From Russia With Love (No 32): Spring to Summer 2019

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Wasn't it a stress fracture? That's serious enough.

Not in Eteri-land.

 

[Mad for Skating]

Russia would need to release her rather than Czech Republic releasing him. I don’t think they would want to skate for Russia, considering that Russian pairs are getting quite crowded and Czechia doesn’t have anyone except of Bidar. (Duskova has not competed with her new partner and I am wondering whether this partnership will go anywhere.)

Oh, I see. Correction: hopefully they can get her released so they can skate together!

 

[Sylvia]

There are speculations on the Russian forum about Liza Zhuk skating with the Czech pair skater Bidar. They have been seen skating together at a show in Novogorsk. Photos were posted on the forum.

Flade's article last week mentioned Bidar was trying out with a new partner at the ISU Pairs camp in Novogorsk: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/pairs-discussion-thread-2019-20-“two-skating-as-one”.105581/#post-5582757

Russia would need to release her rather than Czech Republic releasing him. I don’t think they would want to skate for Russia, considering that Russian pairs are getting quite crowded and Czechia doesn’t have anyone except of Bidar. (Duskova has not competed with her new partner and I am wondering whether this partnership will go anywhere.)

Duskova had major knee surgery last year and is still working on getting her jumps back (she landed a sbs 2A with her new partner in practice around a month ago).

 

[Tinami Amori]

Wasn't it a stress fracture? That's serious enough.

Even if it is, i read it is hard to control Kostornaya if she wants to do something. She was doing jumps when coaches were not looking during the time when she was only allowed to skate without jumps and spins. Now she is playing tennis while on vacation, and it can be rough on the ankle at times... (she wants to do everything here and now... not that i blame her.. )
https://sun1.dataix-kz-akkol.userapi.com/c847217/v847217628/1fee96/62Bej2kDPF8.jpg

The girls at the Eteri camp have done pointe for years now to my knowledge

yes, but only "as needed" and/or for specific purpose or progamme. Zagitova's foto on points is from few years back, and appeared only when she was training for Black Swan SP for the 2017/2018 season.

But now it seems to be part of their regular off-ice dance training, like what they do with Mr. Z. for modern dance.

I am personally very glad to know it. Because it is a terrible idea to do hip-hop on daily basis and all sorts of jerky moves, and to neglect ballet.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Elena Ilinykh is getting a lot of "social publicity" lately...
https://d.radikal.ru/d40/1905/b2/b859077b2bb6.jpg
https://sun1-22.userapi.com/c845520/v845520483/1fc672/xX9Djc_7Xic.jpg
----

There are speculations on the Russian forum about Liza Zhuk skating with the Czech pair skater Bidar. They have been seen skating together at a show in Novogorsk. Photos were posted on the forum..

That's the one who Nina Mozer said a while ago to be her "new surprise team, who will be trained by Klimov" (with Miroshkin).
https://rsport.ria.ru/20180912/1141714989.html

There are also talks on one of the Russian forums that Alexandrovskaya/Windsor are "still togehter, but leaving Montreal. Right now they are back in Australia, says they lost the funding (federation). Most likely will be returning to Russia, not sure who will coach them".

"Александровская-Винсор ещё вместе, но уезжают из Монреаля. Сейчас они в Австралии, говорят потеряли финансирование. Скорее всего вернуться в Россию, к кому пока не ясно"

 

[Tinami Amori]

Looks like juniors will be owned by Tutberidze's girls again with both Valieva and Kanysheva and who knows how the newbies will do. I do hope Panova has some good girls to put forth because I dearly love her in the KnC since we're bereft of Tsareva.

