SkateBuzz feed just blacked out?!
Not good for Mao..Maybe the real Mao will be back next season.
Next season ? Worlds in her country and she won't be able to pull it together this season, it will be a blow to her confidence.
I dunno, if any lady skater in the world today has grit and determination to successfully revamp for the long haul while taking her lumps in the short term, it's Mao. I will say that the JSF should seriously consider NOT sending Mao to Worlds though--unless she has a miraculous re-arising from these ashes by Japanese nationals. Right now, I'd say Ando, Suzuki, and Murakami are stronger bets for this season.
I think it depends on nationals for Mao, and maybe even 4CC. I think her federation will give her the chance to prove herself.
My coach always told me that the best skaters can skate programs which makes us feel that the jumps are just decoration. She means that jumps are important but because the skater can do other elements such as spins, foot work, spirals, inbetween moves so beautifully with so much of artistry and musicality that jumps become less important in the program. In that sense, Daisuke Tkahashi, Sasha Cohen belong to that great skaters.And today, I thought Mao belongs to that group. I know she really messed up her jumps, but i really enjoyed the rest of the program. So classy and elegant and fluid. I could not take my eyes off of her program.