Miho's favorites

People’s views are always different especially when it comes to artistry. I really think we all are biased for our favorites based on our taste, our views, our personalities, and it also might be coming from which side of the brain is more developed , right brain or left brain. And whatever art or other things that we learn, there are always levels, whether it’s judges scoring by whatever the rules happen to be, which BTW the rules were made by people who also have their own bias and favorite type of figure skating, or it comes from laws of nature.   We can feel which pianists are playing from the heart or not, besides being able to appreciate the technical ability.  In figure skating, Genuine artistic skaters to me are Johnny Weir Emanuel Sandhu Tatiana Navka Oksana Baiul These skaters come to my mind first. The following are also genuine artistic skaters,  Stephane Lambiel Daisuke Takahashi Staviski (of Denkova/Staviski) Shen( of Shen & Zhao )

http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2009lambiel.htm Stephane looks like a little gain ? In the photo, his face looks slightly rounder than before to me. Ray and I were laughing while reading his interview about the new judging system and competitions this season. Because he has many same thoughts as us.  Also I think it’s similar to Johnny’s thought about the new judging system It’s always great to read the perceptions and ideas from true artists. And sounded like he really enjoys right now, performing for only crowds without any pressure. And no regret for his decision about retirement . I really think he retired in a good time especially this season, this brand new system became more crazy. Interviewer You once said that after your decision you were sad for two weeks. You should know that there are lots of people who are still sad, who miss you during every competition, every Grand Prix event… Stephane It’s sad, it’s a sad situation, because the skating world, the competit

It’s really a shame to hear Lambiel's retirement… I still can not get it in my mind, and it will surely hit me and will miss him when COP starts especially in Skate Canada. Lambiel is always one of my second favorite skaters who gave me fun and excitement since 2006 Worlds. My favorite is his Dralion he did in worlds 2006. His unique creative artistic dance in it inspired me a lot , I call it the Lambiel dance. Even though I was guessing he may not be in next Olympics seeing his health condition in past two years, when the time came, and have to face and accept the reality, it’s sad. Hope he will have a great life and hopefully will have an opportunity to see his skating again. There was also an article about " Brian Joubert speaks about Stephane's retirement: The french skater has an idea about the reasons that pushed Lambiel to stop. "Since his second world title, he was not well anymore mentaly" said Joubert, who also pointed out a physical problem. &quo

Seems like Stephane Lambiel is going to have a press conference for his new announcement “ crucial change” in Switzerland on Thursday and people are worrying he may retire or take a season off . And According to GPS lists in Skate Canada and TEB, He has been crossed off for both of the events SC and TEB. It means that it’s surely he is not going to compete in GPS this season. I won’t miss Jeffrey Buttle’s skating much, but Lambiel is my second favorite skater who often gave me fun with his unique creative artistic speedy skating, so surely I will miss his skating. It also hurts to watch him being placed in lower place with his disappointed face, struggling with his injury though. .. His injury sounded bad and even though his mind wants to compete, his body doesn’t want to. When we got injury or felt pain or had illness, I’ve read that it’s a sign to take a break. And is doing something wrong, unbalancing and it also may come from stress. Hopefully Johnny is fine. My ideal podium i

I found news about Stephane Lambiel’s most recent situation at ice network.com. According to the article, it sounds like Lambiel is still struggling with his injury after he re- started his training in NJ. And he may withdraw from Skate Canada. Johnny says that they are not training together anymore because it’s close to competitions. He also said that "Viktor is away doing shows, so Galina and Nina [Petrenko] are taking care of both of us right now. In the morning, I practice from 9:30 to 10:30, and then he gets on just as I'm finishing. Same thing in the afternoon. “ I’m surprised to hear that it means Johnny is training only 2 hours a day on ice ??? One hour training in the morning and one hour in the afternoon ?? I wonder that it’s enough training for him ?? His training until last season seems like 90 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the afternoon. So I guess his training time on ice was changed ... Total of losing one hour training time sounds p

Recently, so many new info about Johnny or something related to him is just coming constantly.  And I was shocked to hear that one of Johnny’s competitor Stephane Lambiel ( from Switzerland ) who was a two time world champion is going to work with Johnny’s coaches Galina and Victor Petrenko this season. He will move to ( or has already moved ) NJ, U.S.A from his hometown Switzerland. As a Johnny fan, this news didn’t make me happy. Lambiel has been struggling with his jumps especially for 3A and quad combo past years, and I heard some people started talking Lambiel is going to retire and will not be in next Olympics.  He must be hard and really wanted to fix his jump technique for Olympics. Johnny's beauty But … thinking from Johnny’s side, One of the reason Johnny decided to work with Galina team was they can always check and see his skating.  And after his successful last season, Galina/Petrenko received application from the top skater…  I was upset to hear about t