Tatiana Flade was recently in Moscow, visiting several major FS clubs. Here is Panova's group foto from her IG.
There is a brief description in english.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxVZn5bn8rC/

and there is one for Bouianova's group
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxLHOacnQdh/

Fraulein Flade..... if you're reading. 100 thanks for taking this foto from the streets of Moscow.....
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw99bOVHeYz/

 

[Ladida]

Even if it is, i read it is hard to control Kostornaya if she wants to do something. She was doing jumps when coaches were not looking during the time when she was only allowed to skate without jumps and spins. Now she is playing tennis while on vacation, and it can be rough on the ankle at times... (she wants to do everything here and now... not that i blame her.. )
https://sun1.dataix-kz-akkol.userapi.com/c847217/v847217628/1fee96/62Bej2kDPF8.jpg

I don´t think anyone has a problem with them doing ballet per se, the problem is that they are wearing pointe shoes. If you are not properly trained, it is as a dumb idea as wearing stilettos for playing soccer - your legs will looks better, your feet smaller, but you will have bloody toes, blisters and high chance of ankle injury.

I am just surprised by Alena´s behavior. For someone who wants to be a neurosurgeon, her behavior is very short-sided. I guess she probably wants to be a doctor as Shoma Uno back then during his junior years.

 

[starrynight]

Given the cut-throat nature of that group where a skater is only as good as their last jump, I'm in no way surprised that a very young skater feels an intense internal pressure to push themselves.

 

[Finsta]

My wonder is who are the adults and In charge of these children? Does nobody have control of them?

 

[hanca]

Given the cut-throat nature of that group where a skater is only as good as their last jump, I'm in no way surprised that a very young skater feels an intense internal pressure to push themselves.

Yes, and the intense pressure is making 11 year old land 3A and 4T. I still can’t figure out what my view is on that. On one side I really enjoy watching the quads and I am glad that even ladies discipline is moving forward, because far too many ladies can skate clean programs with maximum number of triples, and I don’t want the singles become like ice dance - everything depends on subjective marking of GOE and PCS. On the other hand, I am wondering what damage they are doing to their bodies.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I don´t think anyone has a problem with them doing ballet per se, the problem is that they are wearing pointe shoes. If you are not properly trained....

They are being properly trained, their teacher at the rink is Mrs. Shalashova, former soloist at Bolshoi. You think Eteri would allow them the risk of injuries in a ballet class?
https://scontent-sin6-2.cdninstagra...n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sin6-2.cdninstagram.com

I am just surprised by Alena´s behavior. For someone who wants to be a neurosurgeon, her behavior is very short-sided. I guess she probably wants to be a doctor as Shoma Uno back then during his junior years.

Well, recently in an interview she said that she may not want to be a neurosurgeon..
She can't be watched by the coaching team 24/7... When she is not at the rink she plays tennis, and rides horses and jumps on and off them.... i only have fotos, can't locate the IG-stories video..
https://vk.com/teamkostornaia?z=photo-156669444_456246997/album-156669444_255048601/rev
https://img.prosports.kz/news/content/5bc0a88c6f2f93d0f87d1ae4398c3fd3.jpg

She started to train 3A and quads on the floor, without even talking to her coaches about it, when she was on vacation with her mother.... And the coaches only learned about it when she posted an IG-stories video to show off.. And i even have parts of this story in an interview.
https://prosports.kz/news/258354

Q: Ты упоминала в интервью, что учишь четверной прыжок, тулуп, до этого у тебя было видео, где ты на полу прыгаешь тройной аксель. Расскажи, что это за видео, и, что у тебя с тройным акселем.
A: Это мы с мамой были на отдыхе, там был достаточно большой спортзал, почему бы там не потренировать прыжок, чтобы приехать с отдыха уже натренированной, чтобы легче было.

Q: In one interview you've mentioned that you're learning 4T, and before that you put out a video, where you're jumping a 3A. Tell us about this video and what's going on with the 3A?
A: It was when my mother and i were on vacation, there (at the hotel) they had a large sports-gym, so (i thought) why not try it, so when i come back to the rink, i've already trained myself, so it is easier.

There is more, but don't want to do a PhD on Alena's behavior.... She is very competitive in EVERY thing, not just skating. She wants to stand out, and has that "one upsman-ship" attitude, which actually i've been noticing and mentioning for the last three years, because it's not just about skating, and she squanders herself on things that are not important, just to be "ahead of other girls"...

