Israeli Skating News

[alj5]

Well I'll be darned. I really didn't think Krasnopolski was going to make it this year.

I have to hand it to him. He's had some great partnerships over the years, and will be going to his third Olympics.

 

[Andrea82]

A long account on Hailey Kops' skating career, the parternship with Krasnopolski and Nebelhorn by Hailey's father:

Israeli Figure Skating | Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Miezekatze]

My friend and I have been to Nebelhorn Trophy for years (and some other skating events) and we've seen Krasnopolski live very often by now, so when we read him on the list with a new partner, like others I admit we joked a bit about seeing him with a new partner all the time.

But we were really surprised and impressed by this new partnership seeing them live. in the Short program we had just entered the rink when they had started and missed a bit, so we were a bit surprised by their high placement, but in the LP we saw the whole program completely and were really impressed by the quality and speed. I think it's a very promising partnership and IMO the best we've seen him, despite the short time they skate together, Hailey was great and they seem a good match!

 

[Debbie S]

Another article on Hailey Kops: https://www.jns.org/religion-meets-the-rink-orthodox-skater-to-represent-israel-at-beijing-olympics/

 

[Kelvster]

really wonderful, touching story! and yes, despite all our jokes ... you have to respekt Evgeni ... i don't know what he's like as a person, but he's certainly very driven and talented.

 

[Sylvia]

This NJ article+photos (published on Jan. 10 before Europeans) has quotes from Galit Chait, Hailey Kops, Evgeni Krasnopolski & Alexei Bychenko:

Little rink in Little Falls plays big role preparing Israeli skaters for Winter Olympics

These Israeli Olympians have one thing in common. Their coach, Galit Chait-Moracci, a longtime Paramus resident and three-time Olympian turned coach.

www.northjersey.com

Kops, 19, and Krasnopolski, 33, are two of three Israeli figure skaters who have been practicing inside the Little Falls arena for hours each week in the lead-up to the Winter Olympics. The third is Alexei Bychenko, 33, the first Israeli single skater to medal at a European Championship, who will compete in Beijing in the men’s singles.
The three have one thing in common — they are coached by Galit Chait-Moracci, a longtime Paramus resident and three-time Olympian-turned-coach.

More pre-Olympics articles on Kops' partnership with Krasnopolski (initiated in June 2021):

Orthodox ice skater Hailey Kops went from Yeshiva to Olympics

A Modern Orthodox Jew from West Orange, New Jersey, Kops had plans to attend nursing school before being offered a chance to vie for a spot on Israel's Olympic team.

www.jpost.com

Israeli figure-skating duo chase ‘impossible dream’ to Beijing

After training for only three months, Evgeni Krasnopolski and Hailey Kops won one of 19 slots allotted to figure-skating pairs at the Winter Olympics.

www.jns.org

Staying connected to Judaism — and following your dreams

Skaters from West Orange and Hackensack to represent Israel in the Winter Olympics

jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com

Orthodox New Jersey teen is Israel’s newest Olympic skating hope

Hailey Kops will team up with veteran Israeli Olympian Evgeni Krasnopolski on the ice at the 2022 Winter Games

www.timesofisrael.com

The (former Team USA) Junior ice dance team of Elizabeth Tkachenko and Alexei Kiliakov made their international debut for Israel at Bavarian Open this past weekend, won the bronze (142.28 total), and got their minimums for Junior Worlds. They shared some photos afterwards: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZFcXUrLbeT/

ETA: 6th in Senior at Bavarian Open - Shira ICHILOV / Vladimir BYELIKOV ISR 154.47 4 7 (Worlds TES minimums achieved with 36.70 in RD, 51.95 in FD).

Mariia NOSOVITSKAYA / Mikhail NOSOVITSKIY also have the Worlds ice dance minimums (36.09 & 56.63 at CS Warsaw Cup 2021).

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

Deleted - found my answer.

 

[fan]

has a flag bearer been named?

 

[TAHbKA]

has a flag bearer been named?

AFAIK no. My wild guess would be Noa Szollos though.

 

[Sylvia]

has a flag bearer been named?

Orthodox ice skater Hailey Kops went from Yeshiva to Olympics

A Modern Orthodox Jew from West Orange, New Jersey, Kops had plans to attend nursing school before being offered a chance to vie for a spot on Israel's Olympic team.

www.jpost.com

@Ka3sha found the info in an article linked above:

Krasnopolsky was selected to bear Israel’s flag at the Opening Ceremony on February 4.

