From Russia with Love [#31]: Winter to Spring 2019

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think the that only whoever attended two Russian cup events can compete in the final.

And even if on this occasion the federation wanted to reinforce that rule, I noticed a few times in the past they let skaters skate in a competition, marked them but then did not count them into the official results of the competition.
I think it is very possible, given the "rules can be overlooked in special cases" and the need to test Tuktamysheva's condition (instead of insisting she attends Universade).
 
Just watched Boikova & Kozlovskiy exhibition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YATRDQ3rqHk&feature=youtu.be

They are the real deal. And different from most Russian pairs we've seen. The classical lines are there; but they are also sunshine, rainbows and unicorns types of personalities. Cute and funny. Very easy on the eyes. And they seem to adore each other. I am not going to fall in love... I refuse to fall in love with a Russian pair.... At least I will try to stay strong.

I watched it just now. I adore them. It's been a while since I liked a pair this much.

They do the B&S move where he lifts her off the ice, like in Barcelona. I am looking forward to what Tamara can do with this team.
 
About the Russian Cup Final to determine the world team.

(Translating only the part concerning Russian Cup Finals participation) "Russian Cup Finals participation is based on results from skaters'/pairs' participation in 2 (out of 5 available) segments of the Russian Cup events".

That means, afaik, that only the skaters/pairs who already participated in 2 out of 5 Russian Cup events, are eligible to skate in the Final.

.

Z/G are doing the Russian cup final this year and they have never participated in any Russian cup events this season.
They competed 2 years ago in the final, also without having participated in any Russian cup events.
Being selected for GPs appears to give automatic access to the Russian cup final.
 
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I think it is very possible, given the "rules can be overlooked in special cases" and the need to test Tuktamysheva's condition (instead of insisting she attends Universade).

Z/G were marked and their result stood without them competing in any Russian cup qualifying events.
 
I’m assuming this is the internal competition that Orser was referring to for Med.
Sounds like it..
Z/G are doing the Russian cup final this year and they have never participated in any Russian cup events.

Being selected for GPs appears to give automatic access to the Russian cup final.
Got it! I wish Z/G the best of luck! i think they are much stronger over all than Evdokimova/Bazin.
 
In the mean time, at the Sambo-70 Chrystaliny rink, Gleikh's ballerina-mother (Shalashova) is putting 3 jr. girls on pointes, and running a full scale ballet practices - https://www.instagram.com/p/BspXHzABvq7/

it was a concern (for me at least) that Eteri's girls are practicing mostly jerky street-style dances, which (imo) affected the movements in their programmes not always in the best ways (or rather limited their range of movements).

D: "new" 8-year old Zagitova in the rink.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsSZYDjjwoA
 
it's this one.. first video "story line" and there several versions of the advert itself in 2nd video.

This is 2nd set of adverts, segment called "Reunion". First set in August 2018 only had Zag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rov3hwdHOoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=UACrWLoS_W0

This is a smart commercial move for both girls and i am glad they listened to advises.

This is the second time today that I've encountered an ad with computerized narration.

It's horrible. I don't understand how anyone thinks this will work in terms of motivating the public to watch an ad (which is touch and go at the best of times).
 
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I Think a coach can do only so much. Either the skater has the consistency or he/she doesn't. Delivering under pressure is the key. Michelle Kwan had it. Sasha Cohen didn't.

Occasionally a talented but inconsistent skater produces a masterpiece, but it doesn't mean the end of the inconsistency. It is very exciting when that special performance happens, like Paul Wylie or Philip Candeloro in the 1990s. I am sure there is a great performance in Kolyada. We don't know when it will happen.

A sports psychologist may be a good idea though. It had helped Brian Orser and Liz Manley In the past. Tamara Moskvina is both coach and psychologist, and she works miracles with ber students (e.g. Elena Bechke). I am not saying Misha should go to her but adding a sports psychologist to his team may be a good idea.

Mikhail has been working with a sports psychologist for a while, since he was a teenager AFAIR. I don't think it's always nerves that lead to these implosions. Overall I would say his nerves have improved. In the fall (during the Grand Prix season) he was sick, which affected his condition. Actually at Europeans he looked very composed and ready (he proved it in the short) In the free, I think the weird fall on the 3A where he injured the wrist triggered the following errors. I still wonder how that fall happened. At least the wrist is not broken, it's a bad strain an contusion, although the doctors put the whole arm in a cast.
 
It was on the loop he injured his wrist, or? At least that's what it looks like. But maybe he already hit it hard on the axel fall and the loop fall sealed it?
 
Per his Twitter, Aliev will be at the Russian Cup final so hopefully he still has a shot at Worlds :cheer2:

I was planning to go to the Russian Cup Final, but there is also a chance that some people will compete at the Tallink Cup in Tallin at almost the same dates (Feb 22-24). I am waiting for the entry lists ...
Viktor Kudriavtsev said in an interview with Ria Novosti that Kolyada, Samarin and Kovtun should go to Worlds as they earned their spot at Nationals, but that the men should prove their form at the Russian Cup Final.

