The Mao cheer thread #3 - "For the love of skating"

[arakwafan2006]

What place is she in?

 

[arakwafan2006]

Here ya go

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s2tcM0xiP-U

 

[gotoschool]

I saw Mao's performance in the live feed. Mao had a really beautiful performance except for the popped triple axel, which she managed to come out of quite gracefully thankfully. The steps, expression and skating skills and the rapid spin and pirouette with the skidding stop at the end were the best of the season in my opinion with the most rink coverage, and visually her outfit, make-up and appearance were as stunning as I have ever seen her. The beauty of her skating, steps and expression are mesmerizing. I think Mao received a harsh ur call on her combo, again in my opinion tech crews continue to give a big advantage to pre-rotation of over 180 degrees instead of calculating total rotation which is the foundation of a ur to me. I also thought Mao's PCS scores were far too low considering the improvements in performance, artistry, musical interpretation and speed which is another example of how PCS scores are largely and in my view erroneously tied to tech scores for many skaters, though there is a clear difference. I wish Mao all the best in the freeskate. I hope she will skate to satisfy herself. I am glad that she seemed to gain some satisfaction from her performance and not to be too disappointed.

 

[rosewood]

OK I just watched her SP and an interview after her skaing. Maybe she could not adjust her timing into the 3A and popped into 1A. Her rotation on 3F looked tight and the landing of the attached 2Lo on the back of the combo looked shaky. She gave a little change to her stsq.

(my rough summary of her interview after SP) - interviewers are an announcer together with Daisuke

Q by announcer: What about today's skating?
Mao: In this morning's practice I could land an [triple] axel finally. It was good to me that I could make a challenge today which I wanted to do.

Q by Daisuke: Your ability to create an atmosphere was on your own league. Tell me about your feelings for today's SP?
Mao: I could land an axel this morning. So I was in a good mood for SP. There was a happiness in my mind that I could come up to the condition where I was able to make a challenge.

Q by D: Lots of people came to see your skating. What did you feel?
Mao: I was happy lots of people came to the rink. I could hear people were rooting for me like saying "Ganbatte!" I wished to show them good skating.

Q by D: What are your thoughts for tomorrow?
Mao: I think I'll include a [triple] axel tomorrow too. I wish I'll show a performance that I want to do. And I want to finish this competition without any regrets.

Comment from Daisuke after the interview:
Probably some frustrations remain in her mind but it's Mao who can show her power when she's facing difficulties. I'll keep watching over her with expectations.
_____

Hearing her interview, it sounds to me that she was not focusing on winning a spot for worlds this time to begin with, but it sounds she was just focusing on going up to her own top level and Nationals is a step to the future (next season.) I'm kinda happy to see she was able to make a challenge what she wanted to do. I'll watch over her drama with expectations tomorrow like Daisuke said. I'm not devastated this time since Mao was not crying but smiling. Kind of relieved.

 

[rosewood]

I saw she landed a OK 3A during 6 min warm up. It looked her timing into jumps were still not consistent. But at least it looked she could have worked on jumps during preparations for this competition. How brave she is to skate in front of such big crowd even if she was not able to win over bunch of younger skaters. Again Mao is beyond my thoughts.

ETA:
photos from SP
https://twitter.com/asahi_photo/status/812582609419046912
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bfIXxUsAAqWeZ.jpg
http://spo.c.yimg.jp/im_siggi8h7K6v...-n1/sports/sportsnavi/161223_fig_mao06778.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bcWjNVIAAiJaX.jpg
https://twitter.com/sn_figure/status/812633231551918080
https://twitter.com/SANSPOCOM/status/812632397774725121
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161224-00000102-dal-spo.view-000
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/photonews/photonews_nsInc_1756232-0.html
https://twitter.com/mkm5810/status/812594321576689664

What place is she in?

8th ... out of the final group

 

[gotoschool]

Here are some great photos of Mao: http://www.gettyimages.ae/photos/mao...newest#license

Click on the image to enlarge and then save with a right click. There is a watermark but some of the pictures are clear.

More photos posted by yhmafan:


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bcVwCUkAQDljn.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bcWjNVIAAiJaX.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bfIXxUsAAqWeZ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cTZyOUkAATuXU.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cTZzBVQAE2fNh.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bt8RKUsAAsnh8.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cSbDJUUAA572-.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cNWeBUUAAKPwf.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cRoMSUsAAe1fk.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cRuPtUUAAoYOt.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0brD7lUAAA3cL5.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0cSbDQVIAAVR_F.jpg

 

[arakwafan2006]

I saw Mao's performance in the live feed. Mao had a really beautiful performance except for the popped triple axel, which she managed to come out of quite gracefully thankfully though admittedly it was quite a significant mistake. The steps, expression and skating skills and the rapid spin and pirouette with the skidding stop at the end were the best of the season in my opinion with the most rink coverage, and visually her outfit, make-up and appearance were as stunning as I have ever seen her. However, I think Mao received a harsh ur call on her combo, again in my opinion tech crews continue to give a big advantage to pre-rotation of over 180 degrees instead of calculating total rotation which is the foundation of a ur to me. I also thought Mao's PCS were too low considering the improvements in performance and speed which is another example of how PCS scores are largely tied to tech scores for many skaters, though there is a clear difference. I wish Mao all the best in the freeskate. I hope she will skate to satisfy herself. I am glad that she seemed to gain some satisfaction from her performance and not to be too disappointed.