- if she sees Med with a japanese napkin holder, she wants one..
- if Trusova grows her hair long and let's it out, Alena will grow her hair and let it out..
- if someone is going to Turkey for vacation (inexpensive resort), Alena will announce she is going to Italy..
- when all girls are learning English now, Alena is no longer interested in English and learning French... as of last month it is her favorite language...
- she constantly wants attention on herself, and does all sorts of things to "stand out"..

Fortunately she is growing up lately, and will find "her centre" soon. But in the mean time, nobody can stop Alena, if she wants to do something, unless they chain her to the pole....

Daniil's interview:
https://vk.com/teamkostornaia?z=video-156669444_456239340/bf2b476be6b221b843/pl_wall_-156669444
"We allowed her to start training/skating (after the injury healed) but without jumping. She held off for 1-2 sessions (without jumps) and then when nobody was looking, she started to jump. Her mother was watching her (at the time) and she started to shake her fists at her, making her stop. We had to stop her, because the doctors had given their instructions. We try to be careful".

"Who is the most emotional in your group?"
https://vk.com/teamkostornaia?z=video-156669444_456239339/pl_wall_-156669444
Daniil: On ice Zagiova. Off ice - Kostornaya

"Who is the noisiest one (makes the most noise around her, takes up attention), on ice, in dressing rooms, at competitions, etc..?"
https://vk.com/teamkostornaia?z=video-156669444_456239336/377557d77d949ac13b/pl_wall_-156669444
Daniil: No questions here, of course Alena Kostornaya.... and she talks all the time, a mile a minute...

All those girls are a hand-full and very stubborn. Daniils interview (on general issues)
https://fsrussia.ru/intervyu/3643-d...tvernoj-i-gotov-nado-li-ego-ostanavlivat.html
Q: Вы можете рассказать, как идет процесс развития ваших учеников, динамика.
D: Надо находить к каждому спортсмену свой подход. Если кто-то не может прыгнуть четверной, то мы и не будем его заставлять, выжимать из спортсмена все соки. Если не может, значит, есть другие сильные стороны. Максимально улучшить катание, довести до идеала те элементы, которые умеет делать, показать и раскрыть максимально образы в программах… У каждого человека есть свои плюсы. И наша задача помочь спортсменам раскрыть эти сильные стороны сполна.

Q: Какие плюсы и минусы у Саши Трусовой?
D: Саша очень упертая. Если она чего-то хочет, она это сделает. Ее, скорее, нужно останавливать. Скажи ей: «Делай, что хочешь», и Саша будет прыгать часов пять. Предложишь: «Пойдем, повращаемся», и она ответит: «Нет, еще немного попрыгаю». При этом она абсолютно спокойная, уравновешенная по характеру девочка, которая выполняет все задания тренеров. Она никогда не ставит под сомнение авторитет тренеров, что тренер может быть где-то не прав.

Q: Can you tell us how goes the development process of your pupils, the dynamics of it?
D: We have to find a unique approach for each skater. If someone can't work on a quad, we are not going to push her/him, and squeeze the juices out of him/her. If one can not (work on quads) then we will work on other advantages (strong points). To maximize edges/skating skills, to perfect the elements one can do already, to show and to develop to the maximum the "character of the programme"... Each skater has his/her pluses (strong points). Our job is to develop those to their fullest.

Q: What are the pluses and minuses for Sasha Trusova?
D: Sasha is very bull-headed (stubborn). If she wants to do something, she'll find a way. She is the one who needs to be stopped (more than others). If you say to her "you can do what you want", then Sasha will just keep on jumping for 5 hours straight. If you offer her "lets work on some spins", she'll tell you "No, i want to jump a bit more". And yet, she is a perfectly calm, well balanced and stable in character, girl, who follows all the instructions from the coach. She never doubts her coach, questioning if the coach is right or wrong.

