OES News 2021/2022 Season

[Karen-W]

Greta Crafoord is back on the ice today! The Crafoords are still training with Savchenko in Obertsdorf.

Watch this story by Aljona Savchenko on Instagram before it disappears.

instagram.com

 

[reut]

Mini-interviews with European Olympians (Karina Safina / Luka Berulava, Anastasia Gubanova, Josefin Taljegård, Ekaterina Kurakova, Michal Březina, Kévin Aymoz, Deniss Vasiļjevs) we combined into one article:
Euros 2022 → Beijing 2022

 

[alexikeguchi]

I'm not sure I've ever watched Nikolaj Majorov skate before, but I'm so glad Sweden decided to send him to Beijing along with Josefin Taljegard. He looked so thrilled to be competing, performed with so much commitment, and has a really entertaining step sequence. I'll definitely be looking out for him in the free skate and at other competitions from now on.

 

[Frau Muller]

I'm not sure I've ever watched Nikolaj Majorov skate before, but I'm so glad Sweden decided to send him to Beijing along with Josefin Taljegard. He looked so thrilled to be competing, performed with so much commitment, and has a really entertaining step sequence. I'll definitely be looking out for him in the free skate and at other competitions from now on.

Me too. I was expecting a short & stocky guy…must be a brother…same last name?
Update:
Never mind - it’s Alexander’s younger brother. Looked up Wikipedia.

 

[Hindernisse]

Long interview article on Tina Garabedian and Simon Proulx-Sénécal by Absolute Skating:

Absolute Skating

Welcome to Absolute Skating, information site for and by the skaters and their fans. The place to meet the person behind the skater and experience events on and behind the stage.

absoluteskating.com

It answers a lot of questions why these two represent Armenia.

 

[Karen-W]

Per this IG post, Antonio Souza-Kordeiru has retired from competitive skating. I suppose, like last season, we'll see of this sticks, lol.

Antonio Souza-Kordeiru on Instagram: "Hello everybody ✌🏾 I quit professional figure skating as sportsman ✊🏾✌🏾Time has come to start moving on and explore skating from other side of ice😄 That was such a long journey! I met so many wonderful people fro

283 likes, 80 comments - kotantosha on February 14, 2022: "Hello everybody ✌🏾 I quit professional figure skating as sportsman ✊🏾✌🏾Time has come to start moving on and explore skating from other side of ice😄 That was such a long journey! I met so many wonderful people from all over the world😍 I...

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Mick Brezina posted on his IG today that he will not be at Worlds. CZE does have another man with the Worlds TES mins, Georgi Reshtenko, so I assume he will be sent.

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[Vagabond]

Mick?!

 

[Karen-W]

Mick?!

That's his nickname, lol.

 

[wobbly]

Aljona Savchenko to move to Heerenveen (Netherlands) to head new Dutch figure skating centre.

 

[Sylvia]

Mick Brezina posted on his IG today that he will not be at Worlds. CZE does have another man with the Worlds TES mins, Georgi Reshtenko, so I assume he will be sent.

As was noted in the Worlds entries thread in the Kiss & Cry section, Georgii Reshtenko was initially listed for Worlds on March 2nd (with Brezina listed as alternate) but his name was removed on March 8 so there will be no Czech man at Worlds since ?!?!?

ETA that Armenia’s Slavik Hayrapetyan withdrew from Worlds today 3/14; Bulgaria’s Larry Loupolover withdrew on 3/3.

Aljona Savchenko to move to Heerenveen (Netherlands) to head new Dutch figure skating centre.

Thank you! I’ve created a separate news thread in GSD:

Aljona Savchenko signs 2-year contract to be the Dutch national figure skating coach in Heerenveen NED

Starting a new thread with this news (thanks to @wobbly for the heads up in the OES News thread; oops I missed seeing @GoneWithTheWind’s post & link in the German news thread until well after I had started this thread): Aljona Savchenko to move to Heerenveen (Netherlands) to head new Dutch...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[reut]

My talk with Olga Mikutina:
http://absoluteskating.com/interviews/2022olgamikutina.html

 

[Seerek]

Don't know where else to post

European Champ and World and Olympic medalist Karol Divin passed away earlier this week at 86 (at the time representing Czechoslovakia)

Zemřel elegán na ledě! Stříbrnému olympionikovi Divínovi bylo 86 let

Po každé, když nastoupil pod pěti kruhy, bojoval o přední umístění. Medaili si elegán na ledě nakonec odvezl pouze ze Squaw Valley 1960. Ke stříbru z olympijských her však přidal i stříbro a bronz ze světových šampionátů a osm cenných kovů z mistrovství Evropy včetně dvou triumfů. Krasobruslař...

www.olympijskytym.cz

 

[kwanfan1818]

@floskate posted Divin's 1962 Worlds FS to YouTube a couple of days ago in his memory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwrQ6zA9qx8

 

[Karen-W]

Ekaterina Ryabova (AZE) & Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA ice dance) are engaged.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcsQ9g7oG2e/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[clairecloutier]

