From Russia with love [#29]: Spring 2018 and beyond

[hanca]

Actually, they worked with Elena Kustarova before moving to Zhulin a few years ago, so they did work with someone else. Zhulin did some good programs for them, notably "Crazy" (Man with the Harmonica, Appollo 440 version) and "Anna Karenina", I also liked this year's FD. The SDs were often a bit generic and the "Birds" program from the 2013/14 Olympic season (that they dumped eventually, but too late) was probably their worst FD.

The program birds wasn’t bad at all, until they changed the music and left the choreography the same. Unfortunately they changed it very early in the season, probably after the test skates because someone from the federation told them to, so the birds program they skated to was not the birds program they originally had.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Plushenko with Sotnikova, Sergei Filin, and Olga Smirnova. Would like to see Smirnova skate...

https://instagram.com/p/BjH8XozAFcn/

Sotnikova has a new hair style..... love it!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjXdzntgynn/?hl=en&taken-by=adelina_sotnikova14

 

[caseyedwards]

Okay, long story short, Bobrova and Soloviev are never going to score as high as Papadakis/Cizeron or Virtue/Moir. It's above their level. So appreciate what they CAN do - finish top 5 at the Olympics, skate beautiful programs, leave an impression. I love Stolbova/Klimov to death but I can accept that their crappy twist won't hold a candle to the top teams', so when they're 4 points behind Tarasova/Morozov in the SP, I don't panic.

Of course I would love to see Bobrova and Soloviev getting world record scores, but they simply are not THAT good, and it would take years for them to improve their technique to the VM/PC level. Until then, I wouldn't bash them just because they can't run with that crowd.

They aren’t just bobrova and soloviev! They are Russians in ice dance. Can’t erase history of Russians in ice dance. If they can’t maintain Russians potential in ice dance they have no value! If they were from armenia or Kazakhstan or wherever, it would be another story! If they don’t have the talent to win they shouldn’t get support. If they can’t get proper technique from zhulin or kustarova why can’t russia send them to debreuil?

so you’re saying the scrutiny of the belbins is now obsolete!!?

Never. The scrutiny of the belbins is decisive.

 

[becca]

They aren’t just bobrova and soloviev! They are Russians in ice dance. Can’t erase history of Russians in ice dance. If they can’t maintain Russians potential in ice dance they have no value! If they were from armenia or Kazakhstan or wherever, it would be another story! If they don’t have the talent to win they shouldn’t get support. If they can’t get proper technique from zhulin or kustarova why can’t russia send them to debreuil?



Never. The scrutiny of the belbins is decisive.

There is value in a top ten placement Russian can send another team to major competitions. That is something for rebuilding. I agree Russia ice dancing is in pits I think B/S are as good as they are going to get not their fault no one in Russia is better.

 

[barbarafan]

There is value in a top ten placement Russian can send another team to major competitions. That is something for rebuilding. I agree Russia ice dancing is in pits I think B/S are as good as they are going to get not their fault no one in Russia is better.

There are many talented juniors and kids coming up.

 

[Coco]

From what I recall, Tarasova frequently interfered in programs of Zhulin's teams, including B/S after test skates.

 

[Bigbird]

There are many talented juniors and kids coming up.

I believe S/B are miles better than B/S every day of the week. They also have some good juniors coming up. I like Eva Kuts, Drozd, my Be Italian Team and Anastasia and Kiril have some promise, if only he could be more Scott Moir than Ruslan Zhiganshin. I so wished they had paired up Drozd with Ilinykh I would have paid top dollar to see that, Alla is just too below his standard, in much the same way that Sinitsina is no match for Katsalapov, the level of his skating regresses just to keep pace with her. She is strong, athletic, she has lovely lines and she's very precious, but command over her blade, virtuosity, expressiveness, coordination especially in lifts, these she's weak at. He has to actually lead her and place her almost every step of the way, half the time they make things look so hard it's like he's fighting to keep pace with the music. It's noticeably different than how he used to skate. It's like watching C/L, just different.

The flow Katsalapov had with Ilinykh everything was just so otherworldly beautiful. When I contemplate that he blamed her for not putting sport first above personal needs when he's the one who has been doing that for the last quad I'm surprised at how un-diva-like Lena Ilinykh is in reality in comparison to the claims of her former partners. She should have sued him for slander, why drag someone over the coals for something that you're equally guilty of? Ridiculous.

Finally, I must also say I'm curious as to the performance of the dancers in the Krylova squad for the next quad, Mozgov and Betina could also surprise. Blues from S/B for their FD could be quite intriguing I just want something equally good for the SD, please. I want music choices that make sense, puhlease. Thank you. The End.