I feel for the coaches..... their results do not come easy..... ... especially since now more kids are bringing their dogs to the rink, and if the dog has to go patty, guess who takes them out, so that the girls don't take their skates off.....

https://i.imgur.com/EerWibV.jpg
https://d.radikal.ru/d28/1904/8d/81bc4b026022.jpg

 

[Tinami Amori]

Masaru Zagitova wins Gold/1st prize at Moscow International Akita Inu dog show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofsMHgbzLUQ&feature=youtu.be

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxUbJAAHqJd/

(nobody knew during show which one is Zagitova's dog, they were all numbered... )

 

[SkateSand]

Masaru Zagitova wins Gold/1st prize at Moscow International Akita Inu dog show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofsMHgbzLUQ&feature=youtu.be

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxUbJAAHqJd/

(nobody knew during show which one is Zagitova's dog, they were all numbered... )

Not surprised. I imagine the Japanese Figure Skating Federation (or whichever entity it was) scoured the country for the finest Akita puppy they could find to give Alina.

 

[Japanfan]

Masaru Zagitova wins Gold/1st prize at Moscow International Akita Inu dog show.

 

[hanca]

Khubardieva/Nazarov have split up.

 

[Bigbird]

Khubardieva/Nazarov have split up.

I just can't with Russian ice dance. Maybe it's best not to watch.

 

[hanca]

I just can't with Russian ice dance. Maybe it's best not to watch.

US ice dancers haven’t done much better this off season.

 

[Sylvia]

In case these recent interviews/transcriptions published on the Russian fed. website have not yet been posted in this thread:

Anastasia Shpilevaya - Grigory Smirnov: “The progress of Russian dance couples has shown that nothing is impossible” (May 12): https://fsrussia.ru/intervyu/4391-a...r-pokazal-chto-net-nichego-nevozmozhnogo.html

Sofia Shevchenko - Igor Eremenko: “It is not easy anywhere. This is sport!” (May 5 video): https://fsrussia.ru/intervyu/4388-s...eremenko-legko-nigde-ne-byvaet-eto-sport.html

Both Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova were asked about the shows they've done recently, including the one in Bologna, Italy:
Anna: https://fsrussia.ru/news/4392-anna-...eniya-kotorye-pomogut-na-sorevnovaniyakh.html
Alexandra: https://fsrussia.ru/news/4390-aleks...-grassl-kotoryj-zashel-v-pyaternoj-lutts.html

 

[Ka3sha]

Chat show on Youtube, driving in a car and asking questions: 50 questions to Evgenia Medvedeva

Some of the questions/answers:

1. Why don't you have the driving licence?
- I am afraid of driving.
2. Best thing which happened to you in 2019 (so far)?
- New Year Eve! Because I love it and I was at home in Moscow, and I even was shown on TV two times during New Year night!
4. The best thing humanity has ever created?
- May be it's wrong thing to say this, but IPhone
5. If you weren't Evgenia, what other name would you prefer?
- Alisa (=Alice). There were two name options when I was born - Alisa and Evgenia.
10. If not Russia, where would you like to live?
- In Russia...I live in Canada now, but I'll return back home after retirement .
15. Last movie which made you cry?
- "A Star is Born" . The last scene where she is singing. We went to cinema with the boys and they were sitting like this, biting their hands in order not to cry, and I was crying a river.
16. Describe your life in Canada in three words?
- Calm, Boring, Productive... Boring because I usually finish my training around 4pm and then come home. And I have nothing to do... But now thanks God I found a hobby - cooking. I don't eat meat and products made of milk, so now I have to cook my food to eat well. Now I eat only fish and some seafood.
17. What do Canadians know about Russia?
- They know we have good vodka.
Then Maxim Kovtun made a guest appearance and also asked her some questions:
19. 3 things which are better in Canada than in Russia?
- Cricket Club, happy smiling people and... food.
20. Olympic gold or eternal youth?
- Olympic Gold. I don't want to be forever young.
29. Explain to us, why Figure skating fans are sometimes harder than football (soccer) fans?
- In last 2 years the popularity of Figure skating in Russia has grown a lot. I don't know what is wrong with some of those people, but some of them are crazy. For each hundred normal people there are maybe like one or two crazy ones, but they would write a lot of comments on social media, so it would seem like they are many of them.
30. Describe Alina Zagitova in one word?
- Hard worker. We trained together before Olympics and this girl works really hard!
31. And Liza Tuktamysheva in one word?
- Funny. She is really funny! And she doesn't worry over nothing. I'm learning this from her.
34. What annoys you in people?
- A lot of things! Sometimes people annoy me in general [laughs].
More seriously, probably - laziness.
Blitz:
Be a leader or to follow?
- Be a leader.
Write to the guy you like first or wait till he does?
- Its probably terrible, but I always write first. I'm not afraid to write first.
45. Your source of power?
- Faith. Faith in something, in goodness, faith in myself and in my close people.
47. What disturbs you to sleep at night?
- Instagram.
48. Last philosophic question you have thought about?
What happens to a planet when it gets into a black hole? I know I can read it on the Internet, but it's not interesting to do it, so I like to think.

