From Russia With Love [#40]: Summer 2021 & into the Olympic season

[skatingguy]

Teenage marriages seem to be kind of common for Russian figure skaters, but still...

As a tennis fan, it's fairly common for the Russian players, particularly the men, to be married at what we would consider a very young age in the West.

 

[Amy L]

As a tennis fan, it's fairly common for the Russian players, particularly the men, to be married at what we would consider a very young age in the West.

The average marriage age for Russian women is 24, but to me it seems like Russian figure skaters tend to still get married at a more "old fashioned" age.

 

[Ananas Astra]

Dmitri Soloviev also got married at the age of 17 or 18 IIRC and became a father shortly afterwards.

Bummer about Popova and Khodykin...they seemed so sweet together and she choreographed great programs for P/Kh.

 

[soogar]

As a tennis fan, it's fairly common for the Russian players, particularly the men, to be married at what we would consider a very young age in the West.

I think tennis players in general marry young or commit to a relationship because it is so lonely traveling on tour. It doesn't seem that way for women but I think a lot of that is from "traditional stereotypes" that they may prefer a man with a similar career. The guys are content to have someone cute who will devote herself to traveling with them.

 

[Taso]

I think tennis players in general marry young or commit to a relationship because it is so lonely traveling on tour. It doesn't seem that way for women but I think a lot of that is from "traditional stereotypes" that they may prefer a man with a similar career. The guys are content to have someone cute who will devote herself to traveling with them.

They also generate the income to care for 2 people really easily.

 

[Maximillian]

They also generate the income to care for 2 people really easily.

Only if you're ranked in the top 100 in the world.

 

[Taso]

Only if you're ranked in the top 100 in the world.

True, and I assumed that's who was in this discussion since unless someone has already, at least at one point, been in the top 100 in the world we don't usually know of them

 

[clairecloutier]

Interesting interview with Urmanov, in which he discusses a number of things:

“Yuzuru Hanyu will not become an Olympic champion for the third time in a row, but Nathan Chen may also be left without a gold medal.” Alexei Urmanov about upcoming Olympics

Interview with Alexei Urmanov, Olympic Champion and coach about upcoming Olympics, raising the age minimum and judging.

fs-gossips.com

 

[Primorskaya]

Interesting interview with Urmanov, in which he discusses a number of things:

“Yuzuru Hanyu will not become an Olympic champion for the third time in a row, but Nathan Chen may also be left without a gold medal.” Alexei Urmanov about upcoming Olympics

Interview with Alexei Urmanov, Olympic Champion and coach about upcoming Olympics, raising the age minimum and judging.

fs-gossips.com

I wouldn't be that surprised if the predictions they extracted from him turned out to be true re: Olympic Men's event.
I also like that he's totally unruffled by the whole raising-the-age thing for Women.
They reference Oleg Vasiliev's idea of judges answerable to the ISU only, and not to country Federations. It sounds great actually. I wonder what the obstacles to that would be. Technically, I mean. The officious reasons for never ever implementing such a thing are obvious.

 

[Taso]

Interesting interview with Urmanov, in which he discusses a number of things:

“Yuzuru Hanyu will not become an Olympic champion for the third time in a row, but Nathan Chen may also be left without a gold medal.” Alexei Urmanov about upcoming Olympics

Interview with Alexei Urmanov, Olympic Champion and coach about upcoming Olympics, raising the age minimum and judging.

fs-gossips.com

Wow, love the Frank Carroll quote with Denis. That's the way to get an athlete to own themselves.

"It seems to me that many athletes also sincerely believe that the result should be made by the coach, and not by themselves.

Alexei Urmanov: I will tell you one story, a very cool one, in my opinion, although sad, because it is connected with the deceased Denis Ten. When Denis came to Frank Carroll, a well-known specialist, and went to the first training session, Carroll was sitting at the board and reading the newspaper. Ten goes on the ice, comes up to the coach and says: “Hello. What should I do?”


Carroll puts the newspaper aside and answers: “My dear, I want to ask you: what do you consider it necessary to work on? It’s you who changed the coach, it’s you who want to get something from me. So explain what is it.” I think it’s very cool. It is not the coach who should make the result – he can only help. That’s all."

 

[Vash01]

I wouldn't be that surprised if the predictions they extracted from him turned out to be true re: Olympic Men's event.
I also like that he's totally unruffled by the whole raising-the-age thing for Women.
They reference Oleg Vasiliev's idea of judges answerable to the ISU only, and not to country Federations. It sounds great actually. I wonder what the obstacles to that would be. Technically, I mean. The officious reasons for never ever implementing such a thing are obvious.

Urmanov was a dark horse in 1994. Everyone was talking about Boitano, Browning, Stojko and Petrenko. Urmanov was not even mentioned. Usually there are two favorites going into the Olympics.

