Japanese Federation may not send Mao to Vancouver

[Matiara]

Originally Posted by Sparks

DL - I agree that Mao may have to, or chose to change. We just don't know yet. I'm just tired of all the arm-chair coaches, choreographers, and costume designers on the internet.[/b]

Are you saying that you're tired of how society focuses on the negative?

[kwanatic712]

Originally Posted by Sparks

True. BUTT remember there is a reason YuNa trains in Canada...not as much pressure from her countrymen/women. Who knows how much pressure YuNa will feel going into the Olys. I think its kinda sad that everyone is touting her as the next greatest thing since sliced bread. She even said in a post competition interview that her scores have put a lot of pressure on her.

That's true and that's another thing. Mao doesn't want to leave Japan. I think that if Yu-Na trained in Korea she wouldn't be nearly as focused because she is a HUGE star there. In Toronto she can maintain a level of anonymity and focus completely on her training without all of the outside distractions. I base my comments on Yu-Na going only by what I saw at TEB and to me at least, she looked very calm, relaxed...almost too calm and relaxed for someone under so much pressure. Right now she's just experiencing the exact same thing Mao experienced back in 2006; people are dubbing her the top lady and as of now, she's living up to it.

I am going to stop remotely coaching Mao , it's not like she can hear me. I'm just really sad and disappointed; I want my old Mao back . I guess I'll just have to wait and see if she's made any progress by nationals...that's all any of us can do at this point...

[Sparks]

Originally Posted by Matiara

Are you saying that you're tired of how society focuses on the negative?

Why yes. How did you guess? Did my personal siggy tip you off?

I'm just really sad and disappointed; I want my old Mao back

Me too.

[skatingfan5]

So does Mao's former coach, Machiko Yamada, Mao’s former coach.

Here are some excerpts from a translation of several items posted by Batsuchan on FSU:

Her former teacher, Machiko Yamada (Grand Prix Toukai Club coach) also guesses that Mao’s poor condition “is not a technical problem, but an emotional one.” Your mind is a place that only you yourself can know, but it’s a place where you want to blow away the worries and anxieties you are feeling. “If her smile can return, then her figure, stiff with worry [will go away]; if it’s her short program, I think the score will be different by 10 points,” (some coach) said. Since it is connected to her results, we hope to see the return of Mao’s smile.

****************************
(I couldn't find an online link, so I'm using a transcription on a blog).
http://ameblo.jp/mimiskate/entry-10375985549.html

“With a change of the SP song, a new breeze for Mao”
[From Chuunichi Sports, October 25]

Watching Mao’s expression while she performed, I felt this. It was dark. She was steadily being crushed by the pressure. That is the impression I received. Rather than the mistake on the triple axel, rather than the technical elements, I think the emotional side is the problem.
Here is where I want Mao to find some kind of change of pace and blow away those worries that she probably has inside. In a broadcast a few days ago, I heard that there was a suggestion to change Mao’s short program (SP) from “Masquerade Waltz” to her exhibition program song.

This is just my thinking, but just by changing the song for the SP—isn’t that one way to do that? I love Mao’s exhibition program for this season, “Caprice,” and last season’s “Tango.” They match Mao’s aura. If her free program is the grave melody of “Bells” that is appropriate for the Olympics, then I think it might be good to use an exhibition-like, cheerful song for the SP for contrast. Since it’s the middle of the season, I think it would be effective to take an exhibition program that she’s gotten used to skating and rework it for competition use. If she can blow a new breeze into her SP, where she has been falling behind recently, I think it will also give her courage in her free program performance.

Machiko Yamada (Grand Prix Toukai Club coach)

I, too, hope that Mao can find a "new breeze" to blow some of the old Mao back into herself. It's been really sad to see how she's been skating in her GP events -- until the exhibitions, when the old Mao has been sighted again.

[kwanatic712]

Originally Posted by skatingfan5

So does Mao's former coach, Machiko Yamada, Mao’s former coach.

Here are some excerpts from a translation of several items posted by Batsuchan on FSU:I, too, hope that Mao can find a "new breeze" to blow some of the old Mao back into herself. It's been really sad to see how she's been skating in her GP events -- until the exhibitions, when the old Mao has been sighted again.

That's what's so sad because that's the only time we get a glimpse of the old light, happy and smiling Mao, the Mao they said loved to skate so much she hardly ever took her skates off. That Mao is nowhere to be seen during competition. She just looks like she's carrying the weight of the world in her SP and LP...

[UGG]

Watch Mao win the Olympics. You heard it here.

[evergreen]

I know you're kidding UGG but I would be thrilled if that happened, I believe she has the most talent and can recapture that.

[lemonade16]

Originally Posted by UGG

Watch Mao win the Olympics. You heard it here.

I definitely believe that could happen. Mao is extremely talented. She could pull it off, you just never know.

[Dragonlady]

Originally Posted by lemonade16

I definitely believe that could happen. Mao is extremely talented. She could pull it off, you just never know.

While I agree with you that Mao is very talented, I don't think she can pull this off unless she makes changes to her programs. Three 3A's are going to cost her any chance of winning. The math is just not on her side.

[missmarysgarden]

Originally Posted by skatingfan5

So does Mao's former coach, Machiko Yamada, Mao’s former coach.

Here are some excerpts from a translation of several items posted by Batsuchan on FSU:I, too, hope that Mao can find a "new breeze" to blow some of the old Mao back into herself. It's been really sad to see how she's been skating in her GP events -- until the exhibitions, when the old Mao has been sighted again.

"grave melody" is right on. Perhaps TT has such a fixation on "Bells of Moscow" because she is entering her dotage - Its a great piece of music - those who know it in its entirety would likely agree - full of drama, tolling bells, and images of fog and bats - but its not something that works piecemeal. But as a short piece for a flower like Mao??? She might as well skate out, clutch her throat, and do a death rattle. Has TT totally lost her marbles? Frankly, I was horrified when it was picked for Michelle. Somehow, skating to a death knell seems to invite all the bad juju imaginable. Might work for an exhibition in contrast to a competitive program, but frankly I don't think its a good choice for any skater. I think that TT has reached the point where she is poorly "managing" her herd of skaters from a state of sloth and her creative juice reservoir is on "E". It just pisses me off, damn it!!! Call a spade a spade here - TT is toast!

[iceman]

The piece is only 62 measures long and takes slightly less than 4 minutes to perform, so perfect length for a long program as no editing required. Strange that audiences used to clamor for Rach to play it as an encore to all his performances if it is such a grave piece.

Maybe if she would use the piano version it would be better: as played by Rach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ytY...eature=related