They were also singing some songs (mostly Russian) and there were some more fluffy questions

 

[Ka3sha]

Not real figure skating news, but since it is off-season: Elena Ilinykh and Sergei Polunin in Russian Hello!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxZ3047lFWg/
https://ru.hellomagazine.com/zvezdy...ion=4&section=6&section=3&section=9&section=2

 

[Tinami Amori]

Khubardieva/Nazarov have split up.

Yes, there were rumors that they are not getting alone. Now it is official because Khubardieva posted a "farewell letter" on her IG, but then deleted it, since it was considered "too emotional and personal". But people saved it...

https://i3.imageban.ru/out/2019/05/13/33a3b1614acb0da44f1fc67f11835af4.png
She as no regrets. Thanking him for 3 years of partnership. Life is not always a bed or roses, but she is happy to be JGPF medalist, and prefers to remember that. It's love, life, blood, sweat and tears, but that's life... She hopes that although they are not talking to each other now (not even saying "hallo"), he will find it in himself to regain their communication later. Life goes on! she wants to remember the good and wishes him luck.

Sports-Express article "Love only lasts 3 years".
https://sport24.ru/news/other/2019-...sdelal-dlya-menya-duet-khudayberdiyevanazarov

======
Alexey Yagudin is now officially a "coach", a head-coach at Minsk Training Centre.
http://sport.business-gazeta.ru/article/239250

 

[Bigbird]

US ice dancers haven’t done much better this off season.

What did I miss?

 

[hanca]

What did I miss?

Well, Parsons split up, so did Gropman/Somerville, Gunter/Wein, Green/Green and others.

 

[Bigbird]

Well, Parsons split up, so did Gropman/Somerville, Gunter/Wein, Green/Green and others.

I only knew about the Parsons, .

 

[annie_mg]

They are being properly trained, their teacher at the rink is Mrs. Shalashova, former soloist at Bolshoi. You think Eteri would allow them the risk of injuries in a ballet class?
https://scontent-sin6-2.cdninstagra...n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sin6-2.cdninstagram.com

Their teacher being a former soloist at Boshoi means nothing in terms of their safety. Bolshoi ballet students have been screened and tested to death before they start at the academy, their bodies are supposed to have all it takes to become a ballet dancer, and even they can end up with serious injuries. A very ambitious ex-dancer can certainly push Eteri's students to their limits without even realising it.

As far as Eteri "allowing" them to risk injuries - she probably is uninentionally doing that. She has no clue how injuries are sustained in a ballet class as she's not a dancer nor a dance teacher that I know of.

 

[Finsta]

But her many years is coaching would make her be aware. I’m surprised by the posters defending her doesn’t matter what she does. Very scary. I feel for those kids. And shame on the parents

 

[VenusH.]

