Liebestraum is one of my favourite program from Mao Asada. When I saw its debut at Japan Open 2010, I thought that would have been her masterpiece, despite all the technical imperfections of the competition. A beautiful and lyrical Mao was back after some seasons of strong Tarasova's choreographies. Everytime I watch this program, I can't stop myself from goosebumps when the music starts and she moves with it. But something didn't happen as I was expected. Mao started one of the worst season of her life, saying that her jumping disease was due to a back to basis strategy.
This late season seems to be a rebirth of the Japanese champion, although there is still something not working.
Some days ago Asada won her second consecutive silver medal at Four Continents Championships. Last year gold was taken by Miki Ando, now the reigning champion is an emerging Ashley Wagner. Well, I looked back at 2011 competition, as I remember Mao did quite well there, and I got really surprised by seeing how she was better scored in 2011 than in 2012. Last year she got 132,89 against 124,37 this year. Then I tried to compare her protocols to understand what was missing last week.
|
|
4CC 2011 |
4CC 2012 |
|
3A |
9,79 |
4,71 (under-rotated) |
|
3f-2lo |
8,1 |
7,6 |
|
3lz |
5,5 (wrong edge take off) |
5,3 (struggled landing, negative goe) |
|
Ccosp |
4,5 (level 4) |
4,5 (level 4) |
|
2a-3t |
7,03 (under-rotated triple toe) |
8,84 |
|
3f-2lo-2lo |
8,84 (under-rotated final double loop) |
10,29 |
|
3s |
4,02 (two footed, negative goe) |
1.46 (doubled salchow) |
|
Ssp |
2,96 (level 3) |
2.93 (level 4) |
|
Slst |
4,3 (level 3) |
4,3 (level 3) |
|
3lo |
6,71 |
6,01 |
|
Fcosp |
4,57 (level 4) |
3,71 (level 4) |
|
Chsp1 |
3,86 |
3,3 |
|
TES |
70,18 |
62,95 |
|
PCS |
62,71 |
61,42 |
|
Total score |
132,89 |
124,37 |
This overview of her free skating score shows that Mao lost the majority of points on triple axel and general grade of execution. So, the matter is: does she really need to take that triple axel? Is it worth the effort of landing it?
Free skate at 4CC 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpZGFBDYc2w&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLFD43B1FDB47F336B
Free skate at 4CC 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWnS907QiRU
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