I was so glad to see that ESPN broadcast showed Johnny fan's fever, how popular he is in Russia.  Everybody was screaming his name loudly like crazy, and one of his Russian fans was interviewed about him. His banners with his images were everywhere. It's always great to see it. Thank you ESPN for showing it.  Also commentator Paul Wylie mentioned about Johnny's award for Love of Russia just before he skated his SP. Johnny thought he was ignored about it from US federation but it's great they did mention in ESPN and also figure skating magazine. And he feels better now. He is so lovely and cute, he added extra note for it after he posted his last journal. Johnny Weir SP - It was perfect !! How could he handle his nerves from the situation where so many his fans are expecting his performance ? He was very mentally strong. I love the beginning of the choreography so much. Very artistic and also his face expression. Also after the first jump, his elegant sentimental

2007-2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating is still coming up. It is a series of international invitational competitions in the first half of the figure skating season. Skaters ( 36 skaters ) compete in four disciplines (men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dance) over six events.  Ray and I usually watch men's & ladies singles and sometimes ice dance. Especially for all the men's COP that Johnny Weir is up. For Ladies singles, Ray loves Miki Ando ( from Japan ), and I also love her skating so we are rooting for those two. Skaters can earn a certain amount of points per placement. The top six scoring skaters or teams at the end of the series compete in the Grand Prix Final. Johnny was competing at " Cup of China " and " Cup of Russia " this season. and Johnny earned 30 points ( perfect ) , Miki will compete at NHK trophy COP which will be held next weekend. and one of the competitions Cup of Russia was held last weekend . and 12

Before I watched the broadcast. I already saw Johnny ’s both programs and also Stephane’s LP on youtube. But Seeing in a big screen was very different from YouTube. It was great to see Johnny’s skating on the broadcast without having nervous since I knew the result of his victory with perfect performances. I was glad that ESPN broadcast showed men’s both programs I wanted to see because they usually showed only the skater who got highest score for SP, and Johnny was in the second place at SP, so I was worry about that they may not show his SP.  So it was very nice ! Commentator Paul Wylie ’s comment about each skater was great. He always think from skater’s side instead of FS federation side. I miss Dick Button and Terry Gannon though, they did it last season. I usually loved Dick Button’s comment about Johnny except during Olympic and 2006 Nationals. I could see he loves Johnny’s skating and likes Johnny as a person.  Although sympathy for other skaters , because he often commente

Figure skating Grand Prix Competition Cup of China was held this weekend . I was so nervous to see the result of men's COP because there was Johnny and there were also his tough competitors Stephane Lambiel ( from Switzerland ) and Evan Lysacek ( U.S.A.) . My husband Ray and I have been bad impression for Lysacek since last season because his arrogant behavior against Johnny often bothers us. So we really hoped if Johnny could beat him in the COP this season. As a result , At Short program , 1. Evan Lysacek Total : 81.55 TES: 44.90 PCS: 36.65 2. Johnny Weir Total : 79.80 TES:44.00 PCS: 35.80 3. Stephane Lambiel Total : 70.20 TES : 34.00 PCS: 37.20 At Free program , 1. Johnny Weir Total : 151.98 TES: 76.38 PCS: 75.60 2. Evan Lysacek Total : 147.81 TES: 74.71 PCS: 74.10 3. Stephane Lambiel Total : 122.02 TES : 53.22 PCS: 71.80 Overall 1. Johnny : 231.78 2. Evan : 229.36 3. Stephane : 192.22 Johnny won !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny Weir - He is my all time favorite skater , far above all the others. I do believe if he shows his real talent in a competition, he can beat everyone. Usually, I watch figure skating as an entertainment more than competition but for him, I also care about the competition. I didn't expect his win in this competition because this season, I thought he was not in his best form because of his depression from many things.  Besides he created both new programs with new style with new choreographer in a short period of time and I thought he took a big risk. It's good to challenge something new and he did really good job this season. But to change the style , it usually takes a lot of time to get it.  Johnny is a very talented person and an amazing quick learner, but even him, I think would need at least more than 1 year .  But he received 8th in the placement and I thought it's not bad in this situation. Personally, I was not so crazy about hi