Mao looks absolutely fabulous. At this point last year I felt Mao could be challenged only by Yuna and Kimmie (somehow I overlooked that amazing determined competitor named Miki Ando). Unless the US\' junior skaters mature quickly, ladies\' figure skating excellence will remain asian-centric and flying those great asian flags. That\'s okay with me because I love those skaters and their skating!

Today it seems impossible to lineup the best ladies in world figure skating for any kind of competition or exhibition without at least one of the top current skaters from Japan or Korea. And amazingly enough, when the US juniors do mature, it\'s still going to look distinctly asian but with a different flag and red white and blue warm up suits. I love it, I love it!

And while the bar has been raised athletically, I think it is going even higher artistically with Mao determined to catch Yuna’s musicality.

As a resident of North America, I just hope we get to see all the top skaters and that the federations & show sponsors communicate what terrific people and talent world figure skating has to offer to audiences. So much effort is made to manufacture local heroes when what will move skating forward is world heroes skating with outstanding athleticism, talent, grace and artistry.

I am getting very jealous of these shows in Japan, Taiwan and Korea!


연아이야기: 연아갤로 대동단결!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!