She's happy again!!!!

 

[arakwafan2006]

I saw she landed a OK 3A during 6 min warm up. It looked her timing into jumps were still not consistent. But at least it looked she could have worked on jumps during preparations for this competition. How brave she is to skate in front of such big crowd even if she was not able to win over bunch of younger skaters. Again Mao is beyond my thoughts.

ETA:
photos from SP
https://twitter.com/asahi_photo/status/812582609419046912
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bfIXxUsAAqWeZ.jpg
http://spo.c.yimg.jp/im_siggi8h7K6v...-n1/sports/sportsnavi/161223_fig_mao06778.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0bcWjNVIAAiJaX.jpg
https://twitter.com/sn_figure/status/812633231551918080
https://twitter.com/SANSPOCOM/status/812632397774725121
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161224-00000102-dal-spo.view-000


8th ... out of the final group

Damn.

Well, the good news is, she seems to have turned her problems around. She's looking like my Mao. Hopefully Gracie can do this

 

[arakwafan2006]

OK I just watched her SP and an interview after her skaing. Maybe she could not adjust her timing into the 3A and popped into 1A. Her rotation on 3F looked tight and the landing of the attached 2Lo on the back of the combo looked shaky. She gave a little change to her stsq.

(my rough summary of her interview after SP) - interviewers are an announcer together with Daisuke

Q by announcer: What about today's skating?
Mao: In this morning's practice I could land an [triple] axel finally. It was good to me that I could make a challenge today which I wanted to do.

Q by Daisuke: Your ability to create an atmosphere was on your own league. Tell me about your feelings for today's SP?
Mao: I could land an axel this morning. So I was in a good mood for SP. There was a happiness in my mind that I could come up to the condition where I was able to make a challenge.

Q by D: Lots of people came to see your skating. What did you feel?
Mao: I was happy lots of people came to the rink. I could hear people were rooting for me like saying "Ganbatte!" I wished to show them good skating.

Q by D: What are your thoughts for tomorrow?
Mao: I think I'll include a [triple] axel tomorrow too. I wish I'll show a performance that I want to do. And I want to finish this competition without any regrets.

Comment from Daisuke after the interview:
Probably some frustrations remain in her mind but it's Mao who can show her power when she's facing difficulties. I'll keep watching over her with expectations.
_____

Hearing her interview, it sounds to me that she was not focusing on winning a spot for worlds this time to begin with, but it sounds she was just focusing on going up to her own top level and Nationals is a step to the future (next season.) I'm kinda happy to see she was able to make a challenge what she wanted to do. I'll watch over her drama with expectations tomorrow like Daisuke said. I'm not devastated this time since Mao was not crying but smiling. Kind of relieved.

Exactly.

 

[rosewood]

Here is a capture of how she looked during the interview after SP.
https://twitter.com/AkiAqui/status/812634939074019328

Here is Mao's 3A during the 6 min warm up. Shame it was slightly 2fted.
https://twitter.com/mkm5810/status/812622541646794752

BTW did you guys notice that she changed her technique of 3A after comeback? Before the break Mao took off straight toward the board. So she was not able to appeal how big she covers ice on a 3A from the usual camera angle. But now she takes off rather sideways toward the board. Shame her 3A is still not as high as she did at Cup of China or JO last season due to the injury but anyways she's getting adjusted to various things. Check it tomorrow, guys. Her edge on luz looked OK during official practices so I'm looking forward to seeing her luz ratified tomorrow again too.

 

[rosewood]

Excerpts from another interview
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161224-00000102-dal-spo

Mr Sato said "Go and get whatever you want to do done." before she skated.

Mao:
I'm much happier with making a challenge of a 3A than finishing without it.

It was not that it (3A) was something special that only I can do comparing to other skaters but I just focused on the performance that I've been aimed at.

I'll leave today's skating behind tomorrow. I wish I'll show what I've pilled up until today and show my own best skating.

 

[Spun Silver]

Excerpts from another interview
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161224-00000102-dal-spo

Mr Sato said "Go and get whatever you want to do done." before she skated.

Mao:
I'm much happier with making a challenge of a 3A than finishing without it.