I think Kolyada and Samarin should be safe to go. Kolyada is their best bet if he delivers (which he sometimes does as in the short at Europeans ) and Samarin deserved his spot. His skating does nothing for me, but he put out two solid performances in Minsk. I have my doubts about Kovtun, though. As others said it happened before that even the reigning national champion wasn't selected. I like Maxim, but yes, he gave up on himself in the free and the Federation won't like that, I'm sure. At least try to fight even if you struggle. I think the substitutes Dmitri Aliev and Sergei Voronov (if recovered from his injury, which I don't know) should get a chance to prove they are worthy to compete at Worlds.
 
It was on the loop he injured his wrist, or? At least that's what it looks like. But maybe he already hit it hard on the axel fall and the loop fall sealed it?

No, it was the Axel. That's what he said when I asked him. He also said it was very painful right away. I actually thought that it happened on the 4S and then led to that totally weird fall on the Axel, but apparently no. The fall on the 4S he said was just a technical mistake.
 
I was planning to go to the Russian Cup Final, but there is also a chance that some people will compete at the Tallink Cup in Tallin at almost the same dates (Feb 22-24). I am waiting for the entry lists ...
I was also thinking about going there since Novgorod is just 180km away from St Petersburg , but the event is held from Monday till Friday :wall:
They could have moved at least Ladies and Men events to Saturday/Sunday..
 
No, it was the Axel. That's what he said when I asked him. He also said it was very painful right away. I actually thought that it happened on the 4S and then led to that totally weird fall on the Axel, but apparently no. The fall on the 4S he said was just a technical mistake.
Thanks @Eislauffan ! I saw him grab his wrist after the fall on the loop, but then it had already happened, and unfortunately he fell on it again. Poor thing!
 
In the mean time, at the Sambo-70 Chrystaliny rink, Gleikh's ballerina-mother (Shalashova) is putting 3 jr. girls on pointes, and running a full scale ballet practices - https://www.instagram.com/p/BspXHzABvq7/

it was a concern (for me at least) that Eteri's girls are practicing mostly jerky street-style dances, which (imo) affected the movements in their programmes not always in the best ways (or rather limited their range of movements).

D: "new" 8-year old Zagitova in the rink.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsSZYDjjwoA

Worried about those pointe shoes. You really need strong ankles and a solid overall technique to be secure and risk-free on pointe. I've seen many girls wear them and muscle their way to the top and believe me, it can lead to serious injuries. What's the point anyway? It's not like pointe work will help them with skating!!!

By the way the problem isn't that they need more ballet-it's Daniyl's choreography! It's so busy, it doesn't leave room to breathe. No amounts of ballet work is gonna give them time to show nice, finished positions. But of course it depends on the athlete too - Med and Kostornaia are more elegant than Zagitova for example, despite similar choreo.
 
Worried about those pointe shoes. You really need strong ankles and a solid overall technique to be secure and risk-free on pointe. I've seen many girls wear them and muscle their way to the top and believe me, it can lead to serious injuries. What's the point anyway? It's not like pointe work will help them with skating!!!

By the way the problem isn't that they need more ballet-it's Daniyl's choreography! It's so busy, it doesn't leave room to breathe. No amounts of ballet work is gonna give them time to show nice, finished positions. But of course it depends on the athlete too - Med and Kostornaia are more elegant than Zagitova for example, despite similar choreo.
I don’t know, but I couldn’t see anything wrong with Scherbakova’s skating. She has pretty balletic style with plenty of nice, finished positions. So I wouldn’t blame the choreographer.
 
Worried about those pointe shoes. You really need strong ankles and a solid overall technique to be secure and risk-free on pointe. I've seen many girls wear them and muscle their way to the top and believe me, it can lead to serious injuries. What's the point anyway? It's not like pointe work will help them with skating!!!

By the way the problem isn't that they need more ballet-it's Daniyl's choreography! It's so busy, it doesn't leave room to breathe. No amounts of ballet work is gonna give them time to show nice, finished positions. But of course it depends on the athlete too - Med and Kostornaia are more elegant than Zagitova for example, despite similar choreo.

I would think skating would strengthen ankles. I know we were told when young that you should not go on point until you are about 11 /or having trained ballet for 5 yrs..whichever comes first. I would think it would be ok but not sure why they would do it.
 
I would think skating would strengthen ankles. I know we were told when young that you should not go on point until you are about 11 /or having trained ballet for 5 yrs..whichever comes first. I would think it would be ok but not sure why they would do it.
Skaters usually have weak ankles. Skates do all the work so the ankles actually work very little.
 
I would think skating would strengthen ankles. I know we were told when young that you should not go on point until you are about 11 /or having trained ballet for 5 yrs..whichever comes first. I would think it would be ok but not sure why they would do it.

I used to dance ballet...and as I said I saw many girls go on pointe when they weren't ready. In my opinion, it doesn't offer the 3 As anything at this point. They don't need stronger ankles and they don't need to go on pointe to strengthen their ballet technique. If you look at the photo posted, you'll notice they aren't really turned out. A real ballet student would never stand like this.

But who am I to judge, perhaps they asked for it and wanted to experiment with it! As long as they do it carefully...
 
Sofia is trying to start a #stepanovabukintwizzle challenge on Instagram. We'll see if it catches on. :D

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtN9PiEHltU/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=2xu0goe11bet
Good girl! i was hopping someone starts "travelling spins" or "travelling entry into a spin" trend. That would add a new, interesting and not too hard to do element. It's been done in competition on roller skates for decades and looks great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuQomK2lm_I
 

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