Here is a new interview with Allison Reed & Saulius Ambrevicius, the Lithuanian ice dancers:

Reed/Ambrulevicius: "We haven't reached our limit" - A divine sport

Ice dancers Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius, who represent Lithuania, have both been part of the international ice dance scene for many years now. Reed began competing internationally in 2009, while Ambrulevicius’s ice dance career began in 2014. But, it’s only since the couple teamed up...

adivinesport.com

 

[Sylvia]

Niki Wories (NED) has retired from competition - her post today ("Normally the words come easy but for now all I can say is… Thank you… over and out"): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdq08zqrNmd/
I've posted about her new job with her federation here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...cements-in-2021-22.108986/page-2#post-6258778

2-time CZE Junior national ice dance champions Denisa CIMLOVA, 18 / Vilem HLAVSA, 20 in June have split according to their federation's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdpfAf0qMIn/
Their ISU bio (21st at 2022 Junior Worlds): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107839.htm

 

[kwanfan1818]

Jorik Hendrickx turned 30 today!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdtf4YFDewy/

It feels like yesterday that he competed in his first international championship: he was 17 with a head full of curls when we saw him at 2010 Euros in Tallinn, a couple of months before his first Jr. Worlds.

 

[jmtfti]

The new pairing of Olivia Oliver and Elliott Graham as a senior dance team for Poland is confirmed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdtPWSeAp49/

Elliott and I are excited about our new partnership. We want to proudly represent Poland in international competitions and achieve the highest possible results. We will be training in Canada and Poland.

 

[Sylvia]

According to this tweet in Polish that links to an article behind a paywall, Poland's only Senior pair team of Anna HERNIK / Michal WOZNIAK has split. Their ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111358.htm

 

[Sylvia]

Greta Crafoord is back on the ice today [Feb. 1]! The Crafoords are still training with Savchenko in Obertsdorf.

The Crafoords posted this clip today of Greta landing a throw 3Lo on the pole harness at the World Arena in Colorado Springs ("First throw in 7 months and it feels so good to fly again!"): https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdtR0f0uFND/

 

[text_skate]

According to this tweet in Polish that links to an article behind a paywall

I can read it. Perhaps a browser thing. Just threw the text into deepl:

Poland without sports couples. Another hope lost. The Siudeks have not lived to see their successors

In the past Polish sports couples were an indicator of innovation, creativity and success. Dorota and Mariusz Siudek are still waiting for their successors, but the competition is becoming more and more forgotten. Recently another duo - Anna Hernik and Michał Woźniak - has resigned from the way of former champions. - It is a pity what happened to this duo. A lot of work was put into their preparations, they looked good and everything collapsed after the start in Oberstdorf," Jacek Tascher, President of the Polish Figure Skating Federation, told us.

In the times of its figure skating greatness, Poland could boast great soloists, talented soloists, skilful dance couples and pioneering sports couples. The latter has been in a slump for many years now, devouring any further glimmers of hope. After the great achievements of Dorota and Mariusz Siudek there are still no successors for our champions, although there have been many attempts over the years.

 

[Sylvia]

Looks like Austria will have a new pair team - Drew Meekins & Lorenzo Magri both shared an Instagram story clip of Luc Maierhofer and Italy's Giorgia Ghedini (competed as a junior internationally this past season) doing an off ice lift in Egna, Italy.

Skate Austria's video a few days ago: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeJnIUgMO0r/

A weekend in the spirit of Pair Skating
With many participating pairs, Drew Meekins, Miriam Ziegler & Severin Kiefer shared their knowledge and new insights at the Pair Skating Impuls Days 2022 in Gmunden! ⛸
Special thanks to these coaches for an exciting weekend full of Pair Skating!

 

[oubik]

2-time CZE Junior national ice dance champions Denisa CIMLOVA, 18 / Vilem HLAVSA, 20 in June have split according to their federation's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdpfAf0qMIn/
Their ISU bio (21st at 2022 Junior Worlds): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107839.htm

And bet with whom is Denisa starting to skate?
A small help here - guy has greek name, czech passport (by mum) and passport of another EU country where he lived and representing it even at one of the past Olympics. And finally Alyona Savchenko came with the idea of the pairings. So what's your bet? The team looks great after first three weeks of training.

BTW, I am sorry for Vilem he was the one proposing to Denisa to split as he has some health issues which has to be sorted out and even his doctor's do not know how long would it take. But if all goes well he should be back on ice either with Denisa again or with his girl-friend or with another partner. Keep my fingers to him. He is a really nice guy and always supportive to his partners.