It was not that it (3A) was something special that only I can do comparing to other skaters but I just focused on the performance that I've been aimed at.

I'll leave today's skating behind tomorrow. I wish I'll show what I've pilled up until today and show my own best skating.

Spoken like the champion she is. Frustrating to know she could have placed higher without the 3A but with a good 3F-3Lo, but stubbornness is in her DNA and she wouldnt be the skater we love without it.

 

[feraina]

I think she probably doesn't care about any competitive goal but is only trying to achieve her own internal goals. She's probably not doing a comeback to make anyone but herself happy.

 

[kittyjake5]

To bad about Mao's jump but I thought everything else was great. She really put her heart into the performance and she was smiling at the end.

 

[rosewood]

https://youtu.be/s2tcM0xiP-U?t=346
Here in the K&C she said a message in a loud voice
"Arigato gozaimashita. Mata ashita ganbari masu"
=Thank you very much. I'll do my best tomorrow again.

 

[rosewood]

Today's ladies' FS is scheduled 16:05- 19:40 (Japan Time).
Mao's starting order is 17th in the second final group.
Here is the result page in English.
http://www.jsfresults.com/non_responsive_toppage.htm?figure_top.htm,National/2016-2017/fs_e/national/index.htm
Today's live pbp page on Sportsnavi is not open yet. You'll find a link on this page later, though.
http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/figureskate/

 

[gotoschool]

I believe, Mao, you have the resolve and focus to give your most gorgeous performance and that you have the determination to land all your jumps wonderfully! Ganbatte!

 

[Spun Silver]

Be strong and wise, Mao!

 

[TheIronLady]

May the reign of Mao continue for a 1000 years, Nay for 8,000 generations...

 

[rosewood]

Sportsnavi's live pbp page is here. Mao is gonna skate.
http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/sports/figureskate_all/7040

 

[arakwafan2006]

Triple Sal has been giving her fits all year and it used to be so consistent since she's been with Sato.

Anyhow, Mao is most like herself when she's trying the Axel. Lori Nichol programs are so detailed that when you miss a jump it's tough to catch back up. She REALLY uses the moments after jumps to create and expound on a character. Still, Mao rose as best she could to the occasion. Her speed returned, the steps were unreal. She gave it her all. Flip/Loop was attempted along with Lutz. I'm SO glad her season is complete. It wasn't pretty but she is and this competition hopefully lit her fire.

 

[rosewood]

Here we go. See the flower shower! Of course the house loved her skating.
LP & interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87SXYB_10cA

She fell on 3A(2ft). She also fell on 3S and popped the 3F and couldn't add 2Lo-2Lo as a combo in the second half. I think 3A, 3S and 3F are the jumps where she needs to put her weight on her left knee. So it's maybe her knee thing and not her technique.

On the bright side she received +0.7 GOE for her 3Lz!! I think if it's tough for her to repeat 3F due to the injury, it can be one of the choices to do 3Lz-2Lo-2Lo in the second half instead of 3F-2Lo-3Lo. Also she received +3 GOE from every judge and received Lv4 for her stsq. Yay!

I'm having a family party today so I'll update tomorrow in more details.

When she was asked about next season, she answered she'll continue competing!
https://twitter.com/Maex_1980/status/812964365762560000

By placing 12th at Naitonals, of course she'll not to be sent either of Worlds/4CC/WAG. I wonder if she'll not be named as even team Japan member next season. But I don't know how it works for her. Anyways I'll update tomorrow.

 

[arakwafan2006]

Here we go. See the flower shower! Of course the house loved her skating.
LP & interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87SXYB_10cA

She fell on 3A(2ft). She also fell on 3S and popped the 3F and couldn't add 2Lo-2Lo as a combo in the second half. I think 3A, 3S and 3F are the jumps where she needs to put her weight on her left knee. So it's maybe her knee thing and not her technique.

On the bright side she received +0.7 GOE for her 3Lz!! I think if it's tough for her to repeat 3F due to the injury, it can be one of the choices to do 3Lz-2Lo-2Lo in the second half instead of 3F-2Lo-3Lo. Also she received +3 GOE from every judge and received Lv4 for her stsq. Yay!

I'm having a family party today so I'll update tomorrow in more details.

When she was asked about next season, she answered she'll continue competing!
https://twitter.com/Maex_1980/status/812964365762560000

By placing 12th at Naitonals, of course she'll not to be sent either of Worlds/4CC/WAG. I wonder if she'll not be named as even team Japan member next season. But I don't know how it works for her. Anyways I'll update tomorrow.

Have a merry Christmas my dear. Thank you

 

[rosewood]

Have a merry Christmas my dear. Thank you

To you too!

