VANCOUVER: Brian Orser, coach of Olympic gold medal favourite Kim Yu-Na, said he would never underestimate the threat posed by 'fiesty' Japanese skater Mao Asada.

Kim, 19, is poised to become South Korea's first Olympic figure skating champion as she takes nearly a five-point advantage on Asada into Thursday's free skate final.

Canada's Joannie Rochette is also battling for the podium as she carries the hopes of a nation just four days after the death of her mother from a heart attack.

Orser said on Wednesday he was happy to see the return of the long-running rivalry between the two Asian skaters after 19-year-old Asada struggled this season.

"It is very familiar," said Orser as the pair battle for gold.

"Having these two women fairly close, skating well is creating this rivalry. We haven't seen much of it this season, but now it's back.

"It is great for the sport, great for the viewers."

He continued: "Mao seems like a feisty little competitor. I knew she would show up here in top form. I never counted her out. Being in her top form here is what really counts.

"It (the rivalry) will keep everybody on the edge of their seats. That's exciting, and it's exciting for Yu-Na, who is a pretty fierce competitor as well.

"The most important thing for Yu-Na is to concentrate on her game and what she can do. It's not over till it's over.

"We have a cushion, but now we have to put the short programme aside and focus on the free programme. She wants to deliver that."

Kim -- who has lost just twice in the past two seasons, both times to Asada, at the 2008 worlds and the 2008-2009 Grand Prix final -- will take to the ice before the Japanese skater to perform to Gershwin's "Concerto in F."

Asada, who has said she dislikes skating after the Korean because she has to listen to the applause for her rival, will then skate to Rachmaninov's "Bells of Moscow."

"I like it that we skate close to each other," said Orser.

"It is a nice comparison for the judges. The programmes are different. Mao's programme is darker, more drama, Yu-Na's is lighter, more flowing. It is the perfect vehicle to show off her strengths."

Orser added that reigning world champion Kim was totally prepared for gold.

"She skates from her soul. This is not the time to hold back."

Frank Carroll, coach of Olympic men's champion Evan Lysacek, said he was expecting a classic showdown.

"They're both world champions -- both amazing. Both are right around the right age for the Olympics. They're at the top of their game."

Skate Canada team leader Michael Slipchuk believes Rochette has shown she has the strength not to be ruled out, although she is seven points behind Kim.

"It's going to be a showdown. There's three of them, not just two."

Even International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has been been enthralled by the skating, and particularly Rochette.

"I watched part of her programme on television. This must be a very difficult period for her but I wish her all the best," said Rogge.

"The bronze or even better would be great even without the emotional considerations being taken into account."