themselves and this keeps the sport interesting.

Star85 wrote:

Just skate your heart out in the LP Mao! You can only do what you can do. And if you don't get the recognition you deserve, let me just put it this way: Those judges will have a special spot reserved for them in hell!

Amem!

I wonder how Lynn Rutherford got her wires crossed when she tweeted that Mao confirmed a new costume for her FS

Thanks for the update guys! I really was worried about how Mao was feeling after seeing her interview and she seemed a bit drained? I'm really happy that Mao is fully taking in the Olympics
She's an amazing athlete & artist Don't hold anything back, Mao! Believe in yourself and all your hard work

Are there any photos and reports from today's practice?

MikiAndoFan#1 wrote:

Are there any photos and reports from today's practice?

Found this one right now. http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04qn1bx79FaKt/x610.jpg
so I guess it's now a matter of minutes when more photos pop up

From FSU, people said that Mao popped her first three 3A attempts but then successfully did 5 clean 3A in a row.

tianrushui wrote:

From FSU, people said that Mao popped her first three 3A attempts but then successfully did 5 clean 3A in a row.

What a fighter!!!!!!!!!!!

kaarolcia wrote:

MikiAndoFan#1 wrote:

Are there any photos and reports from today's practice?

Found this one right now. http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04qn1bx79FaKt/x610.jpg
so I guess it's now a matter of minutes when more photos pop up

^ What beautiful extension, flexibility, and turnout she has. How that isn't rewarded more is beyond me.

Btw, someone I know from something else entirely (completely unrelated to skating, nor does she follow it except watching the Olympics) said to me on twitter: "Mao Asada is amazing! Executes everything so beautifully!" This is what I wanted- for her to win over people who've never seen her skate with her elegance, wonderful skating, and pure joy.

I've done my ranting and raving about how the system is unfair, and I think it's extremely important to raise opinions and objections in an informed way like you all have been doing. Now that I've done that, I'm looking at the pictures of her smiling and watching her performance again and now I'm determined not to let ANYONE ruin this moment. Am I still upset about the point difference? Yes. Do I think people still should be making their criticisms of the judging and point system heard? Absolutely. But I've let it- and my anger/frustration at the system- completely overshadow the moment. I want to concentrate on this moment now- to see Mao shine in her short program at the Olympics (not to mention become the first woman to ever land a triple axel combination at the Olympics!) is incredibly gratifying. Hopefully she'll give an outstanding performance in the free and show everyone she's not just "Yu-Na Kim's rival" or a "two-trick pony", but that she's a fabulous overall skater and has the heart and spirit of a champion.

i hope that mao skates the skate of her life and let the chips fall into place, at least in the end she would be proud and loved.

I am just afraid of the yunabots who continue to insult mao-chan

YAAYYYY!!! My Se_Ku skate leggings just like Mao's arrived in the mail today! (Thanks to bibi for telling me the brand! ) I'm taking this as a really good sign; I'm probably going to wear them when I watch tomorrow!

Thanks for all the awesome pics, kirakira!

Thanks for everyone's comments too!

Ok, here's an article round-up:

1)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/vancouver2010/news/100224/oai1002242241030-n1.htm

Coach Machiko said "It's not such a big point difference that she should give up." She also said, "Since Yu-Na Kim went to Vancouver, it seems she's had several unusual mistakes [ie in practice]. If Mao goes for it without giving up, she'll have a chance."

2)
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2010/02/25/01.html

According to this, Mao Daichi (whom our Mao-chan is named after) was watching Mao's performance on TV. She said, "'Mao' means advancing straight to the center," and she hopes Mao stands on the center of the podium.

Mao Daichi apparently knows that Mao was named after her, and she said, "In this Olympics, of course I'm most concerned about Mao-chan." She also said, "I received power. In the free program too, please aim for those stars that you believe in and shine on the ice."



***
I have to run out, but I'll post the full translation of Mao's interview later!

It was also the first time I remember Mao speaking to the camera in the kiss n cry!! She said twice ''Aero, Tiara, Komachi'' ahah! So cute! And then she said a few time ''Sugoi!!'' to her coaches!

Thank you, kirakira!



I didn't know Mai was in Vancouver! What a great sister she is!

Someone told me Scott Hamilton said "There's nothing Mao Asada can do to beat Kim Yuna." Is that true? Fortunately, I was able to watch another broadcast and was able to avoid NBC commentaries.