Alena Kostornaia appreciation thread

[coppertop1]

She's something special. She has a regal bearing well beyond her years. And two triple axels to boot.

Kostornaia may be the only Russian lady who is universally liked on fsuniverse.

I don't think she's the only one. I think Gubanova and Kamila Valieva are popular here.

 

[Vash01]

After Anna and Sasha won their first senior GPs, I wonder if Alena feels more pressure to win hers? She will be competing against the reigning world and Olympic champion. On paper Alena looks stronger but she must deliver. She has less room for an error than the first two winners did because of their quads. As we have seen, programs with triple axels are beatable. She has many qualities though, and she is not relying on the 3A the way Liza is.

Is Alena working on a quad?

In case she does not win the gold in France, I still like her chances of making it to the GPF and compete against Anna and Sasha. In the past she has beaten them both (at the JGPF).

 

[Sylvia]

@reut just posted this video link in the From Russia with love thread:

Channel 1 "portrait" of Alena Kostornaia

Алена Косторная: группа Тутберидзе, золото, единороги

Победительница финала юниорского Гран-при Алена Косторная проводит свой первый сезон на взрослом уровне. Алена вспоминает, когда захотела попасть в группу Эт...

www.youtube.com

 

[Frau Muller]

Could Alena K make it a “3 for 3” wins among Eteri’s Super Troika?

 

[muffinplus]

She is going to be doing the 3 Axel in her short program at IDF as well...

 

[coppertop1]

She is going to be doing the 3 Axel in her short program at IDF as well...

Good! Smart move. That will give her an edge technically over Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva.

 

[oleada]

Good! Smart move. That will give her an edge technically over Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva.

More importantly, it will give her a technical edge in the SP over all the Russian ladies not named Tuktamysheva (and we all know that Alena has a huge edge in spins, steps and PCS over Tuk). That’s a big deal competing with Trusova and Shcherbakova who have quads in the LP.

 

[rfisher]

More importantly, it will give her a technical edge in the SP over all the Russian ladies not named Tuktamysheva (and we all know that Alena has a huge edge in spins, steps and PCS over Tuk). That’s a big deal competing with Trusova and Shcherbakova who have quads in the LP.

And pretty much guarantees the GPF/Euro/World team for Russia. I would be completely happy and would find it if they repeated last seasons splitting of the JGPF, Russian National, and Jr World titles between them. Only this time there would be a European title in the mix for one of them. All three of these young skaters are very different and bring something totally unique to their skating. I do hope her security is in place with the creepy stalker guy and her coaching team/parents (if they are in France with her) are keeping her focused on her skating and letting someone else take care of this issue.

 

[Sylvia]

@reut just posted this video link in the From Russia with love thread:

Channel 1 "portrait" of Alena Kostornaia

Алена Косторная: группа Тутберидзе, золото, единороги

Победительница финала юниорского Гран-при Алена Косторная проводит свой первый сезон на взрослом уровне. Алена вспоминает, когда захотела попасть в группу Эт...

www.youtube.com

English subtitles for this video are in this version:

YouTube

www.youtube.com

 

[MR-FAN]

Just to confirm, she’s eligible for Worlds, right?!?

 

[oleada]

Just to confirm, she’s eligible for Worlds, right?!?

GP and Senior ISU championships have the same age rules, so yes

 

[Sylvia]

NBC video for U.S. viewers:

Kostornaia leads after terrific short program in Grenoble | NBC Sports

Alena Kostornaia's short program has her in first halfway through the Grand Prix event in Grenoble, France #NBCSports #AlenaKostornaia #FigureSkating » Subsc...

www.youtube.com

 

[coppertop1]

NBC video for U.S. viewers:

Kostornaia leads after terrific short program in Grenoble | NBC Sports

Alena Kostornaia's short program has her in first halfway through the Grand Prix event in Grenoble, France #NBCSports #AlenaKostornaia #FigureSkating » Subsc...

www.youtube.com

Go Alena!

 

[Vash01]

So happy with her SP today, although it was not perfect. She is in first place.

 

[believed]

Congratulations Alena on GP gold!!

 

[liv]

I dislike the choreo of her program, but she is such a talented skater that somehow she's able to make even it look half decent. What a great skater she is. Love her. Well done, and well deserved 1st GP gold.

 

[whiteskates]

Perfection! Soft beautiful skating, great lines and two 3As! She was breathtaking.

 

[Vash01]

I loved both her performances at IDF.

 

[Jimena]

I still don't understand why Zagitova gets the program component scores that she does. I find Kostornaia much more musical, and smoother. She's a delight. A wonderful talent.

 

[kittyjake5]

Congrats to Alena! Well deserved Gold Medal ? She is an incredibly talented skater, she has it all!

 

[DreamSkates]

I enjoyed her free program - she has nice flow and movement and really sold her program. She looks like she has been in seniors for a while already. Worlds is going to be quite a showdown. Grand Prix Final might be also! These young Russian girls are just amazing.

 

[DreamSkates]

I still don't understand why Zagitova gets the program component scores that she does. I find Kostornaia much more musical, and smoother. She's a delight. A wonderful talent.

Smooth. Yes that would be a reason I have not been an Alina fan although I respect her technical and competitive abilities.

 

[Seerek]

The #TeamAlena group is growing by the day...

Now you can add Jeremy Ten

 

[IceAlisa]

This girl is on fire.

 

[Sylvia]

Alena Kostornaia Interview at ISU Grand Prix France 2019, subtitles

Interview with /very tired/ Alyona Kostornaya after her win at Grand Prix in Grenoble, November 2019. (my own English translation)

www.youtube.com

 

[Vash01]

I didn’t like her program but I loved her performance.

 

[Japanfan]

The arm movements are lovely - so graceful and choreographically relevant. Not many skaters pay so attention to arm movements IMO. But perhaps the movements are just intuitive for this lovely young skater.

 

[briancoogaert]

She is clealry the best of the Tudberidze's team, in term of speed, edges, glide...
She has a great potential !

 

[Sylvia]

From NBC Sports (goeblocked outside USA, I believe?):

Alena Kostornaia's record-breaking short program at NHK Trophy | NBC Sports

Russia’s Alena Kostornaia scores 85.04 points during her record-breaking short program at NHK Trophy.#NBCSports #Alena Kostornaia #FigureSkating Want more fi...

www.youtube.com

 

[Khaleesi]

I love this girl so much! Great blend of artistry and technical skills.