^^ Indeed, the need to break through on the performance level has been an ongoing issue for Mirai. I think her fun fp last season was a good step in the right direction. But this year, maybe the push to improve technically didn't help her ability to build on last season and demonstrate growth artistically?
Here's Mirai's breakthrough 2008 U.S. Nationals fp:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3CIoTn4y6U
Her face was the same unemotional mask for the most part, that we've come to know and criticize. But I guess back then (especially at her young age), it worked for
Coppelia. Plus, everyone was gobsmacked by her talent and potential, and couldn't see past that to the flaws that needed attention, apparently. Scott Hamilton did mention how she was 'all business' until her ending pose when a smile finally broke out.
I loved her 2012-2013 skate to Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3.
Actually, both the cut of the music and the choreography for the first 2/3rds were meh, but the ending!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyf_OzC_maw
Ah, that's wonderful, thanks for sharing. Mirai was demonstrating a great deal of ease, flow and confidence in this program. From watching the replay and listening to Eurosport guys, it appears she had one minor edge call and perhaps a slight under-rotation on another jump, but she's very delightful and more assured than she became even a year later. I don't recall how Mirai fared overall in 2012-13. Mirai does seem to be up generally when she performs at NHK, and the audiences there always receive her so well. Apparently, there were a number of great performances by ladies at that event (Suzuki and Mao were specifically mentioned in this clip).
The choreo for her 2012-13 free program was by Susan Austin. It really suited Mirai so well. But unfortunately, I believe this was a season or so after she'd parted ways with Frank, and apparently Mirai was sorta no longer in USFS' good graces. This at a time when with the right nurturing, understanding and patience, she surely could have overcome some of her personal and career struggles and donned the wings to soar. Instead, it appears she began to lose more and more confidence in herself, and she began to experience increasing problems with under-rotation calls. And then another subsequent coaching split to where she was coach-less by the time of 2014 U.S. Nationals.
When I look back at this gorgeous 2012-13 free program and performance it becomes even clearer what Scott Hamilton was saying in his recent broadcast:
Nurture great talent. It causes me to wonder whether Mirai might have fared better as a Japanese skater (had she been born and raised in Japan). I don't mean that she should have considered switching country affiliations. I think she's American through and through. It's just the idea that with her brilliant talent, might she have been nurtured and guided in a more beneficial way in Japan, with the right coaching and choreo? Honestly, she has the talent and brilliance to be at least a 3-time World champion by now.
I do think that even with this wonderful 2012-13 program at NHK, Mirai still needed help with breaking through fully on the performance level, but at least she seemed to have better flow and confidence. Currently, Mirai seems to have rebuilt herself to the point where her confidence is increasing, but it's not fully there yet, and her performance level definitely still needs help. She's older which can be a good thing mentally, but obviously that factor can be more challenging physically.
I do wish the best for Mirai going forward. She needs to match up with someone who can connect and help click something together for her mentally, emotionally, magically. It doesn't have to be a coach, as I think she's in good hands technically with Tom Z. But just someone who gets her personality and can help her connect with her expressive side and bring it out fully on the ice. I don't know who that someone would be, but there's always hope.
Such talent! Throw caution to the winds Mirai! Believe in yourself! Be yourself! Please SkateGods, help Mirai connect with her own personal Angel!
And I think it should maybe be someone other than David Wilson on this Olympics go-round. I saw potential in Mirai's fp at the beginning of this season, but ITA with
@clairecloutier that this fp never truly worked out. Should Mirai keep the Jeff Buttle sp and get a new fp by Jeff, or maybe Shae Lynn? Or someone good but lesser known such as Katherine Hill? (Hill has choreographed for Jordan Moeller, et al, and she's competed in Young Artists Showcase).
