I suppose the team for Worlds will be Alina (who can anytime implode), Liza(who has a risky layout, so she can do many mistakes as well) and Stasya (who is consistent in being inconsistent)
. So I would say that Russia has many chances to drop to 2 spot for next year. They should go with Sofya instead of Stasya, but they will not give to Mishin 2 spots and anyway Stasya is RusFed darling.
I suppose the team for Worlds will be Alina (who can anytime implode), Liza(who has a risky layout, so she can do many mistakes as well) and Stasya (who is consistent in being inconsistent)
I agree with Plushenko that Kolyada should give a try with Mishin. Nothing to lose there.
I know Med is an ambitious girl and staying home for the rest of the season is hard, but I really think that she would benefit greatly if she stays behind the spotlight and comes back fighting in September. Not sure her going to worlds is such a great idea!
I don’t think the national champion is safe. Nationals was the selection competition for Europeans, but the federation was clear that the selection for worlds will be depending on the results from Europeans. So it would be quite fair to say to Kovtun and Konstantinova that Europeans was their rewards for being the highest scoring competitor, but as they both underperformed, they won’t be going to worlds.
Well, Kovtun was the national champion when they sent Plushenko to the Olympics instead. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they opted to not send him to Worlds.
Neither would I. Kovtun's "performance" was beyond embarrassing. While Kolyada was having a meltdown, he was fighting hard. Kovtun gave up. His lack of fight was pathetic. It was disrespectful to the audience, to his coach, and to his team. If he doesn't want to compete, he should retire.
The thing is, he does want to compete. Both he and Kolyada just lose it if the first jump fails. Every. Time. So does Aliev. They are going to make the Russian Cup Finals a Nationals do over. None of them are guaranteed anything.
I will never forget Alissa Czisny’s last time at worlds. Nothing worked, she kept falling all over the place, and yet the next jump she would again go for a triple. She just wouldn’t take the easy route. She could have decided to do the rest of the program with doubles and limit the falls, but she wouldn’t. She continued to fight until the end. Compare that with Kovtun. He skated as if he couldn’t give a damn. 2Lo and 2Lz-eu-2 Sal is a novice level jumps. None of the 18 girls at Russian junior nationals will dare to put that in her program. I believe he wants it, according to his interview he did try to change his ways to get the results. Maybe he just doesn’t have the personality for elite sport, and then there is nothing one can do about it. When things get tough, the tough keep going. What if one isn’t the tough one?
I agree, they are all incredibly inconsistent. Kolyada is the only one who potentially could be a contender; he is a beautiful skater. But he fails every. single. time. I am not ready to give up on him; with three falls and an injured wrist (not to mentioned injured pride) he was fighting. Kovtun made me sick. He didn't look like he wanted to be there.
His coaching team thought it would be a good idea for him to skip morning practice. Brilliant strategy Buianova. It's not like he needs assistance to have a melt down.
Yes! You have the doronina precedent but Kovtun and kolyada are more accomplished!
Right, I had totally forgotten about that! Thanks for the reminder.
Yeah, ITA. Love or hate Kovtun, he looked like a totally different skater at Russian Nationals. So, I don't know if he "doesn't want to compete," but the way he handled his FS was kind of shocking.
And Kolyada's fight was impressive, especially considering he'd so obviously hurt his wrist. My heart went out to him, but it's so frustrating to watch him compete. A coaching change seems in order. Or a good sports psychologist. Or... something, anything.
They are adorable, but also very well-spoken, especially for their age.
I love their FS. They are aristocratic and refined. The program is a great fit, IMO. I think the exhibition was to Belorussian folk/pop music, to honor the host city? I heard "Belorussia" several times, so that would explain the choice of music. The skate itself was delightul.Ok but what are they skating to
They seem to have personality... but I don't like that they are skating to very traditional pairs music programs
Right, I had totally forgotten about that! Thanks for the reminder.
Yeah, ITA. Love or hate Kovtun, he looked like a totally different skater at Russian Nationals. So, I don't know if he "doesn't want to compete," but the way he handled his FS was kind of shocking.
And Kolyada's fight was impressive, especially considering he'd so obviously hurt his wrist. My heart went out to him, but it's so frustrating to watch him compete. A coaching change seems in order. Or a good sports psychologist. Or... something, anything.
And their throw jumps are just so airy! I love this team! Thank you for sharing the Ex vid!
