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

They had no choice but to throw in the towel. Things went downhill very fast when Kolyada bombed in the SP-the very first event. OTOH Canada did very well, making it impossible for OAR to recover.

I don't think that's true. Russia is only 3 points behind Canada. If Osmond, Daleman or Chan have a bad skate, that 3 points could easily be regained. Perhaps the decision has more to do with Russia's medal priorities... Would they rather have gold in the pairs or in team?
 
I don't think that's true. Russia is only 3 points behind Canada. If Osmond, Daleman or Chan have a bad skate, that 3 points could easily be regained. Perhaps the decision has more to do with Russia's medal priorities... Would they rather have gold in the pairs or in team?

T&M are not OGM favorites in pairs individual. Bronze is the mist probable medal for them, but I can see them trying to win the gold. A lot of things will have to happen for them to win the OGM. However, if they skate the LP in TE, they may not even win the bronze. I think Russia doesn't want to miss the pairs podium.
 
T&M are not OGM favorites in pairs individual. Bronze is the mist probable medal for them, but I can see them trying to win the gold. A lot of things will have to happen for them to win the OGM. However, if they skate the LP in TE, they may not even win the bronze. I think Russia doesn't want to miss the pairs podium.
I don’t think it matters who is the favourite. The last time no one would be able to imagine that Stolbova-Klimov would beat Savchenko-Szolkovy and get the silver medal. While we think that gold and silver in pairs are already given, Sui-Han or Savchenko-Massot (or both) can make a mistake that drops them from first or second spot. Even in the team SP Savchenko-Massot made a mistake and did not win that. This is not about who is the best pair, but who is the best on the night when it counts.
 
I was very disappointed with Kolyada. It was the wrong time to have his worst short performance of the season. Every jumping pass was a mess. If he landed the 3A he would have been at worst 5th and get an extra 3 points for OAR and they would be in a much stronger position. He has put huge pressure on his team mates. I doubt he is very popular with the Russian Fed atm, he better deliver in his remaining performances.

On the whole, the men were once again disappointing, they just seem to be incapable of skating cleanly these days. On the other hand the Pairs had a very high quality event with T/M being outstanding. They made D/R and S/M look second tier. The quality of their elements were superb, skated with confidence, belief and power. I hope they can keep it going for the individual event.
 
I don’t think it matters who is the favourite. The last time no one would be able to imagine that Stolbova-Klimov would beat Savchenko-Szolkovy and get the silver medal. While we think that gold and silver in pairs are already given, Sui-Han or Savchenko-Massot (or both) can make a mistake that drops them from first or second spot. Even in the team SP Savchenko-Massot made a mistake and did not win that. This is not about who is the best pair, but who is the best on the night when it counts.
After the team short T/M didn't seem the weaker pair..
 
Great SP from Tarasova/Morozov! I admit I haven't been their uber, but I was really proud of what they did. I'm actually finding it so much easier to enjoy their skating without Stolbova/Klimov here; at first I always saw T/M as S/K's enemy, but now I can just enjoy skaters' hard work paying off. It was weird, being so happy for them, but I guess that's the magic of the Olympics. Maybe I'm slowly converting to a T/M fan!
 
I was very disappointed with Kolyada. It was the wrong time to have his worst short performance of the season. Every jumping pass was a mess.

Didn't he say he just hoped that he'd do well enough at the Olympics that there wouldn't be "talks"? :shuffle:

If Aliev had just gone in and done a low 90s SP, they'd be at 19 points right now just like Sochi.

On another note, I didn't notice any Russians in the opening ceremony, are there any photos? I assume Kolyada, T&M, and Z&E would have marched since they are there but maybe they are resting for the LP. A bunch of TE skaters didn't march in Sochi.
 
If Aliev had just gone in and done a low 90s SP, they'd be at 19 points right now just like Sochi.
.
To be fair, it is not as if there was a guarantee that Aliev would manage it better. He did well at the Europeans, but he didn’t do that great at the GP events and at the Russian nationals. He is as inconsistent as Kolyada.
 
