From Russia with love [#29]: Spring 2018 and beyond

[aemeraldrainc]

Soloviev posted this on instagram so there's hope they're not retiring...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjP3TeangLQ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1lqx0m1pjyl3y

 

[Tinami Amori]

Wow. Is Ksenia pure Russian? There’s something so exotic-looking about her. (My girl-crush continues unabated.)

Based on the few interviews from her father's side relatives (an aunt and grand-father), Ksenia's father is Chuvash, from Cheboksary (an region next to Kazan', Tatarstan). A typical Chuvash woman from that region, in a national costume, looks like this: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4266/35841634065_e131614677_b.jpg

ETA: Ksenya's aunt (on the father's side) holding an album with Ksenya's fotos as a child
(also in one of the interviews from way back then, she said that Ksenya's grand-mother and father did not want Ksenya to be an athlete/figure skater when she started skating at the age of 6, but the grand-father was very supporting through-out the whole time and helped out financially).
https://pg21.ru/userfiles/picitem/img-20140306154948-514.jpg

 

[lala]

Based on the few interviews from her father's side relatives (an aunt and grand-father), Ksenia's father is Chuvash, from Cheboksary (an region next to Kazan', Tatarstan). A typical Chuvash woman from that region, in a national costume, looks like this: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4266/35841634065_e131614677_b.jpg

beautiful !

 

[lauravvv]

However, I've learned to keep rumors and source information in check because sometimes it's just so much fluff, and that's about it especially when circulating around during the silly off-season... But, if it turns out to be true, !! !!

It's not that kind of a rumor, if it even can be called a rumor, and it's not a "source" information. See aemeraldrainc's post. Soloviev posted a picture on his Instagram that suggests that he and Bobrova are working on Argentine tango, with a text "Ice is so tempting, isn't it?" (can also be translated as "Ice just draws you, doesn't it?") and a wink - https://www.instagram.com/p/BjP3TeangLQ/.

 

[caseyedwards]

Ugh! How ridiculous to skip worlds and continue anyway! They didnt even make gpf

 

[Bellanca]

Ugh! How ridiculous to skip worlds and continue anyway! They didnt even make gpf

Yes, true, but at the mere mention of any ice dance team thought to have been retiring or looking for a new partner (in this case, B&S) now playfully hinting at the possibility of continuing to compete should definitely be placed in the purely speculating or wishful thinking category until the team in question confirms it.

I think a few skaters and teams are still kicking around their next move and weighing their options - something that is a given during the long days of every off-season. The point being, we obviously won't really know until we know... So, we find ourselves speculating, but that doesn't mean it will happen.

Also, there could be a dozen reasons why someone would (and in some cases should) choose to skip worlds only to return the following season.

 

[Eislauffan]

Yes, true, but at the mere mention of any ice dance team thought to have been retiring or looking for a new partner (in this case, B&S) now playfully hinting at the possibility of continuing to compete should definitely be placed in the purely speculating or wishful thinking category until the team in question confirms it.

I think a few skaters and teams are still kicking around their next move and weighing their options - something that is a given during the long days of every off-season. The point being, we obviously won't really know until we know... So, we find ourselves speculating, but that doesn't mean it will happen.

Also, there could be a dozen reasons why someone would (and in some cases should) choose to skip worlds only to return the following season.

I agree. I think Dmitri's Instagram post is meant as a joke. Bobrova/Soloviev have been away from regular training for a while now and went travelling etc. and they have said several times that they are not competing the next season, but they don't exclude a comeback. They keep their options open as many others do and why not. It would surprise me if they really came back next season, but maybe they will try a comeback in one or two years, who knows.

 

[Mad for Skating]

Based on the few interviews from her father's side relatives (an aunt and grand-father), Ksenia's father is Chuvash, from Cheboksary (an region next to Kazan', Tatarstan). A typical Chuvash woman from that region, in a national costume, looks like this: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4266/35841634065_e131614677_b.jpg

ETA: Ksenya's aunt (on the father's side) holding an album with Ksenya's fotos as a child
(also in one of the interviews from way back then, she said that Ksenya's grand-mother and father did not want Ksenya to be an athlete/figure skater when she started skating at the age of 6, but the grand-father was very supporting through-out the whole time and helped out financially).
https://pg21.ru/userfiles/picitem/img-20140306154948-514.jpg

Thank you for finding this! I never thought of Cheboksary...this is all very interesting! As a shameless Stolbovaphile, I'm always interested in this stuff.

I've always thought Ksenia looks a LOT like Carrie Anne Moss (from the Matrix movies and now the Jessica Jones series). They have different eyes but the same face and hair. Is it just me?

 

[nuge]

. They keep their options open as many others do and why not. It would surprise me if they really came back next season, but maybe they will try a comeback in one or two years, who knows.

I don't think a comeback in a couple of years is a good idea for them.They are no V/M
S/B Z/G and heck maybe even S/K will be moving up .I think their time is over.Same for C/L

 

[Bellanca]

Most skaters are pretty smart people, they know how to keep themselves in the news... B&S, no exception.