It is not always a dark horse that wins though; certainly not in ice dance or pairs. In Singles there is a greater chance of it happening. In 2014 Hanyu was a dark horse. Chan was the favorite. In 2018 Hanyu was still a dark horse because of his injuries. I don't think 2022 is the year of a dark horse. In 2002 there were only two favorites among men and one of them won.

It will be interesting if Urmanov's prediction comes true. It is not an impossibility.

 

[Frau Muller]

Urmanov was a dark horse in 1994. Everyone was talking about Boitano, Browning, Stojko and Petrenko. Urmanov was not even mentioned. Usually there are two favorites going into the Olympics.

….

What’s more, CBS all but ignored Urmanov in 1992 (Albertville). They showed 10 seconds of him landing the first quad (4 toe) but no full program.

 

[tony]

What’s more, CBS all but ignored Urmanov in 1992 (Albertville). They showed 10 seconds of him landing the first quad (4 toe) but no full program.

What? They showed his whole program.

 

[becca]

Wow, love the Frank Carroll quote with Denis. That's the way to get an athlete to own themselves.

"It seems to me that many athletes also sincerely believe that the result should be made by the coach, and not by themselves.

Alexei Urmanov: I will tell you one story, a very cool one, in my opinion, although sad, because it is connected with the deceased Denis Ten. When Denis came to Frank Carroll, a well-known specialist, and went to the first training session, Carroll was sitting at the board and reading the newspaper. Ten goes on the ice, comes up to the coach and says: “Hello. What should I do?”


Carroll puts the newspaper aside and answers: “My dear, I want to ask you: what do you consider it necessary to work on? It’s you who changed the coach, it’s you who want to get something from me. So explain what is it.” I think it’s very cool. It is not the coach who should make the result – he can only help. That’s all."

That is such a great answer for Frank!

 

[Frau Muller]

What? They showed his whole program.

In 1994 - both programs.

I was recording 1992…no SP or LP on CBS. Maybe the secondary carrier TBS? I didn’t have TBS cable back then. In CBS, in 1992, they showed the tiny clip of Urmanov landing the quad…”while we were away in commercial, this happened…” I was so frustrated with Scott H and company!

 

[tony]

In 1994 - both programs.

I was recording 1992…no SP or LP on CBS. Maybe the secondary carrier TBS? I didn’t have TBS cable back then.

You're still wrong. They showed tons of skating on CBS in that Olympics and both of Urmanov's programs were aired.

 

[Vash01]

I think Urmanov did not land the first quad(1990). It was Kurt Browning in 1988. He had a turn out IIRC but he completed the rotations andhe did not two foot it. It was ratified at that time.

 

[Frau Muller]

You're still wrong. They showed tons of skating on CBS in that Olympics and both of Urmanov's programs were aired.

Maybe TNT/TBS showed the full thing? My film notes show that CBS cut into Urmanov’s Don Q LP “in progress”…then they showed the quad in slow-motion replay (!!!!). Next came Browning’s full Firebird, followed by Petrenko’s full Chopin, etc.

 

[tony]

Maybe TNT/TBS showed the full thing? My film notes show that CBS cut into Urmanov’s Don Q LP “in progress”…then they showed the quad in slow-motion replay (!!!!). Next came Browning’s Firebird, followed by Petrenko’s Chopin.

Frau, CBS showed both. Your notes and/or memory are wrong. You know this was such an easy thing to verify

Aleksei Urmanov (EUN) - 1992 Albertville, Men's Original Program

Albertville, FRANCE - 1992 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Men's Original Program - Aleksei Urmanov of the Unified Team placed 5th after this skate.

www.youtube.com

Aleksei Urmanov (EUN) - 1992 Albertville, Men's Free Skate

Albertville, FRANCE - 1992 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Men's Free Skate - Aleksei Urmanov of the Unified Team finished in 5th Place overall.

www.youtube.com

 

[Frau Muller]

Frau, CBS showed both. Your notes and/or memory are wrong. You know this was such an easy thing to verify

Aleksei Urmanov (EUN) - 1992 Albertville, Men's Original Program

Albertville, FRANCE - 1992 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Men's Original Program - Aleksei Urmanov of the Unified Team placed 5th after this skate.

www.youtube.com

Aleksei Urmanov (EUN) - 1992 Albertville, Men's Free Skate

Albertville, FRANCE - 1992 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Men's Free Skate - Aleksei Urmanov of the Unified Team finished in 5th Place overall.

www.youtube.com

I just watched the tape/DVD transfer & I had only Urmanov in progress. Maybe our local affiliate ran ads???? I see just the last minute of Don Q, then the slo-mo quad!!!!!

 

[tony]

I just watched the tape/DVD transfer & I had only Urmanov in progress. Maybe our local affiliate ran ads???? I see just the last minute of Don Q, then the slo-mo quad!!!!!