 

[Bigbird]

From what I recall, Tarasova frequently interfered in programs of Zhulin's teams, including B/S after test skates.

TAT ain't no baby anymore. She needs to be placed in a corner. I mean the drivel during competitions is hilarious but actually interfering with the composition of programs, that's like taking a bad joke way too far.

 

[Bigbird]

Glad you got that off your chest.

Well, you know, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[hanca]

Should we make a separate thread for Russian ice dance - doomed forever? Then perhaps @caseyedwards and @Bigbird would have space for their doom and gloom. This From Russia with Love thread has been used for any news within Russian skating, but I am getting a bit bored with reading yet the same again and again from just two posters who are managing to turn every conversation to how useless Bobrova/Soloviev were, how bad for Russia it is that they don’t have better ice dancers etc. I would usually not complain about what individuals are posting, but the constant repeating of the same old same old is getting a bit monotonous. In this thread I would like to read news about Russian skating, not the same discussions that have been already posted on several threads.

 

[Ka3sha]

Second video blitz on our homepage, this time it's Mikhail Kolyada: http://www.figureskating-online.com/tea-or-coffee.html

If you want to know more about him and his plans for next season stay tuned for the Golden Skate article that is coming in a few days.

GS article is up
https://goldenskate.com/amp/2018/05/new-experiences-ahead-for-russias-mikhail-kolyada/

 

[zebraswan]

Should we make a separate thread for Russian ice dance - doomed forever? Then perhaps @caseyedwards and @Bigbird would have space for their doom and gloom. This From Russia with Love thread has been used for any news within Russian skating, but I am getting a bit bored with reading yet the same again and again from just two posters who are managing to turn every conversation to how useless Bobrova/Soloviev were, how bad for Russia it is that they don’t have better ice dancers etc. I would usually not complain about what individuals are posting, but the constant repeating of the same old same old is getting a bit monotonous. In this thread I would like to read news about Russian skating, not the same discussions that have been already posted on several threads.

That would be wonderful. I don't care much about current ice dance anyway, but the tedious complaining from the usual suspects makes this thread virtually unreadable. It's one thing to keep watching a sport that you don't even seem to enjoy, but then to spend the whole off-season still moaning about it...

 

[lala]

Plushenko with Sotnikova, Sergei Filin, and Olga Smirnova. Would like to see Smirnova skate...

https://instagram.com/p/BjH8XozAFcn/

In December will be the premier of Plushenko's new show. It will be the Swan Lake. One of the teasers

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bht8eu-FUEA/? - "
I'm talking about this show so it's an experiment, it's a sensation, it's a real creative collaboration of two genres - ballet on the dance floor and figure skating. Russian ballet and Russian Olympic Champions are two pride of our country. This pride, this love lives in the heart of each of us, so I know that it will be something incredible and very close to everyone, to whom the curtain of our show will open. I myself intrigued and can not wait for the premiere!
The unique scenography of the show will really allow viewers to see not only the appearance of skaters on the ice, but also the ballet dancers on the floor.
Transformation of space, bright visual effects, multimedia technologies will tell all the familiar love story in a new way.
In the development of the show, much attention is paid to the relevance and novelty of technology - to surprise, leave a trace and make the show interesting even for the smallest spectator. A real gift for parents will be a symphony orchestra: the entire show will be held under his lively accompaniment so that the audience can fully immerse themselves in The atmosphere of the ballet and enjoy the delightful, truly not aging music of Tchaikovsky.
While we have only slightly opened the veil of secrecy and we still have to find out which of the stars of the world ballet will perform the roles of the White Swan and the Sorcerer, I think this will be a masterpiece for all ballet dancers, and also in the tale there will be a small figure skater Sasha Plushenko, One of the sensations-Evgeny Plushenko will perform not only on the ice, but also on the
ballet parquet, and the image of the Black Swan will be embodied by the Olympic champion of the Games of 2014 in Sochi-Adeline Sotnikova.
Director of the show Sergey Filin is a Russian ballet dancer, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater in 1988-2008, artistic director of the Ballet Company of the Moscow Musical Theater." -google translate

I'm so proud! Many Plushenko fans wrote to him and his wife we asked them to creat a balletic show or program for Evgeni!!! He could be a great ballet dancer. And our dream has come true!!!

The new teaser is ready but they don't show it. A part of the new teaser https://www.instagram.com/p/BjO9YnsABDf/?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjWhABxgfLy/?

Plushenko will dance on floor but Smirnova won't skate..