Q: In one interview you've mentioned that you're learning 4T, and before that you put out a video, where you're jumping a 3A. Tell us about this video and what's going on with the 3A?
A: It was when my mother and i were on vacation, there (at the hotel) they had a large sports-gym, so (i thought) why not try it, so when i come back to the rink, i've already trained myself, so it is easier.




Daniil's interview:
https://vk.com/teamkostornaia?z=video-156669444_456239340/bf2b476be6b221b843/pl_wall_-156669444
"We allowed her to start training/skating (after the injury healed) but without jumping. She held off for 1-2 sessions (without jumps) and then when nobody was looking, she started to jump. Her mother was watching her (at the time) and she started to shake her fists at her, making her stop. We had to stop her, because the doctors had given their instructions. We try to be careful".

THis is kinda dumb behavior. I know she probably feels pressured about QUADZ! but... was that training of off ice quad before the injury or recently? Either way, it feels like should could hurt herself and her career. I know teenagers often lack self-preservation instinct, but... she is not just normal girl doing silly things in the park... quads are risky. Some of the Trusova and Sherbakova splats look horrible... and we don't get to see their unsuccessful jumps in the training. Doing that without proper instruction or with injuries.... I do not like that.

 

[Bigbird]

THis is kinda dumb behavior. I know she probably feels pressured about QUADZ! but... was that training of off ice quad before the injury or recently? Either way, it feels like should could hurt herself and her career. I know teenagers often lack self-preservation instinct, but... she is not just normal girl doing silly things in the park... quads are risky. Some of the Trusova and Sherbakova splats look horrible... and we don't get to see their unsuccessful jumps in the training. Doing that without proper instruction or with injuries.... I do not like that.

It's called the Russian hunger games. These girls are desperate not to be dropped. The fact of the matter is the Russian Fed happily accepts her methods so long as the media doesn't get wind of the hidden costs to her charges.

 

[Rina RUS]

Alexey Yagudin is now officially a "coach", a head-coach at Minsk Training Centre.
http://sport.business-gazeta.ru/article/239250

"Officially"?
They posted this new article, because on May 13 the lessons in Yagudin's skating centre were going to start.
Yet the most funny thing about this article is that Yagudin insists he is going also to have schools in Moscow (yes, more than one: schools in Moscow). Actually, he says Moscow "schools" are already working, but now it is a kind of testing. This Figaro also has secret projects.

It seems the training camp (from April 19 to April 30) went off well. Tatiana Totmianina and Polina Shelepen were the coaches.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1TNfdFbhF/
Besides working with children, Tatyana advised a young pair: Yadviga Shutova and Vladislav Saprykin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwuT_V4H9hz/
In the beginning of May Yagudin hosted a teacher-parent meeting. He said Yana Khokhlova was the first one who was going to start working with kids. They invited kids aged from 3 to 9. They plan to have a group for older kids, but the main attention is going to be directed to the working with beginners.
http://yagudin-center.by/news/aleksej-yagudin-provel-roditelskoe-sobranie/
After the meeting his teammates tested the kids to range them into groups.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw9lv1HHvxf/
As for Minsk, Yagudin says he asks to give them "more ice" (more time).


It seems Tatiana feels all right, she has a rest with their daughters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPFwcGlR8b/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxCrBn3lmLo/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNLalylB2P/


To say the truth... Yagudin didn't seem to be a good director. He has Tatiana though. She seems to be more attentive to details. Well, at least... he is brave.

 

[Tinami Amori]

But her many years is coaching would make her be aware. I’m surprised by the posters defending her doesn’t matter what she does. Very scary. I feel for those kids. And shame on the parents

The kids are happy, the parents are happy, the Federation is happy, the fans are happy..... only you're and few jealous ones who are reading selective propaganda are unhappy... well don't let the bile eat away your intestines..

It's called the Russian hunger games. These girls are desperate not to be dropped. The fact of the matter is the Russian Fed happily accepts her methods so long as the media doesn't get wind of the hidden costs to her charges.

...well, the media got the wind of her methods (and results) long time ago.... and the lines into her group are only getting longer ..