It could be that for your specific area, but I have watched the event enough times by now to know in (most? some?) other places in the US, his programs were shown on CBS. Maybe your local affiliate hates him specifically if his SP wasn't shown either.

ETA- now you have the links to enjoy both with Scott shrieking throughout.

 

[Vash01]

In 1994 - both programs.

I was recording 1992…no SP or LP on CBS. Maybe the secondary carrier TBS? I didn’t have TBS cable back then. In CBS, in 1992, they showed the tiny clip of Urmanov landing the quad…”while we were away in commercial, this happened…” I was so frustrated with Scott H and company!

I remember seeing his 92 Olympic LP on tv (CBS, I think). I don't remember about the SP.

In 1994 they showed both.

However, my comment about the networks ignoring Urmanov as OGM possibility in 94. This was Before the competition.

 

[Desperado]

I think Urmanov did not land the first quad(1990). It was Kurt Browning in 1988. He had a turn out IIRC but he completed the rotation andhe did not two foot it. It was ratified at that time.

And he did it wearing a horrible brown cowboy outfit that will live in my memory forever.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I wouldn't be that surprised if the predictions they extracted from him turned out to be true re: Olympic Men's event.
I also like that he's totally unruffled by the whole raising-the-age thing for Women.
They reference Oleg Vasiliev's idea of judges answerable to the ISU only, and not to country Federations. It sounds great actually. I wonder what the obstacles to that would be. Technically, I mean. The officious reasons for never ever implementing such a thing are obvious.

I suspect it would be fabulous if all the judges were ISU rather than country federations. Further, I think judges should recuse themselves from judging skaters from their own country. (maybe that would not make a difference).
One thing i know will stand in the way of real change: No one likes to relinquish power.

 

[becca]

I suspect it would be fabulous if all the judges were ISU rather than country federations. Further, I think judges should recuse themselves from judging skaters from their own country. (maybe that would not make a difference).
One thing i know will stand in the way of real change: No one likes to relinquish power.

Not sure how that would work in terms of experience if judges from countries that have figure skating aren’t included.

I frankly don’t think a judges sport is ever unbiased

 

[Frau Muller]

From Russia Channel One, a curious 10-min piece without narration…just visuals.

This is a new (today - 28 Jan) pre-Oly practice report from the Krasnoyarsk training rink. Curiously, this shows most of the Russian team skaters & coaches - all but the Eteri-Sambo70s and Step-Bukin. Tuktamysheva is with them!!! However, she seems to be coaching Semenenko (?) in one part, as well as getting pointers from Mishin in the warm-up room. See for yourselves.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

m.youtube.com

This could be one way of getting Tuk to the Olympics - both as coach…and alternate (just in case).

 

[Vash01]

Post-Euro interview with Alexander Smirnov

Alexander Smirnov: “Daily PCR tests are a tool for manipulation. With their help, our team can be framed at the Olympics.”

Interview with two-time European Champion and two-time World bronze medalist in pair skating Alexander Smirnov. About European Championships, development of pair skating and team for the Olympics.

fs-gossips.com

 

[soogar]

Urmanov was a dark horse in 1994. Everyone was talking about Boitano, Browning, Stojko and Petrenko. Urmanov was not even mentioned. Usually there are two favorites going into the Olympics.

It is not always a dark horse that wins though; certainly not in ice dance or pairs. In Singles there is a greater chance of it happening. In 2014 Hanyu was a dark horse. Chan was the favorite. In 2018 Hanyu was still a dark horse because of his injuries. I don't think 2022 is the year of a dark horse. In 2002 there were only two favorites among men and one of them won.

It will be interesting if Urmanov's prediction comes true. It is not an impossibility.

Urmanov got the scores he deserved in 1994. The judging of him was a travesty in 1992. As much as I love Paul and Viktor's skating, none of these guys had the content that Urmanov and Elvis had in 1992. Paul messed a jump up but for him, that was the best he every skated in international competition. Emotionally it was great, but on second look you can see all the mistakes and that it wasn't great content. Urmanov even did a thumbs down sign in kiss and cry in 1992 with his short program scores.

 

[Frau Muller]

Post-Euro interview with Alexander Smirnov

Alexander Smirnov: “Daily PCR tests are a tool for manipulation. With their help, our team can be framed at the Olympics.”

Interview with two-time European Champion and two-time World bronze medalist in pair skating Alexander Smirnov. About European Championships, development of pair skating and team for the Olympics.

fs-gossips.com

Oh, brother…here we go.

 

[Frau Muller]

I’m wondering when this “Non-Eteri” group of skaters will depart Krasnoyarsk and if Liza Tuk will continue on with them to Beijing?

p.s. I saw Mishin and the younger St Petersburg coaches but not Moskvina or Mrs Mishin, who normally works with Semenenko. Saw Minchuk. Saw Zhulin with Viki-Niki.