 

[Mad for Skating]

Actually, they worked with Elena Kustarova before moving to Zhulin a few years ago, so they did work with someone else. Zhulin did some good programs for them, notably "Crazy" (Man with the Harmonica, Appollo 440 version) and "Anna Karenina", I also liked this year's FD. The SDs were often a bit generic and the "Birds" program from the 2013/14 Olympic season (that they dumped eventually, but too late) was probably their worst FD.

I liked "Anna Karenina" quite a bit, but it was this year's FD that really gave me the chills. I also liked their blues short dance from the 2016-17 season. I think they've been great creative artists who've added some unique style to the ice - similar to James/Cipres or Adam Rippon.

 

[Mad for Skating]

They aren’t just bobrova and soloviev! They are Russians in ice dance. Can’t erase history of Russians in ice dance. If they can’t maintain Russians potential in ice dance they have no value! If they were from armenia or Kazakhstan or wherever, it would be another story! If they don’t have the talent to win they shouldn’t get support. If they can’t get proper technique from zhulin or kustarova why can’t russia send them to debreuil?



Never. The scrutiny of the belbins is decisive.

Honey. Just because you're Russian and you skate doesn't mean you can win gold medals. That would be like saying "Because Javier Fernandez was a legend, all Spanish men need to win world titles." Our American ladies get so much crap every time they don't medal, just because Peggy Fleming, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Michelle Kwan existed.

I mean, look at Papadakis/Cizeron. They're great. Then look at the other French ice dancers currently skating. They're nowhere near P/C's level. Should they be expected to win world titles and Olympic medals JUST BECAUSE PAPADAKIS AND CIZERON ARE GREAT? I don't think so.

 

[kwanfan1818]

B/S's sailor program is one of my favorite of all OD's: they even made me like the OD format for a few minutes.

 

[Sylvia]

GS article is up
https://goldenskate.com/amp/2018/05/new-experiences-ahead-for-russias-mikhail-kolyada/

Thanks! Kolyada's summer training schedule and tentative competition plans:

“The plans are to get started, then to go to three training camps,” Kolyada shared. “The first training camp will be in Switzerland and we’ll work with Stéphane (Lambiel).”
The skater worked with Lambiel last season as well, and felt it helped him a lot to grow as a skater. “Stéphane will choreograph my new short program,” the two-time European bronze medalist revealed. “I am still looking for the music and right now we are thinking of different ideas.”
For the second training camp, he will go to Latvia for three weeks with his training mates and coach Valentina Chebotareva, and for mid-July, he plans to go with his coach to Lakewood, Calif., to work with Rafael Arutyunyan for two weeks.

Looking ahead, the World bronze medalist will debut his programs at the Russian test skates at the beginning of September in Moscow and plans to compete at two Challenger events, probably Ondrej Nepela Trophy and Finlandia Trophy or Tallinn Trophy, and then the two Grand Prix events. If he was able to choose one, he’d like to go to the Cup of China again.

 

[caseyedwards]

so you’re saying the scrutiny of the belbins is now obsolete!!?

Honey. Just because you're Russian and you skate doesn't mean you can win gold medals. That would be like saying "Because Javier Fernandez was a legend, all Spanish men need to win world titles." Our American ladies get so much crap every time they don't medal, just because Peggy Fleming, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Michelle Kwan existed.

I mean, look at Papadakis/Cizeron. They're great. Then look at the other French ice dancers currently skating. They're nowhere near P/C's level. Should they be expected to win world titles and Olympic medals JUST BECAUSE PAPADAKIS AND CIZERON ARE GREAT? I don't think so.

It’s not about believing they are deserving because of who they are but trying to figure out if they have the desire to win! I don’t believe g/p or k/o or d/s won just because they were Russians or won because they were the best Russians but because they really did want to! They were driven to win! They got the training and support to win! I don’t believe b/s are interested in training to win or given the support to win even if they did have the desire to!!

 

[hanca]

It’s not about believing they are deserving because of who they are but trying to figure out if they have the desire to win! I don’t believe g/p or k/o or d/s won just because they were Russians or won because they were the best Russians but because they really did want to! They were driven to win! They got the training and support to win! I don’t believe b/s are interested in training to win or given the support to win even if they did have the desire to!!

Jeeesus, pleeease, let it go! We have heard all there is to be heard about your disappointment with the Russian ice dance. So perhaps it is time you concentrated on different country’s ice dancers? Maybe French, Americans or Canadians? Or perhaps change your favourite discipline, if you insist of being a fan of Russian skaters? Maybe Russian ladies?

For administrators, is there a way to limit one person’s access to certain threads? It is unbelievable how someone’s posts make me feel like I want to hit someone. And the person I want to hit are NOT Russian ice dancers. I know violence doesn’t solve anything, but sometimes being provoked is considered as mitigating circumstances!