 

[Jammers]

Here we go. See the flower shower! Of course the house loved her skating.
LP & interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87SXYB_10cA

She fell on 3A(2ft). She also fell on 3S and popped the 3F and couldn't add 2Lo-2Lo as a combo in the second half. I think 3A, 3S and 3F are the jumps where she needs to put her weight on her left knee. So it's maybe her knee thing and not her technique.

On the bright side she received +0.7 GOE for her 3Lz!! I think if it's tough for her to repeat 3F due to the injury, it can be one of the choices to do 3Lz-2Lo-2Lo in the second half instead of 3F-2Lo-3Lo. Also she received +3 GOE from every judge and received Lv4 for her stsq. Yay!

I'm having a family party today so I'll update tomorrow in more details.

When she was asked about next season, she answered she'll continue competing!
https://twitter.com/Maex_1980/status/812964365762560000

By placing 12th at Naitonals, of course she'll not to be sent either of Worlds/4CC/WAG. I wonder if she'll not be named as even team Japan member next season. But I don't know how it works for her. Anyways I'll update tomorrow.

I'm sure the Japanese Fed will name her to the Japanese team next season even with her struggles this season. Just look at the Russian Fed they've kept Plushenko on their team and he doesn't even bother to compete.

 

[gotoschool]

Mao's LP was a LOT better than I thought it would be when I first saw the score. I would like to share one of my favorite quotes by a poster named gravy who shares a similar view to me when watching Mao's incredibly beautiful, lyrically subtle and fiery Ritual Dance performance with the two falls and popped triple flip giving a tragic tinge to a sumptuous visual feast of a performance. The fact that Mao is probably still suffering from a knee injury that she won't reveal made it heroic and noble to me.

Here are gravy's comments:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sho...dies-FS/page11 post 162

"Bravo, Mao. You gave the first performance of the season for me in which I never once cared to peep up at the TES box. Doesn't mean squat in terms of boosting your score, but you moved me deeply. This is why I watch figure skating."

The fiery flames that leap out from the edges of Mao's illusion fabric are so alluring highlighting the radiance of such a passionate and elegant dancing lady. It was like the bright rose of spring had sprung into thaw the icy arena and was matched by the boquets that rained down from the audience along with what were probably more than a few tears.

The highlights for me were the speed that Mao approached the triple axel and the first instant she rose into the air with such beautiful erect rotation. She had the guts to really go for it. Then, I loved the triple flip and loop into the triple lutz, the choreography sequence, and the double axel / triple toe loop. I have grown over weary of the minute tech inspection of jumps which is not based on rotation from take off to landing at the expense of the far more visually captivating way Mao maintains such a picturesque, erect posture with straight legs and a tight wrapping of the feet on landing, in addition to her gorgeous symmetrical air position which is so much like being at a ballet on ice. I also loved the finale from the triple loop, to her I spin with her magnificent frontal extension and the way she extends her hands all the way to the end of her skates in her extended sit spins. Then, I love the way Mao arches her head back so passionately and plants her skates emphatically before launching into the fiery step sequence with her serpentine flair as she stoops into a kneeling flying eagle swooping down on the audience at top speed. .
Just a note: Mao lost 12 points in tech and 2 points in falls from the time she finished. And some of those jump combos were my favorites.This reminds me of a quote by Albert Einstein that a poster left under a video of Mao's Sochi LP with almost 3 million views that was removed by the International Olympic Commission:

The value of a man (or woman) should be seen in what he (or she) gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Or this quote from the great American writer, William Faulkner, who shares Mao's birthday on September 25th, especially considering Mao's chronic knee injury before this competition and her reduced training time:
"All of us have failed to match our dreams of perfection. I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible."

 

[gotoschool]

Here are some gorgeous photos of Mao from Japanese Nationals. Click to enlarge and right click to save high quality version.

http://www.gettyimages.ae/photos/ma... Asada&excludenudity=true&sort=newest#license

 

[arakwafan2006]

I'm sure the Japanese Fed will name her to the Japanese team next season even with her struggles this season. Just look at the Russian Fed they've kept Plushenko on their team and he doesn't even bother to compete.

You've picked the wrong country to compare Japan to. Sheesh

Mao has her work cut out but she's the Grand Damme IMO. she has no hope of an Olympic Gold but I don't think she believes she does. I think she wants a performance like she gave in Sochi again on the big stage. Say what you want but this woman conjures emotions from me that few have and she on her best day is what skating is ALL about. The triumph, the pure ****ing GRIT she has. She's so damn tough. She's so beautiful. I just love her. She and Kostner are the last of a dying breed.

 

[skateboy]

I think she probably doesn't care about any competitive goal but is only trying to achieve her own internal goals.

I think she cares very much.

 

[Vash01]

I mean no disrespect toward Mao, but is it time for her to perhaps retire from competition and skate for the love of skating, in shows? She has had a long and successful career. Of course only the skater knows when it's really the time to call it quits.