 

[Sylvia]

And bet with whom is Denisa starting to skate?
A small help here - guy has greek name, czech passport (by mum) and passport of another EU country where he lived and representing it even at one of the past Olympics. And finally Alyona Savchenko came with the idea of the pairings. So what's your bet? The team looks great after first three weeks of training

AH, thanks @oubik - THAT'S the part we didn't know about! (go to the Dance Hall thread in the Trash Can where guesses were posted: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...beijing-2021-2022.108381/page-98#post-6263903)

 

[Sylvia]

Anastasia Polibina/Pavel Golovishnikov's joint IG account posted on June 4 ("Starting the season with good news!!! Paweł received Polish citizenship!!! Congratulations!!! ️ Dreams do come true!! "): https://www.instagram.com/p/CeYdtA7oERf/
Both were born in Russia and teamed up in 2020: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00110432.htm

ETA:

Just noticed that the Hungarian federation's website posted the news about Mark Magyar's (expected) retirement back on March 29 & I will cross-post the link in the Retirements thread:

Magyar Márk befejezte pályafutását | Magyar Országos Korcsolyázó Szövetség - MOKSZ

A történelmet író magyar sportoló Chtchetinina Iouliával az oldalán nagyszerű teljesítménnyel a 6. helyen végzett az idei, januári Európa-bajnokságon, az olimpián viszont nem indulhatott el, miután a helyszínre érkezve pozitív lett a PCR tesztje. A kérdéseket rögtön ezzel kezdtem Magyar Márknál...

hunskate.hu

"And what about Ioulia Chtchetinina? To this question, she replied that she wanted to focus on her studies now, but she was about to find a match for next season and continue his career, as, as she said, she still felt the fire and the opportunity."

 

[Sylvia]

And bet with whom is Denisa starting to skate?
A small help here - guy has greek name, czech passport (by mum) and passport of another EU country where he lived and representing it even at one of the past Olympics. And finally Alyona Savchenko came with the idea of the pairings. So what's your bet? The team looks great after first three weeks of training.

Joti Polizoakis today ("We‘ve been in the training process a month now and so far we‘re very happy and pleased with the progress we‘re making. Our head coach is Barbara Fusar-Poli and we are supported by further coaches Roberto Pelizzola, Lukas Csolley, Corrado Giordani and many different experts in their fields. Our training base is in Milan, Italy.": https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCIfTHolup/

Denisa Cimlová's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCIgjdMauG/

(Cross-posted in the Dance Hall thread)

 

[oubik]

Joti Polizoakis today ("We‘ve been in the training process a month now and so far we‘re very happy and pleased with the progress we‘re making. Our head coach is Barbara Fusar-Poli and we are supported by further coaches Roberto Pelizzola, Lukas Csolley, Corrado Giordani and many different experts in their fields. Our training base is in Milan, Italy.": https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCIfTHolup/

Denisa Cimlová's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCIgjdMauG/

(Cross-posted in the Dance Hall thread)

You won first prize

 

[Sylvia]

Replying here from the Retirements thread:

... new for me is the split of Jasmine Tessari / Stephane Walker of SUI.

I also noticed that Tessari/Walker weren't on the updated WS list last Friday, but since they were so far down the SB Top 75 list, the likelihood of them receiving any assignment was negligible and I just took them off my "eligible list" in the GP predictions thread without any fanfare.

The Swiss federation has published their 2022-23 national team documents on their website and Tessari/Walker are not included among the ice dance teams: https://www.swissiceskating.ch/_default_upload_bucket/equipe-nationale_2022_23_1.pdf

(I will re-post the link when the 2022-23 OES News thread is created in the near future.)

ETA:

I noticed Milyukov was off the [updated ISU WS] list, but failed to mention it in the GP thread since he's from Belarus and they aren't eligible for assignments at any rate.

... [Croatia's Lana] Petranovic is on IPS and she's still quite young, so it seems she is looking for a partner and wants to continue. [Spain's Dorota] Broda is also on IPS and stated, when Pedro announced his retirement, that she wanted to continue. I think Pavlova already has a new partner, but can't recall for sure.

I believe Maria Pavlova, who received her Hungarian citizenship (in February 2022: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZuQ8oHI-N8/) when she debuted last season with Balazs Nagy, is skating with Alexei Sviatchenko in Russia now?

 

[Sylvia]

Russian interview with 23-year-old Vladimir Samoilov, now representing Poland (June 19):

Фигурист Владимир Самойлов: «Видел перебор: берут ребенка — и об стенку головой»

Представитель сборной Польши — о прошлом в российском фигурном катании и трагедиях юниоров.

www.sport-express.ru

Machine translated excerpt:

Q: So you haven't been to Poland for a long time?
VS: From competitions in the winter. I left Russia on August 1 last year, spent two months in Poland, trained alone and then moved here to the [Egna] academy.
Q: How is the Russian figure skater living abroad now?
VS: Recent events have not affected me in any way, if you take sports. Basically, I was a little afraid to come here. Still Russian, not everyone treats us well. But the guys normally accepted, everything is adequate, objective. They perfectly understand that I have nothing to do with what happened. So nothing has changed for us. After all, Ukrainians come here, and Poles, Americans, here is a hodgepodge.
Q: You represent Poland. There were no conditions from the federation?
VS: Pah-pah (knocks on the forehead), everything is fine. As it was, it remained, no conditions were put forward to me. And thank them for that.
Q: Did you learn Italian?
VS: I know some common phrases. And mother taught me. In general, the process is in English.