 

[caseyedwards]

Jeeesus, pleeease, let it go! We have heard all there is to be heard about your disappointment with the Russian ice dance. So perhaps it is time you concentrated on different country’s ice dancers? Maybe French, Americans or Canadians? Or perhaps change your favourite discipline, if you insist of being a fan of Russian skaters? Maybe Russian ladies?

For administrators, is there a way to limit one person’s access to certain threads? It is unbelievable how someone’s posts make me feel like I want to hit someone. And the person I want to hit are NOT Russian ice dancers. I know violence doesn’t solve anything, but sometimes being provoked is considered as mitigating circumstances!

China is building its ice dance program and is sending people to learn from dubreuil!

https://k.sina.cn/article_213815211_0cbe8fab020006n1d.html

China knows!

 

[Wyliefan]

Jeeesus, pleeease, let it go! We have heard all there is to be heard about your disappointment with the Russian ice dance. So perhaps it is time you concentrated on different country’s ice dancers? Maybe French, Americans or Canadians? Or perhaps change your favourite discipline, if you insist of being a fan of Russian skaters? Maybe Russian ladies?

For administrators, is there a way to limit one person’s access to certain threads? It is unbelievable how someone’s posts make me feel like I want to hit someone. And the person I want to hit are NOT Russian ice dancers. I know violence doesn’t solve anything, but sometimes being provoked is considered as mitigating circumstances!

"Ignore" is your friend.

 

[hanca]

"Ignore" is your friend.

Yes, it is. But a wooden spoon is my friend too! (That’s the instrument Czech children were traditionally punished with. The slippers and canes were not as popular as woden spoons were. )

 

[Wyliefan]

Yes, it is. But a wooden spoon is my friend too! (That’s the instrument Czech children were traditionally punished with. The slippers and canes were not as popular as woden spoons were. )

I'm not quite seeing the connection . . . ?

 

[Bigbird]

I'm not quite seeing the connection . . . ?

Active versus passive punishment. We must pay. What a travesty, we don't think much of B/S! Puhlease, we can mutually exist, we just need to ignore each other more often. This is not rocket science people its just figure skating.

 

[hanca]

"Ignore" is your friend.

Yes, it is. But wooden spoon is my friend too!

I'm not quite seeing the connection . . . ?

The connection is that I suddenly feel that posts from certain posters are starting to make me feel aggressive. Like a red cloth in front of a bull.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I'm not quite seeing the connection . . . ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKfRTkekP4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QduoqnQOLb8

In Eastern Europe, when Old Ded misbehaves, the Old Baba hits him with a wooden spoon..... in many old folk tales..
http://pensionerrossii.ru/upload/000/u2/b8/19/po-lbu.jpg

In old world schools, a kid can get it "on the forehead with a wooden spoon" (this is a simulation in a history class).
https://www.osd.ru/ftproot/users/0009319/0165079/0000005.jpg

etc..... it does not hurt as bad like other items or methods, but it sends a message....

 

[barbarafan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKfRTkekP4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QduoqnQOLb8

In Eastern Europe, when Old Ded misbehaves, the Old Baba hits him with a wooden spoon..... in many old folk tales..
http://pensionerrossii.ru/upload/000/u2/b8/19/po-lbu.jpg

In old world schools, a kid can get it "on the forehead with a wooden spoon" (this is a simulation in a history class).
https://www.osd.ru/ftproot/users/0009319/0165079/0000005.jpg

etc..... it does not hurt as bad like other items or methods, but it sends a message....

ok I almost peed myself when they were playing the spoon game.

 

[hanca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKfRTkekP4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QduoqnQOLb8

In Eastern Europe, when Old Ded misbehaves, the Old Baba hits him with a wooden spoon..... in many old folk tales..
http://pensionerrossii.ru/upload/000/u2/b8/19/po-lbu.jpg

In old world schools, a kid can get it "on the forehead with a wooden spoon" (this is a simulation in a history class).
https://www.osd.ru/ftproot/users/0009319/0165079/0000005.jpg

etc..... it does not hurt as bad like other items or methods, but it sends a message....

Are you sure about this? I have never seen anyone’s head being hit by a wooden spoon. But I do have some memories of being hit on my bottom. And our wooden spoons seem to be bigger than those tiny things you found on the internet . Our ones were the size of an adult palm of hand.

 

[Bigbird]

Stupes. Well, I never...

 

[Tinami Amori]

Are you sure about this? I have never seen anyone’s head being hit by a wooden spoon. But I do have some memories of being hit on my bottom. And our wooden spoons seem to be bigger than those tiny things you found on the internet . Our ones were the size of an adult palm of hand.

you better stay with my spoon if you don't want to be accused of threatening with an assault with deadly weapon.