 

[Mad for Skating]

Well it would be lovely to see more of B/S, but I'm ok if they retire too. They finished on a gorgeous high note at the Olympics and I'll be happy either way.

 

[Bellanca]

I would much rather see B&S attempt a comeback than have Soloviev partner up w/ someone else. That would suck...

 

[Mad for Skating]

I would much rather see B&S attempt a comeback than have Soloviev partner up w/ someone else. That would suck...

Yeah he's been with Katia so long that I can't picture him with anyone else.

 

[caseyedwards]

Yes, true, but at the mere mention of any ice dance team thought to have been retiring or looking for a new partner (in this case, B&S) now playfully hinting at the possibility of continuing to compete should definitely be placed in the purely speculating or wishful thinking category until the team in question confirms it.

I think a few skaters and teams are still kicking around their next move and weighing their options - something that is a given during the long days of every off-season. The point being, we obviously won't really know until we know... So, we find ourselves speculating, but that doesn't mean it will happen.

Also, there could be a dozen reasons why someone would (and in some cases should) choose to skip worlds only to return the following season.

But there was no reason for b/s to skip worlds. They had tons of breaks. They had a very easy Olympic season. Didn’t make gpf so went on vacation and then did shows rather than real comperitions to try to improve.

B/S went out on a horrible low note. Ending Russia’s medal run in dance at the Olympics.

 

[Cherub721]

But there was no reason for b/s to skip worlds. They had tons of breaks. They had a very easy Olympic season. Didn’t make gpf so went on vacation and then did shows rather than real comperitions to try to improve.

B/S went out on a horrible low note. Ending Russia’s medal run in dance at the Olympics.

Well, I guess at least they managed to make "first time Russia is not on the podium" instead of "first time Russia is not even in the top 10" which would've happened because S&B and S&K couldn't go there. So I guess that's some sort of accomplishment?

 

[Mad for Skating]

But there was no reason for b/s to skip worlds. They had tons of breaks. They had a very easy Olympic season. Didn’t make gpf so went on vacation and then did shows rather than real comperitions to try to improve.

B/S went out on a horrible low note. Ending Russia’s medal run in dance at the Olympics.

For the circumstances, B/S had three excellent performances at the Olympics. They could not have beaten the Shibutanis for bronze unless the Shibs made major mistakes (like falling on a twizzle). From the start of the season, it was clear the two major contenders for bronze were the Shibs and Hubbell/Donohue, and even if B/S scored a personal best, they could not have beaten the bronze-medal score.

Casey, for you loving Russian skaters so much, you don't cut them much slack. Sometimes you have to be realistic. I love Adam Rippon, but I don't expect him to beat Yuzuru Hanyu, because I know Adam can't put up those kind of scores. I think you'd be much happier if you just admired the skaters for what they CAN do instead of what they CAN'T.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Rossiya Airlines new design: http://www.frequentflyers.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Rossiya_airlines_A319_6-1024x1024.jpg

 

[Mad for Skating]

Rossiya Airlines new design: http://www.frequentflyers.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Rossiya_airlines_A319_6-1024x1024.jpg

Hi Alina!

 

[Tyranid]

Finally, Lena Radionova posting vacation bathing suit photos!!! All that matters during the off season.

https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239446
https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239447

The poses, the beauty! Come back strong next season and show the sonograms how to land jumps with legs as long as pictured above (they don't have them!).

Couple more:
https://vk.com/photo278698351_456239716
https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239442

 

[Tinami Amori]

Finally, Lena Radionova posting vacation bathing suit photos!!! All that matters during the off season.

https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239446
https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239447

The poses, the beauty! Come back strong next season and show the sonograms how to land jumps with legs as long as pictured above (they don't have them!).

Couple more:
https://vk.com/photo278698351_456239716
https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239442

half-naked Radionova, in a post Olympic season, is certainly no "small flies"..

 

[caseyedwards]

Well, I guess at least they managed to make "first time Russia is not on the podium" instead of "first time Russia is not even in the top 10" which would've happened because S&B and S&K couldn't go there. So I guess that's some sort of accomplishment?

This is true but sad that being in top 10 in new standard of success for Russians in ice dance. Top 10 makes teams go nuts with pride and feelings of accomplishment while Grishuk and platov and even domnina and shabalin are looking at them like they are nuts!!

For the circumstances, B/S had three excellent performances at the Olympics. They could not have beaten the Shibutanis for bronze unless the Shibs made major mistakes (like falling on a twizzle). From the start of the season, it was clear the two major contenders for bronze were the Shibs and Hubbell/Donohue, and even if B/S scored a personal best, they could not have beaten the bronze-medal score.

Casey, for you loving Russian skaters so much, you don't cut them much slack. Sometimes you have to be realistic. I love Adam Rippon, but I don't expect him to beat Yuzuru Hanyu, because I know Adam can't put up those kind of scores. I think you'd be much happier if you just admired the skaters for what they CAN do instead of what they CAN'T.

