Naomi Nari Nam

[sasafrass452]

Where has she been lately? I haven't seen her in quite some time. She seemed to have a lot of potential at such a young age.

[Sylvia]

Nam, now 18, is making a comeback this season after missing the past 3 Nationals (2001-2003) due to injury. She just won the senior ladies event at Southwest Pacific Regionals, and if she places in the top 4 at Pacific Coast Sectionals next month, she will qualify for 2004 Nationals. Dave Amorde took photos at Regionals:
http://swpskating.com/narinam.html

[sasafrass452]

That's good, at least she's still skating. It would be a waste of talent if she stopped!

Originally posted by Sylvia
Nam, now 18, is making a comeback this season after missing the past 3 Nationals (2001-2003) due to injury. She just won the senior ladies event at Southwest Pacific Regionals, and if she places in the top 4 at Pacific Coast Sectionals next month, she will qualify for 2004 Nationals. Dave Amorde took photos at Regionals:
http://swpskating.com/narinam.html

[Calgary88]

Thank you, thank you for the update!

Has she just grown up or has she also added some muscle? Nice pictures of her Ina Bauer. I hope she qualifies for Nationals and I can't wait to see her skate again!

[sasafrass452]

I just looked at the pictures, & I must say she's grown up to be a beautiful young lady. Last time I saw her, she was about 14 & very cute ;)


Originally posted by Sylvia
Nam, now 18, is making a comeback this season after missing the past 3 Nationals (2001-2003) due to injury. She just won the senior ladies event at Southwest Pacific Regionals, and if she places in the top 4 at Pacific Coast Sectionals next month, she will qualify for 2004 Nationals. Dave Amorde took photos at Regionals:
http://swpskating.com/narinam.html

[iskater13]

Naomi looks like she is enjoying herself and that is what counts! I will be in atlanta routing for her :) :) :)

[quarkiki2]

Naomi looks fabulous! I hope she skates well at regionals so that we may see her again at Nationals!

Her reaction to her LP at Nationals 1999 is one of my favorite skating moments!

[danibellerika]

Same here. That was one of my all time fave skating performances. I hope that if she makes it to nationals, she skates well enough to be aired.

[Calgary88]

Does she ahve any chance of making it to the podium having not competed in the past few years? Where will she place if she skates well in the compulsories, etc.?

[danibellerika]

Well, she knows how to do all of the jumps and gets nice height on them(though isn't very consistent with them). She's got awesome speed, ice coverage, edges, a killer layback(just a teeny bit better than Sasha's), and killer spins in general and I think she really knows how to fill a room. Basically, she has all the goods to land on the podium, but Yebin, Bebe, AP, Jenny, and of course Sasha and Michelle won't make it as easy. She'll have to have a strong skate like she did in 1999. I keep forgetting that 4th place is still on the podium though.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by Calgary88
Does she ahve any chance of making it to the podium having not competed in the past few years? Where will she place if she skates well in the compulsories, etc.?

Realistically speaking, it would be a wonderful achievement for Nam just to qualify for 2004 Nationals. Based on her jumps attempted/landed in summer competitions and at Regionals, she does not appear have all her triples consistent yet. But, considering she has undergone major hip surgery, it is amazing she has made it back this far!

Here are my friend's notes for Nam's free skate at SWP Regionals - 3 triples landed (flip, toe combo and sal) of 6 planned, but no 2axel. I believe her jumps in the SP were 2axel(shaky), 3flip-2toe and 3toe (for reference, Lindsey Weber landed these 3 jumps in her 2003 Nationals SP and placed 12th).

1. Naomi Nari Nam: Bright orange fluorescent dress, tank style with loads of flower beading. Jenni Meno is now one of Naomi's official coaches. Nam skated to "Miss Saigon" and was the last skater of the evening and the event. Jumps: 3lz (fall), 3flip/2t (very strong), 3loop! (big jump, all the way around, but two-footed badly), nice camel spin on forward outside edge, 3t/2t, gorgeous layback, terrific spiral sequence with forward Charlotte on edge, 3sal, 1toe (wild pop), spread-eagle 1/2 a circle, finished program with a ton of powerful stars into her spin combination with nice positions, speed, and centering. There was no double axel or even single in this program, which was a little weird (I heard she had some problems with it during the comp.). She also had a perfect split falling leaf and wonderful flowing edges and a great smile. The crowd was definitely behind her and yelled loudly for everything she did. She never looked tired the whole time. It was a joyous program to watch. I thought she deserved first by a mile and a half. Her spins and footwork and choreography were awesome and she had on a huge smile.

[Dave Amorde]

I'm not convinced that the jumps listed in the report forwarded to Sylvia are correct - I don't recall a triple Salchow; I thought she did a double - but regardless, Naomi's performance was very strong. She is no longer the little dynamo with the blur sitspin. She is now a very powerful skater. It is difficult to describe, but the power she produces with seemingly effortless strokes is something truly wonderful. I believe it is this power that will allow her to beat other competitors that may have a more inclusive jump arsenal.

I am now pausing my regularly scheduled post to offer a prayer for the Felicia Beck family, and all the other families who live and train in the area of the Arrowhead fire........
I will now resume my regular programming

There are simply too many talented ladies in the U.S. to predict a podium placement for any one of them on any given day, but I would say that doubts about her making it to Nationals are unfounded, and that a podium spot is definitely within the realm of possibility.

[Calgary88]

All this information is much appreciated, guys. I've been wondering for the past few years, "Where is Naomi? When/Is she coming back?"

sounds like she almost had to relearn the jumps because they sure were there back in 99 when she was the little dynamo.

[danibellerika]

In some journal or something, she said she DID have to relearn her jumps.