From Russia With Love - Autumn 2012

[julieann]

I wouldn't say disaster.... Smirnov was still able to complete the lifts. If it had been serious he would have stopped. Hope he is ok.

I loved that opening pose. Beautiful flowing program... this is the style that works for them. Yes, I too couldn't help but think of B&S, sigh.

I think Yuko really looks good in that style. I think Smirnov hurt his back doing that first lift-it looked like he was one foot and off balance. The jump after that didn't help. I hope they add more to it and make it better.

And please keep the 3T+3T+Seq

I love the music and I would love to see her in a pretty dress...please...for once!

[julieann]

I LOVE Leonova's program. Even the fall on the jump didn't take away from the routine. I'm looking forward to seeing the routine in competition.

I can't wait to see her costume!

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

M&K FD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgAT4UXh1o&feature=plcp

S&K LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1byOWKU_bL4&feature=plcp

Voronov LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmg-EECJrm8&feature=plcp

S&Z SD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU-iXFavSgw&feature=plcp

[Anya]

I thought the vocals weren't allowed until after Sochi....

They are not. I guess she used vocals because Test Skaters are more or less exhibition. Last year I/K skated their FD to a random Russian song, instead of their version of Ave Maria, this year Voronov also used vocal version of Nino Rota's Romeo & Juliet instead of instrumental one to skate his LP (Bariev used instrumental "Phantom of the Opera", though. I guess it was because it is his last year LP).

[hanca]

I love Sotnikova's program. That 3-3 was awesome.

Leonova's program looks like a lot of fun. Her expression is just so happy and infectious.

I am not that impressed with the 3-3. It was 'only' toe loop-toe loop, whereas she can do much harder combinations, such as Lutz-Loop.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

I am not that impressed with the 3-3. It was 'only' toe loop-toe loop, whereas she can do much harder combinations, such as Lutz-Loop.

For me, it wasn't about the types of jumps done, but that both jumps were big and clean. A well done 3-3 is always impressive to me regardless of if the skater is doing easier or harder jumps.

[love_skate2011]

S&K LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1byOWKU_bL4&feature=plcp

S&Z SD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU-iXFavSgw&feature=plcp

is this really their SD ?, I Like it but this makes me think they are still JUNIORS

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

is this really their SD ?, I Like it but this makes me think they are still JUNIORS

I think it's horrible. Well, the 1st part isn't so bad, but the 2nd part had me cringing.

[Kasey]

I despair of Voronov ever having decent posture, or getting step sequences that go to the music while with Morosov. But the programs could have potential. (And I liked Menshov and Bariev as well)

[love_skate2011]

I think it's horrible. Well, the 1st part isn't so bad, but the 2nd part had me cringing.

who made them skate to juniorish music . of course no one else but...
Free Victoria and Ruslan

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

who made them skate to juniorish music . of course no one else but...
Free Victoria and Ruslan

I agree.

Send them to Svinin & Zhuk. Now their skaters have good choreo.

Menshov's programs are awesome. I just hope he can skate them perfectly at least once.

P&G SD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWMHmtJQhk&feature=plcp

[Eislauffan]

I was at the test skates today and yesterday, will also go on Saturday and Sunday.

Kawaguchi/Smirnov:
He said that he hurt his back on Wednesday already but that it is nothing serious. I actually saw them in their "Cats" outfit in St. Petersburg on Monday. His costume was greywith some "fur" parts, her costume was white with pink "fur". No real fur, to be clear. Fake fur. Looked cute. You might see these costumes later as they probably keep the program for galas. I talked with them about changing the program. Yuko said that "Cats" is good for exhibition, but she didn't feel that it was a good competitive program for them. The Waltz program is okay, but given that the did Waltz before in exhibition and as their long program, I think it is too boring. I really like their long program, though. This romantic style suits them and the music is something nobody has ever used before, I'm pretty sure.

A. Sotnikova
I loved the attack in that SP.

A. Leonova
I liked the first half better than the second half. I felt the lyrics were taking away from the program. Luckily she won't use lyrics in competition.

[equatorial]

I don't find S/Z's SD horrible at all. On the contrary, it's refreshing, and, generally, skated well.

[love_skate2011]

I agree.

Send them to Svinin & Zhuk. Now their skaters have good choreo.

Menshov's programs are awesome. I just hope he can skate them perfectly at least once.

P&G SD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWMHmtJQhk&feature=plcp

I doubt Svinin/Zhuk will accept because they will have direct competition with their arch rivals Stepanova/Bukin .

Im thinking Camerlegnco/Krylova or even Zueva, they don't need much technically
because they have good level step sequences, fast twizzles and ice coverage
they need to go to a choreographer specialist.

[Anya]

Photos from the second day of Test Skates

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

R&T SD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7O2fek4Ock&feature=plcp

Finally, a senior SD that I like. Too bad their FD is so bad.

[Eislauffan]

Pushkash/Guerreiro
I enjoyed their SD to "Quidam" (Cirque du soleil). To me it was the only one that looked as a whole program not like "Polka" and something else. I am not convinced about the FD. Jonathan said that it is still unpolished as they focused on the SD, but to me that was not the problem. All these "Tristan and Isolde" programs look similar to me and I just hate that "water gulping" where also everybody who ever skated to this music is doing the same (well, not much choice there to interpret this part).

K. Menshov
Always voidy and trying so hard. Good for him to hit the two quads today.

Riazanova/Tkachenko
I enjoyed their FD, even though it is similar to last year's, and they probably should not have used a Waltz but maybe saved it for next year if this is their favourite style. It is something that suits them well, but more versatility would be good. The style might be the same this year but the execution has improved.
When they started with another Waltz from "My Fair Lady" in the SD, I felt it really is enough. I feel the "My Fair Lady" theme suits them, but it is too much waltz from them.

[IceIceBaby]

Why aren't Trankov and Volosozhar doing the test skates?
And what about Plushenko?

[Ladida]

I love the second part of R/T SD. Fortunately not another funeral program.

[Eislauffan]

Sinitsina/Zhiganshin
I think they look fresh and precise. Their Tango program is a conservative choice, but maybe good for their first senior year. Their Tennessee Waltz and Polka are cute. They are a young team, and they look young, and they still need to work on their expression.