Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim

[puglover]

I absolutely adore Aljona but I come from a long line of professions where this kind of public airing against a client you received money from is just not done. I also think any negative description of work ethic, true or not, is very damaging - especially for athletes, and can become the reason in the public's minds for poor performances. I know this happens but just not professional, IMO.

 

[muffinplus]

I absolutely adore Aljona but I come from a long line of professions where this kind of public airing against a client you received money from is just not done. I also think any negative description of work ethic, true or not, is very damaging - especially for athletes, and can become the reason in the public's minds for poor performances. I know this happens but just not professional, IMO.

What public airing? Has she said something?

 

[puglover]

I read somewhere a comment that was supposed to be from Aljona from a German source. If I am wrong, I apologize.

 

[puglover]

I think I read it in the German skating news.

 

[AxelAnnie]

What they need to decide if they haven’t already is if they want to be the best in the USA or the best that they can possibly be as well as the best in the world. There are 3 legs of the stool; the pair,the coach/trainers ,the federation. Aliona likely threw too much at them too fast ! Then, if she’s a rigid coach making no room for scaling back and Alexa and Chris weren’t comfortable , i see how it turned into a bending of someone’s will. I still think they bailed too soon; not even a whole season?

What’s funny is, Marina Zueva is the same way she just manages the psychology of the athletes better which Aliona is too new to know how to do. I hope Aliona learns a lot from this. I hope Alexa and Chris do too. You have to be wiling to go through what Mao Assad’s did. Not that it has to look that bad but the end result with Mao barring the dreaded fall in Sochi was just glorious.

Great Skater does not, necessarily equal good coach. Coaching is an entirely different skill set.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

After listening to the Eurosport commentary and this very recent video...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5hWoqBdjns

My takeaway is that perhaps it was too tough being with Alijona.

What's interesting is that Eurosport commentators say at the end that their technical content and arrangement of it was bizarre. What was submitted days before for their technical layout is not what they performed.

They also thought was strange for 2 throws back to back. I however don't feel that is strange but VERY Alijona. She likes throws at the end of a program. I remember at last Olys withRobin she went for a throw 3 axel as the last element.

It seems for me that Alijona known for being very tough was probably too much for them. The above video is very interesting because they are wise enough to know what they were getting into even moving to the Nebelhorn town but in the end it didn't work.

Alexa really admired Alijona.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

After listening to the Eurosport commentary and this very recent video...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5hWoqBdjns

My takeaway is that perhaps it was too tough being with Alijona.

What's interesting is that Eurosport commentators say at the end that their technical content and arrangement of it was bizarre. What was submitted days before for their technical layout is not what they performed.

They also thought was strange for 2 throws back to back. I however don't feel that is strange but VERY Alijona. She likes throws at the end of a program. I remember at last Olys withRobin she went for a throw 3 axel as the last element.

It seems for me that Alijona known for being very tough was probably too much for them. The above video is very interesting because they are wise enough to know what they were getting into even moving to the Nebelhorn town but in the end it didn't work.

Alexa really admired Alijona.

Alijona's competitive record alone would indicate that she is a very hard worker. (Duhamel seems to have that Type A personality as well.)

Applying that template to another team in the hope that they could achieve the same success would take time. Setting goals and achieving them would be so difficult, especially when the skating season can feel like a runaway train.

Everyone wants to see things happen now.

 

[antmanb]

And training by facetime? Even Orser wasn't happy with that set up after Hanyu went back to Japan after the CoC crash, and he'd been coaching him in person for a while then.

It honestly sounds like the most misconceived approach ever. Alexa: Aljiona I love you please make me like you; Aljiona: i'll squeeze you in between shows and train you by phone.

Who could ever predict this wouldn't work?

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

And training by facetime? Even Orser wasn't happy with that set up after Hanyu went back to Japan after the CoC crash, and he'd been coaching him in person for a while then.

It honestly sounds like the most misconceived approach ever. Alexa: Aljiona I love you please make me like you; Aljiona: i'll squeeze you in between shows and train you by phone.

Who could ever predict this wouldn't work?

Helen Mirren and Margaret Atwood do online tutorials. Maybe either of them could consider training the Knierims instead.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Their SP at NHK has really grown on me!

So good, I do see how Alijona made improvements for them! Alijona in a short time seemed to address some of Chris' issues but it seems that Alexa is making the mistakes. Her fall and messing up her positions in the spin. I hope her girl crush going south won't keep affecting her skating.

And that amazing throw 3 flip... best ever!

Twist also got higher score again.

No reason why this program shouldn't be in second place. Silly errors.

Their 3 twist was the highest scoring element of the pairs short program.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Knierims have a respetcable free score now.

When someone has a moment can you check out their PCS scores of the last 3-4 years (particularly 4CC from when they medaled) .... even with more intricate transitions and choreogrpahy from Alijona these PCS from the free seem average..... Just curious.....

I am curious now for Cain & Leduc in 2 weeks.. National title is for sure between them.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

OMGGGG they are gonna medal!!!

Back in business...

 

[Sylvia]

Bronze at NHK Trophy!

ETA - their FS (125.74): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKTC0_roK_E
190.49 is their SB total by 13 points.

 

[AxelAnnie]

After listening to the Eurosport commentary and this very recent video...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5hWoqBdjns

My takeaway is that perhaps it was too tough being with Alijona.

What's interesting is that Eurosport commentators say at the end that their technical content and arrangement of it was bizarre. What was submitted days before for their technical layout is not what they performed.

They also thought was strange for 2 throws back to back. I however don't feel that is strange but VERY Alijona. She likes throws at the end of a program. I remember at last Olys withRobin she went for a throw 3 axel as the last element.

It seems for me that Alijona known for being very tough was probably too much for them. The above video is very interesting because they are wise enough to know what they were getting into even moving to the Nebelhorn town but in the end it didn't work.

Alexa really admired Alijona.

My take away was that there were very clear going in about Alojna's show commitments were for the next two seasons and that they were willing to do whatever it took to have the arrangement work looking to the next OLYs.

I just don't get why it went south.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Bronze at NHK Trophy!

ETA - their FS (125.74): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKTC0_roK_E
190.49 is their SB total by 13 points.

STUNNINGGGGGG Program!!

I am now in love with it...

I wonder if Alijona could still assist with their programs next year... And choreo???? Part time? Kinda like how C&L also list Mozer as a coach.

I now see all of Alijona's influence in their brief time together.

The guy who choreographed these programs for them... does he work in relationship with Alijona?

 

[Quadjump]

STUNNINGGGGGG Program!!

I am now in love with it...

I wonder if Alijona could still assist with their programs next year... And choreo???? Part time? Kinda like how C&L also list Mozer as a coach.

I now see all of Alijona's influence in their brief time together.

The guy who choreographed these programs for them... does he work in relationship with Alijona?

The guy is called Benoit Richaud. He is a former French ice dancer. Aljona has never worked with him during her career but she said that she regrets that a bit. If Aljona and Bruno continue skating he will be the first choice for them I believe. He also choregraphed some of Aljona´s and Bruno´s show programs.