But see with bobrova and soloviev what’s the deal with doing a level 4 lift but getting ones in GOE from some judges? Or like maxing out at level 3 in step sequences? And doing programs that make no sense in the gadbois era? So I think the issue is not being quadless like rippon was that made him incapable of medaling but doing level 4 lifts wrong. Doing level 4 spins wrong. Even when they reach level 4 they are doing it wrong. Not the gadbois way.

 

[alchemy void]

gadbois era

Not the gadbois way.

so you’re saying the scrutiny of the belbins is now obsolete!!?

 

[Tyranid]

half-naked Radionova, in a post Olympic season, is certainly no "small flies"..

About "flies":
This is the official emblem of the Ukranian Security Services' (like the FBI) counterintelligence/counterrecon department.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Service_of_Ukraine#Structure

 

[Bigbird]

The basics of Bobrova and Soloviev cannot be compared with any of the Olympic and World medalists this year. They are inferior to them all. For them, it is important to have outstanding programs for example Chess and Crazy, Anna Karenina etc. This season they did not have particularly outstanding programs. I found their SD ridiculous, ill-suited to them and clumsy, and their FD was an absolute waste of good music especially when you compare their efforts to SB. They and Zhulin have reached their peak. It's a pity they never tried working with someone else.

 

[barbarafan]

The basics of Bobrova and Soloviev cannot be compared with any of the Olympic and World medalists this year. They are inferior to them all. For them, it is important to have outstanding programs for example Chess and Crazy, Anna Karenina etc. This season they did not have particularly outstanding programs. I found their SD ridiculous, ill-suited to them and clumsy, and their FD was an absolute waste of good music especially when you compare their efforts to SB. They and Zhulin have reached their peak. It's a pity they never tried working with someone else.

Glad you got that off your chest.

 

[Mad for Skating]

This is true but sad that being in top 10 in new standard of success for Russians in ice dance. Top 10 makes teams go nuts with pride and feelings of accomplishment while Grishuk and platov and even domnina and shabalin are looking at them like they are nuts!!


But see with bobrova and soloviev what’s the deal with doing a level 4 lift but getting ones in GOE from some judges? Or like maxing out at level 3 in step sequences? And doing programs that make no sense in the gadbois era? So I think the issue is not being quadless like rippon was that made him incapable of medaling but doing level 4 lifts wrong. Doing level 4 spins wrong. Even when they reach level 4 they are doing it wrong. Not the gadbois way.

Okay, long story short, Bobrova and Soloviev are never going to score as high as Papadakis/Cizeron or Virtue/Moir. It's above their level. So appreciate what they CAN do - finish top 5 at the Olympics, skate beautiful programs, leave an impression. I love Stolbova/Klimov to death but I can accept that their crappy twist won't hold a candle to the top teams', so when they're 4 points behind Tarasova/Morozov in the SP, I don't panic.

Of course I would love to see Bobrova and Soloviev getting world record scores, but they simply are not THAT good, and it would take years for them to improve their technique to the VM/PC level. Until then, I wouldn't bash them just because they can't run with that crowd.

 

[Tinami Amori]

About "flies":
This is the official emblem of the Ukranian Security Services' (like the FBI) counterintelligence/counterrecon department. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Service_of_Ukraine#Structure

Good morning "Our man in Havana"... and the pole on top of the rock above Radionova's head must be a UVB-76 https://vk.com/photo33602606_456239447?rev=1

 

[Yehudi]

Plushenko with Sotnikova, Sergei Filin, and Olga Smirnova. Would like to see Smirnova skate...

https://instagram.com/p/BjH8XozAFcn/

 

[Eislauffan]

The basics of Bobrova and Soloviev cannot be compared with any of the Olympic and World medalists this year. They are inferior to them all. For them, it is important to have outstanding programs for example Chess and Crazy, Anna Karenina etc. This season they did not have particularly outstanding programs. I found their SD ridiculous, ill-suited to them and clumsy, and their FD was an absolute waste of good music especially when you compare their efforts to SB. They and Zhulin have reached their peak. It's a pity they never tried working with someone else.

Actually, they worked with Elena Kustarova before moving to Zhulin a few years ago, so they did work with someone else. Zhulin did some good programs for them, notably "Crazy" (Man with the Harmonica, Appollo 440 version) and "Anna Karenina", I also liked this year's FD. The SDs were often a bit generic and the "Birds" program from the 2013/14 Olympic season (that they dumped eventually, but too late) was probably their worst FD.

 

[casken]

the "Birds" program from the 2013/14 Olympic season (that they dumped eventually, but too late) was probably their worst FD.

IMO, the original version of "Birds" FD they debuted at the Russian test skate with the original music was potentially the best program they ever done. Changing the music out, and then refusing the change it back once it was obvious it wasn't working, was a huge mistake.