From Russia with love [#28]: Autumn to Winter 2017

[rfisher]

Japanese video: Zagitova's new dog (2nd half of the tape) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvw7Xg4OqPA
I am a bit concerned, to be honest. Zagitova has a) a cat (rare breed) and b) 2 chinchillas.. and now a Dog.... And it's all on her Grand-mother when Alina travels. I am having a hard time picturing her grand-ma being pulled by this Dog... and, their Moscow rented apartment is very very small.. https://gubdaily.ru/blog/lifestyle/...hivet-olimpijskaya-chempionka-alina-zagitova/


Thank you for the link! I am now even more sure that Khodykin has "issues" which may affect the team. I read on Russian chats that he is a "bully" and very "self-centered", which are not good traits if they are planning to train quad twists and throws, and yet both admit that they have "issues" with jumps. Khodykin in the interview admits having weight gain problems and jumping technique problems, and in combination with "selfishness" it is dangerous for the girl.

Plus these comments...
Translation:
- How are your relationship between the two of you?
Denis: We argue
Dasha: We're like brother and sister. We argue, when problems come up, but make up.

- What do you argue about?
Dasha: On all different subjects. From simple daily issues (to....Denis interrupts her)
Denis: ... to, first of all, what to train first, SP or LP during practice..

- (to Dasha) As an "older brother", does Denis protects/takes care of you?
Dasha: Sometimes he has this internal mean-streak (his nasty "I, me"), and he will not give in (will not let go).


=======
-- Какие у вас отношения между собой?
Денис: Спорим.
Даша: Как у брата с сестрой. Спорим, когда возникают проблемы, но миримся.

-- О чем спорите?
Даша: На разные темы. От жизненных вопросов…
Денис: ...до того, что в первую очередь будем катать – короткую или произвольную программу на тренировке.

-- Как старший брат, Денис, наверное, опекает?
Даша: Иногда в нем включается его внутреннее вредное Я, которое уступать мне ни в чем не хочет.

Apart from the hair, akita's are low key dogs and do ok in small houses. They will accept the other animals if introduced as puppies. Her grannie can manage

 

[Tinami Amori]

Apart from the hair, akita's are low key dogs and do ok in small houses. They will accept the other animals if introduced as puppies. Her grannie can manage

I hope so..... oh i really hope so.

 

[binbinwinwin]

The Akita looks fully grown, they can be aggressive to strangers or strange animals, they're not easy to manage for first time dog owners. I'm a bit worried about giving Alina and her grandmother a fully grown one especially since Alina is probably going to be at the rink and travelling to competitions a lot. You really need be experienced to own one.

 

[rfisher]

I hope so..... oh i really hope so.

I had one. Beautiful dog. They do need to be socialized and a dominant dog can be a challenge, but given that she got the dog from very knowledgable breeders, I'm sure they picked a pup with a good temperment and explained what was required for the breed. Eta. I didn't realize they got an adult dog. Well, let's hope it is well trained

 

[Tinami Amori]

The Akita looks fully grown, they can be aggressive to strangers or strange animals, they're not easy to manage for first time dog owners.

I think Alina had a small dog before when she lived at home in Izhevsk. I've seen few fotos with her mother holding a dog. But still..... poor cat...

 

[barbarafan]

Apart from the hair, akita's are low key dogs and do ok in small houses. They will accept the other animals if introduced as puppies. Her grannie can manage

I am sure her grandmother loves animals or she would not allow Alina to have the others. Dog are such good company she will not feel alone when Alina is away. If the puppy is good on a leash it is good health to walk as you are getting on.

 

[rfisher]

I am sure her grandmother loves animals or she would not allow Alina to have the others. Dog are such good company she will not feel alone when Alina is away. If the puppy is good on a leash it is good health to walk as you are getting on.

If, it's well leashed trained. An adult Akita weighs between 80 and 120 pounds depending if it's a male or female. I was pulled off my feet more than once by mine until she figured out I was in charge. Both times when we encountered another dog. Mine was well socialized with people, but she didn't tolerate other animals. But the dog in that video isn't an adult. That looks to be about a 3-4 month old pup. So, hopefully, training is in its future and they'll all be happy.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I am sure her grandmother loves animals or she would not allow Alina to have the others.

There is a story. The cat i think was grand-mother's.... Alina was allowed to have a chinchilla, just one, a small animal and not a dog (which she wanted for a long time). Few weeks later she discovered the chinchilla was pregnant, soon they had 2 chinchillas and had to buy larger cage (in her already very small room which does not even has a closet). Alina's parents (based on interviews and videos) were not happy about the dog, and kept saying "it's up to grand-mother, if she is ok with it". Grand mother never had a chance to say anything, and the japanese fans, WITH BEST INTENTIONS of course, already informed the dog is coming...