To be fair, it is not as if there was a guarantee that Aliev would manage it better. He did well at the Europeans, but he didn’t do that great at the GP events and at the Russian nationals. He is as inconsistent as Kolyada.
That's not 100% accurate. Dmitri was a bit up and down, but more in the FS than in the SP. And Dmitri had good SPs at CoR and Russian Nationals, as well as Euros. And he was dealing with injury issues at the same time.

I'm not surprised that OAR went with Kolyada, but Dima did have some good shorts this year.
 
On another note, I didn't notice any Russians in the opening ceremony, are there any photos? I assume Kolyada, T&M, and Z&E would have marched since they are there but maybe they are resting for the LP. A bunch of TE skaters didn't march in Sochi.

It was announced a few days ago that no Russian skater would march in the opening ceremony.
 
Not sure if this has been posted, but here is a new documentary about Alina and Evgenia (english subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PysG0fIwyZo
That was quite interesting, thanks for posting it! I am always crushed to hear Zagitova speaking. Eteri has done wonders with her, but I don't feel it is psycholigically sane for her, whereas I feel Medvedeva is the type of skater ready to work with that type of coach. These girls work the heel out of them for sure! Good luck to both of them!
 
After the team short T/M didn't seem the weaker pair..

T/M, for the most part, always do great in half the competition. Unfortunately, in the other half they tend to fall apart. It's a pattern with them although you never know which segment will be great and which will not, it always flip flops.

Despite what one might think of their programs, or them as a team, its clear that when their on the judges do see them as equals to the Chinese and Germans (a Ukrainian and Frenchman to be exact :lol:). Their marks put them right in the middle of it. Then they sabotage themselves. If they had more consistent skating they would easily be considered co-favorites with the Germans and Chinese, not just a wildcard or spoilers.

It's going to be good for their confidence to start the pairs competition after that great SP in the team event and not after a potential lackluster/bad LP so Kolyada bombing (therefore making the fed. put Z/E in the LP instead) might be a blessing in disguise. One hopes they can FINALLY live up to the potential and put two great programs back to back.
 
I love this part of the interview, "Even now sometimes when I work on a program I might say something like: "If only we could have a light coming from here or add some theatrical smoke there... If only we could use at this moment this prop, everyone for sure would have cried."
 
Subbed recent Medvedeva/Zagitova documentary (aired 2018; recorded events 2016-2017 season). Medvedeva has a great personality and attitude that will carry her far in life, no matter what happens in Pyeongchang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PysG0fIwyZo
Loved it! Medvedeva has got to be one of my fave off ice personalities ever, certainly from the Russian team at least.

I also find myself feeling very sympathetic for Zagitova and how she wants to succeed so that she can help her parents financially.

This version has already been taken down but you can find another one on YouTube if you search for 'medvedeva of ice & fame' or something similar. I suggest watching right now in case they will all be quickly deleted.
 
Lovely skate. I do wish Eteri advises Evgeniya to stop wearing all these chains with crosses and trinkets. during last spin 2 chains got hooked on her ear. not only the chains might have restricted her movement/s, but if they broke, all the trinkets fly all over the ice and here comes costume deduction.... not to mention she would have to look for and gather up all the trinkets from a huge ice surface...
 
Lovely skate. I do wish Eteri advises Evgeniya to stop wearing all these chains with crosses and trinkets.

I was thinking the same, as she finished and was untangling her necklace from her ear and hair. Either take it off just for the few minutes you're skating, or find some way to tuck it tighter into your neckline so it isn't flying around. But fantastic skate.
 
I am not quite sure what to make of this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/11/sports/olympics/russian-figure-skaters-ban.html

Why would the audience boo skaters from Russia? How could you watch figure skating and mistake Tarasova and Mozorov for who appears to be Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert?

I find it especially compelling to think it was in 1992 that skaters from the "Unified Team" also stood under the Olympic flag. I would love to hear what Artur Dmitriev has to say about this. No doubt, he is at the Games....

(I am a long-time NYT subscriber and sent an email about what I think is an error.)
 
a new WR :cool:

The positive goe she received on all her elements from the judges was FANTASTIC. Even the goe on the 2A wasn't too shabby :cheer2:

That's what lost her gold at Euros so its great to see it improved. She definitely sent a message to Alina ;)

I think it was more like a message to herself. Euros was her first competition after her injury and it showed. I think this must give her the confidence back.
 

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