“It’s one of the best things that could happen to me,” Krasnopolsky said of the honor. “I can’t wait to walk [with the flag] into that stadium.”

 

[TAHbKA]

It took him 6 partners and 3 Olympics, but finally!

 

[MsZem]

It took him 6 partners and 3 Olympics, but finally!

Probably more realistic for him to be the flagbearer this time, since the pairs event isn't right after the opening ceremony and Israel didn't qualify for the team event.

 

[text_skate]

Looks like Krasnopolski is going to retire

Krasnopolski, meanwhile, who made his third Olympic appearance in Beijing, told Israel Hayom that he will now be hanging up his skates after more than 15 years of competitive skating.

source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israe...ics-without-medals-but-with-new-achievements/

 

[clairecloutier]

Looks like Krasnopolski is going to retire


source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israe...ics-without-medals-but-with-new-achievements/

It's definitely time.

 

[MsZem]

Looks like Krasnopolski is going to retire


source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israe...ics-without-medals-but-with-new-achievements/

He told Haaretz before the Olympics that he couldn't see himself trying for 2026. And I think Kops has her own plans (nursing school IIRC), and really only came back to skating for a chance at the Olympics.

 

[text_skate]

He told Haaretz before the Olympics that he couldn't see himself trying for 2026. And I think Kops has her own plans (nursing school IIRC), and really only came back to skating for a chance at the Olympics.

I thought, they might stay for another season. Can't say I'm surprised, though.
Anyhow it was quite an achievement, and I'm particularly happy for Kops to fulfil her dream of becoming an Olympian

 

[TAHbKA]

Saw there were new replies in the thread, started thinking who Krasnapolski might be pairing up wiht now...

 

[Karen-W]

Surely some of these Russian pairs teams who aren't able to compete now have some Jewish ancestry, right? Especially if Kops/Krasnopolski finish top 10 at Worlds and earn 2 pairs spots for Israel next season!

 

[TAHbKA]

Surely some of these Russian pairs teams who aren't able to compete now have some Jewish ancestry, right? Especially if Kops/Krasnopolski finish top 10 at Worlds and earn 2 pairs spots for Israel next season!

The day Kops/Krasnapolski end up in top 10 at the worlds will be a very sad day for the pairs figure skating, even if the RUS/CHN pairs are not participating

 

[Karen-W]

The day Kops/Krasnapolski end up in top 10 at the worlds will be a very sad day for the pairs figure skating, even if the RUS/CHN pairs are not participating

Well, they aren't terrible. Or at least, no worse than at least half the other teams that will be there.

 

[Miezekatze]

I have to say Kops/Krasnopolski were one of the biggest highlights of Nebelhorn Trophy 2021 for me and that's meant seriously.
They weren't in good shape at the Olympics, but they are a good team.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

Will Krasnopolski stay in New Jersey once he's stopped skating himself, or does he plan to move back to (where is he from?)

 

[happycamper2554]

Will Krasnopolski stay in New Jersey once he's stopped skating himself, or does he plan to move back to (where is he from?)

His family has lived in Israel since he was 3 years old per Wikipedia, However i wouldn't be surprised if he considered NJ home at this point.

 

[Vagabond]

Will Krasnopolski stay in New Jersey once he's stopped skating himself, or does he plan to move back to (where is he from?)

His family has lived in Israel since he was 3 years old per Wikipedia, However i wouldn't be surprised if he considered NJ home at this point.

And he was born in Kyiv, which I don't think he will even visit any time soon.

 

[TAHbKA]

And he was born in Kyiv, which I don't think he will even visit any time soon.

Taking he left when he was 3 I somehow doubt he misses it terribly much.

He could come back and coach - his Hebrew is good enough for that, he could stay there and coach - his English is akso good enough. The logical thing would be to stay there - think by now he might actually be not bad with the beginners in pairs.

 

[Seerek]

Is JGP Courchevel Ella Chen's debut internationally representing Israel?

(Edited Thanks to @Sylvia)

 

[Sylvia]

Is JGP Courchevel Ella Chan's debut internationally representing Israel?

Ella Chen (pronounced 'Hen' I'm told ) debuted at the Philadelphia Summer International (placed 4th a total score of 119.94): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00106599.htm

 

[MsZem]

Ella Chen (pronounced 'Hen' I'm told ) debuted at the Philadelphia Summer International (placed 4th a total score of 119.94): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00106599.htm

Presumably the Ch is pronounced like a Spanish J - though given that she's from the US, maybe not.

 

[fan]

the ch is like a gutteral h