 

[Cherub721]

Are Pavliuchenko/Khodykin from Moskvina's school? What is the history on their coaches?

 

[barbarafan]

There is a story. The cat i think was grand-mother's.... Alina was allowed to have a chinchilla, just one, a small animal and not a dog (which she wanted for a long time). Few weeks later she discovered the chinchilla was pregnant, soon they had 2 chinchillas and had to buy larger cage (in her already very small room which does not even has a closet). Alina's parents (based on interviews and videos) were not happy about the dog, and kept saying "it's up to grand-mother, if she is ok with it". Grand mother never had a chance to say anything, and the japanese fans, WITH BEST INTENTIONS of course, already informed the dog is coming...

Perhaps Alina has a trustworthy friend who might be willing to walk the dog for her grandmother when Alina travels. She is an Olympic champion. Maybe someone would like to offer her an apt. a bit larger for a good rent. I hope everything works out...Dogs get very attached.

 

[Ka3sha]

Are Pavliuchenko/Khodykin from Moskvina's school? What is the history on their coaches?

No, they’re from Moscow.
Dobroskokov works in Medvedkovo ice rink. He had pretty decent results with Davankova/Deputat (bronze medal at JWC in 2012, 4th place in 2014) and Kristina Astakhova was also his student before she teamed up with Rogonov.

 

[Marco]

Trusova is amazing, but 4 years is a long time - I hope her body can hold up til Beijing 2022 with all these crazy jumps.

Kostornaia is so much more elegant and musical.

 

[Tinami Amori]

New Med-Zag "together at the Olys" video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=YR2E1UKGIpc
Med - Pantene TV ad contract: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN_5yFMUiRM

 

[Cherub721]

Med - Pantene TV ad contract: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN_5yFMUiRM

She has gorgeous hair, but they should have held out for Trusova.

 

[text_skate]

I'm not getting the Trusova hair hype. It's just long. Far from gorgeous, imo. Her 4S is, though.

Med's hair is ad-worthy

 

[rfisher]

I'm not getting the Trusova hair hype. It's just long. Far from gorgeous, imo. Her 4S is, though.

Med's hair is ad-worthy

Med is a beautiful girl and could do very well modeling.

 

[Ka3sha]

FS-gossips translation of Tatjana Flade interview with Aleksandra Trusova: I’d like to compete with boys

 

[Tinami Amori]

Med is a beautiful girl and could do very well modeling.

She'll probably make commercials for sponsors, it's income. But when (last year) she put out this video (for fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8GHdZ6ZWYI) ..and then someone asked her if she wants to be a model or an actress, she frowned and said "oh, no, no, no.... that's not me, not my cup of tea".

 

[Vash01]

FS-gossips translation of Tatjana Flade interview with Aleksandra Trusova: I’d like to compete with boys

She may beat most of them. What was the score of the 'boy' who won the gold? I will have to look it up.

 

[skatepixie]

I'm not getting the Trusova hair hype. It's just long. Far from gorgeous, imo. Her 4S is, though.

Med's hair is ad-worthy

Agreed. Trusova's hair is frizzy and doesn't look "hair ad" level healthy. Not terrible for a normal person, but not hair-ad wow...

 

[rfisher]

Agreed. Trusova's hair is frizzy and doesn't look "hair ad" level healthy. Not terrible for a normal person, but not hair-ad wow...

She also just took it down from a sweaty bun rather than have it styled by a professional stylist before a photoshoot.

 

[skatepixie]

She also just took it down from a sweaty bun rather than have it styled by a professional stylist before a photoshoot.

You can't make hair that fine look that glossy. Trust me...

 

[Tinami Amori]

of course it is a personal choice.... but long hair for an athlete, or honestly for anyone today, is beyond me... if not in a bun or a pony-tail: it hooks on other items, wind can blow it over your eyes, you have to think about it all the time, it needs care, it gets wet and heavy, it takes up time, if in a fight or a struggle one can pull you down, it restricts your movement, and worst yet, it is one more item on your body that extends and restricts you (not as much as a big bust, but bad enough).

 

[synchrogirl17]

She may beat most of them. What was the score if the 'boy' who won the gold? I will have to look it up.

Trusova placed 2nd in Men with her Ladies score alone, but she won by 17 points once her PCS is adjusted (but without including the additional jumping pass!)

SP 72.03 (PCS factor 0.80)
Adjusted Men SP score 79.41 (PCS factor 1.00) 2nd place

FS 153.49 (PCS factor 1.60)
Adjusted Men FS score 168.77 (PCS factor 2.00, but not including additional jumping pass) 1st place

Total Adjusted Men score 248.07 (not including additional jumping pass) 1st place

 

[synchrogirl17]

With her Ladies score, Trusova would have placed 4th at the Olympics.

And if you add in the PCS, choreo sequence and extra jumping pass, she would have placed around 12th in Men.

 

[hanca]

of course it is a personal choice.... but long hair for an athlete, or honestly for anyone today, is beyond me... if not in a bun or a pony-tail: it hooks on other items, wind can blow it over your eyes, you have to think about it all the time, it needs care, it gets wet and heavy, it takes up time, if in a fight or a struggle one can pull you down, it restricts your movement, and worst yet, it is one more item on your body that extends and restricts you (not as much as a big bust, but bad enough).

Now you sound like if you forgot what it feels to be young. Until certain age most women prefers looks over comfort and practicality. They will wear heels that are killing them, because it looks good, choose clothes that look good even if they feel scratchy or if they are not warm enough, and do their hair even if it kills a big part of their limited free time. Being practical comes only later, when someone wants to have a few life comforts, such as not being in pain from high heels, or having clothes that are warm even if it doesn’t show their flat stomach. Trusova is doing it her way, and even if her decidion may not be very practical, it is age appropriate. She manages hair and sport. All the power to her.

 

[Anyasnake]

With her Ladies score, Trusova would have placed 4th at the Olympics.

And if you add in the PCS, choreo sequence and extra jumping pass, she would have placed around 12th in Men.

Okay, am I the only one who thinks that if Sasha and Alena were senior eligible this year, they would have placed 1-2 at the Olympics ? Sasha for the monstruous TES (1st) and Alena for the far superior skating (PCS - into 2nd) while knowing that she actually has the technical almost as strong as Alina Z (minus 3Lo combo, that she can actually do according to Daniil Instagram story).

 

[hanca]

Okay, am I the only one who thinks that if Sasha and Alena were senior eligible this year, they would have placed 1-2 at the Olympics ? Sasha for the monstruous TES (1st) and Alena for the far superior skating (PCS - into 2nd) while knowing that she actually has the technical almost as strong as Alina Z (minus 3Lo combo, that she can actually do according to Daniil Instagram story).

they are one junior and three senior years away from Olympics. The same way as Medvedeva was. They will have the opportunity to build up their senior career, win two senior worlds twice, and then maybe in their third senior year someone who we don’t know yet will come and grab the medal away. I think their year of birth would be fine for pairs who need a few years in seniors before going to Olympics, but it is a bit long and unfortunate for ladies. We will probably see the next Olympic ladies winner in one or two seasons time on junior level.

 

[synchrogirl17]

they are one junior and three senior years away from Olympics. The same way as Medvedeva was. They will have the opportunity to build up their senior career, win two senior worlds twice, and then maybe in their third senior year someone who we don’t know yet will come and grab the medal from away. I think their year of birth would be fine for pairs who need a few years in seniors before going to Olympics, but it is a bit long and unfortunate for ladies. We will probably see the next Olympic ladies winner in one or two seasons time on junior level.

It's such a shame, really. The ladies don't even get a chance to fully develop because of the depth in Russia. Skaters like Kostner are lucky - she was never pushed out and became a completely different skater over the years.

 

[hanca]

It's such a shame, really. The ladies don't even get a chance to fully develop because of the depth in Russia. Skaters like Kostner are lucky - she was never pushed out and became a completely different skater over the years.

I guess the consistency will be the key. Keeping themselves in top three in any competition they enter. One doesn’t need to be always completely at the top, as long as they manage to stay in the top group. Medvedeva was not the best if her year group in her first junior year. Sakhanovich, Proklova and Sotskova were pretty comparable. It was only the following year she managed to climb on top, while Proklova got injured, Sakhanovich managed to keep up for another year and then struggled with puberty and lost her way and Sotskova improved but not quite enough.

In this current year group, Trusova managed to distinguish herself with the quads, but Kostornaya, Tarakanova (and Scherbakova) will have to fight to stay within the top group among Russian juniors. This year’s success won’t count for much in the next year’s fight for spot. Look at Gubanova. Only one JGP, no JGPF and no junior worlds.